December 20, 2021 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Statement from Rafael Collazo, the Executive Director of the UnidosUS Action Fund, in response to Senator Manchin’s announced withdrawal for support of Build Back Better Act:
 

“Senator Joe Manchin’s abrupt reversal of his commitment to support the Build Back Better Act recklessly disregards our country’s over 62 million Latinos, including nearly 30,000 Latino West Virginians that he represents in the U.S.
Senate. By turning his back on this historic recovery legislation, Senator Machin is denying Latino families the support they need to manage through the COVID pandemic and to fortify their futures. Provisions in the bill like the expanded Child Tax Credit, increased access to health care, home care/childcare/paid family medical leave, lower priced drugs, housing and education, and a pathway to citizenship for millions of essential workers would be transformative for Latino families. Senator Manchin is turning his back on the Latino community and our
nation’s future: this moment cannot be the end of the fight. The White House and Senate leadership must continue to put pressure on Senator Manchin to come back to the negotiating table and get the Build Back Better Act passed as soon as possible. Anything less is unacceptable.

The UnidosUS Action Fund will not stop fighting for a full and equitable recovery until Latinos get the much-needed investments in their families and the economy that they and all Americans deserve and have been promised.”

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The UnidosUS Action Fund works to expand the influence and political power of the Latino community through civic engagement and accountability.