WC Wisconsin News

“The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was made for Milwaukee, helping build on our proud legacy as the machine shop of the world with investments in clean energy and domestic manufacturing. I was so thrilled to welcome President Biden to Milwaukee to highlight the Inflation Reduction Act’s investments in building a clean energy economy and a diverse pipeline of skilled manufacturing workers. These provisions are vital because investing in our workforce is how we remain globally competitive, expand pathways to the middle-class, lower costs for working families, and support good-paying jobs; all while working to reach our climate goals.

The Inflation Reduction Act will create an estimated 9 million jobs over the next decade. Businesses are already taking advantage of the tax credits and other incentives to build domestic manufacturing facilities. According to data from the bipartisan Joint Economic Committee (JEC), on which I serve, in the last year, the Inflation Reduction Act has spurred $445,000,000 in funding for clean energy projects in Wisconsin that will create at least 500 jobs. This week, Siemens announced it will open a facility to produce solar energy equipment in Kenosha. 

As we mark the first-year anniversary, the best is yet to come, and I am excited to see how these incentives will create new career opportunities for residents in Milwaukee while also helping to lower health and energy costs. For example, I look forward to seeing homeowners reaping the full benefits of tax credits to support the use of energy efficiency appliances, solar panels, and clean energy, saving on bills and cutting energy costs.

And in addition to its historic investments in clean energy and creating good paying American jobs, the IRA also is helping lower everyday costs, including health care, and working to build a fairer tax system.  For instance, because of the IRA, more Americans have access to subsidies on the ACA exchanges to lower their health care costs. With the Inflation Reduction Act, Democrats made progress on their long-sought goal of lowering prescription drug costs by empowering Medicare to negotiate the price of prescription drugs and delivering real savings for seniors, many of whom live on fixed incomes. 

The IRA also addressed the costs of insulin for the millions of Americans, some of whom have been forced to ration this life-saving medicine. The IRA capped the out-of-pocket costs of insulin at $35 per month for Medicare beneficiaries and efforts are underway to extend those savings to those with private insurance and the uninsured. 

These provisions are already benefiting thousands of my constituents and are working to make vital medicine more accessible to those who need it. As MAGA Republicans work overtime to exact political revenge and claw back these provisions, Democrats are committed to protecting these life-changing benefits for our constituents.

I am proud to have served as a member of Congress during the incredibly productive 117th Democratic-led Congress and see this law delivering for communities across the country, including in my district. I will continue working to lift up the needs of Milwaukee in Congress.”

Original source can be found here.