Congressman García Votes to Pass the Build Back Better Act

Statement

Today Congressman Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04) voted to pass H.R. 5376, the Build Back Better Act, a transformative investment to lower child care and health care costs for millions of American families, protect immigrant families, expand affordable housing, and tackle the climate crisis.

Congressman García issued the following statement upon passage of the bill:

"Today's historic vote brings us one step closer to delivering long overdue, transformative investments for working class communities like those I represent in Chicago's Northwest and Southwest sides, the western Cook County suburbs, and across the country. The costs of child care, health care, and rent have skyrocketed while wages have stagnated and working class families -- especially Latino and Black families -- need relief more than ever. The Build Back Better Act will lower everyday costs for families, expand public services, address the climate crisis, and combined with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, create 2 million jobs each year over the next decade. It is a powerful step toward addressing the historic neglect communities like mine have faced.

"Though this bill delivers urgently needed relief to undocumented immigrants, it falls short of the path to citizenship that I fought for and that immigrants deserve. It gives up to 7 million undocumented immigrants the ability to receive work permits, travel, and live without fear of deportation. It means families separated for 20 years can finally be reunited, workers can speak out against abuses without fear of retaliation, and immigrants can wake up every morning with some peace of mind. That's why I was the first Member of Congress to say I would not support a relief package that did not include meaningful immigration reform. I will not stop fighting until we achieve a pathway to citizenship for all 11 million undocumented immigrants and every immigrant gets the chance to stay in the country they call home.

"This bill, combined with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that President Biden signed earlier this week, makes historic investments in communities across the country to create jobs and strengthen our economy. Though the Build Back Better Act falls short in many ways for immigrants, working people, and our planet, it is nevertheless a transformational step. I am proud to vote for this bill and will keep fighting for relief and resources for immigrants, working people, and families across the country.

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