RLC Weekly: Lowering Costs Back Home

June 14, 2024
In The News

Dear Colleagues,

As inflation cools and unemployment remains historically low, House Democrats are laser-focused on informing the American people about their work to lower costs and create opportunities across the country. Here are some of the highlights.

Lowering Long-term Costs for Schools

House DPCC Chair Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI-06) highlighted the Environmental Protection Agency's $800,000 in Clean School Bus Program funding for Ann Arbor Public Schools this week. Rep. Dingell joined Biden-Harris Administration officials, school leaders, and students to discuss how President Biden's Investing in America agenda is delivering real results in her community. Jazz Parks, the interim superintendent of Ann Arbor Public Schools, told Michigan Public Radio that the new buses will help the school district save money long term. Read more from Rep. Dingell here and here.

Expanding Access to Diabetes Care

RLC Leader Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL) met with Usher this week to discuss access to affordable insulin and Type 1 Diabetes screenings. On her social media, Rep. Blunt Rochester applauded Usher's advocacy and uplifted the 110,000+ Delawareans that are living with diabetes, many of whom are benefitting from House Democrats' action to cap the price of insulin. About 63,000 Delawareans will save an average of $449 dollars a year on prescription drugs, thanks to Democrats’ work in the 117th Congress. House Democrats are encouraged to utilized the RLC's research here.

Defending IRS's Direct File Program

As the House debates federal appropriations for Fiscal Year 2025, House Democrats defended the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) Direct File pilot program. During the markup of the FY25 Financial Services General and Government Bill, RLC Chair Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) explained how Direct File is easing tax filing burdens for everyday Americans. Rep. Summer Lee (PA-12) highlighted the consequences of an underfunded IRS, citing the fees associated with third-party vendors. Watch her speech on social media here.

Uniting on Local Priorities

Many House Democrats met with local leaders to discuss the ongoing implementation of infrastructure investments made by Democrats. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), Ranking Member House Committee Transportation and Infrastructure, held a roundtable on House Democrats' continued efforts to modernize America's airports. RLC Leader Troy A. Carter (LA-02) met with Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson, III, and St. John the Baptist Parish President Jaclyn Hotard to discuss how funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act is advancing successful coastal restoration and flood protection projects across Louisiana.

What Else?

  • The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced $60 million under the Inflation Reduction Act to bolster their Climate-Ready Workforce Initiative. $50 million of this funding will go directly to job training programs and $10 million will go to technical assistance. Read more from NOAA here.
  • The White House announced that more than 18 million new business applications have been filed since President Biden took office. Here's how RLC Chair Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) celebrated this milestone on social media. 
  • The Department of the Interior’s National Park Service announced $15 million from the Inflation Reduction Act funding to support climate resiliency projects in America's National Parks. Find more details on the projects 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.