John,
Last week, I wrote an op-ed in The Guardian about President Biden’s infrastructure plan, and why we need to think beyond our traditional definitions of what “infrastructure” is.
In short: the way we think about infrastructure itself needs a rethink. Our infrastructure cannot stop at just steel, concrete, and transport. It must also include education and the care economy.
Care work touches all of our lives from beginning to end, from teachers, childcare workers, healthcare workers, and home aides. They’re one of the strongest pillars of our economy, yet those who do this work — disproportionately Black and brown women, often immigrants – are under-supported, undervalued, and under-compensated, if compensated at all.
President Biden’s sweeping plan to overhaul crumbling roads and bridges across America — all while building up the clean energy economy of the future — is an important first step in the right direction. But we must go beyond this, and we can and must center care work as part of rebuilding our country.
The Biden administration has a clear responsibility to begin the process of healing our nation; to shape the next vision of American exceptionalism by extending prosperity to those forced to live at the margins. We can and must take major steps toward addressing our country’s long-standing injustices.
We can and must pass universal childcare and pre-K, six months of paid family leave, and free, high-quality home and community-based services for seniors and people with disabilities, along with Medicare for All. We can and must invest in care work, because investing in care work invests in us all.
As my colleagues and I begin to debate and negotiate over the specific details in the president’s infrastructure plan, I’m committed to making sure that our progressive priorities are heard, John — and I hope you’ll continue to support me and our movement as we fight to build a solid foundation of care in our infrastructure.
If you’re with me, please add your name in support of my Care For All Agenda to help us build a momentous wave of support to show the Biden administration our passion and determination for our progressive priorities.
Add your name »
Let’s get to work,
Jamaal Bowman via LeftNet
PAID FOR BY BOWMAN FOR CONGRESS
