By the Numbers: Biden’s First-Year Impact on Iowans

Thursday marked the one-year anniversary of President Joe Biden’s inauguration.

Biden’s first year in office was a difficult one, as the coronavirus pandemic continued to wreak havoc on the nation. There are real problems facing Americans today–rising prices, a resurgence of COVID this winter, access to affordable housing, and the cost of health and childcare, just to name a few.

But the Biden Administration also has its fair share of achievements. Here’s some of what Biden has accomplished over the past year, by the numbers:

• 6.4 Million – The number of jobs created in 2021, the largest one-year increase on record. In Iowa, nearly 40,000 jobs were created

• 3.9% – The national unemployment rate in December 2021. This represents a substantial decrease from the 6.7% rate in December of 2020. Iowa’s unemployment rate remained stable around 3.7% year-over-year

• 171 million – The number of stimulus checks delivered to Americans to help them get through the coronavirus pandemic

• $3,000 to $3,600 – The amount of money sent to most Iowa parents for each child under the age of 18, under Biden’s American Rescue Plan

• 71% – The percentage of Iowa adults fully vaccinated under Biden

• $1.5 billion – The amount of money Biden’s American Rescue Plan invested in Iowa’s state government, which has used the money to expand and protect access to affordable childcare, improve healthcare service, expand access to and build more affordable housing, improve water infrastructure, and build out the state’s high-speed broadband infrastructure

• $775 million – The amount of money Biden’s American Rescue Plan invested in Iowa’s schools and students

• $3.4 Billion – The amount of money invested in Iowa’s roads and highways under Biden’s new infrastructure law

• $638 Million – How much Biden’s infrastructure law invests in improving Iowa’s water infrastructure and deliver clean drinking water for residents

• $432 Million  – The amount of money Biden’s infrastructure law invests in bridge repairs in Iowa

• $305 Million – How much Biden’s infrastructure law invests in Iowa’s public transit systems

• 816,000 – The number of Iowans eligible for financial help paying their internet bills thanks to Biden’s infrastructure law.

Biden’s American Rescue Plan also saved tens of thousands of Iowans hundreds of dollars on healthcare expenses, gave thousands more access to coverage, and expanded food assistance. His infrastructure law, meanwhile, will create thousands of jobs across the state and more than 800,000 jobs nationwide.

By Keya Vakil
01/21/22

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