Issues

Frank is honored to serve on the House Appropriations Committee, which is responsible for allocating funding for the federal government. In his role, Frank fights for our region’s values to ensure our federal budget is aligned with our priorities.

Frank proudly supported the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which made much needed investments in our ports, airports, waterways, roads, bridges, railways, and broadband internet. Frank has done extensive work to deliver federal funding for local infrastructure improvements throughout our region.

Frank has delivered over $100 million through federal Community Project Funding awards for projects throughout Northwest Indiana to grow our economy. Frank is proud to partner with community leaders to deliver funding for infrastructure upgrades, environmental preservation, first responders, and institutions of higher learning. Frank supported the more than $1 billion expansion and extension of the South Shore Passenger Rail Line that is now under construction, and the private sector investments are already beginning in places like Michigan City because of this historic investment in our public transportation.

Families in Northwest Indiana are facing economic uncertainty as the price of healthcare, gas, groceries, and utility bills skyrocket. Frank is committed to finding bipartisan solutions to lower the cost of living and make life more affordable.

Frank took on Big Pharma to lower healthcare prices and make prescription drug prices more affordable with the Inflation Reduction Act. For the first time ever, Medicare is allowed to directly negotiate prescription drug prices, out-of-pocket costs for insulin are limited at $35 per month, and Medicare Part D out-of-pocket drug costs are capped at $2,000 – a proud achievement of Frank’s.

While the State of Indiana sets utility rates, the federal government has a role in expanding supply and lowering costs. Frank serves on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water where he is holding the Department of Energy accountable for the utility rate increases in Northwest Indiana. He supports investments in wind, solar, and hydrogen, and to increase the supply of more affordable energy to reduce costs and strengthen our energy independence.

Frank is standing up to greedy corporations who exploit the middle-class and take advantage of workers for their own profits. In response to skyrocketing utility rates, Frank asked Energy Secretary Wright to reverse the emergency order to require NIPSCO to keep utilizing coal-fired electric generation past its retirement date. This is expected to cost more than $100 million and further increase utility costs for ratepayers. Frank continues to call on British Petroleum, an international offshore company, to return to the bargaining table and end the lockout impacting over 800 members of the United Steelworkers Local 7-1. Frank will continue to stand with working men and women in their fight for fair wages, safe working conditions, and sound retirements.

Frank is taking action to end corruption in Washington. He supports banning all stock trading by Members of Congress, because public servants are elected to serve – not get rich from insider information. Frank voted against spending $1 billion taxpayer dollars to build the White House ballroom. In response to the White House using foreign materials for construction, Frank introduced an amendment to require all steel used in construction projects at the White House to be made in America.

Throughout Frank’s career, he has been proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with the men and women of organized labor. He knows that unions are the foundation of the strength of the Northwest Indiana economy, and it is the advocacy of unions that created a strong middle-class. As the Vice Chairman of the Congressional Steel Caucus and a member of the Congressional Labor Caucus, Frank understands the value of all members of organized labor, who are on the frontlines fighting for superior working conditions across our country. Frank is proud to support the Protecting the Right to Organize Act so that all workers have the right and ability to form a union. He has also been a steadfast supporter of expanded Buy America requirements, of Davis-Bacon wage requirements, and the use of Project Labor Agreements

After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Indiana was the first state in the country to institute a statewide abortion ban. Women’s access to reproductive healthcare is under attack. With federal legislation proposed to ban abortion nationwide, it’s more important than ever that we send Frank back to Congress to fight for our freedoms. Frank supports the codification of Roe v. Wade and will continue fighting to ensure that women can make their own decisions about their own bodies, their own futures, and their own economic opportunities.

Frank is an original cosponsor of the Women’s Health Protection Act, legislation to ensure women have access to reproductive care after Roe v. Wade was reversed.