Build Back Better Act
Floor Speech
Mr. Speaker, I stand today in strong support of the Build Back Better Act and its implications.
I am proud of the substantive contributions that the Ways and Means Committee, once again, has made to this monumental initiative. With these provisions we will make transformational investments in families, workers, and the fight against climate change.
Getting to this point certainly has not been fast, nor has it been easy. Some might say it has been quite challenging. But that is what democracy looks like, and it frequently is noisy. We have examined these issues; we have had thoughtful, spirited debate in the committee; and we have refined our proposals.
Since 2019, the Ways and Means Committee has held over 40 hearings related to topics addressed by these provisions, and we have heard out the stakeholders from virtually every perspective. Over the course of 40 hours of committee markup, we thoroughly debated this package and considered 60 amendments from the Republican members. And in the 3 months since we passed our historic package out of the committee, we have refined our policies further and made hard compromises in the interest of accomplishing fine things for the American people.
That is how legislation is developed, and it is not based on whim.
There is not enough time to detail every policy in this legislation, but let me highlight just a few that are going to be particularly well received by the American people, and I am proud of these proposals.
First and foremost, we fought hard to include a universal paid family and medical leave provision to finally put an end to workers' impossible choice between providing for their family and caring for them.
We also invest in making healthcare more affordable by extending the enhanced Affordable Care Act premium subsidies that we approved in the American Rescue Plan earlier this year.
We close the Medicaid coverage gap, which will allow four million uninsured Americans to gain access to coverage.
Let me say something, as well, Mr. Speaker. Everybody in Massachusetts has health insurance. Every child is covered, and 98 percent of adults are covered in the State, and it polls really well.
I am proud of these investments we make here in supporting this development and deployment of green energy, and I want to acknowledge two Members in particular, Mr. Thompson and Mr. Blumenauer, for the role that they played. Our green tax policies put us on the path to a sustainable future, they help cut carbon emissions, and create good, well-paying jobs across the country.
This an ambitious package, but it makes major investments--emphasis on the word ``investments''--in our economy, workers, and families, but it also responsibly meets the time in which we live. The Ways and Means Committee, of which I am enormously proud, we fully commit the funds that are necessary to pay for these priorities by asking the most powerful amongst us to pay just a modest amount more. The various wealthy individuals will be asked to contribute, again, just a bit more to our Nation that has provided them with the opportunities to have such substantial success.
I urge our colleagues to support this legislation. We will allow for a stronger and better Nation to build back better and stronger, and I reserve the balance of my time.
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Mr. NEAL. Clark), a fellow Bay Stater, good friend, terrific leader.
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Mr. NEAL. DelBene), a terrific member of the Committee on Ways and Means.
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Mr. NEAL. Davis), who had a substantive impact on the writing of this legislation.
Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my strong support for the Build Back Better Act and commend all of those who played a role in making it happen, especially Speaker Pelosi and chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, Richard Neal, and all of the members and staff on that committee.
Build Back Better seriously reduces longstanding poverty among children. Which children? All children; poor children, Black children, Brown children, White children, children of disadvantaged families. It reduces poverty for 4 million children.
Build Back Better will provide pre-school programs for children of working families across America. It even provides help for individuals who have prison records so that they can get jobs and go to work.
It is good for America. It is good for every community in America.
Mr. Speaker, I strongly support it, and I urge its passing.
Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding, for his integrity, and his steady leadership throughout this process.
I am proud of the legislation that we are considering today, and the entire House should be as well. Over the past two decades we have spent $6 trillion in three Middle East wars.
Today, this Congress is cementing a commitment to finally nation- building at home, in America and for Americans; investments in American families to help them become healthier, happier, and more productive into and through adulthood.
Mr. Speaker, because of this bill, the future of my community in Western New York will be stronger and more resilient. We are building back better, stronger, and longer. This bill reflects our optimism as Americans to confront our challenges with strength.
Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
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Mr. NEAL. Moore), the passionate advocate for the people of Milwaukee.
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Mr. NEAL. DeLauro), the chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee, who is an advocate on behalf of the child tax credit.
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Mr. NEAL. He is a very effective gentleman, and he is always Midwestern nice.
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Mr. NEAL. Plaskett), who is a very effective member of the Ways and Means Committee.
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