With the recent passage of the Build Back Better Act in the House of Representatives, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats including Minnesota Representatives Angie Craig, Dean Phillips, Betty McCollum and Ilhan Omar showed their commitment to building an equitable care infrastructure in which everyone, no matter their race, ethnicity, gender, or income, can thrive. This historic legislation which enacts President Biden’s agenda puts us on a path of governing in such a way that the tenet of ‘love thy neighbor’ finally becomes a lived value that is evident in how we care for one another. 

ISAIAH has long lived this value by leading in building a care economy. Through our work with the Kids Count On Us coalition of over 512 child care providers, co-chairing the Minnesotans for Paid Family & Medical Leave coalition, and all of our efforts, we are working to elevate the crucial importance of care. We have also led in the fight for climate justice, knowing it will take all of us and a comprehensive approach to transition to an equitable clean energy economy.

This legislation will improve the lives of millions of children and families, particularly women, women of color, and caregivers who have historically been left behind.

This legislation will improve the lives of millions of children and families, particularly women, women of color, and caregivers who have historically been left behind. It makes unprecedented investments in child care, paid leave, universal pre-K, home and community based services, reduces child and family poverty, and more. It will make a deep and lasting impact and will bring us closer to racial and gender economic equality.

Building a care economy is an act of love for now and for our future. Our future also depends on a habitable planet. The historic investment in climate action in the Build Back Better Act takes steps to this end by providing necessary funds for clean energy technology and resilience to climate disasters, climate smart agriculture and conservation, energy efficiency, and more. This legislation will advance environmental justice by delivering over 40% of the benefits to disadvantaged communities. Importantly, this legislation takes huge steps toward economic equity by making the wealthiest among us pay their fair share to make these investments.  

We are pleased this historic bill has passed the House, and recognize there is much work to be done to get this legislation to President Biden’s desk. We urge the Senate to pass the bill without delay to finally build the care infrastructure that Americans need and deserve. 

ISAIAH is a statewide organization of over 200 congregations, 50 mosques, 500 childcare centers, and dozens of barber shops in Minnesota. Altogether, these institutions represent over half a million Minnesotans. Our mission is to enable people to work together to organize and advocate for racial, social and economic justice.

Kids Count on Us is a coalition of over 500 child care providers across Minnesota united for respect and dignity with parents, teachers and providers 

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