SEIU’s Henry: Infrastructure bill ‘important step forward, but Congress’ work is far from over’

2 million-member SEIU calls on Congress to pass President Biden’s full Build Back Better agenda without delay

WASHINGTON, DC — Service Employees International Union (SEIU) International President Mary Kay Henry made the following statement on the passage of the federal infrastructure jobs bill: 

“The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s important investments in public transportation, clean water, broadband and climate resilience are an important step forward. But Congress’ work is far from over. SEIU members are mobilizing to ensure Congress acts now to build a more resilient, inclusive and equitable country by passing the Build Back Better agenda in its entirety this month.

“Tonight’s rule passage and public commitment from House members to pass the Build Back Better Act as currently written by November 15 is a major step forward toward delivering a package that meets the needs of working families. Only by passing the infrastructure bill AND the Build Back Better Act can Congress ensure an equitable recovery, especially for the Black, Latina, Asian American Pacific Islander, Indigenous and immigrant women hit hardest by the pandemic. This is about Congress’s responsibility to working people and delivering an historic investment in America’s working families of all races. Now the President and Congress have to get this to the finish line.

“Investments in physical infrastructure are critical but must be connected to similar investments in our care economy. We need to invest in our care economy to protect and expand our home- and community-based care system to work for both families and those who provide these critical services by creating good union jobs and expanding access to long-term care. Funding climate resilience efforts in frontline communities and communities of color that bear the brunt of environmental injustice will secure the cleaner future we owe our children. Supporting immigrant communities will properly honor the millions of people who have always been essential, and who put their own safety at risk to keep our nation running even as the COVID-19 pandemic struck. 

“We stand ready to work with President Biden and Congress to move our nation forward in building an economy and democracy that works for every family. Congress must answer the call of millions of people who voted for transformational change and pass President Biden’s full Build Back Better agenda without delay.”