Congresswoman Jacobs Statement on the Text of the Build Back Better Act
Bill includes Jacobs’ provision to expand child care funding to benefit middle-class families
Washington, D.C. - Today, the House of Representatives released the full text of the Build Back Better Act. The bill includes free and universal pre-K for three- and four-year-olds, significant measures to reduce child care costs, and a one-year extension of the expanded and improved Child Tax Credit.
Congresswoman Jacobs secured a significant win in the bill, ensuring that middle-class families in high-cost areas will benefit from the historic investments in child care.
On October 25, Congresswoman Jacobs wrote to both White House officials and Speaker Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Schumer, calling for expanding eligibility for child care subsidies to a higher income threshold — at least 250% of the State Median Income — to reflect the needs of people in high-cost districts like San Diego. As negotiations began in September, Congresswoman Jacobs also urged Congressman Bobby Scott, Chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor to expand the size of the child care subsidy program. Because of her advocacy, the child care provision will support millions more middle-class families who have struggled to afford child care that meets their needs.
The bill also includes expanded health care coverage and the largest effort to combat climate change in U.S. history. These provisions are paid for with increased taxes on corporations and wealthy Americans.
Congresswoman Jacobs releases the following statement:
I fully support the Build Back Better Act that was released this afternoon. My team and I have read through the bill text, and I am excited and grateful that it includes so many important provisions for American families and workers.
I have fought tirelessly to make the expanded and improved Child Tax Credit permanent and to finally address the child care crisis that has long impacted families and care workers. I am glad to see those priorities — as well as important provisions for climate resiliency, health care, education, and housing — included in the bill released today.
Child care remains the top issue I hear about from constituents in my district, and I am so grateful that child care and pre-K have remained at the heart of this bill. I am happy that pre-K will be a universal program, and while I am disappointed the same can’t be said for child care, I am very grateful that President Biden, Speaker Pelosi, and Leader Schumer heard my calls to include as many families as possible in the program and to ensure that families in high-cost areas, like San Diego, will also benefit from this historic investment.
I will proudly vote for this bill when it comes to the House floor.
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