I’m sure that most people who follow politics through newspapers and television news programs which employ fact checkers are aware that not one Republican voted in favor of the bill that President Biden recently signed. In spite of this fact, apparently at least one Republican is trying to take credit for it.

This pandemic relief package extends benefits for the unemployed, and sends stimulus checks to poor and middle class families. It provides help for state and local governments, child care benefits, benefits to businesses hit by the pandemic, and help with vaccine distribution. It facilitates hiring of more health workers, and solves other COVID-related problems (Washington Post, March 6).

According to the Wall Street Journal, this relief package will help propel our economy to its “fastest annual growth in nearly four decades.”

Pew Research reports that 70% of Americans favor this bill.

Raising the minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $15 was not allowed in this bill under the rules, but Democrats are now working on a separate minimum wage bill.  People trying to get off welfare and earn enough to take care of their families need to be paid a living wage.

Ellen Field, New Gloucester