The Story:
On Thursday, March 11, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan, committing the United States to spend $1.9 trillion on cash payments to individuals and families, extending unemployment, increasing food stamp benefits, and providing aid to states, municipalities, and tribes. The passage of the bill is a remarkable display of the extent of partisan polarization the United States at present. No Republicans voted for the bill, in either chamber of Congress.
Background:
In December, while Donald Trump remained in the White House and the Republican Party controlled the Senate, there were discussions of a Covid stimulus. The Senate Republicans and the President split over the appropriate amount. Trump indicated $2,000 should go out to most individuals, but then-Majority Leader McConnell kept the number down to $600.
The Democrats seized on this disagreement to say that the $600 should be regarded as a down payment, and that the remaining $1,400 would be forthcoming under the Biden administration. Part of this package is a making good on that promise.
The Thing to Know:
The Biden administration is operating on the belief that the Obama administration was overly shy about touting its own accomplishments. Accordingly, Americans can expect to hear a lot above the American Rescue Plan in the weeks and months ahead.
