Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) released the following statement today on the release of the Rules Committee Print of the Build Back Better Act:
“The Build Back Better Act is monumental legislation that invests in the health and well-being of the American people, aggressively tackles the climate crisis, and helps revitalize our economy for the future.
“The legislation continues our efforts to make health care more affordable and accessible for all Americans. It builds on the Affordable Care Act by extending access to affordable care and expanding access to those who are unfairly caught in the Medicaid coverage gap.
“It also includes a historic investment in home- and community-based care, permanently reauthorizes the Children’s Health Insurance Program, dedicates long overdue resources and support to improve maternal health care, and provides permanent funding for Medicaid in the U.S. Territories. The legislation also invests in our public health infrastructure and workforce at a time when both are being stretched to the limit combating COVID-19, including critical investments in new and existing teaching health centers to help train the next generation of health care providers. The bill also funds public health preparedness initiatives so we are prepared for future emergencies.
“While the Rules Committee Print does not yet include provisions on prescription drug pricing as I would have hoped, I remain committed to finalizing an agreement that includes price negotiation, a cap on seniors’ out-of-pocket drug spending, and a penalty for Big Pharma companies that unfairly raise prices.
“The Build Back Better Act makes sweeping, unprecedented investments to combat the climate crisis and lays the foundation for a clean future. The new Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund will accelerate innovation, prioritize the needs of environmental justice communities, and ensure the communities we represent are better protected from the rising tide of extreme weather. Rebates for homeowners to electrify and make their houses more efficient, combined with resources to create a 21st century electric grid, will allow us to get more renewable energy online and powering our neighborhoods.
“A new methane emissions reduction program will drive down pollution from the oil and gas industry. At the same time, substantial investments in electric vehicle charging stations and clean heavy-duty vehicles, like school buses, will serve the dual purpose of slashing our carbon emissions while helping American manufacturing stay globally competitive. These investments come at a crucial point in our nation’s history when the call for climate action grows more urgent each day, and this bill is a robust response. Critically, it also answers the call for meaningful action on lead drinking water lines with billions to replace lead pipes, fulfilling a promise to deliver safer drinking water.
“The bill also makes key investments in manufacturing supply chain resilience that will help secure our economy and support domestic job growth and provides the Federal Trade Commission with essential funding to better protect consumers’ privacy.
“Overall, the Build Back Better Act is a transformative investment in the American people and our future. I urge my colleagues to support it and I look forward to continuing to work together to deliver on its promise for the people."
