Rep. Payne, Jr. Votes to Deliver Relief to American Families and Small Businesses    

Washington, D.C. —Today, Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. voted for the historic American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to deliver vital relief to New Jersey residents and all Americans during the COVID-19 health and economic crisis.  The bill (H.R. 1319) was a success for Rep. Payne, Jr. because he fought to include nearly $920 million for the 10^th Congressional District and more than $10 billion for the State of New Jersey in the plan.

“We need this bill because millions of Americans are struggling to put food on the table, pay their rent and mortgages, and keep their businesses open during this public health crisis,” said Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr.  “With several new vaccines on the market, we are getting closer to the herd immunity necessary to reopen our society.  But we still must get more Americans vaccinated so we can return to work, reopen schools, and support our small businesses.”

Overall, this critical $1.9 trillion bill provides financial relief to American families, workers, and small businesses as well as massive improvements to our nationwide COVID-19 vaccination infrastructure. Specifically, the bill includes:

• A $1,400 direct payment to low and middle-income Americans with an extra $1,400 per qualifying child.

• An additional $300 per week in benefits for unemployed workers through September 6, 2021, and exempts unemployment benefits from income tax.

• $360 billion to support states, cities, tribal territories, and local communities. New Jersey receives $10.2 billion from this bill.

• $7.25 billion to the popular Paycheck Protection Program to help small businesses keep employees on payroll.

• More than $20 billion to increase vaccine production and distribution plus $51 billion for COVID-19 testing and contact tracing.

• $130 billion to reopen schools through improved ventilation systems, reduced class sizes, added health staff, and adequate supplies of protective equipment for students and staff.

• $37.5 billion to help Americans pay for rent and mortgages through this global pandemic.

• $25 billion for a new Restaurant Revitalization Fund, which provides aid to the food service industry.

• Covers 100 percent of the COBRA premiums so workers who have lost their jobs are able to stay on their health insurance at no additional cost.

This stimulus bill is the sixth one passed since March 2020 to help Americans during this COVID-19 global pandemic.

# # # #