McEachin Helps Pass Historic Build Back Better Act

McEachin Secures Key Provisions to Advance Environmental Justice, Address Historic Inequities

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) voted to help pass H.R. 5376, the Build Back Better Act, to deliver historic investments to the nation, promote the health and well-being of the American people, take decisive action against the climate crisis, and help revitalize America's economy.

"The Build Back Better Act is a once in a generation opportunity to invest in our nation, give massive tax cuts to hard-working, middle-class Americans, and take meaningful action to advance environmental justice and tackle the climate crisis," said Rep. McEachin (VA-04). "This legislation is historic, both in its scope and its potential impacts. The Build Back Better Act will deliver transformational investments to give all Americans a fair shot, create millions of good-paying, family-sustaining jobs, bolster our nation's labor force, and spur long-term economic growth while setting the United States on course to meet crucial clean energy standards. Furthermore, it makes meaningful investments in America's families, provides paid family leave to all workers, and extends the Child Tax Credit."

After months of negotiation and outreach, Rep. McEachin successfully secured several provisions in the Build Back Better Act:

• Environmental Justice- $23.575 billionto fund environmental justice and pollution cleanup priorities, including lead pipe replacement, combined sewer overflow, lead paint remediation, urban forestry development and implementation, environmental justice block grants, air pollution monitoring and mitigation, decentralized wastewater removal, promotion of equitable outdoor access, and robust funding for environmental reviews.
  • Rep. McEachin has advocated for environmental justice priorities since the onset of negotiations. Earlier this Congress, Rep. McEachin and Sen. Booker (D-NJ) released the Environmental Justice Legacy Pollution Cleanup Act, which outlines robust investments to eliminate pollution that has disproportionately impacted low-income communities, communities of color, and tribal and Indigenous communities.
• Clean Energy Transition & Environmental Protections - $12.2 billionto help facilitate the transition to clean, renewable energy and protect the environment, including the implementation of electric school buses, the electrification of American ports, Clean Energy Tax Credits, funding for the Department of Energy's Loan Program Office, a permanent Atlantic offshore drilling ban, and direct pay incentives for residential solar installment.
  • Rep. McEachin joined Rep. Blumenauer in leading a letter urging prioritization of Clean Energy Tax Credits. Earlier this Congress, Rep. McEachin introduced the Offshore Accountability Act to improve offshore safety and environmental protections.

• Community Infrastructure & Housing - $21.95 billionto support community infrastructure and housing development in historically marginalized communities, including substantial funding for the Neighborhood Access and Equity program, Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) for affordable housing construction, and additional resources for the Affordable Housing Investment Fund.
• Digital Access - $475 millionto fund the Connected Devices proposal and develop a voucher program for low-income families to purchase connected devices, such as laptops, desktops, or tablets.

"I am pleased that the Build Back Better Act includes robust investments for climate protections and environmental justice provisions," continued Rep. McEachin. "I have advocated for many of these priorities, because I know they will make a meaningful difference in the lives of Americans, both in Virginia and across the nation. These funds will provide us with the necessary foundation to address long-standing inequities, right historical wrongs, and set us on a path to achieve ambitious clean energy standards. The Build Back Better Act is a historic milestone in the fight against the climate crisis, and I am proud to have helped pass this legislation and meet this moment with the urgency it demands."

Read the Build Back Better Act section-by-section overview and a list of priorities championed and secured by Rep. McEachin.