Washington, D.C. – In case you missed it: On July 15, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Third Way and other advocates held a press conference on Capitol Hill to present the All-American Family Agenda, a set of policy priorities to ensure that family life in America is accessible and affordable for everyone amidst Republican attacks and skyrocketing costs.
As the nation look back on 250 years of American families and one year since the so-called One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) became law, the agenda serves to combat the cost-of-living crisis that has driven up the price of everything, from vital health care to groceries to gas and more.
Third Way, Families Forward Virginia, Birth in Color, National Medical Association and Protect Our Care Virginia on behalf of two storytellers joined McClellan to express their support for the All-American Family Agenda and the forward-thinking priorities it sets for American families, in light of Republican attacks and the Heritage Foundation’s Saving America by Saving the Family report.
“American families are the backbone of our country, but today they face real challenges affording a home, childcare, college, health care, retirements and more. As we celebrated 250 years of American families, I launched a framework to support families of all kinds,” said Congresswoman McClellan. “For my agenda to become reality requires a reversal of the cuts made in the Big Ugly Law. But as Republicans in Congress and in the White House wreak havoc and the Heritage Foundation offers a narrow view of family support, I offer an alternative that leaves no family behind through the All-American Family Agenda.”
“Today, too many people are asking whether they can afford to start a family, whether they can find the care they need, and whether they can keep up with the costs of raising a family,” said Gaby Hartney, Third Way’s Health Policy Advisor. “Third Way is proud to support the All-American Family Agenda, which puts forward a better vision—one where every person has the freedom and support to build a family if, how, and when they choose. We are grateful to Congresswoman McClellan for her leadership on maternal health, economic security, and policies that help families thrive.”
“Families deserve a connected system of support that grows with them,” said Jamia Crockett, CEO of Families Forward Virginia. “By intentionally aligning investments in maternal health, parenting education, affordable child care, family support, and economic stability, we can create the conditions where children flourish, parents are empowered and communities become stronger for generations to come. Because the family future we hope to build for our children begins with the way we choose to support families today. And the All-American Family Agenda is such a start.”
“Reproductive freedom is family freedom,” said Kenda Denia, Founder and Executive Director of Birth in Color. “It is a freedom to decide to have a healthy pregnancy, to access health care, to raise children in a safe community and build a life with stability, opportunity and hope. Every family deserves that freedom. That is why we are proud to stand here with Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan in support of the All-American Family Agenda.”
“The National Medical Association, the oldest professional organization in this country of African-American providers, believes that the health of our nation begins with the health of our families,” said Doris Browne, the 118th President of the National Medical Association. “Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan’s All-American Family Agenda reflects a strong commitment to improving maternal health, protecting access to quality health care and addressing the social conditions that shape health outcomes. We are strongly supportive of that.”
“The Inflation Reduction Act is just one proof point that government can do big things to make people’s lives better when leaders act with courage and when communities build political will,” said Katie Baker, Virginia state director for Protect Our Care. “Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act’s $2,100 annual cap on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for seniors on Medicare, my friend Irvin Varkonyi of Fairfax is saving up to $12,000 per year — money that he is now investing in his children and grandchildren. But it’s not just seniors who experience high prescription drug costs. We’re thrilled that Congresswoman McClellan’s All-American Agenda will extend that out-of-pocket cap to all hardworking people with private insurance plans, so that everyone can afford the medicine while keeping more of what they earn.”
You can read the full agenda here. Read the exclusive on the All-American Family Agenda from Once Upon A Hill here. You can view photos and a full video recording of the press conference here and here.