President Joe Biden’s American Rescue plan has strong, bipartisan support among Republican governors, mayors, and voters (and apparently it’s more popular among Republicans than Minority Leader Mitch McConnell). The widespread support for this critical bill underscores its importance, especially as state and local leaders manage budget shortfalls and face devastating cuts to services and jobs.
Republicans and Democrats alike believe now is the time to invest in the American people and our economy. But don’t just take our word from it – here’s a look at bipartisan support from across the country:
Gov. Jim Justice, West Virginia (R):
“After noting that many West Virginians are struggling to pay their power bill due to layoffs amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Justice was pressed again about his stance on COVID-19 relief. Justice dismissed the idea of being ‘fiscally responsible’ in a time when many Americans are struggling to get by.
‘We need to understand that trying to be, per se, fiscally responsible at this point in time with what we’ve got going on in this country — if we actually throw away some money right now, so what?’ Justice said. ‘We have really got to move and get people taken care of and get people back on balance.’ - [Talking Points Memo, 2/1/21]
St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman (D) and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez (R):
“To Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott and all of Congress: Florida’s — and America’s — mayors are begging you to pass the president’s bill and get your people the help they need… We cannot afford to wait. Florida’s cities are in agony and are crying out for help. This is not sustainable." - [Tampa Bay Times, 2/3/21]
Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt (R):
“In Oklahoma City, Holt said, revenue has been down by about 5 percent, a sharp departure from the robust growth the city had become accustomed to before the pandemic. To compensate, he said, the city has had to leave jobs unfilled and cut funding for parks and recreation, even as the overall needs of citizens and businesses have grown.”
“‘Support for cities and states is way overdue.’” - [Washington Post, 2/14/21]
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer (R):
“It’s not a Republican issue or a Democrat issue…It’s a public health issue. It’s an economic issue. And it’s a public safety issue.” [Washington Post, 2/14/21]
Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price (R):
“We’re not asking the Democrats or the Republicans to put money into city coffers. We’re asking them to put it into the community to help people get back on their feet.” [Washington Post, 2/14/21]
Letter to Congressional Leaders from the United States Conference of Mayors, a bipartisan group of over 400 Mayors:
“On behalf of The United States Conference of Mayors, we urge you to take immediate action on comprehensive coronavirus relief legislation, including providing direct fiscal assistance to all cities, which is long overdue. President Biden’s American Rescue Plan contains such assistance as part of an aggressive strategy to contain the virus, increase access to life-saving vaccines, and create a foundation for sustainable and inclusive recovery.”
“Your quick action on President Biden’s plan is a crucial step to making meaningful progress in one of the most challenging moments in our country’s history. The United States Conference of Mayors is eager to work with Congress and the incoming Administration to meet this challenge. We encourage you to take up the President’s rescue plan as soon as possible in the 117th Congress.” [1/29/21]
Republicans and Democrats alike believe now is the time to invest in the American people and our economy. But don’t just take our word from it – here’s a look at bipartisan support from across the country:
Gov. Jim Justice, West Virginia (R):
“After noting that many West Virginians are struggling to pay their power bill due to layoffs amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Justice was pressed again about his stance on COVID-19 relief. Justice dismissed the idea of being ‘fiscally responsible’ in a time when many Americans are struggling to get by.
‘We need to understand that trying to be, per se, fiscally responsible at this point in time with what we’ve got going on in this country — if we actually throw away some money right now, so what?’ Justice said. ‘We have really got to move and get people taken care of and get people back on balance.’ - [Talking Points Memo, 2/1/21]
St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman (D) and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez (R):
“To Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott and all of Congress: Florida’s — and America’s — mayors are begging you to pass the president’s bill and get your people the help they need… We cannot afford to wait. Florida’s cities are in agony and are crying out for help. This is not sustainable." - [Tampa Bay Times, 2/3/21]
Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt (R):
“In Oklahoma City, Holt said, revenue has been down by about 5 percent, a sharp departure from the robust growth the city had become accustomed to before the pandemic. To compensate, he said, the city has had to leave jobs unfilled and cut funding for parks and recreation, even as the overall needs of citizens and businesses have grown.”
“‘Support for cities and states is way overdue.’” - [Washington Post, 2/14/21]
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer (R):
“It’s not a Republican issue or a Democrat issue…It’s a public health issue. It’s an economic issue. And it’s a public safety issue.” [Washington Post, 2/14/21]
Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price (R):
“We’re not asking the Democrats or the Republicans to put money into city coffers. We’re asking them to put it into the community to help people get back on their feet.” [Washington Post, 2/14/21]
Letter to Congressional Leaders from the United States Conference of Mayors, a bipartisan group of over 400 Mayors:
“On behalf of The United States Conference of Mayors, we urge you to take immediate action on comprehensive coronavirus relief legislation, including providing direct fiscal assistance to all cities, which is long overdue. President Biden’s American Rescue Plan contains such assistance as part of an aggressive strategy to contain the virus, increase access to life-saving vaccines, and create a foundation for sustainable and inclusive recovery.”
“Your quick action on President Biden’s plan is a crucial step to making meaningful progress in one of the most challenging moments in our country’s history. The United States Conference of Mayors is eager to work with Congress and the incoming Administration to meet this challenge. We encourage you to take up the President’s rescue plan as soon as possible in the 117th Congress.” [1/29/21]