RLC Weekly: Recapping the Week of Action

July 26, 2024
In The News

Dear Colleagues,

This edition of RLC Weekly will provide a review of the latest Week of Action organized by the Regional Leadership Council (RLC) and the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC). Overall, House Democrats held more than 80 district events in one week to show how Democrats are lowering costs, growing the middle class, and building safer communities. Here are some of the highlights:

Lowering Costs Now and Into The Future

House Democrats are telling their constituents about how the Investing in America agenda is lowering costs. In Nevada, Rep. Susie Lee (NV-03) joined Rewiring America and Sol-Up Nevada to present the Nevada Savings Calculator and show how Democratic policies are lowering long-term energy costs. In Florida, RLC Leader Rep. Darren Soto's (FL-09) team hosted an informative webinar with the Department of Energy to connect local leaders to federal resources made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act. The RLC encourages Members to check out Rewiring America's savings calculator here, as well as the White House's Savings Explorer here.

House Democrats are also showing their commitment to lowering health care costs. In Pittsburgh, Rep. Summer Lee (PA-12) joined U.S. Health And Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to discuss Democrats' efforts to lower prescription drug costs through the Inflation Reduction Act. Watch local news coverage on this event here.

Investing in Rural America

Following White House's launch of Invest.gov/Rural, House Democrats were on the road discussing the Biden-Harris Administrations' work to leave no community behind. In Eastern Pennsylvania, Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) played a leading role in a roundtable discussion with U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary (USDA) Tom Vilsack and National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi. This meeting focused on a $90 million investment by USDA in 53 Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) projects, which will support conservation efforts and lower long-term energy costs. In Chicago, RLC Leader Robin L. Kelly (IL-02) spoke with the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) and local leaders about how Democratic policies support sustainable agriculture practices, expand internet access, and lower health care costs. Read a local story on this meeting here.

In addition, USDA Deputy Secretary for Rural Development Xochitl Torres-Small discussed how the Inflation Reduction Act is helping rural communities and small businesses owners transition to clean energy. Check out her visits with Reps. Chris Pappas (NH-01), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), and Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL).

Creating Local Jobs, Building Safer Communities

As President Biden says, "When I think of climate, I think of jobs." This Week of Action featured many messaging opportunities for Democrats to connect climate investments to job creation in their district. Thanks to a $208 million grant from the Inflation Reduction Act, Rep. Susan Wild (PA-07) was able to celebrate 295 union-paying jobs in zero-emission vehicle production. 

House Democrats also showed how Democratic investments are protecting clean air and and keeping Americans safe. U.S. Department of Transportation officials were in Tennessee recently to join Rep. Steve Cohen (TN-09) and announce over $393 million in federal funding to replace the 75-year-old Interstate 55 bridge. This funding will help people travel across the Mississippi River safely and lower long-term costs. Read more on this funding here and here. Additionally, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg met with Rep. Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and others to show how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is improving public transportation. Be sure to check out Rep. Gomez's events at Humphreys Avenue Elementary School and this Metro Los Angeles bus terminal. Read more from Rep. Kamlager-Dove here.

Connecting Constituents to Real Opportunities

House Democrats are determined to tell Americans how they can benefit from the Investing in America agenda. RLC Leader Rep. Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) held a roundtable at the American Legion Post 176 to share information with local Veterans on how to submit their PACT Act claim and their intent to file form. In addition, Rep. Ed Case (HI-01) and Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02) participated in Hawaii Governor Josh Green’s Federal Funds Coalition Summit, which helped people across Hawaii access federal funding from the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

In addition, Rep. Nanette D. Barragán (CA-44) highlighted her recent visit to LA County Skilled Trades Summer program to demonstrate how the Investing in America agenda is inspiring local youth to enter skilled trades. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (NM-01) also recognized a training center in her district that is using a $24 million grant from the CHIPS and Science Act to support adult literacy and job training. Read more on the ABQ Adult Learning Center here.

What Else?

A quick glance through the RLC's 12 regions:

  • Rep. Julia Brownley (CA-26) celebrated Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding that is replacing deteriorating water tanks in Santa Paula, CA.
  • House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (CA-33) helped kick off a Region 1 tweetstorm highlighting the successful implementation of the PACT Act. 
  • Rep. Ami Bera (CA-06) celebrated the $25 million grant for the Grant Line Road Safety and Freight Mobility Project in Sacramento County, CA.
  • Rep. Hillary Scholten (MI-03) presented a ceremonial check to Harbor Transit, which will help create a new state-of-the-art operations center and support their transition to zero-emission buses.
  • Rep. Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) led a press conference with Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) to announce $17.8 million in federal funding to replace older buses with fuel efficient alternatives.
  • Rep. Brittney Petterson (CO-07) and Veterans Affairs Committee Ranking Member Mark Takano (CA-39) hosted a Veteran town hall event in Lakewood, CO, to discuss the many benefits of the PACT Act. 
  • Congressional Black Caucus Chair Steven Horsford (NV-04) held a press conference with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Adrianne Todman to announce new federal investments in affordable housing. 
  • Rep. Greg Casar (TX-35) presented two ceremonial checks for water infrastructure in his district: $1 million federal investment check for Eastern Travis County Water Main Improvements project, and $959,752 to the City of Kyle's Reclaimed Water Master Plan.
  • Rep. Jim Clyburn (SC-06) joined U.S. Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona for tours of two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in South Carolina. During the visit, Rep. Clyburn spoke to borrowers who had recently received debt relief through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. 
  • Rep. Frederica Wilson (FL-24) announced a $39.9 million grant from the Fiscal Year 2023 Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (CNI) to create more affordable housing and public transportation in underserved communities.
  • House Committee on Education and the Workforce Ranking Member Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-03) took a leading role in touting Democrats' action to save millions of multiemployer pensions through the American Rescue Plan.
  • Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) joined Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Senior Official Victoria Salinas to announce over $2 million in federal funding to bolster flood resiliency in Eastern Pennsylvania. 
  • Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08) celebrated $1 million in Community Project Funding for the Safe Routes to School program in New York City, NY. 
  • Reps. Nydia Velazquez (NY-07) and Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (NY-14) joined U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm in Puerto Rico to meet residents who experienced home damage during Hurricane Fiona and discuss how the Inflation Reduction Act can help install rooftop solar and storage.
  • Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-02) toured the Windham Regional Airport to highlight a $448,000 federal grant to improve the airport’s security and roadways.

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.