RLC Weekly: Building More in America

October 25, 2024
In The News

Dear Colleagues,

The Investing in America agenda has made our economic recovery the envy of the world, having achieved the soft landing that the Biden-Harris Administration envisioned amid the height of the pandemic in 2021. No administration in American history can boast this rate of job creation with inflation down, wages up, and economic growth strong. This edition of RLC Weekly shows that – from Pennsylvania Avenue to Melrose Avenue to Michigan Avenue – these investments are continuing to make local headlines and to show the American people who is putting People Over Politics.

Building More in America

When President Biden addressed Congress in 2023, he said, "Jobs are coming back, pride is coming back because of choices we made in the last several years." This week was a testament to those choices, as the Department of Commerce signed a non-binding preliminary agreement with Hemlock Semiconductor. This announcement deploys $325 million in funding from the CHIPS and Science Act and is expected to create hundreds of manufacturing and construction jobs in Hemlock, Michigan. Rep. Dan Kildee (MI-08), who represents Hemlock, told local news that, "Thanks to Vice President Harris and Democrats, we are ensuring Michigan leads the way in the manufacturing jobs of the future." More on this story here.

The Biden-Harris Administration and Congressional Democrats continue to implement the CHIPS and Science Act to bring a manufacturing resurgence to every corner of America. This week, the U.S. Department of the Treasury released final rules for two tax cuts from the Investing in America agenda that will boost American manufacturing in the clean energy and semiconductor sector. In addition, the U.S. Department of Energy released this video, which highlights how the Inflation Reduction Act made a difference for workers at a manufacturing facility in Wisconsin. The RLC encourages you to share this video on social media.

Cleaner Air, Stronger Economies

RLC Leader Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL) announced new Bipartisan Infrastructure Law dollars this week with U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons (all D-Del.). Thanks to $20 million, the Cape May-Lewes Ferry has a new diesel-hybrid ferry, which Rep. Blunt Rochester says will "boost our regional economy & protect the environment!" Indeed, the Cap-Gazette reports that "The Delaware River & Bay Authority said the new technology will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2,025 tons per year." Read more on this funding here and here.

Supporting Local Priorities

As the Joint Economic Committee described in a recent report, the American Rescue Plan continues to make an impact in communities across this country. One recent example came from Ohio, where Rep. Shontel Brown (OH-11) celebrated the groundbreaking of a new housing shelter for underserved members of her community. This project was made possible in part by the American Rescue Plan's Home Investment Partnerships program and Community Development Block Grant funding. Read more local news coverage on this event here.

What Else?

  • The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced their Fiscal Year 2025 allotments under the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) and the Drinking Water SRF for Emerging Contaminants. See the total for your state here.
  • More resources are coming to 125 of America's airport terminals, thanks to $970 million from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. See more from the U.S. Department of Transportation here.
  • The Department of Energy is announcing funding for 14 projects through the Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Recycling Grant Program, which will accelerate domestic clean energy manufacturing and decarbonize American industry in 12 states. Read more on this Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding 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.