Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) today voted for and the House passed the Build Back Better Act, a once-in-generation investment in the people of our country and in the future of our climate.
Among its significant provisions, the measure would expand medical insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act for states whose state legislatures, like Tennessee’s, have refused to expand Medicaid, offering health care to more than 289,000 uninsured Tennesseans.
This transformational, pro-growth legislation also provides a significant middle class tax cut, free universal pre-K, paid family leave, an enhanced Child Care Tax Credit, and lower prescription drug costs.
The vote on passage was 220 to 213.
Congressman Cohen made the following statement:
“Passage of this bill is a huge victory for Memphis and America. Finally, we are addressing long-neglected needs and repairing and improving the kind of social safety net programs that our citizens expect and deserve. This bill remedies Republican state legislators’ short-sighted, fiscally dubious and, frankly, cruel denial of health care under our state’s TennCare program.
“This bill will realize free universal pre-K, paid family and medical leave, and lower insulin and other medical costs for thousands in Memphis. This bill is a victory for Memphis, for the country, and for the global climate, and I’m proud to vote for it.”
The bill now moves to the Senate.
Original source can be found here.
