Some spending, such as cash transfers, can occur at speed.
The Biden administration already announced that it will send the $1,400 in direct checks a total of about $400 billion starting this weekend. The administration also will continue the enhanced jobless aid for the 20.1 million Americans who are collecting some form of the benefits. Both the direct checks and jobless aid were part of past COVID aid packages that totaled roughly $4 trillion, meaning the government has systems in place to distribute the money.
But other elements are trickier.
There is $130 billion for K-12 schools to hire teachers, upgrade ventilation systems and make other improvements so that in-person classes can resume. Universities are eligible for $40 billion. Separately, $30 billion in housing aid is available. And there is about $120 billion for vaccine distribution and coronavirus testing, among other public health expenses.
Families are anxious to receive their third stimulus check and other badly needed support from the federal government now that President Biden s plan has been approved by Congress. It should be our priority to ensure that neighborhood services families rely on don t get cut or reduced, and to fully restore any that have suffered, especially in historically underserved communities. Funding should also be used to replenish the city s reserves, which have helped us get through the pandemic this past year. What remains should fund one-time programs and projects that create good local jobs in disadvantaged communities, enhance equity and hasten economic recovery citywide, Galperin added.
The House of Representatives is slated to take a final vote Wednesday to approve President Joe Biden's $1.9T COVID relief plan, paving the way for the President to sign his top legislative priority into law and deliver aid to most American households.
The House of Representatives is slated to take a final vote to approve President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID relief plan, paving the way for the President to sign his top legislative priority into law and deliver aid to most American households.