Biden signs relief bill; sets vaccine eligibility deadline
A view from Cloudland Road in Pomfret, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
U.S. President Joe Biden signed the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill into law on Thursday, paving the way for $1,400 direct payments to start going out this week. Biden followed that up with some major announcements that same evening.
In his first prime-time address to the nation, Biden ordered states to make all adults eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine by May 1. The U.S. plans to up its current number of daily vaccinations from 1 million to over 2 million, the president said. He also spoke of his stated goal to get 100 million Americans vaccinated in his first 100 days in office.
“Tonight, I can say we're not only going to meet that goal; we're going to beat that goal," Biden said. That mark will be reached by his 60th day in office, he added.
With the vaccination process ahead of schedule, Biden anticipated Americans being able to celebrate the Fourth of July in small gatherings.
“That will make this Independence Day something truly special, where we not only mark our independence as a nation, we begin to mark our independence from this virus,” Biden said.
The $1.9 trillion relief package includes more funding for vaccination efforts, aid for school reopenings and assistance for businesses, among other items. It also extends federal jobless benefits of $300 per week into early September, includes an expansion of the child tax credit of up to $3,600 per child, and supplies $350 billion in state and local aid. About 90% of households will see the $1,400 direct payments.
On Thursday night, Biden acknowledged it had been a year since lockdowns took hold in America. Even with the progress on the vaccination front, Biden noted, it’s still important for everyone to follow the public health guidance of masking, frequent hand-washing and social distancing. He said the battle against COVID is “far from over”, and it will take everyone’s efforts to get the country over the finish line regarding the pandemic.
“Even if we devote every resource we have, beating this virus and getting back to normal depends on national unity," Biden said.
The president also plans to accelerate a nationwide effort to reopen schools, sticking with his goal of opening the majority of K-8 schools within his first 100 days in office. The administration will also issue further public health guidance in the coming weeks for vaccinated individuals, and plans to unveil online tools to help people find local vaccination sites.
— Gareth Henderson
