Joe Biden unveils 1.9 trillion dollar ‘American Rescue Plan’

PRESIDENT-ELECT Joe Biden has unveiled a 1.9 trillion dollar (£1.4 trillion) coronavirus plan to end “a crisis of deep human suffering” by speeding up vaccines and pumping out financial help to those struggling with the pandemic’s prolonged economic fallout.

The so-called American Rescue Plan would meet his goals of administering 100 million vaccines by the 100th day of his administration and reopening most schools by the spring.

It also delivers another round of aid to stabilise the economy while the public health effort seeks the upper hand on the pandemic.

“We not only have an economic imperative to act now - I believe we have a moral obligation,” Mr Biden said in a nationwide address.

At the same time, he acknowledged that his plan “does not come cheaply”.

He proposed 1,400 dollar (£1,025) cheques for most Americans, which on top of 600 dollars (£440) provided in the most recent Covid-19 bill would bring the total to the 2,000 dollars (£1,465) Mr Biden has called for. It would also extend a temporary boost in unemployment benefits and a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures until September.

And it shoehorns in long-term Democratic policy aims such as increasing the minimum wage to 15 dollars (£11) an hour, expanding paid leave for workers, and increasing tax credits for families with children.

House speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer praised Mr Biden for including liberal priorities, saying they would move quickly to pass it after he takes office next Wednesday, but Democrats have narrow margins in both chambers of Congress, and Republicans will push back on issues that range from increasing the minimum wage to providing more money for states, while demanding inclusion of their priorities, such as liability protection for businesses.

“The crisis of deep human suffering is in plain sight, and there’s not time to waste,” Mr Biden said. “We have to act and we have to act now.”