National Urban League President Says Build Back Better Is A Down Payment On The 'American Dream'
NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE PRESIDENT AND CEO SAYS PRESIDENT BIDEN’S BUILD BACK BETTER FRAMEWORK IS A DOWN PAYMENT ON THE ‘AMERICAN DREAM’
Washington, D.C. (October 28, 2021) – National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial issued the following statement in response to the revised Build Back Better framework President Biden announced today:
“For decades, American families have struggled to achieve the American dream of economic prosperity, homeownership and financial freedom due to years of neglect and failure of investment from Congress and the Trump administration. Today, President Biden reassured the American people that their dreams have not been forgotten.
“While the framework President Biden announced today does not include all the National Urban League’s priorities, it is a substantial down payment on a historic investment in a prosperous future.
“The Build Back Better framework will work to create millions of good-paying jobs, enable more Americans to join and remain in the workforce, and grow our economy to allow equal opportunity for growth. Specifically, this framework will provide:
- Universal preschool
- Expanded child tax credit
- Expanded Medicare and Medicaid coverage
- Affordable housing and opportunities for homeownership
- Increased investments in workforce development including registered apprenticeships
- Increased Pell Grant funding
- Expanded support for HBCUs and other MSIs
“The National Urban League, its 91 affiliates and the broader civil rights movement advocated fiercely for provisions that would further our goals for a ‘new normal’ that is inclusive, equitable, and most of all, attainable. We are pleased to see that the revised framework reflects many elements of the National Urban League’s Main Street Marshall Plan. This bill will fundamentally change the lives of millions and reshape their communities.
“We urge members of both chambers to pass the bill at the earliest opportunity and send it straight to President Biden’s desk. A vote for “Build Back Better” is a declaration of solidarity with the American people. “