U.S. Sen. Jack Reed provided an optimistic outlook on two fronts Sunday at the State House – Rhode Island’s 76th governor, Dan McKee, and stimulus checks he sees reaching Rhode Islanders before the end of the month.

Reed congratulated the newly inaugurated governor and spoke about the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Act that was approved by the U.S. Senate.

“He goes to you before you need help. That’s a good sign,” Reed said of McKee. “He’s been preparing, and he’s ready. He’s ready to lead and I think he’ll do an excellent job.”

The senator was optimistic about House approval this week of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan, a bill that will improve public health, pay for vaccines, medical supplies and health infrastructure, and uplift the economy by targeting financial relief and investments directly to Americans, small businesses and communities.

“With the federal package coming in, that will give us huge momentum. We have $1.7 billion for the state, which is flexible money. And we’ve specifically got money for homeless assistance, rental assistance and foreclosure assistance, because that’s a problem. That’s out there, building. And then we’ve got money going directly to cities and towns, so mayors can deal with the issues. No one knows better than a mayor or councilman what they need,” Reed said in an interview following the inauguration Sunday.

According to Reed, the state should see several billion dollars, flowing from direct economic impact payments, unemployment insurance, education aid, health care funds and small business assistance. He also noted the state will see at least $200 million for rent and mortgage relief programs.

Also included in the American Rescue Plan is a round of $1,400 stimulus checks for individuals who qualify. Reed predicts the checks “will be out before the end of the month.”

“They really want to move quickly,” he said. “The faster we get this money out, the better we’ll be economically and in terms of medical response.”

The first two rounds of stimulus checks gave Rhode Islanders about $909 million.

Other key aspects of the plan include a $350 billion state and local aid package that will be broken up into two key categories: $195.3 billion directed to state governments, with $169 billion distributed based on a state’s share of unemployed workers, and another $25.5 billion divided evenly among all states.

The bill also includes an additional $300 per week in federal unemployment insurance payments through Sept. 6.

The American Rescue Act includes nearly $130 billion directed toward reopening K-12 schools and assisting students experiencing homelessness, $40 billion for child care assistance through the Child Care and Development Block Grant, and $40 billion directed toward higher education institutions.

Additionally, $48.5 billion is designated for increased COVID testing and vaccinations.

Another $17 billion is allocated to improve and expand health care operations and support for veterans. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will be extended through September, as well as providing $750 million for programs like Meals on Wheels.

An allocation of $200 million is expected to provide rent relief, mortgage relief, and homelessness prevention funding for the state. Reed worked to include $36.5 million for Rhode Island transit services, and $16.5 million for RIAC and T.F. Green Airport.

Reed mentioned several opportunities to help small businesses within the bill, including a second round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding for small businesses in the state.

The bill sets aside $22.5 billion for small businesses nationwide, as well as expanding PPP eligibility for nonprofits and digital media companies. The bill also includes $10 billion for the Small Business Opportunity Fund and $3 billion for the Economic Development Association to provide flexible grants for local economies that have experienced significant job loss.

“The reason we looked at restaurants and venues was that they were overlooked, frankly, in many respects. Some restaurants got PPP, but that’s the one area that is not able to come back as quickly because of social distancing. Whereas other companies, they’ve reorganized their workspace or they’re working remotely. You can’t work remotely in a restaurant,” he said.

Now that the Senate has approved the package, it will go before the House of Representatives for consideration, debate and a final vote. Reed says it’s important for Congress to send the bill to President Biden’s desk before March 14, when key pandemic unemployment insurance benefits are scheduled to lapse.

Other elected officials share Reed’s confidence in McKee’s ability to lead.

“To be the governor coming in mid-term in the middle of the pandemic is quite challenging, but I believe [McKee is] up to the task and I look forward to supporting him in every way possible to help us overcome this pandemic, and help our businesses and families get through this crisis right now,” U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin said after the inauguration.

“He’s a true Rhode Islander, humble and able, and I think his dedication to bringing Rhode Island together in solving this is exactly the right message,” U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse said on Sunday.