RLC Weekly: A Track Record of Lowering Costs and Building Safer Communities

August 9, 2024
In The News

Dear Colleagues,

As Democrats mark the two-year anniversary of both the CHIPS and Science Act and the Honoring our PACT Act becoming law, the Regional Leadership Council (RLC) wanted to share how House Democrats are highlighting key implementation updates in their communities. It is clear that House Democrats continue to focus on lowering costs, growing America's manufacturing base, and building safer communities through the Investing in America agenda. The RLC encourages you to share how your office is highlighting the local impact of Democrats’ accomplishments this District Work Period.

Two Years of Lowering Barriers to Veterans' Health Care

Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05) celebrated the two-year anniversary of the PACT Act by hosting a roundtable with Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), and House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Ranking Member Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39). During the meeting, they heard from Minnesotans about how the PACT Act has offered life-changing coverage to those who were exposed to toxic burn pits and Agent Orange. These leaders also toured local VA facilities during the visit, which can be viewed on social media here.

The RLC encourages Member offices to amplify the two-year anniversary of the PACT Act by utilizing RLC's district-level data and the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Democrats' toolkit here.

Strengthening Supply Chains

From Portland to Santa Barbara, House Democrats are showing the American people how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) can lower long-term costs and build healthy economies. In Maine, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg joined Maine Governor Janet Mills and Rep. Chellie Pingree (ME-01) to see projects at the Portland International Marine Terminal and Portland's East Deering neighborhood. See more from his visit here and here. Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24) also made multiple stops this week to celebrate the $1 billion in BIL funding that his district has received to date. Rep. Carbajal visited a new zero-emission bus, the San Jose Creek Bridge replacement project, and the Santa Barbara train station to underscore the positive changes that the Biden-Harris Administration has made to promote long-term growth and sustainability. See more from Rep. Carbajal here and here.

RLC Leader Rep. Darren Soto (FL-09) took to social media to highlight how the BIL is kickstarting the installation of high-speed internet in his district. Rep. Soto explained how this critical technology can help Floridians access telehealth services, online learning, and more. Watch the full video on Rep. Soto’s social media here.

Clean Air, Clean Water

Democrats know that clean air and drinking water is essential to the health and safety of all Americans. This week, RLC Leader Rep. Robin L. Kelly (IL-02) welcomed a $1.7 million investment from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide a fleet of new school buses to students in her district.

Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) joined Jeaneane Gettle, Acting EPA Regional Administrator, and local leaders to announce a $171 million grant to improve a drinking water system in her district. Rep. Sewell celebrated this announcement on social media, saying this loan is a "once in a generation opportunity to provide amazing, clean, safe, drinking water for all Americans." Watch the full video here.=

What Else?

  • The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Loan Programs Office (LPO) announced a conditional loan commitment to QCells this week. With this loan, the solar energy company is projected to utilize tax credits created by the Inflation Reduction Act to build a new solar supply chain facility in Cartersville, GA. Read more this project here.
  • DOE also announced $2.2 billion in federal funding for the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program, which was created under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This funding will bolster America's energy grids across 18 states. Read more on this funding here.
  • The Department of the Interior (DOI) announced nearly $105 million for 67 water conservation projects this week, thanks in part to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. See the list of recipients 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.