Maryland United States Senator Ben Cardin was part of a call to discuss the urgent need for COVID-19 relief for small businesses and states, localities, and Tribal nations, along with U.S. Territories responsible for essential community services. Senator Cardin is chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. The American Rescue Plan includes $1400 stimulus checks to individuals, an extension of unemployment insurance, and tens of billions of dollars in aid for small businesses and not-for-profits, as well as $350 billion for state, local and Tribal governments, many of which have experienced increased costs and lower tax revenues due to the pandemic.