Congressman Horsford Highlights the Promise and Challenges of the Opportunity Zone Program in House Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee Hearing
NORTH LAS VEGAS, NEV. — Today, Congressman Steven Horsford (D-NV-04) joined his colleagues on the House Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee to hold a hearing on ‘The Opportunity Zone Program and Who It Left Behind.'
"Since I returned to Congress in 2019, fixing the Opportunity Zone program has been at the top of my list of priorities. Opportunity Zones have tremendous potential to increase investment in underserved communities — but to date, they have struggled to deliver for the people they were intended to help," said Congressman Steven Horsford. "I thank Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Pascrell for holding this hearing to examine how Congress can improve equity, accountability, and outcomes in Opportunity Zones."
In 2017, House and Senate Republicans passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, a tax law that provided outsized benefits to the wealthiest Americans and the biggest corporations. In a limited gesture toward inclusivity, the law included a bipartisan tax incentive program to encourage investments in low-income communities called "Opportunity Zones."
Despite the promise of the Opportunity Zone program, poor oversight has made it impossible to assess whether the program is benefiting the communities it was intended to support. Critics have charged that the Opportunity Zone program benefits rich investors with little benefit to low-income families.
During today's hearing, Congressman Horsford solicited recommendations from expert witnesses about how the Opportunity Zone program can strengthen accountability and improve outcomes for the communities it serves. In response, Jessica Lucas-Judy, Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Government Accountability Office, stressed the importance of clear goals and reporting requirements for Opportunity Zone investments.
In further remarks, Congressman Horsford pointed to a 2020 report from the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation that identified Opportunity Zones as a driver of gentrification in communities of color. As Congress works to improve the Opportunity Zone program, Congressman Horsford will focus on how the program can address racial inequities and expand job training and housing affordability in low-income communities. To view a full video of Congressman Horsford's statement and questions from today's hearing, click here.