TIME’S UP Statement on Build Back Better Framework
Biden Administration, Caregiving, Equity, Paid Leave, Time’s Up
This morning, President Biden announced the $1.75t Build Back Better budget framework that would make significant investments in our nation, our economy, and our families.
Monifa Bandele, Interim President & CEO of TIME’S UP Foundation, issued the following statement:
“The pandemic has pushed women — especially Black, Brown, and immigrant women — to the brink. It exacerbated the care crisis most women in this country have been facing for decades. The Build Back Better framework, released today, is a strong first step towards the investments working families and caregivers need and lays the groundwork for an equitable recovery from the pandemic by building the care infrastructure that women, families, and our economy require to thrive. The framework provides historic investments in child care affordability, universal pre-k, and home and community-based services. We thank our national leaders and Congressional champions for their unwavering support to uplift working women and essential caregivers in the recovery package.
“At this moment, we celebrate the gains made so far and will continue to uplift and fight for the gains we still have to make. Women’s labor force participation has reached its lowest point in 30 years. Women can’t join and remain in the workforce without access to paid leave that guarantees they can care for a new child, an ailing parent, or heal from an illness while retaining their job and income. The U.S. remains the only industrialized nation that doesn’t guarantee paid family and medical leave.
“According to surveys of Americans conducted by Navigator, paid leave has overwhelming support from voters, and widespread support that crosses gender and parental status. Voters understand that paid family and medical leave will help all American families.
“As long as women must make impossible choices between caring for themselves or loved ones and putting food on the table or making rent, there is more work to be done. TIME’S UP remains committed to advocating for the full care agenda including paid family and medical leave.”
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TIME’S UP Foundation
The TIME’S UP™ Foundation insists upon safe, fair, and dignified work for all by changing culture, companies, and laws. We enable more people to seek justice through the TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund™. We pioneer innovative research driving toward solutions to address systemic inequality and injustice in the workplace through the TIME’S UP Impact Lab. And we reshape key industries from within so they serve as a model for all industries. The TIME’S UP Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.