The American Sustainable Business Council applauds Congressional passage of President Biden’s $1.9 trillion Covid relief package addressing the worst health crisis in a century and its severe economic repercussions. The Senate last week excluded some relevant measures from the bill originally passed by the House, such as increasing the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour and extending $600 weekly unemployment benefits until August. The House on Tuesday accepted the Senate version, sending the bill to President Biden for signing into law. | |
The latest rescue package, even with the changes, remains essential to jumpstart and sustain our economy after almost a year of financial unrest. By securing resources to expand testing and vaccinations, safely reopen schools, support small businesses and send direct checks of up to $1400 to individuals making less than $80,000, the Biden administration is aiming to assist those communities hit hard by the pandemic with more targeted assistance. The following are other important provisions contained in the bill: - $300 for weekly unemployment benefits until Labor Day
- $10 billion in direct aid to cities and counties to develop broadband infrastructure.
- $5 billion in state grants for childcare services.
- $10 billion to help develop broadband infrastructure. The money will aid state broadband providers to ensure that no one is without Internet, especially in a time where connectivity is necessary for everyday life.
- An insert which prevents large corporations from writing down the compensation of these companies’ 10 highest paid executives
- $28.6 billion in state grants for struggling bars and restaurants.
- $5 billion to America’s Black, indigenous, Hispanic, and farmers of color. This includes $4 billion in direct relief payments to help farmers of color pay-off outstanding USDA farm loan debts and related taxes.
- Funds the creation of a new program to provide support to tribal governments that have suffered from previous federal policies.
- $3 billion in support for aviation manufacturers.
- $130 billion for elementary, middle, and high schools in their reopening efforts.
- $5 billion increase in state funds for childcare for over a decade.
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Business leaders across the country understand that after a year where more than 500,000 American lives were lost and millions of jobs disappeared overnight, recovering some sense of normalcy requires a generous rescue package to jumpstart our economy and protect those communities badly impacted by the pandemic. While the package includes tax credits for employers who provide paid leave, these provisions still fall short of the permanent paid family and sick leave. It remains essential to include paid leave benefits as part of a future rescue plan for those Americans who are not receiving paychecks, but fall sick themselves or have to care for a family member during the pandemic. Acknowledging the importance of paid leave is a sign of gratitude to those frontline workers who in spite of the deadly risk kept our country running. Please help us ask Congress to include paid leave benefits in future relief packages by signing this letter. | |
