Senators Shaheen, Hassan Urge Treasury Department to Provide Guidance to New Hampshire and Other States on Uses for American Rescue Plan Funding

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan are urging the Treasury Department to quickly provide New Hampshire and other states guidance on allowable uses for the state and local COVID-19 relief funds in the American Rescue Plan, which Senators Hassan and Shaheen helped pass into law.

“The American Rescue Plan provided $350 billion in emergency relief to state and local governments that have been on the front-lines during the COVID-19 crisis,” the Senators wrote. “This relief will boost the economic recovery by protecting jobs, strengthening community services, facilitating necessary infrastructure investments, and replacing lost revenue.”

The Senators continued, “Given impending budget deadlines, New Hampshire and other states require prompt guidance from Treasury regarding the eligible uses of state and local relief funds. Specifically, states need guidance as quickly as possible regarding section 602(c)(2)(A) of the Social Security Act, as added by the American Rescue Plan, which aims to ensure that relief funds are directed toward essential workers, services, and investments.”

To read the Senators’ letter click here or see below:

Dear Secretary Yellen:

We write to urge the Treasury Department to provide states with guidance as quickly as possible regarding eligible uses of the state and local relief funds provided by the American Rescue Plan.

The American Rescue Plan provided $350 billion in emergency relief to state and local governments that have been on the front-lines during the COVID-19 crisis. This relief will boost the economic recovery by protecting jobs, strengthening community services, facilitating necessary infrastructure investments, and replacing lost revenue.

Given impending budget deadlines, New Hampshire and other states require prompt guidance from Treasury regarding the eligible uses of state and local relief funds. Specifically, states need guidance as quickly as possible regarding section 602(c)(2)(A) of the Social Security Act, as added by the American Rescue Plan, which aims to ensure that relief funds are directed toward essential workers, services, and investments.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent issue.