Cori Bush Statement on Potential Further Senate Delay of the Build Back Better Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01) issued the below statement following reporting of Senate discussions to further delay the Build Back Better Act:
“I am a single mother, a survivor, someone who has been formerly unhoused, and a Black woman in America,” said Congresswoman Cori Bush. “I’ve lived my entire life being overlooked by policymakers in Washington, DC. I promised my district when I ran for office that I would not let our community be overlooked any longer.
“After spending months building support for the President’s entire agenda, I voted ‘No’ on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Package because the Build Back Better Act had not yet passed the Senate, and the Senators who had been blocking lifesaving funding had not yet made any public commitments to support the bill. I put my reputation on the line to make it clear that if we want to deliver the entire, much-needed, and long overdue Biden agenda, we must not undermine our power as a government nor the power of the people by placing the fate of Build Back Better at the feet of one Senator: Joe Manchin. I dealt with the unfair criticism that came my way because St. Louis so desperately needs the Build Back Better Act — from climate action and universal preschool, to community violence prevention and the expanded Child Tax Credit. Today’s reporting that the Build Back Better Act may be put on the shelf for the foreseeable future is alarming. To my community, I promise you that I am doing everything in my power to ensure that this decision does not become permanent.
“It is unacceptable that discussion of further delays to the passage of the Build Back Better Act is being framed as a choice between this legislation and voting rights. For as long as this country has existed, Black folks in America have been either denied or forced to accept the bare minimum. The Build Back Better Act and voting rights are both essential to achieving racial equity for Black folks in my community and across the country. We reject the notion that we must choose between one or the other.”
###
Congresswoman Cori Bush sits on the House Judiciary and Oversight Committees, serves as the Progressive Caucus Deputy Whip, and proudly represents St. Louis as a politivist in the halls of the United States Congress.