State and Local Government Economic Empowerment Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · May 17, 2004

State and Local Government Economic Empowerment Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to issue an interest-free loan to any State, county, incorporated municipality, or Indian tribe upon obtaining appropriate assurances that the proceeds of the loan will be used solely for funding capital projects, including the construction of or improvements to: (1) streets, highways, bridges, and tunnels; (2) waste water and sewer systems; and (3) infrastructure and other public facilities. Sets maximum loan limitations. Entitles each such unit of government to obtain an interest-free loan unless it is delinquent in repaying a prior loan.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. LaHood, Ray [R-IL-18] · R–IL

Committees

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

8 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

May 18, 2004
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
May 18, 2004
Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways, Transit and Pipelines.
May 17, 2004
Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
May 17, 2004
Introduced in House
May 17, 2004
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · May 17, 2004 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

HR 4310 · State and Local Government Economic Empowerment Act

Source last updated: Aug 18, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.4371 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.4371, 108th Congress: State and Local Government Economic Empowerment Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/4371

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2004-05-17.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr4371/BILLS-108hr4371ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-18T19:00:16Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.4371 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.4371 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4371, 108th Congress: State and Local Government Economic Empowerment Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/4371

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2004-05-17.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr4371/BILLS-108hr4371ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-18T19:00:16Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4371 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.4371 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4371, 108th Congress: State and Local Government Economic Empowerment Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/4371

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2004-05-17.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr4371/BILLS-108hr4371ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-18T19:00:16Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4371 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.4371 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4371, 108th Congress: State and Local Government Economic Empowerment Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/4371

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2004-05-17.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/hr4371/BILLS-108hr4371ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-18T19:00:16Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4371 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.