Kaptur Statement Following House Passage of the American Rescue Plan
Ohio workers aided with inclusion of the Butch Lewis Act, a longtime Kaptur priority
Washington, D.C. – Today, 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.
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