Biden's Recovery Plan: Paid Sick Leave for Corona, $1,400 Per Person

(Patria) - In times of economic crisis, "we cannot afford to sit idly by," emphasized future US President Joe Biden on Thursday, presenting his comprehensive economic recovery plan worth $1.9 trillion to help households and businesses.

Anticipating criticism for the new plan increasing the country's debt and burdening public finances, the president-elect stressed that "investing in employment and racial equality will prevent economic damage in the long run.".

"The benefits will far outweigh the costs" of this plan, he added at a press conference.

The aid package, dubbed the "rescue plan" by Biden, presented in his constituency in Wilmington, Delaware, is intended to pull the United States out of its biggest crisis since the 1930s. The plan will be followed by an investment plan in the coming weeks to stimulate economic activity.

However, Congress members must now be persuaded to approve $1.9 trillion for the urgent recovery plan.

Republicans may oppose it, although they voted for then-President Donald Trump's $2.2 trillion aid plan in the spring.

The text provides for Americans to receive another check for $1,400 per person, depending on income.

Unemployment benefits, on which 18 million Americans rely, will be paid until the end of September, by which time paid sick leave for coronavirus infection will also be possible.

The text also mentions extending the moratorium on rent evictions and property foreclosures until the end of September, as well as increasing food assistance.

Joe Biden also wants to accelerate COVID-19 testing and vaccination to enable economic activity to continue.

The president-elect also hopes that lawmakers will accept raising the minimum wage from the current $7.25 to $15 per hour, a twofold increase.

It also provides for funds to enable local and state governments to save the jobs of educators, police officers, firefighters, and public health employees.

This measure could anger Republicans in the Senate, who blocked any economic aid plan involving funding for local government at the end of 2020.

The tax increase foreseen in his election program for the country's largest companies and for individuals earning more than $400,000 a year is, however, not mentioned.