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MANCHIN VOTES FOR COVID-19 RELIEF PACKAGE
COVID-19 relief package includes billions to help West Virginia kill COVID-19 and rebuild
Washington, DC – This afternoon, Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) voted to pass the COVID-19 relief package to help America end the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Nearly a year ago, the first West Virginian was diagnosed with COVID-19. We have spent the last year mourning over 500,000 Americans and over 2,300 West Virginians who lost their lives due to this horrific virus. Our healthcare providers and frontline workers have worked tirelessly to care for their fellow West Virginians, our students and teachers have adjusted to new ways of learning, and our small businesses and restaurants closed their doors to protect their communities from COVID-19. This was a challenging year that tested every American, but we are finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel.
"Today the Senate passed a COVID-19 relief package that will help kill the COVID-19 pandemic and set us on the right track to economic recovery. This bill provides $14.2 billion for COVID-19 vaccines, $49 billion for testing and tracing. $8.5 billion for rural health providers, and $7.6 billion for community health centers, ensuring the vaccine continues to be our top priority and healthcare workers receive the support they deserve. This pandemic also impacted our students, communities, families and small businesses. West Virginia alone will receive approximately $140 million for broadband expansion, $152 million for emergency rental assistance, and $1.34 billion for our schools and childcare facilities. Every city, town, village and county in the state will receive funding to rebuild our crumbling infrastructure and support essential frontline workers. A vast majority of West Virginians will also receive $1,400 stimulus checks. We were also able to extend unemployment benefits through the end of August and protect those receiving unemployment benefits and making less than $150,000 from being hit with an unexpected tax bill next year. This relief bill will help West Virginia rebuild after this incredibly difficult year.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has tested our entire nation and through it all, West Virginians have banded together to keep our loved ones safe. The end is within reach and this COVID-19 relief package is what West Virginia needs to put this pandemic behind us once and for all. I am proud to vote for this relief package and I look forward to seeing the President sign this bill into law."
SENATE PASSES MANCHIN AMENDMENT TO HELP STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
To view Senator Manchin deliver remarks on the Senate Floor click here
Washington, DC – This morning, by a unanimous vote, the Senate passed a bipartisan amendment to the COVID-19 relief package introduced by U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) to create a new, dedicated emergency funding stream through the U.S. Department of Education to help schools identify and assist students experiencing homelessness due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The amendment was cosponsored by Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Rob Portman (R-OH), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK).
"Every child deserves to feel safe with roof over their head and a warm bed to sleep in night after night. Unfortunately for 1.5 million children and youth across America and more than 10,000 children and youth in West Virginia, that is not the case. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased children and youth homelessness due to high unemployment, unstable living conditions, and job insecurity," Senator Manchin said. "It is estimated that one in four children experiencing homelessness, about 420,000 children, are potentially unidentified and not connected with a school system. Research has also found that rural areas – like my home state of West Virginia – lack vital resources for our homeless children and youth, adding to their already heavy burdens. My amendment will help schools address this unacceptable issue by dedicating emergency funding to identify and assist students experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. I am pleased my bipartisan amendment passed in the final COVID-19 relief package and I thank my colleagues for prioritizing our children and youth in need."
MANCHIN DELIVERS TARGETED TAX BREAK AND UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
Washington, DC – This evening, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) released the following statement on the agreed compromise on tax breaks and unemployment benefits in the COVID-19 relief package.
"The President has made it clear we will have enough vaccines for every American by the end of May and I am confident the economic recovery will follow. We have reached a compromise that enables the economy to rebound quickly while also protecting those receiving unemployment benefits from being hit with unexpected tax bill next year. Those making less than $150,000 and receiving unemployment will be eligible for a $10,200 tax break. Unemployment benefits will be extended through the end of August.” |