NEW YORK – Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12) on February 20 joined with local elected officials to applaud the $70+ billion in COVID relief expected for New York State, its communities, and families as part of President Biden’s American Rescue Plan. 

“Having been the epicenter of the pandemic in the early months, our city and state are in desperate need for federal aid and relief – and I’m proud to report that the COVID relief bill that the House will pass next week provides just that,” said Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney. “This bill, the embodiment of President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, is projected to provide more than $70 billion dollars to New York State, our communities, and our families — and this is just the beginning. This is the rescue plan – the life preserver we need to stay above water as we fight this virus. Next up, is the recovery plan which will enable us to build back better. Hope and help are on the way."

The House-drafted package includes rent relief, small business assistance, aid for the MTA, direct payments to families, and extended unemployment assistance. The portion of the package passed out of the Congresswoman’s Oversight Committee on Friday, February 12, provides $350 billion for states, localities, Tribes, and territories; $570 million for emergency leave for federal and postal workers; and $117 million for oversight entities to promote transparency and accountability of all federal coronavirus relief funds. With this bill, New York and its localities can expect a total of $23.3 billion in aid, with the State receiving an estimated $12.7 billion in direct aid and NYC an estimated $5.6 billion.

The House of Representatives is expected to vote on final passage of the package this coming week.

"After months of waiting for much needed federal aid, New York is finally getting a comprehensive relief package that will be critical to recovering from COVID-19 and rebuilding our economy and our communities," said New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer. "This new funding will be a lifeline for our city. Our small businesses are suffering and hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers are out of work as we continue to grapple with the economic crisis caused by the pandemic. Thanks to Congresswoman Maloney and the Oversight Committee’s leadership, there is finally light at the end of the tunnel. We must fight for an equitable recovery and build our economy back even stronger than before."

"Ever since COVID-19 hit our city a year ago, we have been in a fight to save this city and keep it alive," said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer. "I want to thank Congresswoman Maloney for her leadership in negotiating this ambitious aid package–one that has the direct cash payments promised by President Biden, and state and local aid that will keep our city afloat.  It's time to get these checks into the pockets of working families who are in need and who are hurting. This package is a common-sense and ambitious solution to the crisis our city and the nation is facing and It's time to pass this plan."

“The actions we take — or fail to take — in the next few months will determine the landscape of our city for years, if not decades, to come. The future of our public transit system, small business community, tenant population, and so much more is on the line. I’m so grateful to see this robust aid package advance through Congress, and I thank Representative Maloney and her partners in the New York delegation for fighting to secure the funding needed to keep this city on its feet after the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams. 

“Queens was among the hardest hit by COVID-19 in the country,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “As such, it deserves its fair share of the federal funds being made available by Congress.  We thank Congresswoman Maloney for her strong advocacy for Queens on this issue and hope the final version of the bill treats Queens fairly by providing the borough with a substantial share of those funds.”