{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where state = \"WA\" and year = 2015 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["http://reichert.house.gov/press-release/rep-reichert-named-one-most-effective-members-congress", "Rep. Reichert Named One of the Most Effective Members of Congress", "2015-12-31", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WA", "Dave Reichert", "R000578", "reichert.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Recently, the University of Virginias and Vanderbilt Universitys Legislative Effectiveness Project ranked U.S. Congressman Dave Reichert as one of the most effective Members of Congress between 2013 and 2014. Specifically, Rep. Reichert earned the second-highest score among Washington State lawmakers after Rep. Doc Hastings who is now retired, ranking 27th among Republicans, and 28th among all 435 House members.\nThis past year, Rep. Reichert has built upon his achievements from previous congressional terms and has continued to focus his efforts on growing jobs in Washington, enabling Americans to keep more of their hard earned dollars, and keeping our communities safe.\nHere are some of the highlights from 2015:\n Named Chairman of the Trade Subcommittee: Rep. Reichert was given the opportunity to lead the Ways and Means Committee, Subcommittee on Trade and champion some of the issues that have the greatest impact on Washingtonians.\nThroughout the year, Rep. Reichert also continued to supporttrade in Washington by fighting for the reauthorization of the Ex-Im Bank and serving as the lead advocate in Congress to resolve the West Coast Ports dispute. He is also a member of the President's Export Council.\n Served as Chairman of the Tax Subcommittee: Prior to being named as Chairman of the Trade Subcommittee, Rep. Reichert chaired the Subcommittee on Tax Policy, where he focused on reforming the tax code to make it work better for American workers, families and businesses. Now as the Chairman Emeritus and second in seniority, he will continue reforming the outdated tax code.\n Named Conferee to Customs and Highway Conference Negotiations: With a bipartisan, bicameral group of colleagues, Rep. Reichert worked to negotiate two important bills for the American people. This years Highway Bill is the first long term highway bill in a decade, giving states the certainty they need to invest in long-term infrastructure projects.The Highway Bill also included Rep. Reicherts language advising states to strengthen laws regarding secured loads to increase public safety. As a Customs Bill conferee, he worked with his colleagues to negotiate a bill that will strengthen enforcement of our trade laws and increase opportunities for our businesses here at home.\n Launched the Law Enforcement Task Force: Earlier this year, Rep. Reichert launched a task force aimed at opening conversations between members of law enforcement and the communities they serve throughout the country. This task force will explore and identify opportunities for communities and law enforcement to build upon mutual respect for one another and increase civility in our nation.\n Launched the Congressional Freight Caucus: This past October, Rep. Reichert launched the bipartisan Congressional Freight Caucus in an effort to raise awareness about the need to expand the nations freight infrastructure and improve the movement of goods. This issue is especially important to Washington State, where our freight systems support 1.5 million jobs and produce $129 billion in annual revenue.\nSponsored Legislation Passed into Law:\n H.R. 1269 (P.L. 114-12): The Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu National Blue Alert Act was signed into law on May 19th and creates a nationwide alert system to apprehend violent criminals who have seriously injured, killed, or made an imminent or credible threat to cause serious harm to a law enforcement officer.\n H.R. 2146 (P.L. 114-26): The Defending Public Safety Employees Retirement Act ensures fairness for federal public safety officials by allowing them to access retirement savings at the age of 50 after 20 years of service without the application of the 10% penalty. This is the same treatment state and local public safety officers receive.\n H.R. 1892 (P.L. 114-27): The Trade Adjustment Assistance Reauthorization Act provides temporary assistance, including training, to American workers who have been impacted by international trade.\nThe following bills Rep. Reichert sponsored were enacted as part of the FY2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L. 114-113), which was recently signed into law on December 18th.\n H.R. 629, The Permanent S Corporation Built-in Gain Recognition Period Act of 2015: This bill makes permanent an important provision that supports our small businesses in doing what they do best  creating jobs and strengthening our local economies. Specifically, it allows S Corporations greater access to their own capital, so they can grow, reinvest, and hire by reducing the time they must hold certain assets after changing to a S Corporation from a C Corporation.\n H.R. 630, Permanent S Corporation Charitable Contribution Act of 2015: This bill makes permanent a rule ensuring consistent treatment of charitable contributions for S Corporation shareholders, thereby providing certainty and encouraging charitable giving.\n H.R. 869: This legislation ensures that public employees in Washington State including school teachers, utility district workers, and many others, are able to enjoy the fruits of their labor and pass on medical benefits earned over years of service to their families and loved ones.\n H.R. 2940, Educator Tax Relief Act: This bill makes permanent the educator tax deduction, which allows teachers to deduct the cost of classroom supplies and professional development expenses up to $250. Just like companies can deduct certain business expenses, teachers should be able to deduct the amount of their own hard-earned dollars they put into making classrooms the best learning environment they can for our kids and grandkids.\n H.Amdt.271, to increase funding for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program by $100 million: This amendment, which passed the House on June 2nd and was included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act , provides funding to help local police departments meet their hiring needs to ensure our communities have enough cops on the street to keep us safe.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=953433ca-dba4-46a1-adbc-256d0a4bc7fb", "Sen. Murray & Rep. Larsen Applaud Department of Navy Decision to Keep Whidbey Island WIC Office Open", "2015-12-31", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Patty Murray", "M001111", "www.murray.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "For months, Murray and Larsen urgedtheDepartment of the Navyto reconsider closure of WIC office, calling closure unacceptable\r\n\r\nWIC office will continue to serve close to 700 people connected to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island\r\n\r\n(Washington, D.C.) Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Congressman Rick Larsen (D-WA) applaudednews from the Department of Navy, which reversed its decision to close the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) office at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island (NASWI). The WIC officehas been offered the opportunity to operate under a five-year lease directed by the Secretary of the Navy, without paying exorbitant building lease fees. Close to 700 people connected to NASWI use the servicesatthe WIC office, which offers supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for pregnant women, infants, and children up to age five.\r\n\r\nThe announcement that this vital assistance wont be shut down is great news for hundreds of servicemembers and military families who rely on this program to give their children a healthy start, Senator Murraysaid.I was proud to fight for this decision to be reversed for the military community that sacrifices so much for their country. Making sure our military families have the support they need to put food on the table is the least we should be doing, and this WIC office is an important part of making that happen for so many people in the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island community.\r\n\r\n\"I am glad that the Navy has come to this common sense decision. Community Action provides critical services in Skagit and Island Counties, including WIC, and I am pleased that military families will continue to have access to these nutrition programs on the base,\"Congressman Larsensaid. \"As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I will continue to fight for military families. Those who sacrifice for our country should not have to worry about whether they can afford their next meal.\" \r\n\"On behalf of the Navy WIC families we serve, Community Action owes a debt of gratitude to Senator Murray and Congressman Larsen for their steadfast support of young military families, and the way they have prioritized providing young children the best start possible,\" Bill Henkel, Executive Directorsaid. \"We also appreciate the leadership and our partners at NAS Whidbey Island for continuing to welcome us there. After serving Navy families on base for over 27 years we look forward to continuing to provide accessible support and services to our militarys families.\"\r\n\r\nThis springSenator Murrayand Congressman Larsen both wrote letters to Defense Secretary Ashton Carter asking for a reversal in the decision. In October, Murray and Larsen sent a second letter to Secretary Carter, urging him again to avoid closing the WIC office.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://delbene.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/best-of-2015-devilish-dealing-in-washington-s-wilderness-expansion", "Best of 2015: Devilish dealing in Washingtons wilderness expansion", "2015-12-24", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Suzan DelBene", "D000617", "delbene.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Join me in Skagit County! \r\n            November 14, 2017  \r\n            Dear Friend, As your representative in Congress, one of the most important aspects of my job is to stay informed of the thoughts and opinions of my constituents, and I appreciate the time you take to share them with me. Thats why Im hosting a series of community forums in Skagit County on Saturday, November 18. I wil...\r\n            Read More", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://reichert.house.gov/press-release/rep-reicherts-statement-states-early-release-prisoners", "Rep. Reichert's Statement on State's Early Release of Prisoners", "2015-12-23", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WA", "Dave Reichert", "R000578", "reichert.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congressman Dave Reichert (R-WA) made the following statement in response to Gov. Jay Inslee's announcement that the Washington State Department of Corrections has mistakenly released thousands of prisoners early over the past thirteen years: Yesterdays news of yet another mishap by the Department of Corrections is as disturbing as it is infuriating. Over the past several months I have heard from folks throughout Washington state who are deeply concerned and baffled by the decisions coming out of Olympia.\nOver the summer I was notified by victims of one of the most heinous crimes in Washingtons history that the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board was considering the early release of Timothy Pauley, a man serving three life sentences for a triple homicide in 1980. As one of the detectives who carried the bodies of his victims out of the building where he and his accomplice tortured and killed three people and left two more for dead, I can attest to it being one of the worst crime scenes weve ever processed. Unfortunately, it appears the ISRB believes 35 years in prison will suffice for the three life sentences he was given.\nNumerous people including victims, lawyers, and King County Prosecuting Attorney, Dan Satterberg have called into question the method used to calculate Pauleys minimum sentence. We now know it is not only Pauleys sentence but thousands of others that have been miscalculated by the DOC. Ultimately those questions were ignored, and the ISRB is moving forward with a hearing on Pauleys release on January 5th, less than two weeks from today. Whats worse, Pauleys victims and their families were given little-to-no notice of previous hearings or decisions, and the Governor has refused to meet with them.\nWe also learned this summer that the DOC, again without notifying the victims families, moved the Green River Killer, Gary Ridgway from isolation in the Walla Walla State Penitentiary to a prison in Colorado where he would be able to mingle with the general population. Only after public outcry was the most prolific serial killer in U.S. history returned to solitary confinement in Washington. In total, the move cost taxpayers $40,000.\nNow we have been told that the DOC has been miscalculating sentences for 13 years. Even more upsetting is that they have known about the error since 2012 and, until yesterday, have not bothered to address it or inform victims, law enforcement or the public. This is unacceptable. Our communities and the first responders dedicated to protecting them deserve better. We need to know who these 3,200 criminals are; what crimes they were convicted of and ultimately granted early release for; and exactly how the state is going to ensure this mass injustice is resolved.\nYesterdays announcement and the recent actions of the DOC are not isolated incidents; they are part of a much larger problem. In the eyes of the state, victims of crimes and their families are taking a back seat to the criminals who have caused them so much pain. The DOC, through its incompetence and the decisions by its ISRB, has shown it is more interested in reducing the sentences lawfully handed down by judges than ensuring justice is served.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-statement-uss-nimitz-homeporting-decision", "Larsen Statement On USS Nimitz Homeporting Decision", "2015-12-22", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Rick Larsen", "L000560", "larsen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, released the following statement today after the U.S. Navy announced that the USS Nimitz will remain homeported in Bremerton until two ship maintenance periods are completed.\nWhile I am deeply disappointed in the Navys decision not to homeport the USS Nimitz at Naval Station Everett again until 2019, I remain as committed as ever to the base and its sailors and families.\nNaval Station Everett is a strategically situated deep water port that offers the Navy unique and valuable access to the Pacific Ocean, a critical asset as our country increasingly engages in the Asia-Pacific region. The base also provides sailors and their families with a high quality of life, which led to its nickname of the Sailors Choice.\nThroughout my time in Congress I have worked hard to strengthen the base, and I will continue my efforts with leaders in our local communities and in the Navy to ensure Naval Station Everett remains one of our countrys preeminent naval assets for our carrier fleet, Larsen said.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://delbene.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delbene-statement-on-bipartisan-passage-of-omnibus-bill", "DelBene Statement on Bipartisan Passage of Omnibus Bill", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Suzan DelBene", "D000617", "delbene.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Join me in Skagit County! \r\n            November 14, 2017  \r\n            Dear Friend, As your representative in Congress, one of the most important aspects of my job is to stay informed of the thoughts and opinions of my constituents, and I appreciate the time you take to share them with me. Thats why Im hosting a series of community forums in Skagit County on Saturday, November 18. I wil...\r\n            Read More", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://dennyheck.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/heck-statement-on-omnibus-appropriations-act-and-tax-extenders-package", "Heck Statement on Omnibus Appropriations Act and Tax Extenders Package", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Denny Heck", "H001064", "dennyheck.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Below is a statement from Congressman Denny Heck (WA-10) following the vote on Consolidated Appropriations, or Omnibus, which passed the House of Representatives today by a vote of 316-113 as House Amendment #1 to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 2029:\nThe funding levels within this legislation are reasonable, were reached through bipartisan collaboration, and most importantly, avoid a return to irresponsible sequestration cuts. What is best for our economy, and for Joint Base Lewis-McChord, are spending levels that ensure we can make progress in our defense, disease prevention and research, education, environment, and numerous other priorities. \nI was pleased to see that many unpopular policy riders were not included in the final package, with the exception of the lift on the oil export ban which I oppose. However I am encouraged to see the funding allocated for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, preserving its viability and effectively bringing it back after its authority lapsed last September. \nLooking forward to next year, we need to have a more open process, pass separate appropriations bills with bipartisan support and continue common sense compromise on both sides.\nThe Fiscal Year 2016 Omnibus Appropriations Act provides for $1.067 trillion in base discretionary budget authority, pursuant to the two-year budget agreement enacted on November 2015, including $548.1 billion in base defense spending and $518.5 billion in base non-defense spending. Additionally, the bill provides $73.7 billion for the Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) funding.\nBelow is a statement from Congressman Denny Heck (WA-10) following the vote on the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015, which passed yesterday as the Amendment #2 to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 2029 by a vote of 318-109:\nTime to put away the pencils and get out the ink to make the state and local sales tax deduction permanent. The hard-working taxpayers of Washington deserve tax equity with taxpayers in other states that enjoy deductions for their state income taxes. Overall, common sense tax deductions allow working Americans to predict their tax burden so they can plan accordingly.\nThe measure makes the following tax credits permanent starting with 2015 returns: state and local sales tax deductions for states without income taxes, the child tax credit, the Earned Income Tax Credit, the American Opportunity Tax Credit for college expenses, various charitable tax provisions, deductions for teachers out-of-pocket expenses, research and development tax credit, and Section 179 capital expensing for businesses.\nThe measure also includes key renewable energy tax credit extensions for wind and solar projects.\nAccording to 2012 IRS data, total amount claimed in Washington for the state and local general sales taxes itemized deduction category was $1.952 billion. The average deduction per Washington filer in 2012 was $602. The deduction claim rate in Washington was 27.7%, the highest among all states with limited or no income tax. To receive the deduction, taxpayers can add up the total amount of the general sales taxes paid on their sales receipts, or use state tables created by the Treasury Department and deduct additional sales taxes paid for the purchases of motor vehicles, boats and other major items.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-hails-environmental-and-clean-energy-wins-spending-bill", "Larsen Hails Environmental And Clean Energy Wins In Spending Bill", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Rick Larsen", "L000560", "larsen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today voted in favor of a bipartisan spending bill that makes major investments in the environment and clean energy, as well as other investments in jobs and opportunity for which he has long advocated. The FY2016 Omnibus Appropriations Act provides funding for all federal agencies through September 2016, in line with the bipartisan budget agreement that Congress passed in October.\nIn today's world of political extremes, it is sometimes hard to see the work of legislative compromise actually happen. More often than not, Congress produces legislation that is an all or nothing affair. But legislating as our countrys founders envisioned requires compromise, when both parties of a negotiation get some of the things they want and lose some of the things they want. That is how citizens expect Congress to operate  to find solutions that, on balance, advance the priorities of the American people.\nAnd that is how the Democratic leadership operated with the spending bill that I voted for and Congress passed today, by negotiating hard and successfully to secure landmark victories for our environment and for our growing clean energy economy.\nThe Land and Water Conservation Fund is back in action with a nearly 50 percent funding boost. This hugely successful conservation fund has helped preserve open spaces throughout the Pacific Northwest for 50 years. Communities can once again rely on the fund to protect public lands and waters like Ebeys Reserve, Chuckanut Bay and the Wild Sky Wilderness.\nThe iconic Northwest salmon serves as an important cultural symbol and environmental linchpin. That is why I pushed to invest in the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund, which has successfully supported improvements to hundreds of thousands of acres of salmon habitat. I am pleased that the fund will continue to restore critical salmon habitat in the coming year.\nNorthwest Washington is already a leader when it comes to renewable energy, and provisions in this bill will propel us forward with major investments in solar and wind technology. Following the historic climate change agreement in Paris, our country must take action to lead the way on renewable energy. We made a big down payment today for a clean energy economy and jobs.\nI understand some people are unhappy about lifting the ban on crude oil exports. I would rather see the ban stay in place too. But the many victories for our environment and clean energy in this bill illustrate the hard work of legislative compromise, Larsen said.\nHighlights of the Omnibus Appropriations Act for Northwest Washington\nA full summary of the bill is available here.\nProtecting the Environment and Creating a Clean Energy Economy\n Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF): $450 million, an increase of $144 million over FY2015 levels. Congress let the LWCF expire earlier this year, and Larsen has pushed to reauthorize the successful conservation program. The omnibus authorizes the program for three years.\n\tPacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund: $65 million, which is the funding level that Larsen requested. He has led efforts to secure funding for this critical habitat restoration program.\n\tEnergy Efficiency & Renewable Energy: $2.1 billion, which is $136 million more than FY2015 levels. This office leads federal efforts to develop and advance clean energy technology.\n\tAdvanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E): $291 million, which is $11 million more than FY2015 levels. ARPA-E provides funding and assistance for emerging clean energy technology ideas.\n\tInvestment Tax Credit: Extends this tax credit for solar installations for an additional five years, with a gradual decrease of the credit over that time frame.\n\tProduction Tax Credit: Extends this tax credit for wind production for five years, with a gradual decrease of the credit over that time frame.\n\tU.S. Army Corps of Engineers: $6 billion, which is $535 million more than FY2015 levels. Of these funds, $1.2 billion is for Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund projects.\n Investing in Our Transportation Infrastructure\n Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program: $500 million. TIGER grants fund major transportation investment projects. The bill also includes language reminding the Secretary of Transportation to consider worthy transportation projects in suburban areas, which is similar to a bill that Larsen introduced called TIGER CUBS to modify the program to direct more of these funds to small and mid-sized cities like those throughout Northwest Washington.\n Supporting Small Business Job Growth\n State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) program: $18 million. The STEP program helps small businesses trying to overcome hurdles to exporting. Larsen and Rep. Dave Reichert, WA-08, introduced a bill to reauthorize STEP. Larsen requested continued STEP funding in the Consolidated Appropriations Act.\n Investing in Education and Training\n Impact Aid: $1.3 billion, which is an increase of $23 million from 2015 Impact Aid provides payments to school districts that serve large numbers of military families and Indian tribes, including La Conner, Marysville and Oak Harbor. Larsen has long championed Impact Aid in Congress and pushed successfully to improve the program in the education reform bill that Congress passed earlier this month.\n\tPell Grants: $22.5 billion. Pell Grants help students with financial need attend college. The bill also increases the maximum Pell Grant award by $140 to $5,915.\n\tHead Start: $9.2 billion, which is $570 million more than the FY2015 level. Larsen asked for full funding for Head Start in FY2016 to support the centers in Northwest Washington that give our youngest students the opportunity to get ready for kindergarten and lifelong learning.\n\tChild Care Development Block Grant: $2.8 billion, which is $326 million more than FY2015 levels.\n\tCorporation for National and Community Service: $1.1 billion, an increase of $40 million over FY2015 levels. CNCS supports service programs like AmeriCorps, including those in Northwest Washington.\n\tWorkforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs: $2.7 billion, which is an $86 million increase over FY2015 levels. WIOA is the largest source of federal funding for job training and adult education. Larsen voted for WIOA last year.\n Investing in Healthy and Safe Communities\n Local law enforcement support\n\t\tByrne-JAG grants: $347.1 million.\n\t\t\tCOPS: $212 million.\n\t\t\n\tViolence Against Women Act programs: $480 million, which is $50 million more than FY2015 levels. Larsen helped lead efforts to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act in 2013.\n\tLegal Services Corporation (LSC): $385 million, which is a $10 million increase over FY2015 levels. LSC provides legal assistance to people who may not otherwise be able to afford it.\n\tNational Institutes of Health (NIH): $32.1 billion, a $2 billion increase over FY2015 levels. The NIH funds life-saving medical research at research hospitals and universities, including in the Puget Sound.\n\tCommunity Development Block Grants: $3 billion.\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://reichert.house.gov/press-release/rep-reichert-votes-keep-government-running", "Rep. Reichert Votes to Keep Government Running", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WA", "Dave Reichert", "R000578", "reichert.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  Today Congressman Dave Reichert (R-WA) made the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Omnibus Appropriations Bill, which will fund the government through Fiscal Year 2016.\nI am proud that today the House came together to vote on bipartisan legislation that will keep our government up and running, ensuring that our military has the resources it needs to protect our national security and that our seniors are cared for. With this bill, Washingtonians also secured some important wins, including preventing significant harmful tariffs from being placed on our high-quality goods, like apples and cherries, and the reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. It also boosts funding for the National Institutes of Health which supports researchers in our state who are working to find new treatments and cures for cancer and other diseases. Additionally, under this funding bill, the COPS Hiring Program, an initiative I have consistently fought for, will be restored so that local law enforcement agencies can adequately staff their departments in order to keep our cities and neighborhoods safe. With the certainty that the government will remain funded through September 2016, Congress can now return in the new year with a renewed focus on making the country safer, stronger, and better for all Americans.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.cantwell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=5952a70e-2979-415e-8525-587bfe3b5c22", "Cantwell Statement on Government Spending Bill", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Maria Cantwell", "C000127", "www.cantwell.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.18.15\n    \t\t\t Cantwell Statement on Government Spending Bill \n    \t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n    \t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  After the Senate voted today to approve the government spending bill, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) released the following statement:\r\nThis bill represents the bipartisan action the American people want from their elected officials. While the bill isnt perfect and there is still work to do on key priorities, we were able to achieve several substantive victories for Washington state from the required labeling of genetically engineered salmon to a permanent extension of state and local sales tax deductions.\r\nThe below provisions are included in todays spending bill:\r\nState and Local Sales Tax Deduction - After numerous extensions of the state and local sales tax deduction over the past decade, Washingtonians now will no longer face ambiguity on the status of their deductions. The tax extenders package includes Senator Cantwells bill to permanently extend the state and local sales tax deduction providing fairness for taxpayers in states that dont have an income tax. In 2012, some 900,000 Washington state residents took advantage of the state sales tax deduction, reducing their taxable income by $1.9 billion for an average savings of $602.\r\nFunding for Firefighting, Wildland Fire Suppression and Research  The omnibus includes increases in the fire accounts for research, suppression, and treatment of hazardous fuels, such that the Forest Service will now have $1.62 billion for fire suppression  which would have covered this years expensive fire season. The omnibus also includes over $600 million of additional money to the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior for firefighting. This is more than a 50 percent increase over what was in last years budget.\r\nMandatory Frankenfish Labeling - With the Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) decision to approve genetically engineered (GE) salmon, the omnibus spending bill includes a Murkowski provision pushed by Senator Cantwell to require the FDA to layout guidelines for the mandatory labeling of GE salmon and prevents interstate commerce for GE salmon prior to the FDA publishing said guidelines. GE salmon grow much faster than wild salmon and their potential biological impacts on wild salmon populations are unknown. Without this provision, the FDA would not require labeling of GE salmon, leaving consumers in the dark about what they are buying. \r\nSupporting American Pollock Fishermen  Included in the omnibus spending bill is Senator Cantwells bill to change the market name of Alaska pollock to pollock. The bill will legally change the acceptable market name and outlaw pollock harvested in Russia from being passed off as Alaska pollock in the supermarket. In 2012, 113 million pounds of Russian pollockwhich is less sustainable and lower quality than pollock from Alaskan fisherieswas sold to U.S. consumers as Alaska pollock. \r\nLow Income Housing Tax Credit - Taking aim at growing homelessness in Washington state and across the country, the Improving the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Rate Act will make permanent Cantwells plan to fix low-income housing tax creditsa program that issues tax credits to states to help attract private investment in affordable housing projects. The fix will permanently extend the credit rates to 9 percent of eligible costs on new constructionending an era where variable rates and lack of funding certainty made financing of affordable housing less predictable.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.cantwell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=8d52e9d9-3512-4099-bd09-f8d981f648df", "Identifying, Stopping Terrorists Seeking to Enter U.S. is Aim of Cantwell, Collins Bill", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Maria Cantwell", "C000127", "www.cantwell.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.18.15\n    \t\t\t Identifying, Stopping Terrorists Seeking to Enter U.S. is Aim of Cantwell, Collins Bill \n    \t\t\t\n    \t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n    \t\t\t\t Senators legislation would help expand U.S. security presence at foreign airports, authorize pilot program for biometric security technology\n    \t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n    \t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Susan Collins (R-ME) today announced introduction of the Travel Facilitation and Safety Act of 2015a bipartisan bill that aims to identify and stop terrorists seeking to enter the United States. The legislation would expand U.S. pre-clearance operations in foreign countries and foreign airportsenabling U.S. government personnel to conduct immigration, customs, and agriculture inspections before travelers depart for the United States.\r\nThese pre-clearance measures would not only improve security, but also make international travel more efficient.\r\nThe bill would also require the Director of National Intelligence to set up a process to ensure biographic and biometric information about known or suspected terrorists derived from the U.S.-held terrorism databases is shared with visa waiver partner countries. It would also require the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security to consider whether those visa waiver countries are using this information for border protection and immigration screening as part of the criteria necessary to remain eligible for the U.S. visa waiver program.\r\nAt a time when we face growing threats from abroad we need to use every tool at our disposal to keep Americans safe, said Cantwell, the top Democrat on the Senate Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security. By expanding the presence of U.S. security officials at foreign airports, this legislation would boost our ability to stop individuals who would do harm before they cross our borders.\r\nThis bipartisan legislation aims to accelerate and expand the existing and successful program that allows immigration officials to fully vet the biographic and biometric information of passengers and deny, as appropriate, entry into the United States before a person boards an aircraft destined for the United States, said Senator Collins. Equally important, this bill will ensure that biographic and biometric information derived from U.S. terrorism databases are used by Visa Waiver countries in their screening of refugees and asylum-seekers to prevent terrorists known to the United States from sneaking into Europe via the migrant paths that have emerged from Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan.\r\nThe bill would also encourage all U.S. visa waiver partner countries38 countries across the globe including 30 in Europeto work with the U.S. to set up pre-clearance operations, as well as authorize pilot programs to test emerging biometric technologies used to confirm travelers identities.\r\nCurrently, the U.S. has preclearance operations at 15 foreign airports in six different countries, in addition to a pre-inspection facility in Victoria, Canada for passenger and vehicle ferry traffic. The U.S. is currently in negotiations to set up 10 more pre-clearance facilities in nine foreign countries. \r\nFurther, the bill requires the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security to consider whether those visa waiver countries are using the biographic and biometric information for border protection and immigration screening as part of the criteria necessary to remain eligible for the U.S. visa waiver program.\r\nEarlier this year, Cantwell and Collins called for additional scrutiny of the visa waiver program which allows citizens from 38 participating countries to travel to the U.S. without a visa for 90 days or less.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.cantwell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=e6899fd8-16de-42ac-8021-b7e166c09d80", "Cantwell Secures Major Reforms in Coast Guard Reauthorization Bill", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Maria Cantwell", "C000127", "www.cantwell.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.18.15\n    \t\t\t Cantwell Secures Major Reforms in Coast Guard Reauthorization Bill  \n    \t\t\t\n    \t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n    \t\t\t\t Bill will provide additional support for disabled Coast Guard service members, increases maternity leave\n    \t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n    \t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) has secured major reforms within the United States Coast Guard as part of the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act of 2015  a bill reauthorizing funding for the Coast Guard through fiscal year 2017. Cantwells reforms include expanding the Combat Related Special Compensation program and updating the Coast Guards maternity leave policies. The bill will now head to the House for consideration and likely be signed into law before the end of the year.\r\nThe Coast Guard bill also authorizes funding for all Coast Guard activities, including search and rescue missions and operational support for maritime national security. The Coast Guard has a personnel force of 43,000 Active Duty and Reserve members including 2,047 active duty members and 440 Coast Guard reservists in Washington state.\r\nThis bill provides the Coast Guard with the tools it needs to protect our nation and keep our waterways secure. The key reforms in this bill will ensure Coast Guard members receive the same benefits as other branches of our military when it comes to maternity leave and injury compensation for our veterans, said Senator Cantwell. By tripling maternity leave for Coast Guard women, we establish a valuable retention tool to help the Coast Guard invest in women and their families. And expanding Combat Related Special Compensation, another priority for Washington state veterans, ensures disabled Coast Guard veterans receive all the benefits they deserve.\r\nCoast Guard Maternity Leave\r\nCoast Guard service members currently receive 6 weeks of maternity leave, which is 12 weeks less than their counterparts in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Senator Cantwells amendment would require the Coast Guard to ensure parity between Coast Guard parental leave and parental leave policies in the U.S. Navy  tripling the current amount of maternity leave for women serving our country in the Coast Guard from 6 weeks to 18 weeks. Senator Cantwell also wrote a letter to the Commandant of the Coast Guard, calling on him to use his existing authority to expand maternity leave earlier this year.\r\nIn a recent report  The Economics of Paid and Unpaid Leave  the White Houses Council of Economic Advisers found that extended maternity leave polices improve the health of mothers and children, while improving the retention of talented women in the workforce. Along with a growing number of private sector companies, the U.S. Navy recently announced important new policy that triples maternity leave to 18-weeks for all active duty women serving in the United States Navy and the Marine Corps.\r\nCombat Related Special Compensation\r\nThe Combat Related Special Compensation program provides post service financial benefits for service members with disabilities from injuries sustained from activities during active duty service. Senator Cantwells amendment would ensure retired disabled Coast Guard service members are able to receive the same Combat-Related Special Compensation benefits as other services.\r\nCongress originally created the Combat Related Special Compensation Program in 2002 for Purple Heart recipients. The program was later expanded in 2004 and 2008 to include all retirees with combat-related disabilities and expand eligibility to injuries sustained from armed conflict, hazardous service and certain types of training. Over the last year, Senator Cantwell met with members of the Coast Guard who met the criteria for Combat Related Special Compensation, but were denied simply because they were members of the Coast Guard, and not serving in the Navy, Army, Marines or Air Force. Senator Cantwells reforms ensure Coast Guard service members are covered.\r\nIcebreakers\r\nAlso included in the bill is a Cantwell-authored provision authorizing $14 million over the next two years for design of a new icebreaker.\r\nWhile this is a good first step toward new icebreakers, we need a full commitment from President Obama on new icebreaker acquisition and a national Arctic strategy in the next budget request, added Cantwell.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1527", "DelBene Statement on Bipartisan Passage of Omnibus Bill", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Suzan DelBene", "D000617", "delbene.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "DelBene Statement on Bipartisan Passage of Omnibus Bill \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington, DC,\r\n        December 18, 2015\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n        WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) issued the following statement after supporting the omnibus appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2016, which passed in the House of Representatives on a 316-113 vote:\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      \r\t\r\t\t\r\t\t\t\r\t\t\t\t\r\t\t\t\t\t Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) issued the following statement after supporting the omnibus appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2016, which passed in the House of Representatives on a 316-113 vote:\r\r\t\t\t\t\tI am pleased that some of the critical investments I have fought for were included in this compromise, such as increased funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and a delay in the Cadillac Tax', DelBene said. I voted for this bill because these strategic investments will help support hundreds of thousands of jobs and contribute tens of billions of dollars to our economy, benefiting families and businesses in Washington state and around the nation.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tUnfortunately, negotiators took advantage of this must-pass legislation by adding some regrettable measures into the appropriations process that weaken privacy protection  something I care deeply about. I plan to continue the fight to protect Americans' right to privacy, and will work with my colleagues to keep government from circumventing the Fourth Amendment when seeking access to innocent Americans' personal electronic communications. However, this bill replaces the damaging cuts of sequestration while allowing Congress to start fresh next year, potentially ending the cycle of governing from crisis to crisis, and providing the certainty that families and businesses desperately need.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tDelBene recently led more than 100 House members inurgingthe Appropriations Committee to provide NIH at least $32 billion in 2016, and she has repeatedly called on Congress to reauthorize LWCF  both of which were include in the omnibus.\r\r\t\t\t\t\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://herrerabeutler.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398668", "U.S. House Passes 2016 Funding Bill Containing Key Southwest Washington Priorities", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WA", "Jaime Herrera Beutler", "H001056", "herrerabeutler.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today the U.S. House of Representatives approved the fiscal year 2016 government funding bill that includes several Southwest Washington priorities championed by Jaime Herrera Beutler in her position on the U.S. House Appropriations Committee. \r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Today the U.S. House of Representatives approved the fiscal year 2016 government funding bill that includes several Southwest Washington priorities championed by Jaime Herrera Beutler in her position on the U.S. House Appropriations Committee. \r\n\r\nThis deal was far from perfect, but we had two options: support this agreement that had several strong wins for Southwest Washington communities, or reject it in favor of an autopilot spending extension that includes no reforms and cedes all spending control to this presidential administration, said Jaime. While there were certainly a number of tasks that were left undone, like putting a permanent halt to the EPAs attempt to regulate all ponds and ditches, I wont cease fighting for them when Congress reconvenes in January.  As a result of this bill, the Portland VA will be required to investigate and address staff turnover issues that have led to 30-plus day wait times for Southwest Washington veterans. Individuals and families here will be spared from the burden of some of the health care laws biggest tax increases. I fought to successfully include important safeguards against federal land acquisitions in Skamania County that dont have the support of the local community. Resources to fight and prevent wildfires were increased, which are so critical given the devastating wildfires that have hit our forests. \r\nSouthwest Washington priorities included in the bill: \r\nProtecting Americans from multiple onerous Affordable Care Act (ACA) taxes: \r\n \r\n    No ACA bailouts: The ACA requires certain insurance companies to pay into a risk pool to subsidize health insurance companies that incur deep losses. Under the ACA, if the amount paid into the pool is less than the amount paid out, the federal government is required to make up the difference. In 2015 the shortfall was approximately $2.5 billion. This bill makes sure taxpayers are not on the hook for billions of dollars in ACA bailouts.\r\n \r\n \r\n    Prevents Cadillac Plan tax hikes: The bill provides for a two-year freeze on a new tax the ACA would place on employers who offer certain premium health plans to their employees. Under current law, the 40 percent tax is set to take effect in 2018. This tax would hurt businesses, jobs and the economy. \r\n \r\n \r\n    Prevents Health Insurance tax hikes: The bill provides for a one-year freeze on a tax imposed on health insurers for calendar year 2017. The Health Insurance Tax is an annual fee charged to health insurance providers, that is passed onto consumers and patients through increased premiums. \r\n \r\nCuts funding from the Medicare Independent Payment Advisory Board: Doctors and patients agree that the unelected Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) could limit seniors access to health care. This bill cuts funding to IPAB by $15 million.\r\nIRS Accountability: The bill includes a prohibition Jaime fought for in the Appropriations process prohibiting the IRS from targeting taxpayers for their beliefs, including political ideology. It also bars the IRS from hiring former employees who failed to properly file their own taxes, and from using taxpayer dollars to make inappropriate videos or host expensive conferences  all actions revealed to have been carried out by the agency in recent years. Partially implements the Email Privacy Act: Jaime is a supporter of the Email Privacy Act that would bar federal agencies from obtaining individuals email, social media or electronic communication without a warrant. Through the Appropriations process, Jaime helped successfully place this requirement on the IRS, SEC and FTC. \r\nPreventing federal land acquisitions in Skamania County not supported by local community: This bill ensures Land and Water Conservation Fund dollars arent being used to acquire additional land in Skamania County without the explicit approval of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee on which Jaime sits, made up of electable and accountable Democrat and Republican representatives. 90% of Skamania County is publically owned, and for the last 20 years that land has produced minimal timber harvests. Only 2% is land that generates tax revenue or be can developed. This has resulted in severe economic hardships and forced Skamania to rely on meager federal welfare payments instead of local tax revenue to fund essential services.  This provision simply ensures that the Land and Water Conservation Fund is being used on popular projects supported by our local communities in Skamania County, which serves the original intent of LWCF and takes the severe economic conditions of this county into account, said Jaime.\r\nVisa Waiver Program: This bill cracks down on gaps in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) by making changes that help ensure individuals traveling to the US are not security risks. Individuals coming from a high risk area cannot have gaps in their background and be eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, thanks to this reform. \r\nVA Wait Time Report: Veterans in Southwest Washington are still being forced to wait longer than the national average to see a doctor. Between January and August of this year, the Portland VA, which includes the Vancouver clinic, hired 470 staff, lost 459 staff and 9.6% of veterans in Vancouver are still waiting over 30 days for an appointment. Jaime authored a legislative directive to tackle the high VA staff turnover rate contributing to 30-plus days wait for veterans seeking health care appointments. The VA is directed to collect data on the reasons medical providers choose to leave the VA system, and to provide to Congress its plan to address this problem.\r\nVA Medical Services: VA medical services are funded at $50 billion, an increase of $4.7 billion. This funding will allow VA to provide care and treatment for approximately 7 million veterans. This includes: $7.5 billion in mental health care services; $605 million for family caregivers of seriously injured veterans; $6.7 billion in homeless veterans treatment, services, housing, and job training; and $270 million in rural health initiatives.\r\nWildfire prevention:Wildfires have been increasing in severity over the past several years, damaging forests, threatening safety, and forcing the Forest Service to tap into its budget for other services and priorities. The bill includes $468.6 million for wildfire suppression activities and $170 million for hazardous fuel management. The bill also calls to prevent wildfires by reducing the fuel load and the prompt removal of dead or downed trees on federal land. This active management would reduce the threat to our communities. \r\nFederal Rail Administration Safety and Operations: Includes $199 million for the Federal Railroad Administration Rail Safety and Operations to improve the safety of grade crossing and the movement of crude oil. \r\nCommunity Development Block Grants protected for Southwest Washington cities: Jaime worked successfully to block changes proposed by the Obama Administration to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program that would favor large cities over cities like Longview and Battle Ground in obtaining these grants. Longview uses these funds for several community needs like supporting the Help Warehouse, the Lower Columbia Community Action Program that distributes food to people in need and making vital improvements to senior housing. \r\nPrenatal Screening Report: Included in the agreement was a Jaime-authored provision that requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other Health and Human Services agencies to report on how they ensure patients and providers understand the accuracy and limitations of Cell free DNA prenatal screenings that can produce inaccurate results up to 50% of the time. \r\nDredging and harbor maintenance: Jaime was able to secure $1.2 billion in harbor maintenance from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) with $48 million of the HMTF designated specifically for small ports like Ilwaco, Chinook and others along the Columbian River. The bill also provides over $30 million for maintenance on the mouth of the Columbia River, including critical jetty rehabilitation. \r\nHanford clean-up: The bill provides $2.34 billion for environmental cleanup at the Hanford Site, an 8.5% increase of $184 million over the previous years budget. It also restores funding to continue work at the Office of River Protection on a strategy to retrieve, treat and vitrify the waste currently in underground tanks.\r\nPayment In Lieu of Taxes (PILT): The bill includes $452 million for payments to counties with large portions of land owned by the federal government. These funds help offset the loss of property tax income that pays for education, emergency services, county road maintenance, and other critical services in Clark, Cowlitz, Klickitat, Lewis, Pacific, and Skamania Counties.\r\nContinued commitment to strong salmon recovery: The bill secures $65 million for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF), a program that provides critical funding for recovery and sustainability projects to improve wild salmon and steelhead habitats in Pacific Northwest. As of 2012, PCSRF funding has been applied to 260 fish enhancement projects in Southwest Washington and has restored over 7,100 miles of stream on the west coast for fish passage.\r\nThe restoration work done through PCSRF in part helps secure a future for recreational fishing in Washington state  an industry that as of 2011, contributed 5,100 jobs and $247 million in income for Washington residents, generated $654 million in local retail sales and contributed $390 million to the states gross domestic product.\r\nPollock Bill Language: The bill included Jaimes legislation barring Russian pollock from being marketed in the U.S. as Alaska pollock, protecting Southwest Washington fishermen and businesses from the economic harm caused by misleading labeling. \r\nLaw Enforcement: The Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program and the Byrne JAG programs provide vital support to law enforcement agencies across the country.They fund the hiring and training of law enforcement officers, prevention and education programs, treatment and correction programs, they help purchase and deploy new crime-fighting technologies, and develop and test innovative policing strategies.This bill includes $347.1 million for Byrne grants and $187 million for COPS.\r\nMaternal and Child Health Block Grants: Jaimes recently launched Congressional Maternity Care Caucus successfully restored the Senate proposed cuts to the Maternity and Child Health Block grants used to improve the health and well-being of mothers, infants and children, including those with special health care needs.\r\nAlzheimers Research: According to the Alzheimers Association, one in three seniors dies with Alzheimers or another dementia. This bill increases Alzheimers disease research funding at the National Institute of Health (NIH) significantly to $936 million. This is just over double what it was five years ago.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcmorris.house.gov/advisory-dec-19-23/", "ADVISORY: Dec 19-23", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WA", "Cathy McMorris Rodgers", "M001159", "mcmorris.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. McMorris Rodgers in Spokane, Walla Walla, and Colville\nWashington, DC Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) will hold open media events in Eastern Washington December 19-23. She will honor the retirement of Megan Clubb, CEO of Baker Boyer Bank, speak at the Spokane Valley Rotary Club, visit veterans at the Walla Walla rehab unit, and tour local charitable organizations who are helping those in need throughout Eastern Washington.\nIf you are interested in covering the following events, please RSVP to Ian Field(ian.field@mail.house.gov).\nOpen Media Events for Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers:\nSaturday, December 19\n11:00 amAward Presentation & Remarks: Daughters of the American Revolution Special Awards\nRep. McMorris Rodgers will give brief remarks and will present the Bronze Congressional Award for Youth, 2 National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Community Service and Historical Preservation Recognition Awards.\nLocation:  \n2117 East North Crescent Ave  \nSpokane, WA 99207-8400\nMonday, December 21 \n3:30 pm Remarks: Megan Clubb Retirement Event\nIn honor of her retirement, Rep. McMorris Rodgers will present a Congressional Record to Megan Clubb, CEO of Baker Boyer Bank.\nLocation:  \nBaker Boyer Bank  \n7 W Main Street  \nWalla Walla, WA 99362\n4:30 pm Visit & Tour: Walla Walla YWCA\nRep. McMorris Rodgers will tour the YWCA facilities including domestic violence shelter for women and children. She will also meet with YWCA staff and board members to discuss community influence, local support, and future plans.\nLocation:  \n213 South 1st Ave  \nWalla Walla, WA 99362\nTuesday December 22\n8:15 am Visit: Walla Walla Veterans Residential Rehab Unit\nRep. McMorris Rodgers will visit Veterans to show support and offer appreciation to those seeking care and spending the holidays in the substance abuse and mental health residential unit.\nLocation:  \n77 Wainwright Drive  \nWalla Walla, WA 99362\n12:00 pm Speaking: Spokane Valley Rotary Club\nRep. McMorris Rodgers will give remarks and answer questions at the Spokane Valley Rotary Club meeting.\nLocation:  \nDarcys in the University City Mall  \n10502 E. Sprague Ave  \nSpokane Valley, WA 99206\n3:00 pm Speaking: Celebration for Sheila Stalp and Karen Dodson\nRep. McMorris Rodgers will host an open house honoring the retirement of her congressional staff, Sheila Stalp and Karen Dodson.\nLocation:  \nThe Hub  \n231 West Elep Ave  \nColville, WA 99114\nWednesday December 23\n9:30 am Visit: Goodwill Supportive Services for Veterans Families (SSVF)\nRep. McMorris Rodgers will visit SSVF, a housing stability program serving veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Goodwill partners with Volunteers of America and Transitions to provide these intensive services to veterans and their families in Spokane County, Stevens County, Pend Oreille County, Kootenai County, Ferry County, Lincoln County and Bonner County. SSVF assists over 400 veterans each year.\nLocation:  \n130 E. 3rd Ave  \nSpokane, WA 99202\n10:45 am Visit: Christ Kitchen \nRep. McMorris Rodgers will visit Christ Kitchen, a job-training project providing work, instruction, discipleship, support, and fellowship for women living in poverty in the Spokane area. Through the production and sales of gourmet dried food products and catered meals, this project enables women to learn to work, to become employable and, eventually, to support themselves and their families without reliance on government programs or destructive relationships.\nLocation:  \n2410 N. Monroe St.  \nSpokane, WA 99205\n11:30 am Visit: Associated Industries\nRep. McMorris Rodgers will visit Associated Industries (AI) for a discussion about health care plans for people in Eastern Washington. AI administers health plans for six industries in WA: business services, construction, health care, information technology, manufacturing and retail. 1200 companies participate in their plans500 in Spokane.\nLocation:  \n1206 N. Lincoln St.  \nSpokane, WA 99201\n1:45 pm Award Presentation: Hero of Main Street\nRep. McMorris Rodgers will be presented the Hero of Main Street award by Rick OConner of Referee Photo and Mark Johnson of the Washington Retail Association.\nLocation:  \nThe Spokane Club  \n1002 W Riverside Ave  \nSpokane, WA 99201", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcmorris.house.gov/consolidated-appropriations-for-2016/", "Consolidated Appropriations for 2016", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WA", "Cathy McMorris Rodgers", "M001159", "mcmorris.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) praised Eastern Washington priorities in the consolidated appropriations bill to fund the federal government for the coming year. This bipartisan deal includes many initiatives McMorris Rodgers has led, including keeping communities safe from wildfires, stopping burdensome regulations, supporting rural counties, and investing in cures for diseases.\nOn Forests: Washington State experienced devastating fires in 2014 and 2015. For 2016, we secured the greatest investment in decades to fight fires and make our forests healthy, McMorris Rodgers said. I will continue to push for solutions to help firefighters and preserve healthier forests for generations to come.\nNote: McMorris Rodgers is leading an effort to improvethe way we manage forest health and protect rural communities from wildfires. Legislation she helped author passed the U.S. House this year. She has authored op-eds in The Spokesman-Review and The Seattle Times.\nOn Cures: Innovation and discovery should be accelerated; treatments should be quickly available; and we should be curing diseases here in the United States, McMorris Rodgers said. This agreement bolsters our investment in future cures and prioritizes cancer and Alzheimers research.\nNote: This deal supplies additional resources to for the National Institute of Health (NIH) to cure cancer and Alzheimers disease. NIH funding is used by researchers at Washington State University and the University of Washington. McMorris Rodgers authored six major provisions of the bipartisan 21st Century Cures package that passed the House earlier this year.\nThe agreement encourages the NIH to explore the molecular, cellular, and physiological mechanisms that predestine individuals born with a third copy of human chromosome 21 (trisomy 21) to either live withor be protected froma range of diseases that cause nearly 60 percent of deaths today in the U.S. The agreement requests that NIH submit a report within one year of enactment of this Act to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate on the feasibility of a multi-year study of children and adults with trisomy 21.\nOn Obamacare Regulations: In their current form, Obamacares menu labeling regulations are fundamentally impractical and unnecessarily expensive, McMorris Rodgers said. While our bipartisan legislative solution continues to advance through Congress, I am pleased that this unworkable rule will be delayed at least one year.\nNote: This deal delays by one year the flawed 400-page menu labeling rule from Obamacare. McMorris Rodgers authored bipartisan legislation to fix this regulation, it passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee in November. The deal also repeals broken Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) requirements that would hurt farmers and ranchers in Eastern Washington. \nOn Security: The men and women who serve in our military risk their lives to protect our freedom, and we must support them and their families, McMorris Rodgers said. I am honored to represent Fairchild Air Force Base and will continue doing everything I can to support the airmen, guard, and reserves who serve there.\nNote: This deal pays our troops and provides them with the resources and equipment they need to protect our national security and keep Americans safe. Additionally, the KC-46 Tanker modernization project funding is on track. \nOn 2016: Under the new leadership of Speaker Ryan, weve continued our work to return power to every family, worker, parent, and student with meaningful reforms to education, energy, transportation, and issues of national security  taking the government off autopilot and paving the way for a productive 2016, McMorris Rodgers said.\nWhile our work is far from finished, weve opened up the process and made great strides in promoting and advancing the American peoples priorities through their elected representatives. In 2016, we will continue opening this country to the future and empowering every man, woman, and child to pursue their version of the American dream, regardless of their background or walk of life.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-statement-central-washington-priorities-omnibus-passage", "Newhouse Statement on Central Washington Priorities in Omnibus Passage", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WA", "Dan Newhouse", "N000189", "newhouse.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse (R-WA), released the following statement after the House approved H.R. 2029, the Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act on a vote of 316-113. Yesterday, the House approved the tax relief provisions of the end-of-year agreement.\nWhile this bill is far from perfect, it advances Central Washingtons priorities, said Rep. Newhouse. It keeps the federal government accountable for meeting the legal and moral obligation to continue clean-up at Hanford.I fought hard to ensure thatthis bill contains critical resources to fully fund Hanford clean-up through the next fiscal year.\nAdditionally, this legislation provides a key repeal of the Country of Origin of Labeling (COOL) requirements. If COOL is not repealed, Washington farmers stand to face tens of millions of dollars inretaliatorytariffs by Mexico and Canada, causing severe economic harm to agriculture in our state.\nAfter yet another catastrophic wildfire season for Central Washington and the West, this legislation provides a much-needed 50-percent increase in wildfire response and prevention funding. It also includes resources for the reduction of hazardous fuels in national forests, with agencies directed to work with State and local governments to prioritize the prompt removal of dead and downed trees in drought-stricken regions.\nOver the last several weeks we have been confronted by the growing threat of terrorism at home and abroad, and this legislation provides vital funding for our military and intelligence community to ensure we can combat threats to our nation.I am also pleased this legislation provides new safeguards for our national security byreforming the visa waiver program to provide tighter screening for travel to the U.S. It also prohibits funding fortransfers of Guantanamo detainees to the U.S. or its territories, keeping them from our shores. We must provide necessary resources to secure the homeland and fight the global scourge of ISIS, and this bill gives our troops the critical tools they need to keep Americans safe.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-secures-major-reforms-in-coast-guard-reauthorization-bill", "Cantwell Secures Major Reforms in Coast Guard Reauthorization Bill", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Maria Cantwell", "C000127", "www.cantwell.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.18.15\n    \t\t\t Cantwell Secures Major Reforms in Coast Guard Reauthorization Bill  \n    \t\t\t\n    \t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n    \t\t\t\t Bill will provide additional support for disabled Coast Guard service members, increases maternity leave\n    \t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n    \t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) has secured major reforms within the United States Coast Guard as part of the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act of 2015 \u2013 a bill reauthorizing funding for the Coast Guard through fiscal year 2017. Cantwell\u2019s reforms include expanding the Combat Related Special Compensation program and updating the Coast Guard\u2019s maternity leave policies. The bill will now head to the House for consideration and likely be signed into law before the end of the year.\r\nThe Coast Guard bill also authorizes funding for all Coast Guard activities, including search and rescue missions and operational support for maritime national security. The Coast Guard has a personnel force of 43,000 Active Duty and Reserve members including 2,047 active duty members and 440 Coast Guard reservists in Washington state.\r\n\u201cThis bill provides the Coast Guard with the tools it needs to protect our nation and keep our waterways secure. The key reforms in this bill will ensure Coast Guard members receive the same benefits as other branches of our military when it comes to maternity leave and injury compensation for our veterans,\u201d said Senator Cantwell. \u201cBy tripling maternity leave for Coast Guard women, we establish a valuable retention tool to help the Coast Guard invest in women and their families.\u00a0 And expanding Combat Related Special Compensation, another priority for Washington state veterans, ensures disabled Coast Guard veterans receive all the benefits they deserve.\u201d\r\nCoast Guard Maternity Leave\r\nCoast Guard service members currently receive 6 weeks of maternity leave, which is 12 weeks less than their counterparts in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Senator Cantwell\u2019s amendment would require the Coast Guard to ensure parity between Coast Guard parental leave and parental leave policies in the U.S. Navy \u2013 tripling the current amount of maternity leave for women serving our country in the Coast Guard from 6 weeks to 18 weeks. Senator Cantwell also wrote a letter to the Commandant of the Coast Guard, calling on him to use his existing authority to expand maternity leave earlier this year.\r\nIn a recent report \u2013 The Economics of Paid and Unpaid Leave \u2013 the White House\u2019s Council of Economic Advisers found that extended maternity leave polices improve the health of mothers and children, while improving the retention of talented women in the workforce. Along with a growing number of private sector companies, the U.S. Navy recently announced important new policy that triples maternity leave to 18-weeks for all active duty women serving in the United States Navy and the Marine Corps.\r\nCombat Related Special Compensation\r\nThe Combat Related Special Compensation program provides post service financial benefits for service members with disabilities from injuries sustained from activities during active duty service. Senator Cantwell\u2019s amendment would ensure retired disabled Coast Guard service members are able to receive the same Combat-Related Special Compensation benefits as other services.\r\nCongress originally created the Combat Related Special Compensation Program in 2002 for Purple Heart recipients. The program was later expanded in 2004 and 2008 to include all retirees with combat-related disabilities and expand eligibility to injuries sustained from armed conflict, hazardous service and certain types of training.\u00a0 Over the last year, Senator Cantwell met with members of the Coast Guard who met the criteria for Combat Related Special Compensation, but were denied simply because they were members of the Coast Guard, and not serving in the Navy, Army, Marines or Air Force. Senator Cantwell\u2019s reforms ensure Coast Guard service members are covered.\r\nIcebreakers\r\nAlso included in the bill is a Cantwell-authored provision authorizing $14 million over the next two years for design of a new icebreaker.\r\n\u201cWhile this is a good first step toward new icebreakers, we need a full commitment from President Obama on new icebreaker acquisition and a national Arctic strategy in the next budget request,\u201d added Cantwell.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-statement-on-government-spending-bill", "Cantwell Statement on Government Spending Bill", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Maria Cantwell", "C000127", "www.cantwell.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.18.15\n    \t\t\t Cantwell Statement on Government Spending Bill \n    \t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n    \t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 After the Senate voted today to approve the government spending bill, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) released the following statement:\r\n\u201cThis bill represents the bipartisan action the American people want from their elected officials. While the bill isn\u2019t perfect and there is still work to do on key priorities, we were able to achieve several substantive victories for Washington state from the required labeling of genetically engineered salmon to a permanent extension of state and local sales tax deductions.\u201d\r\nThe below provisions are included in today\u2019s spending bill:\r\nState and Local Sales Tax Deduction - After numerous extensions of the state and local sales tax deduction over the past decade, Washingtonians now will no longer face ambiguity on the status of their deductions. The tax extenders package includes Senator Cantwell\u2019s bill to permanently extend the state and local sales tax deduction providing fairness for taxpayers in states that don\u2019t have an income tax. In 2012, some 900,000 Washington state residents took advantage of the state sales tax deduction, reducing their taxable income by $1.9 billion for an average savings of $602.\r\nFunding for Firefighting, Wildland Fire Suppression and Research \u2013 The omnibus includes increases in the fire accounts for research, suppression, and treatment of hazardous fuels, such that the Forest Service will now have $1.62 billion for fire suppression \u2013 which would have covered this year\u2019s expensive fire season. The omnibus also includes over $600 million of additional money to the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior for firefighting. This is more than a 50 percent increase over what was in last year\u2019s budget.\r\nMandatory Frankenfish Labeling - With the Food and Drug Administration\u2019s (FDA) decision to approve genetically engineered (GE) salmon, the omnibus spending bill includes a Murkowski provision pushed by Senator Cantwell to require the FDA to layout guidelines for the mandatory labeling of GE salmon and prevents interstate commerce for GE salmon prior to the FDA publishing said guidelines. GE salmon grow much faster than wild salmon and their potential biological impacts on wild salmon populations are unknown. Without this provision, the FDA would not require labeling of GE salmon, leaving consumers in the dark about what they are buying. \r\nSupporting American Pollock Fishermen \u2013 Included in the omnibus spending bill is Senator Cantwell\u2019s bill to change the market name of \u201cAlaska pollock\u201d to \u201cpollock.\u201d The bill will legally change the acceptable market name and outlaw pollock harvested in Russia from being passed off as \u201cAlaska pollock\u201d in the supermarket. In 2012, 113 million pounds of Russian pollock\u2014which is less sustainable and lower quality than pollock from Alaskan fisheries\u2014was sold to U.S. consumers as \u201cAlaska pollock.\u201d \r\nLow Income Housing Tax Credit - Taking aim at growing homelessness in Washington state and across the country, the Improving the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Rate Act will make permanent Cantwell\u2019s plan to fix low-income housing tax credits\u2014a program that issues tax credits to states to help attract private investment in affordable housing projects. The fix will permanently extend the credit rates to 9 percent of eligible costs on new construction\u2014ending an era where variable rates and lack of funding certainty made financing of affordable housing less predictable.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/identifying-stopping-terrorists-seeking-to-enter-us-is-aim-of-cantwell-collins-bill", "Identifying, Stopping Terrorists Seeking to Enter U.S. is Aim of Cantwell, Collins Bill", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Maria Cantwell", "C000127", "www.cantwell.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.18.15\n    \t\t\t Identifying, Stopping Terrorists Seeking to Enter U.S. is Aim of Cantwell, Collins Bill \n    \t\t\t\n    \t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n    \t\t\t\t Senators\u2019 legislation would help expand U.S. security presence at foreign airports, authorize pilot program for biometric security technology\n    \t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n    \t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Susan Collins (R-ME) today announced introduction of the Travel Facilitation and Safety Act of 2015\u2014a bipartisan bill that aims to identify and stop terrorists seeking to enter the United States. The legislation would expand U.S. pre-clearance operations in foreign countries and foreign airports\u2014enabling U.S. government personnel to conduct immigration, customs, and agriculture inspections before travelers depart for the United States.\r\nThese pre-clearance measures would not only improve security, but also make international travel more efficient.\r\nThe bill would also require the Director of National Intelligence to set up a process to ensure biographic and biometric information about known or suspected terrorists derived from the U.S.-held terrorism databases is shared with visa waiver partner countries. It would also require the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security to consider whether those visa waiver countries are using this information for border protection and immigration screening as part of the criteria necessary to remain eligible for the U.S. visa waiver program.\r\n\u201cAt a time when we face growing threats from abroad we need to use every tool at our disposal to keep Americans safe,\u201d said Cantwell, the top Democrat on the Senate Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security. \u201cBy expanding the presence of U.S. security officials at foreign airports, this legislation would boost our ability to stop individuals who would do harm before they cross our borders.\u201d\r\n\u201cThis bipartisan legislation aims to accelerate and expand the existing and successful program that allows immigration officials to fully vet the biographic and biometric information of passengers and deny, as appropriate, entry into the United States before a person boards an aircraft destined for the United States,\u201d said Senator Collins. \u201cEqually important, this bill will ensure that biographic and biometric information derived from U.S. terrorism databases are used by Visa Waiver countries in their screening of refugees and asylum-seekers to prevent terrorists known to the United States from sneaking into Europe via the migrant paths that have emerged from Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan.\u201d\r\nThe bill would also encourage all U.S. visa waiver partner countries\u201438 countries across the globe including 30 in Europe\u2014to work with the U.S. to set up pre-clearance operations, as well as authorize pilot programs to test emerging biometric technologies used to confirm travelers\u2019 identities.\r\nCurrently, the U.S. has preclearance operations at 15 foreign airports in six different countries, in addition to a pre-inspection facility in Victoria, Canada for passenger and vehicle ferry traffic. The U.S. is currently in negotiations to set up 10 more pre-clearance facilities in nine foreign countries. \r\nFurther, the bill requires the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security to consider whether those visa waiver countries are using the biographic and biometric information for border protection and immigration screening as part of the criteria necessary to remain eligible for the U.S. visa waiver program.\r\nEarlier this year, Cantwell and Collins called for additional scrutiny of the visa waiver program which allows citizens from 38 participating countries to travel to the U.S. without a visa for 90 days or less.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=0fb8c430-5046-4839-8f35-e48b81f9edc1", "Murray, Kilmer Secure Investment in Earthquake Early Warning System", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Patty Murray", "M001111", "www.murray.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Secured $5 million earlier this year to build out early earthquake warning system for the West Coast\r\n\r\nWorked to include more than $8 million in federal spending bill passing into law today\r\n\r\n(Washington, D.C.)  Today, Sen. Patty Murray and Rep. Derek Kilmer applauded the announcement that $8.2 million has been included in the 2016 Omnibus spending bill to help fund an early earthquake warning system. This system, being developed at the UW in partnership with other West Coast universities, could save lives and mitigate destruction in the event of a megaquake along the Cascadia subduction zone. Earlier this year, Murray and Kilmer helped secure a $5 million federal investment for the warning system and called on the federal government to make further investments in research and disaster preparedness.\r\n\r\nWe have a responsibility to keep families safe by making sure that the federal government is doing everything it can to invest in emergency preparedness before a large scale event like this happens, said Senator Murray. I was proud to fight for this critical investment for Washington state families, and I appreciate Congressman Kilmers work in the House to advocate for this potentially life-saving technology. Whether a quake strikes this year or in ten, we need to be ready.\r\n\r\nAn updated and operational Earthquake Early Warning System is essential to serve as eyes and ears for folks on the West Coast, said Representative Kilmer. A few crucial seconds can make all the difference to help Washingtonians get out of harms way if a large quake strikes. Thankfully, the funding bill that passed Congress secures additional investments in the project so it can continue expanding to protect the entire West Coast. Ive been proud to partner with Senator Murray to keep this going and well keep pushing until the system is online.\r\n\r\nThe Earthquake Early Warning System has been in the works since 2005 and is being developed by the University of Washington, the California Institute of Technology, University of California-Berkeley, and the University of Oregon with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). It is designed to detect the first tremors of a major earthquake and provide users with anywhere from seconds to minutes of warning before a quake hits, which would provide crucial, life-saving time for safety precautions. The system is expected to cost an estimated $38.2 million for the West Coast, with annual operating and maintenance costs of $16.1 million.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=ad8699c9-a156-4f1d-9272-5b46d6ec7d7b", "Murray on Bipartisan Budget/Tax Cut Deal: Good Deal for Washington State Families, Small Business Owners", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Patty Murray", "M001111", "www.murray.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Coming on heels of latest bipartisan budget deal, spending and tax cut deal restores and expands critical investments in Washington state priorities: jobs, veterans, education, national security, health care, innovation, transportation, Hanford cleanup, and more\r\n\r\nPermanently extends key working family and small business tax cuts: Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, College Tuition Credit, R&D Tax Credit, and more\r\n\r\nPermanent extension of Washington state sales tax deduction: Huge win for Washington state taxpayers\r\n\r\n(Washington, D.C.)  Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement on the bipartisan Appropriations Omnibus and tax cut extension deal, which passed the full Senate today.\r\n\r\nThis is a good deal for Washington state families, workers, small business owners, and our economy. By investing in middle class and local priorities and permanently extending tax cuts for Washington state families and small business owners, this deal is another important step in our work to create jobs and grow the economy from the middle out, not the top down. \r\n\r\nI fought to make sure Washington state was treated fairly in this Republican Congress and that our families and small business owners had a seat at the table when these federal investment and tax cut decisions were made. These arent the budget and tax bills I would write on my own and I have some serious concerns with some of the policy provisions included. But I was proud to work with Democrats and Republicans to make sure this deal works for Washington state families and small business owners.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://dennyheck.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/billy-frank-jr-proposal-moves-to-obama", "Billy Frank Jr. Proposal Moves to Obama", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Denny Heck", "H001064", "dennyheck.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Legislation that would change the name of Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge in honor of the Nisqually Tribes Billy Frank Jr. has passed both the House and Senate, and is headed to the White House.\nThe legislation was sponsored by Rep. Denny Heck, D-Olympia, who represents Washingtons 10th Legislative District.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-families-deserve-functional-tax-code-doesn%E2%80%99t-harm-economic-future", "Larsen: Families Deserve Functional Tax Code That Doesnt Harm Economic Future", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Rick Larsen", "L000560", "larsen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today voted against a bill that would create a $622 billion hole in the federal deficit by extending dozens of tax credits without paying for them. While Larsen supports many of the tax credits in the bill, extending some and making others permanent with no plan to pay for them is fiscally irresponsible and undermines any effort to reform the tax code.\nI cannot support this irresponsible bill that blows a $600 billion hole in our countrys budget while dodging a solution to the real problem of a dysfunctional tax code. The gains we get under this bill are wiped out by the $600 billion pain it will cost us and our children later. And the bigger our debt, the more we pay in interest, which takes money away from our schools, our veterans and our infrastructure.\nMany of the tax credits in the bill the House passed today make important investments in education, research, clean energy and other priorities that I support. While I would like to see tax credits like these extended to encourage innovation and a strong economic foundation, that economic foundation gets shaky when we charge too much to our nations credit card with no way to pay those charges back. The U.S. tax code also badly needs an overhaul so it works better for hardworking middle-class families, but prolonging the status quo damages the chances of getting comprehensive tax reform done.\nI want to see a tax code that encourages people to go to school, workers to put their time into innovative clean energy projects, and families to invest in their futures. Our country's budget deserves a balanced approach by matching changes in the tax code like these with savings found elsewhere. We can accomplish these goals while also maintaining fiscal responsibility by including these tax credits as part of a broader tax reform effort, Larsen said\nThe tax extender package that the House passed costs $622 billion over 10 years by extending more than 50 tax provisions, including making 22 provisions permanent. The bill does not include any offsets to cover these costs.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://reichert.house.gov/press-release/rep-reicherts-statement-tax-extenders-bill", "Rep. Reichert's Statement on Tax Extenders Bill", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WA", "Dave Reichert", "R000578", "reichert.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  Today Congressman Dave Reichert (R-WA) applauded the U.S. House of Representatives passage of the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act, which includes several provisions Rep. Reichert championed. Prior to the vote, the Congressman spoke on the House floor about the impact this bill will have on Washingtonians. To watch the video, click HERE.\nRep. Reichert made the following statement after the bills passage:\nThe Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act does exactly what its title implies  it ensures families across the country will keep more of their hard-earned dollars and provides our small business owners with much-needed certainty to plan for future investments and hirings. I am proud to say this bill includes several provisions I have championed on behalf of Americas teachers, workers and small businesses, Reichert said. And for Washingtonians, this bill not only guarantees fairness by making permanent our ability to deduct sales tax, but it also ensures that tens of thousands of local public employees, like public utility workers and teachers, will be able to pass on savings they set aside for health care to their loved ones. Todays vote puts us on a path toward tax reform and guarantees certainty for American workers to provide for their families and for American businesses to compete, innovate and thrive.\nAfter the vote, stakeholders reached out to Rep. Reichert, thanking for him for his continued effort to fight for tax relief for Washingtonians:\nMain Street businesses owe Congressman Reichert a big THANKS for his tireless efforts on behalf of millions of S corporations across the country. The passage of the PATH Act means these businesses will no longer need to wait until the end of the year to know if they are going to get relief from the built-in gains tax or whether theyll be able to deduct their full charitable contributions. These and the other Main Street business provisions in the bill will provide job creators with certainty for the first time in decades, so they can make decisions based on what is best for the company rather than the dictates of an outdated tax code.\n- Brian Reardon, President, S Corporation Association\nNEA applauds Rep. Reicherts bipartisan efforts to provide much-needed financial relief for the 99.5 percent of public school educators who put their own dollars toward classroom supplies and instructional materials for our children. For the first time, the tax deduction is permanent, includes professional development as a deductible expense, and will go a long way towards helping educators provide the additional resources our students need to succeed.\n- Lily Eskelsen Garca , President, National Education Association\nWe are very thankful this bill has been passed. It provides a much-needed change for local government employees who for years have worked hard to set money aside in their VEBA accounts to provide for their health care and that of their families. These prudent savers deserve options in designating beneficiaries so the earnings they have accumulated during their years of service are rightfully retained by their families.\n- Steve Pfaff, Commissioner of the Soos Creek Water and Sewer District\nAdditional Information:\nReichert, Blumenauer Introduce Bill to Eliminate HRA Tax Rule:  https://reichert.house.gov/press-release/reichert-blumenauer-introduce-bill-eliminate-hra-tax-rule\nReichert and House Members Work to Provide Educators with Tax Relief:  https://reichert.house.gov/press-release/reichert-and-house-members-work-provide-educators-tax-relief\nReichert, Kind Introduce Bill to Reduce Burden on Small Businesses: https://reichert.house.gov/press-release/reichert-kind-introduce-bill-reduce-burden-small-businesses", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1526", "DelBene Statement on Tax Relief Package", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Suzan DelBene", "D000617", "delbene.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "DelBene Statement on Tax Relief Package \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington, DC,\r\n        December 17, 2015\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n        WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) released the following statement today after supporting a tax relief package, which passed in the House of Representatives on a 318-109 vote.\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      \r\t\r\t\t\r\t\t\t\r\t\t\t\t\r\t\t\t\t\t Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) released the following statement today after supporting a tax relief package, which passed in the House of Representatives on a 318-109  vote.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tI'm pleased that today's bill includes many provisions I have fought for in Congress. Good tax policy goes a long way toward expanding access to opportunity for the middle class and encouraging sustained economic growth, DelBene said. This package will permanently extend the state and local sales tax deduction and the Earned Income Tax Credit, providing relief for countless residents in states like Washington. It also boosts investments to foster innovation in the green economy and supports many of our local businesses by making the R&D tax credit permanent and delaying the medical device tax.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tWhile this deal could have done more to provide long-term economic stability for millions of hardworking families by indexing the Child Tax Credit to inflation, the compromise reached will help provide certainty by making this critical tax credit permanent. The bill also provides families assistance with the rising cost of college by making the expansion of the American Opportunity Tax Credit permanent.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tBut our tax code remains overly complex and confusing, with too many outdated provisions that no longer serve their purpose. It is long past time to bring the tax code into the 21st century, and I remain committed to working with my colleagues on a fiscally responsible, comprehensive plan that supports the middle class and economic growth while reducing the deficit in a balanced way.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tDelBene helped introduce the Protect Medical Innovation Act to repeal the medical device tax, which has stifled a key job-creating industry for Washington's First District. She also cosponsored legislation to make the sales tax deduction permanent, providing tax-relief for residents in states like Washington that charge higher sales tax in place of income tax.\r\r\t\t\t\t\t###\r\t\t\t\t\r\t\t\t\r\t\t\r\t\r\r\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://herrerabeutler.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398667", "Jaime Herrera Beutler Helps Secure Making  State and Local Sales Tax Deduction Permanent in Tax Agreement", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WA", "Jaime Herrera Beutler", "H001056", "herrerabeutler.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, U.S. House of Representatives passed the House- Senate negotiated agreement on a tax reform bill that includes the permanent extension of the state and local sales tax deduction  critical tax relief that Jaime has championed since coming to Congress. Jaime voted with a bipartisan majority of the U.S. House to pass the bill with a vote of 318 - 109.   \r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Click here to watch Jaime urge the U.S. House to permanently extend the state and local sales tax earlier this year. \nWASHINGTON, DC  Today, U.S. House of Representatives passed the House- Senate negotiated agreement on a tax reform bill that includes the permanent extension of the state and local sales tax deduction  critical tax relief that Jaime has championed since coming to Congress. Jaime voted with a bipartisan majority of the U.S. House to pass the bill with a vote of 318 - 109. \nThe state and local sales tax deduction allows residents of states without a state income tax, like Washington, to deduct state and local sales tax from their federal tax returns. Residents of states with income tax are able to deduct that from their federal taxes. \nFor the past several years, Congress has passed only short-term extensions of the sales tax deduction at the 11th hour. The provision is widely used by Washington residents; in 2012, 27.7% of Washington state filers used the sales tax deduction, saving this states taxpayers more than $2 billion. The average claim was $602. \nEtching this the state and local sales tax deduction into permanent tax code would eliminate the uncertainty that individuals and families face due to frequent short-term extensions. \nResidents from over 40 states get to deduct their state income tax from their federal taxes, and now, through the permanent extension of the state and local sales tax deduction, Washington state families can know that they will get to keep more of their money too, said Jaime. This solution gives fairness in the tax code to Southwest Washington families who have already dutifully paid their taxes. A mom from Chehalis can spend that money averaging $602  on the things that matter to her family. \nThis provision was part of a larger package of tax relief provisions including permanent extension of the Research and Development Credit and all charitable giving deductions. The bill also included taxpayer protection and IRS accountability provisions; the Taxpayer Bill of Rights that establishes the right of taxpayers to challenge the IRS and appeal their decision, the IRS Email Transparency Act that prohibits the IRS from using personal email accounts to conduct government business, the Contracting Tax Accountability Act that prohibits companies with significant tax debt to receive government contracts and the Federal Employee Tax Accountability Act that prevents the federal government from hiring individuals who have not paid their taxes.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcmorris.house.gov/providing-tax-certainty-to-support-jobs-innovation/", "Providing Tax Certainty to Support Jobs & Innovation", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WA", "Cathy McMorris Rodgers", "M001159", "mcmorris.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In Eastern Washington, this means local farmers and manufacturers will have more certainty to invest in the property and equipment necessary to grow and expand.\nWashington, D.C. Today, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) praised the bipartisan passage of the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015. It includes a suspension of the harmful medical device tax, and provisions like the Research and Development Credit and Section 179 expensing are made permanent.\nMcMorris Rodgers released the following statement:\nToday, the House took important steps in our mission to provide more certainty and opportunity for job creators and their families. By voting to make some of the most important parts of our tax code permanent, and incentivizing the development of cutting-edge technology here in America, businesses and manufacturers of all sizes will have more of the edge they need to grow and compete in a dynamic economy. In Eastern Washington, this means local farmers and manufacturers will have more certainty to invest in the property and equipment necessary to grow and expand. The PATH Act will help keep jobs and innovation here in America.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-applauds-passage-permanent-tax-relief-families-small-businesses", "Newhouse Applauds Passage of Permanent Tax Relief for Families, Small Businesses", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WA", "Dan Newhouse", "N000189", "newhouse.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse (R-WA), released the following statement after the House approved H.R. 2029, the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015 on a vote of 318-109.\nTodays passage of a bipartisan, pro-growth tax extender package is a huge win for families and small businesses in Central Washington, said Rep. Newhouse. Before today, Washingtonians were at a disadvantage compared to residents of states who are able to claim a federal tax deduction for state income taxes. Each year, Washingtonians had to wait at the whims of D.C. to know if they would be allowed a federal tax deduction for what they spend on state and local sales tax. Making the state and local sales tax deduction permanent when filing federal taxes promotes fairness in the tax code and allows individuals and families in Washington to keep more of the money they earn. In 2012, the average Washington taxpayer saved $602 from this federal deduction. This deduction will permanently reduce the tax burden on Washington families and give them the certainty they need to plan ahead financially.\nThe agreement passed today also helps small businesses by blocking scheduled tax hikes from ever taking effect. Small businesses will now be able to rely on a permanent tax deduction of up to $500,000 on assets such as heavy machinery or office equipment. This provision will promote investment and give small businesses the long-term tax certainty they need.\nTogether, these permanent deductions will go a long way to create fairness and protect families and small businesses from tax increases. I am proud to support permanent tax relief that boosts economic growth and creates jobs, injecting money into our economy instead of sending it to bureaucrats in D.C.\nH.R. 2029, the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015 makes permanent over 20 tax relief provisions, extends for 5 years or 2 years a number of other tax relief provisions that expired at the end of calendar year 2014, provides for a 2-year moratorium on the medical device tax, and includes a number of additional tax policy changes\nClick here for a Section-By-Section Summary of the PATH Act", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=b58b31f1-f28a-4fe2-ac42-254748987dc5", "Murray Statement on Perkins Loan Extension Passing the House of Representatives", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Patty Murray", "M001111", "www.murray.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, D.C.)  Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released the following statement on the House of Representatives passing a bipartisan bill to extend the Perkins Loan Program. Yesterday, the Senate passed the Federal Perkins Loan Program Extension Act of 2015, which provides a two-year extension of the program until a longer term solution can be put in place under the Higher Education Act. The bill now heads to the Presidents desk for approval.\r\n\r\nThe Perkins Loan Program provides many students, including more than 15,000 in Washington state last year, with a low-cost financial aid option, so I am pleased that we were able to come together to restore this resource, said Senator Murray This bipartisan compromise was an important step forward, and as we work in Congress to reauthorize this Higher Education Act, I am going to continue fighting to ensure students have the financial aid tools they need to earn their degree and gain a foothold in the middle class.\r\nIn September, Murray urged her colleagues to extend the program prior to its expiration. This compromise will extend the life of the Perkins Loan Program through September 30, 2017 for eligible students.\r\nBreakdown of students in Washington state receiving Perkins Loans in 2013-14:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSchool\r\n\r\n\r\nState\r\n\r\n\r\nZip Code\r\n\r\n\r\nSchool Type\r\n\r\n\r\nRecipients\r\n\r\n\r\nDisbursements\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nUniversity of Washington - Seattle\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n98195-1122\r\n\r\n\r\nPublic\r\n\r\n\r\n4,698\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 10,379,139.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWashington State University\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n99164-1035\r\n\r\n\r\nPublic\r\n\r\n\r\n2,689\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 2,643,975.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nGonzaga University\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n99258-0083\r\n\r\n\r\nPrivate/Non-Profit\r\n\r\n\r\n909\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 2,560,011.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPacific Lutheran University\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n98447-0003\r\n\r\n\r\nPrivate/Non-Profit\r\n\r\n\r\n896\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 2,256,404.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWestern Washington University\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n98225-5946\r\n\r\n\r\nPublic\r\n\r\n\r\n845\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 1,417,205.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nUniversity of Puget Sound\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n98416-0001\r\n\r\n\r\nPrivate/Non-Profit\r\n\r\n\r\n731\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 1,203,767.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSeattle Pacific University\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n98119-1997\r\n\r\n\r\nPrivate/Non-Profit\r\n\r\n\r\n703\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 1,158,156.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCentral Washington University\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n98926-7501\r\n\r\n\r\nPublic\r\n\r\n\r\n541\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 1,089,362.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEastern Washington University\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n99004-2444\r\n\r\n\r\nPublic\r\n\r\n\r\n589\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 982,262.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEvergreen State College (The)\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n98505-0002\r\n\r\n\r\nPublic\r\n\r\n\r\n639\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 869,540.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSeattle University\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n98122-1090\r\n\r\n\r\nPrivate/Non-Profit\r\n\r\n\r\n516\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 778,685.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWhitworth University\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n99251-0001\r\n\r\n\r\nPrivate/Non-Profit\r\n\r\n\r\n477\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 711,259.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWhitman College\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n99362-2067\r\n\r\n\r\nPrivate/Non-Profit\r\n\r\n\r\n215\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 536,250.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWalla Walla University\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n99324-1198\r\n\r\n\r\nPrivate/Non-Profit\r\n\r\n\r\n187\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 359,797.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCornish College of the Arts\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n98121-4604\r\n\r\n\r\nPrivate/Non-Profit\r\n\r\n\r\n93\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 300,000.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNorthwest University\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n98033-7523\r\n\r\n\r\nPrivate/Non-Profit\r\n\r\n\r\n93\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 255,364.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSaint Martin's University\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n98503-7500\r\n\r\n\r\nPrivate/Non-Profit\r\n\r\n\r\n93\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 150,428.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWalla Walla Community College\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n99362-9267\r\n\r\n\r\nPublic\r\n\r\n\r\n58\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 149,808.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nArt Institute of Seattle (The)\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n98121-1622\r\n\r\n\r\nProprietary\r\n\r\n\r\n54\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 147,484.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nHeritage University\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n98948-9562\r\n\r\n\r\nPrivate/Non-Profit\r\n\r\n\r\n53\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 142,897.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPerry Technical Institute\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n98903-1239\r\n\r\n\r\nPrivate/Non-Profit\r\n\r\n\r\n51\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 139,750.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBastyr University\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n98028-4966\r\n\r\n\r\nPrivate/Non-Profit\r\n\r\n\r\n39\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 120,000.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBig Bend Community College\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n98837-3299\r\n\r\n\r\nPublic\r\n\r\n\r\n31\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 82,750.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNorth Seattle College\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n98103-3599\r\n\r\n\r\nPublic\r\n\r\n\r\n9\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 33,710.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTotal\r\n\r\n\r\n15,209\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 28,468,003.00", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://delbene.house.gov/media-center/enewsletters/121515", "12/15/15", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Suzan DelBene", "D000617", "delbene.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Browse Documentsby Date or Issue:\r\n    \r\n    \r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n      \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        \r\n          Small Business Saturday in Snohomish\r\n        \r\n        Posted in eNewsletters on November 28, 2017 |\r\n        Preview rr\r\n\r\n        \r\n        \r\n          Dear Friend, Growing up, my parents owned a toy store, so I know how important holiday shopping can be for a small retailer. Small Business Saturday is a great opportunity to show our support for local shops. Thats why I marked Small Business Saturday by holiday shopping at locally-owned small businesses in historic Snohomish to support the First Districts local economy. According to the most recent data from the Small Business Administration, Washingtons small businesses make up 98 percent o...\r\n          Read more\r\n        \r\n      \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        \r\n          Join me in Skagit County!\r\n        \r\n        Posted in eNewsletters on November 14, 2017 |\r\n        Preview rr\r\n\r\n        \r\n        \r\n          Dear Friend, As your representative in Congress, one of the most important aspects of my job is to stay informed of the thoughts and opinions of my constituents, and I appreciate the time you take to share them with me. Thats why Im hosting a series of community forums in Skagit County on Saturday, November 18. I will be in Concrete, Lyman and Big Lake. I hope to see you there! As always, my office is here to serve you. If you have questions or comments about the topics that matter most to you...\r\n          Read more\r\n        \r\n      \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        \r\n          Helping Our Veterans Find Jobs\r\n        \r\n        Posted in eNewsletters on November 10, 2017 |\r\n        Preview rr\r\n\r\n        \r\n            Tags:\r\n          \r\n            Veterans\r\n        \r\n          Dear Friend, Right now, too many veterans are struggling to find jobs. As workers face significant challenges adapting to a rapidly changing economy, it is essential we improve 21st century employment opportunities for those transitioning back into civilian life. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 370,000 unemployed veterans are currently struggling to find work, including 139,000 veterans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan since 9/11. Thats why I recently reintroduced ...\r\n          Read more\r\n        \r\n      \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        \r\n          Get Covered\r\n        \r\n        Posted in eNewsletters on November 1, 2017 |\r\n        Preview rr\r\n\r\n        \r\n            Tags:\r\n          \r\n            Health\r\n        \r\n          Open Enrollment begins today, giving you and your family the opportunity to sign up for the healthcare plan that best meets your needs. This year, Open Enrollment is shorter than before, so it is important to sign up before the January 15 deadline to ensure youll be covered in 2018. You can apply either online, by phone or in person so dont delay and get covered now. Find the information you need to get started HERE. In Congress, Im working to ensure every American is able to get affordable, ...\r\n          Read more\r\n        \r\n      \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        \r\n          Preparing for a New Economy\r\n        \r\n        Posted in eNewsletters on October 25, 2017 |\r\n        Preview rr\r\n\r\n        \r\n            Tags:\r\n          \r\n            Jobs and the Economy\r\n        \r\n          Dear Friend, Recently, the House Democratic Caucus announced the creation of the Jobs for America Task Forces to help craft a legislative agenda that will benefit hardworking Americans and middle-class families. I was named co-chair of the New Economy Task Force, which is one of five Task Forces aimed at identifying opportunities and solutions for American workers across the country. With a rapidly changing economy and new challenges facing American workers, the New Economy Task Force will take ...\r\n          Read more\r\n        \r\n      \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        \r\n          Honoring Vietnam War Veterans\r\n        \r\n        Posted in eNewsletters on October 17, 2017 |\r\n        Preview rr\r\n\r\n        \r\n            Tags:\r\n          \r\n            Veterans\r\n        \r\n          Dear Friend, With more than 200,000 veterans in Washington state who served during the Vietnam War, Im working in conjunction with the Vietnam War Commemoration as part of a nationwide effort to thank and honor all Vietnam-era veterans and their families at Vietnam War 50th Commemoration pinning ceremonies to publicly recognize their service and sacrifice for our country. If you or a family member are an eligible participant and would like a Vietnam Veteran lapel pin, Id love for you to join m...\r\n          Read more\r\n        \r\n      \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        \r\n          Congressional App Challenge and Hackathon\r\n        \r\n        Posted in eNewsletters on October 10, 2017 |\r\n        Preview rr\r\n\r\n        \r\n        \r\n          Dear Friend, As someone who worked in the technology sector before coming to Congress, I know firsthand innovation requires creative, entrepreneurial leaders. The future of our nation and its economy depend on the next generations being able to think outside of the box. Thats why Im pleased to announce the return of the Congressional App Challenge! This competition is a great opportunity for high school students in our region to compete by designing a creative app. And the winning app will be ...\r\n          Read more\r\n        \r\n      \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        \r\n          Bringing Down College Costs\r\n        \r\n        Posted in eNewsletters on October 4, 2017 |\r\n        Preview rr\r\n\r\n        \r\n            Tags:\r\n          \r\n            Education\r\n        \r\n          Dear Friend, As students return to campus, the rising cost of higher education in America continues to pose serious challenges to millions of middle-class families, who are being forced to take out higher loan amounts to pay for tuition, fees, textbooks and housing. In Washington state alone, 56 percent of graduates leave their four-year university with student debt averaging $23,000. I remain committed to bringing down college costs and ensuring everyone has access to a quality college educatio...\r\n          Read more\r\n        \r\n      \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        \r\n          Protect Our Dreamers\r\n        \r\n        Posted in eNewsletters on September 11, 2017 |\r\n        Preview rr\r\n\r\n        \r\n            Tags:\r\n          \r\n            Immigration\r\n        \r\n          Dear Friend, This past week, the President decided to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. This action is cruel, heartless and does nothing to secure our borders or fix our immigration system. Nearly 800,000 children brought to this country by their parents have known no other home than the United States, including more than 17,800 right here in Washington state who are studying, working and contributing to our economy. Rescinding DACA puts these young people at risk of...\r\n          Read more\r\n        \r\n      \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        \r\n          A Busy August in WA01\r\n        \r\n        Posted in eNewsletters on September 7, 2017 |\r\n        Preview rr\r\n\r\n        \r\n            Tags:\r\n          \r\n            Jobs and the Economy\r\n        \r\n          Dear Friend, It was a busy August back in the beautiful First Congressional District! I had the opportunity to travel throughout the district talking to folks about ways Congress can update our laws to ensure all Americans succeed in the rapidly changing economy. Nowhere in the country is the economic impact of innovation and entrepreneurship more visible than in Washingtons First District, where our local industries  ranging from aerospace, manufacturing, and high-tech to agriculture, clean e...\r\n          Read more", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-calls-infectious-disease-response-strategy-us-aviation-system", "Larsen Calls For Infectious Disease Response Strategy For U.S. Aviation System", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Rick Larsen", "L000560", "larsen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today released a report detailing ways the U.S. aviation system can more effectively respond to epidemics and other global health crises. Larsen requested that the Government Accountability Office study the preparedness of U.S. airports and airlines to handle the spread of an infectious disease during the emergence of the Ebola virus last fall.\nLarsen, the Ranking Member of the Aviation Subcommittee, wanted more information about a national response plan as an alternative to banning flights to the U.S. from countries experiencing contagious epidemics. During the Ebola outbreak, some called for flight bans, though medical experts, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recommended against the strategy.\nLarsen will work on a solution in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill that brings together relevant federal agencies to develop a national plan to respond to infectious diseases within the aviation system.\nIn a world where nearly 3 billion people board planes each year, the U.S. aviation system must have a clear plan of action to handle infectious disease crises. Banning air travel is not a feasible or effective solution to an epidemic, which is why I want to see federal agencies develop a plan to share information quickly and respond to the threat of an infectious disease in our aviation system. With a smart strategy in place, we can keep people safe and maintain the flow of our air traffic, Larsen said.\nFull text of the GAO report is available here.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.cantwell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=1ccc6759-7c6a-401a-b179-586ae6485322", "Cantwell Secures Key Provisions to Protect Pacific Northwest Seafood", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Maria Cantwell", "C000127", "www.cantwell.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.16.15\n    \t\t\t Cantwell Secures Key Provisions to Protect Pacific Northwest Seafood \n    \t\t\t\n    \t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n    \t\t\t\t Cantwell: Americans will be able to shop with confidence\n    \t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n    \t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell today announced that her bipartisan billwhich will change the market name of Alaska pollock to pollockwill be included in the Congressional spending bill, also known as the omnibus. The bill will legally change the acceptable market name essentially outlawing Pollock harvested in Russia from being passed off as Alaskan Pollock in the supermarket. Representative Jamie Herrera Butler (WA-3) sponsored the bill in the House.\r\nIn 2012, 113 million pounds of Russian Pollockwhich is less sustainable and lower quality than pollock from Alaskan fisherieswas sold to U.S. consumers as Alaska pollock.\r\nAlaskan pollock is one of the most sustainable fisheries in the world, said Cantwell, a senior member of the Commerce Committee, And American consumers deserve to know whether they are purchasing this high quality product or a cheap alternative with a misleading label. By changing the acceptable market name to pollock, it will be illegal to label pollock caught in Russia, as Alaskan. Americans will be able to shop with confidence, knowing that they are buying the real thing and not a knock-off. \r\nThe Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) supports these efforts and have previously cited several reasons for the requested change:\r\n The use of Alaska pollock as an acceptable market name is misleading to consumers;\r\nAlaska pollock is understood by consumers to connote a geographic origin, not a particular kind of food from any geographic origin;\r\n The use of Alaska pollock as an acceptable market name is inconsistent with other similar fish species; and\r\n U.S. government programs support other efforts to provide accurate information to consumers about the seafood they purchase.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.cantwell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=7a603a67-1699-464a-840f-73049c7952c4", "Critical Low-Income Housing Tax Credits Fix to be Permanently Extended Under Cantwell Plan", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Maria Cantwell", "C000127", "www.cantwell.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.16.15\n    \t\t\t Critical Low-Income Housing Tax Credits Fix to be Permanently Extended Under Cantwell Plan \n    \t\t\t\n    \t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n    \t\t\t\t Senator hails just-passed legislation as a win-win for Washington affordable housing and jobs\n    \t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n    \t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) applauded today the inclusion of her permanent credit rate floor for the Low Income Housing Tax Credit in the final tax extenders package. The critical fix to the Low-Income Housing Tax Credita program that has financed 90 percent of affordable housing projects in the United States and more than 50,000 affordable housing units in Washington statewill be permanently renewed.\r\nUnder the program, the U.S. Treasury Department issues tax credits to states in order to help attract private investment in affordable housing projects. The Improving the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Rate Act will permanently extend the credit rates to 9 percent of eligible costs on new constructionending an era where variable rates made financing of affordable housing less predictable.\r\nThis is a win-win for affordable housing and good paying Washington jobs, Cantwell said.With growing homelessness in Washington state and across the country, we need more affordable housing in our communities. With funding certainty, communities in our state and across the country can better meet the need for affordable housingmaking measureable improvements in the lives of low-income families and encouraging private investments that support small businesses and good-paying jobs.\r\nBetween 1987 and 2014, the program supported 642 affordable housing projects throughout Washington state, providing more than 32,875 units of affordable housing. In 2014 alone, roughly $158 million in tax credits were allocated to 17 affordable housing projects throughout Washington, which resulted in 948 affordable housing units. According to National Association of Homebuilders, these units supported local 1,399 jobs, $73.2 million in local income and $6.9 million in taxes and other local government revenues. \r\nThe program has created more than 2.4 million affordable apartments nationwide for the elderly, disabled, and homeless.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.cantwell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=c07aaa99-fc2d-49da-80c8-73fe14d806a5", "Cantwell, Murray Applaud Permanent Extension of State Sales Tax Deduction", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Maria Cantwell", "C000127", "www.cantwell.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.16.15\n    \t\t\t Cantwell, Murray Applaud Permanent Extension of State Sales Tax Deduction \n    \t\t\t\n    \t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n    \t\t\t\t For the first time a permanent state and local sales tax extension will ensure tax fairness and eliminate uncertainty for Washington families\n    \t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n    \t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Patty Murray (D-WA) applauded inclusion of a permanent state and local sales tax deduction in the tax extenders bill. Cantwell, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, and Murray introduced the bipartisan legislation to provide fairness for taxpayers in states that dont have an income tax.\r\nAfter numerous extensions of the state and local sales tax deduction and more than a decade of uncertainty, Washingtonians will now no longer face ambiguity on the status of their deductions.\r\nBy making the state sales tax deduction a permanent part of the tax code, we end the long-term inequity for Washington taxpayers and provide certainty for the 25 percent of Washington tax filers who claim this deduction, Cantwell said. This bipartisan legislation helps working families and our economy -- it means an average of more than $600 back in the pockets of Washingtonians.\r\nThis is fantastic news for Washington state taxpayers who have faced far too much uncertainty for far too long, Murray said. With this deal, Washington state families will finally be treated fairly and will get the tax certainty they deserve. Ive been fighting for this change with Senator Cantwell for years, and I am so glad that we were finally able to deliver this huge win for Washington state taxpayers in this bipartisan deal.\r\nWashington is one of eight states without an income tax including Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming. Because taxpayers in these eight states dont pay a state income tax, they cannot claim an income tax deduction on their federal tax returns.\r\nSince 2004, Cantwell and Murray have fought to make the state and local sales tax deduction permanent. Last year, Cantwell secured a one-year extension of the state and local sales tax deduction for 2014 that meant taxpayers were able to claim it on their April 2015 tax returns. In 2013, Senators Cantwelll and Murray co-sponsored a two-year extension of the sales tax deduction which was passed in the deal that Congress reached in averting the fiscal cliff. \r\nThe state and local sales tax deduction is critical to Washington state taxpayers. Some 900,000 took advantage of the state sales tax deduction in 2012, reducing their taxable income by $1.9 billion, according to IRS data. Washington state taxpayers were able to save an average of $602 with the state sales tax deduction in 2012, according to a Pew Charitable Trustsreport.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.cantwell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=d283577c-951f-440f-ba32-c248134dd90a", "Cantwell Applauds Long-term Extension of Wind and Solar Tax Credits", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Maria Cantwell", "C000127", "www.cantwell.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.16.15\n    \t\t\t Cantwell Applauds Long-term Extension of Wind and Solar Tax Credits \n    \t\t\t\n    \t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n    \t\t\t\t Funding helps create a cleaner, more diverse energy system\n    \t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n    \t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, applauded the long-term extension of critical clean energy tax credits for wind and solar energy in the omnibus spending bill. \r\nAmerica must continue our leadership in one of the most important growth sectors in the global economy  clean energy. By extending the wind and solar tax credits, we continue to support investments in clean energy technology in the United States and 21st century job growth, while reducing our carbon footprint, Cantwell said.\r\nCantwell has been a leader in reforming and extending expiring solar investment and wind production tax credits. Securing tax incentives for renewable energy is common-sense energy tax policy. Investing in Americas clean energy economy both improves our environment and boosts clean energy industries that support thousands of jobs in Washington and across the country.\r\nUnder the deal, both credits will receive five-year extensions, bridging the gap until the implementation of the Clean Power Plan in 2022. The solar tax credit will be extended until 2022 and the wind tax credit will be extended until 2020. Both credits will phase down over a period of several years. The solar credit will receive commence construction treatment for commercial projects. \r\nThe solar energy industry in Washington is made up of 134 solar companies that employ 2,400 people working throughout the solar industry supply chain. Solar power capacity grew 56 percent in Washington last year. Washington ranks 15th in the country for solar power capacity per person and 25th nationwide for total solar capacity. \r\nWashingtons wind industry is seventh in the nation for installed wind capacity, with nine manufacturing facilities that produce components for the industry that range from blade, tower and turbine nacelle assembly facilities to raw component suppliers, including fiberglass and steel. In 2014, the wind industry supported between 2,000 and 3,000 direct and indirect jobs in Washington. \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.cantwell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=f27c86a7-5a68-446b-9ceb-4bfb65ba37f1", "Cantwell Lauds Frankenfish Labeling Provision in Omnibus", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Maria Cantwell", "C000127", "www.cantwell.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.16.15\n    \t\t\t Cantwell Lauds Frankenfish Labeling Provision in Omnibus \n    \t\t\t\n    \t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n    \t\t\t\t Bill mandates FDA develop labeling requirements for genetically engineered salmon\n    \t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n    \t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) released the following statement on the provision included in the omnibus spending bill that would require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to layout guidelines for the mandatory labeling of genetically engineered (GE) salmon and prevents interstate commerce for GE salmon prior FDA publishing said guidelines. \r\nI am a strong supporter of labeling requirements for genetically engineered salmon. Consumers have a right to know whether they are buying Washingtons world-class wild salmon or Frankenfish engineered in a lab, said Senator Cantwell. The FDAs genetically engineered salmon decision is bad for consumers and potentially bad for our environment. If the FDA doesnt reverse its decision, its critical the agency develop clear and transparent labeling requirements for genetically engineered salmon.\r\nIn November, Cantwell released a statement condemning the FDAs decision to approve GE salmon. The newly approved GE salmon grow much faster than normal Atlantic salmon, reaching market size in 16 to 18 months instead of three years. Additionally, little is known about the potential biological impact of escaped genetically engineered fish on wild salmon populations. Without this provision, the FDA would not require labeling on genetically engineered salmon, leaving consumers in the dark about what they are buying.\r\nCantwell has long fought GE salmon by cosponsoring amendments to require additional science as well as to require labeling. Following the FDAs draft environmental assessment of GE salmon, Cantwell expressed strong concerns with the approval process including a lack of transparency and lack of consideration given to potential threats to natural salmon species and their ecosystems. \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-applauds-long-term-extension-of-wind-and-solar-tax-credits", "Cantwell Applauds Long-term Extension of Wind and Solar Tax Credits", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Maria Cantwell", "C000127", "www.cantwell.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.16.15\n    \t\t\t Cantwell Applauds Long-term Extension of Wind and Solar Tax Credits \n    \t\t\t\n    \t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n    \t\t\t\t Funding helps create a cleaner, more diverse energy system\n    \t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n    \t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, applauded the long-term extension of critical clean energy tax credits for wind and solar energy in the omnibus spending bill. \r\n\u201cAmerica must continue our leadership in one of the most important growth sectors in the global economy \u2013 clean energy. By extending the wind and solar tax credits, we continue to support investments in clean energy technology in the United States and 21st century job growth, while reducing our carbon footprint,\u201d Cantwell said.\r\nCantwell has been a leader in reforming and extending expiring solar investment and wind production tax credits. Securing tax incentives for renewable energy is common-sense energy tax policy. Investing in America\u2019s clean energy economy both improves our environment and boosts clean energy industries that support thousands of jobs in Washington and across the country.\r\nUnder the deal, both credits will receive five-year extensions, bridging the gap until the implementation of the Clean Power Plan in 2022. The solar tax credit will be extended until 2022 and the wind tax credit will be extended until 2020. Both credits will phase down over a period of several years. The solar credit will receive \u201ccommence construction\u201d treatment for commercial projects. \r\nThe solar energy industry in Washington is made up of 134 solar companies that employ 2,400 people working throughout the solar industry supply chain. Solar power capacity grew 56 percent in Washington last year. Washington ranks 15th in the country for solar power capacity per person and 25th nationwide for total solar capacity. \r\nWashington\u2019s wind industry is seventh in the nation for installed wind capacity, with nine manufacturing facilities that produce components for the industry that range from blade, tower and turbine nacelle assembly facilities to raw component suppliers, including fiberglass and steel. In 2014, the wind industry supported between 2,000 and 3,000 direct and indirect jobs in Washington. \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-lauds-frankenfish-labeling-provision-in-omnibus", "Cantwell Lauds Frankenfish Labeling Provision in Omnibus", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Maria Cantwell", "C000127", "www.cantwell.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.16.15\n    \t\t\t Cantwell Lauds Frankenfish Labeling Provision in Omnibus \n    \t\t\t\n    \t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n    \t\t\t\t Bill mandates FDA develop labeling requirements for genetically engineered salmon\n    \t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n    \t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) released the following statement on the provision included in the omnibus spending bill that would require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to layout guidelines for the mandatory labeling of genetically engineered (GE) salmon and prevents interstate commerce for GE salmon prior FDA publishing said guidelines. \r\n\u201cI am a strong supporter of labeling requirements for genetically engineered salmon. Consumers have a right to know whether they are buying Washington\u2019s world-class wild salmon or Frankenfish engineered in a lab,\u201d said Senator Cantwell. \u201cThe FDA\u2019s genetically engineered salmon decision is bad for consumers and potentially bad for our environment. If the FDA doesn\u2019t reverse its decision, it\u2019s critical the agency develop clear and transparent labeling requirements for genetically engineered salmon.\u201d\r\nIn November, Cantwell released a statement condemning the FDA\u2019s decision to approve GE salmon. The newly approved GE salmon grow much faster than normal Atlantic salmon, reaching market size in 16 to 18 months instead of three years. Additionally, little is known about the potential biological impact of escaped genetically engineered fish on wild salmon populations. Without this provision, the FDA would not require labeling on genetically engineered salmon, leaving consumers in the dark about what they are buying.\r\nCantwell has long fought GE salmon by cosponsoring amendments to require additional science as well as to require labeling. Following the FDA\u2019s draft environmental assessment of GE salmon, Cantwell expressed strong concerns with the approval process including a lack of transparency and lack of consideration given to potential threats to natural salmon species and their ecosystems. \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-murray-applaud-permanent-extension-of-state-sales-tax-deduction", "Cantwell, Murray Applaud Permanent Extension of State Sales Tax Deduction", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Maria Cantwell", "C000127", "www.cantwell.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.16.15\n    \t\t\t Cantwell, Murray Applaud Permanent Extension of State Sales Tax Deduction \n    \t\t\t\n    \t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n    \t\t\t\t For the first time a permanent state and local sales tax extension will ensure tax fairness and eliminate uncertainty for Washington families\n    \t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n    \t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Patty Murray (D-WA) applauded inclusion of a permanent state and local sales tax deduction in the tax extenders bill. Cantwell, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, and Murray introduced the bipartisan legislation to provide fairness for taxpayers in states that don\u2019t have an income tax.\r\nAfter numerous extensions of the state and local sales tax deduction and more than a decade of uncertainty, Washingtonians will now no longer face ambiguity on the status of their deductions.\r\n\u201cBy making the state sales tax deduction a permanent part of the tax code, we end the long-term inequity for Washington taxpayers and provide certainty for the 25 percent of Washington tax filers who claim this deduction,\u201d Cantwell said. \u201cThis bipartisan legislation helps working families and our economy -- it means an average of more than $600 back in the pockets of Washingtonians.\u201d\r\n\u201cThis is fantastic news for Washington state taxpayers who have faced far too much uncertainty for far too long,\u201d Murray said. \u201cWith this deal, Washington state families will finally be treated fairly and will get the tax certainty they deserve. I\u2019ve been fighting for this change with Senator Cantwell for years, and I am so glad that we were finally able to deliver this huge win for Washington state taxpayers in this bipartisan deal.\u201d\r\nWashington is one of eight states without an income tax including Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming. Because taxpayers in these eight states don\u2019t pay a state income tax, they cannot claim an income tax deduction on their federal tax returns.\r\nSince 2004, Cantwell and Murray have fought to make the state and local sales tax deduction permanent. Last year, Cantwell secured a one-year extension of the state and local sales tax deduction for 2014 that meant taxpayers were able to claim it on their April 2015 tax returns. In 2013, Senators Cantwelll and Murray co-sponsored a two-year extension of the sales tax deduction which was passed in the deal that Congress reached in averting the fiscal cliff. \u00a0\r\nThe state and local sales tax deduction is critical to Washington state taxpayers. Some 900,000 took advantage of the state sales tax deduction in 2012, reducing their taxable income by $1.9 billion, according to IRS data. Washington state taxpayers were able to save an average of $602 with the state sales tax deduction in 2012, according to a Pew Charitable Trusts\u00a0report.\u00a0\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-secures-key-provisions-to-protect-pacific-northwest-seafood", "Cantwell Secures Key Provisions to Protect Pacific Northwest Seafood", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Maria Cantwell", "C000127", "www.cantwell.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.16.15\n    \t\t\t Cantwell Secures Key Provisions to Protect Pacific Northwest Seafood \n    \t\t\t\n    \t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n    \t\t\t\t Cantwell: \u201cAmericans will be able to shop with confidence\u201d\n    \t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n    \t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell today announced that her bipartisan bill\u2014which will change the market name of \u201cAlaska pollock\u201d to \u201cpollock\u201d\u2014will be included in the Congressional spending bill, also known as the \u2018omnibus.\u2019 The bill will legally change the acceptable market name essentially outlawing Pollock harvested in Russia from being passed off as \u201cAlaskan Pollock\u201d in the supermarket. Representative Jamie Herrera Butler (WA-3) sponsored the bill in the House.\r\nIn 2012, 113 million pounds of Russian Pollock\u2014which is less sustainable and lower quality than pollock from Alaskan fisheries\u2014was sold to U.S. consumers as \u201cAlaska pollock.\u201d\u00a0\r\n\u201cAlaskan pollock is one of the most sustainable fisheries in the world,\u201d said Cantwell, a senior member of the Commerce Committee, \u201cAnd American consumers deserve to know whether they are purchasing this high quality product or a cheap alternative with a misleading label. By changing the acceptable market name to pollock, it will be illegal to label pollock caught in Russia, as Alaskan. Americans will be able to shop with confidence, knowing that they are buying the real thing and not a knock-off.\u201d \u00a0\r\nThe Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers (GAPP) supports these efforts and have previously cited several reasons for the requested change:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\r\n\u2022 The use of \u201cAlaska pollock\u201d as an acceptable market name is misleading to consumers;\r\n\u2022\u201cAlaska pollock\u201d is understood by consumers to connote a geographic origin, not a particular kind of food from any geographic origin;\r\n\u2022 The use of \u201cAlaska pollock\u201d as an acceptable market name is inconsistent with other similar fish species; and\r\n\u2022 U.S. government programs support other efforts to provide accurate information to consumers about the seafood they purchase.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/critical-low-income-housing-tax-credits-fix-to-be-permanently-extended-under-cantwell-plan", "Critical Low-Income Housing Tax Credits Fix to be Permanently Extended Under Cantwell Plan", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Maria Cantwell", "C000127", "www.cantwell.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.16.15\n    \t\t\t Critical Low-Income Housing Tax Credits Fix to be Permanently Extended Under Cantwell Plan \n    \t\t\t\n    \t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n    \t\t\t\t Senator hails just-passed legislation as a \u201cwin-win\u201d for Washington affordable housing and jobs\n    \t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n    \t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) applauded today the inclusion of her permanent credit rate floor for the Low Income Housing Tax Credit in the final tax extenders package. The critical fix to the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit\u2014a program that has financed 90 percent of affordable housing projects in the United States and more than 50,000 affordable housing units in Washington state\u2014will be permanently renewed.\r\nUnder the program, the U.S. Treasury Department issues tax credits to states in order to help attract private investment in affordable housing projects. The Improving the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Rate Act will permanently extend the credit rates to 9 percent of eligible costs on new construction\u2014ending an era where variable rates made financing of affordable housing less predictable.\r\n\u201cThis is a win-win for affordable housing and good paying Washington jobs,\u201d Cantwell said.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cWith growing homelessness in Washington state and across the country, we need more affordable housing in our communities. With funding certainty, communities in our state and across the country can better meet the need for affordable housing\u2014making measureable improvements in the lives of low-income families and encouraging private investments that support small businesses and good-paying jobs.\u201d\r\nBetween 1987 and 2014, the program supported 642 affordable housing projects throughout Washington state, providing more than 32,875 units of affordable housing. In 2014 alone, roughly $158 million in tax credits were allocated to 17 affordable housing projects throughout Washington, which resulted in 948 affordable housing units. According to National Association of Homebuilders, these units supported local 1,399 jobs, $73.2 million in local income and $6.9 million in taxes and other local government revenues. \r\nThe program has created more than 2.4 million affordable apartments nationwide for the elderly, disabled, and homeless.\u00a0\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=0e732860-4dfd-4d06-b29d-71c419195679", "Cantwell, Murray Applaud Permanent Extension of State Sales Tax Deduction", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Patty Murray", "M001111", "www.murray.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "For the first time a permanent state and local sales tax extension will ensure tax fairness and eliminate uncertainty for Washington families\r\n\r\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Patty Murray (D-WA) applauded inclusion of a permanent state and local sales tax deduction in the tax extenders bill. Cantwell, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, and Murray introduced the bipartisan legislation to provide fairness for taxpayers in states that dont have an income tax.\r\n\r\nAfter numerous extensions of the state and local sales tax deduction and more than a decade of uncertainty, Washingtonians will now no longer face ambiguity on the status of their deductions.\r\n\r\nBy making the state sales tax deduction a permanent part of the tax code, we end the long-term inequity for Washington taxpayers and provide certainty for the 25 percent of Washington tax filers who claim this deduction, Cantwell said. This bipartisan legislation helps working families and our economy -- it means an average of more than $600 back in the pockets of Washingtonians.\r\n\r\nThis is fantastic news for Washington state taxpayers who have faced far too much uncertainty for far too long, Murray said. With this deal, Washington state families will finally be treated fairly and will get the tax certainty they deserve. Ive been fighting for this change with Senator Cantwell for years, and I am so glad that we were finally able to deliver this huge win for Washington state taxpayers in this bipartisan deal.\r\n\r\nWashington is one of eight states without an income tax including Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming. Because taxpayers in these eight states dont pay a state income tax, they cannot claim an income tax deduction on their federal tax returns.\r\n\r\nSince 2004, Cantwell and Murray have fought to make the state and local sales tax deduction permanent. Last year, Cantwell secured a one-year extension of the state and local sales tax deduction for 2014 that meant taxpayers were able to claim it on their April 2015 tax returns. In 2013, Senators Cantwelll and Murray co-sponsored a two-year extension of the sales tax deduction which was passed in the deal that Congress reached in averting the fiscal cliff. \r\n\r\nThe state and local sales tax deduction is critical to Washington state taxpayers. Some 900,000 took advantage of the state sales tax deduction in 2012, reducing their taxable income by $1.9 billion, according to IRS data. Washington state taxpayers were able to save an average of $602 with the state sales tax deduction in 2012, according to a Pew Charitable Trustsreport.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=24066773-6549-4fae-92bb-4cecca31d27c", "Murray Statement on Bipartisan Extension of Perkins Loan Program", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Patty Murray", "M001111", "www.murray.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, D.C.)  Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee released the following statement on the Senate passing a bipartisan bill to extend the Perkins Loan Program. The Federal Perkins Loan Program Extension Act of 2015 builds on a bill passed unanimously by the U.S. House of Representatives in September and provides for a two-year extension of the program until a longer term solution can be put in place under the Higher Education Act. In Washington state, more than 15,000 students received Perkins Loans last year.\r\nLetting the Perkins Loan Program expire in September took away a low-cost financial aid option from students, leaving many in the lurch, so I am glad we were able to forge a bipartisan compromise to extend this resource for students in Washington state and across the country, said Senator Murray. While I am pleased we are moving forward on a way to restore Perkins Loans to help undergraduates pay for college, we have much more work to do to reauthorize the Higher Education Act in a way that provides all students who want to further their education with the financial aid and affordable pathways they need to pursue their degree and help them gain a foothold into the middle class.\r\nIn September, Murray urged her colleagues to extend the program prior to its expiration. This compromise will extend the life of the Perkins Loan Program through September 30, 2017 for eligible students.\r\nBreakdown of students in Washington state receiving Perkins Loans in 2013-14:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSchool\r\n\r\n\r\nState\r\n\r\n\r\nZip Code\r\n\r\n\r\nSchool Type\r\n\r\n\r\nRecipients\r\n\r\n\r\nDisbursements\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nUniversity of Washington - Seattle\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n98195-1122\r\n\r\n\r\nPublic\r\n\r\n\r\n4,698\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 10,379,139.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWashington State University\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n99164-1035\r\n\r\n\r\nPublic\r\n\r\n\r\n2,689\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 2,643,975.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nGonzaga University\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n99258-0083\r\n\r\n\r\nPrivate/Non-Profit\r\n\r\n\r\n909\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 2,560,011.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPacific Lutheran University\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n98447-0003\r\n\r\n\r\nPrivate/Non-Profit\r\n\r\n\r\n896\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 2,256,404.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWestern Washington University\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n98225-5946\r\n\r\n\r\nPublic\r\n\r\n\r\n845\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 1,417,205.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nUniversity of Puget Sound\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n98416-0001\r\n\r\n\r\nPrivate/Non-Profit\r\n\r\n\r\n731\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 1,203,767.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSeattle Pacific University\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n98119-1997\r\n\r\n\r\nPrivate/Non-Profit\r\n\r\n\r\n703\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 1,158,156.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCentral Washington University\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n98926-7501\r\n\r\n\r\nPublic\r\n\r\n\r\n541\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 1,089,362.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEastern Washington University\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n99004-2444\r\n\r\n\r\nPublic\r\n\r\n\r\n589\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 982,262.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nEvergreen State College (The)\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n98505-0002\r\n\r\n\r\nPublic\r\n\r\n\r\n639\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 869,540.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSeattle University\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n98122-1090\r\n\r\n\r\nPrivate/Non-Profit\r\n\r\n\r\n516\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 778,685.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWhitworth University\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n99251-0001\r\n\r\n\r\nPrivate/Non-Profit\r\n\r\n\r\n477\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 711,259.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWhitman College\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n99362-2067\r\n\r\n\r\nPrivate/Non-Profit\r\n\r\n\r\n215\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 536,250.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWalla Walla University\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n99324-1198\r\n\r\n\r\nPrivate/Non-Profit\r\n\r\n\r\n187\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 359,797.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCornish College of the Arts\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n98121-4604\r\n\r\n\r\nPrivate/Non-Profit\r\n\r\n\r\n93\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 300,000.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNorthwest University\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n98033-7523\r\n\r\n\r\nPrivate/Non-Profit\r\n\r\n\r\n93\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 255,364.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSaint Martin's University\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n98503-7500\r\n\r\n\r\nPrivate/Non-Profit\r\n\r\n\r\n93\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 150,428.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWalla Walla Community College\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n99362-9267\r\n\r\n\r\nPublic\r\n\r\n\r\n58\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 149,808.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nArt Institute of Seattle (The)\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n98121-1622\r\n\r\n\r\nProprietary\r\n\r\n\r\n54\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 147,484.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nHeritage University\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n98948-9562\r\n\r\n\r\nPrivate/Non-Profit\r\n\r\n\r\n53\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 142,897.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPerry Technical Institute\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n98903-1239\r\n\r\n\r\nPrivate/Non-Profit\r\n\r\n\r\n51\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 139,750.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBastyr University\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n98028-4966\r\n\r\n\r\nPrivate/Non-Profit\r\n\r\n\r\n39\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 120,000.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBig Bend Community College\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n98837-3299\r\n\r\n\r\nPublic\r\n\r\n\r\n31\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 82,750.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNorth Seattle College\r\n\r\n\r\nWA\r\n\r\n\r\n98103-3599\r\n\r\n\r\nPublic\r\n\r\n\r\n9\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 33,710.00\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTotal\r\n\r\n\r\n15,209\r\n\r\n\r\n$ 28,468,003.00", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=8a436a04-9b0e-4b14-b4b9-e9a006605136", "HANFORD: Murrays Fight for Increased Investment in Hanford Cleanup Results in Critical Win in Federal Spending Bill", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Patty Murray", "M001111", "www.murray.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Hanford will receive $78 million above the Presidents 2016 request for cleanup\r\n\r\nMurray: I was proud to fight hard to make sure this final deal increases our commitment to this local and national priority\r\n\r\nAfter Administration proposed cuts to Hanford cleanup, Murray pushed back for increased investment\r\n\r\n(Washington, D.C.) Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committees, released the following statement on the Fiscal Year 2016 Omnibus, which includes critical federal funding for Washington state, including $2.336 billion for Hanford cleanup. Earlier this year, Senator Murray pushed back on the Administrations proposal to cut funds for the cleanup effort, including a proposed cut to Richland Operations of nearly $100 million. The Omnibus bill would increase investments for Hanford cleanup operations, and is expected to pass the House of Representatives and the Senate in the coming days.\r\n\r\nThe federal government has a legal and moral obligation to clean up Hanford, which is why I fight year in and year out to make sure that commitment is maintained and Hanford gets the resources it needs to get the job done, Senator Murray said. It wasnt easy this year between President Obama underfunding Hanford in his budget and additional cuts proposed in the House, but I was proud to fight hard to make sure this final deal increases our commitment to this local and national priority. It is so critical that the federal government keeps its eye on the ball to do whats right for the Tri-Cities community, and I am going to keep fighting to make sure that continues.\r\n\r\nBreakdown of the $2.336 billion funding total for Hanford cleanup:\r\n \r\n$922.59 million for Richland Operations, an increase of $78.7 million above the Presidents Fiscal Year 2016 budget request\r\n$1.414 billion for Office of River Protection, equal to the Presidents Fiscal Year 2016 budget request and a $146 million increase over the proposed House bill\r\n$765 million for Waste Treatment Plant\r\n$649 million for Tank Farm Activities\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nHanford represents two of the sixteen nuclear waste cleanup sites across the country created by the Manhattan Project and Cold War that depend on federal funding to ensure critical cleanup operations continue.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://dennyheck.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/billy-frank-jr-tell-your-story-act-heads-to-white-house-for-president-s", "Billy Frank Jr. Tell Your Story Act heads to White House for Presidents signature", "2015-12-15", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Denny Heck", "H001064", "dennyheck.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Soon President Barack Obama is expected to sign the Billy Frank Jr. Tell Your Story Act into law, renaming the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge after the tribal leader and nationally known activist from the Pacific Northwest. The bill, H.R. 2270, advanced out of the House on November 30 by a vote of 413-2, and passed in the Senate on December 14 by unanimous consent.\nBilly didnt wait for change, or demand change, he created change, Rep. Denny Heck (WA-10) said. He didnt just talk about the pollution the salmon face, or how the water is unclean, he developed solutions and found ways to get things done. This successful push to add his name to the cherished Nisqually Wildlife Refuge is a fitting tribute to a hero from the area who was never afraid of the work that goes behind every change we seek.\nBilly was key in the effort to return much of the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge to salmon habitat by breaching the dikes that once surrounded it, Lorraine Loomis, Chair of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, said. He was proud of the hundreds of acres of new salmon habitat that were created. He would be especially pleased by the bill's provision to mark the site near the refuge where the Medicine Creek Treaty was signed on Dec. 26, 1854. Billy used to visit the site often to draw strength for his lifelong fight to preserve tribal cultures, treaty rights and natural resources. He continued to bring tribal leaders and other officials to this site and explain its importance.\nBefore the House vote, Heck spoke on the House floor mentioning Billys advice to always tell your story. House cosponsors include the entire Washington state Congressional delegation, Congressional Native American Caucus Co-Chairs Tom Cole (R-Okla.) and Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), Chair of Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs Don Young (R-Alaska), and Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee Ral Grijalva (D-Ariz.).\nEarlier this month, Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) introduced companion Senate legislation, S. 2326, and President Barack Obama posthumously awarded Billy Frank Jr. the Presidential Medal of Freedom, saying his magnetic personality and tireless advocacy over more than 50 years made him a revered figure both domestically and abroad.\nBackground\nBilly Frank Jr. was known as a tireless champion for treaty rights, tribal sovereignty, and salmon recovery. He was on the front lines in the campaign against state-imposed limits on tribal fishing, known as the Fish Wars in the 1960s and 1970s where he organized fish-insmodeled after the sit-ins of the civil rights movement. Those efforts lead to the 1974 Boldt decision, which reaffirmed the Tribes rights to half of the fish harvest in Washington.\nBilly Frank Jr. was awarded the Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism and the Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Award, was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010, and posthumously received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015. As chairman of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission (NWIFC), Frank worked to bring together tribes, local, state, and federal officials to further strengthen treaty rights and environmental protection laws.\nThe Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1974 to protect the Nisqually River Delta, a biologically rich and diverse area at the southern end of Puget Sound. While most major estuaries in the state have been filled, dredged, or developed, Nisqually River's has been set aside for wildlife. Last year the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center was named after Congressman Norm Dicks, a friend of Billy Frank Jr. who pushed for federal support to complete the acquisition of the Refuge and protect the Nisqually Delta.\nThe Treaty of Medicine Creek, signed on December 26, 1854, established reservation land as well as the right to fish at all usual and accustomed grounds and stations for Puget Sound area tribes.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcmorris.house.gov/freedom-of-the-press-in-the-western-hemisphere/", "Freedom of the Press in the Western Hemisphere", "2015-12-15", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WA", "Cathy McMorris Rodgers", "M001159", "mcmorris.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.Today,Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) stoodin support of H. Res. 536, a resolution to support freedom of the press in Latin America and the Caribbean. The bill condemns violations of press freedoms and violence against journalists, bloggers, and individuals exercising their right to freedom of speech.\nMcMorris Rodgers released the following statement:\nFreedom of the press is a pillar on which all free and prosperous societies are built. The persecution of those seeking free expression should not be tolerated. Regime hostility toward journalists in Cuba, Ecuador, and Mexico violates basic civil rights and the Inter-American democratic charter.\nH. Res. 536 was adopted by the House with a 399  2vote.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcmorris.house.gov/northern-representative-malcolm-friedman/", "Northern Representative Malcolm Friedman", "2015-12-15", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WA", "Cathy McMorris Rodgers", "M001159", "mcmorris.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) announced former Stevens County Commissioner Malcolm Friedman will serve as her Northern Regional Representative, based in her Colville office.\nMalcolm is leader in Northeastern Washington, and he brings a wealth of experience to this position, McMorris Rodgers said. I am excited to welcome him to my team as we continue to partner with local communities and individuals in moving forward important projects and priorities.\nMalcolm Friedman grew up in the Colville grocery store his family built in 1956. He attended Colville schools and graduated from the University of Washington. After college, Friedman continued in the family grocery business, expanding into new locations. In 1997, he became the executive director of the Rural Information Technology Center, a nonprofit in Colville focused on expanding access to broadband internet in Northeastern Washington.\nIn 2001, Friedman was elected to the Stevens County Board of Commissioners, and he served in that position until 2012. He has served on numerous boards and community organizations, including Mount Carmel Hospital Board, Rural Resources Community Action Board, Martin Hall Juvenile Facility Board, Tri-County Economic Development District Board, North East Washington Regional Support Network, North East Washington Health Systems, as well as the Colville Rotary Club and the Colville Food Bank.\nFriedman is married to his high school sweetheart, Jillian. They have two grown children and four grandchildren.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://delbene.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delbene-calls-for-increase-in-medical-research-funding", "DelBene Calls for Increase in Medical Research Funding", "2015-12-14", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Suzan DelBene", "D000617", "delbene.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Join me in Skagit County! \r\n            November 14, 2017  \r\n            Dear Friend, As your representative in Congress, one of the most important aspects of my job is to stay informed of the thoughts and opinions of my constituents, and I appreciate the time you take to share them with me. Thats why Im hosting a series of community forums in Skagit County on Saturday, November 18. I wil...\r\n            Read More", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://dennyheck.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/senate-passes-legislation-to-rename-nisqually-wildlife-refuge-for-billy", "Senate passes legislation to rename Nisqually Wildlife Refuge for Billy Frank Jr.", "2015-12-14", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Denny Heck", "H001064", "dennyheck.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The U.S. Senate on Monday passed the Billy Frank Jr., Tell Your Story Act, and sent to President Obama the legislation that will rename the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge after the late Indian fishing activist.\nThe legislation, a brainchild of U.S. Rep. Denny Heck, D-Wash., a longtime friend of Frank, was cosponsored by the entire Washington State Congressional Delegation.\nHenceforth, the refuge just north I-5 in the Nisqually River delta will be known as the Billy Frank Jr., Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. The National Park Service will take charge of the Medicine Creek Treaty National Memorial, site of the 1854 signing of the treaty that Frank used more than a century later to assure Native American fishing rights.\nBilly Frank Jr., just wanted to fish: He was a fisherman to his core, and thats how he wanted history to remember him, said Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., Senate sponsor of the legislation. Everyone who knew Billy would want us to remember him as the legend that walked  and fished  among us.\nFrank died in the spring of 2014. He was recently posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama.\nFrank is much in the tradition of civil rights activists vilified in early days of their activism, but later honored in the arc of American history. He was arrested more than 50 times for illegal fishing on the Nisqually River, where he grew up. Only in 1974 did a seminal ruling by U.S. District Judge George Boldt say that treaty Indians were entitled to 50 percent of the salmon catch.\nThe Boldt decision was fiercely controversial: A line of fishing boats tried to block a Coast Guard cutter carrying President Gerald Ford from a 1976 campaign rally on the Seattle waterfront. But the decision was upheld by both the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court.\nFrank became a strong voice, uniting with former foes, championing restoration of his states decimated salmon runs. The Nisqually Refuge became a centerpiece in the effort, as dikes were removed and a salt water estuary restored so salmon can grow up before heading to the Pacific.\nBy the end of his life, Frank was one of the regions most recognized civil rights leaders and influential voices on the environment.\nWeeks his death, U.S. Interior Sec. Sally Jewell and U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer listened as Billy Frank, Jr., spoke to a symposium in Suquamish. Six thousand people, including Sens. Cantwell and Patty Murray,D-Wash., would attend his memorial service.\nThe Heck-Cantwell legislation wants this episode of Washington history to be told. It provides for the Park Service to work with the Muckleshoot, Nisqually, Puyallup, and Squaxin Island tries to develop educational materials for the memorial.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.cantwell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=39e55c8d-665b-49fa-8fbc-52cf7cdd8bd8", "Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge to be renamed in honor of Billy Frank Jr.", "2015-12-14", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Maria Cantwell", "C000127", "www.cantwell.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.14.15\n    \t\t\t Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge to be renamed in honor of Billy Frank Jr. \n    \t\t\t\n    \t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n    \t\t\t\t Cantwell applauds passage of bill to create Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Bill headed to presidents desk to be signed into law\n    \t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n    \t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, the U.S. Senate passed legislation sponsored by Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) to rename the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge to honor the life of Billy Frank, Jr, a civil rights leader, environmental champion and Nisqually Tribal elder. The bill previously passed the House sponsored by Representative Denny Heck (WA-10) and now heads to the presidents desk to be signed into law. \r\nThe legislation  The Billy Frank Jr. Tell Your Story Act  would rename the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge in Washington state as the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.\r\nThe legislation also establishes as a part of the National Park System, the Medicine Creek Treaty National Memorial, at the location of the 1854 signing of the treaty. The bill would require the Department of Interior to coordinate with the Nisqually, Muckleshoot, Puyallup, and Squaxin Island Tribes in the development of educational materials for the National Memorial.\r\nBilly Frank, Jr. just wanted to fish. He was a fisherman to his core, and thats how he wanted history to remember him. Everyone who knew Billy would want us to remember him as the legend that walked  and fished  among us. Given his life, his legacy, and the way he changed Washington state and the nation, it is only right that we honor his legacy by forever linking his name to the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, said Senator Cantwell in remarks for the Congressional Record. \r\nThe bill received support of the entire Washington state Congressional delegation and is also supported by the National Congress of American Indians, the Affiliated Tribes of NW Indians, and the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission.\r\nEarlier this Fall, Senator Cantwell honored Frank in the Congressional Record. Read Senator Cantwells full remarks below:\r\nMr. President, last year the Pacific Northwest, and the nation lost one of our greatest civil rights heroes with the passing of Billy Frank, Jr. It is clear a great leader has been lost when an entire community shows up to commemorate his life and celebrate his spirt. I attended Billys memorial, along with Senator Murray and 6,000 others, and was honored to have the chance to pay tribute to the man who fought for the civil rights of Native Americans, the principles of environmental stewardship, and the importance of salmon recovery and preservation in the Pacific Northwest.\r\nToday, I am introducing the Billy Frank Jr. Tell Your Story Act, which would change the name of the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge to the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. In addition, this legislation would create a national memorial to commemorate the signing of the Medicine Creek Treaty, the treaty that Billy Frank fought so hard to enforce, within the refuge. The wildlife refuge sits adjacent to the Nisqually Reservation where Billy grew up and lived, and contains the estuary and salmon that Billy devoted his life to protecting.\r\nBilly Frank, Jr. just wanted to fish. He was a fisherman to his core, and thats how he wanted history to remember him. Everyone who knew Billy would want us to remember him as the legend that walked  and fished  among us. Given his life, his legacy, and the way he changed Washington state and the nation, it is only right that we honor his legacy by forever linking his name to the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.\r\nAlong with his advocacy for protecting Tribal treaty rights, Billy Frank changed the way we look at the environment. Because of his advocacy, we now have environmental restoration efforts throughout the Puget Sound, including at the Nisqually River Delta, the largest tidal marsh rehabilitation in the Northwest. Additionally, we have the Puget Sound Partnership, a Tribal and public-private partnership dedicated to improve the health of our Puget Sound. Billy understood that we have a sacred responsibility to be stewards of our environment, and that we must leave it for future generations in better condition than it was left to us.\r\nThe Billy Frank Jr. Tell Your Story Act has the support of the Nisqually Tribe and the neighboring Puyallup Tribe, along with the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, the National Congress of American Indians, and the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. A companion bill introduced by Congressman Denny Heck has been approved by the House Natural Resources Committee and is awaiting consideration by the House. I urge its passage in the Senate, especially given the recent decision by President Obama to posthumously award Billy the Presidential Medal of Freedom.\r\nBilly grew up listening to the stories of his father and others belonging to the Nisqually and other Tribes. Routinely harassed for fishing his Tribes namesake Nisqually River with nets, Willie Frank, Sr. recalled a warden telling him, Your treaty isnt worth the paper its printed on. Billys father always told him, Just keep fishing. Even if they arrested you, just keep fishing. Even if they beat you just keep fishing. Keep fishing and claim what was promised in the in the Medicine Creek Treaty. By changing the name of the Nisqually wildlife refuge, we will not only honor the fisherman that fought to protect the land and its people, but we will make this land better than it was left to us, just like Billy Frank, Jr. would have wanted.\r\nThank you, Mr. President, I yield the floor.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1538", "DelBene Calls for Increase in Medical Research Funding", "2015-12-14", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Suzan DelBene", "D000617", "delbene.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "DelBene Calls for Increase in Medical Research Funding \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington, DC,\r\n        December 14, 2015\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n        BOTHELL  Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today met with Washington state researchers to call for an increase in federal funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH).\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      \r\t\r\t\t\r\t\t\t\r\t\t\t\t\r\t\t\t\t\tBOTHELL  Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today met with Washington state researchers to call for an increase in federal funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH).\r\r\t\t\t\t\tAll across the country, Americans are suffering from heartbreaking conditions. If we are serious about breaking new ground in our understanding of complex diseases like Alzheimer's and cancer, it's imperative we boost investments in medical research, DelBene said. That's why I've called on congressional leaders to finally increase funding for medical research at NIH so we can develop the next generation of treatments and cures.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tLast month, DelBene led more than 100 House members in urging the Appropriations Committee to provide NIH at least $32 billion in 2016  a nearly $2 billion increase above 2015 levels. An omnibus federal funding package is expected before the current continuing resolution expires on Wednesday, Dec. 16.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tFunding for NIH supports vital research to develop breakthrough treatments and improve health outcomes, and it supports more than 300,000 jobs at 2,500 research institutions around the country, including the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Bastyr University and the University of all of which were present at Monday's roundtable discussion with DelBene.\r\r\t\t\t\t\t# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/nisqually-national-wildlife-refuge-to-be-renamed-in-honor-of-billy-frank-jr", "Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge to be renamed in honor of Billy Frank Jr.", "2015-12-14", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Maria Cantwell", "C000127", "www.cantwell.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.14.15\n    \t\t\t Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge to be renamed in honor of Billy Frank Jr. \n    \t\t\t\n    \t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n    \t\t\t\t Cantwell applauds passage of bill to create Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Bill headed to president's desk to be signed into law\n    \t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n    \t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, the U.S. Senate passed legislation sponsored by Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) to rename the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge to honor the life of Billy Frank, Jr, a civil rights leader, environmental champion and Nisqually Tribal elder. The bill previously passed the House sponsored by Representative Denny Heck (WA-10) and now heads to the president's desk to be signed into law. \r\nThe legislation  The Billy Frank Jr. Tell Your Story Act  would rename the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge in Washington state as the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.\r\nThe legislation also establishes as a part of the National Park System, the Medicine Creek Treaty National Memorial, at the location of the 1854 signing of the treaty. The bill would require the Department of Interior to coordinate with the Nisqually, Muckleshoot, Puyallup, and Squaxin Island Tribes in the development of educational materials for the National Memorial.\r\nBilly Frank, Jr. just wanted to fish. He was a fisherman to his core, and that's how he wanted history to remember him. Everyone who knew Billy would want us to remember him as the legend that walked  and fished  among us. Given his life, his legacy, and the way he changed Washington state and the nation, it is only right that we honor his legacy by forever linking his name to the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, said Senator Cantwell in remarks for the Congressional Record. \r\nThe bill received support of the entire Washington state Congressional delegation and is also supported by the National Congress of American Indians, the Affiliated Tribes of NW Indians, and the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission.\r\nEarlier this Fall, Senator Cantwell honored Frank in the Congressional Record. Read Senator Cantwell's full remarks below:\r\nMr. President, last year the Pacific Northwest, and the nation lost one of our greatest civil rights heroes with the passing of Billy Frank, Jr. It is clear a great leader has been lost when an entire community shows up to commemorate his life and celebrate his spirt. I attended Billy's memorial, along with Senator Murray and 6,000 others, and was honored to have the chance to pay tribute to the man who fought for the civil rights of Native Americans, the principles of environmental stewardship, and the importance of salmon recovery and preservation in the Pacific Northwest.\r\nToday, I am introducing the Billy Frank Jr. Tell Your Story Act, which would change the name of the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge to the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. In addition, this legislation would create a national memorial to commemorate the signing of the Medicine Creek Treaty, the treaty that Billy Frank fought so hard to enforce, within the refuge. The wildlife refuge sits adjacent to the Nisqually Reservation where Billy grew up and lived, and contains the estuary and salmon that Billy devoted his life to protecting.\r\nBilly Frank, Jr. just wanted to fish. He was a fisherman to his core, and that's how he wanted history to remember him. Everyone who knew Billy would want us to remember him as the legend that walked  and fished  among us. Given his life, his legacy, and the way he changed Washington state and the nation, it is only right that we honor his legacy by forever linking his name to the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.\r\nAlong with his advocacy for protecting Tribal treaty rights, Billy Frank changed the way we look at the environment. Because of his advocacy, we now have environmental restoration efforts throughout the Puget Sound, including at the Nisqually River Delta, the largest tidal marsh rehabilitation in the Northwest. Additionally, we have the Puget Sound Partnership, a Tribal and public-private partnership dedicated to improve the health of our Puget Sound. Billy understood that we have a sacred responsibility to be stewards of our environment, and that we must leave it for future generations in better condition than it was left to us.\r\nThe Billy Frank Jr. Tell Your Story Act has the support of the Nisqually Tribe and the neighboring Puyallup Tribe, along with the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, the National Congress of American Indians, and the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. A companion bill introduced by Congressman Denny Heck has been approved by the House Natural Resources Committee and is awaiting consideration by the House. I urge its passage in the Senate, especially given the recent decision by President Obama to posthumously award Billy the Presidential Medal of Freedom.\r\nBilly grew up listening to the stories of his father and others belonging to the Nisqually and other Tribes. Routinely harassed for fishing his Tribe's namesake Nisqually River with nets, Willie Frank, Sr. recalled a warden telling him, Your treaty isn't worth the paper it's printed on.' Billy's father always told him, Just keep fishing. Even if they arrested you, just keep fishing. Even if they beat you just keep fishing. Keep fishing and claim what was promised in the in the Medicine Creek Treaty.' By changing the name of the Nisqually wildlife refuge, we will not only honor the fisherman that fought to protect the land and its people, but we will make this land better than it was left to us, just like Billy Frank, Jr. would have wanted.\r\nThank you, Mr. President, I yield the floor.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://delbene.house.gov/media-center/enewsletters/121115", "12/11/15", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Suzan DelBene", "D000617", "delbene.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Browse Documentsby Date or Issue:\r\n    \r\n    \r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n      \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        \r\n          Small Business Saturday in Snohomish\r\n        \r\n        Posted in eNewsletters on November 28, 2017 |\r\n        Preview rr\r\n\r\n        \r\n        \r\n          Dear Friend, Growing up, my parents owned a toy store, so I know how important holiday shopping can be for a small retailer. Small Business Saturday is a great opportunity to show our support for local shops. Thats why I marked Small Business Saturday by holiday shopping at locally-owned small businesses in historic Snohomish to support the First Districts local economy. According to the most recent data from the Small Business Administration, Washingtons small businesses make up 98 percent o...\r\n          Read more\r\n        \r\n      \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        \r\n          Join me in Skagit County!\r\n        \r\n        Posted in eNewsletters on November 14, 2017 |\r\n        Preview rr\r\n\r\n        \r\n        \r\n          Dear Friend, As your representative in Congress, one of the most important aspects of my job is to stay informed of the thoughts and opinions of my constituents, and I appreciate the time you take to share them with me. Thats why Im hosting a series of community forums in Skagit County on Saturday, November 18. I will be in Concrete, Lyman and Big Lake. I hope to see you there! As always, my office is here to serve you. If you have questions or comments about the topics that matter most to you...\r\n          Read more\r\n        \r\n      \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        \r\n          Helping Our Veterans Find Jobs\r\n        \r\n        Posted in eNewsletters on November 10, 2017 |\r\n        Preview rr\r\n\r\n        \r\n            Tags:\r\n          \r\n            Veterans\r\n        \r\n          Dear Friend, Right now, too many veterans are struggling to find jobs. As workers face significant challenges adapting to a rapidly changing economy, it is essential we improve 21st century employment opportunities for those transitioning back into civilian life. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 370,000 unemployed veterans are currently struggling to find work, including 139,000 veterans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan since 9/11. Thats why I recently reintroduced ...\r\n          Read more\r\n        \r\n      \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        \r\n          Get Covered\r\n        \r\n        Posted in eNewsletters on November 1, 2017 |\r\n        Preview rr\r\n\r\n        \r\n            Tags:\r\n          \r\n            Health\r\n        \r\n          Open Enrollment begins today, giving you and your family the opportunity to sign up for the healthcare plan that best meets your needs. This year, Open Enrollment is shorter than before, so it is important to sign up before the January 15 deadline to ensure youll be covered in 2018. You can apply either online, by phone or in person so dont delay and get covered now. Find the information you need to get started HERE. In Congress, Im working to ensure every American is able to get affordable, ...\r\n          Read more\r\n        \r\n      \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        \r\n          Preparing for a New Economy\r\n        \r\n        Posted in eNewsletters on October 25, 2017 |\r\n        Preview rr\r\n\r\n        \r\n            Tags:\r\n          \r\n            Jobs and the Economy\r\n        \r\n          Dear Friend, Recently, the House Democratic Caucus announced the creation of the Jobs for America Task Forces to help craft a legislative agenda that will benefit hardworking Americans and middle-class families. I was named co-chair of the New Economy Task Force, which is one of five Task Forces aimed at identifying opportunities and solutions for American workers across the country. With a rapidly changing economy and new challenges facing American workers, the New Economy Task Force will take ...\r\n          Read more\r\n        \r\n      \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        \r\n          Honoring Vietnam War Veterans\r\n        \r\n        Posted in eNewsletters on October 17, 2017 |\r\n        Preview rr\r\n\r\n        \r\n            Tags:\r\n          \r\n            Veterans\r\n        \r\n          Dear Friend, With more than 200,000 veterans in Washington state who served during the Vietnam War, Im working in conjunction with the Vietnam War Commemoration as part of a nationwide effort to thank and honor all Vietnam-era veterans and their families at Vietnam War 50th Commemoration pinning ceremonies to publicly recognize their service and sacrifice for our country. If you or a family member are an eligible participant and would like a Vietnam Veteran lapel pin, Id love for you to join m...\r\n          Read more\r\n        \r\n      \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        \r\n          Congressional App Challenge and Hackathon\r\n        \r\n        Posted in eNewsletters on October 10, 2017 |\r\n        Preview rr\r\n\r\n        \r\n        \r\n          Dear Friend, As someone who worked in the technology sector before coming to Congress, I know firsthand innovation requires creative, entrepreneurial leaders. The future of our nation and its economy depend on the next generations being able to think outside of the box. Thats why Im pleased to announce the return of the Congressional App Challenge! This competition is a great opportunity for high school students in our region to compete by designing a creative app. And the winning app will be ...\r\n          Read more\r\n        \r\n      \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        \r\n          Bringing Down College Costs\r\n        \r\n        Posted in eNewsletters on October 4, 2017 |\r\n        Preview rr\r\n\r\n        \r\n            Tags:\r\n          \r\n            Education\r\n        \r\n          Dear Friend, As students return to campus, the rising cost of higher education in America continues to pose serious challenges to millions of middle-class families, who are being forced to take out higher loan amounts to pay for tuition, fees, textbooks and housing. In Washington state alone, 56 percent of graduates leave their four-year university with student debt averaging $23,000. I remain committed to bringing down college costs and ensuring everyone has access to a quality college educatio...\r\n          Read more\r\n        \r\n      \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        \r\n          Protect Our Dreamers\r\n        \r\n        Posted in eNewsletters on September 11, 2017 |\r\n        Preview rr\r\n\r\n        \r\n            Tags:\r\n          \r\n            Immigration\r\n        \r\n          Dear Friend, This past week, the President decided to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. This action is cruel, heartless and does nothing to secure our borders or fix our immigration system. Nearly 800,000 children brought to this country by their parents have known no other home than the United States, including more than 17,800 right here in Washington state who are studying, working and contributing to our economy. Rescinding DACA puts these young people at risk of...\r\n          Read more\r\n        \r\n      \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        \r\n          A Busy August in WA01\r\n        \r\n        Posted in eNewsletters on September 7, 2017 |\r\n        Preview rr\r\n\r\n        \r\n            Tags:\r\n          \r\n            Jobs and the Economy\r\n        \r\n          Dear Friend, It was a busy August back in the beautiful First Congressional District! I had the opportunity to travel throughout the district talking to folks about ways Congress can update our laws to ensure all Americans succeed in the rapidly changing economy. Nowhere in the country is the economic impact of innovation and entrepreneurship more visible than in Washingtons First District, where our local industries  ranging from aerospace, manufacturing, and high-tech to agriculture, clean e...\r\n          Read more", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-supports-trade-enforcement-bill-other-countries-must-play-rules", "Larsen Supports Trade Enforcement Bill: Other Countries Must Play By The Rules", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Rick Larsen", "L000560", "larsen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Larsen-led provisions to help small businesses export also included in bill\nWASHINGTON, D.C.U.S. trade agreements will hold other countries to a higher standard of accountability because of provisions Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, pushed for in a trade enforcement bill (Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015) that the U.S. House passed today. Larsen championed a new trust fund to pay for enforcement actions against other countries that break trade rules. He also supported a provision to require quick action against countries engaging in unfair trading practices, as well as an office dedicated to ensuring other countries play by the rules or face consequences.\nLarsen voted in favor of the House version of the bill earlier this year and pointed out the even stronger measures to enforce trade agreements and help small businesses in the bill he supported today.\nStrong Enforcement\nIf other countries want to trade with us, they must play by the rules or face the consequences. The bill I voted for today creates for the first time a trust fund dedicated to enforcing trade deals. This fund is not just words on paper. It is real money, up to $30 million, to make sure our trading partners play fairly.\nThe bill also makes permanent an office dedicated specifically to enforcing trade agreements. The office has a strong track record since its inception in 2012, helping bring cases to the World Trade Organization (WTO) against countries like Argentina, China and India for unfair trade practices. Since 2009, the U.S. has brought 20 complaints to the WTO, more than any WTO member, and has won every case that has been decided so far.\nWith the new trust fund and more trade cops on the beat, the U.S. will be better equipped to track down and put a stop to countries that are creating an unfair playing field for our workers, Larsen said.\nThe bill:\n Establishes a trust fund to pay for the enforcement of trade agreements and requires the U.S. Treasury to transfer $15 million each year to the fund, which may have a balance of up to $30 million;\n\tPermanently establishes the Interagency Center on Trade Implementation, Monitoring and Enforcement in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to increase investigations and enforcement actions; and\n\tEstablishes new requirements for U.S. Customs and Border Patrol to initiate investigations within 15 days of receiving a petition about allegations of unfairly traded goods and make a final determination within 210 days.\n Helping Small Businesses\nLarsens provisions to help small businesses export are also included in the bill: funding for the State Trade and Export Promotion, or STEP, program, and requirements for more coordinated, efficient assistance from the federal government to streamline trade resources for small businesses.\nWhen we help our small businesses sell their goods overseas, we create jobs here at home. I fought hard for funding to do just that, and I am pleased this bill includes $30 million for the job-creating STEP program that has helped hundreds of small businesses in Washington state generate millions of dollars in sales. The new state trade coordination effort will enable small businesses to focus on growing their sales abroad, rather than navigating complicated federal bureaucracies, Larsen said.\nThe bill:\n Authorizes the STEP program to receive $30 million annually for FY2016  FY2020. The program received $17.4 million in FY2015. Larsen has long championed the STEP program.\n\tStreamlines the federal agencies that play a role in trade promotion to provide more efficient, effective assistance to small businesses seeking to start exporting or grow their exports.\n Supporting Nepal\nLarsen also applauded a measure to aid Nepal in growing its economy through imports to the U.S., following an earthquake earlier this year that devastated the country. The Pacific Northwest is home to a vibrant Nepalese-American community.\nRecovery from a massive natural disaster takes years, and the U.S. has a role to play in continuing to aid a country that lost thousands of people in April. I know many Nepalese in Washington state were affected by that quake, and I am pleased the bill will support this community, Larsen said.\nConcerns\nWhile Larsen agreed with many provisions in the bill, he said there is more work to do to stop human trafficking, prevent currency manipulation and slow climate change.\nNo bill I have ever supported is perfect, and this one is no different. I have several concerns about this bill.\nIf other countries want access to the U.S. marketplace, they should not be engaged in deplorable practices like human trafficking. Our country needs to redouble its efforts to stop human trafficking. While I would like to have seen stronger safeguards in this bill for people in these dangerous situations, I see new enforcement tools and resources as a critical way to hold other countries accountable.\nUnfair actions like currency manipulation stack the deck against our workers. I understand this bill does not go as far to stop currency manipulation as many would like, and I agree. The tools in this bill are only a small step toward curbing this unfair practice.\nThe Administration is fighting hard for a climate change agreement right now at the climate conference in Paris. I see a deal like the one negotiators are working on in Paris as a much more effective way to address climate change than a trade agreement, Larsen said.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://reichert.house.gov/press-release/kilmer-reichert-and-newhouse-introduce-bipartisan-bill-expand-disaster-assistance", "Kilmer, Reichert, and Newhouse Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Disaster Assistance to Rural Communities", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WA", "Dave Reichert", "R000578", "reichert.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  December 11, 2015  Today, Representatives Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Dave Reichert (R-WA), and Dan Newhouse (R-WA) introduced a bipartisan bill to expand key disaster assistance to rural communities in Washington state and across the country. The Individual Assistance Improvement Act of 2015 would increase opportunities to access the Federal Emergency Management Agencys (FEMA) Individual Assistance Program.\nThe Individual Assistance Program provides housing and unemployment assistance, counseling, and other personal support to families and individuals in the wake of a disaster. However, the current formula FEMA uses to evaluate damages and send disaster declaration recommendations to the President frequently leaves smaller towns and communities out. The assistance cannot be utilized without a federal disaster declaration.\nIn Washington state, rural communities have been impacted by wildfires this year that burned more than one million acres and left 46 families without temporary housing. On the Olympic Peninsula severe storms have triggered flooding and mudslides that have caused significant damage to residential property.\nFrom wildfires to mudslides, natural disasters cause significant damage to residents and businesses across our state, said Representative Kilmer. Folks who have to pick up the pieces after their property is damaged need a helping hand. They shouldnt have to worry about bureaucratic and technical hurdles to getting back on their feet. This bipartisan bill ensures that rural communities in Washington state dont get left out when we need to rebuild after disasters strike. \nWildfires affect both urban and rural areas the same, they consume whatever stands in their path, said Representative Reichert. Communities throughout my region learned this the hard way this past summer. Chelan County alone lost 122,845 acres to wildfires, costing it over $4.7 million in damages. Many other smaller communities in Washington State and the country are impacted by wildfires and other disasters every year but do not receive the same FEMA consideration for Individual Assistance as more urban communities do. I was pleased to work with Congressmen Kilmer and Newhouse on bipartisan legislation to update this shortcoming in existing law and ensure that rural communities receive the financial support they need in order to help them pick up the pieces and rebuild after devastating disasters.\nTwo years of historic catastrophic wildfires have destroyed hundreds of homes and burned 1.4 million acres, despite this the residents of Central Washington have repeatedly been denied access to Individual Assistance aid without an adequate explanation, said Representative Newhouse. Current rules for disaster aid prioritize relief efforts to areas of concentration, or urban areas. This means even after a major federal disaster is declared all too often residents in devastated rural communities are left to fend for themselves. No family facing the aftermath of a wildfire, or any natural disaster, should be denied federal aid simply because they live in a rural community. This legislation will revise eligibility criteria, providing much-needed clarity and objective standards for the formula used for federal assistance. I thank my colleagues, Rep. Kilmer and Rep. Reichert, for their efforts on this critical legislation to ensure rural communities are not unfairly excluded from federal aid.\nThe members legislation would eliminate a factor FEMA uses to evaluate rural areas that treats them as a metropolitan area  putting too much emphasis on population density. The bill would also seek to set clear guidelines for how FEMA helps small states and rural communities gain access to assistance and would give Governors and Tribal Executives clear guidance as to why requests are accepted or rejected.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://reichert.house.gov/press-release/rep-reicherts-statement-passage-customs-bill", "Rep. Reichert's Statement on Passage of Customs Bill", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WA", "Dave Reichert", "R000578", "reichert.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  Today the U.S. House passed the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act, which works to remove barriers for American importers and exporters and provide Customs and Border Protection officers with the tools they need to enforce our trade laws. As Chairman of the Trade Subcommittee, Congressman Dave Reichert (R-WA) was named as a conferee to the committee that negotiated the final bill. Prior to the bills passage, Rep. Reichert spoke on the House floor about the benefits of passing this bill, both for Washington State and the country as a whole. A video of the speech can be found HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.cantwell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=225875bd-269b-4a09-bb9e-56e1a0929907", "Cantwell, WA Delegation to Department of Transportation: WA State Needs Emergency Relief After Severe Storms, Floods", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Maria Cantwell", "C000127", "www.cantwell.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.11.15\n    \t\t\t Cantwell, WA Delegation to Department of Transportation: WA State Needs Emergency Relief After Severe Storms, Floods \n    \t\t\t\n    \t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n    \t\t\t\t Severe storms caused heavy flooding across the state, resulting in mudslides and loss of power\n    \t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n    \t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray, and Reps. Jim McDermott, Adam Smith, Rick Larsen, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Dave Reichert, Jaime Herrera Beutler, Suzan DelBene, Derek Kilmer, Denny Heck, and Dan Newhouse sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx, urging the Department of Transportation to quickly approve emergency relief funding to repair heavy damage to roadways in Washington state from storms occurring November 30 through December 8. The severe weather caused incidents state-wide ranging from flooding to mudslides, resulting in property damage and blocked roadways.\r\nWe urge you to grant the State of Washingtons ER funding request as quickly as possible to ensure our constituents have safe and uninterrupted access to these critical roadways, the members wrote in their letter.\r\n\r\nFull text of the letter:\r\n\r\nDecember 11, 2015\r\n\r\nThe Honorable Anthony R. Foxx\r\nSecretary\r\nU.S. Department of Transportation\r\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.\r\nWashington, D.C. 20590\r\n\r\n\r\nDear Secretary Foxx:\r\n\r\nWe write to urge you to expeditiously approve Emergency Relief (ER) program funding requested by the State of Washington to make emergency repairs to roadways and address damage caused by this weeks severe storms.\r\n\r\nOn December 9, 2015, Governor Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency for all counties in Washington state as a result of a series of severe storms and hazardous weather conditions that occurred from November 30 through December 8. Heavy rainfall and strong winds have caused major flooding, saturated soils, landslides, mudslides, downed trees and power lines, stream bank and slope erosion, flying debris, standing water, and washouts.\r\n\r\nThe Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is responding to more than 25 separate instances of blocked or damaged roadways across 13 counties due to this extreme weather, forcing our constituents to use alternate routes and detours. In some extreme cases, mudslides and flooding have completely isolated individual homes and neighborhoods. Interstate-5 (I-5) Northbound, approximately 20 miles north of Vancouver, was blocked by mudslide and debris for a day; and WSDOT was only able to open two lanes yesterday. In addition, the northbound I-5 off-ramp to Kalama (exit 30) remains closed due to flooding. U.S. Route 2 near Leavenworth remains closed due to a mudslide, and may reopen soon, and U.S. Route 2 has been reduced to one lane in both directions west of Stevens Pass due to another mudslide. A washout on both sides of White Pass on U.S. Route 12 has closed this section of roadway indefinitely and an extended closure is expected. In all, more than 15 closures have been cleared or reopened by WSDOTs diligent road crews and at least seven state routes remain closed.\r\n\r\nWSDOT estimates repairs to these roadways could reach at least $5 million, and the State of Washington has already requested $3 million in quick release ER funding to begin work immediately. We urge you to grant the State of Washingtons ER funding request as quickly as possible to ensure our constituents have safe and uninterrupted access to these critical roadways.\r\n\r\nThank you in advance for your attention to this important request.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1516", "Full WA Delegation to DOT: WA State Needs Emergency Relief After Severe Storms, Floods", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Suzan DelBene", "D000617", "delbene.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, and Reps. Jim McDermott, Adam Smith, Rick Larsen, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Dave Reichert, Jaime Herrera Beutler, Suzan DelBene, Derek Kilmer, Denny Heck, and Dan Newhouse sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx, urging the Department of Transportation to quickly approve emergency relief funding to repair heavy damage to roadways in Washington state from storms occurring November 30 through December 8. The severe weather caused incidents state-wide ranging from flooding to mudslides, resulting in property damage and blocked roadways.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tWe urge you to grant the State of Washington's ER funding request as quickly as possible to ensure our constituents have safe and uninterrupted access to these critical roadways, the members wrote in their letter. \r\r\t\t\t\t\tFull text of the letter:\r\r\t\t\t\t\tDecember 11, 2015\r\r\t\t\t\t\tThe Honorable Anthony R. Foxx\r\r\t\t\t\t\tSecretary\r\r\t\t\t\t\tU.S. Department of Transportation\r\r\t\t\t\t\t1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tWashington, D.C. 20590\r\r\t\t\t\t\tDear Secretary Foxx:\r\r\t\t\t\t\tWe write to urge you to expeditiously approve Emergency Relief (ER) program funding requested by the State of Washington to make emergency repairs to roadways and address damage caused by this week's severe storms.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tOn December 9, 2015, Governor Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency for all counties in Washington state as a result of a series of severe storms and hazardous weather conditions that occurred from November 30 through December 8. Heavy rainfall and strong winds have caused major flooding, saturated soils, landslides, mudslides, downed trees and power lines, stream bank and slope erosion, flying debris, standing water, and washouts.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tThe Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is responding to more than 25 separate instances of blocked or damaged roadways across 13 counties due to this extreme weather, forcing our constituents to use alternate routes and detours. In some extreme cases, mudslides and flooding have completely isolated individual homes and neighborhoods. Interstate-5 (I-5) Northbound, approximately 20 miles north of Vancouver, was blocked by mudslide and debris for a day; and WSDOT was only able to open two lanes yesterday. In addition, the northbound I-5 off-ramp to Kalama (exit 30) remains closed due to flooding. U.S. Route 2 near Leavenworth remains closed due to a mudslide, and may reopen soon, and U.S. Route 2 has been reduced to one lane in both directions west of Stevens Pass due to another mudslide. A washout on both sides of White Pass on U.S. Route 12 has closed this section of roadway indefinitely and an extended closure is expected. In all, more than 15 closures have been cleared or reopened by WSDOT's diligent road crews and at least seven state routes remain closed.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tWSDOT estimates repairs to these roadways could reach at least $5 million, and the State of Washington has already requested $3 million in quick release ER funding to begin work immediately. We urge you to grant the State of Washington's ER funding request as quickly as possible to ensure our constituents have safe and uninterrupted access to these critical roadways.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tThank you in advance for your attention to this important request.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tSincerely,\r\r\t\t\t\t\t \r\r\t\t\t\t\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1536", "DelBene to FTC: Hidden Hotel & Resort Fees Are Unfair to Travelers", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Suzan DelBene", "D000617", "delbene.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) sent a letter calling on Federal Trade Commission Chairwoman Edith Ramirez to stop hotels from masking the true price of a room and include any mandatory fees to be listed as part of the hotel room rate.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tDuring this holiday season, Americans across the country are booking travel to visit family and friends, or enjoy well-deserved breaks. Unfortunately, all too many are unaware of mandatory hotel and resort fees for services they did not ask for and did not use that suddenly and substantially increase the price of their bill, DelBene wrote. This practice has impacted too many Americans already, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) should ban the practice as an unfair and deceptive trade practice.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tCurrently, the FTC allows hotels and resorts to advertise room rates that do not include mandatory resort fees, preventing consumers from comparison shopping and leaving travelers with higher bills than anticipated. This is in contrast to the case of airlines, for which the Transportation Department has ordered carriers and travel agents to include all mandatory fees and taxes in the advertised price of airfares.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tA copy of the signed letter is available HERE, and the full text follows:\r\r\t\t\t\t\tDear Chairwoman Ramirez:\r\r\t\t\t\t\tDuring this holiday season, Americans across the country are booking travel to visit family and friends, or enjoy well-deserved breaks. Unfortunately, all too many are unaware of mandatory hotel and resort fees for services they did not ask for and did not use that suddenly and substantially increase the price of their bill. This practice has impacted too many Americans already, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) should ban the practice as an unfair and deceptive trade practice under Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act. \r\r\t\t\t\t\tHotel resort fees are often not included in the base room rates displayed online and purportedly cover hotel amenities such as the pool and the gym. These fees range from $5 to $70 a night, averaging around $25 per night, and can represent a significant percentage of the overall cost of a hotel stay. While hotels argue these mandatory resort fees are a convenience for consumers, these fees bear no true relationship to the cost of services and many guests may not even utilize these services. \r\r\t\t\t\t\tIn reality, resort fees allow hotels to mask the true price of a hotel room and reduce guests' ability to compare costs and fully budget for a family vacation or a business trip. A recent poll revealed that 80 percent of Americans polled agreed with the simple notion that if a fee is mandatory, it should be included in the base rate. In addition, 87 percent of those polled stated they would be less likely to stay at a hotel that charged a mandatory resort fee. Leading consumers' rights organizations have called these fees deceptive and a classic bait and switch. And the Department of Transportation's Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protection recently recommended that if hotel fees are mandatory, those fees should be included in the room rate. \r\r\t\t\t\t\tUnfortunately, the FTC has dealt with this issue as one of simply inadequate disclosure, and has spent considerable time and resources in an unsuccessful attempt to find the correct combination of font color, size, and prominence on a website to rectify this issue. The smaller screen size of phones and tablets do not lend themselves to extensive disclosures, and consumers are not well served by budgeting for one fare while being presented with another.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tWe respectfully request the FTC revive its review and utilize the agency's authority to determine that mandatory hotel resort fees are a deceptive and unfair trade practice, as prohibited by Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act. We look forward to receiving your reply.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tSincerely,\r\r\t\t\t\t\t# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/full-wa-delegation-dot-wa-state-needs-emergency-relief-after-severe", "Full WA Delegation to DOT: WA State Needs Emergency Relief After Severe Storms, Floods", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WA", "Dan Newhouse", "N000189", "newhouse.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Washington, D.C.)  Today, Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, and Reps. Jim McDermott, Adam Smith, Rick Larsen, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Dave Reichert, Jaime Herrera Beutler, Suzan DelBene, Derek Kilmer, Denny Heck, and Dan Newhouse sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx, urging the Department of Transportation to quickly approve emergency relief funding to repair heavy damage to roadways in Washington state from storms occurring November 30 through December 8. The severe weather caused incidents state-wide ranging from flooding to mudslides, resulting in property damage and blocked roadways.\nWe urge you to grant the State of Washingtons ER funding request as quickly as possible to ensure our constituents have safe and uninterrupted access to these critical roadways, the members wrote in their letter.\nFull text of the letter:\nDecember 10, 2015\n\nThe Honorable Anthony R. Foxx\nSecretary\nU.S. Department of Transportation\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.\nWashington, D.C. 20590\n\nDear Secretary Foxx:\nWe write to urge you to expeditiously approve Emergency Relief (ER) program funding requested by the State of Washington to make emergency repairs to roadways and address damage caused by this weeks severe storms.\nOn December 9, 2015, Governor Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency for all counties in Washington state as a result of a series of severe storms and hazardous weather conditions that occurred from November 30 through December 8. Heavy rainfall and strong winds have caused major flooding, saturated soils, landslides, mudslides, downed trees and power lines, stream bank and slope erosion, flying debris, standing water, and washouts.\nThe Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is responding to more than 25 separate instances of blocked or damaged roadways across 13 counties due to this extreme weather, forcing our constituents to use alternate routes and detours. In some extreme cases, mudslides and flooding have completely isolated individual homes and neighborhoods. Interstate-5 (I-5) Northbound, approximately 20 miles north of Vancouver, remains blocked by mudslide and debris; if WSDOT can determine the surrounding slopes are stable, I-5 could be reopened in the next 24 hours. In addition, the northbound I-5 off-ramp to Kalama (exit 30) remains closed due to flooding. U.S. Route 2 near Leavenworth remains closed due to a mudslide, and may reopen soon, and U.S. Route 2 has been reduced to one lane in both directions west of Stevens Pass due to another mudslide. A washout on both sides of White Pass on U.S. Route 12 has closed this section of roadway indefinitely and an extended closure is expected. In all, more than 15 closures have been cleared or reopened by WSDOTs diligent road crews and at least seven state routes remain closed.\nWSDOT estimates repairs to these roadways could reach at least $5 million, and the State of Washington has already requested $3 million in quick release ER funding to begin work immediately. We urge you to grant the State of Washingtons ER funding request as quickly as possible to ensure our constituents have safe and uninterrupted access to these critical roadways.\nThank you in advance for your attention to this important request.\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-kilmer-and-reichert-introduce-bipartisan-bill-expand-disaster", "Newhouse, Kilmer, and Reichert Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Disaster Assistance to Rural Communities", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WA", "Dan Newhouse", "N000189", "newhouse.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, Representatives Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Derek Kilmer (D-WA), and Dave Reichert (R-WA) introduced a bipartisan bill to expand key disaster assistance to rural communities in Washington state and across the country. The Individual Assistance Improvement Act of 2015 would increase opportunities to access the Federal Emergency Management Agencys (FEMA) Individual Assistance Program.\nThe Individual Assistance Program provides housing and unemployment assistance, counseling, and other personal support to families and individuals in the wake of a disaster. However, the current formula FEMA uses to evaluate damages and send disaster declaration recommendations to the President frequently leaves smaller towns and communities out. The assistance cannot be utilized without a federal disaster declaration.\nIn Washington state, rural communities have been impacted by wildfires this year that burned more than one million acres and left 46 families without temporary housing. On the Olympic Peninsula severe storms have triggered flooding and mudslides that have caused significant damage to residential property.\nTwo years of historic catastrophic wildfires have destroyed hundreds of homes and burned 1.4 million acres, despite this the residents of Central Washington have repeatedly been denied access to Individual Assistance aid without an adequate explanation, said Representative Newhouse. Current rules for disaster aid prioritize relief efforts to areas of concentration, or urban areas. This means even after a major federal disaster is declared all too often residents in devastated rural communities are left to fend for themselves. No family facing the aftermath of a wildfire, or any natural disaster, should be denied federal aid simply because they live in a rural community. This legislation will revise eligibility criteria, providing much-needed clarity and objective standards for the formula used for federal assistance. I thank my colleagues, Rep. Kilmer and Rep. Reichert, for their efforts on this critical legislation to ensure rural communities are not unfairly excluded from federal aid.\nFrom wildfires to mudslides, natural disasters cause significant damage to residents and businesses across our state, said Representative Kilmer. Folks who have to pick up the pieces after their property is damaged need a helping hand. They shouldnt have to worry about bureaucratic and technical hurdles to getting back on their feet. This bipartisan bill ensures that rural communities in Washington state dont get left out when we need to rebuild after disasters strike. \nWildfires affect both urban and rural areas the same, they consume whatever stands in their path, said Representative Reichert. Communities throughout my region learned this the hard way this past summer. Chelan County alone lost 122,845 acres to wildfires, costing it over $4.7 million in damages. Many other smaller communities in Washington State and the country are impacted by wildfires and other disasters every year but do not receive the same FEMA consideration for Individual Assistance as more urban communities do. I was pleased to work with Congressmen Kilmer and Newhouse on bipartisan legislation to update this shortcoming in existing law and ensure that rural communities receive the financial support they need in order to help them pick up the pieces and rebuild after devastating disasters.\nThe members legislation would eliminate a factor FEMA uses to evaluate rural areas that treats them as a metropolitan area  putting too much emphasis on population density. The bill would also seek to set clear guidelines for how FEMA helps small states and rural communities gain access to assistance and would give Governors and Tribal Executives clear guidance as to why requests are accepted or rejected.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-wa-delegation-to-department-of-transportation-wa-state-needs-emergency-relief-after-severe-storms-floods", "Cantwell, WA Delegation to Department of Transportation: WA State Needs Emergency Relief After Severe Storms, Floods", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Maria Cantwell", "C000127", "www.cantwell.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.11.15\n    \t\t\t Cantwell, WA Delegation to Department of Transportation: WA State Needs Emergency Relief After Severe Storms, Floods \n    \t\t\t\n    \t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n    \t\t\t\t Severe storms caused heavy flooding across the state, resulting in mudslides and loss of power\n    \t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n    \t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray, and Reps. Jim McDermott, Adam Smith, Rick Larsen, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Dave Reichert, Jaime Herrera Beutler, Suzan DelBene, Derek Kilmer, Denny Heck, and Dan Newhouse sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx, urging the Department of Transportation to quickly approve emergency relief funding to repair heavy damage to roadways in Washington state from storms occurring November 30 through December 8. The severe weather caused incidents state-wide ranging from flooding to mudslides, resulting in property damage and blocked roadways.\r\nWe urge you to grant the State of Washington's ER funding request as quickly as possible to ensure our constituents have safe and uninterrupted access to these critical roadways, the members wrote in their letter.\r\n\r\nFull text of the letter:\r\n\r\nDecember 11, 2015\r\n\r\nThe Honorable Anthony R. Foxx\r\nSecretary\r\nU.S. Department of Transportation\r\n1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.\r\nWashington, D.C. 20590\r\n\r\n\r\nDear Secretary Foxx:\r\n\r\nWe write to urge you to expeditiously approve Emergency Relief (ER) program funding requested by the State of Washington to make emergency repairs to roadways and address damage caused by this week's severe storms.\r\n\r\nOn December 9, 2015, Governor Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency for all counties in Washington state as a result of a series of severe storms and hazardous weather conditions that occurred from November 30 through December 8. Heavy rainfall and strong winds have caused major flooding, saturated soils, landslides, mudslides, downed trees and power lines, stream bank and slope erosion, flying debris, standing water, and washouts.\r\n\r\nThe Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is responding to more than 25 separate instances of blocked or damaged roadways across 13 counties due to this extreme weather, forcing our constituents to use alternate routes and detours. In some extreme cases, mudslides and flooding have completely isolated individual homes and neighborhoods. Interstate-5 (I-5) Northbound, approximately 20 miles north of Vancouver, was blocked by mudslide and debris for a day; and WSDOT was only able to open two lanes yesterday. In addition, the northbound I-5 off-ramp to Kalama (exit 30) remains closed due to flooding. U.S. Route 2 near Leavenworth remains closed due to a mudslide, and may reopen soon, and U.S. Route 2 has been reduced to one lane in both directions west of Stevens Pass due to another mudslide. A washout on both sides of White Pass on U.S. Route 12 has closed this section of roadway indefinitely and an extended closure is expected. In all, more than 15 closures have been cleared or reopened by WSDOT's diligent road crews and at least seven state routes remain closed.\r\n\r\nWSDOT estimates repairs to these roadways could reach at least $5 million, and the State of Washington has already requested $3 million in quick release ER funding to begin work immediately. We urge you to grant the State of Washington's ER funding request as quickly as possible to ensure our constituents have safe and uninterrupted access to these critical roadways.\r\n\r\nThank you in advance for your attention to this important request.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=d99f02e0-f6e9-467b-bd9b-701f0f00da54", "VETERANS: Murray Proposal to Expand Caregiver Program a Centerpiece of Omnibus Veteran Services Bill", "2015-12-11", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Patty Murray", "M001111", "www.murray.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Legislation expands VAs Caregiver Program to veterans of all eras\r\n\r\nMurrays proposal received strong support from veteran advocates\r\n\r\n(Washington, D.C.)  The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee on Wednesday advanced legislation that includes Sen. Patty Murrays proposal to expand the VAs comprehensive caregivers program to veterans of all eras. Currently, only post-9/11 veterans are eligible for the comprehensive program, which provides resources and guidance to family members and friends of veterans who care for wounded, ill, or injured veterans. A 2014 RAND study, commissioned by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, found caregivers often face greater rates of depression, divorce, issues in the workplace, and financial difficulty.\r\nI believe that when we ask service members to fight for us, we promise that we will fight for them by providing the best care possible when they come home. And quite often, that care comes from people who are closest to themspouses, parents, and childrenall of whom sacrifice their own jobs and even their own health to look after their loved one, Senator Murray said. So while military caregivers dont necessarily wear uniforms or go overseas, they absolutely serve our country and we should support them by doing what we can to make their lives a little easier.\r\n\"Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) strongly supports expansion of the Family Caregiver Program, said Carl Blake, Associate Executive Director, Government Relations, Paralyzed Veterans of America. No group of veterans understands the value of caregivers more than PVAs members- veterans with a spinal cord injury or disease. Most are ineligible for desperately needed caregiver services because they were injured on or before September 10, 2001. It is time to end this inequity once and for all. Caregivers are the most critical component of rehabilitation and eventual recovery for veterans with catastrophic injuries. Their well-being directly impacts the quality of care provided to veterans. PVA applauds the work of the committee for seeing that these veterans and their caregivers receive the support they have earned and deserve.\" \r\n\r\nSen. Murrays provision is included in S. 425, the Veterans Homeless Programs, Caregiver Services, and Other Improvements Acts of 2015.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-defazio-and-norton-continue-push-pedestrian-and-bicyclist-safety", "Larsen, DeFazio and Norton Continue Push For Pedestrian And Bicyclist Safety", "2015-12-10", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Rick Larsen", "L000560", "larsen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Reps. Rick Larsen, WA-02, Peter DeFazio, OR-04, and Eleanor Holmes Norton, DC, called for continued focus on improving bicyclist and pedestrian safety in response to the troubling increase in pedestrian and cyclist fatalities in recent years.\nThe Members released a report today from the Government Accountability Office, which they requested to investigate the trends and causes of accidents involving pedestrians and bicycles and to make recommendations about improving safety. Among its findings, the report indicates that modernizing road design could help improve safety for all road users. It also finds that state and local safety efforts for pedestrians and bicyclists are inconsistent and could benefit from a federal initiative to unify safety projects.\nSidewalks, trails and bike lanes are critical to our transportation network, and the people who use them should be able to count on staying safe. I want to see rules from the Federal Highway Administration to encourage road design that improves safety for everyone, including the most vulnerable road users. The Obama administration recognizes the importance of this issue, with efforts like DOT's Safer People, Safer Streets initiative, but I want to see to more action that protects and encourages walkers and bikers, Larsen said.\nThis report will help local and state governments identify ways to reverse the increase in cyclist and pedestrian fatalities in recent years. It cites challenges to addressing pedestrian and cyclist safety, including insufficient funding and roadway design standards that are skewed towards motorists. Communities across the country are adopting policies to reduce the number of traffic deaths and injuries on city streets. Much more must be done in order to truly move toward zero deaths, but through the FAST Act Congress has provided a strong signal that cyclist and pedestrian safety is a priority, DeFazio said.\nMy city, the District of Columbia, has been a leader in designing and implementing transportation plans that encourage more pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Because D.C. has led in building bike lanes and trails, we are particularly appreciative of this GAO report, which recommends necessary steps to ensure safety for our pedestrians and cyclists. I was pleased we got increased funding for pedestrian and bicycle safety projects in our surface transportation reauthorization, but more needs to be done to reduce the unacceptable increase in pedestrian and cyclist fatalities, Norton said.\nA link to the full GAO report is available here.\nCongress recently passed the FAST Act, a five-year transportation authorization bill that increases funding for sidewalks, bike lanes and trails from $819 million per year to $850 million by 2020. Larsen pushed successfully to maintain this funding.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=af6461c9-b83e-4b72-9661-ae041594e2ac", "CIVIL RIGHTS: Murray Outlines Provisions in New Education Law to Ensure All Students Succeed", "2015-12-10", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Patty Murray", "M001111", "www.murray.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "In speech, Murray highlights her commitment to enhancing civil rights through education, reforming the criminal justice system, and expanding economic opportunity\r\n\r\nMurray: Equality never happens by accident. Its something we have to work for, and foster, and defend in the hearts of Americans.\r\n(Washington, D.C.)  Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) delivered remarks at a conference hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) on improving opportunities for African American students. In her remarks, Murray discussed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the bipartisan legislation she worked on to rewrite No Child Left Behind, which was signed into law by President Obama today. Murray noted that ESSA includes key provisions to ensure all students have access to a quality education including strong accountability measures, helping schools and states address harmful disciplinary practices, shining a light on resource equity, and expanding access to preschool.\r\nMurray also discussed her commitment to enhancing civil rights by reforming the criminal justice system and expanding economic opportunity to all Americans.\r\nKey excerpts from Senator Murrays remarks:\r\n\r\nWeve been working for about a year now to reauthorize that law. And throughout the process, Ive fought, along with my colleagues, to preserve the laws civil rights legacy  to make sure all students have access to a quality education, regardless of where they live, how they learn, or how much money their parents make. You can see that in the progress we made on holding schools and states accountable for educating every student. And you can see that in the progress we made to help shine a light on discriminatory disciplinary policies that are too often aimed at students of color.\r\n\r\nIll start with accountability. I give Ranking Member Bobby Scott a lot of credit for helping forge a compromise on such an important issue. The fact is, we know what happens when we dont hold our schools and states accountable for educating all students. Invariably, its the kids from poor neighborhoods, kids of color, kids who are learning English, and kids with disabilities who too often fall through the cracks. Our bill will make sure that schools work to close achievement gaps that too often affect these students. And for schools that struggle the most to help students succeed, and for high schools where more than a third of their students fail to earn their diploma, our bill will ensure they take steps to improve.\r\n\r\nIn our bill, for the first time, we will require every state, every district, and every school to report and publish which students are suspended and expelled. We also require schools, districts, and states to report when students are referred to law enforcement and when they make school-related arrests. This will shine a light on the data that parents, teachers, schools, and local leaders like all of you here today need to help break down the school-to-prison pipeline. And, for an added step, states and districts will have to detail how they plan to reduce the kinds of disciplinary tactics that take students out of the classroom as a condition of receiving Title I funding.\r\n\r\nFor the first time, our nations primary education law will include dedicated funding for preschool. This is especially important for students from low-income backgroundsThe Every Student Succeeds Act establishes a competitive grant program for states that propose to improve coordination, quality, and access to early childhood education for kids from low-income and disadvantaged backgrounds.\r\n\r\nI want you to know Ive also been working to help make our criminal justice system more fair. We need to end racial profiling by law enforcement at all levels. Thats why I support the bill put forward by Congressman Conyers and Senator Cardin as a smart first step. Police officers are so important to our communities and help keep our families safe. Racial profiling only serves to destroy the essential trust and cooperation between law enforcement and communities. We also must reform our system of justice by changing mandatory minimum sentencing practices, the three-strikes policy, and putting an end to solitary confinement for juveniles. And once someone has paid their debt to society, these individuals should be able to re-enter the community and earn an honest living. Thats why we need to ban the box, so more people, who have turned their lives, around get a fair shot at employment.\r\n\r\nThe President signed our education bill into law today, but thats not the end of our work to help all kids get an equal opportunity at a good education. We have to continue to hold schools, and districts, and states accountable for educating each and every child and advocate for equality. We have to continue looking at the resources our students have access to and press for changes that will help them graduate, ready to create and take on the jobs of the 21st century. We have to continue to take a hard look at ourselves  our education and justice systems, our government, and our society  and together, we will not rest until the door of opportunity is open to all Americans. Weve taken a good step forward today. And with your continued focus on equality in education, it wont be the last step we take together.\r\n\r\nFull text of Senator Murrays remarks:\r\n\r\nThank you, Cheryl, for that introduction.\r\n\r\nI also want to recognize all of the members of the Chamber of Commerce and the NAACP from my home state of Washington who made the trip to be here today. Its great to be here with you all.\r\n\r\nThe topic youve been focused on for this conference  equality in education  couldnt be more important  and the timing couldnt be more perfect.\r\n\r\nJust today, as you know, President Obama signed into law our legislation to finally fix No Child Left Behind in a way that helps ensure all students get access to a good education.\r\n\r\nI want to recognize the members who helped us get our bill  the Every Student Succeeds Act  over the finish line: Ranking Member of the House Ed and Workforce Committee Bobby Scott, as well as Chairman John Kline, and Chairman Lamar Alexander.\r\n\r\nI am so glad the four of us were able to put partisanship aside and work together on our bill to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act  or ESEA.\r\n\r\nIts been 50 years since President Lyndon Johnson first signed ESEA into law. When he was younger, President Johnson took a year off from college to teach school in a small border town in Texas. Every student at his school was Mexican-American and came from a low-income background.\r\n\r\nThe school didnt have a school bus. And President Johnson remembered using his first paycheck to buy volleyballs and softball bats so the kids could have playground equipment.\r\n\r\nHe said hed never forget the faces of the boys and girls at that school, knowing they likely wouldnt go to college because they were simply too poor.\r\n\r\nPresident Johnson said that was the moment he realized that, this Nation could never rest while the door to knowledge remained closed to any American.\r\n\r\nOf course, our nation had always held the ideal of education for all  but in 1965, ESEA put that ideal into action.\r\n\r\nIt aimed to close the education gaps between rich and poor, black and white, kids from rural areas and kids from big cities, and in doing so, ESEA took a step forward for civil rights.\r\n\r\nWeve been working for about a year now to reauthorize that law. And throughout the process, Ive fought, along with my colleagues, to preserve the laws civil rights legacy  to make sure all students have access to a quality education, regardless of where they live, how they learn, or how much money their parents make.\r\n\r\nYou can see that in the progress we made on holding schools and states accountable for educating every student. And you can see that in the progress we made to help shine a light on discriminatory disciplinary policies that are too often aimed at students of color.\r\n\r\nIll start with accountability. I give Ranking Member Bobby Scott a lot of credit for helping forge a compromise on such an important issue.\r\n\r\nThe fact is, we know what happens when we dont hold our schools and states accountable for educating all students.\r\n\r\nInvariably, its the kids from poor neighborhoods, kids of color, kids who are learning English, and kids with disabilities who too often fall through the cracks.\r\n\r\nOur bill will make sure that schools work to close achievement gaps that too often affect these students.\r\n\r\nAnd for schools that struggle the most to help students succeed, and for high schools where more than a third of their students fail to earn their diploma, our bill will ensure they take steps to improve.\r\n\r\nIn the 1800s, Horace Mann, whos often called the Father of American education, worked to make it universal and free for all. He famously said, education is the great equalizer.\r\n\r\nAnd I agree  but only if we commit ourselves to providing each and every child with the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.\r\n\r\nAs I mentioned, our bill also makes progress on harmful disciplinary tactics that rob students of their chance to learn.\r\n\r\nBack in June, the Seattle Times had a story about this very issue. The reporter wrote about an African-American student named Malik. The first time Malik was suspended, he was in the third grade. Then came missed field trips and more suspensions. And last year, he was expelled from school.\r\n\r\nMalik told the Seattle Times reporter that after a while, he started to dread going to school.\r\n\r\nHe said, It just felt like nobody wanted me there.\r\n\r\nLast year, in Washington state, 10 percent of all students who were removed from the classroom were African American  even though these students make up less than five percent of the student population. And this trend tracks with what is happening across the country.\r\n\r\nIn our bill, for the first time, we will require every state, every district, and every school to report and publish which students are suspended and expelled.\r\n\r\nWe also require schools, districts, and states to report when students are referred to law enforcement and when they make school-related arrests.\r\n\r\nThis will shine a light on the data that parents, teachers, schools, and local leaders like all of you here today need to help break down the school-to-prison pipeline.\r\n\r\nAnd, for an added step, states and districts will have to detail how they plan to reduce the kinds of disciplinary tactics that take students out of the classroom as a condition of receiving Title I funding.\r\n\r\nAnd if school districts need extra help in making that a reality, our bill provides new funding so they can follow through on that goal.\r\n\r\nThere are several other ways our bill will expand educational opportunities for more students.\r\n\r\nFor the first time, our nations primary education law will include dedicated funding for preschool. This is especially important for students from low-income backgrounds.\r\n\r\nBy the time an average child growing up in poverty turns three-years-old, she will have heard 30 million fewer words, compared to a child from a middle- or high-income family, according to researchers at the University of Kansas.\r\n\r\nThats a serious disadvantage.\r\n\r\nBy the time she starts kindergarten, the deck will already be stacked against her and her future success.\r\n\r\nThe Every Student Succeeds Act establishes a competitive grant program for states that propose to improve coordination, quality, and access to early childhood education for kids from low-income and disadvantaged backgrounds.\r\n\r\nOur bill will also help shine a light on resource inequalities in school. These are resources like offering AP classes, how much funding districts spend on each student, access to preschool and many more.\r\n\r\nI know this has been a topic of discussion for you all here today.  Across the country, the students in some schools simply dont have the same opportunity to graduate college-and-career ready like other students do. In fact, one out of five African-American high schoolers attend a school that doesnt even offer a single AP course.\r\n\r\nSo our bill will require all schools to report on these issues to help shine a light on resource inequality. And in schools that are struggling, our bill will require school districts to do something to remedy these inequities.\r\n\r\nAs important as this new law is  for education and for civil rights  this alone is not enough to guarantee all families have the opportunities to succeed here in our country.\r\n\r\nIn 1965, ESEA wasnt a standalone effort. It was a part of a movement. It came along with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and many, many more then and in the decades since.\r\n\r\nJust like in the 1960s, we need a larger movement now to make sure the promise of justice and equality shines through not just our education system, but our justice system, our economy, and our country.\r\n\r\nI want you to know Ive also been working to help make our criminal justice system more fair.\r\n\r\nWe need to end racial profiling by law enforcement at all levels. Thats why I support the bill put forward by Congressman Conyers and Senator Cardin as a smart first step.\r\n\r\nPolice officers are so important to our communities and help keep our families safe. Racial profiling only serves to destroy the essential trust and cooperation between law enforcement and communities.\r\n\r\nWe also must reform our system of justice by changing mandatory minimum sentencing practices, the three-strikes policy, and putting an end to solitary confinement for juveniles. And once someone has paid their debt to society, these individuals should be able to re-enter the community and earn an honest living.\r\n\r\nThats why we need to ban the box, so more people, who have turned their lives, around get a fair shot at employment.\r\n\r\nThose are a just a few of the steps we absolutely need to take  and take soon  to help ensure our system actually provides justice and equality for all.\r\n\r\nAnd we as a country also need to make sure our economy works for all Americans, not just the wealthiest few.\r\n\r\nIn todays economy, too many workers across the country are underpaid, overworked, and treated unfairly.\r\n\r\nWhen workers lack economic security, when they arent treated fairly,they cant invest in themselves and their children or move their families into a secure middle-class life.\r\n\r\nI believe we have to address this challenge on multiple fronts. And Ive been proud to partner with Congressman Scott on several of these priorities.\r\n\r\nWe need to increase peoples incomes that for too long have stayed stagnant.\r\n\r\nWe should make sure women get equal pay for equal work  which right now disproportionately hurts women of color. I was glad to see the California Chamber of Commerce endorsed bipartisan equal pay legislation in their state.\r\n\r\nAnd I hope we can build off of those kinds of efforts in other states and in Congress.\r\n\r\nAnd we should make it a little easier for working families to earn a paycheck and raise a family.\r\n\r\nThats how we can expand economic opportunities to more Americans  so they get a shot at success in our country. And really  giving more people in our country the chance live out the American dream is why you all are here today.\r\n\r\nEquality never happens by accident. Its something we have to work for, and foster, and defend in the hearts of Americans. And that work continues with all of you here today.\r\n\r\nThe President signed our education bill into law today, but thats not the end of our work to help all kids get an equal opportunity at a good education.\r\n\r\nWe have to continue to hold schools, and districts, and states accountable for educating each and every child and advocate for equality.\r\n\r\nWe have to continue looking at the resources our students have access to and press for changes that will help them graduate, ready to create and take on the jobs of the 21st century.\r\n\r\nWe have to continue to take a hard look at ourselves  our education and justice systems, our government, and our society  and together, we will not rest until the door of opportunity is open to all Americans.\r\n\r\nWeve taken a good step forward today. And with your continued focus on equality in education, it wont be the last step we take together.\r\n\r\nThank you.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=de32c658-6cc4-486b-b01f-67a247e85db4", "SEN. MURRAYS SWEEPING K-12 EDUCATION BILL SIGNED INTO LAW", "2015-12-10", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Patty Murray", "M001111", "www.murray.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "At White House ceremony, President Obama greets Sen. Murray after signing education bill into law\r\n\r\n(Washington, D.C.)  Today, Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement after President Obama signed the Every Student Succeeds Act into law.\r\nToday marks a great step forward in our nations continuing commitment to provide all students with a high-quality education, said Senator Murray. Ive been so proud to work with both Republicans and Democrats to fix the badly broken No Child Left Behind law in a way that will work for students, parents, teachers, and communities in Washington and across the country. The Every Student Succeeds Act includes strong federal guardrails to ensure all students have access to a quality education, reduces reliance on high-stakes testing, makes strong investments to improve and expand access to preschool for our youngest learners, and so much more. Now, our work will begin to make sure this law is implemented effectively so all students have access to a quality education, regardless of where they live, how they learn, or how much money their parents make.\r\n\r\nKnown as the Every Student Succeeds Act (S. 1177), the bipartisan, bicameral bill represents a compromise between the House-passed Student Success Act and the Senate-passed Every Child Achieves Act. The compromise bill was drafted by a House-Senate conference committee and approved by both chambers with overwhelming bipartisan support. To learn more about the Every Student Succeeds Act, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://delbene.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressional-immigration-leaders-and-children-call-for-ending-family", "Congressional Immigration Leaders and Children Call for Ending Family Detention as A Wish for the Holidays", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Suzan DelBene", "D000617", "delbene.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Join me in Skagit County! \r\n            November 14, 2017  \r\n            Dear Friend, As your representative in Congress, one of the most important aspects of my job is to stay informed of the thoughts and opinions of my constituents, and I appreciate the time you take to share them with me. Thats why Im hosting a series of community forums in Skagit County on Saturday, November 18. I wil...\r\n            Read More", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.cantwell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=2f729b66-db1b-403d-aaae-7bdbce22428f", "Cantwell Pushes for Doppler Radar Study, Plan to Address Gaps in Central Washington", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Maria Cantwell", "C000127", "www.cantwell.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.09.15\n    \t\t\t Cantwell Pushes for Doppler Radar Study, Plan to Address Gaps in Central Washington \n    \t\t\t\n    \t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n    \t\t\t\t Closing the Doppler gap would provide early warning of weather needed to effectively respond to wildfires, flooding\n    \t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n    \t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell introduced and passed an amendment in the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee to study the Doppler radar gap in Central Washington and develop a plan to fill identified gaps.\r\nSpecifically, the amendment directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service to identify gaps in the NEXRAD Doppler Radar and develop a plan to fill the gaps within 30 days after the study concludes.\r\nBetter weather forecasting means first responders can better protect human life and property before and during wildfires and other natural disasters. Unlike Western Washington, there is a large Doppler radar gap just east of the Cascades. Okanogan, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Kittitas and Yakima Counties have areas lacking critical Doppler radar coverage. Closing this gap will provide the early warning needed to most effectively respond to wildfires, mudslides, flashfloods and other severe weather threats facing Washington state, said Senator Cantwell.\r\nAccording to the NOAA National Weather Service, there is currently a gap in Doppler radar coverage in Central Washington. Despite existing radars across Washington state, signals on the West side of the state are blocked by the Cascades, and signals on the East-side are too far away creating a hole in radar coverage that extends from the crest down to Okanagan, Wenatchee, Yakima, and Bend. Without Doppler radar, Central Washington must rely on outdated technology to predict extreme weather. By covering the Doppler radar gap, Central Washington will have access to early warning of weather needed to most effectively respond to wildfires, allowing for rapid updates as fires move and grow, as well as flash flooding and mudslides. \r\nSenator Cantwell, former chair of the Senate Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard Subcommittee, has led the effort to improve weather forecasting in the Pacific Northwest. In 2007, she obtained funds to complete a study, released in May 2009, which demonstrated the Doppler gap on the outer coast. She secured full funding for this radar system through a $2 million down payment in the 2009 omnibus appropriations bill, and $7 million included in the 2010 Consolidated Appropriations Act. The Grays Harbor Doppler became operational as the first dual polarized Doppler radar in the Nation in 2011.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.cantwell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=cd357dce-4e3e-4e07-812d-baf20d657388", "Cantwells Bipartisan Bill to Establish National Ocean Acidification Monitoring Strategy Passes Key Committee", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Maria Cantwell", "C000127", "www.cantwell.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.09.15\n    \t\t\t Cantwells Bipartisan Bill to Establish National Ocean Acidification Monitoring Strategy Passes Key Committee \n    \t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n    \t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, the Senate Commerce Committee passed U.S. Senator Maria Cantwells (D-WA) bipartisan bill to enhance ocean monitoring, research and forecasting. The bill, co-sponsored by Senators Wicker, Markey, Murkowski, Schatz, and Sullivan, passed out of committee by voice vote.\r\nThe Coordinated Ocean Monitoring and Research Act (S. 1886) would create a national oceanacidification monitoring strategy to prioritize investments in ocean acidification sensors to areas that need it most. The bill also directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Science Foundation to make investments in adaptation and mitigation research so we understand how to make our coastal economies more resilient to the threat of ocean acidification. Cantwells bill would also reauthorize the NOAA Integrated Ocean Observation System, or IOOS, which is our Nations ocean observation program.\r\nWe must do everything we can to protect our oceans, fishing habitats and fishery jobs from ocean acidification, said Senator Cantwell. Weve already seen the devastating effects on shellfish farms in the Pacific Northwest. Todays legislation will help expand our research on the effects of ocean acidification and call on NOAA to develop new tools to help shellfish growers mitigate the impacts of ocean acidification.\r\nOcean acidification results from changing ocean chemistry when seawater absorbs increasing amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. It is already negatively impacting coastal economies in Washington state. A study in Nature Climate Change identifies communities at significant risk for sustained economic losses resulting from ocean acidifications impact on shellfish fisheries.Washington state was one of 15 states with the highest risk.\r\nThe bill would require NOAA to build upon existing models and conduct a nationwide economic vulnerability assessment to determine the impact ocean acidification would have on our economy, and our coastal ecosystems. The bill would also require NOAA to develop a strategy for the deployment of new ocean acidification sensorsbased on the economic vulnerability assessment. Access to real-time ocean acidification data has been critical for shellfish farmers in Washington state. Enhanced data collection structures included in this legislation is critical for scientists to close knowledge gaps, and help us understand how ocean acidification could impact our fisheries and ecosystems.\r\nIn 2010, Cantwell secured funding to acquire and deploy ocean acidification sensors near major shellfish hatcheries in Washington state. Today, these sensors have been integrated into NOAAs national ocean observing programthe IOOS program. These sensors allow shellfish growers to monitor ocean acidity in real-time and close off their shellfish rearing tanks when ocean acidity is too high. Cantwell also has previously highlighted why additional research is needed to understand ocean acidifications potential damage to critical salmon food sources  including small crustaceans.\r\nCantwells bill also includes a provision to expand the installation of high frequency radar stations, which are part of the IOOS network. Last year, Cantwell toured the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station in Port Angeles, where she saw demonstrations on how the Coast Guard uses high-frequency radar to assist in finding missing or distressed boaters in the mid-Atlantic. Washington state has the largest high-frequency radar gap on the West Coast  with nearly 80 percent of the states coastline lacking coverage. High-frequency radar also can be used to map and track oil spills, to forecast harmful algal blooms, and track water quality.\r\nCantwells bill would also improve coordination between IOOS ocean science and monitoring and the National Weather Service, which is vital in the Pacific Northwest where many of our storms originate offshore.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1514", "Congressional Immigration Leaders and Children Call for Ending Family Detention as A Wish for the Holidays", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Suzan DelBene", "D000617", "delbene.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "This afternoon, the Congressional Women's Working Group on Immigration Reform and We Belong Together were joined by children at a Capitol Hill press conference to call for an end to America's family detention system. Nine members of Congress spoke out about the need to end family detention, including Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40), chair of the Congressional Women's Working Group on Immigration Reform; Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-19); Congressman Luis Gutirrez (IL-04); Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01); Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06); Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35); Congresswoman Linda Snchez (CA-38); Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-01); and Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27).\r\r\t\t\t\t\tThe press conference also featured Caritza and Alejandro, a mother and her five-year-old son who were previously held at the Dilley detention facility in Texas. They described the reasons for fleeing their home countryand their experience in detention. In addition, the event displayed enlargements of handwritten letters that elementary school-aged children have written for delivery to children who will spend this holiday season inside detention facilities. The children's letters, which are part of We Belong Together's A Wish for the Holidays letter-writing campaign, express the children's holiday wish that the families in detention be released. Noe, Fiorella, and Yazareth, children who wrote letters to families in detention, also appeared at the press conference, and Noe and Fiorella read their letters aloud. Other speakers included Sameera Hafiz, policy director at We Belong Together, and Wendy Cervantes, vice president of immigration and child rights at First Focus, a children's advocacy organization.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tWhile some changes have been made to improve conditions at these centers and reduce the length of detention, the fact is they remain jail-like settings, said Congresswoman Roybal-Allard. Detention of children is cruel and misguided, and the suffering and negative impact on these young developing minds is unacceptable. I echo the wish of the children here today to call for an end to family detention. We are a country of laws and a country of compassion. And it is that compassion that must be reflected in how we treat immigrant women and children who have sacrificed so much to escape violence and abuse. I will continue to fight with my colleagues for accountability in detention and for swift processing of families through Immigration and Customs Enforcement so these women and children can be placed in less restrictive settings as they await the adjudication of their cases.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tWe have made some progress over the past couple of years, but we have not achieved our goal of stopping the practice of holding moms and kids in detention when there are more efficient, cost-effective, and humane ways to handle them, said Congressman Gutirrez. People seeking asylum, fleeing violence in Central America or fleeing systematic oppression anywhere in the world, we are fighting for the government to treat families and moms and children with respect, to use tax-money as efficiently as possible, and to end the practice of family detention.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tIt's shameful that children will be spending the holidays in detention centers across the United States. I urge us all to remember the harrowing journey many took to come here seeking safety and pray that we stop tearing families apart, said Congresswoman DelBene. This is just one facet of our deeply flawed and broken immigration system that Congress has a moral obligation to address.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tThis is an issue that is close to my heart, said Congresswoman Meng. I represent parts of Queens, NY and more than half of my constituents are foreign-born. I've had parents come and talk to me about the difficulties of separation when their kids are in other countries. I've had children whose parents are held in detention speak of their anguish over their fear of never seeing their loved ones again. Families belong together. We are here today because we want the release of mothers and their children from detention facilities. Our wish for the Holidays is for the Administration to release mothers and children from detention. It is the right thing to do.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tAs a mother and as an immigrant who came to this country as a child, I join my colleagues in urging the administration to put an end to family detention, said Congresswoman Torres. We have more cost-effective and humane tools at our disposal to release families while ensuring they continue through the legal process. It's time to put an end to family detention for good.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tI cannot accept that this country puts innocent women and children into detention facilities that resemble the cruelty of Japanese incarceration, said Congresswoman Chu. And worse, as a psychologist, I know that any amount of time in detention risks harming children's development and retraumatizing women fleeing violence. I was so moved to hear these children's stories today and will not forget their pleas as we continue our fight to end family detention once and for all.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tThere are so many organizations that are fighting to close these detention centers and I just ask God that they achieve that, said Caritza, the mother detained with her five-year-old son at Dilley. The kids hate to be locked up. My son would ask, When can we leave? When can we leave?'\r\r\t\t\t\t\tThe bottom line is that we know family detention is a dangerous policy that directly harms children. The research consistently shows that children who are detained even for a short period of time face risks to their overall development, including long-term psychological trauma and declining health, said Ms. Cervantes. No child should have to spend the holidays behind bars, and we urge the Administration to grant the wish of every child in who wrote a letter as part of this campaign by ending family detention once and for all.\r\r\t\t\t\t\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://herrerabeutler.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398666", "U.S. House Committee Holds Hearing on Jaime Herrera Beutler Prenatal Screening Education Bill", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WA", "Jaime Herrera Beutler", "H001056", "herrerabeutler.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, the U.S. House of Representatives Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee held a hearing on bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Representatives Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) and Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) to improve parents understanding of the limitations and benefits of prenatal screening provided during pregnancy. \r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      Today, the U.S. House of Representatives Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee held a hearing on bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Representatives Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) and Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) to improve parents understanding of the limitations and benefits of prenatal screening provided during pregnancy. The Accurate Education for Prenatal Screenings Act would develop and facilitate broad access to accurate, evidence-based information to accompany cell-free DNA prenatal screenings by requiring the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to create and maintain two separate education programs for patients and health care providers.\r\nCell-free DNA prenatal screenings  a new technology available since 2011  are blood tests that examine placental DNA in the maternal bloodstream to determine whether a baby is at risk for a chromosomal abnormality. These screenings are not diagnostic, since they are not reliable enough to confirm an abnormality. Studies have revealed that screenings can produce false alarms up to 50% of the time.\r\nThe hearing brought in experts to help the Health Subcommittee closely examine Jaimes bill and five other pieces of legislation aiming to improve health care and treatment. Dr. Anthony Gregg, M.D., testified in favor of Jaimes bill on behalf of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics. The hearing is the requisite preliminary step for the Accurate Education for Prenatal Screenings Act to advance through Congress.\r\nTodays hearing shows that congressional health care leaders recognize the need to strengthen the information accompanying prenatal screenings. These screenings should not be confused with diagnoses, and its critical that parents are receiving the education and counseling to best understand these tests value  and their limitations, said Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler. Im grateful to Chairman Joe Pitts of the Health Subcommittee for taking up this bipartisan solution that will benefit and empower expectant parents. \r\nACMG agrees with the goal of H.R. 3441, that it is imperative for clinicians to provide patients with both pre-test and post-test counseling when offering NIPS, in order to avoid any potential patient harm or confusion, said Anthony Gregg, M.D., on behalf of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), during his hearing testimony. We recognize that with nearly 4 million U.S. births annually, it is imperative that obstetric care providers, including obstetricians, family medicine physicians, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners, have access to accurate educational materials that ensure patients receive accurate pre-test counseling. \r\nI commend Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee Chairman Joe Pitts and Ranking Member Gene Green for including our bill, the Accurate Education for Prenatal Screenings Act, in todays hearing, said Congresswoman Roybal-Allard. Expectant moms deserve to have access to the best information about cell-free DNA prenatal screenings, and our bill will help to ensure that this information is accurate, balanced, and readily available to all families and health providers. I hope that Dr. Anthony Greggs strong testimony about the need for the Accurate Education for Prenatal Screenings Act will encourage our colleagues to cosponsor this important legislation, so that we can move the bill forward towards passage.\r\n\r\nBackground on prenatal screenings: \r\nInaccurate up to half of the time: Two recent industry-conducted studies revealed the screenings can have false alarms 50% of the time. In another study, samples from two women who were not pregnant were sent to five testing companies for analysis. Three companies returned samples indicating they came from a woman who was carrying a healthy baby.\r\nStudies show parents receiving inaccurate, inconsistent, incomplete information: One study of information available online about prenatal screenings found that only 15% of screening manufacturers websites pointed out that the test cannot rule out all fetal abnormalities. Some websites stated that the test guarantees a healthy baby. Just over half the websites stated that an invasive test is required to confirm a positive non-invasive screening result, and only a quarter mentioned the importance of pre-test counseling with a health care professional even though they are both recommended by medical professional guidelines.\r\nScreenings are not regulated by the FDA: Currently, cell-free DNA prenatal screenings are not regulated by the FDA, and there are no requirements about what information is provided to doctors and parents.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-pushes-for-doppler-radar-study-plan-to-address-gaps-in-central-washington", "Cantwell Pushes for Doppler Radar Study, Plan to Address Gaps in Central Washington", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Maria Cantwell", "C000127", "www.cantwell.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.09.15\n    \t\t\t Cantwell Pushes for Doppler Radar Study, Plan to Address Gaps in Central Washington \n    \t\t\t\n    \t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n    \t\t\t\t Closing the Doppler gap would provide early warning of weather needed to effectively respond to wildfires, flooding\n    \t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n    \t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell introduced and passed an amendment in the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee to study the Doppler radar gap in Central Washington and develop a plan to fill identified gaps.\r\nSpecifically, the amendment directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service to identify gaps in the NEXRAD Doppler Radar and develop a plan to fill the gaps within 30 days after the study concludes.\r\nBetter weather forecasting means first responders can better protect human life and property before and during wildfires and other natural disasters. Unlike Western Washington, there is a large Doppler radar gap just east of the Cascades. Okanogan, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Kittitas and Yakima Counties have areas lacking critical Doppler radar coverage. Closing this gap will provide the early warning needed to most effectively respond to wildfires, mudslides, flashfloods and other severe weather threats facing Washington state, said Senator Cantwell.\r\nAccording to the NOAA National Weather Service, there is currently a gap in Doppler radar coverage in Central Washington. Despite existing radars across Washington state, signals on the West side of the state are blocked by the Cascades, and signals on the East-side are too far away creating a hole in radar coverage that extends from the crest down to Okanagan, Wenatchee, Yakima, and Bend. Without Doppler radar, Central Washington must rely on outdated technology to predict extreme weather. By covering the Doppler radar gap, Central Washington will have access to early warning of weather needed to most effectively respond to wildfires, allowing for rapid updates as fires move and grow, as well as flash flooding and mudslides. \r\nSenator Cantwell, former chair of the Senate Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard Subcommittee, has led the effort to improve weather forecasting in the Pacific Northwest. In 2007, she obtained funds to complete a study, released in May 2009, which demonstrated the Doppler gap on the outer coast. She secured full funding for this radar system through a $2 million down payment in the 2009 omnibus appropriations bill, and $7 million included in the 2010 Consolidated Appropriations Act. The Grays Harbor Doppler became operational as the first dual polarized Doppler radar in the Nation in 2011.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwells-bipartisan-bill-to-establish-national-ocean-acidification-monitoring-strategy-passes-key-committee", "Cantwells Bipartisan Bill to Establish National Ocean Acidification Monitoring Strategy Passes Key Committee", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Maria Cantwell", "C000127", "www.cantwell.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.09.15\n    \t\t\t Cantwell's Bipartisan Bill to Establish National Ocean Acidification Monitoring Strategy Passes Key Committee \n    \t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n    \t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, the Senate Commerce Committee passed U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell's (D-WA) bipartisan bill to enhance ocean monitoring, research and forecasting. The bill, co-sponsored by Senators Wicker, Markey, Murkowski, Schatz, and Sullivan, passed out of committee by voice vote.\r\nThe Coordinated Ocean Monitoring and Research Act (S. 1886) would create a national oceanacidification monitoring strategy to prioritize investments in ocean acidification sensors to areas that need it most. The bill also directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Science Foundation to make investments in adaptation and mitigation research so we understand how to make our coastal economies more resilient to the threat of ocean acidification. Cantwell's bill would also reauthorize the NOAA Integrated Ocean Observation System, or IOOS, which is our Nation's ocean observation program.\r\nWe must do everything we can to protect our oceans, fishing habitats and fishery jobs from ocean acidification, said Senator Cantwell. We've already seen the devastating effects on shellfish farms in the Pacific Northwest. Today's legislation will help expand our research on the effects of ocean acidification and call on NOAA to develop new tools to help shellfish growers mitigate the impacts of ocean acidification.\r\nOcean acidification results from changing ocean chemistry when seawater absorbs increasing amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. It is already negatively impacting coastal economies in Washington state. A study in Nature Climate Change identifies communities at significant risk for sustained economic losses resulting from ocean acidification's impact on shellfish fisheries.Washington state was one of 15 states with the highest risk.\r\nThe bill would require NOAA to build upon existing models and conduct a nationwide economic vulnerability assessment to determine the impact ocean acidification would have on our economy, and our coastal ecosystems. The bill would also require NOAA to develop a strategy for the deployment of new ocean acidification sensorsbased on the economic vulnerability assessment. Access to real-time ocean acidification data has been critical for shellfish farmers in Washington state. Enhanced data collection structures included in this legislation is critical for scientists to close knowledge gaps, and help us understand how ocean acidification could impact our fisheries and ecosystems.\r\nIn 2010, Cantwell secured funding to acquire and deploy ocean acidification sensors near major shellfish hatcheries in Washington state. Today, these sensors have been integrated into NOAA's national ocean observing programthe IOOS program. These sensors allow shellfish growers to monitor ocean acidity in real-time and close off their shellfish rearing tanks when ocean acidity is too high. Cantwell also has previously highlighted why additional research is needed to understand ocean acidification's potential damage to critical salmon food sources  including small crustaceans.\r\nCantwell's bill also includes a provision to expand the installation of high frequency radar stations, which are part of the IOOS network. Last year, Cantwell toured the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station in Port Angeles, where she saw demonstrations on how the Coast Guard uses high-frequency radar to assist in finding missing or distressed boaters in the mid-Atlantic. Washington state has the largest high-frequency radar gap on the West Coast  with nearly 80 percent of the state's coastline lacking coverage. High-frequency radar also can be used to map and track oil spills, to forecast harmful algal blooms, and track water quality.\r\nCantwell's bill would also improve coordination between IOOS ocean science and monitoring and the National Weather Service, which is vital in the Pacific Northwest where many of our storms originate offshore.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=ba68dd6a-b43a-4ca1-aaa7-e9214f0eede9", "EDUCATION: Sen. Murrays Sweeping Education Bill Includes Provisions to Support Tribal Communities and Preserve Culture", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Patty Murray", "M001111", "www.murray.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Every Student Succeeds Act will ensure tribes are involved in designing education programs that serve their communities\r\n\r\nMurray: This legislation will increase tribal consultation, provide greater flexibility, more predictable funding, and a new focus on preserving tribal languages\r\n\r\n(Washington, D.C.)  Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee applauded Senate passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the bipartisan legislation she worked on to fix No Child Left Behind. President Obama is expected to sign ESSA into law. The legislation includes several provisions specifically designed to ensure tribal students get the support they need.\r\nFor years, Ive heard concerns from tribal communities about not being properly consulted in the development of federal education programs under No Child Left Behind, which is why I fought to make sure their voices were heard as we wrote the next chapter in our nations education policy, Sen. Murray said. With the input of so many tribes across the country, Im proud to say this legislation will increase tribal consultation in federal education policy, increase tribal capacity to administer education programs, provide greater flexibility, more predictable funding, and a new focus on preserving tribal languages for future generations.\r\nThe provisions regarding tribal communities include:\r\n \r\n\r\nRequiring states to consult with tribes in the development of Title I state plans.\r\nRequiring school districts with a certain number of tribal students to consult with tribes in the development of various federal education programs.\r\nExpanding access to various federal competitive grants for the Bureau of Indian Education.\r\nInvolving tribes in designing education programs that serve tribal communities and including a program to build tribal educational agency capacity to run federal education programs.\r\nStrengthening and updating the Impact Aid program, which provides critical support to school districts that serve children living in tribal communities. These updates will provide speedier payments and funding stability for districts across the country.\r\nIncluding dedicated funding to support schools that use tribal languages as the primary language of instruction. This funding will help tribes around the country preserve their tribal languages and provide culturally appropriate instruction to students.\r\nIncreasing funding levels over the life of the authorization for the American Indian and Alaska Native programs and the Impact Aid Program to ensure that districts receive the support they need to help students from tribal communities succeed.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-supports-effort-level-playing-field-us-small-aviation-manufacturers", "Larsen Supports Effort To Level Playing Field for U.S. Small Aviation Manufacturers", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Rick Larsen", "L000560", "larsen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.Today, Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, applauded the administrations action to challenge the Chinese government on an unfair tax advantage that it provides to some of its domestic aviation manufacturers. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced it will bring a case at the World Trade Organization (WTO) because of a 17 percent tax the Chinese government imposes on small and medium-sized imported aircraft.\nUSTRs decision to bring this case sends a strong and important message that the U.S. will not tolerate activities that put our workers and the businesses that employ them at an unfair disadvantage. Leveling the playing field is exactly why we have the World Trade Organization and rules of the road for international trade.\nSmall and medium-sized airplane manufacturing is a job-creating industry for the U.S. General aviation manufacturing supports 102,600 jobs in the U.S. and contributes $14 billion to our economy each year. Washington state is home to hundreds of aviation manufacturing suppliers, who make and sell parts to general aviation and regional jet manufacturers. These jobs suffer when countries like China subsidize their own products.\nI am pleased to see USTR holding the Chinese government accountable, and I hope to see more cases like this to make sure our workers get a fair shot, Larsen said.\nLarsen gave remarks at a press conference this morning. Watch his full remarks here.\nMore information about the case USTR is bringing is available here.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.cantwell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=76623312-65d4-4492-a652-d1be27c78e53", "Cantwell Introduces Bill to Improve Medicare Coverage for People Living with Lymphedema", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Maria Cantwell", "C000127", "www.cantwell.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.08.15\n    \t\t\t Cantwell Introduces Bill to Improve Medicare Coverage for People Living with Lymphedema \n    \t\t\t\n    \t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n    \t\t\t\t Bill improves care, lowers hospitalization rate for Lymphedema patients\n    \t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n    \t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), joined by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Mark Kirk (R-IL), and Chuck Schumer (D-NY), introduced bipartisan legislation to improve Medicare coverage for lymphedema patients. The bill would provide for Medicare coverage of physician-prescribed compression therapy equipment used to treat lymphedema, part of the clinically-recognized standard of care for the condition.\r\nWith more than 6,300 Medicare beneficiaries in Washington and millions of Americans suffering from Lymphedema, we must update Medicare to reflect necessary and effective treatments for this condition. This legislation is a common sense measure that improves care for Medicare beneficiaries living with lymphedema and reduces costly hospitalizations, said Senator Cantwell. \r\nMedicare ought to reflect the modern practice of medicine, Senator Grassley said. The equipment to treat lymphedema is something doctors recommend and that patients need. Lymphedema is more common than people might realize. It can affect breast cancer surgery survivors, for example. \r\nMore than 11,700 Medicare patients in Illinois are living with lymphedema and they shouldnt be denied access to medically-necessary compression treatment, Senator Kirk said. This bill will help patients with lymphedema effectively manage their condition and reduce the likelihood that they suffer from serious and often costly complications.\r\nThis important bill will finally make sure that those living with Lymphedema have access to the healthcare treatment they need to lead healthy, productive lives while also lowering the hospitalization rates for these patients. As a co-sponsor of the Lymphedema Treatment Act, I pledge to work with my colleagues in Congress to continue to improve Medicare coverage on behalf of Lymphedema patients, said Senator Schumer.\r\nThe Lymphedema Treatment Act would clarify within the existing Medicare coverage guidelines compression therapy items as a reasonable and necessary treatment. Under current law, compression therapy equipment is not covered because it does not fall under the definition of durable medical equipment. This restriction creates a gap in coverage for people with lymphedema. A preventive treatment, compression therapy equipment can reduce the need for costly hospital admissions among Medicare beneficiaries with lymphedema.\r\nLymphedema is an incurable but treatable condition affecting between 3 and 5 million Americans, many of whom are Medicare beneficiaries. It is a chronic condition caused by injury, trauma or congenital defects in the lymphatic system. If left untreated or inadequately treated it can lead to complications including loss of function, disability, and in some cases even death.\r\nThe Lymphedema Treatment Act has broad, bipartisan support. Companion legislation in the House (H.R. 1608) has 166 cosponsors. The bill is also supported by a wide range of advocacy groups including the American Cancer Society, American Physical Therapy Association, and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1525", "DelBene Supports Bill to Strengthen Visa Protections", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Suzan DelBene", "D000617", "delbene.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "DelBene Supports Bill to Strengthen Visa Protections \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington, DC,\r\n        December 8, 2015\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      \r\t\r\t\t\r\t\t\t\r\t\t\t\t\r\t\t\t\t\t Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today voted for the bipartisan Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act (H.R. 158) in an effort to strengthen the screening process of foreigners visiting the United States after recent terrorist attacks.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tThe safety of Americans is my top priority and it is clear that ISIL poses a growing threat to America and our allies, DelBene said. We must work with the international community to combat the terrorist threats of ISIL, not only for the security of the American people but for the security of people around the world. This bipartisan bill is an important step to help keep Americans safe.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tThe bill, introduced by Rep. Candice Miller (R-Mich.), would create new visa requirements for all foreigners entering the United States who have recently visited Iraq, Syria, Iran or Sudan. The bill passed in the House on a407-19 vote and now heads to the Senate for further action.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tDelBene also cosponsored the Secure Refugee Process Act (H.R. 4038) to make significant improvements to the vetting process for refugees following the Paris attacks.\r\r\t\t\t\t\t# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1591", "DelBene Denounces Attacks on Womens Healthcare Centers", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Suzan DelBene", "D000617", "delbene.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today helped introduce a resolution denouncing attacks on women's healthcare facilities and affirming that all women have the right to access reproductive healthcare services without the fear of violence, intimidation or harassment.\r\rNo one should face intimidation and violence at their doctor's office  period, DelBene said. Lawmakers should focus on protecting women's rights to make their own healthcare decisions and ensuring they have access to safe, affordable, high-quality healthcare, instead of propagating false information and hateful rhetoric that can endanger women's safety.\r\rMore than 65 percent of Americans believe the Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade more than 40 years ago was right. Yet Congress continues to waste time voting on measures to limit women's access to care 19 votes alone this year.\r\rSince 1977, women's healthcare centers have experienced nearly 7,000 violent acts, including bombings, arson, death threats, kidnappings and assaults. Within the past six months, vandalism and threats against clinics have increased, including an arson attack on a Pullman, Wash., clinic in September and a mass shooting in Colorado.\r\rLast week, DelBene joined her Democratic colleagues on the Republicans' Select Committee to Attack Women's Health in calling on Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) to disband the committee in wake of the attack on a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs, Colo.\r\r# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcmorris.house.gov/principled-action-for-americas-safety/", "Principled Action for Americas Safety", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WA", "Cathy McMorris Rodgers", "M001159", "mcmorris.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Click to Play\nWashington, D.C.  Today, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) voted to reform and strengthen the Visa Waver program and called on American leaders to take principled action to protect the safety and security of every person in this country.\nThe House passed H.R. 158, the Visa Waiver Program Improvement Act of 2015, with overwhelming bipartisan support, 407-19.\nAmerica will always welcome foreign visitors, McMorris Rodgers said. But we cannot allow those who seek to do us harm to abuse our relationships with friendly nations. With the simple, bipartisan reforms to the visa-waiver program we passed today, we add additional safeguards that prevent potential threats from coming to America.\nWhen asked about Donald Trumps proposal to ban all Muslims from entering the country, McMorris Rodgers stood up for American values. I agree with the statement made by Speaker Ryan, McMorris Rodgers said. [Trumps] proposal does not reflect our values as Republicans or Americans. I believe very strongly in the importance of our Constitutional rights. In America, we celebrate freedom of religion and freedom to worship.\nMcMorris Rodgers also called for the President to articulate a clear plan to protect the United States. We have an obligation to confront terrorist organizations before they threaten the American people, McMorris Rodgers said. The House will continue to take principled action while urging the President to adopt a comprehensive strategy to destroy ISIS.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-praises-visa-waiver-reform-strengthen-national-security", "Newhouse Praises Visa Waiver Reform to Strengthen National Security", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WA", "Dan Newhouse", "N000189", "newhouse.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse (R-WA), released the following statement after the House approved H.R. 158, the Visa Waiver Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015. Rep. Newhouse cosponsored the bill to enhance security screening for participants in the Visa Waiver Program. This program was created in 1986 and allows nationals from 38 participating countries to travel to the U.S. for up to 90 days for business or tourism without obtaining a U.S. visa, as long as they present a valid passport.\nThis common sense legislation strengthens our national security by making urgent reforms to address vulnerabilities in the Visa Waiver Program, said Rep. Newhouse. In light of the threat we face at home from ISIS terrorists, improving screening of foreign travelers to ensure the safety of the American people should be our top priority. I cosponsored this bipartisan bill to give our intelligence community additional tools so that we can scrutinize foreign nationals seeking to visit our country and better share intelligence with partner nations. Closing existing loopholes and tightening the screening process for travelers from participating countries are necessary steps to block those who would do us harm from entering our country.\nH.R. 158, the Visa Waiver Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015 will make the following changes to the Visa Waiver Program:\n\n Gives the Secretary of Homeland Security the authority to suspend a countrys participation in the program if they fail to share counterterrorism information with the U.S.\n \n Denies Visa Waiver Program status to those citizens from participating countries that have traveled to certain terrorist hotspots including Iraq and Syria since 2011\n \n Requires all Visa Waiver Program countries to use fraud resistant e-passports\n \n Allows for the suspension of high-risk countries", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-introduces-bill-to-improve-medicare-coverage-for-people-living-with-lymphedema", "Cantwell Introduces Bill to Improve Medicare Coverage for People Living with Lymphedema", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Maria Cantwell", "C000127", "www.cantwell.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.08.15\n    \t\t\t Cantwell Introduces Bill to Improve Medicare Coverage for People Living with Lymphedema \n    \t\t\t\n    \t\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n        \n    \t\t\t\t Bill improves care, lowers hospitalization rate for Lymphedema patients\n    \t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n    \t\t\t WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), joined by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Mark Kirk (R-IL), and Chuck Schumer (D-NY), introduced bipartisan legislation to improve Medicare coverage for lymphedema patients. The bill would provide for Medicare coverage of physician-prescribed compression therapy equipment used to treat lymphedema, part of the clinically-recognized standard of care for the condition.\r\nWith more than 6,300 Medicare beneficiaries in Washington and millions of Americans suffering from Lymphedema, we must update Medicare to reflect necessary and effective treatments for this condition. This legislation is a common sense measure that improves care for Medicare beneficiaries living with lymphedema and reduces costly hospitalizations, said Senator Cantwell. \r\nMedicare ought to reflect the modern practice of medicine, Senator Grassley said. The equipment to treat lymphedema is something doctors recommend and that patients need. Lymphedema is more common than people might realize. It can affect breast cancer surgery survivors, for example. \r\nMore than 11,700 Medicare patients in Illinois are living with lymphedema and they shouldn't be denied access to medically-necessary compression treatment, Senator Kirk said. This bill will help patients with lymphedema effectively manage their condition and reduce the likelihood that they suffer from serious and often costly complications.\r\nThis important bill will finally make sure that those living with Lymphedema have access to the healthcare treatment they need to lead healthy, productive lives while also lowering the hospitalization rates for these patients. As a co-sponsor of the Lymphedema Treatment Act, I pledge to work with my colleagues in Congress to continue to improve Medicare coverage on behalf of Lymphedema patients, said Senator Schumer.\r\nThe Lymphedema Treatment Act would clarify within the existing Medicare coverage guidelines compression therapy items as a reasonable and necessary treatment. Under current law, compression therapy equipment is not covered because it does not fall under the definition of durable medical equipment. This restriction creates a gap in coverage for people with lymphedema. A preventive treatment, compression therapy equipment can reduce the need for costly hospital admissions among Medicare beneficiaries with lymphedema.\r\nLymphedema is an incurable but treatable condition affecting between 3 and 5 million Americans, many of whom are Medicare beneficiaries. It is a chronic condition caused by injury, trauma or congenital defects in the lymphatic system. If left untreated or inadequately treated it can lead to complications including loss of function, disability, and in some cases even death.\r\nThe Lymphedema Treatment Act has broad, bipartisan support. Companion legislation in the House (H.R. 1608) has 166 cosponsors. The bill is also supported by a wide range of advocacy groups including the American Cancer Society, American Physical Therapy Association, and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=e60b8a01-ce5e-4038-a2d7-80c8251c7fff", "EVERY STUDENT SUCCEEDS ACT: Murray: Milestone Legislation Will Deliver More Opportunity for Students", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Patty Murray", "M001111", "www.murray.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Murray delivers remarks as Senate considers legislation to fix No Child Left Behind. \r\n\r\n Murray: We have the chance to send the Every Student Succeeds Act to the Presidents desk to help ensure all kids have access to a quality education, regardless of where they live, how they learn, or how much money their parents make. \r\n\r\n\r\n *VIDEO HERE* \r\n\r\n\r\n(Washington, D.C.)  Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee delivered remarks on the Senate floor as debate began on the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the bipartisan legislation she worked on to fix No Child Left Behind. In her remarks, Murray highlighted that ESSA takes major strides in ensuring strong federal guardrails for accountability, shining a light on resource inequities, reducing reliance on high-stakes testing, and increasing access to preschool. Murray noted that the bill represents an important step forward, as it broke through the gridlock and dysfunction that has become too common in Congress. Murray also explained that as the legislative process for ESSA comes to an end, she is going to be focused on ensuring the legislation is implemented effectively, and building on this progress to ensure the government is doing everything possible to help students in Washington state and across the country.\r\n\r\nToday, the Senate cleared a critical procedural hurdle with a strong bipartisan vote of 84-12 that set the bill up for final passage, which is expected to come tomorrow morning. The bill will then be sent to the Presidents desk for his signature.\r\n\r\nKey excerpts from Senator Murrays remarks:\r\n\r\nI said back in January, and Ill repeat, that true accountability means holding our schools up to our nations promise of equality and justiceI knew we had to give schools and teachers the resources they need, so they can help students reach their full potential. Because students in some schools simply dont have the same opportunity to graduate, ready for college and careers in the 21st Century economy, like other students do. And, I knew that we should only pass an education bill that would help expand access to early childhood education. Because giving more students the chance to start kindergarten ready to learn is one of the smartest investments our country can make. Im proud to report that our bill  the Every Student Succeeds Act  takes major strides on those priorities and so much more.\r\n\r\nThe Every Student Succeeds Act will put an end to the one-size-fits-all mandates of No Child Left Behind. And it will end the era of state waivers. That will give teachers and parents in Washington state and across the country some much-needed certainty. Our bipartisan bill will also reduce reliance on high-stakes testing, so teachers and students can spend less time on test prep and more time on learning. I know thats going to be a major relief for teachers and principals\r\n\r\nwhile the Every Student Succeeds Act gives states more flexibility, it also includes strong federal guardrails to hold schools and states accountable. Our bill will make sure that schools work to close achievement gaps that too often hurt: kids from low-income backgrounds, students of color, those who are learning English, and students with disabilities. And for schools that struggle the most to help students succeed, and for high schools where more than a third of their students fail to earn their diploma, our bill will ensure they take steps to improve.\r\n\r\nOur bipartisan bill will help improve and expand access to preschool programs. Before I ever thought much about running for elected office, I taught preschool in a small community in my home state of WashingtonIve seen the kind of transformation that early learning can inspire in a child. And I am so glad that for the first time, our nations primary education law will invest in early childhood education. I fought hard for this, because I know that investing now in preschool will pay off for years to come.\r\n\r\nIm going to see to it that this bill is implemented effectively, that schools and teachers get the resources they need, and that students have access to the programs that help them succeed in the classroom and beyond. Im going to keep pushing to build on the progress weve made in this bill and make sure more students start school on strong footing. Im going to keep fighting to make college more affordable and reduce the crushing burden of student debt. And Im going to keep working, every single day, to make sure our government is doing everything possible to help students in Washington state and across the country.\r\n\r\nAs proud as I am that weve come this far on the Every Student Succeeds Act, we still need to keep improving educational opportunities. Im going to see to it that this bill is implemented effectively, that schools and teachers get the resources they need, and that students have access to the programs that help them succeed in the classroom and beyond. Im going to keep pushing to build on the progress weve made in this bill and make sure more students start school on strong footing. Im going to keep fighting to make college more affordable and reduce the crushing burden of student debt. And Im going to keep working, every single day, to make sure our government is doing everything possible to help students in Washington state and across the country.\r\n\r\nReauthorizing ESEA isnt the finish line. For me, its more of a milestone in an ongoing commitment to swing open more doors of opportunity for more Americans. And Im asking all of my colleagues here today to join me. Lets fix No Child Left Behind. Lets show teachers and principals were on their side. Lets help instill educational opportunity as our first national goal  and grow our nation stronger for generations to come.\r\n\r\nFull text of Senator Murrays remarks:\r\n\r\nThank you, M. President.\r\n\r\nFifty years ago, President Lyndon Johnson returned to the old elementary school he once attended. With him, he had a major piece of legislation. At a picnic table on the lawn of the school, President Johnson signed into law the Elementary and Secondary Education Act  or ESEA. He said with this law, he envisioned, full educational opportunity as our first national goal.\r\n\r\nOur nation had always held the ideal of education for all  but in 1965, ESEA put that idea into action. It aimed to close the education gaps between rich and poor, black and white, kids from rural areas and kids from big cities. And in doing so, ESEA took a step forward for civil rights.\r\n\r\nToday, M. President, we have a chance to reauthorize that civil rights law to continue what President Johnson called our first national goal.\r\n\r\nWe have the chance to finally move away from the No Child Left Behind Act.\r\n\r\nAnd we have the chance to send the Every Student Succeeds Act to the Presidents desk to help ensure all kids have access to a quality education, regardless of where they live, how they learn, or how much money their parents make.\r\n\r\nM. President, I appreciate the tireless work of Chairman John Kline and Ranking Member Bobby Scott in the House and their staffs. But I want to especially thank my partner here in the Senate, the Chairman of the HELP Committee and Senior Senator from Tennessee  Senator Lamar Alexander.\r\n\r\nThe Chairman had an opportunity to go down a partisan road, but instead, he committed to work with me earlier this year to get this important bill done.\r\n\r\nI was proud to work with him, and so many of our colleagues, to break through the gridlock and keep this bill moving forward.\r\n\r\nTogether, we passed our bill through the HELP Committee with strong bipartisan support, we passed our bill in the Senate with strong bipartisan support, we got approval from our bicameral Conference Committee with strong bipartisan support.\r\n\r\nLast week, the House passed this final legislation with strong bipartisan support, and today, I hope my colleagues will approve this final bill with the same bipartisan spirit that has guided our progress this far.\r\n\r\nNearly everyone agrees No Child Left Behind is badly broken.\r\n\r\nI have heard from parent after parent and teacher after teacher about how the law over-emphasized testing  and how oftentimes those tests are redundant or unnecessary.\r\n\r\nAnd Ive seen firsthand how this law isnt working for my home state of Washington.\r\n\r\nNo Child Left Behind issued one-size-fits-all mandates, but then failed to give schools the resources they needed to meet those standards. And these mandates were so unworkable that the Obama Administration began giving states waivers from the laws requirements.\r\n\r\nBut my state lost its waiver last year. Parents across the state got a letter in the mail, saying their childs school was failing. And teachers were left, working as hard as ever  knowing that their failing label didnt reflect the reality in their classrooms.\r\n\r\nA few months ago, I heard from a teacher in Seattle named Lyon Terry. Hes taught school for more than 17 years, and he pours his energy into engaging with his students.\r\n\r\nHe starts the morning by playing songs on his guitar, he keeps students laughing with jokes, and every day, he tries to create an environment where kids want to come to school.\r\n\r\nBut despite Mr. Terry and his fellow teachers hard work, his school was still labeled as failing.\r\n\r\nThats not fair to teachers like Mr. Terry, its not fair to parents who need confidence in the education their kids get at public schools, and its not fair to students, who should never have to bear the consequences of a badly broken law.\r\n\r\nFixing No Child Left Behind has been one of my top priorities for students, families, and communities back home in Washington state and across the country.\r\n\r\nM. President, back in January, we didnt know if there would be a path to compromise on a bill to reauthorize the nations K-12 law.\r\n\r\nBut, I started out with several principles and Washington state priorities that Id be fighting for.\r\n\r\nFirst, I knew we needed to make sure schools and states provide a quality education to all students. Because, we already know what happens when we dont hold them accountable for every child.\r\n\r\nInevitably its the kids from low-income neighborhoods, kids of color, kids with disabilities, and kids learning English who too often fall through the cracks.\r\n\r\nI said back in January, and Ill repeat, that true accountability means holding our schools up to our nations promise of equality and justice.\r\n\r\nM. President, I knew we had to give schools and teachers the resources they need, so they can help students reach their full potential. Because students in some schools simply dont have the same opportunity to graduate, ready for college and careers in the 21st Century economy, like other students do.\r\n\r\nAnd, I knew that we should only pass an education bill that would help expand access to early childhood education. Because giving more students the chance to start kindergarten ready to learn is one of the smartest investments our country can make.\r\n\r\nIm proud to report that our bill  the Every Student Succeeds Act  takes major strides on those priorities and so much more.\r\n\r\nThe Every Student Succeeds Act will put an end to the one-size-fits-all mandates of No Child Left Behind. And it will end the era of state waivers.\r\n\r\nThat will give teachers and parents in Washington state and across the country some much-needed certainty.\r\n\r\nOur bipartisan bill will also reduce reliance on high-stakes testing, so teachers and students can spend less time on test prep and more time on learning.\r\n\r\nI know thats going to be a major relief for teachers and principals, like High School Principal Lori Wyborney in Spokane, Washington. She told me she wants to see common sense policies for testing. Thats what our bill will help do.\r\n\r\nM. President, while the Every Student Succeeds Act gives states more flexibility, it also includes strong federal guardrails to hold schools and states accountable.\r\n\r\nOur bill will make sure that schools work to close achievement gaps that too often hurt: kids from low-income backgrounds, students of color, those who are learning English, and students with disabilities.\r\n\r\nAnd for schools that struggle the most to help students succeed, and for high schools where more than a third of their students fail to earn their diploma, our bill will ensure they take steps to improve.\r\n\r\nM. President, a couple of weeks ago, I met a parent named Duncan. He has a son in the second grade in Highland Public Schools, and Duncan is active in the PTA.\r\n\r\nMany of the kids in his school district struggle with poverty. Duncan said, hes seen firsthand how, in districts like his, Every dollar matters.\r\n\r\nIn the Every Student Succeeds Act, I fought hard to make sure federal resources go to the schools and the districts that need them the most by rejecting a proposal known as portability. If enacted, portability would have siphoned off money from schools with the highest concentration of students living in poverty and would send it to more affluent schools.\r\n\r\nOur bill protects students who attend schools in low-income areas. And it upholds our responsibility to invest federal resources where they are needed the most.\r\n\r\nEven still, many schools and districts dont get equal access to the resources they need to help students learn, grow, and thrive. These are things like offering AP classes, how much funding districts spend on each student, access to preschool, and many more.\r\n\r\nSo our bill will require all schools to report on these issues to help shine a light on resource inequality.\r\n\r\nAnd M. President, our bipartisan bill will help improve and expand access to preschool programs. Before I ever thought much about running for elected office, I taught preschool in a small community in my home state of Washington.\r\n\r\nI remember the first day with new students would always start the same way. Some kids wouldnt know how to hold a pencil or how to turn a page in a book, but over the first few months, they would start to catch on. They learned how to listen at story time. And they learned how to line up for recess. By the time they left for kindergarten, they had those basic skills and so many more, so they were ready to tackle a full curriculum in school.\r\n\r\nIve seen the kind of transformation that early learning can inspire in a child. And I am so glad that for the first time, our nations primary education law will invest in early childhood education. I fought hard for this, because I know that investing now in preschool will pay off for years to come.\r\n\r\nM. President  strong federal guardrails for accountability, shining a light on resource inequities, reducing reliance on high-stakes testing, and increasing access to preschool  those are just some of the great things in this bill.\r\n\r\nBut almost as important is what this bill represents.\r\n\r\nGridlock and dysfunction have come to define Congress over the past several years. But on an issue as important as education, and on a law as broken as No Child Left Behind, we worked together and found a way to find common ground.\r\n\r\nIts not the bill I would have written on my own. And I know this isnt the bill Republicans would have written on their own.\r\n\r\nThats the nature of compromise. But we put partisanship aside and proved that Congress can get results for the American people. And that kind of bipartisanship is what we need more of here in Congress.\r\n\r\nWith the legislative process for this bill coming to an end, Im looking ahead to the future.\r\n\r\nWhen all students have the chance to learn, we strengthen our workforce, our nation grows stronger, our economy grows from the middle out, not the top down, and we empower the next generation of Americans to lead the world.\r\n\r\nSo, as proud as I am that weve come this far on the Every Student Succeeds Act, we still need to keep improving educational opportunities.\r\n\r\nIm going to see to it that this bill is implemented effectively, that schools and teachers get the resources they need, and that students have access to the programs that help them succeed in the classroom and beyond.\r\n\r\nIm going to keep pushing to build on the progress weve made in this bill and make sure more students start school on strong footing.\r\n\r\nIm going to keep fighting to make college more affordable and reduce the crushing burden of student debt.\r\n\r\nAnd Im going to keep working, every single day, to make sure our government is doing everything possible to help students in Washington state and across the country.\r\n\r\nReauthorizing ESEA isnt the finish line. For me, its more of a milestone in an ongoing commitment to swing open more doors of opportunity for more Americans. And Im asking all of my colleagues here today to join me.\r\n\r\nLets fix No Child Left Behind. Lets show teachers and principals were on their side. Lets help instill educational opportunity as our first national goal  and grow our nation stronger for generations to come.\r\n\r\nThank you, M. President. I yield the floor.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1523", "DelBene Calls for International Action to Combat Climate Change", "2015-12-07", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Suzan DelBene", "D000617", "delbene.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "DelBene Calls for International Action to Combat Climate Change \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington, DC,\r\n        December 7, 2015\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      \r\t\r\t\t\r\t\t\t\r\t\t\t\t\r\t\t\t\t\t Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today spoke on the House floor calling for international action on climate change. Global leaders have been meeting in Paris for a week to finalize a long-term, international climate change action plan.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tText of the speech follows and video can be found HERE:\r\r\t\t\t\t\tThe Pacific Northwest has always been a leader when it comes to climate change. However, it's critical the United States shows the same leadership globally. That's why it's so encouraging to hear the reports from the climate summit in Paris. We need to take action not just domestically, but around the world.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tIn Washington state, we know firsthand how damaging climate change can be. From longer and worsening fire seasons, increased pests and invasive species, an acidifying ocean to more unpredictable natural disasters, a vast majority of the population recognizes climate change as a growing problem in need of international solutions.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tWe often hear talk about the debt we'll be leaving for the next generation, with little regard for the environment we're leaving our children and grandchildren. It is long past time for bold solutions and an international approach to combat climate change. This summit comes at a crucial time, and we look forward to its progress.\r\r\t\t\t\t\t# # #\r\t\t\t\t\r\t\t\t\r\t\t\r\t\r\r\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1524", "DelBene and Brooks Encourage Support of Computer Science Education Week to Prepare Students for Next Generation Careers", "2015-12-07", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Suzan DelBene", "D000617", "delbene.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (D-WA1) and Congresswoman Susan W. Brooks (R-IN5) today introduced a resolution, H. Res. 554, supporting the goals and ideals of Computer Science Education Week. Computer Science Week is celebrated December 7-13, 2015.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tAs someone who had a long career in the technology sector before coming to Congress, I know firsthand how important it is that our kids develop the skills they need to have bright futures in the 21st century workforce, DelBene said. The future of innovation in the United States is going to rely in part on talented coders getting engaged early on in their education, which is why it's so important that we expand access to next-generation learning opportunities through Computer Science Education Week and the Hour of Code.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tWe are pleased that strong Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) and computer science provisions were included in the recently passed authorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. The legislation encourages schools to prioritize computer science and STEM education. It is especially important given that the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that in the year 2022, there will be roughly 10 million jobs in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields. Of those jobs, half are expected to be in computing and information technology.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tAs a the former Senior Vice President for Ivy Tech Community College, I understand the importance of providing our kids with the skills that will help them succeed in college and throughout their career, Brooks said. To maintain our nation's competitive edge, America must raise a new generation of innovators ready to meet the needs of a global and tech-driven economy. Computing plays a crucial role in aligning our current educational attainment gap and opportunities in the workforce, and Computer Science Education Week provides an opportunity to connect students with the computing fields.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tNational Computer Science Education Week was established in 2009 to coincide with the birthday of United States Navy Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper, one of the first women in the field of computer science. Rear Admiral Murray Hopper laid the foundation for generations of advancements in computer science, engineered new programming languages, and pioneered standards for computer systems. Today, Computer Science Education Week provides a unique opportunity to connect students with opportunities in computer science and honor the extraordinary achievements of Rear Admiral Murray Hopper.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tRep. Brooks and Rep. DelBene serve as the co-chairs of the Congressional Women's High Tech Caucus. The bipartisan caucus aims to facilitate a dialogue among policy makers who take an interest in innovation and the crafting of public policy related to technology. The caucus further aims to support the development and advancement of women in technology. http://womenshightech.org/about-us/\r\r\t\t\t\t\tFor more information, please visit: https://csedweek.org/. For more information on the Computer Science Education Week resolution, please click here.\r\r\t\t\t\t\t# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-response-president-obama-s-address", "Rep. Newhouse Response to President Obamas Address", "2015-12-06", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WA", "Dan Newhouse", "N000189", "newhouse.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse (R-WA), released the following statement after President Obamas Oval Office address:\n\"The President's address tonight was disappointing. The horrific attacks in Paris and San Bernardino clearly show that radical Islamic terrorism is a growing threat at home and abroad. President Obama has the authority he needs to destroy ISIS, but tonight he simply doubled down on current efforts that have failed to even contain it.\nThe call to restrict 2nd Amendment rights on law-abiding citizens was also misguided. California has the most stringent gun control laws in the nation. France has far stricter gun control than exists in the U.S. The terrorists attacked San Bernardino and Paris anyway. Rather than shift the debate to a political distraction, the President should develop a strategy to destroy radical Islamic terrorism.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://reichert.house.gov/press-release/rep-reicherts-statement-ex-im-reauthorization", "Rep. Reichert's Statement on Ex-Im Reauthorization", "2015-12-04", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WA", "Dave Reichert", "R000578", "reichert.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Yesterday, Congressman Dave Reichert (R-WA) supported and the U.S. House and Senate passed the Fixing America\u2019s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, which included language to reauthorize the U.S. Export-Import Bank. Rep. Reichert made the following statement after the bill\u2019s passage:\n\u201cAfter many months of uncertainty, Congress made the responsible decision to reauthorize the Ex-Im Bank, which provides thousands of businesses throughout the country with the tool they need to reach new foreign customers and expand globally. This resource is especially critical to Washington State, where Ex-Im has supported over 230 businesses \u2013 many of them small - and helped generate over $15 billion in exports just last year. I am proud to have served on the conference committee for this bill and to have been part of the team that saw the Bank\u2019s reauthorization across the finish line.\u00a0 Getting to this point has taken a lot of work from both sides of the aisle, but I am confident that when Washington State businesses operate on a level playing field with foreign businesses, they win, and create hundreds of thousands of good paying jobs here at home.\u201d\nBackground:\nSince Congress failed to reauthorize Ex-Im this past summer, Rep. Reichert has been working with a bipartisan group of colleagues to revive the Bank. He joined with over 40 Republicans in signing a petition to bring a bill to reauthorize the Ex-Im Bank to the House floor. This bill passed the House with strong bipartisan support by a vote of 313-118 \u2013 and because of this bipartisan support it was included in the Highway Bill.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1521", "DelBene Signs Brief Urging Review of Texas v. United States", "2015-12-04", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Suzan DelBene", "D000617", "delbene.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "DelBene Signs Brief Urging Review of Texas v. United States \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington, DC,\r\n        December 4, 2015\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      \r\t\r\t\t\r\t\t\t\r\t\t\t\t\r\t\t\t\t\t Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today joined colleagues in signing an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to review the Fifth Circuit Court's decision on Texas v. United States. \r\r\t\t\t\t\tEveryone agrees that our immigration system is broken, but the solution will not be found through litigation. The Fifth Circuit's decision wrongly hurts immigrant families whom we should be supporting, not deporting, DelBene said. The President took lawful action to help families being torn apart by our current system. If the opposition takes issue with that, they should be willing to debate comprehensive immigration reform rather than relinquishing the policymaking to the courts.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tMore than 200 Democrats filed the brief on Thursday night arguing for review of the Fifth Circuit's decision to block the Secretary of Homeland Security from implementing the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) and expanding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programs, announced by the President as part of his immigration executive actions last year.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tAs a member of the House Judiciary Committee, DelBene has led efforts to enact comprehensive immigration reform by helping introduce the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act (H.R. 15) last Congress. She has also consistently said the only long-term solution to fix our broken immigration system will require congressional action.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tFull text of the brief can be found HERE.\r\r\t\t\t\t\t# # #\r\t\t\t\t\r\t\t\t\r\t\t\r\t\r\r\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1522", "DelBene Supports Bill to Prevent Terror Suspects from Buying Guns", "2015-12-04", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Suzan DelBene", "D000617", "delbene.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "DelBene Supports Bill to Prevent Terror Suspects from Buying Guns \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington, DC,\r\n        December 4, 2015\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      \r\t\r\t\t\r\t\t\t\r\t\t\t\t\r\t\t\t\t\t Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today cosponsored the bipartisan Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act (H.R.1076), which would close a loophole that has allowed more than 2,000 suspects on the FBI Terrorist Watchlist to buy guns.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tI am first and foremost committed to protecting the lives of Americans. Rather than focusing on fear mongering and political theater, Congress needs to get serious about taking meaningful steps to protect the people we were sent here to represent, DelBene said. Commonsense, bipartisan legislation like H.R. 1076 is just one thing we can do to better protect our communities from the tragic cycle of gun violence, and it is imperative for policymakers on both sides of the aisle to work together with local and federal law enforcement officials, mental health and public health experts, and law-abiding gun owners to find additional ways to prevent the kinds of atrocities we've seen in recent weeks.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tEarlier this week, Republican leadership blocked the House from considering H.R.1076, which was introduced by Reps. Peter King (R-NY) and Zoe Lofgren (D-CA). Current law prohibits felons, fugitives and drug addicts from purchasing firearms but known and suspected terrorists can freely purchase handguns or assault-style rifles. A Government Accountability Office (GAO) study found that between 2004 and 2014, suspected terrorists attempted to purchase guns from American dealers at least 2,233 times. And in 2,043 of those cases  91 percent of the time  they succeeded.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tApproximately 32,000 Americans die from gun violence each year. There have been more than 350 mass shootings so far this year  and at least three mass shooting within this week alone.\r\r\t\t\t\t\tDelBene has also cosponsored a bipartisan bill (H.R. 1217) that would require universal background checks of all gun purchases  something Washington state has already passed. And she recently joined colleagues in writing a letter urging congressional leadership to lift the prohibition on federally funded research on gun violence so that lawmakers can make informed decision based on sound scientific evidence.\r\r\t\t\t\t\t# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mcmorris.house.gov/crop-insurance-fixed/", "Crop Insurance Fixed", "2015-12-04", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WA", "Cathy McMorris Rodgers", "M001159", "mcmorris.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Today, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) praised the inclusion of a fix to the crop insurance program in the conference report for H.R. 22. It passed the U.S. House with an overwhelming bipartisan majority, 359-65.\nMcMorris Rodgers released the following statement:\nThere were problematic changes to the crop insurance program in the Bipartisan Budget Act we passed in October that would have hurt Eastern Washingtons farmers. Before I agreed to support the deal, I made certain these changes would be completely reversed in upcoming legislation.\nI promised our farmers it would happen, and now its done.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=0019a255-ecaa-4a1e-be67-530a79a2f316", "TRANSPORTATION  Senate Passes Long-Term Transportation Bill, Sending it to Presidents Desk", "2015-12-04", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Patty Murray", "M001111", "www.murray.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Sen. Murray fought for provision to increase ferry funding\r\n\r\nMany programs in Washington state will receive a boost in investments due to bill passage\r\n\r\nState will receive $3.5 billion in highway funding, $1.2 billion in transit funding\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n(Washington, D.C.)  Today, Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) applauded the passage of a five-year surface transportation bill that will increase funding for infrastructure and public transit programs in Washington state and around the country, giving the state, local communities, transit agencies, and employers the certainty they need to address long-standing transportation needs. An agreement was reached on Tuesday, and the legislation passed both the House and the Senate today. The bill, once signed into law, ensures Washington state will receive $3.5 billion in highway funding, and $1.2 billion in transit funding over five years, and priorities that Senator Murray pushed to be included in the final bill.\r\n\r\nI am so glad to see this critical bill be sent to the President to be signed into law, providing more investment for many projects in Washington state over the next five years, said Senator Murray. This deal will increase investments, improve our ferry system, establish new programs to make our freight mobility safer and more efficient, and support new investments in public transit.\r\n\r\nMore details on the final bill below:\r\n\r\n \r\nIncreases funding for Washington state overall, providing a total of $3.5 billion in highway funding and $1.2 billion in transit funding over five years.\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nIncreases funding to the ferry program to $400 million over five years, with approximately $17.9 million going to Washington state annually. Washington state operates the largest ferry system in the U.S., moving 22.4 million passengers and 10 million vehicles a year.\r\n\r\nAnother $150 million over five years is provided through a competitive grant program, for which Washington state can apply.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n \r\nReinstates the Bus and Bus Facilities Competitive Grant Program, providing $1.5 billion over five years including a $275 million set aside for no or low emission vehicles. This will ensure transit agencies have a competitive grant program, in addition to $2.2 billion over five years in formula funding, to support capital investments in bus and bus facility replacements and will help transit agencies all across Washington provide safe and reliable bus service.\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nSupports the safe and efficient movement of goods to national and international markets on highways, roads, and rails by funding two federal freight programs.\r\n\r\nThe National Highway Freight Program, a formula based program, will provide Washington state $107.8 million over five years to bolster the movement of goods on roads.\r\nEstablishes the Nationally Significant Freight and Highway Projects Program, a new competitive grant program for road, rail, and multimodal freight projects. The bill provides $4.5 billion over five years including a $500 million per year set aside for multimodal freight projects.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\nSupports locally owned highways and bridges by providing $54 billion through the Surface Transportation Program Block Grant Program, formally known as the Surface Transportation Program (STP), and increases the amount of funding provided to local governments from 50 to 55 percent over the life of the bill. Approximately $946.7 million will go to Washington state over five years to help preserve and improve highway, bridge, and tunnel projects on any public roads, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, and transit capital projects.\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nMaintains important infrastructure investments for alternative modes of transportation like biking and walking. The Surface Transportation Block Grant Set-Aside, formally known as the Transportation Alternatives Program, will provide $4.2 billion over five years to improve bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure like sidewalks, bike lanes, off-street trails, and connections to public transit. Approximately $64.3 million will go to Washington state over five years.\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\nIncreases funding to help maintain and construct roads and bridges on federal and tribal lands in Washington state.\r\n\r\nFederal Lands Transportation Program: $1.7 billion over five years\r\nFederal Lands Access Program: $1.3 billion over five years\r\nTribal Transportation Program: $2.4 billion over five years\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\nRenews Export-Import Bank. This agency provides loans and other services to help U.S. companies do business overseas. In 2014, nearly 100 businesses in Washington state used the Export-Import Banks services, the majority of them small businesses.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://delbene.house.gov/media-center/enewsletters/12032015", "12/03/2015", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Suzan DelBene", "D000617", "delbene.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Dear Friend,\r\rToday, too many Americans are sent to prison to serve lengthy sentences when there are better ways to help get a persons life back on track. Across the country, there are cases where individuals are locked away for decades because of minor drug charges and other non-violent crimes. Not only is this a failure on the part of our criminal justice system; it is a terrible waste of taxpayer dollars.\r\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      \r\rDear Friend, Today, too many Americans are sent to prison to serve lengthy sentences when there are better ways to help get a persons life back on track. Across the country, there are cases where individuals are locked away for decades because of minor drug charges and other non-violent crimes. Not only is this a failure on the part of our criminal justice system; it is a terrible waste of taxpayer dollars. I recently joined my colleagues on the House Judiciary Committee in introducing the Sentencing Reform Act, and was pleased to see its swift consideration in committee. This bipartisan legislation reduces mandatory minimum sentences and provides judges with greater discretion in determining appropriate sentences. The Sentencing Reform Act will help bring fairness to our judicial system by focusing on alternatives and community support for non-violent offenders while ensuring strict enforcement against violent criminals. With the legislations broad support, Im optimistic that House leadership will allow a vote on the House floor and we will pass this important legislation into law, making a real difference in thousands of lives. As always, my office is here to serve you. If you have questions or comments about the topics that matter most to you, I encourage you tocontact me through my website. You may also keep up-to-date on what Im doing byfollowing me onTwitter,InstagramandFacebook. If you need assistance dealing with a federal agency, such as the IRS or the VA, please do not hesitate to contact my Bothell office at (425) 485-0085. Sincerely,   \r\tSuzan", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://delbene.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delbene-resolution-designates-june-26-as-lgbt-equality-day", "DelBene Resolution Designates June 26 as LGBT Equality Day", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Suzan DelBene", "D000617", "delbene.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Join me in Skagit County! \r\n            November 14, 2017  \r\n            Dear Friend, As your representative in Congress, one of the most important aspects of my job is to stay informed of the thoughts and opinions of my constituents, and I appreciate the time you take to share them with me. Thats why Im hosting a series of community forums in Skagit County on Saturday, November 18. I wil...\r\n            Read More", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://dennyheck.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reauthorization-of-export-import-bank-through-2019-is-now-one-step-away", "Reauthorization of Export-Import Bank through 2019 is now one step away from the Presidents desk", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Denny Heck", "H001064", "dennyheck.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. Months after the Export-Import Bank of the United States authority lapsed, the House of Representatives voted again to approve the reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank as an amendment to the 5-year, $300 billion highway bill. The bill now heads to the Senate where it is expected to pass.\nCongress will finally green light Ex-Im to go in and to help these companies get their products out of the warehouses and into the hands of global purchasers, Heck said. Once the President signs this bill into law, the Export-Import Bank can once again get American goods sold to customers around the world. This is a victory for our export economy, which includes everything from music stands to wide body jets in Washington state. But lets be clear that this needless delay harmed small businesses mightily for months, and we can never let it happen again.\n\"No one has worked harder or more effectively to reopen the Export-Import Bank than Congressman Denny Heck,\" stated Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer. \"He has been a tenacious fighter on behalf of American businesses and workers, and I thank him for his tireless efforts to reopen the Bank.\" \nPexco is pleased that House and Senate negotiators have finalized an agreement on a five-year surface transportation program bill which includes reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank, said Peter Speer, Pexcos Vice President of Sales. Pexco, a company with 150 employees in Fife, Wash., that makes traffic and safety products, has used Ex-Im financing in the past to sell their equipment around the world. The multi-year bill will provide much-needed stability for the highway market domestically after a decade of short-term extensions. Renewal of the Export-Import Bank will assist our company in exporting innovative, life-saving traffic safety technologies overseas, creating jobs for our factory in Tacoma.\nThe Tacoma-Seattle metro is the 4th highest area in the value of goods exported, and 915,000 jobs in Washington depend on trade , said Tom Pierson, President and CEO of Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber. Ex-Im is vital to keeping our local businesses competitive with other countries exporters.\nThe World Trade Center Tacoma is so pleased with the reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank, said Louis S. Tieman, President and CEO of World Trade Center Tacoma. Our members utilize Ex-Im Bank to export to foreign markets that are not served by US Banks, and these markets generate revenue and jobs here in Washington. There are new contracts that have been waiting in the wings for reauthorization to come through, so we are anticipating increased export volume for some of our members in the coming months.\nLast year the Port handled $18.4 billion worth of goods destined for foreign markets. Ex-Im is an essential tool in supporting and growing those exports over time, said Don Johnson, Port of Tacoma Commissioner. We applaud Congressman Heck and the Washington state congressional delegation for their leadership in reauthorizing the Ex-Im Bank.\nThe Ex-Im Bank specializes in helping U.S. firms export goods and services and allows them to compete in foreign markets, said Dr. Chung-Shing Lee, Associate Dean and Professor at the Pacific Lutheran University School of Business. The reauthorization of The Ex-Im Bank levels the playing field for U.S. firms in a world of international trading distortions. \nIn June, Heck publicly promised an all hands on deck, all the time effort to get a winning vote in the House to save the Export-Import Bank.\nOn October 9, more than 40 Republicans joined Heck and 178 Democrats in signing a discharge petition to bring legislation to the House floor to reauthorize the U.S. Export-Import Bank, marking the first successful discharge petition since 2002.\nOn October 27, in a bipartisan vote of 313-118 and with a historic discharge petition maneuver, the House of Representatives successfully passed H.R. 597, the Reform Exports and Expand the American Economy Act, to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank of the United States until 2019.\nWhile H.R. 597 failed to move in the Senate, the same reauthorization text was included in H.R. 22, the DRIVE Act, which passed in the House by a vote of 371  54 on November 5.\nThe Export-Import Bank is the nations official export credit agency and a tool that helps companies in Washington state and nationwide sell products overseas and create jobs. Since the banks authorization lapsed on June 30, 2015, the bank has been forced to stop its assistance to U.S. exporters -- threatening export deals for more than 100 exporters in Washington state.\nIn 2014, the Ex-Im Bank supported $27.5 billion in export sales and 164,000 jobs, of which tens of thousands are in Washington state. Small businesses transactions were nearly 90 percent of the total transactions of the Export-Import Bank in 2014.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-hails-export-import-renewal-victory-jobs", "Larsen: Export-Import Bank Renewal Closer To Victory", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Rick Larsen", "L000560", "larsen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.Today, Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, applauded a major bipartisan victory for jobs after the U.S. House of Representatives voted to reopen the Export-Import Bank. Larsen is a staunch supporter of the Bank, which provides export financing that helps businesses of all sizes in his district and across the country to grow by selling their goods overseas.\nThe next chapter of the Export-Import Banks job-creating success story is finally about to begin. Congress let down thousands of workers in the Pacific Northwest and nationwide by letting the Bank expire, but we are closer to making it up to them today by getting the Bank back open for business.\nThe Bank helps Pacific Northwest businesses of all sizes create jobs here at home by selling their goods overseas. Earlier this year I toured Vista Clara, Inc., in Mukilteo, which manufactures equipment that does imaging in water, rock and soil formations. Vista Clara relies on the Export-Import Bank to finance sales of its products to customers all over the world, and the Bank has helped this small business grow by breaking into new markets in India and China.\nCongress should be doing everything possible to support jobs and a healthy economy to create more opportunity. Reopening the Export-Import Bank signals to the rest of the world that the U.S. is open for business, Larsen said.\nThe renewal was included in a long-term transportation bill.\nThe Bank expired on June 30, halting all new export financing for U.S. businesses of all sizes. Larsen helped introduce a bill to reauthorize the Bank earlier this year. He also led efforts to renew the Bank in 2012.\nIn Washingtons second Congressional district, the Export-Import Bank has supported more than $77 billion in exports since 2007. These exports have come from 18 companies, including 11 small businesses like Vista Clara Inc. Nearly 90 percent of the Banks transactions support small businesses. And because nearly 60 other countries have export credit agencies, the Export-Import Bank helps level the playing field for U.S. businesses.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-hardworking-students-will-get-support-they-deserve", "Larsen: Hardworking Students Will Get Support They Deserve", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Rick Larsen", "L000560", "larsen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today voted for and the U.S. House of Representatives passed a major education reform bill that includes Larsens bipartisan language to provide payments to school districts that serve large numbers of military families and tribes. Earlier this year, Larsen introduced the Local Taxpayer Relief Act (H.R. 1318) in support of Impact Aid.\nThe Every Student Succeeds Act (the conference report to S. 1177) replaces the flawed standards of No Child Left Behind by giving states more flexibility to craft education solutions tailored to local community needs. The bill also maintains funding for low-income schools and districts, as well as requiring higher standards to improve outcomes for all students, including those with learning challenges.\nLarsen has long championed the Impact Aid program, which makes up the difference in revenue for districts that serve large numbers of federally-connected students. The majority of public school funding comes from local property taxes. Since families on military bases and on Indian lands do not pay local property taxes, schools with a large percentage of these students are denied the traditional funding source for public schools. Impact Aid provides direct payments to these school districts, including those in La Conner, Marysville and Oak Harbor.\nImpact Aid keeps teachers and textbooks in the classroom to give our students the best chance at success. Communities like La Conner, Marysville and Oak Harbor depend on Impact Aid to provide their students with the learning opportunities they deserve, which is why I have pushed hard to keep Impact Aid strong. Today, Congress recognized the importance of supporting school districts like these all over the country. Bigger, more certain Impact Aid payments mean school districts can better focus on what they do best  educating our students, Larsen said.\nThe Every Student Succeeds Act increases funding for Impact Aid by $100 million through FY2020, to $1.3 billion annually (a 7.8 percent increase). It also includes the following Larsen provisions:\n Makes permanent language that ensures on-time Impact Aid payments to school districts;\n\tLowers the threshold of federally-connected students that makes a district eligible from 50 percent of students to 45 percent; and\n\tContinues to payments for districts that experience a sudden and significant drop in the number of federally-connected students, such as when personnel are transferred between military bases.\n Larsen also cheered the replacement of broken No Child Left Behind standards, giving states the ability to focus on specific community needs while holding states accountable for improving outcomes for all students.\nStudents, teachers and families in Washington state and across the country have waited too long for Congress to fix the flawed No Child Left Behind standards. Today, our hardworking students and dedicated teachers and administrators are much closer to getting the support they deserve to learn, innovate and succeed.\nThe bill I voted for today maintains funding for schools that serve high numbers of low-income students. And it requires states to offer a high-quality education to all students, including those facing challenges such as poverty, disabilities, or those learning English for the first time.\nFederal law should promote innovation like the robotics and aerospace projects I have seen in our classrooms. And it should promote efforts to prepare all students for college and career, like those happening in Washington state. That is why I am pleased to support reforms that put progress of our students first, Larsen said.\nLarsen called for Congress to reauthorize and update the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, also known as the No Child Left Behind Act, last summer, in light of the U.S. Department of Educations decision to revoke Washington states waiver from the law, which means schools and student test scores must be evaluated under the flawed NCLB standards.\nA one-page fact sheet about the bill is available here. A more detailed fact sheet is available here.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-jobs-and-economy-get-green-light-transportation-bill", "Larsen: Jobs And The Economy Get Green Light With Transportation Bill", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Rick Larsen", "L000560", "larsen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Several Larsen-led provisions included in final bill advance Washington states transportation priorities\nWASHINGTON, D.C.The five-year, job-creating transportation bill the U.S. House of Representatives passed today includes several provisions championed by Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, that will improve Washington states transportation infrastructure. Larsen, a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, hailed the long-term transportation bill (known as the Fixing Americas Surface Transportation, or FAST, Act) as a win for Pacific Northwest jobs and the economy that will give communities the certainty needed to invest in critical infrastructure projects.\nWashington state is set to receive a total of $3.5 billion in highway funding and $1.2 billion in transit funding over the life of the bill, an increase over current funding of $437 million.\nJob-creating investments in our roads, bridges, highways, ferries, trails and transit got the green light today with a long-term transportation bill that will put people to work and keep our economy moving. Transportation means jobs in Washington state, which is why I pushed hard to make sure this bill included Pacific Northwest priorities.\nWith five years of funding, cities, counties and states will finally be able to count on reliable funding to build up and fix the infrastructure people depend on every day to get to work and school. I would have liked to see a bigger overall investment in one of the best job-creating industries we have, but I am pleased the final version of the bill boosts funding by $12 billion over current levels.\nWhen I talk with transportation stakeholders in Washington state, I hear about the issues they are facing every day. From ferryboats, which are an extension of our highway system, to trails and better funding for midsized cities, I pushed for our states priorities. The bill includes my language to improve the financial accountability of ferry systems and eliminate the loophole allowing private ferry programs to receive public dollars. These changes that I championed will help our ferry system in Washington state that serves as a lifeline for thousands of people.\nSidewalks, trails and bike lanes are critical to our transportation network. I fought successfully to increase funding for the infrastructure that bikers and walkers count on and that will continue encouraging bikes and legs as mainstream ways to travel.\nSmaller cities in my district like Mountlake Terrace and Anacortes and those around the country often struggle competing for federal transportation dollars because they do not have the same resources as big cities like Chicago and New York. Streamlined access to a popular transportation loan program that I pushed for will help these midsized cities access the big-time funds they need. Midsized cities also have access to new funding for projects that will help move goods more efficiently.\nThe transportation bill also includes a reauthorization of the job-creating Export-Import Bank. Thousands of workers in Northwest Washington and across the country have been counting on Congress to do the right thing and get the Bank back open for businesses. While Congress never should have allowed the bank to expire in the first place, action today to reopen the bank is a major victory for jobs.\nMy top priority is creating jobs and investing in the foundation of long-term economic growth in the Pacific Northwest. We cannot have a big league economy with little league infrastructure. This long-term transportation bill will help our country make the right investments to keep our economy moving, Larsen said.\nA summary of the bill is available here. Information about highway funding levels is available here, and transit funding levels are available here.\nFunding level\nThe final bill authorizes $305.1 billion over five years for surface transportation programs, including roads, bridges, ferries, rail and transit. Washington state will receive a total of $3.5 billion in highway funding and $1.2 billion in transit funding over the life of the bill, an increase over current funding of $437 million across the five-year lifespan of the bill.\nFerries\nFerries will receive increased funding nationwide, with Washington state receiving an additional $2 million yearly for ferry investment, for a total of $17.9 million annually. Larsen pushed for more financial accountability for ferry boat funding, which could help the ferry system in Washington state. The bill includes Larsens language to rescind and redistribute money that ferry systems have not used within three years of the allocation. The bill also includes language that Larsen championed to prohibit private ferry systems from receiving public ferry funding.\nMidsized Cities\nMidsized cities often have trouble competing for federal transportation grants because they do not have the same resources as larger cities. Larsen had planned to make it easier for midsized cities to access the TIGER Grant program, but the bill does not reauthorize that program. To achieve a similar goal, Larsen successfully pushed to streamline access to a popular federal transportation loan program for smaller projects. Larsens amendment to the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program was included in the final bill and will expedite applications for TIFIA loans that are less than $100 million, reducing administrative burdens for smaller cities and counties. Watch Larsens speech on the House floor here. The final bill also includes funds specifically for cities with fewer than 250,000 people to pay for freight improvements.\nBike and Pedestrian Infrastructure\nLarsen has led efforts to maintain funding for investments in infrastructure for bicyclists and pedestrians. The bill increases funding for sidewalks, bike lanes and trails from $819 million per year to $850 million by 2020.\nFunding for Public Buses\nLarsen worked with Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA-03) to increase funding for bus and bus facilities in Washington state in the House version of the bill. The final bill includes a 75 percent increase over current levels in funding for buses and bus facilities, helping Community Transit and Whatcom Transit Authority maintain and purchase buses for their systems and improving reliability for bus commuters.\nBridges\nBridge safety has long been a priority for Larsen, and this bill makes funding more available for smaller bridges that are not part of the National Highway System.\nRail Safety\nIn response to constituents concerns about the safety of crude oil traveling by rail, Larsen has pressed for higher standards for these trains to keep communities safe. The bill requires improvements to the caps on older tank cars to reduce pressure and the potential for explosion in case of an accident. Larsen also has pushed to direct money to improving rail crossings. The bill creates new programs that could fund at-grade crossing improvements, including:\n A formula program for states to improve at-grade crossings. The FY2016 Omnibus spending bill includes $350 million in funding.\n\tCompetitive and formula funding for nationally significant freight mobility projects, including at-grade crossings.\n\t\tThe competitive program starts at $800 billion in FY2016 and ramps up to $1 billion in FY2020. Projects eligible under this program are meant to be regionally significant and have costs of more than $100 million. However, up to 10 percent of funding can be used on smaller projects, including planning and design work, with a cost of more than $5 million. Additionally, 25 percent of funding is reserved for areas with a population of 200,000 people or less.\n\t\t\tThe formula program starts at $1.1 billion in FY2016 and will be distributed to all states.\n\t\t\n\tA competitive grant program for rail infrastructure and safety improvements, including at-grade crossings. The FY2016 Omnibus directs $25 million to this program.\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://reichert.house.gov/press-release/rep-reicherts-statement-house-passage-highway-bill", "Rep. Reichert's Statement on House Passage of Highway Bill", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "WA", "Dave Reichert", "R000578", "reichert.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Fixing America\u2019s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, which reauthorizes our nation\u2019s highways, transit, and safety programs as well as fully funds the Highway Trust Fund for the next five years. As a member of the highway bill conference committee, Rep. Dave Reichert (R-WA) was part of the bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers that worked together to reach an agreement on the final conference report.\nCongressman Reichert made the following statement after the bill passed the House:\n\u201cAfter years of short-term fixes, Congress voted this afternoon to give states the long-term certainty they need to make investments in job creating infrastructure projects that are critical to our roads, bridges, economic competitiveness, and public safety. The bill gives states more control and flexibility in prioritizing funding for much-needed highway projects and contains provisions that will help us better compete in a 21st Century economy, including improvements in freight mobility and port performance measures to address future port slowdowns. This is especially important to Washingtonians as our freight systems and ports support 1.5 million jobs and produce $129 billion in annual revenue. The bill also includes provisions to improve highway safety such as encouraging states to address unsecure loads.\u201d\n\u201cAlthough this legislation is not perfect, I am proud of the work we have done as a bipartisan group to move a long-term highway solution to the President\u2019s desk.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.cantwell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=0d6a5928-d3cc-4796-80b4-c69d4df2acc5", "Cantwell, Grassley Introduce Biodiesel Tax Reform, Extension Act, Urge Inclusion in Tax Extenders Package Under Discussion", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Maria Cantwell", "C000127", "www.cantwell.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.03.15\n    \t\t\t Cantwell, Grassley Introduce Biodiesel Tax Reform, Extension Act, Urge Inclusion in Tax Extenders Package Under Discussion \n    \t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n    \t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) introduced legislation to reform and extend the biodiesel tax credit. The legislation is similar to the provision that passed out of the Finance Committee in July.\r\nInvesting in Americas clean energy economy is the smart thing to do for our environment and Americas energy security, Cantwell said. The biodiesel tax credit has been an extremely successful energy tax policy, allowing biodiesel to become Americas first advanced biofuel. Since the credit was created in 2005, 8.2 billion gallons of biodiesel have replaced traditional diesel, the equivalent of removing nearly 16 million vehicles from our roadways. This bill gives businesses the certainty they need to invest in biodiesel, create jobs here in America, and continue the development of affordable, domestic alternatives to fossil fuels.\r\nThis provision should be included in the tax extenders package under discussion, Grassley said. Converting to a production credit would improve the biodiesel incentive in many ways. It would make the biodiesel incentive easier to administer. Also, a credit for domestic production would ensure that were incentivizing a domestic industry rather than subsidizing imported biofuels. The goal is to meet the countrys biodiesel needs and support domestic producers at the same time. And it would save money over the current biodiesel tax incentive.\r\nThe senators Biodiesel Tax Incentive Reform and Extension Act of 2015 would modify the biodiesel fuel blenders credit to a domestic production credit and extend the credit through 2018.\r\nThe change would offer numerous benefits, Grassley and Cantwell said. The blenders credit can be difficult to administer, because the blending of the fuel can occur at many different stages of the fuel distribution. This can make it difficult to ensure that only fuel that qualifies for the credit claims the incentive. It has been susceptible to abuse because of this.\r\nA credit for domestic production would ensure that the United States is incentivizing the domestic industry rather than subsidizing imported biofuels. Its projected that imports from Argentina, Singapore, the European Union, South Korea and others could exceed 1.5 billion gallons over this year and next. In many cases, foreign biodiesel is already heavily subsidized, so U.S. taxpayers should not be providing a subsidy to such imports.\r\nGrassley and Cantwell said modifying the credit would have little to no impact on the consumer. Much of the credit would continue to be passed on to the blender and ultimately, the consumer. Additionally, the U.S. biodiesel industry is currently operating at only 60 percent of capacity. The domestic biodiesel industry has the capacity and access to affordable feedstocks to meet the demand of U.S. consumers, the senators said.\r\nThe Biodiesel Tax Incentive Reform and Extension Act of 2015 would allow the nation to continue enjoying the significant benefits of biodiesel since Congress created the biodiesel tax incentive in 2005. As a result of this incentive, the Renewable Fuel Standard, and consumer interest, biodiesel is providing significant benefits to the nation. Domestic biodiesel production supports tens of thousands of jobs. Replacing traditional diesel with biodiesel reduces emissions and creates cleaner air. Homegrown biodiesel improves U.S. energy security by diversifying transportation fuels and reducing dependence on foreign oil. Biodiesel itself is a diverse fuel that can be produced from a wide array of resources such as recycled cooking oil, soybean and other plant oils, and animal fats.\r\nThe text of the Biodiesel Tax Incentive Reform and Extension Act of 2015 is available here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.cantwell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=77c8e16b-41dc-4da2-a600-5db3f408a6ee", "Cantwell: Renewal of Export-Import Bank Is a Win for American Jobs and Economy as Bipartisan Support Defeats Political Extremists", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Maria Cantwell", "C000127", "www.cantwell.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.03.15\n    \t\t\t Cantwell: Renewal of Export-Import Bank Is a Win for American Jobs and Economy as Bipartisan Support Defeats Political Extremists  \n    \t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n    \t\t\tWashington, D.C.  Today, Senator Maria Cantwell applauded the passage of a four-year reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank. The export credit agency lapsed on June 30, 2015 that resulted in a significant loss of jobs and business opportunities for U.S. companies exporting products and services globally, despite widespread congressional support.\r\nFinally, common sense prevailed over extreme partisan politics in favor of American businesses and workers. Reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank means companies like Columbia Machine in Vancouver can continue shipping machinery around the globe. And SCAFCO in Spokane can keep exporting grain storage systems and other products. And Manhasset Specialty Company in Yakima can keep sending their world class music stands to overseas markets. These small businesses are American success stories that help drive our economy and fuel job growth. With passage of Ex-Im reauthorization, businesses across Washington state and the nation will once again have this critical export credit agency, said Senator Cantwell.\r\nCantwell has been a strong proponent of the Export-Import Bank and fought to have it reauthorized to ensure American companies can compete on a level playing field with global competitors. Over the past six years, she has co-sponsored bipartisan legislation to renew the Export-Import Bank. In May of 2015, Cantwell led the fight in the Senate to secure an agreement from the White House and Senate leaders to hold a vote to reauthorize Ex-Im. Following a three-day deliberation an agreement was reached to bring the agency to a vote, which resulted in an overwhelming majority of support for the agency.\r\nThe Senator believes we must address the board vacancies. She will push for the U.S. Senate to confirm Patricia M. Loui-Schmicker to be a member of the Board of Directors of Export-Import Bank and for the remaining two Board members to be appointed and confirmed as soon as possible.\r\nApproximately 90% of Ex-Ims transactions  most involving small business  can move forward because the bank has been reauthorized. Collectively, these deals are worth hundreds of millions of dollars.\r\nKey Ex-Im facts\r\n \r\nEx-Im Bank is self-supported through interest payments and fees, turning a profit for taxpayers. In 2014, Ex-Im sent $675 million back to the U.S. Treasury as surplus for American taxpayers.\r\nIn fiscal year 2014, Ex-Im supported 164,000 U.S. jobs, $27.5 billion in exports and 3,340 small businesses.\r\nSince fiscal year 2007, Ex-Im has supported 1.3 million jobs and $233 billion in exports, including 234 exporters and 154 small businesses in Washington state.\r\n \r\n \r\nThere are 85 credit agencies around the world in developed country. Without Ex-Im, small businesses will lose out to their overseas competitors, many of which are backed by export credit agencies 18 times the size of the U.S. Ex-Im Bank.\r\n \r\nKey reforms of the bill are:\r\n \r\nPuts greater focus on small businesses by increasing the required lending to small businesses from 20% to 25%;\r\n \r\n \r\nIncreases oversight of bank practices by creating a Chief Risk Officer and a Risk Management Committee to oversee the Bank's operations; requiring the Inspector General to audit the Banks risk management procedures regularly; and creating a non-political Chief Ethics Officer to oversee ethics practices of Bank employees;\r\n \r\n \r\nReduces risk to taxpayers by requiring higher loan loss reserves.\r\n \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 1514, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"state\" = :p0 and \"year\" = :p1 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "WA", "p1": "2015"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=WA&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 1124, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=WA&year=2015&party=Democrat", "selected": false}, {"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 390, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=WA&year=2015&party=Republican", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=WA&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 1514, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=WA&year=2015&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=WA&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "WA", "label": "WA", "count": 1514, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?year=2015", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=WA&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "2015", "label": "2015", "count": 1514, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=WA", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2015-12-03,http~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Ecantwell~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fpublic~2Findex~2Ecfm~2Fpress-releases~3FContentRecord_id~3D77c8e16b-41dc-4da2-a600-5db3f408a6ee", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=WA&year=2015&_next=2015-12-03%2Chttp~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Ecantwell~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fpublic~2Findex~2Ecfm~2Fpress-releases~3FContentRecord_id~3D77c8e16b-41dc-4da2-a600-5db3f408a6ee&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 241.1952572874725, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}