After Cuts to Federal Spending Plan, Slotkin Says She’s Focused on Broadband, EV Infrastructure

Congressional Democrats are still working through the reconciliation process to get President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better agenda passed, having to cut back on provisions such as 12-week paid family leave. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) explains what else has been cut from the spending bill, what she hopes will be included, and the significance of her national stockpile legislation. 

“It is that once-in-a-generation investment … but it also updates it for the modern era.” –Rep. Elissa Slotkin

Listen: Rep. Elissa Slotkin discusses her national stockpile legislation to help address supply chain issues.

Rep. Elissa Slotkin represents Michigan’s 8th Congressional District. She says cuts have been made to environmental and climate provisions in the Build Back Better package. “It’s not everything that we wanted, but I don’t think we should say that there’s nothing left for the environment in this bill.” Slotkin says she’s focusing on other things included in the federal spending packages, such as widespread broadband and electric vehicle infrastructure. “It’s a traditional infrastructure bill with some 21st century tweaks,” she says. “It is that once-in-a-generation investment … but it also updates it for the modern era.”

The House recently approved Slotkin’s bipartisan Strengthening America’s Strategic National Stockpile Act. She says the main focus of the legislation is supporting American PPE manufacturing in a world where China could become a more dominant economic power than the U.S. “It’s a new world that I hope to not see, but it would have particularly big economic consequences back home.”

On the new congressional district maps drafted by the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission, Slotkin says she will move to the Lansing area to run in a newly created seat if necessary. “I think it’s important that ultimately wherever I run, I live,” Slotkin says.