Credit: @MichaelLaRosa46/Office of the First Lady
The first lady visited the region as part of the administration’s nationwide tour to tout the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan that was signed into law last week.
Early Monday afternoon, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden visited Samuel Smith Elementary School in Burlington, New Jersey, a little more than a mile from the Delaware River-fronted border with Bristol Township.
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Biden told a small gathered crowd at the elementary school that the massive legislation, which has already led to the start of $1,400 direct payments to most Americans, has “so many ways to strengthen our communities.”
“If you’re married and you make less than $150,000 jointly everyone in your family will get the same amount. And that means that a family of four will get $5,600, all together. So for some, this, you know it, this is going to make the difference between putting food on the table, and going hungry. For many, it’s going to allow them to fix the appliance, that’s been broken or get new tires for your car. It’s a chance to breathe again,” she said.
She added the bill will assist communities in reopening schools during the pandemic and help parents with childcare through a tax credit program. Also, the first lady noted the American Rescue Plan will direct funds to help small businesses and their employees and help local governments pay their workers.
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“What I want you to know is this: We are going to safely open schools. We are going to get people back to work. We’re going lift up the families who are struggling to get by. And we’re going to be stronger than ever. That’s what the American Rescue Plan is all about. Help today, so we can feel better tomorrow,” Biden said.
The remarks were made from a lectern that read “Help is Here.”
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President Joe Biden is set to continue the Help is Here tour by stopping in Delaware County Tuesday.
Many Republicans have called the American Rescue Plan too large, but Biden and congressional Democrats have heralded it as a law that will help America recover from the pandemic. Polling has shown the majority of the public – both Democrats and Republicans – are supportive of the legislation.
The first lady, a community college English professor, toured the Burlington elementary school, which has resumed in-person classes, before speaking Monday.
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“Hello, nice to see all of you. I’m a teacher too but I teach English. Tomorrow I will be doing the exact same thing with my students,” she told students taking part in classes.
The first lady flew to the region to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst on a military jet before heading to Burlington.
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