For Immediate Release: November 19, 2021

Contact: Mark Brueggenjohann  202-728-6014

IBEW Members Applaud House Passage of Build Back Better Act

IBEW President Lonnie R. Stephenson issued the following statement: 

“For generations, IBEW members have joined our working sisters and brothers across the economy in calling for the kind of basic protections and services found in the Build Back Better Act. This historic legislation will improve quality of life for millions, and today, IBEW members are celebrating its passage by the U.S. House of Representatives. 

Should this legislation become law, for the first time in the history of our nation, all working people would have access to affordable childcare, early childhood education programs, tax fairness, and critical homecare services for the oldest among us.

This legislation would also hold accountable employers who create unsafe and hazardous work environments, or refuse to pay their workers what they are owed.

The Build Back Better Act would also bring us closer to achieving President Biden’s climate goals while creating more good jobs in the renewable energy and transportation sectors. It ensures the nuclear power plants that are vital for powering our economy and homes remain open and operational. For the first time ever, critical renewable energy projects funded by the federal government— including wind and solar— will come with the kind of strong labor protections that ensure working people earn living wages and are safe on the job. Finally, strong Buy America provisions in this legislation ensure U.S. taxpayer dollars will be maximized to create good jobs on American soil and boost our domestic manufacturing sector.

We look forward to working with lawmakers in the Senate to enhance this legislation by including provisions to retain jobs for existing workers in communities that depend on the energy industry for economic survival.

Restoring the middle class has always been at the heart of President Biden’s ambitious plan to Build Back Better, and the IBEW is proud to stand with President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Congress in fighting for the union workers who built the middle class and who continue to power our nation.”

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The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) represents approximately 775,000 members and retirees who work in a wide variety of fields, including construction, utilities, manufacturing, telecommunications, broadcasting, railroads and government.