(Hartford, Conn.WTIC) Prior to the vote, Connecticut's House delegation championed the near two-trillion dollar American Rescue Plan that provides additional stimulus checks and billions to states and municipalities still struggling through the Covid 19 Pandemic. The Chair of the Appropriations Committee, Rosa Delauro, calls the measure transforming, likening it to passage of FDR's Social Security Plan. Congressman John Larson says it'll provide in excess of ten billion dollars to Connecticut.
The House vote is necessary after the Senate approved the measure over the weekend, making changes. They included trimming the boost to unemployment and eliminating a move to increase the federal minimum wage to fifteen dollars an hour.
DeLauro says the measure provides 276 million in direct aid to child care providers. Congresswoman Jahana Hayes says the measure includes her bill, Save Education Jobs. She says it provides 130 billion dollars in education aid.
The measure also provides a 15-percent increase for food stamp benefits and $8.5 Billion for struggling healthcare providers, especially those located in rural areas.
Republicans say they're upset Democrats pursued the relief package by themselves. Senator Mitch McConnell points to the February Jobs report, indicating a surge in hiring, as proof that the two trillion in spending is unnecessary.
The House delegation also said the effort to raise the minimum wage to 15 dollars an hour will be submitted in a separate measure and will pass.