February 26, 2021

New Democrat Coalition Secures Wins in the American Rescue Plan

Today, New Democrat Coalition (NDC) Members voted to pass the American Rescue Plan Act, comprehensive legislation to help end the COVID-19 pandemic, provide economic relief to workers and families, safely reopen schools, and get Americans back to work safely. 

The NDC helped shape the American Rescue Plan, including with NDC-endorsed provisions:

  • A national recovery strategy, including funding for testing and vaccine manufacturing and distribution
  • An enhanced and expanded Child Tax Credit and Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit
  • Funding for mental health and substance abuse prevention programs
  • The longest extension of emergency unemployment insurance (UI) benefits yet
  • An extension of the employee retention tax credit
  • Increased health insurance affordability and access
  • Increased federal match rate for state Medicaid expansion
  • An extension of enhanced SNAP benefits and other nutrition support
  • Emergency rental and housing assistance
  • An extension and enhancement of emergency paid sick and family leave
  • Funding to support IT modernization for state health insurance exchanges
  • Funding for state and local aid

“My district, where the first known cases and deaths of COVID-19 were identified, has been combatting this virus for over a year now. Communities in my district and nationwide need more support and this legislation shows that is Congress’ top priority,” said NDC Chair Suzan DelBene (WA-01). “With a pandemic still raging and weak economic data, this bill meets the moment of this crisis to support our workers, families, small businesses, and public health response. We look forward to working with our colleagues in the Senate and administration to get immediate relief to Americans.”

The NDC has been actively engaged with the Biden-Harris administration, House Leadership, and the committees of jurisdiction to advance the NDC’s economic stimulus priorities and First 100 Day Agenda. 

The NDC sent a letter to President Joe Biden, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer outlining these priorities, which were also discussed in a meeting with Brian Deese, Director of the White House National Economic Council and Jeffrey Zients, Coordinator of the Biden Administration’s COVID-19 Task Force. 

As this package is considered in the Senate, the NDC is pushing for the extension of emergency UI benefits through the end of the fiscal year, funding for the Technology Modernization Fund, and inclusion of the New Business Preservation Act to drive public and private investments in promising new businesses outside existing venture capital centers. The Coalition will also continue to push for automatic stabilizers and additional investments to create equitable growth in distressed communities and spur new centers of innovation across the nation. House passage of the American Rescue Plan advances the first pillar in the NDC’s 100 Day Agenda: End the pandemic and get people back to work. 

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