October 11, 2024 In The News Dear Colleagues, Before this week's implementation news, the Regional Leadership Council (RLC) wanted to acknowledge the communities that are rebuilding from two consecutive, powerful hurricanes. In a statement this week, RLC Chair Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) called out the extreme right-wing leaders that are spreading lies and misinformation about FEMA, reiterating that "our response to these storms has been – and must remain – bipartisan and truthful." Please find the statement here. No matter the challenges we face as a country, House Democrats will continue working to put People Over Politics, lower costs, and deliver the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda to their communities. Here are a few moments from the past week that highlight those efforts: Turning Vision Into Reality House Democrats continue to share success stories from the Investing in America agenda, from the moment a community gets funding to a project's completion. This week, RLC Leader Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL) highlighted how the American Rescue Plan led to the opening of a new public library in Harrington, DE. In a social media post, Rep. Blunt Rochester showed the beginnings of this project alongside its ribbon cutting. Social media posts like this ensure that Delawareans see how federal funding created what Rep. Blunt Rochester calls "an invaluable resource for Harrington." More on this story can be found here. RLC Leader Rep. Robin L. Kelly (IL-02) also celebrated the ongoing impact of the Investing in America agenda this week by visiting Herscher School District’s electric bus charging barn. Since Lion Electric opened its doors, Members of the Illinois Delegation, including Rep. Lauren Underwood (IL-14) and Rep. Bill Foster (IL-11), have applauded the expansion of clean buses in the Chicago area, ensuring that every community can see the impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. "Students will breathe better because of these buses," said Rep. Kelly. See what clean buses will mean to Rep. Kelly's district here. Keeping Promises House Democrats saluted the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) final proposed rule that calls for the removal of all lead pipes within the next decade. President Joe Biden and EPA Administrator Michael Regan traveled to Rep. Gwen Moore's district (WI-04) this week to emphasize Democrats' commitment to ending lead contamination and ensure safe drinking water across America. For more examples of how Democrats shared this announcement in their communities, see outreach from House Committee on Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr., (NJ-06), Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI-06), and Rep. Sylvia Garcia (TX-29). Lowering Energy Costs California became the latest state to begin the Inflation Reduction Act's Home Energy Rebate Program this week. Many Members of the California Delegation, including Reps. Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), and Josh Harder (CA-09), celebrated this implementation as an opportunity for families to lower costs and pollution. Members are encouraged to share this explainer video from the U.S. Department of Energy as they communicate these savings. Lowering Costs Through Open Enrollment As Americans prepare for Medicare's Open Enrollment Period beginning on October 15, House Democrats are informing the American people about the ways that the Inflation Reduction Act is lowering health care costs through the $2,000 out-of-pocket limit and the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan. Rep. Danny K. Davis (IL-07) shared this graphic in his district to show that "Medicare Part D enrollees can choose to pay for their medication in monthly payments," thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. For more inspiration on how to communicate these savings, see these actions from Rep. Hank Johnson, Jr., (GA-04) and the Congressional Dads Caucus. What Else? Thanks to the CHIPS and Science Act, U.S. Department of Commerce signed its latest non-binding preliminary memorandum of terms (PMT) with Edwards Vacuum to bring specialized dry vacuum pump manufacturing to the U.S. for the first time. Read more here. The General Services Administration (GSA) announced $33 million to modernize the Pacific Highway Land Port of Entry in Washington state. This funding, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, will bolster safety along the port and alleviate congestion. More on this announcement here. The Fish and Wildlife Service expects that $10.5 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will be used to support sage steppe projects in Western states during Fiscal Year 2025. See the details 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.