Members of Connecticut’s U.S. House delegation are promoting the work that funds from the American Rescue Plan can do in the state. The bill could reach President Joe Biden’s desk on Wednesday.
Rep. John Larson said Tuesday the aid will both grow the economy and help citizens who need it most.
“One and a half million households will benefit from the $4 billion of stimulus money that is coming into the state of Connecticut,” said Larson. “That means that the relief is going to be seen at the dinner table and assisting the day-to-day ongoing efforts on behalf of our citizens to make ends meet.”
Not only will the money go toward direct stimulus checks for many Connecticut residents, but it also includes a historic child tax credit.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro was a key advocate for that provision. The credit increases from $2,000 to $3,000, and expands it to 17-year-old children for the first time. There’s an additional $600 for children under 6. It also makes the payment fully refundable as residents don’t have to owe tax to claim it.
“It’s a new lifeline to the middle class, and it cuts child poverty nearly in half,” said DeLauro. “In Connecticut’s 3rd District, childhood poverty will be decreased by over 50 percent.”
The bill includes $40 billion for child care across the country, and about $276 million of that will go to Connecticut. Congresswoman Jahana Hayes said the rescue package will address long-term needs that were highlighted by the pandemic.
“There were already gaping holes that needed to be filled in the education and the child care sector,” said Hayes. “While these are wide-scale investments right now, it really sets us up moving forward. It’s not the last time we address education or child care.”
Hayes said it was critical that local funding for municipalities was also included in the bill. She said some of the money will be used set up health clinics for the most vulnerable to test for and vaccinate against COVID-19.
“I am thinking that we will see a combination of both, not just statewide vaccine clinics, but also smaller community-based clinics with very intentional and targeted community outreach,” said Hayes.
The stimulus funds will also go to rent relief and extending unemployment benefits. Republicans called the American Rescue Plan excessive and warned that the package will run up the national debt.
