Blumenthal Applauds Senate Passage of the American Rescue Plan Act

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) released the following statement after the Senate approved the American Rescue Plan Act to provide funding for vaccine production and distribution, direct relief for individuals and families, and critical support to communities hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic:

“This pandemic relief package is key to both Connecticut and the country conquering the pandemic and putting America back to work. This truly big and bold piece of legislation meets the urgency of this moment. We listened to people about what they need and then wrote it into law: extended unemployment benefits, nutrition assistance, housing aid, support for small businesses and countless others who have been hanging by a thread.”

“Connecticut is estimated to receive around $4 billion through the funding we set aside for states and local governments – aid vital to delivering vaccines, reopening schools, and supporting firefighters, police and first responders. Additional funding for the vaccine production, distribution, and education is absolutely essential if we’re going to overcome the virus and its variants and reopen public places. We’ve said from the very beginning that we must turn around the public health crisis to end the economic crisis.”

“Friday’s job numbers were encouraging, but they just mean we must to keep our foot on the gas and make sure that this momentum is sustained and intensified. We learned our lesson after the 2008 financial crisis: go big, and do it now.”

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