13 Sep Nevada Community Advocates Celebrate Signing of Inflation Reduction Act
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 13, 2022
Contact: Will Pregman, wpregman@battlebornprogress.org, 702.752.0656
Nevada Community Advocates Celebrate Signing of Inflation Reduction Act
Nevada’s Democratic Delegation Members Deliver for Working Families with Bill to Cut Costs, Create New Jobs
NEVADA – On Tuesday, President Joe Biden invited lawmakers, labor organizations, activists, business leaders, and more to celebrate the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and commemorate the president’s signing of the historic landmark legislation.
The package, which all five of Nevada’s Democratic congressional delegation members voted for, includes provisions that cap the cost of prescription drugs for seniors on Medicare, allow for the negotiation of drug prices via Medicare, and contains one of the largest investments in clean energy and fighting climate change ever, all revenue-neutral thanks to laws that ensure the ultra-wealthy and corporations pay what they owe in taxes. Organizations in Nevada issued the following statements in reaction to the ceremony.
“The Inflation Reduction Act is a historic step forward in achieving affordable health care for everyone, making long-overdue improvements in Medicare and the Affordable Care Act, lowering drug costs for seniors, and stopping pharmaceutical corporations from raising the prices of drugs faster than inflation, without raising taxes on anyone who makes less than $400,000 per year,” said Annette Magnus, Executive Director of Battle Born Progress. “The investments in clean energy build upon the progress Nevada has already made as a state to become a national leader in renewable jobs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We owe it to Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, Senator Jacky Rosen, and Representatives Dina Titus, Susie Lee, and Steven Horsford for delivering this incredible piece of legislation for Nevada working families. The $4 billion in drought relief that Senator Cortez Masto specifically fought for is also crucially important to addressing our water shortage issues along the Colorado River.”
“We are also thankful to President Joe Biden for never giving up the fight to rein in drug costs, tackle climate change, and ensure the wealthy pay what they owe in order to fulfill his campaign promises and support American families as they recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Many provisions in this bill also echo priorities of Governor Steve Sisolak’s administration, such as joining the Northwest Prescription Drug Consortium, spearheading a statewide climate initiative, and not raising taxes on working families. It’s sad, but not surprising, that Representative Mark Amodei elected to vote against lowering prescription drug costs for his elderly constituents. Senator Cortez Masto’s midterm challenger, Adam Laxalt, expressed vocal opposition to the IRA, in spite of these cost-saving measures for Nevada families. It’s clear his loyalties lie with the wealthy corporations who’ve until now avoided paying taxes over the hard-working families of Nevada.”
“President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act is the most concentrated effort to lower costs for working families and create good-paying jobs in more than a decade,” said For Our Future Nevada State Director Gariety Pruitt. “We applaud Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen, along with Southern Nevada’s delegation to the House of Representatives, for supporting this landmark legislation. Thanks to this law, Nevada families will see their energy and prescription drug costs go down while job growth explodes in Nevada’s surging clean energy economy. This is a huge win for both Nevada’s working families and its environment.” “
“The Inflation Reduction Act is a massive boost in Nevadans’ ability to thrive and provide for their families,” said Cassie Charles, Field Director of PLAN Action. “By continuing to address the astronomical costs of healthcare in this country by capping prescription drug costs for Medicare recipients and extending the ACA coverage, families won’t need to choose between putting food on the table, keeping a roof over their head, or buying a life saving prescription. While the IRA takes important steps towards ensuring future generations have access to clean water and air, we hoped more was included to ensure that we are not attempting to fight the climate crisis by fast-tracking mineral mining such as lithium in exchange for the lives of frontline indigenous communities like those near the proposed Thacker Pass Lithium Mine.”
“The Inflation Reduction Act is a historic opportunity to ensure our investment in hardworking Asian and Pacific Islander (APIA) communities,” remarked Eric Jeng, Deputy Director of One APIA Nevada, “We know that climate is the top issue for APIA youth. By investing in clean energy and providing economic relief for workers and families, we can take the first step in creating a more equitable future for all.”
“Passing this historic climate investment has taken communities across Nevada and the nation years of resiliency and perseverance,” said Yazmyn Pelaez, Communications Associate with Nevada Conservation League. “That’s why we’re thankful to have a strong federal democratic delegation who understands the present danger climate change poses on Nevadans and especially our most vulnerable communities. The IRA is critical to mitigating global climate change by moving us closer to our net zero emissions goals, expanding our clean energy infrastructure and technology, providing our families economic relief, improving public health, and including long overdue environmental justice provisions. Nevadans are ready to see these investments reach all communities.”
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