WASHINGTON, D.C. — This morning, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 5376, the Build Back Better Act. A cornerstone of President Biden’s agenda, this legislation will lower the cost of child care and family care, lower the cost of health care, and combat climate change.
The passage of the Build Back Better Act follows President Biden’s signing of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law on Monday. Together, the infrastructure bill and the reconciliation bill will transform our nation’s infrastructure and economy and support working families. The Build Back Better Act is fully paid for through taxes to big corporations and ultra-wealthy Americans.
“This paid-for legislation will reduce the deficit, ease inflation, and transform the lives of millions of Pennsylvanians — in the last two weeks, we’ve ensured that our roads and bridges will meet the demands of this century,” Rep. Dean said. “Now, we’re supporting our families through child care and universal pre-K, paid family leave, cheaper prescription drug costs including insulin, and so much more — these investments coupled with bold action to combat climate change will be felt for generations.”
The Build Back Better Act includes
- Universal preschool for all 3- and 4-year-olds
- Establishment of a universal and permanent paid family and medical leave program, providing four weeks of paid paternal, family caregiving, and medical leave
- Extension of the Child Tax Credit
- Increase in the maximum of Pell Grants for postsecondary education
- Negotiations for lower drug costs for seniors
- Expansion of Medicare to cover hearing care
- $555 billion over 10 years in clean energy and climate investments
The Build Back Better Act will next pass the Senate and be signed by President Biden.
Rep. Madeleine Dean is a mother, grandmother, attorney, professor, former four-term member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and U.S. Representative for the Fourth District of Pennsylvania.
