WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) celebrated the passage of the Build Back Better Act, a once-in-a-generation investment in the American people.

“My House colleagues and I passed the Build Back Better Act, a transformational investment that will benefit every Georgia family,” said Congresswoman Williams. “I am proud that so many of my policy priorities are included in the Build Back Better Act, including key investments in paid leave, childcare, early childhood education, affordable housing, HBCUs, health care, environmental justice, and so much more.

“I’ve lived through many of the same struggles facing Georgia’s families. Struggles that will be alleviated with the Build Back Better Act. When I had my son, Carter, I had to save vacation time for four years to have enough time off to recover and nurse a newborn. I tracked it to the hour. What I didn’t plan for was being put on bed rest the last month of my pregnancy due to my blood pressure. There went my perfect calculation. Not having paid leave almost compromised our lives.

“My husband and I struggled, but we were lucky to have figured it out so that I could give birth to a healthy baby boy. It could have turned out so differently. It has turned out tragically for too many parents in this country who aren’t so lucky. No family should ever have to go through what I went through. We need to give parents and families a fighting chance–and paid family leave is one of the many investments in this bill that will make that happen.”

Other policy priorities from Congresswoman Williams included in the legislation are: 

• $150 billion for rental assistance, public housing preservation, and resources for the National Housing Trust Fund
• An increase in investment in Historically Black Colleges and Universities and a guarantee that Minority Serving Institutions will only have compete against like institutions for resources 
• A permanent extension of the refundability of the Child Tax Credit and another year of expansion for the benefit.
• Limiting childcare costs to no more than 7% of income for families earning up to 250% of state median income
• Closing the coverage gap and permanently extending the Children’s Health Insurance Program

“While the House has done its part to deliver for the people, the work is not done,” added Congresswoman Williams. “The Senate must pass the Build Back Better Act quickly. Too many families throughout Georgia need these investments and they can’t afford to wait any longer.

CONTACT: PressGA05@mail.house.gov

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