The Institute of Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) and US mayors have applauded President Joe Biden and his team for a rescue plan that will help the nation to recover and end the she-cession.
Biden today signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 into law. The $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief package provides $360 billion in direct financial relief for state and local governments. Since Covid-19 first befell the nation, cities have been on the frontlines of this public health crisis. They have faced rising expenses to fight the virus, growing budget deficits due to the resulting economic pain and increasing demand for city support services. The American Rescue Plan will help to fund US cities’ efforts to beat Covid-19; ensure public services will remain robustly funded; and aid cities in their efforts to get the nation’s economy back on track.
LANDMARK RELIEF PACKAGE FOR WOMEN
The historic relief package will also uplift the nation, particularly women and families, according to IWPR. “Women and families are facing extraordinary challenges that require bold solutions,” stated C Nicole Mason, PhD, President and CEO of IWPR. “Now they will finally get some of the help they need to survive the pandemic with the delivery of this landmark relief package.”
Women and families have been hit disproportionately hard by the economic downturn in the wake of the pandemic. To help them, the American Rescue Plan includes:
- $1400 checks for individuals and adult dependents – which will help 158 million households.
- Up to $3,600 per child (over several payments).
- Continued unemployment insurance (UI) benefits of $300 for six months (until August), with up to $10,200 in untaxed UI income.
- $39 billion for childcare to help working families.
- 66 million children benefiting from the child tax credit.
- Earned Income Tax Credit expanded to 17 million workers.
SHE-CESSION RECOVERY
Women – particularly Black women and Latinas – have been hit hard economically and emotionally by the she-cession. Many millions of workers in hard-hit industries are still out of work and need this support. The rescue package will provide child care to millions of families, a key support to bringing women back to the workforce. “While this big and bold bill is an impressive solution – our work is not finished. We need a society where it’s not up to each family to solve their own child care crisis,” said Mason. “People need to pay their bills and put food on the table, and have quality child care accessible. For many women and families, this support will help them regain the ground they lost over the past year. This bill helps them rebuild their economic security.”
Following President Biden’s signing of the bill, USCM (The United States Conference of Mayors) President and Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer stated: “For a year now, cities and towns across the United States have been grappling with the very real pain of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mayors – including Democrats, Republicans, and Independents – have been unified in their calls for Congress to provide direct fiscal assistance for all cities, not just some. President Biden heard those calls and has prioritised support for cities and their residents since he came into office. We are grateful for his leadership. This critically needed legislation paves the way for our nation’s recovery, and it says to the millions of Americans who have been struggling during this pandemic, and to the mayors who lead them: help is finally on the way.”
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