Funding for NDC-Endorsed RECOMPETE Act Pilot Included in Reconciliation Bill
Legislation Invests in Communities That Have Faced Long-Term Economic Challenges
Today, the New Democrat Coalition (NDC) secured one of its top reconciliation priorities and advanced $4 billion for a RECOMPETE grant pilot program through the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee as part of the reconciliation package, the Build Back Better Act.
The pilot program is based on NDC Chair Emeritus Derek Kilmer (WA-06)’s H.R. 4651, the Rebuilding Economies and Creating Opportunities for More People to Excel (RECOMPETE) Act, which aims to empower persistently distressed communities to develop, implement, and carry out economic development strategies and create lasting jobs and opportunities. The NDC endorsed this bipartisan, bicameral legislation earlier this year and announced it as one of the Coalition’s reconciliation priorities last month.
“As we build back better from the pandemic, we must address the pre-existing disparities that have left parts of the country behind. That is why New Dems are focused on making sure we invest in lasting job creation and economic growth in the hardest-hit communities. The Coalition pushed to include NDC Chair Emeritus Derek Kilmer’s RECOMPETE Act in reconciliation to empower persistently distressed communities to rebuild their economies, industries, and workforces for long-term success,” said NDC Chair Suzan DelBene (WA-01). “We look forward to working with President Biden to ensure every American has the opportunity to succeed, and thank Speaker Pelosi and Chairman DeFazio for their support of this top New Dem priority so we don’t miss this critical opportunity to build back better everywhere.”
The RECOMPETE Act would establish a new grant program at the Economic Development Agency to provide eligible local labor markets, local communities, and Tribal governments with long-term, robust, flexible RECOMPETE grants and technical assistance to meet a variety of local economic development needs, create jobs, and foster lasting economic growth and opportunities.
The NDC is also working to secure our other top priorities for reconciliation, including extending the expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC) through at least 2025, building on the Affordable Care Act by permanently extending the expanded individual market premium subsidies and closing the Medicaid coverage gap in states that had not previously expanded under the ACA, and going big on climate by maximizing emissions reductions and decarbonization tools. In reconciliation, New Dems are focused on advancing legislation that prioritizes doing a few things well for longer over many things for short periods with near-term cliffs or significant delays, and would have serious concerns with any scaling back of these key priorities.
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