GreenLatinos Will Continue To Fight For Full Passage Of BBBA

Colorado - In response to Senator Joe Manchin’s recent comments saying that he can not support the Build Back Better Act in the Senate, GreenLatinos released the following statement:

Mark Magaña, Founding President & CEO of GreenLatinos said: “Latino communities are disproportionately affected by the current climate catastrophes. They cannot wait for relief, they need climate justice now, we must pass the Build Back Better Act immediately.  This is not the end of this line, GreenLatinos will continue to organize and fight for the full passage of the Build Back Better Act in 2022.”

“We remain committed to securing the passage of the Build Back Better Act and look forward to continuing the work to pass this important piece of legislation. This bill has so many great provisions that are essential to meet the moment and to finally invest in the fight against climate change, water infrastructure, coastal restoration, and creating jobs for our Latino communities. The bill has historical investments to get the lead out of our already contaminated drinking water for the sake of our children and families --something that our Latino communities are desperate to fix. It will also ensure affordable drinking water to our communities hit the hardest economically by the pandemic to ensure they have running water in their homes. Moreover, as we are seeing stronger climate disasters such as hurricanes in our coastal communities, this bill will also make historic equitable investments in coastal restoration projects that will help mitigate severe weather and sea-level rise while creating good paying jobs for our communities. We cannot give up on this bill - our Latino communities depend on it."  said Mariana Del Valle Prieto Cervantes, Water Equity and Ocean Program Director.

Andrea Marpillero-Colomina, Ph.D. Clean Transportation Advocate said: “Communities need the BBBA to pass to secure a sustainable transportation and energy future for all. This bill is essential to securing bold and impactful investments to build crucially needed infrastructure to deliver robust transportation networks and clean energy that can create jobs and economic growth, and protect people from the harms of fossil fuels. Congress must do whatever they can to bring this legislation over the finish line and achieve an equitable future for all, even if it means that Sen. Manchin has to be dragged toward progress.”

“The Build Back Better Act cannot fail. There is no time to waste in passing this bill and its critical provisions to create family-sustaining jobs, address the climate crisis, and protect our lands, air, water, and wildlife. Corporate polluters and special interests will try to manipulate their political allies to derail this historic legislation, GreenLatinos will continue fighting to ensure the Build Back Better Act becomes law for the sake of our planet and Latino communities, said Ángel Peña, Public Lands Advocate.

Irene Burga, Climate and Clean Air Program Director said: “Climate change does not affect populations equally. Extreme weather and toxic pollution impacts our comunidad Latina disproportionately. The Building Back Better Act and its investments confront the climate crisis, tackle air pollution, generate jobs, strengthen the economy, and move toward environmental justice. We elect our leaders to achieve these sorts of goals. Failure to act is not an option. We urge Senator Manchin to use his authority to move BBBA forward swiftly.”

“Coloradoans recognize the deep implications behind a failure to pass the Build Back Better Act that will ricochet into our everyday lives. Latino and Indigenous communities across the state know the impacts are harming our health, economy and environment. We need to act now to protect future generations, something Latino and Indigenous communities the continent value over everything else. We urge Senator Manchin to return back to the discussion on how to advance the Build Back Better Act. We call on Senators Hickenlooper and Bennett to work towards this goal of continuing negotiations” said Ean Thomas Tafoya Colorado State Director

GreenLatinos is an active comunidad of Latino/a/x leaders, emboldened by the power and wisdom of our culture, united to demand equity and dismantle racism, resourced to win our environmental, conservation, and climate justice battles, and driven to secure our political, economic, cultural, and environmental liberation.

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