Thursday morning, Georgia Senators Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael G. Warnock outlined the Coronavirus aid package that would be coming to Georgians in President Biden’s American Rescue Plan. According to a Quinnipiac University survey published Wednesday, 68%, of Americans support the $1.9 trillion package. Only 24% of respondents oppose the measure. It showed broad backing for provisions such as direct payments, vaccine distribution funding, and the $15 per hour minimum wage. Republicans have been wary of the spending and believe it’s a sticking point.
“Senator Warnock and I are here to deliver for Georgia families who are counting on us for aid during this pandemic,” said Senator Ossoff. “This bill will send $8,200 in new federal financial support to an average working family of four in Georgia while we invest massively in vaccines and the health response to end this pandemic.”
In President Biden’s rescue plan, they say a family of four earning $75,000 annually would receive a total of $5,600 in direct payments from this relief bill for themselves and their 4-year-old and 8-year-old children. They would also see a $2,600 increase in benefits through an enhanced Child Tax Credit. Between these two benefits alone, this family would receive $8,200 in additional, direct relief to help weather the economic crisis.
“Democrats are dedicated to delivering desperately needed COVID relief and thanks to Georgia Senators Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock, this COVID-19 bill will be bigger and bolder and will bring significantly more help to Georgians and Americans,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. “These talented Senators are fighting tirelessly to keep the promises we made. Their game-changing election is proof that your vote matters, and because they are in the Senate, Democrats are on the path to secure direct payments, funding for vaccinations, rental and mortgage assistance, an expanded Child Tax Credit, a Medicaid expansion incentive, money for HBCU’s, and so much more.”
Additionally, the Biden plan would launch a $400 per week jobless benefit supplement through September, send $350 billion in support to state and local governments, put $20 billion into a national vaccination program, and allocate more rent and mortgage relief funds.
“The people of Georgia sent Senator Ossoff and I to the Senate with a mandate to address the devastation of this public health and economic crisis—for our state, and the country,” said Senator Warnock. “Getting this once-in-a-century pandemic under control starts with securing as much relief as possible to as many Georgians as possible—and I’m going to keep pushing until it’s done.”
In the bill, the State of Georgia will receive a Medicaid expansion incentive. The measure promises to provide health care to approximately 500,000 Georgians who are currently locked out of any financial assistance for health coverage. Georgia would receive nearly $2 billion in additional Medicaid spending over two years if it expands Medicaid, by far enough to fully cover the cost of expansion.
Also, Senators Ossoff and Warnock say Biden’s plan will contain funding for colleges and universities. Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), this fund would provide and estimated $1.2 billion in direct grants to institutions in Georgia. Moreover, the bill will provide nearly $3 billion in relief for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Minority Serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges and Universities.
