Biden unveils ambitious COVID-19, economic relief plan

President-elect Joe Biden on Thursday night introduced a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 and economic relief plan, taking aim at the dual crises he will inherit when he enters office in less than a week. 

The plan includes $400 billion to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, including speeding up vaccine distribution and reopening schools. In his first 100 days, Biden has pledged to administer 100 million vaccinations and for a majority of children to return to school. 

Biden’s “American Rescue Plan” will also include $1,400 direct payments, subsidies for child care costs, expanded emergency paid leave to include federal employees and more unemployment benefits. 

"We can do these bold, practical things now," Biden said at The Queen theater in downtown Wilmington. "I know what I just described does not come cheaply. But failure to do so will cost us dearly."

Biden’s prime-time speech came just one day after the U.S. House of Representatives voted to impeach President Donald Trump for his role in inciting the violent mob that invaded the U.S. Capitol last week.

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The president-elect, who will take the oath of office on Jan. 20, did not specifically reference Trump and the looming impeachment trial in the U.S. Senate. It is unclear how the trial will affect Biden’s ambitious plan. 

And despite the country reeling from what unfolded last week, the pandemic is only worsening in the United States with 4,300 deaths being reported on Tuesday – a new grave record for the country. 

The country also saw a loss of 140,000 jobs last month. 

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Biden on Thursday night outlined the "rescue" phase of his plan and said he intends to introduce his recovery plan in front of the first joint session of Congress next month.

His sprawling plan also includes creating a $20 billion national vaccination program, which would create vaccination hubs throughout the country. The president-elect also proposed a public health jobs program that would fund 100,000 public health workers. 

Biden called the country's current vaccine rollout a "dismal failure." The president-elect plans to speak Friday about how he intends to meet his ambitious goal of 100 million vaccinations by the end of his first 100 days. 

"This should be one of the most challenging operational efforts we have ever undertaken as a nation," Biden said. "We'll have to move heaven and Earth to get more people vaccinated." 

Last month, Congress passed a $900 billion COVID-19 relief package, which included $600 in direct payments to most Americans. In March, Congress approved $1,200 payments.

Democrats called for the second payment in December to be $2,000, but Republicans rebuked the idea. Biden in his speech called the $600 payment "simply not enough."

He also called for minimum wage to increase to $15 an hour and described how he plans to extend emergency nutritional assistance to the millions of Americans experiencing hunger as a result of the pandemic. 

"We not only have an economic imperative to act now," he said. "I believe we have a moral obligation. 

Despite the current state of the country – facing two once-in-a-generation crises and political unrest – Biden said he remained optimistic about the country's prospects. But warned that Congress must act quickly. 

"Come Wednesday," Biden said, "we begin a new chapter."

Contact Meredith Newman at (302) 324-2386 or at mnewman@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter at @MereNewman.