Recognizing Our Veterans in NEPA -- Matt's Weekly Memo

Recognizing Our Veterans in NEPA

Dear John,

Over the past two weeks, I have had the distinct honor to visit and recognize our veterans for the incredible sacrifices they and their families made for our nation. There are nearly 50,000 veterans here in the 8th Congressional District, and they all play critical roles in our communities.

On Wednesday, November 10th, I was proud to present the Ambassador for Peace Medal on behalf of the Republic of Korea to eight outstanding veterans who served during the Korean War.

I was also able to stop by the Wyoming Manor Personal Care Center to deliver personal letters of appreciation to veterans and their families. It was an honor to recognize these veterans, who dedicated themselves to protecting and defending our nation’s freedom, security, and stability.

Enacting a Historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill into Law

This week, we delivered a historic infrastructure investment for the American people, something I’ve been pushing for since I got to Congress. I was proud to attend the signing ceremony of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act at the White House on Monday.

Rep. Cartwright with Amtrak President Stephen Gardner (center) and Amtrak Board Chairman Anthony Coscio (right).

This transformational investment in our infrastructure will have a huge impact on our communities here in Northeastern Pennsylvania. It will help us expand rural broadband, including coverage for the 394,000 Pennsylvanians who do not currently have access.

In addition, it’ll help create good-paying jobs and rebuild our crumbling roads and bridges. It paves the way for a Scranton-NYC passenger rail line, which would bring an estimated $87 million in annual economic activity to our area.

Important for our area, an estimated $1 billion will go toward abandoned mine land reclamation in NEPA, cleaning up pollution and creating good paying jobs.

Not since the Rural Electrification Act 85 years ago, and the advent of the Eisenhower Interstate Highway System 65 years ago, have we invested in American competitiveness like we did this week. I’m proud to deliver this investment for our economy, which will make Northeastern Pennsylvania stronger and more competitive on a national scale.

Build Back Better Act Passes the House

In addition to enacting the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law, we passed the Build Back Better Act in the House. This bill invests in workforce development, so our workers have the tools they need to compete with other advanced economies. Together, these two bills will create 15 million good paying jobs over the next 10 years, according to reputable economists.

It enables Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices for drugs that millions of people rely on and ensures no one with Diabetes will pay more than $35 per month for insulin.

Eight years ago, I introduced the Help Extend Auditory Relief (HEAR) Act, to have Medicare cover hearing aids and related hearing services. After years of fighting for this change, I was proud that the Build Back Better Act expands Medicare coverage for audiologist services, and – for patients with moderately severe or worse hearing loss – hearing aids.

It makes permanent the expanded Child Tax Credit that are helping families weather the economic recovery and delivers universal pre-school so that parents can get back to work knowing their children are cared for.

The Build Back Better Act does all of this and more simply by asking the ultra-wealthy and corporations to pay their fair share.

Together with our work on infrastructure, the Build Back Better Act will give working Americans a better shot at a good middle-class life, setting them up for success in our growing economy. The bill is now off to the Senate, where I hope my colleagues will continue to work with us to deliver for the American people.