Relief Bill Passed

Americans began receiving direct payments from the United States government on March 12. The payments are part of a plan by President Joe Biden. The money will go to people who have been struggling during the pandemic.

Biden signed the $1.9 trillion stimulus bill on March 11. It’s called the American Rescue Plan. The plan is designed to help the U.S. recover from the economic damage caused by the pandemic. It’s the second-largest stimulus bill in U.S. history. The largest was a $2.2 trillion bill. It was signed last year by President Donald Trump.

The new bill provides direct one-time payments of up to $1,400 for eligible people. Hundreds of billions of dollars will help reopen schools, increase vaccine distribution, and support struggling businesses.

Republican lawmakers say the bill’s cost is too high. They say the economy would improve with a smaller bill. Recent polls by Reuters and Pew Research Center have shown that 70% of Americans support the current stimulus bill. “This legislation is about giving the backbone of this nation . . . the people who keep this country going . . . a fighting chance,” Biden said in a statement.

Stop and Think! Which details about the stimulus bill stand out to you, and why? How do you think the bill will affect people in your community?