FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 20, 2021
Media Contact:
Santierra Hutson, West End Strategy Team
shutson@westendstrategy.com; (202) 702-3302
Passing Build Back Better Immediately is Essential to Water Security for Millions
WASHINGTON — It is extremely unlikely that the Senate will pass the 2022 Build Back Better Act ahead of the new year. Additionally, Senator Manchin’s recent comments over the weekend further jeopardize future access to clean, safe and affordable water for millions. Yasmin Zaerpoor, co-chair of the Water Equity and Climate Resilience Caucus (WECR) and Director of Water Equity and Climate Resilience at PolicyLink issued the following statement:
“We are deeply disappointed that the Build Back Better Act will not pass this year. Additionally, Senator Manchin’s doubling down on his objections to the Build Back Better Act, hurts both West Virginians and Americans across the country who stand to benefit from this life-saving legislation.
“Millions of Americans are currently facing water shutoffs and evictions. And as the year comes to a close and pandemic relief programs end, far too many people across the country are living in uncertainty as they are left to figure out how they will be able to access clean, affordable water in 2022. Even in West Virginia, water bill prices increased more than $11 per month, disproportionately affecting those already struggling to make ends meet.
“There are already fewer protections against water shutoffs during difficult periods and compounding that stress with unstable climate conditions, harsh winters and newer, deadly strains of an already devastating virus is unnecessary and unacceptable.
“The issue of water access extends beyond the start of the pandemic and has only been exacerbated by this deadly virus. Prior to our current and ongoing public health crisis, water bills soared due to poor city infrastructure and lack of federal support leading to nearly 15 million people-- primarily people of color-- losing access to safe running water.
“There is no reason why Americans should continue to suffer in the absence of support. Water affordability programs and better water infrastructure for low-income communities are possible through Build Back Better. Not moving forward with passing this crucial legislation, especially in a timely way, puts the communities most impacted-- Black, Brown and Indigenous-- at a further disadvantaged position.
“The health and wellbeing of Americans should not be a partisan issue. The Senate needs to act with all Americans in mind and support Build Back Better now.”
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Water Equity and Climate Resilience Caucus is a national network of organizations working to address water equity and climate resilience — centering frontline communities of color and low-income communities. It is co-chaired by PolicyLink and the Gulf Coast Center for Law and Policy.