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Last night, minutes after President Biden addressed the nation about the $1.9 trillion COVID rescue plan passed into law with solely Democratic votes, AOC took to Instagram to make clear why this was such a big win for progressives.
AOC said, "Did we get everything we wanted? Absolutely not. But did we get things that are going to change people's lives? Absolutely yes. I believe that there are going to be millions of people that get a lot more money than they thought they were going to get. I'm really excited about that."
AOC talked about $1,400 checks per person, extra child checks worth $3,600 per kid to many families, free health care for millions, money for vaccines, Elizabeth Warren's student debt cancellation provision, help for struggling local governments, restaurants, small businesses, and more.
Below are some highlights from AOC. Please pass to others.
-- The PCCC Team (@BoldProgressive)
AOC SAYS:
We passed the COVID bill everybody! We got it. Checks are coming out...People who didn't get checks before are now getting checks. And it's actually not just $1,400 for a lot of you because if you have children, for each one of your kids, you will also be getting in total up to $3,600 per child.
I'm so excited to talk to you all about what's in this bill...Yes, there were a lot of fights in this bill. Did we get everything we wanted? Absolutely not. But did we get things that are going to change people's lives? Absolutely yes.
I believe that there are going to be millions of people that get a lot more money than they thought they were going to get. I'm really excited about that.
It's a total of $1.9 trillion. I can tell you, in our last relief bill, in the CARES act last year, in the legislation that had the first round of checks, there were a lot of corporate giveaways and a lot of massive corrupt stuff because, frankly, we had to deal with the Trump administration. I can say with confidence, this $1.9 trillion doesn't have anywhere near that same scope of giveaways and nasty stuff. And that means more of this money is going to help you.
I truly do not believe we have had a bill this focused on working people in a really long time.
It's okay to say when good things happen.
There's a lot of stuff left to be desired that we need to build power to get. The way that we build power is acknowledging our achievements along the way. We have a lot of work ahead, but this is major.
Here's what AOC said about the specifics in the new rescue bill passed solely with Democratic votes:
- "We are at $1400 for the stimulus check. $1400 per person. And dependents are included. College students, adults with disabilities. So many people that deserved a stimulus check in the last few rounds last year, you're going to get it this time." [The phase out starts at an income limit of $75,000 per individual... $150,000 per married couple.]
- "When you add that up into your own family, it's like thousands and thousands of more dollars that your family is going to get than they did last year."
- "I helped introduce an amendment, and I worked with a bunch of other House representatives, we said what we demand is the first $10,200 in unemployment income that people got in 2020 should be tax free."
- "We included adult dependents this time. So millions more people will get a lot more money."
- "Let's talk about child checks.....$3,000 per child above the age of 6 and up to 17. If you have a child 6 and under, you will get $3600...$300 a month per kid, starting around July." [Similar income qualifications as checks. Child poverty will be cut in half!]
- "Let's talk about student loans. There is a provision that feels like an Easter Egg that I think gives us some hope...There is a tax provision tucked away that says if your student loans get cancelled, you don't have to pay taxes on that cancellation...it will not be treated as though the government gave you money to pay off your loans so you would have to pay taxes on them...If you care about student debt cancellation, it's go time for you. Now is the time to organize to create the political pressure because in there tucked away, someone's paving the path...Progressives are looking out for you." That person's name is Senator Elizabeth Warren, who put this provision in!
- "We've got $350 billion in state and local assistance. If your state has been cutting back services -- if they stopped hiring firefighters, if they stopped construction on bridges -- there is money here to help states not cut off their services."
- "There is even more money specifically for schools."
- "More money for vaccine development and distribution!"
- An expansion in the ACA...We will not stop fighting until we have Medicare For All. That said, the first piece of good news: If you lose your job, COBRA is so expensive, it is insanely pricey for so many people. In this bill, if you have COBRA, your premium will be paid for 100% until September. That means you can keep your insurance virtually free of cost...If you get your health insurance off the exchange, there are really important changes that mean you will pay less money. It won't be as expensive for you...What has changed here is that if you buy your insurance with the ACA, you probably are going to have a lower premium across the board...it outrights eliminates the premium for people making 150% of the poverty level...If you're making 400% of the federal level, about $51,520 a year, you will qualify for federal help and you will not pay more than 8.5% of income on your premium. And that will last for two years."
- "The federal government will also pay a larger share of Medicaid expansion for states that haven't opted in to the ACA. We're sweetening the pot. We're telling those states we'll give you even more money if you give your people health care."
- "Restaurants. In the last bill, we created an exclusivity window where mom and pops can get in the front of the line. In this bill, there's extra help for restaurants. It is more targeted relief to help independent bars and restaurants make up for the revenue they lost. $28 billion in grants, on top of PPP. As someone who worked in waitressing and bartending, it's close to our hearts."
AOC also talked about the importance of expanding the Squad to keep these wins growing. (Donate here to help elect progressives and expand the Squad.) And she called for progressives to keep organizing in future rounds of legislative fights:
"This is the benefit of electing a movement of progressives to Congress...of expanding the Squad. When you elect more progressive members to Congress, who are not financed by big money, who are not financed by lobbyists, when you pitch in small dollar donations, you get people who are looking out for everyday working people."
This victory will help millions of lives. We'll keep you updated on next steps. Thanks for being a bold progressive.
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