October 2, 2021
Dear Friends,
As an engineer, I understand the critical importance of developing meaningful clean energy solutions that strengthen our infrastructure. As a public servant, I have worked tirelessly preparing for the opportunity to enact these transformative investments that will build a better tomorrow for our communities.
With President Biden’s Build Back Better Act, that opportunity is at our doorstep.
This legislation finally takes the bold action needed to transition the United States to a clean energy economy and sets the stage for us to lead the world in the green economy of the future. What’s more, this plan creates good-paying jobs, cuts taxes and lowers costs for the American people all while making the wealthiest billionaires and big corporations finally pay their fair share.
The Build Better Act:
- Creates millions of jobs, supports U.S. manufacturing and reduces carbon emissions by 50 percent in the next decade by investing in climate solutions and in research and development projects.
- Unlocks the full potential of parents in the workforce with historic investments for child care, paid leave, home-based care and universal free pre-K.
- Supports middle and lower income tax cuts with additional support to vital programs like the hugely successful Child Tax Credit benefit, which is helping cut U.S. child poverty in half.
- Lowers costs for hardworking Americans, families and seniors with significant cuts to child care, home care and the cost of college as well as dental, vision and hearing coverage under Medicare.
Earlier this month, I worked in the Energy and Commerce Committee to advance many key provisions in this plan, including efforts to strengthen electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, invest in clean energy technologies, support Medicare coverage for seniors, address gaps in internet access, build out consumer privacy protections and more.
These are critically needed provisions. They go hand-in-glove with those in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to bring our economy and our communities roaring back. The reality is that, on its own, the infrastructure framework is a far cry from the powerful investments our nation urgently needs—investments that are met in the Build Back Better Act.
We face an urgent choice in Congress: do we stand by an economy that serves the wealthiest and biggest corporations, or do we finally give middle class families a fair shot? Do we keep an economy that fails to tackle the growing climate crisis, or do we choose to create a more sustainable, prosperous, and just future?
For me the choice is clear, and becoming clearer still each passing day.
In August, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published a report that left no room for doubt about worsening impacts the climate crisis will have on communities here and across the globe. We are experiencing firsthand that growing impact with disastrous storms like Hurricane Ida, along with unprecedented droughts, heatwaves and flooding across the nation. As devastating as this summer was, the most catastrophic damages will fall upon our kids.
Despite this grim outlook, the Build Back Better plan offers hope, and a once-in-a-generation opportunity to chart a path towards a brighter future. I don’t intend to let that opportunity slip away and condemn us to becoming a weaker, sicker, and poorer America.
For our economy, our communities and our future, we must pass the Build Back Better Act.
As always, thank you for reading.
Your friend,
DID YOU KNOW?
Throughout this pandemic, my office and I have worked to make sure you remain informed with the latest local, state and federal updates and recommendations. With that in mind here is some information that may be of interest to you:
- As of September 24, 2021, eligible New Yorkers can receive their COVID-19 booster dose. Booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are free and widely available statewide for eligible New Yorkers. Visit vaccines.gov or text your zip code to 438829 or call 1-800-232-0233 to find locations near you.
- The available data of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine suggest that protection against COVID-19 infection begins to decrease over time following the initial doses populations at increased risk. A booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will help maximize protection and continue to safeguard the public health of our communities.
- Eligible recipients of the booster dose include New Yorkers:
- 65 years and older or residents in long-term care settings
- 18–64 years with underlying medical conditions
- 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of their occupational or institutional setting
- The booster shot should be given at least 6 months after receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech primary series.
- Eligible New Yorkers are required provide written self-attestation confirming eligibility, which providers must collect. Click here to learn more about the booster dose and the eligibility requirements.
- Schedule an appointment HERE!