Following the House of Representatives' Passage of the American Rescue Plan, Maine Democratic Party Chair Drew Gattine released the following statement:

“We are excited about the American Rescue Plan and what it will deliver to the people, communities, towns, and state of Maine. 

“This legislation includes $1,400 stimulus checks, extends unemployment benefits, provides funding for Maine’s state and local governments, and funds COVID-19 testing, vaccinations, and contract tracing, among other provisions. 

“Our Democratic Party strives every day to address the unmet needs of Maine people, especially during this unprecedented pandemic. Some may wish this bill had gone further and others may worry about the implications of certain provisions; our party is not a monolith. We have always been and always will be home to a diverse range of perspectives but unified in our commitment to building a better Maine.

“The American Rescue Plan is the first of what will be many legislative accomplishments for President Biden. Under his strong and compassionate leadership, our country is steadily moving out of this brutal pandemic and into a better, more just future.” 

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