PRESIDENT Joe Biden outlined a $1.9trillion plan to expand coronavirus jabs, boost jobs, and jump-start America’s stalling economy.

The ambitious new spending bid was announced in 2020, at a critical time for the world’s largest economy.

What is Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan?

President Joe Biden approved a second stimulus check of $1,400 to be sent to American households in January 2021 in addition to the $600 checks Congress approved in December 2020.

By bumping up payments to $2,000, Biden’s administration said it would help struggling families meet basic needs and support local businesses.

Biden’s initial proposal to pour $1.9trillion into the economy was part of his approach that he hoped would lead to a surge in jobs and spending during a record-breaking Covid pandemic recession.

The bill was approved in March 2021 and in addition to including the $1,400 stimulus checks, it also extend to a $300 per week employment insurance boost that lasted until September 6, 2021.

Under this bill, the child tax credit was extended for another year, put $20billion toward Covid-19 vaccinations, $25billion into utility and rental assistance, and $350billion went into a state, local, and tribal relief.

“This historic legislation is about rebuilding the backbone of this country,” Biden said before signing the legislation in March 2021.

“And giving people in this nation, working people, middle-class folks, the people who built this country, a fighting chance.”

Biden’s goal at the start of his presidency was to have 100million jabs administered by the 100th day of his administration, to help stabilize the economy and tackle the pandemic.

“We will have to move heaven and earth to get more people vaccinated,” Biden said on January 14, 2021.

Biden announced on his 100th day in office that he had not only met that goal but had surpassed it with more than 200million people having received their Covid-19 vaccine.

Joe Biden has been worried about the deadly impact of Covid in the US[/caption]

What has Joe Biden said about the American Rescue Plan?

The America Rescue Plan is packed with proposals on healthcare, education, labor, and cybersecurity, and when Biden took office, he called it the “first step” towards recovery.

“During this pandemic, millions of Americans – through no fault of their own – have lost the dignity and respect that comes with a job and a paycheck,” Biden said at the time.

“There is real pain overwhelming the real economy.”

After his announcement of his Build Back Better plan, Biden posted on Twitter and said, “We need to tackle the public health and economic crises we’re facing head-on.

“That’s why I’m announcing my American Rescue Plan.

“Together we’ll change the course of the pandemic, build a bridge toward economic recovery, and invest in racial justice.

“We have no time to waste when it comes to getting this virus under control and building our economy back better.”

• Direct cash payments
• Extended unemployment
• Rent relief
• Food assistance
• Aid to small businesses
• Keeping essential frontline workers on the job

“Those are the key elements of my American Rescue Plan,” he added.

When did the American Rescue Plan start?

Biden signed the $1.9trillion coronavirus relief package, otherwise known as the American Rescue Plan, on March 11, 2021.

The bill met resistance from the Republican party, and early in the debate, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-California) claimed, “This isn’t a rescue bill; it isn’t a relief bill; it is a laundry list of left-wing priorities that predate the pandemic and do not meet the needs of American families.”

Despite Republicans’ efforts, the American Rescue Plan was passed solely by Democrats in Congress without a Republican vote.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California) spoke just before the bill was signed and said, “The Biden American Rescue Plan is about the children, their health, their education, [and] the economic security of their families.

“This legislation is one of the most transformative and historic bills any of us will ever have an opportunity to support.”

Biden released a statement shortly after the bill was passed and said, “For weeks now, an overwhelming percentage of Americans — Democrats, Independents, and Republicans — have made it clear they support the American Rescue Plan.

“Today, with final passage in the House of Representatives, their voice has been heard.”

What is Joe Biden’s America Rescue Plan?

Joe Biden is proposing a $1.9trillion plan to boost America. Here’s an overview:

SMALL BUSINESS

$15billion in grants to more than one million small firms that have been hit hard by the pandemic, as well as other aid.

STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

$350billion in emergency funding for state, local and territorial governments to help front-line workers.

CYBERSECURITY

$9billion to modernize information technology systems at federal agencies.

EDUCATION

$130billion for K-12 schools to help them reopen safely.

Public colleges and universities would get $35billion to cover pandemic-related expenses.

MINIMUM WAGE

The federal minimum wage would be raised to $15 per hour from the current rate of $7.25 per hour.

CHILD CARE TAX CREDIT

The child care tax credit would be expanded for a year, to cover half the cost of child care up to $4,000 for one child and $8,000 for two or more for families making less than $125,000 a year.

STIMULUS CHECKS

Stimulus checks of $1,400 per person in addition to the $600 checks Congress approved in December 2020.

COVID

A $20billion national program to establish community vaccination centers across the US and send mobile units to remote communities.

An additional $50billion would expand testing efforts and help schools and governments implement routine testing.