John,
Last week, our team asked you to share what questions you had surrounding the $3.5 reconciliation package and the bipartisan infrastructure bill.
We want to take a moment and thank everyone who took the time to share their questions with us. With so much uncertainty, media sensationalization, and questions surrounding the infrastructure vote, we know it can be difficult to understand exactly what it is we're working towards, and where our movement currently stands.
|
➡️What are some of the main points of the Build Back Better Act (the $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill)? The Build Back Better Act provides two free years of community college for all students, regardless of family income. It guarantees up to 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave. It ensures affordable pre-k and child care for families, and extends the expanded child tax credit. In addition, the current version of the bill expands Medicare to include coverage of dental, hearing, and vision services while also dramatically slashing prescription drug prices and providing paid family and medical leave. The reconciliation bill will also combat climate change by taking steps to transition away from fossil fuels and invest in clean, and renewable energy. These are just a few of the transformative policies included in this bill. The bipartisan infrastructure bill is much smaller and doesn't include any of these priorities — which is why we can't settle for that alone. ➡️Why are Sen. Manchin and Sen. Sinema able to hold up the progress of the Build Back Better Act? Because the Build Back Better Act has been opposed by Republicans, who refuse to invest in American families, the bill must be enacted through a budgetary process called "reconciliation." Under that process, we need every single Democrat to vote YES — even Sen. Sinema and Sen. Manchin. But both senators have expressed that without significant cuts to key aspects of the bill, they won't support the President's agenda. Even while 96% of Democrats in Congress and the majority of Manchin and Sinema's constituents are in clear favor of expanding these social services and investing in our future, both these conservative Democrats are insisting we leave women, children and families behind. ➡️How can we pass the Build Back Better Act? It's clear, people from all over the country, not just NY-16, are ready for change, and it's unfathomable that a few voices are holding us back from this success. We need to keep up the pressure, John. We need to continue calling on our elected officials — especially moderate Democrats — and amplify our call for big, bold, and sweeping policies that will finally bring solutions to the issues we face. |
Jamaal and the progressive coalition is certain that passing this bill is what's best for the American people, regardless of the cost. Infrastructure goes beyond roads and bridges, we're fighting for care work, green energy, health care, violence prevention, and so much more — and we can't afford to back down from this fight.
If you agree and want to continue supporting our movement as we push for the Build Back Better Act, John, please consider making a donation to our campaign to show the strength of our momentum for change.
In solidarity,
Team Bowman
