Katie Porter has been focused on what’s making people’s lives hard.

In an oversight hearing last week on the year-old Inflation Reduction Act, Porter spoke about a resident of her district with “real person” problems: They haven’t had air conditioning all summer, but they also need to fix a 20-year-old dishwasher and a stove with only one working burner.

“How can the Inflation Reduction Act help this Californian afford a heat pump and lower their bills without breaking the bank?” Porter asked a witness, who then described the legislation’s tax credits for energy-efficient home upgrades.

“Treasury is working on guidance — ” the witness began.

“Oh stop. Stop there, Mr. Higgins,” Porter said, holding up a finger. “This Californian is hot today. Can they go. Get a heat pump. Using this credit. Today?”

The answer, as Porter knew, was no. Not yet. Maybe in a year. Government was moving slow, as usual, and Porter was impatient. There were real people out there with real problems. Including her.
“You might be interested to know,” she said, “that ‘this Californian’ is me

https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/power/2023/09/20/katie-porter-senate/