RLC Weekly: Delivering in Every Zip Code

January 19, 2024
In The News

Dear Colleagues,

In the 117th Congress, House Democrats passed laws to help ensure America remains a land of opportunity for everyone. The Regional Leadership Council remains committed to partnering with the Biden-Harris Administration to implement these transformational policies in every corner of the country. Here are some of the highlights:

Meeting with Interior Secretary Haaland

The RLC was proud to welcome the U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to discuss the conservation and environmental programs established through Democrats' Investing in America agenda. 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 utilize resources and funding created by the Investing in America agenda. The meeting also highlighted the importance of building partnerships with Tribal leaders and working with Tribal Nations to leverage federal resources these laws made available. Read more here.

Advocating for Every Zip Code

This week, RLC Leader Derek Kilmer (WA-06) welcomed U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves to Washington’s 6th District at Longshoreman Union Hall to discuss how the CHIPS and Science Act is revitalizing local economies. "Our focus needs to be on jobs and economic opportunity," said Rep. Kilmer. "The historic investments we’ve seen – and continue to see – from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, and more are crucial for creating jobs in communities. We need to do all we can to ensure folks throughout Western Washington can thrive no matter what zip code they live in.” Read more from this event here and here.

Tracking Progress

Since House Democrats passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, there have been nearly 40,000 projects announced in 4,500 communities across the country. During a House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee hearing on "The State of Transportation," Democrats highlighted federal investments being implemented in their communities and the impact of this legislation. From electrifying ferries in New Jersey to expanding high-speed rail in Las Vegas, see how the Investing in America agenda is transforming transportation and fighting the climate crisis here.

Making Life More Affordable

Inflation is slowing down, and real wages are up. It's important to share that news with the American people. This week, Congressman Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) released a report on how the Inflation Reduction Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and other Democrat-led federal initiatives are helping make life more affordable for all Americans.

What Else?

  • The likely operator of the National Semiconductor Technology Center—a key component of the CHIPS for America Research and Development (R&D) Program—named Dierdre Hanford its first CEO. Read more updates from the CHIPS for America office here.
  • The Department of Energy announced $104 million in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help federal agencies implement net-zero building projects. Read more information 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.