Joe Biden unveils $1.9 trillion Covid plan to end America’s ‘crisis of deep human suffering’

Joe Biden wants to administer 100 million vaccines by the 100th day of his presidency

Credit: REUTERS

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Joe Biden unveiled a $1.9 trillion plan to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, boosting financial aid for Americans and businesses.

His plan would plough money into speeding up the delivery of vaccines and reopening schools.

The president-elect said: "A crisis of deep human suffering is in plain sight and there’s no time to waste. We have to act and we have to act now.”

Mr Biden’s "American Rescue Plan" would have to be passed by Congress.

It involves administering 100 million vaccines by the 100th day of his presidency. Mr Biden said he wanted to reopen most schools by the spring.

He pledged $1,400 cheques for individual Americans on top of $600 provided in the most recent stimulus package.

He would also extend a temporary boost in unemployment benefits.

The package will include cheques for the poorest Americans

Credit: AP

The minimum wage would be increased to $15 an hour and there would be increased tax credits for families with children.

Mr Biden said: "I know what I just described does not come cheaply but we simply can’t afford not to do what I’m proposing.

"If we invest now boldly, smartly and with unwavering focus on American workers and families we will strengthen our economy, reduce inequity and put our nation’s long-term finances on the most sustainable course.”

However, it was unclear if Mr Biden’s plan could make it through Congress in its entirety. Republicans will object to issues including increasing the minimum wage, and burdening the country with more debt.

Mr Biden’s plan would see $400 billion assigned to combating the pandemic directly, with the rest being sent on economic relief to individuals, businesses and states.

There would be $50 billion for expanding virus testing as part of the bid to open schools.

Another $130 billion would be given to help schools reopen safely.

Some 100,000 public health workers would be hired.

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The virus has so far claimed more than 385,000 lives in the US.

Mr Biden said: "The vaccines offer so much hope but the vaccine rollout in the United States has been a dismal failure thus far.

"This will be one of the most challenging operations efforts we’ve ever undertaken as a nation.

"We’ll have to move heaven and earth to get more people vaccinated."

Read more: What will Joe Biden’s first 100 days in office look like?