Local lawmakers weigh in on COVID-19 relief plan

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Local House lawmakers are weighing in on the American Rescue Plan bill. 

Democratic Representative Ron Kind says, while the bill isn't perfect, it is what Wisconsinites need economically right now during the pandemic. 

The $1.9 trillion relief package includes $1,400 stimulus payments, jobless benefits and vaccine funding. 

Republicans have criticized the high price tag of the bill. 

According to a recent Politico poll, 76 percent of Americans support the bill including 60 percent of Republicans. 

Kind says he has held several virtual town hall meetings with Wisconsinites including health care workers, and there is one thing they really need to stop the pandemic. 

"What I heard from them is they need doses, doses, doses. The demand far outweighs the supply. This COVID relief package will go a long ways with additional resources to ramp up the production of the doses. Get those back down to the state and local level," said Rep. Kind. 

Rep. Kind said he predicts the bill will pass out of the House Friday, Feb. 26, and the Senate is expected to take it up next week.