we're here in Nevada because it has every state, was, was so hard hit, but in particular in Nevada when you look at this being, in large part, grounded in the hospitality industry. And then you recognize that 40% of the people who lost their jobs or their health in the hospitality industry. Nevada was severely hit, and, and so I came here today to talk with the worker to talk with the workers and talk with labor unions and honorary workers about what they're doing to help their members get through. And, you know, there's some awful stories I've heard stories of folks who have been working in this industry for 15 to 30 something years. And they have been let go because of COVID. But now their real concern is when the, when the business opens back up, are they going to be rehired. And so the concern is, you know, I met a woman who's in her 60s, who has been working for a long time in the industry and concerned that when it opens back up, they're going to hire younger people. And then she'll be without obviously an income, and all of the benefits that come with a job. So these are some of the residual impacts as of this moment, and it's heartbreaking but at the same time, you know, Look at these
incredible people who are donating their time. And we've seen this around the country, people who are dying that name their time at food banks who themselves are out of it. And I do believe this is a moment that really is highlighting the beauty of human character in times of crisis, and the American rescue plan is meant to also meet the moment in terms of doing what our government should be doing, which is bringing relief bringing help to folks when they need it most.
And Vice President, what have you learned from talking to the people here in your, in your time and what do you think still needs to be done to help people work.
Well I've learned one that people are suffering but we knew that before, and we knew it based on the statistics but but the stories, add much more color to that point right when you hear the folks whose you know folks want to work. And for those who are in industries where they may not get rehired. What that is going to mean for them in terms of prolonged suffering, and and that was really the point of the stories that I heard today. What have I learned I've learned the character of people to help one another. And, And what that has meant to actually keep things going through this year long, and it's not over a crisis,
would you support raising taxes to help people more in the next round of funding.
Well, first of all, what I want to do is make sure that people know what they're entitled to in the American rescue plan, and so that is about the 14 $100 checks the Child Tax Credit. Part of what the President and I are talking about is also reminding people to file their taxes. We've got 30 days to do it before April 15 There are a number of folks who don't file taxes if their income is too low, but it would actually help them get their benefits quicker and maybe even direct deposits if they file their taxes now so we want to encourage people to do that, so that they know what their rights are right now. We don't, we want to avoid a situation where folks are unaware of what they're entitled to and then this moment passes and they don't get the full relief that they're entitled to get.
Are you, I mean, Could you say whether tax increases are under consideration as part of the next phase of this Recovery Act, we haven't really figured out what the
next phase is going to be, to be honest with you, and we're gonna make those decisions, you know, this just happened last week and we want to get on the road matrix people know what it is, so I'll keep you posted.
Thank you Madam Vice President, or Thank you. The White House has said the White House has said repeatedly that this is a very popular law. If that's the case, why is it important to get out and sell it.
It's not telling how they're right, right, it's it's kind of like you. You buy a product you're even sold on the product, but you need some directions out of the box. Right. And so this is about hey, know that you're entitled to this file your taxes so that you can speed up the benefits that you're going to receive, to talk to your friends and neighbors about getting vaccinations because we are speeding up the delivery and surprise supply of vaccinations and sites like UnLtd this these are the things we are doing to let people know what they're entitled to and to spread the word and think of it more as a public education campaign. This is what's happening. This is what you're entitled to receive. And so go out there and get it. Thank you.
