[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 42 (Friday, March 8, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H1051]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD FOR RURAL AMERICA

  (Ms. SALINAS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. SALINAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to highlight my recently 
introduced bipartisan legislation, the Rural Partnership and Prosperity 
Act.
  According to the Oregon Center for Public Policy, rural Oregonians 
face higher levels of unemployment and poverty. In fact, the poverty 
rate in rural Oregon sits at 15.6 percent, four points higher than in 
urban areas. Yet, local governments, nonprofits, and rural development 
organizations don't have the staff and resources needed to tackle these 
problems in our communities.
  Rural America is getting the short end of the stick right now, and it 
is time we change that. My bill would create a new Federal grant 
program to help rural communities address urgent needs like childcare, 
housing, job training, and more. It expands access to existing 
opportunities by helping local leaders navigate the complex system of 
Federal grants, and it improves coordination between Federal agencies 
to make sure we are approaching rural development in the most efficient 
and effective way possible.
  The Rural Partnership and Prosperity Act is a commonsense, bipartisan 
solution that will help us bridge the urban-rural divide in this 
country. We have to level the playing field for rural America and 
ensure these communities can thrive for generations to come. My 
legislation would bring us closer to that goal, and I urge my 
colleagues to join me in supporting it.

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