The passage of the massive $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan will give a boost to 海角换妻鈥檚 chances of emerging from the pandemic without major fiscal damage, according to the Lamont administration.The Biden administration鈥檚 coronavirus relief package passed the U.S. Senate Saturday afternoon in an entirely party-line vote. No Republican senator backed the measure, despite in recent polls. It contains $1,400 payments for a broad swath of the American people, extended unemployment benefits and support for businesses, including the first targeted funding for restaurants and event venues.
The legislation includes money for states to increase vaccine production and distribution, and to put safety measures in place as they look to fully reopen schools.
Sen. Chris Murphy touted his success in securing dedicated funding for summer enrichment programs within the package.
鈥淭his bill is one of the most important things I鈥檝e ever done during my time in Congress,鈥� he said in an emailed statement just after the vote. 鈥淧resident Biden鈥檚 rescue plan is going to save lives, through ramped up vaccination efforts and economic relief. The country is on our side here and we were given a mandate to deliver. I applaud my colleagues for meeting this moment and the Biden administration for being laser-focused on containing this pandemic and giving the American people the kitchen table relief they deserve.鈥�
His colleague Sen. Richard Blumenthal also hailed the bill as a game changer for states鈥� efforts to fight the pandemic.
This big & bold legislation meets the urgency of this moment. CT is estimated to receive around $4B鈥攁id vital for vaccine distribution, reopening schools, & supporting first responders. We鈥檝e said from the start we must turnaround the health crisis to end the economic crisis.
— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal)
The bill includes $200 billion that would go directly to states. Gov. Ned Lamont said the billions coming to 海角换妻 will help him close the state鈥檚 budget gap.
鈥淭his is good news for us,鈥� he said in a Friday news conference ahead of the final vote. 鈥淲e would be able to preserve the rainy day fund. And some of this money would be able to go to supplementing our budget.鈥�
An additional $130 billion in the package would go to local governments.
The municipal allocation will help support school opening plans, as well as pay for increased social services and emergency responders.
Trumbull First Selectwoman Vicki Tesoro said the legislation will help to avoid large property tax hikes in towns like hers.
鈥淪ome of our critical services will be in jeopardy due to the loss of revenue and other budget challenges created by this crisis,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat is why this stimulus bill is so necessary to provide needed funding to our municipalities. This needed funding is a direct pass-through to our residents and businesses. They are the ones who pay these taxes.鈥�
Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling echoed those sentiments.
鈥淭his bill is called the rescue bill. That鈥檚 the right name because we desperately need to be rescued from what is happening,鈥� he said.
海角换妻鈥檚 Ali Warshavsky and WSHU鈥檚 Ebong Udoma contributed to this report.
