Corona pandemic in the USA: aid package worth billions in force

Status: 11.03.2021 9:56 p.m.

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One day earlier than planned, US President Biden signed a historic aid package: 1.9 trillion dollars should pave the way for people and companies out of the corona pandemic.

US President Joe Biden signed the billion dollar Corona aid package passed by Congress into force. The President signed the so-called American rescue plan with a volume of 1.9 trillion dollars (1.6 trillion euros) in the White House.

Checks for citizens

The package of measures includes checks for $ 1,400 for millions of citizens, aid for the unemployed, and investments in vaccinations and corona tests. After the Senate, the House of Representatives voted for the law on Wednesday. Biden originally wanted to sign the text on Friday, but now preferred to do so by a day.

With the huge rescue package, the Democrat wants to intensify the fight against the pandemic and its economic effects and help people and companies in need.

Unemployment benefit is extended

The checks for $ 1,400 for millions of citizens alone cost more than $ 400 billion. In addition, additional unemployment benefits of $ 300 a week will be extended through September and tax breaks for families with children and low-income earners will be expanded.

Billions are also planned for corona vaccinations and corona tests, the safe reopening of schools and companies in crisis. Cities and states are set to receive $ 350 billion to shoulder the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

In the fight against the pandemic, the USA had already launched several huge aid packages last year. The largest, valued at $ 2.2 trillion, was the largest aid package in US history. The opposition Republicans have criticized the latest aid as too costly and insufficiently targeted.

530.000 Tote

Around 530,000 people have already died in connection with a corona infection in the USA, more than in any other country in the world. In the past few weeks, however, the number of new infections and deaths has decreased significantly. In addition, the nationwide vaccination campaign is making rapid progress.

Biden wanted to address the nation in a televised address on the coronavirus on Thursday evening. The occasion is the first anniversary of the declaration of the pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020.