Please send the following email to your member(s) of Congress serving in the U.S. House of Representatives. Congressional committee staff have asked for input from House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee Members by November 8, 2024. IEDC needs specific T&I Members to let House Leadership, including Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA-4), Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA-1), Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY-8), and Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA-5), know that they want EDA reauthorization in the final National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). See the full House Leadership roster.
DRAFT EMAIL TEXT:
Dear [Representative _____]
I am writing to voice my strong support for the reauthorization of the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA). Initially introduced as Senate Bill 3891, this measure passed through the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee with bipartisan support. Most recently, the bill has been incorporated in its entirety as Senate Amendment 3103 to the Reed-Wicker Manager’s Package of amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
Senate Bill 3891 and Senate Amendment 3103 would reauthorize the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA), which would make vital improvements and reforms to EDA’s core programs, enhancing its ability to address critical national priorities such as disaster preparedness and mitigation, workforce development, broadband expansion, small business support, inward investment and supply chains, and rural community development including capacity building. This bill would also modernize and update various elements of EDA’s statute, making the agency more effective and impactful in supporting projects in local communities.
Specifically, the following provisions of the EDA reauthorization proposal that would be most impactful for local organizations like mine are as follows. S. 3891 and Senate Amendment 3103 would:
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establish an Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience within EDA;
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accelerate development of shovel-ready sites needed to attract supply-chain manufactures from critical industries such as clean technology (e.g. solar panel and battery manufacturers);
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modernize EDA’s authorities to award grants to public-private partnerships or consortia for high-speed broadband projects; and
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improve access to economic development resources for rural and tribal communities.
Additionally, S. 3891 and Senate Amendment 3103 would:
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improve and reauthorize many of EDA’s core traditional programs including Public Works; Partnership Planning; Training, Research, and Technical Assistance; Economic Adjustment Assistance; and Assistance to Coal Communities;
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reauthorize and update certain provisions relating to Federal Regional Commissions, as well as create two new Federal Regional Commissions: Mid-Atlantic Regional Commission and the Southern New England Regional Commission; and
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allow funding contributed by a Federal Regional Commission to be used as a source of non-federal match for projects.
These provisions would have immensely positive impacts for communities across the nation, subsequently spurring additional economic growth and sustaining American competitiveness.
Reauthorizing EDA is also crucial to protecting national economic security and enhancing U.S. economic competitiveness globally. EDA investments spur foreign direct investment (FDI) and boosts exports which in turn help foster resilient and diversified local economies, support American businesses, strengthen workforce development, and enhance critical infrastructure including broadband, all of which underpin national economic security. EDA has not been reauthorized in 20 years, but reauthorization is essential to keep pace with our nation’s rapidly changing economic conditions and security interests.
Additionally, in [my town/city/community], EDA investments have been particularly important in helping to support and address [specific projects/local needs].
For these reasons, reauthorizing EDA this year is important. Therefore, as the House and Senate work to finalize an agreement on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) I encourage you to support the passage of the bipartisan reauthorization of the EDA.
Thank you for your consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Your Organization