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Opinion

Castillo: Congress must pass the Build Back Better Act

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I agree with the content and urgency of Yvonne Marley’s recent letter (“Marley: Congress should pass Build Better Act,” YourValley.net, Nov. 24, 2021).

Our senators do not have time to waste when it comes to getting the Build Back Better bill passed.

Not only does the BBB include important domestic provisions like the expansion of the Child Tax Credit that is expected to reduce child poverty by 45% in Arizona, but it also includes vital global measures.

With the emergence of the omicron variant of COVID-19, these are more important than ever.

Specifically, Build Back Better includes critical funding to manufacture more COVID-19 vaccines for people around the world.

As of Dec. 1, only 6% of people in low-income countries have received their first dose, compared to about 55% of the world population. There will be no end to this pandemic in sight unless we strengthen and support COVID-19 measures with an emphasis on equitable vaccine distribution.

With the CTC set to expire this month and with more COVID-19 variants inevitably on the horizon, the senate must work quickly to get the Build Back Better bill passed.

I urge Sen. Sinema to vote yes on the Build Back Better bill and to encourage her congressional colleagues to do the same.