November 19, 2021
Contact: Michelle Loo, michelle@apalanet.org
Washington, DC - This morning, The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Build Back Better Act that will bring us closer to a more fair and just economy for workers and families. APALA supports this bill and will continue organizing for the key provisions that our communities still need.
Building on the President’s framework, this bill prioritizes increasing access to child tax credit, paid family and medical leave, universal pre-k, stable housing, visas to reunite families, clean jobs that are good for workers and the environment, and so much more that we have been fighting for.
For Asian American and Pacific Islander workers, the bill would:
While we are thrilled that House leadership heard our demand to put paid leave back in the proposal, and that some undocumented immigrants may be newly able to obtain work permits and protections from deportation, we are disappointed that the Build Back Better Act has left out a pathway to citizenship for ALL undocumented immigrants and TPS holders. Going forward, Democrats need to deliver on these priorities for the AAPI workers and voters who organized and won in 2020. We have more to do and look forward to working with Congress to build a stronger future for AAPI workers and families.
Contact: Michelle Loo, michelle@apalanet.org
Washington, DC - This morning, The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Build Back Better Act that will bring us closer to a more fair and just economy for workers and families. APALA supports this bill and will continue organizing for the key provisions that our communities still need.
Building on the President’s framework, this bill prioritizes increasing access to child tax credit, paid family and medical leave, universal pre-k, stable housing, visas to reunite families, clean jobs that are good for workers and the environment, and so much more that we have been fighting for.
For Asian American and Pacific Islander workers, the bill would:
- Ensure that working families earning less than $300,000 will pay no more than 7% of their income on child care and expands access to preschool for all three and four year olds. This is crucial for the 1 in 10 AAPI parents who report having to quit, decline, or make a major change in their job due to child care disruptions;
- Fund access, construction, rehabilitation, and improvement of affordable and public housing. More than 25% of AAPI renters pay over half their income in rent;
- Expand the Child Tax Credit, which will cut the AAPI poverty rate by 21.7%;
- Increase the Earned Income Tax Credit, which will benefit roughly 678,00 Asian American low-wage workers, including cashiers, cooks, delivery drivers, food preparation workers, and child care providers;
- Provide long-awaited reprieve to millions of immigrants by reducing family visa backlogs that keep families apart;
- Restore diversity visas to people who had been racially barred from entering the U.S. by Trump’s Muslim and African Bans; and
- Invest in the largest effort to combat climate change in American history by creating good union jobs that are part of the climate solution.
While we are thrilled that House leadership heard our demand to put paid leave back in the proposal, and that some undocumented immigrants may be newly able to obtain work permits and protections from deportation, we are disappointed that the Build Back Better Act has left out a pathway to citizenship for ALL undocumented immigrants and TPS holders. Going forward, Democrats need to deliver on these priorities for the AAPI workers and voters who organized and won in 2020. We have more to do and look forward to working with Congress to build a stronger future for AAPI workers and families.
Here’s what APALA members have to say:
“The Build Back Better Act includes many important provisions that invest in future technologies and the next generation of work, especially when it comes to electric vehicles. We must re-invest in domestic manufacturing with union workers making the vehicles of the future. This bill recognizes that union bargained-for wages and benefits are an important and valuable contribution to our communities and economy.” - Sandra Engle, APALA Secretary and UAW Appointee to the APALA Board
“Health care and child care workers cannot wait any longer for better wages and working conditions. My members and I are fighting hard for this bill because our clients AND our own family members need these provisions.“ - Yeon Park, Alameda Chapter Appointee to the APALA Board and SEIU 1021 VP of the East Bay
“Students and educators across the country are returning to outdated schools with inadequate ventilation, lead pipes that need to be replaced, inadequate broadband access, and other problems made worse by the pandemic. Far too often, these outdated schools are found in Indigenous, Black and brown, and rural communities. The Build Back Better Act funds modernizing public schools and investing in the community college infrastructure. Our students and educators are relying on this to ensure that they have safe and equitable learning conditions. Congress must act boldly to invest in our students to fund the schools every student deserves.” - Lindsay Peifer, NEA Appointee to the APALA Board
“The Build Back Better Act includes many important provisions that invest in future technologies and the next generation of work, especially when it comes to electric vehicles. We must re-invest in domestic manufacturing with union workers making the vehicles of the future. This bill recognizes that union bargained-for wages and benefits are an important and valuable contribution to our communities and economy.” - Sandra Engle, APALA Secretary and UAW Appointee to the APALA Board
“Health care and child care workers cannot wait any longer for better wages and working conditions. My members and I are fighting hard for this bill because our clients AND our own family members need these provisions.“ - Yeon Park, Alameda Chapter Appointee to the APALA Board and SEIU 1021 VP of the East Bay
“Students and educators across the country are returning to outdated schools with inadequate ventilation, lead pipes that need to be replaced, inadequate broadband access, and other problems made worse by the pandemic. Far too often, these outdated schools are found in Indigenous, Black and brown, and rural communities. The Build Back Better Act funds modernizing public schools and investing in the community college infrastructure. Our students and educators are relying on this to ensure that they have safe and equitable learning conditions. Congress must act boldly to invest in our students to fund the schools every student deserves.” - Lindsay Peifer, NEA Appointee to the APALA Board
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