RLC Weekly: Two Years of Lowering Costs Through the Inflation Reduction Act

Dear Colleagues,

Democrats continue to highlight the successful implementation of the laws they helped pass to deliver a strong, healthy American economy. Here are some of the ways that House Democrats highlighted the local impacts of the Inflation Reduction Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law this week:

Two Years of Lowering Costs Through the Inflation Reduction Act

This week, House Democrats celebrated the second anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) as the Biden-Harris Administration announced lower costs for ten medications through Medicare's drug price negotiation program. RLC Leader Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-02) joined U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to highlight the IRA's impact on lowering health care costs. The pair also reinforced the importance of the Affordable Care Act and robust funding for health centers like the Petaluma Health Center. Read more from Rep. Huffman and Secretary Becerra here and here.

Many House Democrats showed the impact of the IRA by sharing the RLC's newly-published district-level data on social media. To see examples of this outreach, go to the RLC's social media here.

Leaving No Community Behind

House Democrats continue to highlight the historic success of the CHIPS and Science Act two years after its passage. RLC Leader Rep. Derek Kilmer (WA-06) celebrated a $35 million Recompete Grant in his district, which will give local leaders the tools they need to boost their community’s economy. Rep. Kilmer, who helped author the Recompete Grant Program, said this grant will "help our region revitalize the marine and natural resources industries on the Olympic Peninsula. And, the new funding will help NOPRC drive renewed economic competitiveness and good job opportunities in the region!" Read more from Rep. Kilmer here. 

Breaking Ground on Public Transit Improvements

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg was in Nevada this week to break ground on the Maryland Parkway Bus Rapid Transit system, a critical project that will revolutionize southern Nevada’s public transit system and make it faster, safer, and more efficient for local residents. Reps. Dina Titus (NV-01), Susie Lee (NV-03), and Congressional Black Caucus Chair Steven Horsford (NV-04) each spoke to the critical role they played in passing this infrastructure investment through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Read more from the Administration on this project here.

What Else?

• The White House announced that Medicare beneficiaries will save an estimated $1.5 billion in out-of-pocket costs, thanks to Medicare's drug price negotiation made possible through the Inflation Reduction Act. Click on this White House graphic to see how much people can save on these medications in 2026.
• The U.S. Department of the Interior opened the door to roughly $775 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to help states plug orphaned oil and gas wells. Read more about 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.