Thank you for contacting me about the reconciliation package, also known as the Build Back Better Act, which is being negotiated in Congress. As a former Navy pilot, combat veteran and retired NASA astronaut, it is an honor to continue my service to our country representing Arizona in the United States Senate. I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts on the issues facing our state and our country. Hearing from Arizonans helps me better serve our state, and I hope you will continue to share your perspective and suggestions.

As I travel to every corner of the state, it’s clear that Arizona families are struggling right now with rising costs while our economy continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Build Back Better legislation is still a work in progress, with negotiations ongoing between the Senate, House, and White House. An initial framework for the bill was released, and while there are improvements I would like to see, it would address many Arizona priorities, from lowering health care and child care costs, to cutting taxes for middle class families, and creating millions of new jobs. That framework would also be paid for by making sure the wealthiest Americans and most profitable corporations pay their fair share. As Arizona’s senator, I will continue to work with my colleagues through these negotiations to support fiscally-responsible investments that lower costs for Arizonans and support working families.

          Since my first day in the Senate, I have been hard at work to lower costs for Arizonans. Whether it’s health care, child care, or prescription drugs, families are having to spend too much of their paychecks on everyday necessities. This framework aims to address a number of these issues by increasing access to affordable child care, establishing pre-k programs for all three- and four-year-olds, and extending health care tax credits to lower premiums for Arizonans. It also includes an agreement I negotiated with my colleagues in the Senate, House, and the White House to lower prescription drug costs by allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices, reducing out-of-pocket co-pays, and establishing a $35 out-of-pocket limit for insulin.

          In addition, this framework also includes one of the largest tax cuts for middle class families in our nation’s history. It would make sure that nearly 40 million American families—and almost 90 percent of our country’s children—receive the financial relief they need to pay the bills. At the same time, it would also ensure that the wealthiest Americans and corporations pay their fair share so that these goals can be achieved without raising taxes on middle-class families.

          Finally, this framework aims to create good-paying jobs in renewable energy while getting Arizonans the skills they need to get those jobs. It would invest nearly $30 billion in workforce development while providing $300 billion to incentivize the development and deployment of renewable energy. As a state with high solar potential, Arizona has been a leader in the clean energy industry, and this is an opportunity to further support our state’s solar energy economy and create more good paying jobs.

          On November 19, 2021, the House of Representatives passed the reconciliation bill with a vote of 220 to 213. The bill has since moved to the Senate for consideration, where negotiations and review by the Parliamentarian to ensure the bill meets Senate rules remain ongoing. As this legislation continues to move through the process, I will keep working to ensure that Arizona’s priorities are met and that these investments are paid for so that we don’t saddle future generations with debt.

          Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this issue, and I hope you will continue to contact my office with any future comments or questions. I’m committed to being transparent and accountable with all Arizonans, which is why I release my official Senate schedule at kelly.senate.gov. There you can also sign up for my newsletter, receive assistance with a federal agency and learn more about my work as Arizona’s senator.

Sincerely,

Mark Kelly
United States Senator