**Rep. Kuster’s full speech is available HERE**

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Annie Kuster (NH-02) spoke on the House floor calling for Congress to pass the American Rescue Plan Act to boost the nation’s vaccine distribution and deliver much-needed relief to struggling families, health care workers, and small businesses in the Granite State and across the country. Rep. Kuster has been a consistent and leading voice in Congress for additional support from the federal government as the country continues to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

Last month, Kuster introduced bipartisan legislation to bolster and quicken our nationwide vaccine rollout. The Immunization Infrastructure Modernization Act would improve and expand real-time communication between state and federal governments, as well as public and private health care providers, to ensure vaccines are being administered effectively and efficiently across all states and territories. This year, she also introduced the Coronavirus Vaccine and Therapeutic Development Act to ensure that the United States will be able to mass-produce and administer COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics quickly and efficiently. 

Watch Rep. Kuster speak on the House floor here or read below:

Today, I rise in strong support for the American Rescue Plan Act, bold and desperately needed legislation to crush the COVID-19 pandemic and bolster our economic recovery. 

As our nation mourns over 500,000 Americans who have lost their lives due to this terrible virus, we must act decisively and with great purpose to support our families and communities that are struggling. The American Rescue Plan delivers on this need, providing $1,400 relief checks to Americans who are hurting financially. 

For the nearly 16 million Americans who have lost their jobs during the pandemic, this bill extends critical unemployment benefits so they can get back on their feet. 

For children and families who have been practicing distance learning, this bill provides over $125 billion to safely reopen our schools and protect our teachers and students. 

For small businesses that have been hit hard, this bill includes increased funding for economic injury disaster loans. 

For the 1 in 7 Americans who are struggling with food insecurity, this bill increases monthly SNAP benefits so families do not go hungry. 

And for the good of the country, this bill ramps up funding for the manufacture and distribution of the vaccine.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back. 

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