FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 19, 2021
CONTACT: media@napawf.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House passed the Build Back Better Act. We applaud this historic investment in working parents, particularly women. This bill provides necessary support and resources for those who keep America running, including a national paid family and medical leave program, expanding health care access for 4 million uninsured individuals, 12 months of guaranteed postpartum care for new mothers, extending the Child Tax Credit, universal Pre-K for 3 and 4 year olds, home care investments for seniors and persons with disabilities, temporary protections for millions of immigrants from deportation, and more. 

Women need the Build Back Better Act with paid family and medical leave provisions to protect women’s welfare and wellbeing. While shouldering the worst economic and public health crisis in generations, women have led the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic as frontline workers, while keeping families safe, teaching our children, working as therapists and childcare professionals, all without leaving our homes – and with record levels of unemployment. As the bill now advances to the Senate, we call on our Senators to keep this key provision intact.

Statement from Sung Yeon Choimorrow, Executive Director of the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF):

“Today, we thank Congress for voting on the Build Back Better Act, which will transform the lives of millions of families across America, especially working mothers. 

This is a step forward for the countless number of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) families living in multigenerational, immigrant households, providing care and economic support to their children, elderly parents and extended family members. AAPI women are overrepresented in the low wage workforce, struggling to make ends meet. 

With the historic investments in this bill, more women will finally have the opportunity to start supporting themselves and their families with the dignity they deserve.”

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The National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF) is the only multi-issue, progressive, community organizing and policy advocacy organization for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women and girls in the U.S. NAPAWF’s mission is to build collective power so that all AAPI women and girls can have full agency over our lives, our families, and our communities.