In an interview with Chris Ryan, Senator Maggie Hassan defends the recently passed American Rescue Plan of 2021, a $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill; speculates about further spending to boost the economy through infrastructure projects; explains why she voted against the $15 per hour minimum wage provision in this bill; and evaluates the need for bipartisan support for future legislation.
Republican critics of the $1.9 trillion COVID relief package argued that too many items in the bill were unrelated to COVID relief. Senator Hassan maintains that the COVID pandemic has affected so many aspects of our lives that this comprehensive bill is necessary.
The Senator lists the following COVID related items which the bill addresses: vaccine distribution; capping health insurance premiums; extended unemployment benefits; additional relief to small businesses, including new businesses; and funding for school reopening and to help student to catch up there is money for enrichment, after school and summer school programs, and for students with special needs.
Conversations in Congress have begun about infrastructure projects. However, Senator Hassan cautions that the effects of the American Rescue Plan first need to be evaluated, “After we get to the other side of the pandemic, there are going to be next steps in terms of recovery and rebuilding our economy in ways that include everybody.”
Many progressives in New Hampshire were upset that Senators Hassan and Shaheen both voted against raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour in this bill. Senator Hassan explained that she has been in favor of raising the minimum wage to $12 an hour and she is open to raising it to $15, but she was against the way that the raise was written in this bill because of the way that it might impact small businesses and restaurants in the midst of this pandemic.
Senator Hassan points out several aspects of the American Rescue Plan which were the result of bipartisan cooperation, and she is optimistic that Republicans and Democrats can find common ground in the future.