John,

Last week, President Biden released a new Build Back Better framework, bringing us one step closer to a historic, essential, and long-overdue investment in our country’s children and families. We’re poised to boost families’ economic stability and reduce racial inequities in income, housing, education, and health care that harm Black and brown children every day. We appreciate the countless child advocates, parents, friends in the White House, and champions in Congress who have fought for decades to bring us to this point.

However, we cannot compromise when it comes to the well-being of children and youth. Young people are not a special interest, and they’re not a negotiation tactic. Political gamesmanship has resulted in losses we cannot stomach. Until every child has what they need to thrive, even “better” is not yet good enough.

What does the Build Back Better framework mean for you?

Our failure to provide universal paid family leave, in particular, continues to be a glaring stain on this country’s promise to care for her people, and a permanently expanded and fully inclusive Child Tax Credit is the only end point for such a transformative policy.

We will continue to fight alongside our partners for permanent and robust programs and policies that are inclusive of all families, regardless of race, zip code, or immigration status—and we hope you’ll join us.

For our children,

Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson
President and CEO

Children's Defense Fund© All rights reserved

840 First St NE, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20002