|
Kaptur Statement Following House Passage of the American
Rescue Plan
Ohio workers aided with
inclusion of the Butch Lewis Act, a longtime Kaptur priority
Last week, Congresswoman
Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), released the following statement after
the House of Representatives voted to pass President Joe
Biden's American Rescue Plan, a comprehensive COVID relief
bill the President unveiled his first day in office. The
legislation strengthens support for American families and
takes steps to steady the U.S. economy. The bill also
includes a vital lifeline for American workers and retirees,
who've been disproportionately hurt by the pandemic, in the
form of the Butch Lewis Act, which will help solve our
country's ever worsening multiemployer pension crisis.
"This comprehensive COVID
relief bill, which President Biden unveiled on his first day
in office, includes vital provisions that will help working
families get back on their feet and steady the economy,"
said Rep. Kaptur. "Working people in the heartland have
waited months for an economic lifeline and I'm glad to see
that thanks to President Biden's leadership, they are going
to get the economic assistance they voted for."
"The American Rescue Plan
will provide $1,400 stimulus payments to Americans; funding
for vaccine distribution; and aid to state and local
governments, schools, and businesses. The plan also makes a
historic increase to the child tax credit from $2,000 to
$3,000 and increases unemployment benefits from $300/week to
$400/week.
"Additionally, and I am very
glad to see this bill includes a fix to the multiemployer
pension crisis facing workers and retirees in this country,
the same people who have been disproportionately hurt by the
pandemic. The Butch Lewis Act will provide economic security
for millions of hardworking Americans. Across our country,
1.3 million workers, including more than 50,000 in Ohio -
truck drivers, candy makers, coal miners, and retirees face
serious and significant threat of cuts to their hard-earned
multiemployer pension plans, through no fault of their own.
By including the Butch Lewis Act in this bill, we will
ensure affected workers and retirees receive their much
needed and long-overdue pensions, which they earned. I urge
the Senate to move with dispatch to get help to the American
people when they need it most.
|
