Governor Issues Statement on Passage of American Rescue Plan

Governor Albert Bryan Jr. (Government House photo)

Governor Albert Bryan Jr. on Wednesday praised the U.S. Congress for passing President Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act that provides $1.9 trillion of federal pandemic aid. He said it will help accelerate and bolster the current efforts the Bryan-Roach administration has in place to continue the recovery of the territory’s reeling economy.

“The American Rescue Plan will expedite our efforts to restore financial stability for all Virgin Islanders – businesses, families, individuals and organizations. What was a ray of hope is now a light at the end of the tunnel, and President Biden and Congress are to be commended for taking action,” Bryan said.

“Among the provisions of the American Rescue Plan are $1,400 individual stimulus payments, tax credits for children and low-income families, funds to reinforce our local businesses and help put people back to work, relief for renters and landlords, continued support for those who are unemployed and an extension of health insurance subsidies and nutrition programs, such as SNAP.

“The fact that the USVI has come through this major legislative effort with substantial areas of funding in the bill is proof that our lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C., with senators and congressmen and Delegate Stacey Plaskett by our teams were well worth our time and effort over the last year,” the governor said.

“We are also thankful for the reimbursable and equal treatment for the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit and the expansion of SNAP. The Bryan-Roach administration is committed to reducing poverty and COVID economic impacts in the territory.

“Across the board, this comprehensive legislation is much-needed support for our local efforts, and it will help the Bryan-Roach administration pull the territory out of this economic catastrophe much quicker than we had anticipated,” Bryan said. “I pledge to continue taking every opportunity to continue the USVI’s economic recovery while the Department of Health’s continued excellence carries us through the public health crisis. I also want to thank all Virgin Islanders for their continued support as my administration steers us safely toward the ‘New Normal.’”

The Bryan-Roach administration is committed to transparency, stabilizing the economy, restoring trust in the government and ensuring the disaster recovery is completed as quickly as possible.