Letters to the Editor: Inflation Reduction Act

Theme 1: Thank You, Joe Biden and Congressional Progressives

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Last year, we watched as Republicans and obstructionist dems like Joe Manchin killed Build Back Better in Congress, seemingly dooming our hopes for meaningful climate change and healthcare legislation. It was incredibly disappointing. 

But now, the Inflation Reduction Act has been signed into law. The reason we now have all the great things contained in the IRA –  our first ever real investment in climate change prevention and preparedness, healthcare funding and relief for seniors on Medicare, tax law changes that make sure the ultra-rich and corporations pay their fair share — is because progressive leaders in Congress never stopped fighting for the changes we desperately need, even when everyone else gave a reconciliation bill up for dead.  

It’s because leaders like [Representative/Senator] know that Americans can’t wait any longer to start building a stronger future, and that’s what this bill does. Next time, rather than allowing corporate-funded obstructionists to set our policy, we should look to the leadership offered by the progressive Democrats in Congress who continue to prioritize what’s best for the country, not their donors. I’m thankful to them, and thankful to President Biden and the Democratic leadership for finally listening to the people and getting this legislation passed.

Theme 2: I’m on Medicare, and the IRA Will Help Me

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As a person on Medicare [child of a person on Medicare, healthcare provider, etc.], I’ve worried over the past few years as healthcare costs have increased sharply. Meanwhile, common-sense solutions like empowering Medicare to negotiate drug prices have been blocked over and over again by MAGA Republicans awash in drug company donations. 

So I’ve watched with excitement as Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act, and now it’s been signed into law. This bill has big benefits for Medicare recipients: caps on out-of-pocket annual prescription costs, expanded eligibility for premium subsidies, and for the first time Medicare will be able to begin negotiating pricing for some drugs. Plus, a $35 monthly cap for insulin! 

Too many of our seniors still face significant financial barriers to getting the healthcare they need, and insulin costs have driven many into dire poverty. The steps taken in the IRA to reduce prescription drug costs will make a real difference in our lives. It’s taken decades to finally pass these crucial healthcare upgrades, and I’m grateful to President Biden and the Democratic leaders in Congress for continuing to fight for it.

Theme 3: It’s About Time Rural Areas Got the Support They Need

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I’m writing to celebrate the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, and thank the leaders in Congress who got it passed. This bill does something amazing: it finally provides desperately needed funding to help rural and farming communities grow, strengthen, and modernize for the future. 

It has almost $10 billion to improve our rural electrical grid, to make sure it’s strong and resilient for future decades and avoid the kind of blackouts we’ve seen in Texas. 

Billions in climate-smart agricultural funding that supports farmers while reducing pollution and emissions. Support for rural electrical co-ops and renewable energy projects, USDA conservation programs, and debt relief for distressed farmers. 

Funding for climate-related projects that are crucial to guarantee our long-term ability to survive, like wildfire prevention and protection of our water resources. Plus, it has a rebate program to help all Americans make their homes safer and greener, historic improvements to Medicare, and more. 

It really is an amazing accomplishment. I’m thankful that Joe Biden is delivering on his promise to our heartlands. When we strengthen our rural farming and agricultural communities, we build a stronger America. 

Theme 4: It’s About Time We Had Tax Fairness

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For too long, corporations and the ultra-wealthy in our country have been given government handouts in the form of tax breaks and loopholes that let them avoid paying their fair share. How is it okay that a corporate jet is fully tax-deductible, but a teacher is only allowed to deduct $250/year for classroom supplies they shouldn’t have to pay for in the first place?? And the largest companies in America often pay almost no taxes, due to loopholes created by politicians desperate for corporate donations.

The Inflation Reduction Act, fought for [supported] by [elected leader] and just signed by Joe Biden, helps to restore fairness to our tax code, and will strengthen our economy in the process. For years, the IRS has admitted that they don’t audit rich people and those who park their money in secretive offshore accounts because they don’t have the personnel to handle their complicated tax returns. By funding the IRS, we can finally start to conquer the backlog of paperwork that’s allowed the ultra-rich to avoid paying what they owe. And the 15% corporate minimum tax rate will allow us to plan for our country’s future and build an economy that works for ALL Americans.

Theme 5: Finally, Climate Change Action

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There is no issue more important than the climate emergency. It’s not some future theory — it’s here now, and we can see it in the increased droughts, wildfires, and floods that are already hurting our country. We’ve known for DECADES that our dependence on fossil fuels and outdated energy infrastructure threatened our well-being, but elected officials in Washington haven’t taken the action we need to start addressing the problem, with disastrous results. Until now. 

Thanks to Joe Biden and the Democratic leaders in Congress, we’re finally taking climate funding seriously and making our first real investment in protecting our future. The Inflation Reduction Act marks a historic turning point. With billions for electrical infrastructure upgrades, clean energy capacity building, assistance for homeowners to make energy-smart home improvements like solar panels and heat pumps, and so much more, Democrats are doing the work to make sure our children have a liveable planet to inhabit. And it hasn’t gone unnoticed that MAGA Republicans in Congress continue to do the bidding of their Big Oil donors.

I’m grateful to Joe Biden, the progressives in Congress who continued to push for climate action, and all those who made the Inflation Reduction Act a reality. May it be a first step on our path towards a stronger, greener, more resilient America.

Theme 6: The Rebates in the Ira Will Help My Family, My Home, and the Environment

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As a working family, we’re committed to doing what we can to reduce our energy usage and fight climate change. But many of the household upgrades we’d like to make are cost-prohibitive, even if they pay rewards in the long run. 

So we’re so thankful and excited to see how the rebates in the Inflation Reduction Act will allow us and others to make these investments. Energy-smart improvements like upgrading insulation and windows, solar panels, heat pumps, and replacing old fossil-fuel appliances can make a real difference, and the credits within the IRA will make it possible for us. We know that it’s been a struggle to get this legislation passed, and we’re grateful to [elected leader, if supportive], Joe Biden, and the Democratic leaders in Congress for continuing to fight for these changes, and for not forgetting to include regular working families in the climate change portion of the bill. It’s important for all our futures.