Video (Twitter)
BOSTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) issued the following statement on the ongoing obstruction of the Build Back Better Act.
Rep. Pressley also reacted to the breaking news of Senator Manchin’s refusal to support the Build Back Better Act earlier today on CNN’s State of the Union. A full transcript of her interview is available here, and video is available here.
“Failure to enact the Build Back Better Act—which represents the heart of President Biden’s agenda and is the people’s agenda—is unconscionable and unacceptable.
“I refuse to accept that the obstruction of one Senator from West Virginia will deny millions of workers, families and communities in the Massachusetts 7th and across the country the lifesaving resources and relief they so desperately need in this moment. I refuse to abandon the families struggling to make ends meet while covering the skyrocketing costs of housing, childcare and prescription drugs. The workers unable to take the time necessary to care for themselves or a loved one due to a lack of paid leave. The disabled and elderly unable to receive the home and community-based care they deserve. Our immigrant neighbors who deserve a pathway to citizenship and communities at risk of being displaced due to climate change.
“The cost of inaction is far too high, and our most vulnerable always pay the price. This is why I insisted on moving the infrastructure bill in tandem with the Build Back Better Act, and why I refused to leave my community behind when forced to vote for one without the other. I knew that it would only be a matter of time before the goal posts were moved yet again, and I take no joy in seeing these fears play out in real time.
“The people deserve and demand a vote on the Build Back Better Act. The Senate must return to session immediately and bring this historic and transformational bill to a vote so Senator Manchin—and every Republican who has opposed it from the very beginning—can demonstrate, on the record, the contempt they have for their constituents and for everyone who calls America home.
“This fight is not over and I will not stop pushing until we have secured President Biden’s full Build Back Better agenda.”
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