The American Rescue Plan is Working and Republican Politicians Don’t Know What to Do About It
May 6, 2021
Columbus, OH — Today, the Ohio and U.S. unemployment rates continue to drop as the American Rescue Plan is working, putting our state back on the road to recovery and helping Ohioans build back better from the COVID-19 pandemic. As Fox 8 Cleveland reports: “More Americans are looking for work and more employers are hiring them.”
As the American Rescue Plan helps Ohioans and gains more popularity, Republican politicians are scrambling to figure out how they can play politics with COVID relief. Rob Portman pulled a Rob Portman yesterday and tried to claim credit for the highly-popular American Rescue Plan he opposed. As sad as that is, it’s even sadder to know that the Republicans running to replace him are doubling down in their criticism of the plan that has helped millions of Ohioans get vaccinated, put more money in the pockets of working Ohioans and is helping Ohio small businesses reopen and hire workers.
“Democrats across Ohio are working overtime to get critical COVID relief to Ohioans who need it, while Republican politicians are busy only looking out for themselves. Ohio voters deserve answers. Why are these candidates opposed to the successful rescue plan and why are they playing politics with Ohio’s recovery?” said Matt Keyes, spokesperson for the Ohio Democratic Party.
Ohio Republican candidates have been outspoken in their opposition to the American Rescue Plan, which enjoys wide, bipartisan support across the state. Jane Timken publicly stated she would have voted against the measure and has said about the bill, “we have to stand up and fight against this,” while Josh Mandel attacked provisions in the bill that would protect pensions for thousands of Ohio retirees and workers.
Meanwhile, these political attacks stand in stark contrast to the financial reality of the American Rescue Plan for Ohioans, as Fox 8 reports: “Economic growth has accelerated, sales of vehicles and newly built homes have soared, manufacturing output has risen and Americans on average have increased their savings and wealth.”