RLC Weekly: Advancing Equity

March 15, 2024
In The News

Dear Colleagues,

This week, Democrats demonstrated their commitment to advancing equity as we continue to invest in America's infrastructure, public lands, and supply chains. As House Democrats build on the themes from President Biden’s State of the Union Address and prepare for the Investing in America Week of Action during the upcoming district work period, here are some ways House Democrats are showing the impact of the legislation they passed in the 117th Congress.

Lifting Up Underserved Communities

Whether it was a Presidential visit to Rep. Gwen Moore's (WI-04) district to discuss the historic investments Democrats are making to reconnect communities or a local news story highlighting how RLC Leader Rep. Robin L. Kelly (IL-02) continues to deliver for her district, Congressional Democrats are speaking directly to their neighbors about transportation investments from the Biden-Harris Administration. These investments are improving public health, safety, and growing local economies. Learn more about the impact of these investments from RLC Leaders Rep. Troy A. Carter (LA-02), Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06), as well as Reps. Lloyd Doggett (TX-35), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), and Colin Allred (TX-32). Follow for more on the RLC's social media!

Preserving American Treasures

RLC Leader Rep. Darren Soto (FL-09) recently hosted U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland in Central Florida to underscore the Biden-Harris Administration's work to preserve the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes/Northern Everglades. From strengthening community resilience against natural disasters to protecting America's public lands, the Investing in America agenda continues to address the climate crisis, especially on Tribal lands.

In addition to this visit, read more on the Department of the Interior's recent investment in the Quinault Indian Nation's solar power generation from RLC Leader Rep. Derek Kilmer (WA-06) here.

Strengthening America's Supply Chain

As part of Democrats' ongoing efforts to strengthen America's supply chains, RLC Leader Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL) invited Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Analysis Grant T. Harris to speak at a roundtable with Delawareans that specialize in life sciences and the business sectors. The 117th Congress made historic resources available to Americans that want to get ahead, and this roundtable underscored Rep. Blunt Rochester's ongoing efforts to "make our supply chains more resilient, strengthen our manufacturing workforce, spur innovation, and grow our economy at the same time." Read more on Rep. Blunt Rochester's work in this area here and here.

What Else?

  • The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a final rule to tackle toxic emissions from ethylene oxide, reducing lifetime cancer risks for people living near commercial sterilization facilities across the country. Read this New York Times article about the announcement.
  • The U.S. Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) launched a new Direct File Program in both English and Spanish this week. Constituents in the 12 participating states (AZ, CA, FL, MA, NH, NY, NV, SD, TN, TX, WA, and WY) can check their eligibility here. Read more about this program here. 

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.