Accomac, Va.—In response to today’s passage of the Build Back Better Act by the House of Representatives, Virginia Organizing issued the following statement:

“The Build Back Better package is a huge step forward for our country,” said Karen Downing, a member of Virginia Organizing’s State Governing Board and a leader in the Eastern Shore Chapter.

“I would like to thank my Congresswoman, Rep. Elaine Luria, for supporting this historic bill. It will lower drug prices, tax the rich and corporations, make health care and education more affordable, and create good paying jobs.”

Tyran Green, also a board member and a leader in the Portsmouth Chapter, drew attention to a part of the act that will benefit millions of workers.

“For the first time ever in America, workers will be guaranteed four weeks of paid family and medical leave to care for a new family member, an aging relative, or to recover from an illness. Having leave when my family needs it will make a big difference in my life. I have four kids in my house. I don’t want to choose between paying bills or staying home and taking care of them. There are a lot of people out there like me,” Green said. 

“For decades, the American middle and working class has shrunk while the rich get richer and massive corporations boost profits at our expense,” said Virginia Organizing’s Executive Director Brian Johns. “Build Back Better and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will reverse those trends and create fair opportunities for people to get ahead in an economy that works for everyone. Virginia Organizing would also like to thank Reps. Don McEachin, Bobby Scott, Abigail Spanberger, Donald Beyer, Gerry Connolly, and Jennifer Wexton for their tremendous support of this legislation. The Senate should finish the job and pass the president’s plan right now.”

For more information or to interview a spokesperson for Virginia Organizing, please contact Rosemary Gould at 434-962-7261 or rosemary@virginia-organizing.org.