Over 150 CEOs are throwing their support behind President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 relief plan.
The business leaders penned a letter to Congress urging them to “act swiftly” and pass Biden’s bill.
“Previous federal relief measures have been essential, but more must be done to put the country on a trajectory for a strong, durable recovery,” they wrote.
The executives continued, “Congress should act swiftly and on a bipartisan basis to authorize a stimulus and relief package along the lines of the Biden-Harris administration’s proposed American Rescue Plan.”
They noted, “The American Rescue Plan mobilizes a national vaccination program, delivers economic relief to struggling families, and supports communities that were most damaged by the pandemic.”
The executives wrote the “business community is prepared to work with you to achieve these critical objectives.”
Republicans have previously expressed concern about the size of Biden’s relief plan. While delivering remarks at Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine manufacturing facility last week, Biden responded to the criticism.
“Critics say that my plan is too big, that it costs $1.9 trillion,” Biden said.
He added, “Let me ask them: What would they have me cut? What would they have me leave out? Should we not invest $20 billion to vaccinate the nation? Should we not invest $290 million to extend unemployment insurance for the 11 million Americans who are unemployed so they can get by?”
The House’s No. 2 Democrat, Steny Hoyer, said the chamber will vote on the legislation on Friday, as IJR reported.
“The American people strongly support this bill, and we are moving swiftly to see it enacted into law,” Hoyer wrote on Twitter on Tuesday.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) criticized Republicans on Tuesday signaling resistance to Biden’s relief plan, as IJR reported.
“COVID crisis rages, a Republican president, Democrats come together with Republicans and pass two bills or four bills really,” Schumer said.
He continued, “Democratic president, Republicans don’t even work with Democrats. If anyone doubts who’s more interested in bipartisanship, just look at that.”
