FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 11, 2021 Contact: Kirstin Snow, snow@pennbpc.org U.S. SENATE VOTE ON $3.5 TRILLION BUDGET RESOLUTION BEGINS PROCESS FOR ENACTING PRESIDENT BIDEN’S BUILD BACK BETTER AGENDA AND MAKING BOLD INVESTMENTS IN AMERICAN FAMILIES, JOBS Continued effort needed to deliver good-paying jobs, affordable housing and childcare, and bold investments in education and health care HARRISBURG, PA – Statement on U.S. Senate passage of a $3.5 trillion budget resolution that advances President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda by Jeff Garis, coordinator of Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center’s federal advocacy campaign, The 99% Pennsylvania: Early this morning in a 50-49 party-line vote, the U.S. Senate adopted a $3.5 trillion budget resolution, initiating the process that will allow the chamber to enact the bulk of President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better agenda with a simple majority vote later this year. The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center (PBPC) applauds Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, Senator Bob Casey, and the other 48 Democratic senators for advancing the procedural mechanisms that pave the way for making transformational investments in job creation, healthcare, housing, education, childcare, and more. Today’s action establishes the framework that will allow for once-in-a-generation investments in universal pre-K, tuition-free community college, paid family and medical leave for all workers, affordable housing, reductions in health care costs, and clean energy efforts. The resolution also calls for funding these investments by raising taxes on the richest Americans — those earning more than $400,000 per year—and the wealthiest corporations, providing tax relief for middle-class families. This morning’s vote comes just one day after the Senate passed bipartisan legislation that would make long-overdue investments in America’s crumbling infrastructure. Taken together, both measures will revitalize Pennsylvania and our nation, creating good-paying jobs, cleaning up the environment, improving educational outcomes, and ensuring that all workers and families are able to thrive. PBPC strongly urges every member of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation to support and improve both legislative efforts as they continue to advance toward President Biden’s desk.
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The 99% Pennsylvania is a campaign convened by the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, calling on Congress to take action to advance the well-being of the vast majority of Americans. It’s time for Congress to do something for the rest of us—the 99%. |