On behalf of the Friends Committee on National Legislation, I would like to thank members of the House and the Senate for passing The American Rescue Plan. The bill, awaiting signature from President Biden, will have a dramatically positive impact on the lives of people who have been economically devastated by the pandemic and those in low income households.
The American Rescue Plan will have a dramatically positive impact on the lives of people who have been economically devastated by the pandemic.
Among its economic justice provisions is the expansion of two tax credit programs that help lift families out of poverty: the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit. Both will significantly reduce poverty in the United States. Currently 11 million children live in poverty in the United States, and this law will cut child poverty in half in 2021.
In contrast to the five COVID-19 relief bills earlier passed by Congress, the American Rescue Plan includes international aid to address the pandemic. It is important for us to recognize that none of us are safe until all of us are safe.
I would also like to thank our advocates all over the country and our faith partners without whose help we would not have won this big victory in Congress. As we express our thanks, we also hold in the Light all those people who have died or are ill with coronavirus.
