President Biden’s Build Back Better plan presents us with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fundamentally change the lives of millions of Americans, lift families out of poverty, and build a recovery that centers working people, people of color, women, immigrants, seniors, and people with disabilities.
The plan would make investments in key areas SEIU members care about, including child care, education, prescription drug affordability, housing, and clean energy. Most importantly, the proposal would invest as much as $400 billion in home-and community-based care. If it becomes law, this plan promises to turn homecare jobs into good, living-wage, union jobs, and ensure there are enough workers to care for all Americans who rely on them.
The budget resolution also includes a pathway to citizenship for immigrants who were brought to the United States as children, people who are contributing and working here legally due to war or natural disaster in their home countries, and essential workers. This is important because one in three home care workers are immigrants. This legislation would not only invest in these workers, but it would allow many of them to fully participate in our society without fear of deportation.
Home care is also a workforce of nearly 90% women and majority women of color. Investing in our industry, both opening up more jobs and turning existing jobs into real careers that can support a family, would be a major investment in racial and gender justice.