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John, The US House of Representatives is set to consider two infrastructure bills this week. Our national co-chairs, Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II and Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis, have sent this Open Letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi encouraging her to "Hold the Line" and ensure BOTH bills are passed by the House this week, not just the smaller bill sent over from the Senate.
We're asking the House to make clear to the Senate that they cannot fund the physical infrastructure bill until the Senate commits to also funding the infrastructure of our daily lives by investing in healthcare, family leave, elder care, affordable housing, the environment and more. You can read the full letter here. Please pledge your support now by sharing the open letter with your representative.
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Forward together, not one step back! Rev. Dr. William Barber and Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis Co-Chairs, Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival
PS -- Read the full letter below. The Honorable Nancy Pelosi Speaker of the House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Madam Speaker,
We are writing on behalf of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival, about the vote on the Senate’s infrastructure bill this coming Monday. When we met with you recently, you listened to testimony from Black, white, and Latino Americans who know that it is not enough for Congress to only invest in the physical infrastructure of our roads, bridges, pipes and rails. On behalf of poor and low-income people across this nation, they implored you to “Hold the Line” and make clear to the Senate that the House cannot fund the physical infrastructure bill until the Senate commits to also funding the infrastructure of our daily lives by investing in healthcare, family leave, elder care, affordable housing, the environment and more.
The vote you have called for invites representatives of conscience to take a stand and use their power to insist that so-called “moderates” in the Senate do more to support the President’s “Build Back Better” agenda and, more importantly, to invest in the poor and low-income people who are too often ignored in our public life. This is what the delegation you met with asked for, and we thank you for keeping your word. Both of these bills are necessary and essential steps to lift from the bottom up and middle out.
As we continue to lift the voices of America’s 140 million poor and low-income people, we know we need a Third Reconstruction to address the moral and constitutional crises we face in this country. As the wealthy and corporations invest millions to campaign against the investments the President has asked for, we have asked the White House to host a delegation similar to the one you met with to put a face on the real and urgent needs that demand action. We pray your leadership and courage will move this administration to take up this request, listen to poor and low-income people and show the nation why this legislation and so much more is needed.
Gratefully, Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II President, Repairers of the Breach National Co-Chair, Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival
Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis Director, Kairos Center for Religions, Rights and Social Justice
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