Recapping the Investing in America Week of Action

Map of Week of Action, featuring news clips and photos
April 10, 2024
In The News

Dear Colleagues:

House Democrats held over 160 district events this past week to highlight the local impact of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. This Week of Action, organized by the Regional Leadership Council (RLC) and the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC), emphasized House Democrats’ commitment to lowering costs, growing the middle class, and building safer communities in every corner of the country. Here are the highlights from this District Work Period of action:

Lowering Everyday Costs

House Democrats held events to highlight how the Investing in America agenda is lowering costs for working families in every corner of the country. RLC Leader Rep. Robin L. Kelly (IL-02), RLC Leader Rep. Darren Soto (FL-09), Rep. Nydia Velásquez (NY-07), and Rep. Deborah Ross (NC-02) visited with seniors to discuss how the Inflation Reduction Act and American Rescue Plan are lowering prescription drug costs and capping the price of insulin. 

Additionally, Reps. John Larson (CT-01), Eric Sorensen (IL-17), and Bobby Scott (VA-03) highlighted Democrats' fight to extend funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and ensure families are connected to reliable, affordable high-speed internet. Members are encouraged to use district-level data showing how Democratic policy consistently lowers costs for working families.

Giving Communities Hope

House Democrats shared major investments in water, transportation, and energy infrastructure this past week. In Houston, RLC Leader Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) heard from local officials about how the Investing in America agenda is making it possible to build safer walkways and support local businesses in communities that are often overlooked. Reps. Terri Sewell (AL-07), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Colin Allred (TX-32), and Marc Veasey (TX-33) joined Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg this week to highlight the transformational impact of investments in their communities as well. Read more on these events in Birmingham and Dallas here and here.

RLC Leader Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06) also touted the local impact of Investing in America funding during a visit to a key bridge for commuters in Queens. "Thanks to the #BipartisanInfrastructureLaw, $161M in federal funding is supporting critical upgrades to 7 bridges along the Grand Central Parkway in #Queens!" she posted on her social media. "@POTUS's #InvestingInAmerica agenda is improving safety & mobility along this heavily traveled corridor."

Breaking Down Barriers

House Democrats used this District Work Period to show how the implementation of the Investing in America agenda is addressing longstanding barriers. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) welcomed Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo to The Bronx to highlight how the new IRS Direct File tool, made possible through the Inflation Reduction Act, is saving eligible New Yorkers time and money this tax season. RLC Leader Rep. Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) also spearheaded a social media push with other Members of the California Delegation to educate Americans about this new tool. The RLC encourages Members in the 12 pilot states to continue spreading the word on Direct File this tax season. For more inspiration on this outreach, see this example from Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07).

Additionally, Rep. Susan Wild (PA-07) welcomed the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra to Allentown this week to discuss Medicare’s new authority to negotiate drug prices, the 14th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, and expanding access to quality, affordable health care for Latino communities. The visit included a tour of a fully Spanish-speaking health care practice in the Lehigh Valley as well as a roundtable. Secretary Becerra also joined House Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33) to highlight the investments made by Congress and the Biden-Harris Administration to make health care more affordable and equitable.

Delivering Clean Energy Solutions

House Democrats continue to secure funding opportunities from the Investing in America agenda and inform their constituents about how these investments will impact their daily lives. RLC Leader Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-02) took a leading role in touting the strategic planning of the Humboldt Bay Offshore Wind Heavy Lift Marine Terminal Project. Rep. Huffman was joined by California Assemblymember Mike Gipson and local officials who spoke about the benefits of offshore wind and engaging local tribes and workers in implementation. He also joined California Governor Gavin Newsom, Rep. Jim Costa (CA-21), and local leaders to applaud a $15 million investment in a floating solar panel project. More on Rep. Huffman’s Week of Action events can be found here and here.

In addition, Reps. Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Rick Larsen (WA-02), and Kim Schrier (WA-08) joined federal and state officials to unveil a new expansion of public transportation in the Puget Sound region. Local press highlighted how the Investing in America agenda will provide efficient transit to millions of commuters. Read more from Members of the Washington Delegation here.

What Else?

A quick glance through the RLC's 12 regions:

  • Region 1: Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) visited with Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3208 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary Vietnam War and discuss the PACT Act. 
  • Region 2: Rep. Doris Matsui (CA-07) spoke to the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management Board of Directors and staff about the connection between her work at the federal level and the important local work of the Air District, who is currently leading the Climate Pollution Grant Program for the region.
  • Region 3: Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI-06) met with Ann Arbor Wolfpack to discuss ongoing federal efforts to clean up PFAS contaminants through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and other federal initiatives.
  • Region 4: Rep. Sean Casten (IL-06) met with a local chamber of commerce to discuss how federal investments are supporting infrastructure projects in his district.
  • Region 5: Rep. Dina Titus (NV-01) and Congressional Black Caucus Chair Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-04) celebrated a $150 million investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to the Maryland Parkway transit system.
  • Region 6: Rep. Henry Cuellar (TX-28) hosted the State Highway 359 Widening Project Groundbreaking ceremony, a project funded in part through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
  • Region 7: RLC Leader Rep. Troy Carter (LA-02) hosted U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small for a tour and roundtable discussion at the Southern University Agriculture Research and Extension Center to highlight investments and opportunities now available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.
  • Region 8: Rep. Nikema Williams (GA-05) joined Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens to discuss clean energy funding for communities across Georgia.
  • Region 9: RLC Leader Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL) joined Middletown Mayor Kenneth L. Branner, Jr. and Dr. Kevin Spence with the Delaware League of Local Governments for a tour of a Middletown Wastewater Treatment Plant that is being updated with funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). In addition, Rep. Frank Pallone (NJ-06) spoke at the New Jersey Alliance for Action Middlesex County chapter meeting about the impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law on his district, and Reps. Abigail Spanberger (VA-07), Donald Beyer (VA-08), and Gerry Connolly (VA-11) celebrated Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for the Chesapeake Bay restoration.
  • Region 10: RLC Leader Rep. Madeleine Dean (PA-04) and Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) toured IBEW’s Navy Yard Facilities to highlight the pro-worker, pro-union legislative wins from the 117th Congress. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) welcomed Brenda Mallory, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, to northwest Ohio to discuss the impact of $28.5 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
  • Region 11: Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08) brought together local officials, government agencies, and small businesses for the 69th Precinct Community Council Job Fair. Rep. Dan Goldman (NY-10) toured the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, which is home to Equinor's offshore wind hub, to highlight the benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act.
  • Region 12: Rep. Chellie Pingree (ME-01) held an event with federal and state officials to mark opening of five new public electric vehicle charging stations along U.S. Route 1 in Rockland, Maine. In addition, RLC Leader and DPCC Co-Chair Rep. Lori Trahan (MA-03) spoke at the Metro South/West Workforce Board’s 2nd Annual Trade and Construction Expo to highlight the types of jobs being created by the Investing in America agenda.

For more updates on how to help implement the Investing in America agenda locally, please follow us on social media and share your story on how these investments are making a difference in your community. You can also visit our website for additional resources that will help track these historic investments.