DeLauro Floor Remarks in Support of Rule to Advance the Build Back Better Agenda

WASHINGTON – House Appropriations Committee Chair Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) delivered the following remarks on the House Floor in support of advancing the Build Back Better Act and the bipartisan infrastructure package. A video of DeLauro's remarks can be found here.

"This rule allows us to move forward on rebuilding our nation's crumbling infrastructure, restoring the power of the Voting Rights Act, and a historic budget resolution that advances our priorities by making critical investments to expand our nation's social safety net to continue to Build Back Better.

"For far too long, the deck has been stacked for the wealthy and well-connected, while middle-class, hard-working families, and the vulnerable have been left behind. After decades of disinvestment, we have an opportunity today to make history, to deliver on the promise we made to the American people, to build a stronger, fairer future for our kids. A once in a lifetime moment. Creating more jobs and cutting middle-class taxes – while simply asking the biggest corporations and top one percent to pay their fair share of taxes.

"What are the transformative issues in this bill?

• Expand and improve the Child Tax Credit, already acclaimed to cut child poverty and hunger with only one payment;
• Guaranteeing affordable, high-quality child care;
• Tackling the long-term health care crisis;
• Access to long-term services and supports for aging loved ones and those with disabilities;
• Universal Pre-K;
• Two years of tuition-free community college;
• Maximizing the Pell Grant award;
• Launching the first-of-its-kind paid family and medical leave benefit.

"Historic investments ranking alongside the New Deal and the Great Society, standing the test of time and strengthening our society. President Roosevelt didn't just rebuild America, he created Social Security. When it came to infrastructure and human needs, he did both. So, to meet today's moment, we must—and we can—do both.

"We have the opportunity not just to throw money at the problems, but to build the architecture for the future. Today, we must advance this rule and the budget resolution, demonstrating our commitment to our values, making a difference in the lives of so many Americans. This is a moral imperative. And to paraphrase President Roosevelt, this is our ‘rendezvous with destiny.' Watershed moment. Don't let the moment pass – it will not come back again. Let's seize it with action, with hope, and with a unity of purpose for a better, stronger America. I yield back."