Skip to main content

DeLauro Applauds Passage of Historic American Rescue Plan

March 6, 2021

Expands and Improves Child Tax Credit Based on DeLauro's Legislation

WASHINGTON – House Appropriations Committee Chair Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement on the Senate passage of the American Rescue Plan, and with it, key provisions from DeLauro's (CT-03) legislation, the American Family Act, to expand and improve the Child Tax Credit:

"This is a historic day, one that I have been working toward since 2003. Today, the Senate took a groundbreaking step and acted on something we have known for a long time: expanding and improving the Child Tax Credit would cut child poverty nearly in half, with enduring benefits for children and their families. By expanding and improving the child tax credit, this legislation forever changes the way that our nation supports both middle class families and children in poverty.

"As we continue our work to end the coronavirus pandemic that has taken more than 500,000 lives, the need for this rescue plan has never been greater. This legislation is about ending the virus so our communities can build back better.

"The American Rescue Plan will help beat the virus, with $14 billion for vaccines, and safely reopen Connecticut's schools. The legislation provides direct relief to schools and child care providers and mounts a national vaccination program that includes setting up community vaccination sites across Connecticut. We cannot expect parents to send their children to school, or teachers and school or child care staff to return to in-person learning, if we cannot guarantee their safety.

"Additionally, this plan will help our state and local governments and municipalities recover from the impact of COVID-19 to keep first responders, front line health workers, and other providers of vital services on the job. This funding is necessary to prevent our state and local governments from relying on tax increases to stay afloat. The more than $4 billion provided to Connecticut's state and local governments is long overdue and is necessary for Connecticut's recovery.

"As families struggle to stay in their home, feed their families, and purchase necessities, this bill provides for hard-working Americans by including direct payments and $12 billion in emergency food assistance with a temporary boost to the monthly food stamp benefit, a marker I set in March 2020. This relief also provides $45 billion for rental and mortgage assistance and a critically needed extension of unemployment benefits.

"As the Biden-Harris Administration said from day one: this is not the only relief Americans will see. We continue to look to future relief packages as we turn to the next recovery plan, where I will fight to ensure we build the infrastructure for the future, including passing permanent paid family and medical leave, through the FAMILY Act, and permanently expanding and improving the child tax credit, through the American Family Act."