The White House is concerned that data released Thursday “suggests a significant slowing” of the economic recovery following 2020’s coronavirus pandemic.
“Today’s data suggests a significant slowing of our economic recovery,” Brian Deese, the Director of President Joe Biden’s National Economic Council, wrote in a statement. “In the fourth quarter, we experienced the second largest contraction in a calendar year on record. This is second only to the contraction in 2008.” (RELATED: Economy Shrank More In 2020 Than Any Year Since The End Of WWII Despite Fourth Quarter Growth)
Deese additionally cited the new statistics from the Department of Labor which showed 847,000 new unemployment claims being filed over the past week. The same report found that more than 19 million Americans are currently collecting unemployment benefits.
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 22: National Economic Council Director Brian Deese speaks as White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki listens during a White House news briefing at the James Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House January 22, 2021 in Washington, DC. Psaki and Deese discussed various topics including the economic crisis that was caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
“The message is clear. While legislation to date has provided an important bridge, we must do more for the economy and for American workers and families,” Deese continued. “Congress should swiftly pass the President’s American Rescue Plan. The Plan would allow us to get this pandemic under control, provide critical relief to American workers and families, and make smart investments to get our economy back on track.”
He claimed that “without swift action, we risk a continued economic crisis that will make it harder for Americans to return to work and get on back their feet. The cost of inaction is too high.”
Biden is reportedly considering splitting his $1.9 trillion coronavirus stimulus plan into two separate packages in order to speed delivery or direct aid to taxpayers. According to Politico, the first package would cost between $600-800 million and exclude Democrat wish list items like expanded unemployment insurance and direct aid to states. Those items could be passed in a second package through a simple majority, reconciliation vote without Republican support.