What the Massachusetts delegation is saying about Joe Biden’s pandemic rescue bill
"It is not going to be easy, but I’m looking forward to the work ahead."
President-elected Joe Biden unveiled the first of his two planned COVID-19 response bills Thursday night, and the nearly $2 trillion “rescue” plan elicited praise, mostly, from his fellow Democrats in the Massachusetts delegation.
More than triple the size of the 2009 stimulus bill, Biden’s proposed legislative package includes $350 billion in aid to state and local governments, an additional $170 billion for reopening schools, and $160 billion for a national vaccination program and expanding testing. It also includes a $400 boost to weekly unemployment benefits, a round of $1,400 direct payments to most individuals, expanded paid leave and child tax credits, and an eventual increase in the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour.
While the bill still must pass a narrowly divided albeit Democrat-controlled Congress, the Bay State delegation said the overall plan was a good first step. Sen. Ed Markey specifically highlighted the aid to state and local governments, which was included in the $900 billion relief package passed last month.
“Massachusetts mayors and city managers have now gone nearly 10 months without substantial direct aid from the federal government,” Markey said in a statement Thursday night. “The $350 billion included in this plan will go a long way to keeping our first responders on the job and to distribute the coronavirus vaccine. And with nearly 36,000 Massachusetts workers filing for unemployment for the first time this past week alone, an extension of unemployment insurance and additional rental assistance is welcome news.”
Sen. Elizabeth Warren also tweeted Friday that Biden’s plan is “full of many things I’ve been fighting for” and pledged to work with Biden to “strengthen and pass this package immediately.”
According to Roll Call, the Biden administration plans to make a “good faith effort” to win enough bi-partisan support to clear the 60-vote threshold needed to pass most legislation in the Senate, which will be split 50-50 between Democrats and Republicans when he takes office (with Vice President Kamala Harris providing the tie-breaking vote). Democrats could use the reconciliation process to pass most aspects of the package with just 50 votes.
“If the Republicans want to drag their feet while working families struggle, the Democratic majority should use every legislative tool available to pass it,” Warren, who has also called for abolishing the legislative filibuster, wrote Friday.
After last month’s relief bill included $600 payments, Rep. Katherine Clark tweeted that the additional $1,400 payments will “finish the job of getting Americans $2,000 in direct support.” However, Markey and Rep. Ayanna Pressley continued their calls for recurring $2,000 payments during the COVID-19 crisis.
In addition to the new rescue plan, Biden is also planning to propose a “recovery” plan down the road.
“We have a unique opportunity to rebuild our economy coming out of the pandemic,” Rep. Seth Moulton tweeted. “It is not going to be easy, but I’m looking forward to the work ahead.”
Here’s a look at the responses from the state’s delegation.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren
I’ll work with President-elect Biden to strengthen and pass this package immediately. But let’s be clear: if the Republicans want to drag their feet while working families struggle, the Democratic majority should use every legislative tool available to pass it.
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) January 15, 2021
Sen. Ed Markey
“This proposal shows that President-elect Joe Biden is ready to hit the ground running on Day 1. It makes immediate and robust relief for American families and workers the top priority for the new Biden-Harris administration.
“Massachusetts mayors and city managers have now gone nearly ten months without substantial direct aid from the federal government. The $350 billion included in this plan will go a long way to keeping our first responders on the job and to distribute the coronavirus vaccine. And with nearly 36,000 Massachusetts workers filing for unemployment for the first time this past week alone, an extension of unemployment insurance and additional rental assistance is welcome news. The $1,400 in direct cash assistance is a down payment that will help families make rent, put food on the table, and pay the utility bills after Senate Republicans blocked that additional funding back in December. But we must still pass my legislation with Senator Bernie Sanders to provide $2,000 monthly payments to working people through the duration of the pandemic.
“After months of silence from the Trump administration, I am pleased to see President Biden outline a life-saving national vaccination plan that will help our communities develop distribution centers, mobile vaccination and testing sites, and contact tracing programs. I look forward to learning more about the Biden administration’s plans to quickly get shots in the arm of every person in our country.
“On Inauguration Day, we have the opportunity to begin in earnest an historic and aggressive rescue mission for American families and our economy. The Senate will have to master the art of multi-tasking as we pass this long overdue relief legislation and hold Donald Trump accountable through an impeachment trial. We need justice for everyone responsible for the Capitol insurrection, and we also need justice for the workers and families suffering because of this pandemic.”
Rep. Richard Neal
From extending unemployment insurance, to expanding key tax measures, to providing critical child care supports, this plan builds on several successful provisions spearheaded by the @WaysMeansCmte that we know work. https://t.co/ZSkyrBaUE0
— Rep. Richard Neal (@RepRichardNeal) January 15, 2021
Rep. Jim McGovern
Learn more about our FEED Act here: https://t.co/Nct2zxwrKd
— Rep. Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) January 15, 2021
Rep. Lori Trahan
.@JoeBiden is prepared to to crush COVID-19 and #BuildBackBetter. That’s why his relief package will:
✅Contain the virus
✅Jumpstart our economy
✅Create a national vaccine plan
✅Increase direct payments to $2,000
✅Safely reopen schools
✅Keep first responders paid
⬇️& more https://t.co/c1voyvxvSH— Lori Trahan (@RepLoriTrahan) January 14, 2021
Rep. Katherine Clark
In 6 days, we’ll finish the job of getting Americans $2,000 in direct support. https://t.co/fHTy8RlnMZ
— Katherine Clark (@WhipKClark) January 14, 2021
Rep. Seth Moulton
We have a unique opportunity to rebuild our economy coming out of the pandemic. It is not going to be easy, but I’m looking forward to the work ahead.https://t.co/eKXxMVsgBr
— Rep. Seth Moulton (@RepMoulton) January 14, 2021
Rep. Ayanna Pressley
Now it’s time for Congress to get to work.
I’m pushing for *$2,000* in *recurring* cash payments, rent, mortgage & student debt cancellation, targeted grants for our smallest Black and brown-owned businesses & more.
An equitable economic recovery depends on it.
— Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (@RepPressley) January 15, 2021
Get Boston.com's browser alerts:
Enable breaking news notifications straight to your internet browser.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com