Congresswoman Kelly Applauds Final Passage of American Rescue Plan

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02) today released the following statement in support of final passage of the American Rescue Plan to bring COVID-19 relief to the American people.

"The American Rescue Plan is going to bring much needed relief to the people of Illinois' second district," said Congresswoman Kelly. "In addition to $1,400 direct relief payments, this legislation will provide child care benefits, housing and food assistance, additional relief for small businesses, and $350 billion for state and local governments to continue providing core services. Thankfully, we were able to pass this legislation in time to ensure that folks receiving unemployment insurance should not experience a lapse in those payments."

"I am especially proud that the Rescue Plan includes a provision that I have been working on for a few years – an expansion of Medicaid benefits to new mothers. Currently, Medicaid only covers care for women up to 60 days postpartum, even though evidence shows that 70% of new mothers will experience a complication within a year of giving birth. Under the Rescue Plan, new mothers would now be able to receive Medicaid benefits for up to one year postpartum. Maternal mortality is on the rise nationwide, and the rates are even higher for Black women and other women of color. The pandemic has only increased the need for these vital benefits. This expansion will help save lives in our district and allow more women to get the care they need."

The American Rescue Plan will:

• Create a national vaccination program, including community vaccination sites, and addresses disparities facing communities of color;
• Take measures to combat the virus by scaling up testing and tracing, addressing shortages of PPE and other critical supplies, and investing in high-quality treatments;
• Include $350 billion in aid to state and local government so they can continue paying employees and providing core services;
• Make a nearly $130 billion investment in school re-opening and making up for lost learning;
• Provide direct assistance in the form of $1,400 direct payments per person, direct housing assistance, and nutrition assistance for 40 million Americans;
• Extend unemployment insurance so that 18 million American workers can pay their bills;
• Support 27 million children with an expanded Child Tax Credit and provide 17 million low-wage workers with an improved Earned Income Tax Credit; and
• Expand PPP and EIDL eligibility for the hardest-hit small businesses, especially for minority-owned businesses.