American Rescue Plan Act of 2021

Yarmuth, John A.

American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 This bill provides additional relief to address the continued impact of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) on the economy, public health, state and local governments, individuals, and businesses. Specifically, the bill provides funding for <ul> <li>agriculture and nutrition programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program);</li> <li> schools and institutions of higher education;</li> <li> child care and programs for older Americans and their families;</li> <li>COVID-19 vaccinations, testing, treatment, and prevention;</li> <li>mental health and substance-use disorder services;</li> <li>emergency rental assistance, homeowner assistance, and other housing programs; </li> <li>payments to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments for economic relief; </li> <li>multiemployer pension plans; </li> <li>small business assistance, including specific programs for restaurants and live venues; and</li> <li>programs for health care workers, transportation workers, federal employees, veterans, and other targeted populations.</li> </ul> The bill also includes provisions that <ul> <li> raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2025;</li> <li>extend unemployment benefits and related services;</li> <li>provide a maximum recovery rebate of $1,400 per eligible individual;</li> <li>expand and otherwise modify certain tax credits, including the child tax credit and the earned income tax credit;</li> <li>provide premium assistance for certain health insurance coverage; and</li> <li>require coverage, without cost-sharing, of COVID-19 vaccines and treatment under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).</li> </ul>