President Biden said the Senate passing his $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief bill is a “giant step forward” to providing relief to Americans amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“When we took office 45 days ago, I promised the American people help was on the way. Today I can say we’ve taken one more giant step forward on delivering on that promise — that help is on the way,” Biden said.
He thanked Vice President Kamala Harris and senators “who worked so hard to reach a compromise.”
“It obviously wasn’t easy. It wasn’t always pretty. But it was so desperately needed, urgently needed,” he said.
Biden thanked Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in particular for his leadership.
“I’ve never seen anyone work as skillfully, as ably, as patiently, with determination to deliver such a consequential piece of legislation,” Biden said.
“When the country needed you most, you led, Chuck, and you delivered. Neither I nor the country will ever forget that,” Biden added.
Biden promised that the package will help speed up vaccine manufacturing and distribution.
“Everything in this package is designed to relieve the suffering and to meet the most urgent needs of the nation and put us in a better position to prevail — starting with beating this virus and vaccinating the country,” he said.
“The resources in this plan will be used to expand and speed up manufacturing and distribution of vaccines so we can get every single American vaccinated sooner than later, I believe we’ll have enough by the end of, by the middle of May to vaccinate. It’s going to take longer to get it in their arms but that’s how much vaccine we’ll have.”
Biden also pledged that many households will see stimulus checks this month — and took a shot at his predecessor Donald Trump in his remarks.
“When I was elected, I said we were going to get the government out of the business of battling on Twitter and back in the business of delivering for the American people, of making a difference in their lives, giving everyone a chance — a fighting chance — of showing the American people that their government can work for them, and passing the American Rescue Plan will do that,” Biden added.
CNN.
