Congressman Tom Carper recently spent the month of August in Delaware, visiting various construction projects funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The law is bringing much-needed improvements to Delaware’s public transit, broadband access, and more. Notably, it provides $186 million over five years to improve public transit, which is essential for equity in a state where non-white households heavily rely on public transportation. Additionally, the law allocates $100 million to expand affordable, high-speed internet access in Delaware. Carper emphasizes that every dollar invested in these projects is a dollar invested in improving the lives of Delawareans.
Carper also highlights the Inflation Reduction Act, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by the end of the decade. The act has already generated over 170,000 new clean energy jobs and is contributing to a clean energy boom, lowering costs for families and creating well-paying jobs across the country. Furthermore, the Inflation Reduction Act is helping lower healthcare costs and making the tax system fairer by ensuring that the wealthiest individuals and profitable corporations pay their fair share.
During his visits to local businesses, farmers, families, and students, Carper and his team asked three key questions: How are they doing? How is Delaware’s congressional delegation and state and local officials doing? And what can they do to help? These “customer calls” allowed Carper to connect with the people he represents and understand their needs and concerns.
In mid-August, Carper and Senator Chris Coons joined a bipartisan group for a seminar in Kenya sponsored by the Aspen Institute. The seminar aimed to explore America’s involvement in Africa and the growth opportunities available. Carper expresses admiration for Kenya’s people and the breathtaking beauty of the country. He believes that both the United States and Kenya can benefit from continued collaboration and innovation.
Carper notes that Kenya, like Delaware, excels in agriculture and tourism. With the increasing focus on green energy due to the climate crisis, both regions can learn from each other. Delaware is prioritizing clean hydrogen, which can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while Kenya has already met over 80 percent of its energy needs through renewable sources. Carper highlights the importance of addressing corruption in Kenya and developing a transparent tax policy to attract investment and foster economic growth.
During their visit, Carper and his colleagues met with various businesses, including Kentegra Biotechnology, a U.S.-Kenya company that produces organic insecticides. Carper was surprised to learn that the company is incorporated in Delaware and even has connections to his home state. He also discusses Kenya’s trade relationships, with China being its largest trading partner, but Kenya exporting more to the U.S. Carper acknowledges Kenya’s financial hub status through Amazon M-PESA, a mobile payment system that processes a significant portion of the country’s transactions.
As their trip concluded, Carper and his colleagues compiled a to-do list for Congress when they reconvene after Labor Day. This includes the reauthorization of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, an important policy for strengthening economic ties between the U.S. and Africa. Overall, Carper’s August was filled with productive visits, valuable insights, and a commitment to improving the lives of Delawareans and fostering international partnerships.
Original Story at www.delawareonline.com – 2023-09-03 13:38:04
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