This has been one of the most quietly consequential weeks in recent American politics. The COVID-19 relief law that was just enacted is one of the most important pieces of legislation of our lifetimes. As Eric Levitz writes in New York magazine, the poorest fifth of households will see their income rise by 20%; a family of four with one working and one unemployed parent will receive $12,460 in benefits. Child poverty will be cut in half. The law stretches far beyond COVID-19 relief. Thereâs a billion for national service programs. Black farmers will receive over $4 billion in what looks like a step toward reparations. Thereâs a huge expansion of health insurance subsidies. Many of these changes, like the child tax credit, may well become permanent.