Contact:
Brittany Holder
202-297-7244
[email protected]
WASHINGTON – Everett Kelley, National President of the American Federation of Government Employees, representing more than 700,000 government workers, issued the following statement in response to the announcement of the Build Back Better Framework:
“We are encouraged by the dedication shown by President Biden and members of the Democratic caucus to build back better and address the pressing needs of American workers. This new framework is an important first step toward that goal.
“We urge Congress to move swiftly to finalize this legislation and start delivering on President Biden’s vision to help working families, take serious action to address the global climate crisis, lower the cost of health care, and ease the financial pressures on middle class Americans.
"We are encouraged that the Build Back Better and Infrastructure frameworks demonstrate that democratic government can succeed in responding to the needs of the American people. For that reason, we must move forward with urgency.
“Even still, we cannot ignore the voices of working families struggling in the only advanced economy without paid family leave, Americans crushed by the weight of student loan debt, our fellow citizens who cannot afford lifesaving prescription drugs, or seniors forced to skip a trip to the dentist or eye doctor because Medicare does not cover vision or dental.
“Their needs are no less real, this government no less theirs. Congress must act on their behalf."
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