RLC Weekly: On the Road ?

June 30, 2023
In The News

Dear Colleagues,

With the Investing in America tour in full swing, Regional Leadership Council (RLC) Members were back in their districts sharing the good news of the Investing in America agenda and its impact on their community. Here are some of the highlights from our Members connecting these historic investments to the families they represent.

Expanding Rural Internet Access

Rep. Angie Craig (MN-02) standing with Sec. Raimondo and Minnesota Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar.

RLC Leader Rep. Angie Craig (MN-02) welcomed U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to Minnesota to discuss closing the digital divide and expanding affordable internet access to rural Minnesotans through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. With the Biden-Harris Administration’s recent announcement of $42.5 billion in broadband funding, the Regional Leadership Council is working to ensure Americans in every corner of the country know how the Investing in America agenda is growing the economy and leaving no one behind. Learn more about this broadband announcement here.

Modernizing Public Transportation and Reducing Pollution

Rep. Dean on the left and Rep. Blunt Rochester on the right

The Investing in America agenda has deployed new fleets of clean buses across America, and the RLC members are making sure their constituents see that progress. RLC Leaders Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL) and Rep. Madeleine Dean (PA-04) both highlighted recent investments in low-emission buses and showed how modernizing public transportation vehicles will reduce pollution and strengthen local infrastructure. Read more from their visits here and here.

Connecting with Local Officials

Rep. Grace Meng with state officials from New York Governor Hochul’s office.

Recently, RLC Leader Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06) brought together Biden-Harris administrative officials, New York lawmakers, and New York state officials to discuss the implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. From improving drinking water to making internet more affordable, Rep. Meng's work shows how RLC Members are ensuring infrastructure investments from the last Congress reach their communities.

The Regional Leadership Council is also highlighting more traditional infrastructure projects. RLC Leader Lori Trahan (MA-03) joined Senators and local officials to announce a long-awaited $21 million investment to revitalize a bridge in the City of Lowell, MA. This is another example of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law meeting local needs.

What’s Next?

  • The Department of Transportation announced nearly $2.3 billion in grant funding through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program. With this funding, communities across America will carry out projects with significant local or regional impact. Find more on funding here.

  • As a reminder, Veterans who qualify and enroll in the PACT Act can receive benefits paid back to August 10, 2022. Following a meeting with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough, RLC members are continuing to ensure that Veterans in every community in America know about the transformational legislation passed by Democrats in the 117th Congress. For inspiration on how to talk to eligible Veterans in your district, see examples from RLC Leader Rep. Troy Carter here.

For more updates on how to implement the Investing in America agenda in your community, please follow us on social media and share your story on how these investments are making a difference in your district. You can also visit our website for additional resources to help track these historic investments.