President Biden made his pitch today to our entire caucus, and he said, We need to pass this bill and pass it soon.

That's what the American people sent us here to do, and we have to get America to help it needs.

We've had the worst health care crisis in a century, the worst economic crisis in 75 years, and we need to deliver.

We're on track to send the American rescue plan to the president's desk before the expiration of the enhanced unemployment benefit, which occurs on March 14th.

We could take it up as soon as tomorrow.

Um, I expect a hearty debate.

I expect some late nights on the floor.

But American people are overwhelmingly in support of this legislation.

A majority of Democrats, independents and in many polls, Republicans support this bill.

It seems the only group that doesn't support this bill, our Senate Republicans and House Republicans, but the American people, including Republicans, show very strong support for this bill.

And they know.

And the reason is simple.

We have to crush the virus.

We have to get our economy back on track.

We have to get Americans back to work, and we all know how the bill delivers $1400 in additional direct payments to struggling Americans.

That's the $2000 check that we promised the 600 from before and the 1400 now.

It will help our schools reopen as safely and quickly as possible.

It will help small businesses become roaring, get roaring back.

It'll keep teachers and firefighters and bus drivers who work for governments to continue to work.

It continues the assistance for the jobless and the hungry, and IT funds in a more far more robust way than President.

Trump even contemplated distribution of lifesaving vaccines, the linchpin to overcoming and ending this pandemic.

Every member of our caucus, I believe, has had input into the bill we will put on the floor.

We are working in concert with the president and the house, and, uh, we all know that job number one is passed this bill, so we'll begin consideration of the American rescue plan as early as tomorrow.

and we'll have the votes we need to pass the bill.

Our our message to the American people is very simple.

Help is on the way.

And now Senator Durbin in his green tide Mm, thanks, Senator Schumer.

Now that the House has done their part, we have to do ours, and we start this week.

We're beginning the reconciliation ordeal, and many of you have witnessed it.

It's Senator, Schumer said.

It means many long nights and many amendments that, frankly, don't go to the heart of the issue.

But our attempts to divert us into some other political question.

I think our caucus is focused as it should be.

We know the American people are counting on us.

We don't have a day to lose.

We need to put that money into buying vaccines and distributing them as quickly as possible.

There should be no questions asked about that.

We've got to keep our word to the American people about the second half of the $2000 payment.

We've got to make sure that those who are unemployed don't find March 14th to be a disaster day, but a day of of continuity, so their families can continue to be fed.

This is Joe Biden's initiation.

It's his the centerpiece of his administration.

It's his demonstration of the American people that he heard them loud and clear as he was campaigning across America.

We are going to come together, face the reality of this, uh, pandemic and put it behind us.

And I think Joe Biden is going to persevere and with our help, succeed in charting a New day for America.

Murray.

Thank you.

The American rescue plan deals with the kinds of problems that I have heard nonstop from people in my home state of Washington from the start of this crisis like, how am I going to pay my bills and keep a roof over my head?

How am I supposed to go to work if I don't have child care or my kids aren't safely in school?

Why can't I get a test When can I get a vaccine?

So it's no surprise to me.

There is such strong support nationwide for the policies we are about to send to President Biden's desk.

Families need direct relief.

We are going to send it.

Too many are still out of work.

We're going to prevent expanded unemployment benefits from expiring.

On March 14th, we'll get help to get vaccines in arms faster, higher and train more public health workers and ramp up testing capacity.

We'll invest in programs to counter the disproportionate harm COVID 19 has caused specifically to communities of color and tribes and expand affordable insurance to families will give schools much needed resources to help students get back to classrooms for in person.

Learning safely and stabilize are struggling.

Childcare sector, both of which are critical to helping women and working families get back to work, will support small businesses and help states keep teachers and firefighters and sanitation workers and others on the job.

People support the American rescue plan because the American rescue plan supports people, workers, families, communities who know firsthand the loss and hardship of the last year to those who are struggling.

We have been listening, and we're going to tackle the public health care crisis and get our economy going again.

To Republicans in Congress who insist help for workers and families, investments and safely reopening schools, speeding up vaccine distribution and more are not necessary who say we're somehow overstating a need.

It is time to start listening to the economists and the mayors to the governors, to the public health experts, people nationwide who want Congress to treat the covid 19 crisis as seriously as they do and then join us in doing what the American people have made absolutely clear they want done.

Send the American rescue plan to President Biden's desk so families and communities can weather this storm.

And we can continue the work ahead to bring back our economy in a way that is stronger and fairer than ever.

Okay, it's hard to believe that it's march again.

And for so many people across this country, communities, small businesses, moms and dads and kids, it feels like last March never ended.

People need help now simply to survive, and we understand that that's what the American rescue plan is all about.

And we know that our economy can't be healthy until our people are healthy.

That's just the bottom line.

And so that's why we feel such a sense of urgency to get the vaccines into people's arms and to do what is necessary to help people survive and be able to make sure our Children can get back into classrooms safely.

We know that the American rescue plan tackles these urgent public health needs, first and foremost, providing billions in funding to get vaccines in people's arms to provide supplies and testing and staffing to stop the spread of covid 19.

It will lower or eliminate health insurance premiums for millions of Americans right now, and it tackles some of the systemic health inequities that underserved communities and communities of colors have faced for generations.

And just as importantly, this is focusing on behavioral health.

People are suffering right now, both in body and in mind, and we need to make sure that we are dressing healthcare above the neck as well as healthcare below the neck.

And that's what is in this bill.

We also have needed support for hard hit rural communities to address what is happening to keep our rural hospitals open and tele health care available.

And we also in this bill are addressing pandemic related disruptions to our food supply chain.

To get help for our farmers, to be able to get food to hungry families and to offer assistance to farmers of color who have faced discrimination for too long, we're a year into the pandemic.

And American families and communities need to know that someone continues to have their back.

That's what this is all about.

And we're here today to tell them that help is on the way.

Thank you, Debbie.

Yes, Personally.

All over.

Oh, yes.

First.

Look, let me say this.

I believe my caucus believes excuse me.

Supposed to keep the mask on when I talk to you all.

Um, I believe, and I believe my caucus believes that we need big, bold action, and we're gonna figure out the best way to get big, bold action on a whole lot of fronts.

We're not going to be the legislative graveyard.

Very simply.

McConnell refused to put bills on the floor.

I'm putting bills on the floor.

People are going to be forced to vote on them.

Yes or no?

On a whole lot of very important and serious issues.

Yes.

Look, I supported the $600.

I think that put put a lot of money into the, um, uh, economy, and it was very good.

Um, I know that this was brought up when the group yesterday met with Joe Biden, and they're discussing it Yes, I called down here.

Look, the allegations that have been made by Miss Rush and Miss Boylan and Miss Bennet are serious.

Very troubling.

These women have to be listened to.

I've always believed that sexual harassment is not acceptable.

Must not be tolerated.

Now there's a investigation in the hands of a very, very capable person.

The Attorney general of New York State.

I supported it and called for it, and now she's doing it.

I know the Attorney general will conduct a thorough investigation that will be totally, totally independent without any interference outside interference, political or otherwise.

You're next team with women bring in made against him.

You personally called and they really weren't fully difference here.

Look, the bottom line is just let me say on this issue I have a great deal of faith in the Attorney General's investigation.

Why mhm?

I have faith in the Attorney General's investigation.

I'll leave that to her.

Yes, yes, looking glass.

The bottom line is we're gonna figure out we're going to come together as a caucus and figure out the way to get bold the bold action that the American people demand.

But we will put bills on the floor.

That's the huge difference between McConnell and us.

Last one?

Yes.

Oh, look, we want to get the biggest, strongest, boldest bill that can pass.

And that's what we're working to do.

Thank you, everybody.