Marin’s congressional Rep. Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) voted for the so-called “Inflation Reduction Act.” He said it was “historic” and “unprecedented.”
The vote took place along party lines, with Democrats voting “aye” and Republicans voing “nye.”
“From the start, I have pushed for an economic package that would advance the President’s full agenda and fulfill our promises to the American people,” Huffman said in a press release.
“And this legislation will make good on some of the most important issues facing my constituents: lowering prescription drug and energy costs, extending health coverage for millions, acting on climate change while creating millions of jobs, and finally making corporations start to pay their fair share in taxes,” said Rep. Huffman. “This is by far the biggest step the U.S. has ever taken to combat climate change, but I know that this is by no means a ‘mission accomplished’ moment. There are still a lot of priorities that were left on the cutting room floor that I will keep advocating for, and we must get off the fossil fuel roller coaster that has been driving inflation and killing our planet once and for all.”
The “Inflation Reduction Act” contains expenditures that Rep. Huffman has led on in his role on the House Natural Resources and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees, including:
– $3 billion to for the United States Postal Service to purchase electric vehicles and build charging and support infrastructure. It also includes $15 million to the USPS Inspector General for oversight of implementation of the Postal EV fleet. Rep. Huffman has advocated for electrifying the postal fleet since he first came to Congress through his Postal Vehicle Modernization Act.
– Funding for National Forest System restoration and fuels reduction projects including $1.8 billion for hazardous fuels reduction projects; $200 million for vegetation management projects; and $50M for protecting and inventorying old growth forests. Rep. Huffman has supported a myriad of wildfire mitigation and prevention legislation, including the recently passed Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency Act.
– A number of investments for Tribes, including $12.5 million for emergency drought relief; $225 million for the tribal high-efficiency electric home rebate program; $220 million for tribal climate resilience and adaptation programs; and $145.5 million for a tribal electrification program. Huffman has been a consistent advocate for tribes in his district. This congress, he introduced legislation to help tribes access funds for water resilient infrastructure.
– Provides $2.6 billion to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to fund coastal states for the conservation, restoration, and protection of coastal and marine habitats and resources, including fisheries. As Chair of the Water Oceans and Wildlife Subcommittee and co-chair of the National Marine Sanctuaries Caucus and California Coastal Caucus, Rep. Huffman has championed coastal conservation and restoration through multiple legislative actions, including his recent bicameral Coastal Habitat Conservation Act of 2021.
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