Articles

In past Outlook columns, I wrote about the aspirations and hopes for the Valley economy as we rebuilt from the pandemic. We aspired to rebuild an economy that the Pioneer Valley deserved, one that was built by investing in the American worker and growing the economy from the bottom-up and middle-out. It was during this pursuit that I was reminded of Massachusetts’ own Jack Kennedy and his campaign slogan: “Getting America moving again.”

Under the Biden administration, that is precisely what has unfolded.

Under President Biden’s leadership, we focused on historic legislation to support job growth, spur investments and, ultimately, change lives for the better. The results have been record-breaking. All of the jobs lost during the COVID-19 pandemic were recovered in record time, and more than 14 million jobs have been created. For 24 straight months, the unemployment rate has remained below 4 percent — an over 50-year record. As we bolster our supply chains, inflation is slowing, while labor participation rates and wages are rising.

This success was never guaranteed. Rather, it was the result of decisive actions taken by President Biden and Democrats in Congress; actions that got America moving again.

In the First Congressional District, investments made over the last three years already have stimulated significant economic growth throughout the Pioneer Valley and beyond, with the most notable progress in our infrastructure.

Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Western Massachusetts has been the benefactor of more than 70 awards, totaling more than $200 million. This funding invests in projects across two dozen cities and towns, making much-needed upgrades and repairs to major roadways, maintenance and reconstruction of bridges, and investments in clean energy and climate-friendly initiatives.

This does not include the $108 million federal Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program grant I announced at Springfield Union Station with Governor Healey in September. As part of the Infrastructure Law, funding for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s CRISI program more than tripled, positioning the commonwealth to receive the third-largest award in the nation, and bringing us one step closer to making east-west rail a reality.

Leading up to this announcement, Western and Central Massachusetts witnessed an extraordinary resurgence in both freight and passenger rail activity, highlighted by the redevelopment of Springfield’s Union Station and Worcester’s Union Station. In 2023, more than 2.1 million travelers made their way through Springfield Union Station. We have the support of the public for an expanded passenger rail project, and we have the support of Governor Healey, who has pledged her unwavering commitment to enhance passenger rail service from Pittsfield to Boston.

We also have made great strides in the health care sector, and the House Ways and Means Committee has played a prominent role in that progress, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act. This historic law was drafted under my chairmanship and lowered health care costs for 268,000 patients across the commonwealth by extending the Affordable Care Act’s premium tax credit through 2025. This, coupled with capping prescription drug and insulin costs for millions of Medicare recipients, means more money in the pockets of lower- and middle-income Americans.

The Inflation Reduction Act also marked the largest investment to tackle climate change in our nation’s history. As a result, Massachusetts already has seen $1 billion in private investments committed to clean energy and biomanufacturing projects, and the U.S. is projected to create 9 million jobs in those sectors, as well as manufacturing overall.

We also celebrated a key partner in the Western Massachusetts community. In April, the U.S. Air Force announced that a new fleet of F-35A aircraft will be assigned to Barnes Air National Guard Base. A testament to the brave airmen and women of Barnes, this announcement comes after years of advocating alongside state leadership and Gary Keefe, the adjutant general for the Massachusetts National Guard.

The second-highest economic generator in Western Massachusetts, the commercial and military wings at Barnes accounted for more than 2,100 jobs and generated more than $235 million in economic activity during fiscal 2022. Needless to say, our region stands to greatly benefit from this announcement, one that has solidified Barnes’ place in Western Massachusetts for years to come.

As we reflect on these achievements and look ahead to 2024, I remain committed to building on our accomplishments and delivering on what matters to the American people and to my constituents in the First Congressional District — continuing to build an economy made by and for workers, ensuring health care is accessible and affordable for all, reducing child poverty and combating climate change.

Together, we will keep Massachusetts moving.