Blumenthal Applauds Senate Passage of Budget Resolution – Moving Congress One Step Closer to Approving New Funding for COVID-19 & Economic Relief

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) released the following statement today after the Senate approved a budget resolution for the upcoming fiscal year, moving Congress one step closer to approving the American Rescue Plan, which would provide $1.9 trillion in new funding to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and provide economic relief:

“This vote brings us one critical step closer to approving the big, bold relief plan this crisis demands. This kind of emergency aid package is a moral imperative. It is a social obligation. Tonight, Republicans and Democrats came together to approve amendments supporting struggling restaurants, strengthening vaccine distribution and public awareness campaigns, and improving services for domestic violence survivors. I’m glad we were able to move ahead tonight in a bipartisan way, and I hope my Republican colleagues continue to work with us on this relief package, but I have no tolerance – zero – for delay. The need is simply too great.”

Over the last several days, Blumenthal has spoken on the Senate Floor multiple times to highlight the need for additional funding and resources to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic crisis.

Yesterday, Blumenthal delivered remarks raising concerns about the stark homework and connectivity gap faced by students amid the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in communities of color. Blumenthal highlighted Connecticut as a model for improving kids’ connectivity, and called for the passage of the American Rescue Plan to provide additional funding to close the connectivity and homework gap for students in Connecticut and across the country.

Blumenthal also called for strengthening the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and providing more resources for veterans. Blumenthal emphasized the need to pass the American Rescue Plan to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines are quickly distributed to veterans and to help veterans with medical debt. Blumenthal touted Connecticut’s distribution of COVID-19 vaccines to veterans and stressed the need to invest in the repair and reconstruction of aging VA facilities like the West Haven hospital. Blumenthal also emphasized the need for rigorous oversight over the VA to ensure that waste or delay in veterans programs is mitigated.

On Wednesday, Blumenthal spoke on the Senate Floor to highlight the importance of investing in vaccine production and equitable distribution, and to call for additional resources to help schools reopen safely.

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