FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: lauren@scdp.org, 803-832-0819
MCMASTER DISTORTS AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN
“Why didn’t the Governor ask Republican Members of Congress to help SC?”
Columbia, SC— Governor Henry McMaster’s criticism of the American Rescue Plan Act this week simply was not accurate. This week Democrats in the US House of Representatives and the United States Senate made progress in creating an aid package to families, local governments and state governments. Not one SC Republican voted to help send aid to families in South Carolina.
The American Rescue Plan included :
- 2.1 Billion dollars to South Carolina
- 1.6 Billion dollars to the local governments of South Carolina.
- $1400.00 checks to families hurt by the pandemic.
- Funding to correct McMaster’s failed vaccine roll out.
- Extending unemployment benefits set to expire in March.
- Funding to reopen SC Schools
Democrats voted to deliver relief to Americans now need; not a single SC Republican joined in the effort to get shots into people’s arms, get aid to small businesses or to get cash into the pockets of Americans who need to pay their bills.
Republicans like Governor McMaster must explain why Americans suffering from the effects of the public health crisis and economic crises do not deserve direct relief. If the SC GOP had their way, the South Carolina state government, our counties and cities would get nothing.
“Henry McMaster should be thanking President Biden and congressional Democrats for advancing a plan that gives South Carolina 3.7 billion dollars in spite of Republican opposition, not criticizing it for being insufficient. If Henry wants more, then tell Congressman Clyburn and the Democratic leadership how much more.” said SCDP Chair Trav Robertson, Jr. “While Governor McMaster is complaining that one portion of the bill arguably treats South Carolina less favorably than other states, he is completely ignoring how a different part of the bill treats our state more favorably than other states.”
If Henry McMaster is truly interested in South Carolina’s budget and in the well-being of the people of South Carolina, he should stop criticizing the American Rescue Plan and get ready to expand Medicaid which would add an additional 600 million dollars, as soon as President Biden signs this critically important legislation into law.
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