Garamendi votes to pass ‘American Rescue Plan’

Congressman John Garamendi, who represents the 3rd District in California, voted to pass the Senate-amended “American Rescue Plan,” in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill will now go to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law.

According to a statement from Garamendi’s office, the legislation includes funding to safely reopen schools, distribute vaccinations, send additional $1,400 stimulus checks to eligible individuals, support small businesses and extend unemployment benefits. The legislation includes funding to support specific COVID-19-related initiatives in Garamendi’s district.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is destroying lives, small businesses, and local communities across this nation as we enter the second year of its existence,” Garamendi stated. “Tragically, over 500,000 American lives have been lost to this virus, and millions more have been infected and are facing long-term health complications. The virus has also disrupted the economic livelihoods of 18 million Americans, who must now count on expanded unemployment benefits that are extended in this bill to keep food on the table.”

Garamendi also noted that students have been out of classrooms for almost an entire year. He noted the important portions of the legislation, including putting children make in school, and helping Yolo County, and other counties in his district, fund: local health care, transportation, education and other essential services.

The legislation also includes assistance for housing and nutrition needs, as well as unemployment insurance.

“I’m pleased that this bill has passed Congress and is going to be signed into law to ensure the American people immediately receive the relief and support they deserve,” Garamendi stated.

Yolo County will receive the following amount of assistance for certain sectors:

Education:

• Davis Joint Unified School District: $6,269,000

• Esparto Unified School District: $1,161,000

• Washington Unified School District: $18,463,000

• Winters Joint Unified School District: $1,551,000

• Woodland Joint Unified School District: $20,403,000

Direct relief for cities:

• Davis: $18,550,000

• Winters: $1,380,000

• Woodland: $12,800,000

Direct relief for counties:

• Yolo County: $42,760,000

Public Transportation

• Davis: $830,150

The Yolo County Transportation District reported that the funds Garamendi secured help them to cover revenue shortfalls for Yolobus, and help increase peak hour services.

“January 2021 saw the most COVID-19 deaths of any month since the start of the pandemic,” Garamendi stated. “There are also 9.8 million fewer jobs in the U.S. than there were right before the start of the pandemic. This aid is urgently needed to save lives, jobs, and the wellbeing of our cities, states and citizens. I am pleased that the ‘American Rescue Plan’ is poised to become law, and I won’t rest until aid is in the American people’s hands and our communities recover.”