WASHINGTON – Congressman David Scott (GA-13), chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, today issued the following statement on his vote to pass the Build Back Better Act, Democrats’ transformative legislation to bring down the everyday costs that burden Georgia families.
“The landmark Build Back Better Act delivers for families in Georgia and across the nation once-in-a-generation action to cut middle class taxes, lower the costs of child care, address alarming price hikes at the pharmacy counter, create good paying jobs and ensure America leads the clean energy economy of the future,” said Congressman David Scott. “I was proud to vote for this landmark legislation, which will make a lasting difference for working and middle class families as our economy rebounds from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Fully paid for by asking the wealthiest few and biggest corporations to pay their fair share, the Build Back Better Act includes a historic, bipartisan investment championed by Congressman David Scott to establish $100 million in permanent funding for student scholarships at the nineteen 1890 land-grant colleges and universities.
“Our 1890 HBCUs are crucial to the future of American agriculture. We cannot let these historic institutions down in our commitment to Build Back Better for the American people," Congressman David Scott continued. “The need for innovation has never been clearer than it is today as the nation’s agriculture industry races to develop new strategies to contend with 21stcentury challenges, including climate change and supply chain resiliency. Bright minds nurtured in 1890 HBCUs can help meet the moment and lead the way. I look forward to the Senate passage of this landmark legislation as soon as possible.”
BACKGROUND
The once-in-a-generation Build Back Better Act:
Lowers Health Care Costs
Empowers Medicare to negotiate lower drug costs for seniors and halts Big Pharma’s outrageous price hikes above inflation for all Americans.
Ensures Americans with diabetes don’t pay more than $35 per month for their insulin.
Creates a new, out-of-pocket cap of $2,000 on what seniors pay for their drugs in Medicare Part D.
Lowers premiums dramatically for those who buy insurance on their own through the Affordable Care Act.
Extends affordable coverage through the Affordable Care Act to millions of Americans in states that have refused to expand Medicaid.
Expands Medicare to make hearing care more affordable for seniors.
Lowers Child Care & Family Care Costs
Saves most families more than half their current spending on child care, ensuring the vast majority of families will have to pay no more than 7 percent of their income for child care.
Expands the basic promise of free schooling in America for the first time in 100 years with universal pre-school for all 3- and 4-year olds.
Establishes a universal and permanent paid family and medical leave program, providing four weeks of paid parental, family caregiving, and medical leave.
Gives more than 35 million families a major tax cut by extending the Biden Child Tax Credit.
Expands access to high-quality home care for older adults and people with disabilities.
Cuts the cost of postsecondary education, with such steps as increasing the maximum Pell Grant.
Reduces families’ housing costs and expands housing options.
Makes the most consequential investment to combat the climate crisis in U.S. history:
Invests $555 billion over 10 years in historic clean energy and climate investments.
Creates green tax credits that will save the average American family hundreds of dollars per year in energy costs.
Ensures clean energy technology will be built in the United States, creating hundreds of thousands of good jobs here at home.
