RLC Weekly: House Democrats' Mission is Clear

December 1, 2023
In The News

Dear Colleagues,

House Democrats' mission is clear: deliver for everyday Americans and ensure their tax dollars are used equitably and effectively. The Regional Leadership Council (RLC) remained focused on those priorities this week by engaging Biden-Harris cabinet officials, meeting with Tribal leaders, and connecting local leaders to climate investments. Check out these highlights:

Meeting with EPA Administrator Michael Regan

Members of the RLC held a meeting with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan to discuss how the Biden-Harris Administration and House Democrats can continue coordinating to reduce America's carbon emissions and advance its clean energy transition. Following the meeting, Administrator Regan reiterated the EPA's steadfast work to accelerate these efforts and was pleased the join the RLC "to discuss how we can distribute these unprecedented resources effectively, equitably, and efficiently.”

Please reach out to your RLC Regional Leader with any questions and share your story on how clean drinking water is making a difference in your community.   

Hearing Tribal Leaders on Implementation

To round out Native American Heritage Month, RLC Chair Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) joined U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and White House Senior Advisor Mitch Landrieu to hear directly from Tribal leaders on their experiences accessing federal dollars made available by House Democrats in the 117th Congress. The roundtable was convened by House Democratic Leadership. Three additional RLC Leaders were among the lawmakers in attendance: House Democratic Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), Rep. Tony Cárdenas (CA-29), and Troy A. Carter (LA-02). During Native American Heritage Month, and every month, the RLC is ensuring the historic investments made by Democrats lift up Tribal communities across America.

Bringing Federal Dollars Home

RLC Leader Rep. Troy A. Carter (LA-02) welcomed a House Homeland Security Committee Hearing to his district this week to learn about weather preparedness in light of rising flood insurance costs and the consequences of climate change. As Ranking Member of the Emergency Management and Technology Subcommittee, Rep. Carter emphasized the Biden-Harris Administration's efforts to enhance flood mitigation measures through the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), as well as distribute $2 billion in grant funding for climate resilience. Hear his opening statement here.

What's Next?

  • The Department of Energy announced $275 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for seven projects to accelerate domestic clean energy manufacturing at nine locations in former coal communities across the nation. The following projects can be found at this link.
  • The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposal to strengthen its Lead and Copper Rule that would require the vast majority of water systems across the country to replace lead service lines within 10 years. House Democrats applauded this effort this week and showed how clean drinking water is making a difference in their community. See posts from RLC Leader Rep. Robin L. Kelly (IL-02) and Ranking Member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-03).

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.