Congresswoman Barbara Lee Recognizes President Biden’s First 100 Days in Office
Washington, D.C. –Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) today recognized President Biden’s first 100 days in Congress. She also released the following statement on the unveiling of President Biden’s American Families Plan, a legislative package that will make investments in education, health care, and childcare.
“Today, we mark 100 days since President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were sworn into office. This new administration inherited converging health and economic crises, but President Biden responded with a stronger economy, more resilient pandemic response, and a unified mission of building back better and bolder,” said Congresswoman Lee.
“In just 100 days, the Biden Administration has put 200 million shots in arms, delivered 160 million direct payments of $1,400 per person, created more than 1 million new jobs, reopened a majority of K-8 schools safely, provided relief to 4 million small businesses struggling to keep their doors open, and much more.
“The administration has also taken action to restore America’s commitment to combating the climate crisis by rejoining the Paris Climate Accords and establishing a clear promise to cut our greenhouse gas emissions. President Biden also announced his plan to fully withdraw all American troops from Afghanistan, ending the longest forever war in America and taken consistent action to dismantle racial health disparities and systemic racism.
“The Biden-Harris administration’s recent announcement of the American Families Plan puts forth a comprehensive policy initiative that addresses education, child care, economic security, and more. The AFP will fund at least four years of free public education, including universal, quality preschool and two years of free community college. Additional funding will also be provided to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). These provisions aim to address inequity in our education system and close the academic gaps that disproportionately affect communities of color and low-income communities.
“Families of color and families of low-income in the East Bay and across the country have been disproportionately hurt by discriminatory policies that prioritize the wealthy. The AFP takes a huge step to combat this injustice by investing in the next generation through improvements to education equality and access to quality child care. I will work with my colleagues to pass this legislation and continue to fight so that no family is left behind.”
The AFP offers an extended tax cut for families with children and American workers. The American Rescue Plan (ARP) provided a starting point for financial relief – the AFP goes a step further by extending tax cuts for lower- and middle-income workers and families. This includes the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). This will work to mitigate the growing wealth inequality that we see in America, and invest in low- and middle-income families who help our economy thrive.
Additional provisions of the AFP include:
- Making child care affordable by ensuring that families will pay no more than 7% of their income on high-quality child care
- Creating a national comprehensive paid family and medical leave program through worker payments of up to $4,000 a month
- Expanding school meal programs and summer EBT funds
- Extending ACA premium tax credits that were expanded under the American Rescue Plan
- Providing up to $1,400 in additional assistance to low-income students by increasing the Pell Grant award
- Addressing teacher shortages and improving teacher preparation, including programs that strengthen pipelines for teachers of color
For more information on the American Families Plan, please click here.