The Build Back Better Act: Investing in Our Future

Dear [First Name],

I’m proud of the continued progress we are making and am excited to see what the future holds for our resilient community. I want to make sure we continue this upward trajectory, foster local economic growth, and get people back to work safely. After hearing from so many of you, it is clear to me that it’s time to invest in Pennsylvanians and take additional steps towards a stronger economic future for everyone.

As you might remember, back in October I hosted the Future of Work Job Fair to connect our community’s employers with the talented workforce of our district. I have seen firsthand the eagerness of people to return to work and learn new skills for a new career. For too many workers and families, however, there are real barriers to employment. That’s why last week I voted in favor of the Build Back Better Act—to remove systemic barriers that are holding back too many from achieving economic success.

Outside our West Chester Job Fair that welcomed hundreds of employers and job-seekers!

This piece of legislation is overwhelmingly popular among Americans (around 61%), and is fiscally disciplined. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and U.S. Treasury estimated that the revenues generated by the bill outweigh the costs over the next 10 years. Like you, the cost of this bill was a concern of mine. But, ultimately, it is clear that the Build Back Better Act is both economically sound and an important, long-term investment in the people of our community, Commonwealth, and country. As it makes its way through the Senate, I am paying close attention to the final details and pushing for a bill that supports our community's needs in a responsible way.

Now, let’s talk about what the Build Back Better Act means for Pennsylvania’s workers and families:

Building Back Better for Families

9 in 10 young children in Pennsylvania would be covered under the affordable child care program. Without access to affordable childcare options, parents, especially mothers, have difficulty getting back to in-person work. On average, families with two young children in Pennsylvania will spend 22% of their annual income on childcare. Investing in affordable childcare options will allow parents to return to work and ensure that no family pays more than they can afford for high-quality care.

This piece of legislation would ensure 4 weeks of universal paid family and medical leave. I am proud to have led successful efforts to secure paid leave during my time in Congress. Americans should not face losing significant income when leaving work to care for a loved one. Paid medical and family leave will help keep people in the workforce while ensuring Pennsylvanians can care for loved ones in need.

199,580 more 3- and 4-year-olds would have access to free, high-quality pre-school in the state of Pennsylvania. Currently, only 17% of young children have access to publicly funded preschool. For those without access, high-quality pre-K can cost upwards of $8,600 annually—putting a strain on family budgets. Expanding to high-quality public pre-school options will alleviate costs from families and create a strong education foundation to boost Pennsylvania’s economic opportunities.

251,000 more Pennsylvania students would receive free, nutritious school lunches during the school year. A hungry child can’t learn. Currently, about 15% of children in Pennsylvania are growing up in food-insecure homes which has a proven negative effect on outcomes beyond K-12 education. Implementing a plan to provide healthy and nutritious food for all students will help children learn and find success both within and beyond the classroom.

Families would continue receiving regular payments from the expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC). As a parent, I know that raising children can get expensive. Before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, 13% of children in our state lived in poverty. Our families are already feeling the positive effects of expanding this popular program and continuing expanded CTC payments would provide a crucial investment in the middle class, support working families, and ultimately spur economic growth.

Building Back Better for Students

160,211 students relying on Pell Grants in Pennsylvania would see increase by $550. Education continues to be an important indicator of economic success. Yet for so many, the costs of higher education make attending college out of reach. The average annual in-state four-year college tuition in Pennsylvania was $27,708 for the 2019-2020 academic year. Expanding Pell Grants will lower the costs of education and unlock more economic opportunities for all Pennsylvanians.

The 24 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) and Hispanic-serving Institutions (HSIs) in Pennsylvania would receive additional funds. Our students should be given the foundational tools to succeed, no matter their background or identity. Investing in HBCUs, TCUs, and HSIs, is an important step towards making sure that all our students have the access to opportunity that they deserve.

20 community colleges would be eligible for grants to develop workforce training programs for rapidly growing job fields in STEM fields like IT, manufacturing, and clean energy. Despite being one of the world’s largest economies, we often fail to measure up to our global competitors when it comes to workforce development. Supporting community colleges with these innovative programs will strengthen our economy and equip young Pennsylvanians with sought-after skills to enter the workforce.

Building Back Better for Our Community

1 million affordable housing units would be constructed nationwide. Families should not have to choose between paying rent and putting food on the table. More than 700,000 Pennsylvania renters are currently rent burdened, making it impossible to put funds towards buying a home. Affordable housing would help ensure rent payments are not eating away at Pennsylvanians’ monthly paycheck so they can strive towards home ownership.

Pennsylvania’s seniors and disabled citizens would receive better access to home and community-based care, and caretakers will get a pay increase for their jobs. Over the past two years, the pandemic has had a devastating impact on our vulnerable populations, specifically senior citizens and those with disabilities. It is time to ensure all Pennsylvanians have access to care and that no one is left behind.

122,000 uninsured Pennsylvanians would gain health care coverage and another 125,800 people across the Commonwealth would save hundreds of dollars each year. The costs of health care have been far too high for far too long. If the pandemic has taught us anything it is that we need better access to care for vulnerable populations. Expanding Medicaid and Medicare coverage will relieve some of the burden on Pennsylvania families and ensure no one goes bankrupt trying to pay for essential care.

663,000 low-wage workers in Pennsylvania will receive a tax cut of up to $1,500. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program is an important investment in our workers. Too many Americans are forced to work multiple jobs to stay afloat. Expanding the EITC is important now more than ever. Reducing taxes on the middle-class in our state will spur economic growth as we continue to recover from the pandemic.

Building Back Better for the Planet

This is the single largest investment in confronting the Climate Crisis. By investing in a clean energy electric grid, we aim to reduce our emissions 50-52% by 2030. From 2010-2020, Pennsylvania experienced 37 extreme weather events due to the changing climate and repeatedly recovering from these disasters has been costly. We will also invest in making our critical infrastructure resilient against natural disasters like hurricanes and floods. These investments will help reduce recovery costs and secure a livable future for the next generation.

Learn more about what the Build Back Better Act means for each state HERE.

Rep. Houlahan at a Paid Leave for All Rally

I shared stories from folks in our district about what paid leave would mean for them during an event outside the Capitol last month.

The people of our community have been asking for these investments in their future, and it’s time for us to deliver. Expenditures from health care, housing, and education should not be preventing working people and families from living up to their fullest potential and contributing to our economy. With the passage of the Build Back Better Act, we have the chance to respond by putting money back in the pockets of working-class people.

I am proud to have helped pass this bill in the House, and I promise to keep fighting to tackle the most pressing issue of our time. Stay updated as this bill makes its way through the Senate by subscribing to this newsletter for all the latest from me and my team.

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Sincerely,