Schrier Rolls Out Rural Revitalization Agenda Aimed at Boosting Local Economies and Expanding Health Care Access

ISSAQUAH - Congresswoman Kim Schrier (WA-08) and members of the New Democrat Coalition on Wednesday unveiled a sweeping Rural Revitalization Agenda designed to strengthen rural economies, lower costs for families, expand health care access, and address long-standing infrastructure gaps across rural America.

The agenda was released by the Coalition’s Rural Revitalization Working Group, chaired by Schrier, alongside Farm Bill Task Force Chair Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21), Rural Broadband Task Force Chair Congresswoman April McClain Delaney (MD-06), and Rural Economy Task Force Chair Congressman Josh Riley (NY-19). The initiative outlines a roadmap for federal investment in communities the lawmakers say have been “overlooked and underappreciated” for too long.

Through the plan, New Democrats say they aim to rebuild and reinvest in rural areas by supporting local and farm economies, expanding affordable housing and high-quality health care, and removing barriers such as lack of broadband access, limited job training, and trade policies that disadvantage rural regions.

“When our rural communities thrive, our nation thrives," said Congresswoman Schrier. "The agenda that we are releasing today will support rural Americans in Washington state and across the country by fueling economic prosperity and addressing the long-standing disparities that are holding these communities back from their full potential. In Congress, I will keep fighting alongside my New Democrat Coalition colleagues to uplift and strengthen rural communities throughout the country."

Costa emphasized that the success of the national economy is deeply tied to rural regions like the one he represents.

“Rural communities, like those I represent in the San Joaquin Valley, are important parts of our nation’s economy,” said Congressman Costa. “Yet too often, these communities are overlooked. It’s time we invest in rural America. Which is why I’m proud to be a part of this agenda that advances two of my bills, the MORE Nurses Act and the Rural Homeownership Continuity Act. This agenda will help expand affordable housing, strengthen our rural health care workforce, and build lasting economic growth.”

McClain Delaney pointed to ongoing challenges she says have been worsened by federal budget cuts and declining support for rural hospitals and food security programs.

“I'm so proud to support the New Democrats Coalition's Rural Revitalization Agenda. Our rural communities are big cornerstones of our local and national economies through energy, tourism, farming, and tech innovation. Sadly, due to this Administration's reckless cuts to our food security, cuts to federal agencies, and an assault on health care and rural hospitals, Rural America is in need of help. These hard-working families do not need life to be harder or less affordable," said Congresswoman McClain Delaney. "This agenda works to strengthen our farm economies, expand access to quality health care, and make key investments in workforce training and economic development. I am ready to get to work on this Agenda and help our rural communities thrive."

The agenda centers around four major goals: empowering rural communities to achieve long-term economic prosperity; supporting the care economy and improving health care access; investing in the farm economy; and closing the digital divide through expanded broadband deployment.

The document also outlines next steps for the Coalition, including collaborating across party lines to pass a bipartisan Farm Bill, strengthening federal programs aimed at rural regions, and addressing economic and infrastructure disparities to “unlock the full potential” of rural America.

Schrier, who represents a district spanning suburban and rural areas in Central Washington, said the plan is meant to bring long-term, sustainable improvements rather than short-term fixes.

New Democrats say they will push for the agenda’s components to be included in upcoming federal legislation, including agriculture, infrastructure, and broadband bills.