February 24, 2021

CHAIRMAN JEFFRIES: “THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN IS THE RIGHT RESPONSE TO A ONCE-IN-A-CENTURY PANDEMIC”

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, House Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and Vice Chair Pete Aguilar (D-CA) held a leadership press conference where they outlined the broad bipartisan support across the nation for President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, which provides desperately needed relief to everyday Americans.

CHAIRMAN JEFFRIES: Earlier today, we held our weekly Caucus meeting where we discussed the progress of the American Rescue Plan. The Budget Committee acted on Monday to favorably report out the $1.9 trillion bill, and we're looking forward to the legislation being taken up by the House of Representatives in the next few days.

The American Rescue Plan has bipartisan support across the nation from Democrats and Republicans, as well as considerable support amongst Independents. The American Rescue Plan is the right response to a once-in-a-century pandemic that has brought a lot of pain and suffering and death to the American people. More than 500,000 Americans dead. More than 25 million Americans infected by the coronavirus. Over 100,000 small businesses permanently closed. Tens of millions of Americans who have been unemployed at different points in time, many confronting food insecurity and the prospect of homelessness.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a once-in-a-century tragedy. It requires a once-in-a-century continuing, comprehensive and compassionate congressional response. That is what the American Rescue Plan represents. It's our hope that some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle will stop playing politics and support the effort to meaningfully support the American people.

We will also take up later on today the Equality Act put forth by Congressman David Cicilline. It has the support of every single House Democrat as a co-sponsor. We expect that it will receive bipartisan support on the floor of the House of Representatives because it's the right thing to do. This is a country that prides itself on equal protection under the law and liberty and justice for all. But in the absence of federal civil rights protection, there are members of the LGBTQ community who are fair game in the eyes of the law to be targeted based on sexual orientation. That is not America. Today, House Democrats will take an important step in continuing our long, necessary and majestic march toward a more perfect union.

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VICE CHAIR AGUILAR: Yesterday, we started our week by noting and remembering the 500,000 lives lost to the COVID virus. It's a staggering number, and our hearts go out to the millions of Americans who have been touched as loved ones. Right now, it's more important than ever that we do everything that we can to crush the virus, rebuilding our economy for working people and families that need the support to get back on their feet. This week, we're considering legislation to do just that. The American Rescue Plan, as the Chairman mentioned, has the support, bipartisan support of the American people. It meets the moment and is decisive and should have bipartisan support. The American people deserve relief, and House Democrats are acting on that. We hope that our Republican colleagues will join us.