On Wednesday, the Democratic-led House of Representatives passed the Senate version of the latest wave of relief in the face of the pandemic that's killed over 500 thousand Americans.
In addition to providing $1400 checks to single Americans making under $75 thousand per year, the American Rescue Plan preserves expanded unemployment benefits, slashes child poverty, and allocates for vaccine distribution initiatives, along with a slew of other lifelines to a nation for whom every aspect of life has been upended for over a year.
The passage marked the end of months of congressional wrangling to present a passable bill—an occasion celebrated by Democrats in Congress, especially House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).
Democrats were able to keep our promises and deliver #ForThePeople because *you* voted in record numbers to… https://t.co/fmTAOXLywL— Nancy Pelosi (@Nancy Pelosi) 1615413031.0
Among the many relief provisions, the American Rescue Plan also extends payroll protections for airline workers after travel restrictions sent the industry plummeting.
In a statement responding to passage of the bill, American Airlines celebrated the development and informed its recently furloughed workers that they wouldn't have to worry about a loss of income.
NEW: American Airlines is telling 13,000 workers who received notices of April 1 furloughs "you can tear them up!"… https://t.co/ogWCzpKDSp— Pete Muntean (@Pete Muntean) 1615405465.0
The statement reads in part:
"For our 13,000 colleagues who received Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notices last month, those are happily canceled — you can tear them up!"
It went on to say:
"If you see your local Congressional representative on a flight, be sure to thank her or him for their work this past year and for recognizing the noble work you all do every day. We will need more time until vaccines are out in full force for demand for travel to significantly improve, but thanks to the extension of the PSP, our country and world can count on American Airlines to be ready."
Supporters of the bill celebrated with them.
This is terrific news, @AmericanAir! As a former frequent flier, I cannot wait for this nightmare to end, so I can… https://t.co/5AFMcnRHyL— Ana Navarro-Cárdenas (@Ana Navarro-Cárdenas) 1615412728.0
Just so we are clear- @JoeBiden @KamalaHarris , @HouseDemocrats & @SenateDems saved these jobs! Not one Republican… https://t.co/xl0hpSYrhf— Jaime Harrison, DNC Chair (@Jaime Harrison, DNC Chair) 1615411255.0
Wowowowow. The #AmericanRescuePlan just saved 13,000 jobs!!! https://t.co/gRVIV62MuT— Zac Petkanas (@Zac Petkanas) 1615409995.0
Help is here. https://t.co/f3VbjooKXs— Ronald Klain (@Ronald Klain) 1615408932.0
The American Rescue Plan has already saved 13,000 American jobs. That’s 13,000 workers and families who don’t have… https://t.co/HzrKmqAGhj— Julián Castro (@Julián Castro) 1615411952.0
Good news indeed! https://t.co/Kl99hpIBto— Michael Feher (@Michael Feher) 1615417422.0
Considering the bill didn't get a single Republican vote in the House or Senate, people made sure to alert the public whom to thank for its passage.
Dems saved 13,000 mostly Union jobs over the last few days at one company. Democrats did this... and did it al alo… https://t.co/mHfHrKli7L— Shannon in Ohio 4 (@Shannon in Ohio 4) 1615415057.0
Joe Biden and Democrats are saving jobs while Republicans melt down about the availability of Dr Seuss books https://t.co/zyv73FkGTH— Dan Pfeiffer (@Dan Pfeiffer) 1615409148.0
Democrats saved these jobs. Every Republican voted against them. https://t.co/x14PVifCtm— Andrew Taverrite (@Andrew Taverrite) 1615409025.0
President Joe Biden is expected to sign the bill into law on Friday.
UPDATE 3/11/2021:
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki announced that President Biden would sign the American Rescue Plan into law on Thursday, one day ahead of schedule.
Because Congress enrolled the bill more quickly than we anticipated, the President will sign the American Rescue Pl… https://t.co/VgCEigtX0l— Jen Psaki (@Jen Psaki) 1615484660.0