A group gathered in Tamarind Park on Thursday to protest against a Hawaiʻi congressman's opposition to a federal budget proposal.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Senate passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. However, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she would not take up the bill until the Senate also passed the 2022 budget resolution — a $3.5 trillion framework that includes the American Families Plan.
Representative Ed Case disagrees that the two should be tied together. The Hawai‘i representative is one of nine House Democrats who have said they would vote no on the budget resolution without first passing the $1 trillion infrastructure bill.
Protesters from Indivisible Hawaiʻi rallied against Case at what they see as his opposition to a bill that would fund education, childcare and more.
"We’re here asking Ed Case, who is a member of our House of Representatives, to support Biden’s agenda to deliver to the people of our country for health care, climate," said Lisa Gibson, group leader for the Democratic political activist group.
The American Families Plan focuses largely on children. It proposes free college tuition and universal preschool for all three and four-year-olds. The plan also demands a national comprehensive paid family and medical leave program, as well as creates more teaching positions with improved teacher preparation.
An anonymous protester who works as a pediatrician in Honolulu spoke with HPR. She supports the American Families Plan for its investment in childcare.
"I take care of so many children who live in incredibly crowded situations. Ten or 15 people may be in a two or three-bedroom apartment. Childcare is a huge burden and it’s an obstacle for many people getting to work and being able to support their families," she said.
In a written statement, Case said the House should pass the Senate-approved $1 trillion physical infrastructure package and send it to President Joe Biden.
While he supports much of the $3.5 trillion American Families Plan proposal, he believes it will require more discussion, which could take months.
House members are set to vote on the infrastructure act and budget resolution Monday.
