Earlier today, the White House unveiled a framework for the Build Back Better Act. The framework would include a one-year expansion of the Child Tax Credit, investments in child nutrition and maternal health equity, and housing affordability.
Rev. Douglas Greenaway, President & CEO of the National WIC Association (NWA), issued the following statement in response:
“The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated challenges for families with young children, with long lines at food banks demonstrating how many were just one paycheck away from hunger or homelessness. It is unconscionable that in this land of plenty that we should shirk our collective responsibility to care for our neighbor. The Biden Administration clearly understands that we must rebuild systems and reinvest in our communities if the United States is truly to build back better after the pandemic.
“The White House framework includes historic provisions that thoughtfully and meaningfully tackle the issues faced by parents with young children. The Build Back Better Act will build on effective programs that deliver results, such as the Child Tax Credit expansion that resulted in historic reductions to child poverty and the school and summer nutrition programs that reduce hunger and improve children’s performance in school. The framework has the foresight to tackle systemic disparities, working to assure maternal health equity for Black and Indigenous women who die from childbirth at significantly higher rates than white women. As Congress considers the Build Back Better Act, the framework can be further improved upon with the inclusion of paid family and medical leave, which empowers women’s employment and supports the health and wellbeing of new parents, their infants, and young children.
“This framework includes unprecedented investments that will reduce poverty, strengthen the middle class, and provide a lifeline to parents with young children. It is a down payment on our children’s future, and it is time for Congress to deliver. Those who are standing in the way of progress must choose to support the needs of families and children, over billionaires and corporate interests. Congress must get on board to swiftly advance both this legislation and the bipartisan infrastructure package. The stonewalling must stop now.”