August 30, 2024 In The News Dear Colleagues, The August District Work Period was an opportunity for House Democrats to engage with their communities about how the Investing in America agenda is lowering everyday costs and ensuring every American has the tools they need to get ahead. Here’s a look at the highlights from a busy end of the month: Lifting Up All Communities House Democrats continue to connect local leaders to the Investing in America agenda to lower costs and create jobs. Rep. Andrea Salinas (OR-06) recently led a CHIPS and Science Act roundtable with Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Rep. Nanette D. Barragán (CA-44), Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), and the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology, Dr. Laurie E. Locascio. During the roundtable, Members discussed how Latino Americans can access the tools they need to flourish in the semiconductor industry and more. See more from this visit here and here. The Office of Rep. Emilia Strong Sykes (OH-13) held a grants seminar with Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) officials to engage local stakeholders on funding opportunities. Following the seminar, Rep. Strong Sykes shared this grants page on her social media to ensure constituents were directed to helpful resources going forward. House Democrats continue to identify funding opportunities and inform the American people about the Investing in America agenda. Lowering Costs and Reducing the Impact of Climate Change The Investing in America agenda offers historic assistance to lower energy costs and implement clean energy technology. RLC Leader Rep. Angie Craig (MN-02) and Rep. Betty McCollum (MN-04) joined U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack, Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) to announce new renewable fuel opportunities for Minnesota farmers and small businesses. The officials also visited a local business to discuss the benefits of utilizing biofuel. Take a look at great photos from these events, spotlighted here and here. Celebrating Infrastructure Investments Across the District House Democrats are watching the Investing in America agenda create new opportunities for America's workers and build safer communities. Rep. Jahana Hayes (CT-05) documented this progress by sharing a map of infrastructure investments in her district. See this map here. Additionally, Rep. Greg Landsman (OH-01) announced that the City of Cincinnati was awarded over $850,000 to install electric vehicle charging stations across the city. See more on this announcement on his social media here. What Else? The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced that Maine will join the IRS Direct File Program for the 2025 tax filling season. This is the eighth state to join the program since last year, following Oregon, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Connecticut, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) selected fourteen state and territorial weatherization offices to receive $53.6 million in Sustainable Energy Resources for Consumers (SERC) grants as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. See the selected grantees 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.