4 Congress Members In Essex County Vote Yes For COVID Relief Bill – Patch.com

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The latest federal coronavirus relief package has reached the finish line, and it got a thumbs-up from four U.S. congress members who represent towns and cities in Essex County.

The Democratic congress members – Reps. Donald Payne Jr., Mikie Sherrill, Albio Sires and Tom Malinowski – each voted yes for the latest stimulus package (read their statements below).

Known as the American Rescue Plan, the package contains many provisions, such as $1,400 stimulus payments for most U.S. taxpayers, $360 billion in state and local aid and an extension of emergency unemployment benefits.

Despite the lack of a $15 minimum wage hike – which many progressives had been pushing for – the bill has seen big support from many Democratic Party members, who say it will create one of the biggest “social safety nets” in decades and spur the nation to recovery.

Republicans, however, have largely panned the bill, charging that it’s bloated, deeply partisan and blind to signs that the pandemic is easing.

The Senate narrowly passed the massive bill Saturday. The House gave final congressional approval to the package on Wednesday. President Joe Biden signed it into law on Thursday.

DONALD PAYNE: ‘STRUGGLING TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE’

Rep. Payne said the bill was a success for his constituents, as it contains nearly $920 million for the 10th District.

“We need this bill because millions of Americans are struggling to put food on the table, pay their rent and mortgages, and keep their businesses open during this public health crisis,” Payne said.

Payne also praised the fact that the bill contains more than $20 billion to increase vaccine production in the U.S.

“With several new vaccines on the market, we are getting closer to the herd immunity necessary to reopen our society,” Payne added. “But we still must get more Americans vaccinated so we can return to work, reopen schools, and support our small businesses.”

New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District covers portions of Essex, Hudson and Union counties, including Bloomfield, East Orange, Glen Ridge, Irvington, Maplewood, Montclair, Newark, Orange, South Orange and West Orange.

MIKIE SHERRILL: ‘SUPPORTING FAMILIES, BUSINESSES’

Rep. Sherrill said that the bill will give New Jerseyans the relief they’ve needed for far too long.

“Communities across North Jersey have borne the brunt of this crisis and this package will go a long way in helping support our families and businesses,” Sherrill said.

“The American Rescue Plan provides the funding needed to get our kids back in school safely, support our small businesses, keep roofs over the heads of those struggling to make rent and mortgage payments, and bolster crucial vaccine distribution efforts that will finally get this pandemic under control,” the congresswoman added.

Under the American Rescue Plan, counties and municipalities in the 11th District will receive an estimated $475 million in direct support – double the amount provided under the federal CARES Act.

The 11th District has towns in Morris, Essex, Passaic and Sussex counties, including Bloomfield, Caldwell, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Livingston, Montclair, North Caldwell, Nutley, Roseland, Verona, West Caldwell and West Orange.

ALBIO SIRES: ‘MUCH-NEEDED RELIEF’

Rep. Albio Sires of the state’s 8th District said the bill will help to combat the ravages of COVID-19, increase vaccine output and provide aid directly to struggling families.

“A year after the initial outbreak of COVID-19 in our nation, the health and economic impacts continue to ripple across the country,” Sires said.

“As we continue to grapple with the effects of this virus, the American Rescue Plan lays out a bold vision and provides the necessary funding and relief measures to provide real, much-needed relief and resources to residents of the 8th District … and to the American people,” Sires continued.

“Measures in this bill include funding to increase our testing and contact tracing and to increase the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines,” Sires said. “Additionally, there are many measures to assist hard-working families, such as extended unemployment benefits, tax credits, increased nutrition assistance and new economic impact payments.”

The 8th District consists of municipalities in Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Union counties, including Belleville and part of Newark.

TOM MALINOWSKI: ‘EASE THE SUFFERING OF MILLIONS’

“The American Rescue Plan will help us crush this pandemic once and for all, ease the suffering of millions of Americans, while making health care more affordable and cutting child poverty in our country in half,” Rep. Tom Malinowski of the 7th District said.

“It also provides the direct aid to our small towns and counties that I’ve been fighting for, allowing them to maintain the services we need without raising taxes,” Malinowski said.

The 7th District encompasses Hunterdon, Essex, Morris, Somerset, Union and Warren counties, including Short Hills/Millburn.

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