Washington, D.C. –  Today, Assistant Speaker Katherine Clark (MA-5) joined the Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) in a joint response to Senator Joe Manchin’s (D-WV) comments that he would not vote for the Build Back Better Act. The letter is also led by DWC Co-Chairs Congresswomen Brenda Lawrence (MI-14), Jackie Speier (CA-14), and Lois Frankel (FL-21), Vice Chairs Congresswomen Veronica Escobar (TX-16) and Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Freshmen Representative Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (CA-53), DWC Whip Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Appropriations Chair Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03).

“We are saddened and disappointed by Senator Manchin’s reluctance on the Build Back Better Act, which would lift the working women and families of this country,” said the Members. “The majority of Americans support this legislation because they understand how this bill will deliver for them. Fully paid for and helping people cope with inflation, the Build Back Better Act would ensure that women can return to and prosper in the workforce through investments in child care and pre-k, home care, paid leave, maternal health equity, and the Child Tax Credit. This is the legislation women and families need at this crucial moment. We cannot allow the door to close on this bill, and we remain hopeful that we will find a way to deliver the help that working families deserve.”

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