“Newly released Department of the Treasury data by Rep. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) revealed that at least $863 million in Economic Impact Payments (EIP) under President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan went to more than 597,000 incarcerated individuals in 2021.

“Nearly 600,000 incarcerated individuals receiving upwards of $1 billion is a disgrace to hardworking taxpayers of North Carolina. What’s most appalling is that every Senate Democrat voted to allow these payments to prisoners on March 6, 2021,” Budd said in a June 10 statement making the information public.