Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm visited a Baptist church community center in West Columbia, South Carolina, this week to praise President Joe Biden’s administration’s promotion of energy-efficient products and services.
Granholm explained the tax credits available to consumers who buy energy-efficient solar panels, electric vehicles and induction stoves, preaching that the administration’s aim is simply to put money in the hands of Americans and allow them to breathe cleaner air.
The Energy Secretary’s trip to the South is one of many on the “Investing in America” tour, which is a Biden administration effort to promote bills such as the American Rescue Plan, Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Though the administration claims that they are simply traveling to parts of the country where they need to ramp up their communication, many have pointed to the political benefit of the chosen destinations.
The tour is based on an undeniably political strategy: all of the Republicans whose districts are being visited this week opposed the bills signed by Biden.
Historically, Democrats have criticized their members for not expressing enough pride in the achievements of their party. Republicans are known for being vociferous about their own successes, and now Democrats are trying to match this energy as the 2024 election grows near.
As the Biden administration celebrates its accomplishments and highlights future efforts, Democrats worry that Americans will not see the benefits of his signature laws until after the election; many projects funded by his bills are still years away from completion.
White House Senior Adviser Mitch Landrieu visited Savannah, Georgia, on Wednesday, part of the district represented by GOP Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Georgia), to discuss the president’s high-speed internet funding that was announced earlier this week. Other stops will include Charlotte, North Carolina, and Chattanooga, Tennessee, as well as some Democratic areas.
