ICYMI: New Report from Brookings Institution says American Rescue Plan Would Boost Economy

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 29, 2021   ICYMI: New Report from Brookings Institution says American Rescue Plan Would Boost Economy   A new report from the Brookings Institution estimates that President Biden’s American Rescue Plan would boost gross domestic product (GDP) by about 4 percent at the end of 2021, relative to current projections. The report further confirms the urgent need for action.  President Biden’s Plan will bring needed relief to American workers and families, positioning the economy for robust growth.   The report is the latest economic analysis that highlights the need for and economic benefit of the American Rescue Plan. Moody’s Analytics, in an independent analysis,  estimated that Biden’s plan would create 7.5 million jobs in 2021, double economic growth, and return the economy to full employment a year faster than previously projected. The International Monetary Fund’s Chief Economist also said that her organization’s preliminary analysis found that President Biden’s American Rescue Plan could boost U.S. economic growth by 5% over three years. And, more than 120 economists, signed a letter calling on Congress to pass Biden’s American Relief Plan and noted the importance of immediate action.   The American Rescue Plan has received praise from across the political spectrum – from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Business Roundtable to Senator Sanders and organized labor. And, top economic advisors from the last four presidents: Kevin Hassett, Gene Sperling, R. Glenn Hubbard, and Alan Blinder have all said that additional stimulus is needed to rescue the economy   President Biden is calling on Congress to act urgently. Passing his Plan will allow us to ramp up vaccinations, testing, and public health capacity so we can get the virus under control, get relief and support to the families and communities that have been hit hardest by the pandemic, and revive economic growth.     Brookings Institution:  The Macroeconomic Implications of Biden’s $1.9 Trillion Fiscal Package   The Biden Administration recently proposed an additional $1.9 trillion in federal spending to address the ongoing pandemic. We estimate that the package would boost economic activity, as measured by the level of real gross domestic product (GDP), by about 4 percent at the end of 2021 and 2 percent at the end of 2022, relative to a projection that assumes no additional fiscal support.   …   Without additional fiscal support, we project that real GDP would remain below the pre-pandemic level for the next several years. In the near term, without additional federal resources to contain the resurgence of the pandemic and distribute vaccines, the economy will face substantial headwinds. More broadly, millions of households will suffer as a result of waning fiscal support for the unemployed and households and businesses suffering financially. Indeed, Biden’s fiscal package should be judged primarily based on the extent to which it invests in COVID-19 containment and vaccination and provides needed relief to help households and businesses weather the pandemic.