The American Rescue Plan (2021) is providing fast and direct economic assistance for American workers, families, small businesses, and industries. The American Rescue Plan continues many of the programs started by the CARES Act (2020) and Consolidated Appropriations Act (2021) by adding new phases, new allocations, and new guidance to address issues related to the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic. The American Rescue Plan also creates a variety of new programs to address continuing pandemic-related crises, and fund recovery efforts as the United States begins to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. The American Rescue Plan was passed by Congress on March 10, 2021 and signed into law on March 11, 2021.