Helping America Dig out from Under the Pandemic: ‘Shots in Arms, Money in Pockets’

President Biden signed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan on March 12, sending more stimulus checks, helping vaccine distribution and re-opening schools. (The plan also included a fix for multiemployer pension plans, which you can read more about below.) These measures have helped individuals, states and communities recover from the year- long pandemic.

The popular legislation passed the Democratic-majority House of Representatives and Senate without any support from Republicans.

Biden’s top priority, the plan was accomplished in his 50th day in office. The law includes:

• $1,400 stimulus checks to individuals making up to $75,000 a year
• Extending enhanced unemployment insurance by six months, through September
• $7.5 billion to increase the pace of coronavirus vaccine distribution, $5.2 billion for vaccines and supplies and $10 billion to expand domestic production of PPE, vaccines and supplies under the Defense Production Act Expanding eligibility for the Affordable Care Act
• Subsidies covering 100 percent of health care premiums for COBRA-eligible individuals who lose their jobs for six months