RLC Weekly: Lowering Costs in Every Zip Code

June 28, 2024
In The News

Dear colleagues,

House Democrats passed legislation in the 117th Congress that lowers costs and makes life more affordable for everyday Americans. Those solutions are now making a meaningful impact across the country. Here's how House Democrats and the Regional Leadership Council (RLC) told this story to the American people this week:

Saving Costs, Saving Energy

Hot summer days are important opportunities for House Democrats to highlight how the Inflation Reduction Act is lowering energy costs. RLC Leader Rep. Madeleine Dean (PA-04) welcomed U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Xochitl Torres Small to Upper Sanford, PA, to see how one small business is utilizing a $670,000 Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grant to install solar energy panels. This REAP grant, made possible through the Inflation Reduction Act, will lower the cost of this project by 40%.

Rep. Tom Suozzi (NY-03) joined U.S. Department of Energy Secretary (DOE) Jennifer Granholm to visit with a family that is saving an estimated $2,000 a year thanks to energy efficient upgrades made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act. See more from this home visit here.

Promoting Economic Equality for All

RLC Leader Rep. Darren Soto (FL-09) led a Congressional Hispanic Caucus roundtable this week to hear from local leaders and stakeholders about how President Biden’s infrastructure investments are advancing equity in every corner of the country. Participants of the meeting included House Democratic Vice Chair Rep. Ted Lieu (CA-36), RLC Chair Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), and RLC Leaders Rep. Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) and Rep. Lori Trahan (MA-03). Read more on this event from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus here.

RLC Leader Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-02) and Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08) led a roundtable with Tribal stakeholders to discuss the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in Tribal communities. Following the meeting, Rep. Huffman cited how this meeting can help Democrats work to "ensure indigenous communities receive their fair share of these massive federal investments." More on this meeting can be found here.

Implementing Gun Violence Prevention

The Biden-Harris Administration and House Democrats celebrated the two-year anniversary of President Biden signing the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act by discussing the ongoing implementation of this historic law. See an example of social media outreach from Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-07). The White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention also met with state and local leaders to discuss the Administration's work to build safer communities. See how RLC Leader Rep. Robin L. Kelly (IL-02) amplified Illinois State Representative Bob Morgan's attendance at this meeting here.

The White House released this report detailing the implementation of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. The RLC encourages Members to reach out to your RLC Leader with your event ideas as we work to ensure Americans across the country feel the impact of the Investing in America agenda.

What Else?

  • The U.S. Department of Transportation announced $1.8 billion from the RAISE grant program for 148 projects across the country. The announcement brings the total amount of Biden-Harris Administration RAISE grants to over $7.2 billion for over 550 projects. See how House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL) discussed this progress here.
  • The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced more than $142 million in new Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP) funding. This funding will support significant energy efficiency and climate resilience renovations in more than 2,200 homes. Get the full list of awards here.
  • The Department of the Interior (DOI) announced a total of $127 million to cap orphaned oil and gas wells. Read how this funding will address legacy pollution here.
  • The White House Office of Legislative Affairs shared new Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) related to the Airport Terminal Program, Airport Infrastructure Grants, and Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods. See the full list of NOFOs 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.