What “build back better” means to your family

This morning, I voted to pass the Build Back Better Act to create millions of jobs, tackle the climate crisis, and drive long-term economic growth as we bring the pandemic to a close.

Here is what it means for you, your family, and families across Washington when it comes to housing and child care:

• Every 3- and 4-year-old in America—including 181,000 in Washington state—will have access to free, high-quality preschool.

• In addition, no working family will pay more than 7% of their income for child care, ensuring that every family can afford child care.

• We are extending the $250-300 per child refundable tax credit that has lifted half of all children nationwide out of poverty. In Northwest Washington, over 75,000 families received an average of $438 each last month.

• The Build Back Better plan includes funds to build over 1 million units of affordable housing nationwide, as well as billions of dollars in lifeline rent assistance. This is a provision that I personally championed, and I am proud to make it happen.

• For the first time in history, all workers will have access to four weeks of paid family and medical leave.

Here is what it means for you, your family, and families across Washington when it comes to health care:

• Medicare will finally be able to negotiate lower drug prices.

• Under Medicare Part D, seniors will no longer pay more than $2000/year for prescription drugs.

• We are lowering the cost of health care premiums and extending access to affordable hearing care through Medicare.

Here is what it means for you, your family, and families across Washington when it comes to tackling climate change:

• We are investing over $550 billion to lower energy costs, reduce pollution, and create millions of jobs in the clean energy economy.

• We are making it more affordable for middle-class families to install rooftop solar or buy electric vehicles.

• We are hiring 300,000 people to serve in a national Climate Conservation Corps that will help communities become resilient in the face of climate change and restore and protect our public lands.

Between the bipartisan infrastructure plan and the Build Back Better plan, we are making strong progress toward rebuilding our economy, putting people back to work, and making it possible for working families to thrive.