March 11th, 2021

Miriam Cummins and leaders around the state join
Sen. Jeff Merkley in discussing impact of American Rescue Act

March 12
​By Jeff Merkley
It’s official – President Biden has signed the American Rescue Plan, and help is finally on the way to communities throughout Oregon. For detailed information about how this plan will work and how you can access assistance, check out my newly updated coronavirus webpage. 
This  legislation is a big deal for Oregon, and today, I had a chance to talk with leaders from around the state about how it’ll help our communities get back on their feet. Click here to listen to our conversation. 
Miriam Cummins, the Executive Director of Casa Latinos Unidos in Benton and Linn counties (and Linn County Democrats first vice chair), joined us to talk about how the law’s investment in a national vaccine program will help keep Oregonians safe and ensure that no community is left behind in our fight to beat this virus. 
Curry County Commissioner Court Boice and Morrow County Commissioner Jim Doherty spoke about the difference state and local assistance will make in supporting communities from the coast to the eastern edges of our state. 
Katy Brooks of the Bend Chamber of Commerce explained how the law’s provisions to support small businesses and put childcare within reach for more families will be crucial to helping Oregonians take care of their families and pay their bills during this crisis. 
And finally, Jim Brunberg of the statewide Independent Venue Coalition joined to talk about how the American Rescue Plan’s assistance for our local economies, and the many unique venues that make our state so vibrant, is going to help keep Oregonians employed and help ensure that our venues are ready to spring back into action as soon as it’s safe. 
Thank you to Miriam, Court, Jim, Katy, and Jim -- and to each of you who have written to me throughout this pandemic -- for sharing valuable insights that have helped shape the American Rescue Plan, and will continue to drive my work in the Senate for more relief. Let’s keep working together, so we can save lives and get to the other side of this crisis as quickly as possible.