FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 20, 2021
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán announced several priorities she has led on are now included in President Biden’s Build Back Better Act. The legislation would secure historic investments to mitigate the climate crisis, address environmental justice issues, and expand access to affordable health care for millions of Americans across the country.
The Build Back Better Act cleared important procedural hurdles when it was approved during the recent Energy and Commerce Committee markup. Congress will vote on this legislation in the coming weeks.
“Including these priorities in the Build Back Better Act will make long overdue investments in environmental justice communities and communities of color who are hit first and worst by climate change. It will help millions of families gain access to affordable health care, including dental care, and expand access to home- and community-based care options for seniors and disabled people. Now is the time to take bold action on behalf of the American people and pass the Build Back Better Act,” Congresswoman Barragán said.
The Build Back Better Act includes unprecedented investments in the following issue areas Congresswoman Barragán has led on legislatively:
- Climate Smart Ports: Barragán led the fight for healthy ports, given the importance of the Port of Los Angeles in the district. The legislation includes a $3.5 billion investment in reducing emissions from ports.
- Climate Justice Grants: Barragán prioritized increasing investments that directly support environmental justice communities fighting the climate crisis. The legislation includes an unprecedented $5 billion investment in Climate and Environmental Justice Grants for community driven projects.
- Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Electrification: Southern California has been called a “Diesel Death Zone” because of the impact on truck pollution on air quality and public health. Barragán successfully fought for major investments in reducing pollution from heavy duty vehicles and installing electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
- Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP): Barragán led the fight to permanently extend CHIP so no child lacks health insurance. The Build Back Better Act includes a permanent extension of CHIP.
- Medicare Dental Expansion: Barragán led the push to expand Medicare to cover dental health care. The Build Back Better Act includes funding to support an expansion of Medicare to cover dental, vision, and hearing.
The Build Back Better Act also includes several critical investments Barragán has been a strong proponent for:
- A $190 billion investment in Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) to help seniors and persons with disabilities receive care in their homes. Barragán believes HCBS deserves to be fully funded with a $400 billion investment, as proposed by the American Jobs Plan, but this is an important down payment towards that goal.
- An additional $30 billion to fund replacing lead service lines across the country. There is no safe level of lead in drinking water, yet far to many communities have lead in their pipes.
- The creation of the Clean Electricity Payment Plan (CEPP) to increase electricity suppliers’ share of clean energy, reduce pollution and create clean energy jobs. The CEPP is a central part the Build Back Better Act, and will drive critical investments to fight the climate crisis.
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Nanette Diaz Barragán is proud to represent California’s 44th Congressional District, which includes the communities of Carson, Compton, Florence-Firestone, Lynwood, North Long Beach, Rancho Dominguez, San Pedro, South Gate, Walnut Park, Watts, Willowbrook and Wilmington. She serves as chairwoman of the House Homeland Security Committee’s Subcommittee on Border Security.