Labor Movement’s Priority Legislation Moves Forward on Capitol Hill

The House of Representatives on Tuesday voted to proceed with President Biden’s $3.5 trillion budget resolution, along with the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. The Build Back Better agenda contains many of the labor movement’s priorities, including growing Medicare, expanding sick leave and child care, increasing investments in education and combating climate change. The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act will expand voting rights across the country. President Shuler praised the House’s actions as an important step forward:

“By passing the $3.5 trillion budget resolution and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, the House has taken a critical step forward for working families. Passage of this resolution puts America one step closer to providing major new funding for good jobs and our care infrastructure—including the first ever federal paid family and medical leave benefit, affordable health care, education and enhanced enforcement of our labor laws. President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda already has made an impact on the lives of so many across this country and today represents yet another victory for America’s working families. With discriminatory voting laws also proliferating across the country, passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act could not come at a more critical time. Thanks to the tireless efforts of House leadership, our country is on its way to building back better and stronger and protecting our democracy; and we look forward to the final passage of these bills and the bipartisan infrastructure legislation as soon as possible.”