Statement from Mary Kay Henry, International President of the Service Employees International Union, regarding the newly announced framework for the federal budget reconciliation package, including a major investment in care, climate, and jobs:

“Essential workers have been unwavering in their demands to invest in working families of all races and, with the framework he announced today, President Biden has taken an important step to build an economy that works for all of us. This is a commitment to working people, with an historic investment in home care workers and care services, major progress on climate justice, essential protections for  immigrants, and other meaningful investments for America’s working families. Now the President and Congress have to get this to the finish line.

“The inclusion of a first-of-its-kind investment in home care will raise wages, ensure a voice on the job for millions of home care workers — the Black, Latina, Asian Pacific Islander, Indigenous, and immigrant women hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic — and expand affordable, quality care for America’s seniors, people with disabilities and others who need it. 

“This new framework includes critical investments in child care and universal Pre-K so working people can care for themselves and their loved ones. With major climate action initiatives that will reduce emissions and create hundreds of thousands of good union jobs, alongside much needed relief for immigrants who have made their lives here, the Build Back Better legislation would deliver real change for working families. Congress must act quickly to get this done and to ensure this package makes it to President Biden’s desk in full.

“Still, our work is far from over. We need to invest more resources in addressing the nation’s care and climate crises, and other important priorities to realize the full promise of our vision for an economy that works for everyone, no exceptions. We will not stop fighting until every worker across the country has paid leave to take care of themselves and their families.  And our nation won’t be whole until there is a path to citizenship for all immigrant workers and their families. 

“SEIU members and worker leaders in the Fight for $15 and a Union will keep raising our voices for the good union jobs, access to care, and racial, social, and economic justice our communities deserve.”