RLC Weekly: People Over Polluters

May 3, 2024
In The News

Dear Colleagues,

House Democrats have taken historic action to drive down costs, invest in communities, grow the middle class, and make our neighborhoods safer. This week, the Regional Leadership Council (RLC) showed their commitment to continuing this work, especially as it relates to climate change and addressing environmental justice. Here are some of the highlights on those efforts:

Ensuring an Equitable Energy Transition

This week, RLC Leaders from the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus met with representatives from PolicyLink and Emerald Cities Collaborative. The meeting focused on the importance of prioritizing environmental equity and discussing how House Democrats can continue advancing Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative. Following the meeting, RLC Leader Rep. Troy A. Carter (LA-02) shared how groups like Policy Link are strengthening workforce development initiatives through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in Louisiana. 

Advancing Conservation and Confronting Pollution

House Democrats and the Biden-Harris Administration continue to tackle the climate crisis by protecting America's natural resources and calling out House Republican’s extremist legislative agenda. Many House Democrats touted the Administration's recent actions to expand Gabriel Mountains National Monument and Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument as part of continued conservation activities. Following a White House meeting between Biden-Harris Administration and California lawmakers, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) highlighted the transformational impact this will have on Angelenos.

Additionally, RLC Leader Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-02) and House Natural Resources Committee Democrats spoke on the House Floor in opposition to legislation that, as Rep. Huffman's stated, "reverses significant strides by the Biden administration to protect lands Tribal Nations have occupied since time immemorial." Rep. Huffman continued, "If we want energy independence, we need a transition to clean energy, which is cheaper, safer, and generated entirely here at home." See how Natural Resource Democrats shared this House Floor activity on social media here.

Removing Lead Pipes

Many House Democrats amplified the Biden-Harris Administration’s announcement of $3 billion to help remove lead pipes and upgrade water infrastructure across the country. From Seattle to New Jersey, House Democrats used state-specific data to contextualize the local impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and remind constituents who voted against these life-saving investments. The Regional Leadership Council also encourages offices to share stories on how these investments are making a difference in your community.

What Else?

  • RLC Chair Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) spoke with The Well News to discuss the RLC's Investing in America Week of Action and what the RLC is doing to share the success of the 117th Congress. Read the article here.
  • During National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration announces that they have delivered an all-time high – 28.4% – of federal contract dollars to small businesses in the last fiscal year, exceeding its goal by +5%. More can be found here.
  • The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced funding for 19 projects across 12 states and 13 Tribal nations to expand access to reliable and affordable energy across the nation. Read more this funding here.
  • The Department of the Interior (DOI) announced a second Notice of Funding Opportunity for the remaining $72.5 million in the Inflation Reduction Act for the Tribal Electrification Program. See more on this funding 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.