**Watch the full, three-day-long committee markup HERE**

**During the markup, Rep. Kuster spoke against an amendment that would limit the scope of Substance Use Disorder funding in the legislation**

Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Annie Kuster (NH-02), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, participated in a three-day full committee markup of the Build Back Better Act, legislation that makes historic investments in families, workers, and the middle class. During the markup, Kuster advanced policies that would broaden access to affordable health care coverage, expand Medicare benefits for seniors, and enact sweeping climate reforms to protect our planet.

“Passage of the Build Back Better Act through the Energy and Commerce Committee is a critical next step to deliver key priorities for Granite State families as we look to the future of our country,” said Rep. Kuster. “I have long said that the COVID-19 pandemic pulled back the curtain on the inequities facing our communities, and this legislation takes clear, measured steps to improve the lives of my constituents in New Hampshire and those across the U.S.”

“Specifically, this plan will expand access to affordable health care coverage for millions of Americans and advance key environmental priorities like establishing a Clean Electricity Performance Program to protect our planet and incentivize clean energy before it is too late,” Rep. Kuster continued. “The Build Back Better Act answers the demands of this moment, and I look forward to full passage in the coming weeks.”

The Build Back Better Act will deliver more jobs, cut taxes, and lower costs while making the wealthiest few and big corporations pay their fair share. Specifically, the plan will:

Advance Evidence-Based Health Care Policies

• The Build Back Better Act permanently expands Medicaid eligibility to millions of Americans who previously fell within the Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage gap. Closing this coverage gap will allow up to 4 million uninsured Americans to gain access to coverage. 
• The Build Back Better Act will address continuity of care and improve health outcomes for justice connected individuals by ensuring that Medicaid coverage begins automatically 30 days prior to an individuals’ release from incarceration. Studies have shown that earlier eligibility and access to health insurance coverage helps to minimize disruptions in access to care, including access to treatment for substance use disorders, when individuals transition back into the community. 

Make Critical Investments in the Environment and Clean Energy

• The Build Back Better Act invests $150 billion in a Clean Electricity Performance Program (CEPP) at the Department of Energy (DOE). The CEPP, which complements tax incentives for clean energy, will issue grants and collect payments from electricity suppliers for calendar years 2023 through 2030 based on how much qualified clean electricity each supplier provides to customers. 
• The Build Back Better Act invests $13.5 billion in electric vehicle infrastructure to support development of an electric vehicle charging network to assist the transition to zero emissions vehicles. This funding will go toward construction of charging infrastructure in publicly accessible locations, multi-unit housing structures, workplaces, and underserved areas. It will also support electrification of industrial and medium-heavy duty vehicles.
• The Build Back Better Act invests $7 billion in multiple loan and grant programs at DOE to support development of innovative technologies and American manufacturing of zero emission transportation technologies. The legislation also provides the Secretary of Energy with resources to enable reinvestments in American energy communities while reducing electricity ratepayer costs. 

Support Ongoing Community Projects Across the Country

• The Build Back Better Act continues President Biden’s and Congressional Democrats’ efforts to bridge the homework gap by providing an additional $4 billion to the Emergency Connectivity Fund to ensure students, school staff, and library patrons have internet connectivity and devices at locations other than a school or library. 
• The Build Back Better Act provides the Department of Commerce $10 billion to monitor and identify critical manufacturing supply chain vulnerabilities that imperil our national security and economic vitality and support domestic companies and other domestic entities in closing those vulnerabilities.
• The Build Back Better Act provides $10 billion in grants for the implementation of Next Generation 9-1-1 services to make 9-1-1 service more accessible, effective, and resilient. This service would protect first responders and save lives by allowing callers to send text messages, images, or videos to 9-1-1 to help responders better assess the nature of an emergency and reach people in need. 

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