WASHINGTON – In a break with the House Democratic majority, Congress member Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., voted against the Biden proposals for major infrastructure construction and repairs. Even so, the $1.5 trillion infrastructure bill passed. Her negative vote, Omar explained, was symbolic. She explained she was worried that a companion bill for social programs had been separated out in House wrangling to secure a majority for hard infrastrututre projects. “From the beginning, I have been clear that I would not be able to support the infrastructure bill without a vote on the Build Back Better Act,” she said. “Passing the infrastructure bill without passing the Build Back Better Act first risks leaving behind childcare, paid leave, health care, climate action, housing, education, and a roadmap to citizenship.” Omar was aware, of course, that her negative infrastructure vote would not jeopardize the bill, which passed 228-206.
Verbatim
Omar: “Right now, families across my district are struggling with the rising cost of childcare, the inability to get family leave to take care of their kids and deal with a medical emergency. The Build Back Better Act addresses it by creating a universal pre-K program, affordable childcare, and paid family and medical leave. In the Twin Cities, we have the worst housing shortage in the nation. The Build Back Better Act addresses it, by investing $150 billion in affordable housing. Minnesota is experiencing some of the fastest rising temperatures in the nation. The Build Back Better Act makes the boldest investment in history in the climate crisis—investing in zero waste initiatives and creating jobs in the process. My community cannot wait any longer for these much-needed investments that will be delivered through the Build Back Better Act. I cannot in good conscience support the infrastructure bill without voting on the President’s transformative agenda first.”
Omar. Says s human social infrastructure funding neededtoo, not just hard projects.