March 10, 2021

Rep. Mike Levin Statement on Final Passage of the American Rescue Plan

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Mike Levin (CA-49) voted to pass the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, sending it to President Biden's desk for his signature.

“We are now more than one year into this pandemic, and the effects on the American people have been devastating,” said Rep. Levin. “We have lost loved ones, jobs, homes, businesses, and so much more. We see a light at the end of tunnel, but the American people urgently need more relief to get through this pandemic. I am proud to say that the American Rescue Plan meets the health and economic crises we’re facing with investments to put vaccines in arms, money in pockets, kids in schools, and people back in jobs. It will cut child poverty in half and lift nearly 12 million Americans out of poverty. It will help local small businesses and restaurants we cherish stay open. And it will provide local governments – including all of the smaller cities in my District – with direct funding to maintain essential services and keep frontline workers on the job. This bill provides the relief that the American people need, and I am proud that we are sending it to the President’s desk. Help is on the way.”

See below for key highlights from the American Rescue Plan. A fact sheet on the bill is available here.

For public health:

  • $20 billion to establish a national COVID-19 vaccination program and strengthen the distribution of vaccines, including:
    • $7.5 billion for the CDC to prepare for, promote, distribute, monitor, and track COVID-19 vaccines.
    • $7.5 billion for FEMA to establish vaccination sites across the country.
    • $5.2 billion to the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to support advanced research, development, manufacturing, production, and purchase of vaccines, therapeutics, and ancillary medical products for COVID-19.
    • $1 billion for the CDC to undertake a vaccine awareness and engagement campaign
  • $47.8 billion for testing, contact tracing, and mitigation. These activities include implementing a national strategy for testing, contact tracing, surveillance, and mitigation; and the manufacturing, procurement, distribution, and administration of tests, including personal protective equipment (PPE) and supplies necessary for administration of the tests. 
  • $7.7 billion to establish, expand, and sustain a public health workforce.
  • $7.6 billion to support COVID-19 response at community health centers.
  • $4 billion to expand mental and behavioral health services.

For individuals and families:

  • $1,400 direct payments for single filers with incomes up to $75,000, head of household filers with incomes up to $112,500, and joint filers with incomes up to $150,000.
  • Extends the federal supplemental unemployment benefit through September 6 at $300 per month. The bill also exempts up to $10,200 in unemployment benefits received in 2020 from federal income taxes for households making less than $150,000.
  • $27.5 billion in rental assistance:
    • $22.5 billion for emergency rental and utility assistance to states, territories, counties, and cities to help stabilize renters during the pandemic, and help rental property owners of all sizes continue to cover their costs.
    • $5 billion for emergency vouchers to transition those experiencing or at risk of homelessness, survivors of domestic violence, and victims of human trafficking to stable housing.
  • $10 billion for the Homeowner Assistance Fund that allocates funds to states, territories, and tribes to address the ongoing needs of homeowners struggling to afford their housing due directly or indirectly to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic by providing direct assistance with mortgage payments, property taxes, property insurance, utilities, and other housing related costs.
    • Makes the child tax credit fully refundable for 2021 and increases the annual amount from the current $2,000 per child to $3,000 per child ($3,600 for a child under age 6). 
    • Provides $39 billion through the Child Care and Development Block Grant for child care providers as the country reopens and provides financial relief for families struggling to cover tuition.
    • Extends SNAP maximum benefits by 15 percent through September 30, 2021 and provides $1.1 billion in additional SNAP administrative funds to states to help meet the demand of increased caseloads.

For schools:

  • Nearly $130 billion to help K-12 schools reopen safely with resources for repairing ventilation systems, reducing class sizes and implementing social distancing guidelines, purchasing personal protective equipment, and hiring support staff to care for students’ health and well-being.
  • Nearly $40 billion for institutions of higher education to help make up for lost revenue due to the pandemic. Requires institutions to dedicate at least half of their funding for emergency financial aid grants to students to help prevent hunger, homelessness and other hardships facing students as a result of the pandemic.

For small businesses:

  • $7.25 billion in additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program and expands eligibility of 501(c) nonprofits of all sizes and types, except for 501(c)4 lobbying organizations.
  • Provides $28.6 billion for a new program at SBA to offer assistance to restaurants and bars with 20 or fewer locations that have been hit hard by the pandemic.
  • $15 billion for targeted Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advances to help those who applied for relief in 2020 but did not receive the full $10,000 grant.

For local governments:

  • $350 billion in new Coronavirus Relief Funds for states, localities, the U.S. Territories, and the Tribal Governments, to help keep critical workers on the job. These critical workers include frontline health care workers, police, firefighters, transit workers, teachers, EMS, and other vital workers who help keep us safe. 
  • Estimated funding for cities in the 49th Congressional District:
    • Carlsbad - $13,376,000
    • Dana Point - $6,320,000
    • Del Mar - $812,000
    • Encinitas - $8,878,000
    • Oceanside - $33,412,000
    • San Clemente - $8,876,000
    • San Juan Capistrano - $6,759,000
    • Solana Beach - $2,502,000
    • Vista - $26,675,000

###