Regional Leadership Council Meets with Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to Discuss Climate Actions Made Possible Through Investing in America Agenda
WASHINGTON, DC – Members of the Regional Leadership Council (RLC) and its Chair, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), held a meeting yesterday with the U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland on the conservation and environmental programs established through Democrats' Investing in America agenda. Other high-ranking officials from the Department of the Interior, including Acting Deputy Secretary Laura Daniel-Davis and Senior Advisor and Infrastructure Coordinator Winnie Stachelberg, participated in the meeting as well.
Last Congress, Democrats passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which made historic investments to prevent wildfires and promote forest health. They also secured the Inflation Reduction Act, which included a variety of policies to help ensure every American has access to clean air and safe drinking water. Secretary Haaland and the RLC discussed how House Democrats and the Biden-Harris Administration can continue working together to support small and rural communities as they seize the opportunities created by the Investing in America agenda. The meeting also highlighted the importance of building partnerships with Tribal Nations and working with them to leverage federal resources that these laws made available.
"From wildfires and droughts to floods and hurricanes, the fallout of the climate crisis grows worse every day," Congressman Hoyer said. "Our Investing in America agenda tackles the root causes of this crisis while also making our communities more resilient against these natural disasters. That includes our nation's tribes, which have experienced the brunt of the climate crisis as well as decades of federal underinvestment. Whether as a Member of Congress or Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland has always been a crucial voice for our nation's environment, tribes, and rural communities. The RLC was pleased to meet with her to discuss how Democrats can continue to preserve our public lands, create new economic opportunities, and work with tribal partners to advance our implementation effort."
“Since Day 1, President Biden charged our Administration with delivering for the American public," Interior Secretary Haaland said. "Congress gave us incredible tools to accomplish this through historic, once-in-a-generation funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. These laws and the Investing in America agenda are making a tangible, positive impact on the lives of Americans across our country and addressing some of the most pervasive challenges we face – from the growing threats of the climate crisis and legacy pollution, to addressing worsening drought conditions across the West, to living up to our trust and treaty responsibilities to Tribal Nations. I was grateful to share our progress with my dear friend Steny Hoyer and the Regional Leadership Council, and look forward to the progress we will continue to accomplish on behalf of all Americans.”
Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries created the Regional Leadership Council in January 2023 and appointed Congressman Hoyer to serve as chair. The council consists of twelve Members who each represent one of the United States' twelve regions. The council is working to ensure that Americans in every corner of the country and in every zip code can access the opportunities created by the historic policies that Democrats secured in the 117th Congress, including the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the Honoring Our PACT Act, and many others.
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