Third Way Celebrates Biden-Harris Administration and House Democrats’ Passage of Build Back Better Act

WASHINGTON — Third Way released the following statement from Jim Kessler, Executive Vice President for Policy, on the House’s passage of the Build Back Better Act:

“The House just took a historic step forward—now the Senate must act.

"Due to President Biden’s vision for a better America, Speaker Pelosi’s political prowess, and the tenacity of Democratic House members, we are now one step closer to witnessing one of the most successful first presidential terms in the history of the United States. Building off the American Rescue Plan and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, President Biden’s Build Back Better Act would deliver the largest single investment in our clean energy economy in history and take essential steps toward investing in working- and middle-class families in a fiscally responsible way.

"In addition to helping ensure a safer and more prosperous future for the next generations of Americans, the climate and energy investments in this bill will start delivering benefits to workers and businesses right here, right now. The Build Back Better Act provides a variety of smart incentives to support US industries making cleaner products, help American manufacturers expand and re-tool facilities to stay competitive in the global clean economy, encourage domestic production of clean and affordable energy, and improve every community’s access to the jobs, clean air, and economic benefits that come with these investments.

"The legislation would also help to repair capitalism and rebuild the bond between work and a good life. Investments would boost labor productivity and ensure workers have skills for quality, middle-class jobs with big expansions of apprenticeships, on-the-job training, and a higher-ed system focused on delivering quality education and getting more students to and through college. Other investments would help people succeed while on the job with expansions of the child tax credit, earned income tax credit, child care subsidies, and universal pre-k. This bill takes huge steps to strengthen the ACA and cap health care costs for more people. And finally, this legislation passes the test of fiscal responsibility and will be fully paid for by the time it reaches the President’s desk.

"We look forward to the Senate passing this bill next month, capping off a historic first year for the Biden Administration."