“At this time when moms are struggling, families suffering, and our country reeling from the health and economic devastation the pandemic has caused, with women of color experiencing compounded harms due to structural racism, the American Rescue Plan will bring urgently needed help to many in dire need. We commend every representative who voted to pass it, and especially thank the Biden/Harris administration for drafting it and leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives for fast-tracking its passage. The direct assistance, unemployment benefits boost, child care and education funding, vaccine support, Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit expansion, and anti-hunger provisions it contains will help moms, families, businesses, and health care and frontline workers whose lives have been upended by COVID-19. We ask every lawmaker who voted against it – and Senators who are considering doing  so – to connect with struggling moms in their districts and states. Voting against this essential relief is voting against their future.

“We look forward to the U.S. Senate passing this bill as well, and President Biden signing it into law. But more is needed. The Biden administration and congressional leaders will turn next to creating an American Recovery Plan and it absolutely must include permanent paid leave.  Our country needs comprehensive, sustainable paid leave that covers everyone, always. Only when we do that, and boost the federal minimum wage, which hasn’t been increased since 2009, will we be on track to unleash the economic prosperity we all want.”