Downstate New York Health Advocates Mobilize to Advance US House of Representatives Vote on Build Back Better (Nov. 8, 2021)

Good news! The House Majority has finally agreed upon a Build Back Better package, and is poised to vote on it when they return to Washington next week. It contains many good provisions that will help millions of everyday people and families who need health care, prescription drugs, child care, preschool, home care, paid leave and housing during the ongoing pandemic and economic recession, and will also invest in combating and mitigating climate change.

Rep. Kathleen Rice (NY-4, Nassau) has been ambivalent about the Build Back Better package all along, but she released a supportive statement last week that says she will vote for it provided there are no major substantive changes or any new financial analysis that indicates it to be out of balance.

We invite you to join us along with our partners at 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the New York State Council of Churches, Long Island Federation of Labor, Long Island Progressive Coalition, and other groups for a sunset candlelight vigil and march to Rep. Rice’ district office in Garden City. It will take place tomorrow, Wednesday November 10th, at 4 p.m.

We will be calling on Rep. Rice to keep her promise to support the Build Back Better package, and will share our own personal stories with each other about what the components of the package mean for ourselves, our families, and our communities.  We will gather in a small park located in Garden City on the traffic island at the corner of Franklin Ave. and Stewart Ave., and then walk over to her office nearby.

Here are online links to RSVP for our vigil and to share with others:

(FYI — Becoming a sponsor is not just nominal, but means that your group will promote the vigil to members and networks.)

We thank all these sponsor groups (to date):

  • 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East
  • Consumer-Directed Personal Assistance Association of New York State
  • Hand in Hand: The Domestic Employers Network
  • Long Island Activists
  • Long Island Federation of Labor
  • Long Island Progressive Coalition
  • New York Caring Majority
  • New York State Alliance for Retired Americans
  • New York State Council of Churches
  • Our Revolution: New York Progressive Action Network
  • Together We Will Long Island


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