In a huge victory for state and local governments, President Joe Biden signed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan​ (H.R. 1319) into law on March 11 following final action in the House the day before, where it was adopted by a vote of 220 to 211. The measure provides much-needed fiscal relief for families, communities, and small businesses fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of $360 billion is provided for direct fiscal assistance to state and local governments that have health care workers, firefighters, police officers, bus drivers, and other critical workers on the front line every day responding to the health and economic challenges caused by the pandemic.