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1,147 rows where party = "Democrat", state = "WA" and year = 2014 sorted by date descending

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http://dennyheck.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/thurston-county-s-newly-elected-officials-sworn-in-during-ceremony Thurston Countys newly elected officials sworn in during ceremony 2014-12-30 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Denny Heck H001064 dennyheck.house.gov     legacy Newly elected Thurston County Clerk Linda Enlow said she had waited for more than 20 years for Tuesday’s swearing-in ceremony at the Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts at South Puget Sound Community College. “It’s very emotional,” said Enlow, who served as the county’s chief deputy clerk for 21 years, under retiring Clerk Betty Gould. “I’m very excited.” She was among 11 elected officials sworn into office Tuesday afternoon by county Auditor Mary Hall. U.S. Rep. Denny Heck delivered a keynote speech during the event, saying that public service is about neighbors, community and relationships. He passed along some advice that he received during his freshman term in the House of Representatives from retiring Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., the longest serving member of Congress in U.S. History. “He said this: “You have a very important job, and you’re not a very important person,” Heck recalled. “For those of you who are elected, I want you to remember those words.” Meantime, Hall compared the swearing-in ceremony to a wedding, and added that the real work was still ahead. Like marriage, Hall said elected offices will take a lot of hard work, negotiation and collaboration. Other officials sworn in during the ceremony were County Commissioner Bud Blake; Coroner Gary Warnock; Prosecuting Attorney Jon Tunheim; Sheriff John Snaza; Treasurer Shawn Myers; District Court Judges Kalo Wilcox, Sam Meyer and Brett Buckley; and Public Utility District Commissioners Russ Olsen and Chris Stearns. Hall was sworn in on Dec. 22 so that she could do an early swearing in ceremony for Assessor Steven Drew who couldn’t participate in Tuesday’s event due to a scheduling conflict. Judge Meyer took his oath alongside wife, Jennifer, and their children Charlotte, 4, and Henry, 10. “It really was a family affair,” Jennifer Meyer said after the ceremony. “We appreciate marking the day, and being able to participate in it.” STEVE BLOOM — Staff photographer 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=493939ed-e1ac-461b-a856-6da68f6fdb4a Senator Murrays Statement on HHS Announcement on Blood Donation Policy for Gay Men 2014-12-23 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov     legacy (Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), incoming Ranking Member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released the following statement after the Department of Health and Human Services’ Food and Drug Administration announced a change to the blood donation policy regarding men who have sex with men: “Today’s announcement is a welcome step in the right direction, however, I am disappointed that low-risk gay men are still being discriminated against with this outdated policy. Healthy Americans who don’t engage in risky behavior, regardless of their sexual orientation, should have the opportunity to donate blood and help in the effort to save lives. I look forward to working with Secretary Burwell to build on the step taken today by removing this discriminatory ban while keeping our blood supply safe.”  Senator Murray has previously called for a reexamination of the outdated policy. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-hails-illabot-creek-preservation-victory-pnw-environment-economy Larsen Hails Illabot Creek Preservation as Victory for PNW Environment, Economy 2014-12-19 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Rick Larsen L000560 larsen.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON—Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today cheered President Obama’s signature to designate Illabot Creek in Skagit County as a Wild and Scenic River. Illabot Creek is a critical habitat for threatened wild Chinook salmon, steelhead, bull trout and other wildlife, as well as a popular recreational destination for fishers and hunters. “The Pacific Northwest is one of the most beautiful parts of the country in large part because of waterways like Illabot Creek and the diverse wildlife that call it home. That is why I have worked so hard to protect this vital habitat where both residents and visitors can enjoy fishing, hunting, hiking and other outdoor activities. It took three separate tries over six years, but with perseverance and many dedicated local partners, Illabot Creek will remain wild and scenic for generations to come. “When we preserve open spaces like Illabot Creek, we protect salmon spawning waters that support healthy fish populations and a vibrant fishing industry that creates thousands of jobs. We protect the clean and free-flowing waters that feed the Skagit River. And we protect the outdoor recreation opportunities for today and in the future that are so integral to our way of life in Northwest Washington. “Healthy waters, lands and wildlife are essential to a high quality of life and a strong economy, which is why I will continue working hard to protect Washington state’s environment. Victories may not always come quickly, but persistence won the day for our environment,” Larsen said. Larsen first introduced the bill in 2009 with Senator Patty Murray. It passed the House in 2012, but did not clear the Senate. Larsen then worked with Rep. Susan DelBene, Sen. Murray and Sen. Maria Cantwell to reintroduce the bill in 2013. Illabot Creek flows for 14.3 miles through Skagit County, starting at Snow King Mountain 7,500 feet up in the Cascades and tumbling down to join the Skagit River at 500 feet above sea level. The creek is home to one of the largest bull trout populations in Puget Sound, as well as C… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-step-program-highly-successful-tool-small-businesses Larsen: STEP Program a Highly Successful Tool for Small Businesses 2014-12-19 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Rick Larsen L000560 larsen.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON—A program to help small businesses sell their goods abroad that Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, has long championed received $17.4 million for FY2015, more than double its previous funding. The State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) Program is designed to increase the number of small businesses that are exporting, and to increase the value of exports for those small businesses that are currently exporting. STEP was established as a pilot program in 2010. Larsen introduced a bill in 2013 to make the program permanent, and he successfully requested continuing funding for 2014 and 2015. “When we help our businesses sell their goods overseas, we create jobs here at home. We know this well in Washington state, where 40 percent of our jobs are tied to trade. “The STEP program has proven a highly successful tool for small businesses. Every dollar we spend in our state through the STEP program brings back $75 to our economy. That kind of success is a solid investment that is producing clear results for our businesses and our communities. I am pleased STEP will continue helping us send the things we make, instead of our jobs, overseas,” Larsen said. Funding for STEP was included in the FY2015 appropriations bill that President Obama signed on December 16. Larsen voted against the bill because of several harmful policy provisions. “A bill to fund the government should be just that – a bill to fund the government. Instead, the spending bill further guts our campaign finance laws by giving the wealthy a loudspeaker in our elections. It cuts into the number one source of federal grant money to help low- and middle-income students afford a college education to help them get the skills they need to succeed in today’s job market. And it devastates the pensions of a million hardworking Americans, a hypocritical action in a country that is supposed to stand up for the middle class. “While I strongly disagree with some of the bad decisions made in this bill, within its 1,600 pages is funding for programs like STEP that will co… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-thanks-sailors-uss-rodney-m-davis Larsen Thanks Sailors of the USS Rodney M. Davis 2014-12-19 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Rick Larsen L000560 larsen.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON—U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today thanked the sailors of the USS Rodney M. Davis for their service and applauded the ship’s accomplishments as it returns from its final deployment. During its last six months at sea, the ship worked with partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region to conduct security operations. The ship also participated in Rim of the Pacific 2014, the world’s largest maritime exercises. It is home ported in Everett and is scheduled to be decommissioned in March 2015. “The sailors of the USS Rodney M. Davis have dedicated themselves over the last nearly three decades to serving our country on deployments around the world. I applaud the ship and the many officers and enlisted sailors who have represented our country so admirably. “Naval Station Everett plays a crucial role in keeping our country safe and protecting our interests worldwide. The USS Rodney M. Davis has carried out this role with distinction,” Larsen said. The USS Rodney M. Davis is the final of three frigates at Naval Station Everett to be decommissioned. These ships are scheduled to be replaced with three destroyers over the next two years. Larsen has long pushed to ensure the Navy maintains a strong presence in Everett, and he worked to bring the three destroyers to the base. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.cantwell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=aedd4cc3-cdbd-444e-a3fa-87175b893bf0 Obama Signs Bills to Extend State Sales Tax Deduction, Preserve Hanford B Reactor 2014-12-19 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov     legacy 12.19.14 Obama Signs Bills to Extend State Sales Tax Deduction, Preserve Hanford B Reactor Cantwell-backed tax provision allows Washingtonians to deduct state sales tax on April’s tax filings WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, President Barack Obama signed into law a tax bill that enables Washingtonians to claim the state and local sales tax deduction on their 2014 federal income taxes. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) has led bipartisan efforts to ensure the sales tax deduction remains in effect and to provide tax fairness for taxpayers in Washington state and other states that don’t have an income tax. The President also signed into the law the National Defense Authorization Act of 2015, which included a Cantwell-sponsored provision that will preserve Hanford’s B Reactor as part of a Manhattan Project National Historical Park. The defense bill also includes Cantwell-backed measures to: ensure women small business owners have equal access to federal contracting; transfer a surplus 1,600 acres at the Hanford site to the Tri-City Development Council for economic development; expand the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area by 22,000 acres, and designate the Middle Fork Snoqualmie and Pratt Rivers as Wild and Scenic. The tax bill -- the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 -- extends the sales tax deduction for one year. Washington is among eight states that don’t have an income tax and, therefore, taxpayers can’t claim an income tax deduction on their federal returns. Congress let the sales tax deduction expire at the end of 2013, which left its future in doubt. “This one-year extension means tax relief in 2014 for about 900,000 Washington filers who claim the state and local sales tax deduction,” Cantwell said. “This bipartisan legislation provides tax fairness for Washingtonians and helps support investment in local economies. This is an important step, but we must work to end the long-term … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.cantwell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=d07c6a02-5075-4887-98c7-35311faf18fa 11 Senators Urge Congress to Preserve Strong Net Neutrality Protections 2014-12-19 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov     legacy 12.19.14 11 Senators Urge Congress to Preserve Strong Net Neutrality Protections In letter to McConnell and Thune, Senators say two-tiered Internet would be ‘unacceptable’ WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a letter today, 11 Senators led by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) urged leaders of the 114th Congress to preserve net neutrality principles when considering reforms to the nation’s communications law. “To the extent that any Communications Act reforms are considered in the next Congress, those reforms must be fully consistent with and protective of net neutrality principles,” the Senators wrote in the letter to incoming Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senator John Thune, (R-SD), who will take over as chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. “The FCC can and should take strong action to protect consumers as soon as possible. We would forcefully oppose any reforms that would undermine the FCC’s authority to act to adopt meaningful net neutrality rules to protect consumers.” The 11 Senators who signed the letter were: Reid, Cantwell, Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Robert Casey, Jr. (D-PA), Tom Udall (D-NM), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Al Franken (D-MN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). The Senators laid out four essential elements to net neutrality rules: Prohibiting fast lanes; Preventing discrimination against and blocking of lawful content; Prohibiting throttling; and; Increasing transparency.   “A two-tiered Internet that allows Fortune 500 companies to pay for special Internet access imperils the innovation that drives the Internet economy, while leaving slow lanes for the rest of us,” the Senators wrote.  “We stand with the American people in their desire to keep the Internet open and free. And we stand ready to work with you in ens… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/-11-senators-urge-congress-to-preserve-strong-net-neutrality-protections 11 Senators Urge Congress to Preserve Strong Net Neutrality Protections 2014-12-19 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov     legacy 12.19.14 11 Senators Urge Congress to Preserve Strong Net Neutrality Protections In letter to McConnell and Thune, Senators say two-tiered Internet would be unacceptable' WASHINGTON, D.C. In a letter today, 11 Senators led by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) urged leaders of the 114th Congress to preserve net neutrality principles when considering reforms to the nation's communications law. To the extent that any Communications Act reforms are considered in the next Congress, those reforms must be fully consistent with and protective of net neutrality principles, the Senators wrote in the letter to incoming Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senator John Thune, (R-SD), who will take over as chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. The FCC can and should take strong action to protect consumers as soon as possible. We would forcefully oppose any reforms that would undermine the FCC's authority to act to adopt meaningful net neutrality rules to protect consumers. The 11 Senators who signed the letter were: Reid, Cantwell, Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Robert Casey, Jr. (D-PA), Tom Udall (D-NM), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Al Franken (D-MN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). The Senators laid out four essential elements to net neutrality rules: Prohibiting fast lanes; Preventing discrimination against and blocking of lawful content; Prohibiting throttling; and; Increasing transparency. A two-tiered Internet that allows Fortune 500 companies to pay for special Internet access imperils the innovation that drives the Internet economy, while leaving slow lanes for the rest of us, the Senators wrote. We stand with the American people in their desire to keep the Internet open and free. And we stand ready to work with you in ensuring that … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/obama-signs-bills-to-extend-state-sales-tax-deduction-preserve-hanford-b-reactor Obama Signs Bills to Extend State Sales Tax Deduction, Preserve Hanford B Reactor 2014-12-19 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov     legacy 12.19.14 Obama Signs Bills to Extend State Sales Tax Deduction, Preserve Hanford B Reactor Cantwell-backed tax provision allows Washingtonians to deduct state sales tax on April's tax filings WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, President Barack Obama signed into law a tax bill that enables Washingtonians to claim the state and local sales tax deduction on their 2014 federal income taxes. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) has led bipartisan efforts to ensure the sales tax deduction remains in effect and to provide tax fairness for taxpayers in Washington state and other states that don't have an income tax. The President also signed into the law the National Defense Authorization Act of 2015, which included a Cantwell-sponsored provision that will preserve Hanford's B Reactor as part of a Manhattan Project National Historical Park. The defense bill also includes Cantwell-backed measures to: ensure women small business owners have equal access to federal contracting; transfer a surplus 1,600 acres at the Hanford site to the Tri-City Development Council for economic development; expand the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area by 22,000 acres, and designate the Middle Fork Snoqualmie and Pratt Rivers as Wild and Scenic. The tax bill -- the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 -- extends the sales tax deduction for one year. Washington is among eight states that don't have an income tax and, therefore, taxpayers can't claim an income tax deduction on their federal returns. Congress let the sales tax deduction expire at the end of 2013, which left its future in doubt. This one-year extension means tax relief in 2014 for about 900,000 Washington filers who claim the state and local sales tax deduction, Cantwell said. This bipartisan legislation provides tax fairness for Washingtonians and helps support investment in local economies. This is an important step, but we must work to end the long-term ineq… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-defazio-and-norton-focus-pedestrian-and-bicyclist-safety Larsen, DeFazio and Norton Focus on Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety 2014-12-18 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Rick Larsen L000560 larsen.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON—In response to the troubling increase in pedestrian and cyclist fatalities in recent years, Reps. Rick Larsen, WA-02, Peter DeFazio, OR-04, and Eleanor Holmes Norton, DC, are asking the Government Accountability Office to investigate trends and causes of accidents involving pedestrians and bicycles and to make recommendations about improving safety. “The safety of everyone on the road should be our top priority. Thanks to coordinated efforts, motor vehicle accident deaths are declining. But the same is not true for the most vulnerable people on our roadways – pedestrians and bicyclists. The GAO can give us a better idea of the reasons behind why pedestrian and cyclist fatalities are going up. We want to know what more Congress can do to ensure the highest level of safety for all of those using our roads,” said Larsen, DeFazio and Norton. Text of the letter follows.   The Honorable Gene L Dodaro Comptroller General U.S. Government Accountability Office 441 G Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20548   Dear Mr. Dodaro: While overall traffic-related fatalities have been declining in recent years, our most vulnerable road users—pedestrians and cyclists—have experienced an increase in fatalities.  In 2012, 4,743 pedestrians were killed, or an average of one fatality every two hours.  Also in 2012, 726 cyclists were killed on our roads. These pedestrian and cyclist fatality totals each represent a 6 percent increase from 2011. Furthermore, we are concerned that conventional engineering practices have encouraged engineers to design roads at 5-15 miles per hour faster than the posted speed for the street. This typically means roads are designed and built with wider, straighter lanes and have fewer objects near the edges, more turn lanes, and wider turning radii at intersections. While these practices improve driving safety, a suspected unintended consequence is that drivers travel faster when they feel safer. Greater speeds can increase the frequency and severity of crashes with pedestrians and cyclists who are moving… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-supports-president%E2%80%99s-actions-normalize-relations-cuba Larsen Supports Presidents Actions to Normalize Relations with Cuba 2014-12-18 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Rick Larsen L000560 larsen.house.gov     legacy Larsen Supports President’s Actions to Normalize Relations with Cuba Dec 17, 2014 WASHINGTON—Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, released the following statement today praising President Obama’s decision to begin normalizing U.S. relations with Cuba. “Isolating the Cuban people for the last 50 years has accomplished little in the way of building democracy, and I support President Obama’s decision to open the door to a new relationship with Cuba. “Continuing an ineffective policy is no way to govern. By engaging with Cuba we can promote stronger human rights such as the freedom of expression, while also working to hold the Castro government accountable,” Larsen said. Larsen talked with KOMO Newsradio's John Carlson about the changing U.S.-Cuba relations. You can listen to the interview here. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://web.archive.org/web/20160907084401/https://delbene.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/illabot-creek-awaits-president-s-pen-to-become-wild-and-scenic Illabot Creek awaits presidents pen to become wild and scenic 2014-12-17 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Suzan DelBene D000617 web.archive.org     legacy ROCKPORT — After a half-dozen years of trying, Skagit County’s Illabot Creek is a pen-stroke away from being designated a Wild and Scenic River. Congress passed a National Defense Authorization Act Friday that includes the designation. All that remains is President Obama’s signature. The designation has been a goal for conservation groups, local and state officials for many years, but efforts to pass it as separate legislation have previously failed. This time, it was added to the $585 billion Defense bill. “It’s super, super exciting for those of us involved in all things Skagit River that this is going through,” said The Nature Conservancy’s Bob Carey, director of strategic partnerships. He lives in Mount Vernon and has been involved in Illabot Creek conservation efforts since 1998. He said conservation goals for the Illabot go back two decades before then, when the Skagit River bald eagle population was at its lowest. And the fish activity in the stream goes back even further, finding a place in the stories of the Skagit Valley’s Native American tribes. “One of the reasons that so interests me in Illabot Creek is having spent time on it and seeing that it’s one of the few places in the state that you can still really see what the old-timers meant when they would say they could once walk across the backs of salmon,” Carey said. Illabot Creek starts in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest at 7,500 feet. It connects with the Skagit River between Rockport and Marblemount at 500 feet above sea level, and along the way it provides critical habitat for threatened fish species and other wildlife. “It’s basically home to every species of salmon and salmonids in the Skagit Basin,” state Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist Brett Barkdull said. “It gets a lot of use by bull trout and steelhead, chums, pink salmon, coho, Chinook and the whole works, basically.” The Illabot offers stable spawning habitat and gets some of the highest-density returns of a wide variety of fish species. “One of the reasons that fish… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.cantwell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=71a2f24d-b012-42d2-95f0-f5380c48ce42 Cantwell Statement on Presidents Action to Protect Bristol Bay Fisheries 2014-12-16 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov     legacy 12.16.14 Cantwell Statement on President’s Action to Protect Bristol Bay Fisheries WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) issued the following statement on President Obama’s action to protect Bristol Bay, Alaska from oil and gas drilling. “I applaud the Administration for protecting Bristol Bay and the thousands of Northwest fishing jobs it supports,” said Cantwell, a member of the Senate Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and the Coast Guard.  “Bristol Bay supports a $2 billion fishing industry that helps to sustain economies in Washington and Alaska. This decision affirms that we will not put fishing jobs at risk in the home of the nation’s most productive commercial fisheries.” Bristol Bay supports crab, halibut, groundfish and more than half the sockeye salmon on the planet. In total, 40 percent of American wild seafood comes from Bristol Bay. Thousands of Washington state jobs – including commercial and recreational fishing, processing, shipbuilding and the restaurant industry – depend on Bristol Bay. Bristol Bay is the most productive salmon run in the world, supporting 14,000 full and part-time salmon-related jobs. Cantwell has long fought to protect Washington fishing jobs from potentially harmful developments in Bristol Bay. She has led efforts to stop a large mining company from developing the Pebble Mine, a massive pit mine, near Bristol Bay. Cantwell called on the Environmental Protection Agency to use its authority under the Clean Water Act to block the project after the EPA’s watershed assessment showed there would be severe impacts to salmon and water quality. In July, the EPA issued proposed limits to the Pebble Mine project. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.cantwell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=f844a39f-9d3a-4bfc-8827-f7b692ca82f6 Cantwell Announces 1-Year Extension of State Sales Tax Deduction for 2014 2014-12-16 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov     legacy 12.16.14 Cantwell Announces 1-Year Extension of State Sales Tax Deduction for 2014 Congress passes key tax bill, will allow Washingtonians to deduct state sales tax on April’s tax filings WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) applauded U.S. Senate passage of a tax bill that will enable Washingtonians to claim the state and local sales tax deduction on their 2014 federal income taxes. The bill, the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014, also includes other critical Cantwell priorities including tax credits for hiring veterans, building low-income housing and producing clean energy.   The tax bill passed the Senate by a margin of 76 to 16. It has already passed the U.S. House of Representatives and now goes to President Obama’s desk for signature. Washington is among eight states that don’t have an income tax and, therefore, taxpayers can’t claim an income tax deduction on their federal returns. Congress let the sales tax deduction expire at the end of 2013, which left its future in doubt.   Cantwell, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, helped to craft the Senate package of tax extenders, which passed the Committee in April. She fought for the sales tax deduction’s inclusion in the bill.   “Tonight, we can say that Washingtonians can take the sales receipts they have this year and make sure they are deducted from their tax obligations for 2014,” Cantwell said in a Senate floor speech tonight. “I hope we’ll be here someday when we can get permanent tax fairness into the code. That means a permanent provision so we don’t have to come back here every year and get the tax fairness our states deserve. Let’s make sure we take these provisions that are so important for our economy to move forward to give the taxpayers predictability and certainty.”   Video of Senator Cantwell’s floor speech is available here.   Since 2004, Cantwell has led bipartisan effor… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-announces-1-year-extension-of-state-sales-tax-deduction-for-2014 Cantwell Announces 1-Year Extension of State Sales Tax Deduction for 2014 2014-12-16 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov     legacy 12.16.14 Cantwell Announces 1-Year Extension of State Sales Tax Deduction for 2014 Congress passes key tax bill, will allow Washingtonians to deduct state sales tax on April's tax filings WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) applauded U.S. Senate passage of a tax bill that will enable Washingtonians to claim the state and local sales tax deduction on their 2014 federal income taxes. The bill, the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014, also includes other critical Cantwell priorities including tax credits for hiring veterans, building low-income housing and producing clean energy. The tax bill passed the Senate by a margin of 76 to 16. It has already passed the U.S. House of Representatives and now goes to President Obama's desk for signature. Washington is among eight states that don't have an income tax and, therefore, taxpayers can't claim an income tax deduction on their federal returns. Congress let the sales tax deduction expire at the end of 2013, which left its future in doubt. Cantwell, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, helped to craft the Senate package of tax extenders, which passed the Committee in April. She fought for the sales tax deduction's inclusion in the bill. Tonight, we can say that Washingtonians can take the sales receipts they have this year and make sure they are deducted from their tax obligations for 2014, Cantwell said in a Senate floor speech tonight. I hope we'll be here someday when we can get permanent tax fairness into the code. That means a permanent provision so we don't have to come back here every year and get the tax fairness our states deserve. Let's make sure we take these provisions that are so important for our economy to move forward to give the taxpayers predictability and certainty. Video of Senator Cantwell's floor speech is available here. Since 2004, Cantwell has led bipartisan efforts to ensu… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-statement-on-presidents-action-to-protect-bristol-bay-fisheries Cantwell Statement on Presidents Action to Protect Bristol Bay Fisheries 2014-12-16 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov     legacy 12.16.14 Cantwell Statement on President's Action to Protect Bristol Bay Fisheries WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) issued the following statement on President Obama's action to protect Bristol Bay, Alaska from oil and gas drilling. I applaud the Administration for protecting Bristol Bay and the thousands of Northwest fishing jobs it supports, said Cantwell, a member of the Senate Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and the Coast Guard. Bristol Bay supports a $2 billion fishing industry that helps to sustain economies in Washington and Alaska. This decision affirms that we will not put fishing jobs at risk in the home of the nation's most productive commercial fisheries. Bristol Bay supports crab, halibut, groundfish and more than half the sockeye salmon on the planet. In total, 40 percent of American wild seafood comes from Bristol Bay. Thousands of Washington state jobs including commercial and recreational fishing, processing, shipbuilding and the restaurant industry depend on Bristol Bay. Bristol Bay is the most productive salmon run in the world, supporting 14,000 full and part-time salmon-related jobs. Cantwell has long fought to protect Washington fishing jobs from potentially harmful developments in Bristol Bay. She has led efforts to stop a large mining company from developing the Pebble Mine, a massive pit mine, near Bristol Bay. Cantwell called on the Environmental Protection Agency to use its authority under the Clean Water Act to block the project after the EPA's watershed assessment showed there would be severe impacts to salmon and water quality. In July, the EPA issued proposed limits to the Pebble Mine project. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=a2931e5b-3203-4e8d-8231-94ea1a947fa9 Murray Applauds Major Federal Investment in Washington State Health Care Innovation Programs 2014-12-16 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov     legacy (Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), incoming Ranking Member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, applauded an announcement from Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell that Washington state will receive a $64,997,973 grant to direct, develop and test innovative health care payment and service models, with the goal of improving health care quality and lowering costs. Washington state has been a national leader in enrolling working families for coverage in Apple Health, and has also received national attention for its public health initiatives. The funding will support collaboration between various Washington state organizations working to lower costs, provide better care, and build healthier communities statewide. “Washington state is a national leader in health care and I am thrilled that today’s announcement will enable our state to build on that tradition of leadership,” said Senator Murray. “This funding will allow our state to further develop innovative programs at the local level, which will help improve health care access, affordability, and quality for families in Washington state and across the country.”  The grant was made possible through the second round of the Medicare and Medicaid Services State Innovation Models initiative. In July, Senator Murray led a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services along with members of the Washington state Congressional delegation, which urged consideration of Washington state’s application to the program. For more information about the Medicare and Medicaid Services State Innovation Models initiative, click here. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=ef868cbd-0436-40aa-b613-9ab614aa01ec Senator Murrays Statement on President Obamas Bristol Bay Action 2014-12-16 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov     legacy (Washington, D.C.) —Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement after President Obama signed an order permanently protecting approximately 32.5 million acres in the North Aleutian Basin Planning Area, that includes Bristol Bay, from oil and gas leasing.  “I applaud President Obama for taking this step today to permanently protect Bristol Bay from oil and gas development.  Bristol Bay is home to world-class salmon fisheries that our state relies on, and I am pleased that the Administration continues to take actions to protect Washington state’s fishing communities and an industry that supports thousands of local families, while contributing hundreds of millions of dollars to the regional economy.” The Bristol Bay watershed is an area of exceptional ecological value with salmon productivity unrivaled anywhere in North America. The region’s habitat supports all five species of Pacific salmon found in North America: coho, chinook, sockeye, chum, and pink. These salmon populations are critical to the health of the entire ecosystem. Bristol Bay supports commercial, subsistence, and recreational fishing industries that generate hundreds of millions of dollars in economic yield each year while creating and sustaining thousands of jobs. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pattyinnews?ContentRecord_id=c9af825c-de52-4cc6-8440-437335a689f2 Sen. Murray aims to tackle No Child Left Behind 2014-12-16 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov     legacy SEATTLE — Former preschool teacher U.S. Sen. Patty Murray wants to rescue the so-called No Child Left Behind Law in her new role as ranking Democrat on the Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions Committee. Murray will replace Sen. Tom Harkin, the committee's current chairman, who is retiring this year after almost 40 years in Congress, as the committee's Democratic leader. She also will remain on the Senate Budget Committee, which she chaired this past Congress, as the ranking Democrat on that panel. She has succeeded in promoting other education initiatives in recent years, including reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act, which focused on adult education and retraining. She also has been a leader in directing federal dollars toward early childhood education, and she worked on reauthorization of the federal Head Start program and helped college students with changes in federal grants. But no one in Congress has succeeded in reauthorizing the federal framework for the nation's schools, which is formally known as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Informally, it is the No Child Left Behind Act. Murray wants to give states more flexibility in meeting education accountability goals, and focus on literacy for low-income kids, getting all students ready for careers and college, and offering more support for tribal students, military kids and homeless children. The Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions Committee passed an education bill this year to update the federal law, but it did not go anywhere in the House. Although the Senate will be controlled by Republicans next year, Murray said that will not stop her from seeking to help children in both Washington state and the nation. She said Monday that she has already been meeting with the new committee chair Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., and they plan to work together to fix No Child Left Behind. "There is a lot of work ahead of us, but we're both committed," Murray said. U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan established a stopgap mea… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://delbene.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/wilderness-addition-protects-popular-recreation-area Wilderness addition protects popular recreation area 2014-12-15 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Suzan DelBene D000617 delbene.house.gov     legacy “A lot of people feel that wilderness is change,” said Tom Uniack, conservation director for Washington Wild. “But what wilderness is really about is keeping something the same. Unless you do something to keep something the same, it is going to change.” On Friday, a new chunk of land was protected as wilderness in Washington state when 22,000 acres were added to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. The bill passed the U.S. Senate after earlier passing the House. In the same area, nearly 40 miles of river received wild and scenic river protection off of I-90 on the Middle Fork Snoqualmie and the Pratt rivers. Illabot Creek, which flows into the Skagit River, also received wild and scenic river protection. The Middle Fork Snoqalmie Valley is a popular area for recreation. It's used by mountain bikers, hikers, backpackers, rafters, kayakers, climbers, scramblers and more. Uniack is particularly excited that so much of the land is low elevation. In our state, 94 percent of designated wilderness on national forest land is above 3,000 feet. The last major wilderness designation in our state was the Wild Sky Wilderness in 2008, in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Wild Sky was 30 percent low elevation. This addition to the Alpine Lakes Wilderness was 50 percent low elevation. Uniack says low-elevation wilderness is important for three main reasons: It protects old-growth and mature forests It protects fish habitat It provides areas for multi-season recreational opportunities for families. With so many areas of wilderness at high elevation, most of them can only be reached for a portion of the year, unless you have mountaineering skills. Areas like this newly protected area and Wild Sky offer recreation all year. They also have the benefit of being easy to access. The Middle Fork Valley is only about an hour from Seattle. The road is even being paved, which will improve access and fish habitat at the same time. Crafting a plan for protection of the valley required a careful balancing act. Uniack is pro… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://web.archive.org/web/20160907072722/https://delbene.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/usda-grant-provides-funds-to-help-farm-to-school-sales USDA grant provides funds to help Farm-to-School sales 2014-12-15 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Suzan DelBene D000617 web.archive.org     legacy MOUNT VERNON — The Washington Sustainable Food & Farming Network, a Mount Vernon-based agricultural advocacy organization, recently received a $88,444 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help jump-start purchases of fresh local produce by schools. Executive Director Ellen Gray said the two-year grant will partially support three staff members who will help facilitate purchases of fresh, locally grown produce in 12 school districts: eight in Whatcom County and four in Central Washington. The goal is to increase funds spent on local produce by 25 to 50 percent, Gray said. “The schools are definitely interested in supporting local farms, they are just under time and budget and sometimes labor constraints,” Gray said. Staff supported by the grant will work to educate school food service workers on what crops are available at different times of the year to guide menu planning. Taste tests led by farmers or staff will introduce kids to local fruits and vegetables. On the producers’ side, farmers interested in selling to schools can learn more about what kinds of produce schools want and how to process them for ease of use, Gray said. Connecting both parties to food hubs, such as those in Bow and Everson, will help both parties buy and sell in bulk, Gray said. She said there is still a great need for local food-processing infrastructure to support bulk sales. “Once we get these relationships built and this infrastructure in place, school districts will start to buy fresh produce from local farmers,” Gray said. Gray said the program utilized local match funding and focused on schools that already use some local food procurement programs. The project was one of 82 that received support through the USDA’s Farm to School Program. “As schools do more to provide healthy, nutritious food for students, we should do everything possible to help them take advantage of the amazing fresh fruits and vegetables grown by our local farmers,” said U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., in a news release from the advocacy agen… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=fc4ed553-d2a3-408c-9e47-60b72cd825c2 Senator Murrays Statement on Fiscal Year 2015 Spending Bill, Washington State Priorities 2014-12-15 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov     legacy Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released the following statement following the passage of the bipartisan Fiscal Year 2015 Appropriations bill, which directs spending for federal agencies through September 30, 2015. “I voted today for the critical investments this bill makes in Washington state families, jobs, communities, and economy—and because I believe our country deserves better than a government that simply lurches from one short-term spending bill and one artificial crisis to another. I fought to make sure this bill included key Washington state priorities—including funding for our schools, roads, worker training initiatives, Hanford cleanup, new protections for communities near oil train routes, housing for our most vulnerable families, care and support for our veterans and servicemembers, and more.  This bill will give Washington state businesses and the economy some budget certainty through next year, which is good for local workers and would not have been possible had we been forced to pass a short-term bill and renegotiate this legislation when Republicans control both chambers of Congress. “However, this bill is far from perfect and there are some provisions that Republicans fought to include that I strongly oppose and had hoped would be removed. I am extremely disappointed that Republicans put Wall Street interests ahead of middle class families and refused to take out the provision they fought for that attempts to undercut Wall Street reform.  I am very concerned that some of the Republican provisions could increase health care premiums for families and businesses.  And I oppose the policy change slipped into the bill at the last minute that opens the door to reductions in pensions for many retirees who worked hard and deserve to get the benefits they’ve earned. “When I worked last year to pass a two-year bipartisan budget deal, one of my priorities was allowing Congress to return to the regular budget process and get back to the import… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pattyinnews?ContentRecord_id=572df121-3427-49ce-b472-ebbfba2d2171 Patty Murray and Paul Ryans teamwork is a model for Congress 2014-12-15 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov     legacy Seattle Times Editorial OUT of what is likely the least productive and most dysfunctional Congress in American history, a sliver of good governance has sometimes escaped. One such ray comes in the bipartisan proposal put forth by respective budget chairs Democratic U.S. Sen. Patty Murray of Washington and Republican U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin. Their Evidence-Based Policymaking Commission Act would create a 15-member commission to study the effectiveness of federal programs and tax expenditures via data analysis. It would also explore how to best protect the privacy rights and confidentiality of people interacting with federal agencies. Debate on the proposal, let alone passage, can’t come until the new GOP-controlled Congress is seated early next year. But Murray, who will then be in the Senate minority, and Ryan, who is expected to retain his powerful House perch, both intend to reintroduce the measure then and push for ratification. Members in both chambers, regardless of their party affiliation, should give it serious consideration. At the very least, their data-driven policymaking proposal could increase effectiveness and streamline program adjustments. At best, it would serve as an example of the cooperation and compromise needed to combat Congress’ habitual partisan discord. The effort is the result of a blossoming collegiality forged two years ago when the duo collaborated to craft a federal budget agreement. And they kept their bipartisan fires burning through a series of encouraging text messages, according to a Murray aide. So when Ryan’s staff first proposed they work together on the commission, Murray’s staff responded by suggesting the initiative also look at spending in the tax code. Beyond proposing a bill worth pursuing, Murray and Ryan’s continued collaborations set an example for the rest of Congress. And, theirs is a template worth emulating. As Democrats blame the GOP for congressional ineffectiveness, and Republicans demagogue President Obama for exerting undue … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.cantwell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=075a5588-c70b-4766-9e1f-59cb5af65cb3 Cantwell Statement on Vote Against Omnibus Spending Bill 2014-12-14 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov     legacy 12.14.14 Cantwell Statement on Vote Against Omnibus Spending Bill WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) issued the following statement after voting against the omnibus government spending bill. The Senate approved the legislation by a 56-40 margin. “I strongly oppose the derivatives provision of this bill, which would overturn a critical component of our work on the 2010 Wall Street Reform legislation,” Cantwell said. “I am also opposed to the changes that would weaken protections for current retirees who depend on multi-employer pension plans.” Cantwell’s vote was in opposition to language in the omnibus bill that repeals Section 716 of the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial reform law, known as the “swaps pushout rule.” Cantwell was a key proponent of Section 716, which ensures that taxpayers aren’t on the hook for financial institutions that trade in complex derivatives. In 2010, Cantwell played a leading role with Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) to ensure Section 716 was included in the Dodd-Frank legislation. The rule prohibits financial institutions that trade in derivatives from being covered through the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or the Federal Reserve in case of failure. Cantwell fought to include provisions in the financial reform legislation that required over-the-counter derivatives to be traded on exchanges to promote transparency and ensure they are protected against losses.  Cantwell has long fought to protect consumers from excessive Wall Street speculation and to prevent a repeat of the 2008 financial crisis. In July 2013, Cantwell, along with Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Senator John McCain (R-AZ), and Senator Angus King (I-ME), introduced the 21st Century Glass-Steagall Act. That legislation would revive financial regulations separating traditional banks with federal-insured savings and checking accounts from riskier financial institutions that offer services such as investment banking, insurance, swaps dealing, and hedge fund… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-statement-on-vote-against-omnibus-spending-bill Cantwell Statement on Vote Against Omnibus Spending Bill 2014-12-14 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov     legacy 12.14.14 Cantwell Statement on Vote Against Omnibus Spending Bill WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) issued the following statement after voting against the omnibus government spending bill. The Senate approved the legislation by a 56-40 margin. I strongly oppose the derivatives provision of this bill, which would overturn a critical component of our work on the 2010 Wall Street Reform legislation, Cantwell said. I am also opposed to the changes that would weaken protections for current retirees who depend on multi-employer pension plans. Cantwell's vote was in opposition to language in the omnibus bill that repeals Section 716 of the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial reform law, known as the swaps pushout rule. Cantwell was a key proponent of Section 716, which ensures that taxpayers aren't on the hook for financial institutions that trade in complex derivatives. In 2010, Cantwell played a leading role with Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) to ensure Section 716 was included in the Dodd-Frank legislation. The rule prohibits financial institutions that trade in derivatives from being covered through the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or the Federal Reserve in case of failure. Cantwell fought to include provisions in the financial reform legislation that required over-the-counter derivatives to be traded on exchanges to promote transparency and ensure they are protected against losses. Cantwell has long fought to protect consumers from excessive Wall Street speculation and to prevent a repeat of the 2008 financial crisis. In July 2013, Cantwell, along with Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Senator John McCain (R-AZ), and Senator Angus King (I-ME), introduced the 21st Century Glass-Steagall Act. That legislation would revive financial regulations separating traditional banks with federal-insured savings and checking accounts from riskier financial institutions that offer services such as investment banking, insurance, swaps dealing, and hedge fund and pri… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://delbene.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/house-passes-11-trillion-spending-bill House passes $1.1 trillion spending bill 2014-12-12 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Suzan DelBene D000617 delbene.house.gov     legacy The U.S. House of Representative, after a day of backstage maneuver and a Democratic revolt, approved a $1.1 trillion spending bill for Fiscal Year 2015 on a 219-206 vote late Thursday night. A Washington congressman, set to retire after 20 years, served as the House’s presiding officer as he has over the years on many close votes. Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Wash., is a longtime buddy of House Speaker John Boehner, and expert at such maneuvers as keeping a vote open while House Republican leaders scramble to bring one or two members in line to eke out a narrow victory. Over two decades, Hastings as a down-the-line supporter has been entrusted by House Republican leaders with the presiding officer’s chair, chairmanship of the House Ethics Committee, a key seat on the House Rules Committee, and chairmanship of the House Natural Resources Committee. The spending bill passed over the opposition of both Tea Party Republicans and liberal Democrats including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Western Washington’s U.S. Reps. Jim McDermott,  Rick Larsen and Adam Smith. The down-to-the-wire vote saw 162 Republicans and 57 Democrats vote for the spending bill, while 67 Republicans and 139 Democrats voted NO. The spending bill saw an unusual alliance between President Obama and John Boehner, who denounced Obama all day and on weekends in boilerplate partisan tweets. He barely stopped Thursday night before resuming his anti-Obama cant. The President backed the bill.  Obama and Vice President Joe Biden made phonecalls to wavering Democrats, lining up just enough to assure passage.  White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough was in the basement of the U.S. Capitol lobbying for the spending plan. The Senate will debate the measure tomorrow.  “I’m upset with certain things in the bill,” said outgoing Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in a tweet.  “It’s not perfect. But a longer term funding is much better for our economy than a short-term funding.” In order to avert a government shutdown, both House and Senate passed two-d… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://delbene.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/delbene-statement-on-cromnibus-vote-in-the-house DelBene Statement on CRomnibus Vote in the House 2014-12-12 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Suzan DelBene D000617 delbene.house.gov     legacy Helping Our Veterans Find Jobs November 10, 2017 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 3... Read More » 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://larsen.house.gov/press-release/elections-should-give-power-people-not-money-larsen-says-no-vote-spending-bill Elections Should Give Power to the People, Not to Money, Larsen Says of No Vote on Spending Bill 2014-12-12 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Rick Larsen L000560 larsen.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON—Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, tonight voted against a government spending bill that gives the wealthy an even louder voice in elections, hurts college affordability for low- and middle-income students and destroys the pensions of more than a million hardworking Americans. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill by a vote of 219-206. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration. “Keeping the government running for the people of our country is clearly a critical priority, but we can do that with a clean spending bill that does not hurt students, retirees and the integrity of our elections. One of my top priorities is to break down barriers so all people can participate in our economy and our democracy, and it is with that goal in mind that I voted against this bill. It contains several measures that take big steps backwards for the middle class, and this is unacceptable. We must do better by the middle class. “I have long said that elections should give power to the people, not to money. Yet our country’s political process now stands to become even more lopsidedly in favor of the wealthy. Provisions in this bill essentially destroy any limits on how much people can give to political parties. Our democracy depends on people’s vote at the ballot box, not on the size of their bank accounts. I will continue to fight against harmful laws that give the wealthy an outsized influence on elections. “I am also deeply frustrated that the bill cuts into Pell Grants, which enable millions of low- and middle-income students to afford higher education. We need to be telling our students we will invest in them. They are the future engineers, teachers, doctors, and entrepreneurs who will keep our country growing and competitive long into the future. To tell our students instead that an affordable higher education is not a priority is shortsighted and hurts our country’s economic potential. “My vote against this bill is also a vote in favor of protecting the hard-earned pensions of retirees in the Pacific North… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.cantwell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=8cc7a511-b89d-4bfc-a1f1-476a97dae65a Senate Passes Legislation to Support West Coast Fishing Jobs 2014-12-12 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov     legacy 12.12.14 Senate Passes Legislation to Support West Coast Fishing Jobs Provision that allows fishermen to refinance federal loans clears Congress, headed for President’s signature WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA-03) applauded Senate passage of bipartisan legislation they sponsored that will help boost the West Coast groundfish fishery and protect maritime jobs. The Revitalizing the Economy of Fisheries in the Pacific Act (REFI Pacific Act) was included as a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2015, which the Senate passed Friday. Having cleared the House of Representatives December 4, the legislation now heads for President Obama’s signature. Cantwell sponsored the legislation in the Senate. It was introduced in the House by Herrera Beutler and Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA-02). The REFI Pacific Act helps fishermen by ensuring they receive the same interest rates on federal loans as other businesses, and extends the length of these loans from 30 to 45 years. In addition, the legislation caps the fees that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is able to collect from fishermen. “This is a victory for West Coast groundfish fishermen and fishing jobs in the Pacific Northwest,” said Cantwell, a member of the Senate Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard. “The ability to refinance buyback loans will provide fishermen in the West Coast groundfish fishery with flexibility to grow their businesses. I’m proud to have joined Rep. Herrera Beutler in leading this bipartisan legislation through Congress.” “It is great to see our bipartisan fishing jobs bill – the REFI Act – clear another hurdle and head to the President’s desk,” Herrera Beutler said. “This much needed relief for fishermen on the West Coast cannot come soon enough. I am grateful for Senator Cantwe… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.cantwell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=95a321b9-e616-40f6-b39e-461cdacf5ee5 Senate Passes Cantwell Legislation to Preserve Hanfords B Reactor 2014-12-12 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov     legacy 12.12.14 Senate Passes Cantwell Legislation to Preserve Hanford’s B Reactor Bipartisan provision to create Manhattan Project National Historical Park headed for President’s signature WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Senate passed legislation sponsored by Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) to preserve Hanford’s B Reactor as a part of the Manhattan Project National Historical Park. The provision, included in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2015, cleared the Senate, 89 to 11, after passing the House of Representatives on December 4. Cantwell has been a leader in the Senate on the bipartisan legislation to create the Manhattan Project National Historical Park, which now heads to President Obama’s desk for his signature. The defense bill also includes other Cantwell priorities, including: a provision to transfer a surplus 1,600 acres at the Hanford site to the Tri-City Development Council for economic development, expanding the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area by 22,000 acres, and designating the Middle Fork Snoqualmie and Pratt Rivers as Wild and Scenic. “Creating the Manhattan Project National Historical Park will open the doors for millions of Americans to learn about the scientific achievements made at Hanford,” said Cantwell, who sponsored the Manhattan Project legislation in the Senate. “Preserving the B Reactor as a National Historical Park will increase visitor access and provide a boost to the Tri-Cities tourism economy. Today’s bipartisan passage of this bill is a testament to the hard work of the Tri-Cities community to preserve the region’s history for future generations.” The B Reactor is currently designated as a National Historic Landmark. Elevating the B Reactor’s status to a National Historical Park will ensure it will not be torn down and increase public access to the historic reactor, helping to attract more visitors to the Tri-Cities. “The historical signi… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senate-passes-cantwell-legislation-to-preserve-hanfords-b-reactor Senate Passes Cantwell Legislation to Preserve Hanfords B Reactor 2014-12-12 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov     legacy 12.12.14 Senate Passes Cantwell Legislation to Preserve Hanford's B Reactor Bipartisan provision to create Manhattan Project National Historical Park headed for President's signature WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, the U.S. Senate passed legislation sponsored by Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) to preserve Hanford's B Reactor as a part of the Manhattan Project National Historical Park. The provision, included in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2015, cleared the Senate, 89 to 11, after passing the House of Representatives on December 4. Cantwell has been a leader in the Senate on the bipartisan legislation to create the Manhattan Project National Historical Park, which now heads to President Obama's desk for his signature. The defense bill also includes other Cantwell priorities, including: a provision to transfer a surplus 1,600 acres at the Hanford site to the Tri-City Development Council for economic development, expanding the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area by 22,000 acres, and designating the Middle Fork Snoqualmie and Pratt Rivers as Wild and Scenic. Creating the Manhattan Project National Historical Park will open the doors for millions of Americans to learn about the scientific achievements made at Hanford, said Cantwell, who sponsored the Manhattan Project legislation in the Senate. Preserving the B Reactor as a National Historical Park will increase visitor access and provide a boost to the Tri-Cities tourism economy. Today's bipartisan passage of this bill is a testament to the hard work of the Tri-Cities community to preserve the region's history for future generations. The B Reactor is currently designated as a National Historic Landmark. Elevating the B Reactor's status to a National Historical Park will ensure it will not be torn down and increase public access to the historic reactor, helping to attract more visitors to the Tri-Cities. The historical significanc… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senate-passes-legislation-to-support-west-coast-fishing-jobs Senate Passes Legislation to Support West Coast Fishing Jobs 2014-12-12 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov     legacy 12.12.14 Senate Passes Legislation to Support West Coast Fishing Jobs Provision that allows fishermen to refinance federal loans clears Congress, headed for President's signature WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA-03) applauded Senate passage of bipartisan legislation they sponsored that will help boost the West Coast groundfish fishery and protect maritime jobs. The Revitalizing the Economy of Fisheries in the Pacific Act (REFI Pacific Act) was included as a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2015, which the Senate passed Friday. Having cleared the House of Representatives December 4, the legislation now heads for President Obama's signature. Cantwell sponsored the legislation in the Senate. It was introduced in the House by Herrera Beutler and Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA-02). The REFI Pacific Act helps fishermen by ensuring they receive the same interest rates on federal loans as other businesses, and extends the length of these loans from 30 to 45 years. In addition, the legislation caps the fees that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is able to collect from fishermen. This is a victory for West Coast groundfish fishermen and fishing jobs in the Pacific Northwest, said Cantwell, a member of the Senate Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard. The ability to refinance buyback loans will provide fishermen in the West Coast groundfish fishery with flexibility to grow their businesses. I'm proud to have joined Rep. Herrera Beutler in leading this bipartisan legislation through Congress. It is great to see our bipartisan fishing jobs bill the REFI Act clear another hurdle and head to the President's desk, Herrera Beutler said. This much needed relief for fishermen on the West Coast cannot come soon enough. I am grateful for Senator Cantwell's partn… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=5ff66a36-50a2-49e0-aa8d-9765bffce5c7 Senator Murrays Statement on Senate Committee Leadership Change 2014-12-12 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C—Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement on her intention to serve as Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee when the new Congress convenes in January. Senator Murray served as Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee this past Congress and will continue to serve as a senior member of that Committee. “I look forward to continuing my work on a Committee that does so much to impact policies that define who we are as a nation, what we value, and what we are doing to help all workers, families, and children succeed. “I approach this new role the way I have approached my work representing Washington state families throughout my career. I will fight as hard as I can to make sure that that the voices, values, and priorities of students, workers and families, are heard loud and clear. I will work every day to be a voice for those who too often struggle to be heard in our nation’s capital.  I will never give on my core principles and values, and I will never stop fighting to make government work better for families and communities, but I will always look for ways to find common ground and get results for the people I represent. “I plan to work with incoming-Chairman Alexander and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make sure that our country is doing everything possible to create jobs and economic growth that benefits all families, not just the wealthiest few. I am hopeful that this Committee can work together to tackle some of the most critical issues facing families in Washington state and across the country, like reforming the broken No Child Left Behind law, reducing the crushing burden of student loan debt, investing in early education, continuing to improve health care access and affordability, and fighting for higher wages, better jobs, secure retirement, and better working conditions for all workers and all families. “Making progress on these priorities will take continued bipartisanship, but I believe the wor… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=c7f21d69-4496-4353-9724-223b893e72f7 Senator Murrays Statement on NLRB Rule 2014-12-12 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov     legacy (Washington, D.C.) —Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pension Committee released the following statement after the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) released its final rule to simplify, streamline, and expedite workers’ ability to voice their desire to be represented for the purpose of collectively bargaining with their employer. “Our country is strongest when all workers and families benefit from economic growth, not just the wealthiest few—and when we protect workers’ rights under the law to stand together and bargain for better wages and working conditions. That is why I strongly support the NLRB’s continued work to make sure that workers across the country are treated fairly in labor elections and that their right to collective bargaining is guaranteed. These commonsense reforms bring the Board’s election process into the modern age, substantially streamline overly bureaucratic burdens put in place over the years, and are a strong step in the right direction.” 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://delbene.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-delbene-applauds-fcc-vote-to-increase-funding-for-internet Congresswoman DelBene Applauds FCC Vote to Increase Funding for Internet Access and Wi-Fi in Schools 2014-12-11 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Suzan DelBene D000617 delbene.house.gov     legacy Helping Our Veterans Find Jobs November 10, 2017 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 3... Read More » 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://dennyheck.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/heck-statement-on-cromnibus Heck Statement on the "CRomnibus" 2014-12-11 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Denny Heck H001064 dennyheck.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. – Below is a statement from Congressman Denny Heck (WA-10) following the vote on H.R. 83, the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act for FY 2015, which passed yesterday by a vote of 219-216: “Adding unfavorable policies into the 1,603-page collective appropriations bill at the last minute is not the right way to force its passage. The funding levels are reasonable and were reached through bipartisan collaboration. The random add-ons, what we call ‘policy riders,’ are irresponsible and egregious. I voted no because the people of the 10th Congressional District don’t believe in sneak tactics, especially attempts to buy more elections with a tenfold increase in campaign contribution limits. “We can’t keep letting our basic responsibilities as Members of Congress plague our ability to make progress. We have big picture issues that need solutions. We need to use our bandwidth to tackle new challenges rather than repeating the battles of yesterday.” ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=0c62c675-1a01-4d45-a5a6-9199e4a7f1df EDUCATION: Murray Applauds Federal Aid Extension for Schools in Tribal, Military Communities 2014-12-11 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov     legacy Annual defense bill, which includes three year extension of Impact Aid funding, set to pass both chambers of Congress (Washington, D.C.) –Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement after the Senate voted to break a filibuster on the Defense Authorization bill, which includes a three year extension of Impact Aid provisions. Impact Aid funding is provided to school districts that educate a significant number of federally-connected children, such as those that live on military bases or reservations. “I was proud to fight for these provisions that will give students and schools in in our military and tribal communities across Washington state the federal support and stability they deserve,”  said Senator Murray. “I heard from so many parents, teachers, and administrators in these communities about how important this funding source is for their students, and I am going to keep working to make sure the federal government is investing in education and doing The extension also includes language to expedite the Impact Aid funding allocation process. Currently, many school districts are still waiting for Impact Aid that was appropriated as long as five years ago, forcing schools to tighten budgets and increase the burden on local taxpayers. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=5b7cb97b-b700-451a-8bb3-0fafae57c651 Murray Statement on Washington State Public Lands Bills 2014-12-11 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov     legacy Murray: a “historic day” for WA and “protecting the natural treasures we love” (Washington, D.C.) –Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement after the Senate voted to break a filibuster on the Defense Authorization bill, which included legislation she authored to protect Illabot Creek and the Middle Fork Snoqualmie and Pratt Rivers and expand the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. The legislation passed the House last week and will head to the White House shortly to be signed into law by President Obama. “For everyone in Washington state who cherishes our incredible wild spaces, this is a truly historic day,” said Senator Murray.  “This isn’t simply about protecting the natural treasures we love, it’s about passing them along to our children, our grandchildren, and generations of Washingtonians to come.” Washington state bills that will pass both chambers of Congress include: Following a long-fought victory to create the Wild Sky Wilderness in 2008, Senator Murray continued her efforts to help protect some of Washington state’s best wild places.  She first introduced legislation to protect Illabot Creek, a tributary of the Skagit River and critically important habitat for many species, including five species of salmon, steelhead, Roosevelt elk, and Bald eagles,  in 2009.  Congressman Larsen introduced companion legislation in the House the same year.  Legislation has been introduced in the House and Senate in the 111th, 112th, and 113th Congresses, and has faced partisan opposition in the past. Murray held meetings with stakeholders and a public workshop early in 2009 to discuss the Alpine Lakes wilderness proposal and hear local community input on the legislation.  As a result of those meetings, Senator Murray introduced new legislation in the Senate, including the addition of Wild and Scenic designation protections for the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River, which both the House and Senate versions now contain.  Legislation has been introduced in the House and Senate in the 111th, 112th… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pattyinnews?ContentRecord_id=a8ec1153-4e64-4914-8b45-01a096457786 Sen. Murray writes anti-gang language into spending bill that should benefit Yakima 2014-12-11 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov     legacy Brian Teegarden The senator said she wrote the language into the bill to make sure that communities like Yakima will get the federal help they need to fight gang activity. The language, which was first written by Senator Murray earlier this year, will require the Department of Justice to review the criteria by which it awards grants relating to gang violence and prevention. In recent months, community and law enforcement leaders in the Yakima area have raised concerns to Senator Murray that they are not getting the federal funding they need to address gang-related violence. The bill is expected to pass the House of Representatives and the Senate in the coming days and be signed into law. “I fought hard for this language to help communities like Yakima access the federal resources they need to fight gang violence and keep local families safe, and I am proud that it was included in this bipartisan House-Senate compromise bill,” said Senator Murray. “I heard from local families and law enforcement in Yakima who told me how important it was for them to get federal support to combat and prevent gang violence, and I went back to Washington, D.C. to make sure that their voices were heard and their priorities were represented as this bill was written.”   Senator Murray’s previous work on the Yakima Gang Initiative has already led to important local anti-gang efforts, including funding for the Yakima Gang Commission. Read More: Senator Murray Writes Anti-Gang Language Into Spending Bill That Should Benefit Yakima | http://newstalkkit.com/senator-murray-writes-anti-gang-language-into-spending-bill-that-should-benefit-yakima/?trackback=tsmclip The senator said she wrote the language into the bill to make sure that communities like Yakima will get the federal help they need to fight gang activity. The language, which was first written by Senator Murray earlier this year, will require the Department of Justice to review the criteria by which it awards grants relating to gang violence and prevent… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pattyinnews?ContentRecord_id=b3ade7fc-5671-4fa1-9a72-ecda0f602448 Federal budget bill could boost funds for anti gang efforts 2014-12-11 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov     legacy Don Meyers YAKIMA, Wash. — For years Yakima Valley officials have complained the odds were stacked in favor of major cities when it came to obtaining federal funding to fight gangs. Now the final $1.1 trillion spending bill for 2015 before Congress could make it easier for Yakima County to get that much-sought federal aid. The bill contains an amendment by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., which was drafted with help from Yakima County officials, directing the federal Department of Justice to review how it awards grants to prevent and suppress gang violence. Specifically, it directs the department to give stronger consideration to smaller communities with gang crime rates above the national average. “We’re making some good headway (at gang suppression) in the Valley and any additional resources would be welcome,” said Yakima County Commissioner Kevin Bouchey, who worked on the amendment’s language with Harold Delia, the county’s court consultant. Grant requests to the Justice Department on behalf of the county and the cities of Yakima, Sunnyside and Toppenish would often get high marks from federal officials, but the money would still end up going to major metropolitan areas, such as New York and San Francisco, Bouchey said. The grants have been as much as $1.5 million, said Sean Coit, Murray’s press secretary. The amendment resulted from discussions the county began with Murray’s staff about three years ago, Bouchey said. Murray’s amendment directs the Justice Department to look at whether a community’s gang violence rate exceeds the national average. The rate is a per-capita ratio, which allows a more accurate comparison between rural, suburban and urban communities. “For us, it puts us on a level playing field,” Delia said. Additionally, the amendment states the department should consider whether a community has established a gang commission and performed a gang assessments, which are steps Delia said Yakima County has already done. The requirements, Delia said, ensure that a community seeki… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-arctic-region-cannot-be-out-sight-out-mind Larsen: Arctic Region Cannot Be Out of Sight, Out of Mind 2014-12-10 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Rick Larsen L000560 larsen.house.gov     legacy Larsen underscores importance of Arctic region at hearing; applauds final passage of Coast Guard reauthorization bill WASHINGTON—Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today reiterated the significance of the Arctic region to the economy in the Pacific Northwest and the importance of the U.S. upholding its commitments as an Arctic nation. Larsen offered remarks at a subcommittee hearing of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, “The United States as an Arctic Nation: Opportunities in the High North.” “The Arctic might be out of sight, out of mind for many, but it is part of the everyday economy in the Pacific Northwest. Our ports are often the winter home for maintenance and repair on fishing boats and other vessels that operate in the Alaskan Arctic during the warmer months. “As an Arctic nation, we also need to be careful stewards of the unique environment, especially as icepacks melt and open the region for additional shipping and commercial activity. And we need to be sensitive to indigenous people to protect their ways of life. “I started the Congressional Arctic Working Group with Mr. Young from Alaska to help raise awareness about the importance of the Arctic. I appreciate this partnership and the committee’s attention to Arctic issues,” Larsen said. Larsen also applauded final passage of a Coast Guard reauthorization bill that includes several provisions he has championed, including a plan for the U.S. icebreaker fleet and improved Arctic readiness. The bill now heads to the President for signature. “Our country faces a steep opportunity curve when it comes to the Arctic, and Congress is starting to recognize the need to improve U.S. readiness in the region. The U.S. will take over as the chair of the Arctic Council in a few months, and the commitment to the Arctic in the Coast Guard bill is a signal our country is better preparing to engage,” Larsen said. The bill requires the Coast Guard to come to a final decision about reactivating the Polar Sea icebreaker, which is currently mothballed in Seattle. Larsen visited … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-opening-statement-aviation-subcommittee-hearing-%E2%80%9Cus-unmanned-aircraft-systems Larsen Opening Statement: Aviation Subcommittee Hearing on U.S. Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Integration, Oversight, and Competitiveness 2014-12-10 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Rick Larsen L000560 larsen.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON— Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, the Ranking Member of the Aviation Subcommittee, delivered the following statement at the House Transportation and Infrastructure Aviation Subcommittee’s hearing, “U.S. Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Integration, Oversight, and Competitiveness.” The remarks are as prepared for delivery. Thank you, Chairman LoBiondo, for calling today’s hearing on “U.S. Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Integration, Oversight, and Competitiveness.” I appreciate you holding this hearing at my request.  Safety is, and must be, the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) number-one priority. It is mine, and I know it is yours, as well. We have looked at unmanned aircraft systems – or UAS – twice earlier this year, but last week’s reports of numerous near-collisions between UAS and manned aircraft are a stark reminder that the FAA must be prepared to ensure UAS operations are safe—both for those in the air and people on the ground. So this hearing is very timely. The UAS industry has great potential to drive economic growth and create jobs, including in my district in Washington state, an epicenter of aviation R&D. However, there is no doubt that there are near-term challenges. For example, the FAA says it receives about 25 reports each month from pilots who have seen unmanned aircraft or model aircraft operating near their aircraft, including some “near collisions.” But we rise to challenges; we do not shrink from them. Consider these headlines with cautionary tales about aviation safety: •         Planes Crash in Air; Man Killed[1] •         Two Killed When They Crash In Air[2] •         Crash in Air Kills Two:  Pilots Die When Two Machines Collide in Practice Flight[3] These headlines are from nearly a century ago. I found more than 80 stories of this kind alone, all written before 1921. These reports could have caused the American public to give up on developing things that fly. But we didn’t.  Had we given up on commercial air travel then, we would not have the safe and efficient passenger airline sy… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-talks-more-2200-constituents-during-telephone-town-hall Larsen talks with more than 2,200 constituents during telephone town hall 2014-12-10 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Rick Larsen L000560 larsen.house.gov     legacy Larsen talks with more than 2,200 constituents during telephone town hall Dec 10, 2014 WASHINGTON—More than 2,200 Northwest Washington residents joined a telephone town hall hosted by Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, on December 9. The focused on immigration reform, veterans issues and rail safety, as well as including more than a dozen questions from participants. “Thanks to the more than 2,200 people who joined me for my telephone town hall. I always appreciate the opportunity to talk with you about the issues that are on your mind, from immigration reform and climate change to trade issues and transportation. We might not always agree, but I always like to know the issues that are important to you,” Larsen said. You can listen to the hour-long telephone town hall here. Summary information: 2,264 people joined the call for an average of 15 minutes each. About 175 people stayed on the call for the whole hour. Larsen took 13 questions on topics including the Gateway Pacific Terminal, immigration reform, military spending, transportation and jobs, climate change, concerns about jet noise from Growlers based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island,  Social Security, Russia, unions and labor, partisanship in Congress, trade and college affordability. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=302e3154-d50a-49e0-bfd9-669b89651d7f ENVIRONMENT/SALMON: Murray Secures Critical Investments for Washington Environmental Priorities in 2015 Spending Bill 2014-12-10 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov     legacy 2015 omnibus bill also includes funding for Land and Water Conservation Fund, Puget Sound cleanup  (Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she has secured critical federal funding for Washington state in the 2015 annual spending bill, including funding for environmental priorities including Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery fund, Puget Sound cleanup, and the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The bill is expected to pass the House of Representatives and the Senate in the coming days. The 2015 omnibus appropriations bill was made possible by the bipartisan budget deal that Senator Murray reached last December with U.S. House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) that prevented another government shutdown, rolled back cuts to investments in education, research, and jobs—and restored certainty to the federal budget process.  “I fought hard to make sure that we continue to make strong investments at the federal level for these important environmental issues,” said Senator Murray.  “In Washington state, protecting our natural resources is important not only for the environment, but also for our economy, and I believe these investments reflect that.  From enhanced recreational access for existing public lands to improved habitat for wildlife, these programs will help move Washington state forward.”   A list of funding secured by Senator Murray for environment and natural resources priorities is below: $65 million for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF), representing an increase of $15 million above President Obama’s FY15 Budget Request in order to support state, local, and tribal programs that help improve salmon habitat.  Multiple stakeholders including Chelan County, the Yakama Nation, and the Forest Service worked together to reduce stream barriers, reconnect river channels, and conduct post-construction monitoring on Nason Creek to support spring Chinook salmon, steelhead, and bull trout. Stat… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=4b1efe89-3388-4add-9102-2fbab0771d95 YAKIMA: Murrays Anti-Gang Language Included in Final 2015 Spending Bill 2014-12-10 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov     legacy Murray: “I heard from local families and law enforcement in Yakima who told me how important it was for them to get federal support to combat and prevent gang violence, and I went back to Washington, D.C. to make sure that their voices were heard” (Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that the 2015 annual federal spending bill will include language she wrote to address concerns that communities like Yakima are not getting the federal funding they need to combat gang-related violence.  The language, which was first written by Senator Murray earlier this year, will require the Department of Justice to review the criteria by which it awards grants relating to gang violence and prevention.  In recent months, community and law enforcement leaders in the Yakima area have raised concerns to Senator Murray that they are not getting the federal funding they need to address gang-related violence.  The bill is expected to pass the House of Representatives and the Senate in the coming days and be signed into law. The 2015 omnibus appropriations bill was made possible by the bipartisan budget deal that Senator Murray reached last December with U.S. House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) that prevented another government shutdown, rolled back cuts to investments in education, research, and jobs—and restored certainty to the federal budget process.  “I fought hard for this language to help communities like Yakima access the federal resources they need to fight gang violence and keep local families safe, and I am proud that it was included in this bipartisan House-Senate compromise bill,” said Senator Patty Murray. “I heard from local families and law enforcement in Yakima who told me how important it was for them to get federal support to combat and prevent gang violence, and I went back to Washington, D.C. to make sure that their voices were heard and their priorities were represented as this bill was written.” Gang-rela… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=a51e05e9-b4db-4c7e-bff2-d4bda7458f96 VIDEO: HANFORD: Murray Restores Millions in Hanford Budget Cuts in 2015 Spending Bill 2014-12-10 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov     legacy Murray: “I stood up and fought back” after Administration proposed cuts to Hanford cleanup “A critical win for Hanford and our entire state” VIDEO: Earlier this year, Murray pushed back on Obama Administration after they proposed nearly $100 million in Hanford cuts (Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she has secured critical federal funding for Washington state in 2015, including over $2 billion for Hanford cleanup. Earlier this year, Sen. Murray expressed strong concern with the President’s 2015 budget proposal, which included millions in Hanford cuts, and pushed to restore the funding levels in the spending bill released last night. The bill is expected to pass the House of Representatives and the Senate in the coming days. The 2015 omnibus appropriations bill  was made possible by the bipartisan budget deal that Senator Murray reached last December with U.S. House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) that prevented another government shutdown, rolled back cuts to investments in education, research, and jobs—and restored certainty to the federal budget process.  “I stood up and fought back after the Administration’s budget included millions in cuts to Hanford funding, and I am so proud that this bill restores those critical investments,” said Senator Murray.  “I have made it clear that I expect the federal government to meet its legal obligations and milestones at defense environmental cleanup sites, particularly Hanford.  This cleanup work is one of Washington state’s most important environmental priorities, and while this funding is another step in the right direction, I am going to keep working with the community to move the Hanford cleanup project forward and I will continue fighting for the federal investments it needs.  The funding secured in this bill is a critical ‘win’ for Hanford and our entire state.” A list of Hanford funding secured by Senator Murray is below: $2.153 billion for nucle… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=b4f71c25-b4f4-4ea6-893b-8d0fbbedac8f WORKFORCE/HIGHER ED: Murray-Authored Provision to Expand Education, Retraining Included in 2015 Spending Bill 2014-12-10 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov     legacy (Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that the Ability to Benefit provision will be included in the annual spending bill.  The provision restores Pell Grant eligibility to adult students without a high school diploma who are enrolled in adult and post-secondary education, as part of a career pathway program. Ability to Benefit increases opportunities for low-income adults seeking new skills and job re-training, and helps reduce the skills gap. “The ‘ability to benefit’ provisions have been key to the success of integrated education and training programs, which we’ve seen firsthand from programs like I-BEST in my home state of Washington,” said Senator Murray. “Including this provision is an important statement from Congress that we remain focused on strong, proven career pathways programs that help men and women seeking new skills, new jobs, and new opportunities to succeed in this country.” Historically, Pell Grants have been available to adults enrolled in career pathway programs, but that federal funding was cut in 2012, prompting Senator Murray to first introduce legislation to reinstate it. Recent studies show that these investments are especially important for low-income students and that students in these programs outperform those in similar programs in earning college credits and certificates, and in persisting to program completion and good jobs.  To qualify for aid, adults students must demonstrate their “ability to benefit” from postsecondary education. Washington state’s Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training Program (I-BEST) is a national model for programs to help students build job skills and attain degrees and credentials. Models based on I-BEST are now used in dozens of states around the country, and have been shown to increase post-secondary completion by streamlining basic education skills with job-training. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=d74eef27-4e41-4d55-a1a3-5e85ae27e4a3 OIL TRAINS/TRANSPORTATION: In 2015 Spending Bill, Murray Includes Safety Measures for Oil Trains, Directs Investments to Seattle, Vancouver, Walla Walla, and Pullman 2014-12-10 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov     legacy Spending bill made possible by two-year budget agreement negotiated by Senator Murray and Congressman Paul Ryan (Washington, D.C.)  Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD), announced that she has secured critical federal funding for transportation projects and housing programs in Washington state in the 2015 government funding bill released last night.  The bill is expected to pass the House of Representatives and the Senate in the coming days. The 2015 omnibus appropriations bill was made possible by the bipartisan budget deal that Senator Murray reached last December with U.S. House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) that prevented another government shutdown, rolled back cuts to investments in education, research, and jobs—and restored certainty to the federal budget process.  “From protecting communities across Washington state against the impacts of increasing oil train traffic to investing in transit projects in Seattle and airport construction projects in Walla Walla and Pullman, the 2015 transportation bill includes significant wins for Washington state,” said Senator Murray.  “To support Eastern Washington communities like Pullman and Walla Walla, we’ve changed the federal airport funding program to save several local airports millions of dollars in infrastructure costs.  In Seattle, we’ve invested nearly $90 million to complete the University Link light rail extension, and in Southwest Washington, we’ve invested roughly $40 million for C-TRAN’s Bus Rapid Transit system.  These investments make a big difference for our economy, and I’m proud to have fought for them in the Appropriations process.” “In Washington state, we’ve seen a startling increase in oil train traffic through communities of all sizes, from downtown Seattle to smaller, rural communities across the state.  That’s why I worked to set a deadline for the Department of Transportation to issue new safety standards for … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pattyinnews?ContentRecord_id=49b08a3a-842e-4224-88b3-6b706ddf612f Lawmakers parse $1.1T spending bill for local impact 2014-12-10 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov     legacy Kyung Song WASHINGTON — The $1.1 trillion spending bill filed by House appropriators late Tuesday likely will avert a federal government shutdown after Thursday. But lawmakers (or, more accurately, their staff) were combing through the omnibus legislation Wednesday morning to tally how much money will flow to their states. Sean Coit, spokesman for Sen. Patty Murray, said the spending bills include “big wins” for several of Murray’s priorities. They include enhancing safety of oil trains that are increasingly traversing through Washington, averting cuts proposed by President Obama for clean up of the Hanford nuclear reservation and a final $89.7 million in federal funding for the University Link light rail extension in Seattle. Federal job-training grants — another of Murray’s priorities — will get a slight increase to $2.6 billion, $36 million more than in fiscal 2015. But appropriators knocked $100 million off the $600 million allocated for the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants that pay for highway and public transit programs. Murray chairs the Appropriations Committee’s subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development. As chairwoman of the Senate Budget Committee, Murray in 2013 forged a deal with her House counterpart, Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., to lift mandatory budget cuts called sequestration for two years. That agreement fixed the total federal discretionary spending at $1.1 trillion for fiscal 2014 and 2015. So the House spending bills released Tuesday mostly shuffled same pot of money among 12 appropriations bills. Indeed, the most controversial parts of the so-called cromnibus bill were the host of ideological policy riders inserted by Republicans and, to lesser extent, Democrats. Among other things, Congress would nullify last month’s vote by District of Columbia to legalize recreational marijuana, prevent the Air Force from retiring the A-10 attack planes to save money and raise the cap individual donors can give to national political pa… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pattyinnews?ContentRecord_id=887355fa-2ce5-417f-beff-b5693c3121e8 Bill would restore Hanford budget cut 2014-12-10 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov     legacy Annette Cary A proposed cut to the Department of Energy’s Hanford Richland Operations Office would be restored under a compromise federal spending bill released Tuesday night, according to the staff of Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. “The funding secured in this bill is a critical win for Hanford and our entire state,” Murray said in a statement. The omnibus spending bill would increase the budget for Hanford this year by almost $70 million above the request by the Obama administration, for a total budget of almost $2.2 billion. “For the omnibus to get this far forward with positive news is just a testament for Patty Murray,” said Gary Petersen, vice president of Hanford programs for the Tri-City Development Council. The House and Senate still must vote on the bill, but Murray’s staff said chances are good that it will pass. The nation now is operating under temporary spending legislation after budgets were not approved before the Oct. 1 start of the current federal fiscal year. The current continuing resolution that allows the federal government to operate expires today. But another short-term funding bill may be passed until the House and Senate can vote before the end of the current session on the new omnibus spending bill, which includes money for most federal agencies. The compromise bill includes $941 million for the Department of Energy’s Hanford Richland Operations Office, an increase of $93 million over the administration’s fiscal 2015 budget request. The office is responsible for all Hanford cleanup work except for managing radioactive waste in underground tanks and the vitrification plant being built to treat the waste. The Hanford Office of River Protection, which is responsible for that work, would receive $1.2 billion for that work, a decrease of $23 million from the administration’s budget request. However, that would match the current spending level at the Office of River Protection. The omnibus spending bill is possible because of the bipartisan budget deal that Murray reached… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.cantwell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=52aabe01-329c-4c89-ba3b-75c664b40f68 In Speech, Cantwell Urges Passage of Womens Small Business Provision in Defense Bill 2014-12-09 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov     legacy 12.09.14 In Speech, Cantwell Urges Passage of Women’s Small Business Provision in Defense Bill ***VIDEO AVAILABLE***   WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, urged her colleagues to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2015, which includes a provision she introduced to ensure women-owned small businesses have equal access to federal contracting. In a speech on the Senate floor, Cantwell said the legislation “will help women entrepreneurs across the country break a glass ceiling.” “There are 8 million women-owned business in the United States. But they only get a tiny percent – 4 percent – of federal contracts,” Cantwell said. “We want to make sure this is changed.” The House of Representatives approved the NDAA last week. It is now before the Senate for consideration. Section 825 of the NDAA would authorize federal agencies to award sole-source contracts to women-owned small businesses, giving women the same level of access to the federal contracting marketplace as other disadvantaged groups. A similar provision authorizing sole-source contracting for women was introduced in the Women’s Small Business Ownership Act of 2014, which Cantwell sponsored in the Senate. It was cosponsored by Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and John Walsh (D-MT). In July, the Senate Small Business Committee issued a report showing that women are not getting equal access to federal contracts. The federal government has set a goal of awarding 5 percent of contracts to women-owned small businesses, but that goal has never been reached. As a result, women business owners miss out on an average of $4 billion in federal contracting opportunities each year, according to the report. In Washington state, falling short of the 5 percent goal means women business owners miss out on an average of $188 million in contracting opportunities e… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/in-speech-cantwell-urges-passage-of-womens-small-business-provision-in-defense-bill In Speech, Cantwell Urges Passage of Womens Small Business Provision in Defense Bill 2014-12-09 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov     legacy 12.09.14 In Speech, Cantwell Urges Passage of Women's Small Business Provision in Defense Bill ***VIDEO AVAILABLE*** WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, urged her colleagues to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2015, which includes a provision she introduced to ensure women-owned small businesses have equal access to federal contracting. In a speech on the Senate floor, Cantwell said the legislation will help women entrepreneurs across the country break a glass ceiling. There are 8 million women-owned business in the United States. But they only get a tiny percent 4 percent of federal contracts, Cantwell said. We want to make sure this is changed. The House of Representatives approved the NDAA last week. It is now before the Senate for consideration. Section 825 of the NDAA would authorize federal agencies to award sole-source contracts to women-owned small businesses, giving women the same level of access to the federal contracting marketplace as other disadvantaged groups. A similar provision authorizing sole-source contracting for women was introduced in the Women's Small Business Ownership Act of 2014, which Cantwell sponsored in the Senate. It was cosponsored by Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and John Walsh (D-MT). In July, the Senate Small Business Committee issued a report showing that women are not getting equal access to federal contracts. The federal government has set a goal of awarding 5 percent of contracts to women-owned small businesses, but that goal has never been reached. As a result, women business owners miss out on an average of $4 billion in federal contracting opportunities each year, according to the report. In Washington state, falling short of the 5 percent goal means women business owners miss out on an average of $188 million in contracting opportunities each year, … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=255fb75d-3758-41c5-af05-8ac700e4b0fc Senator Murrays Statement on the Release Of Report On CIA Interrogation Practices 2014-12-09 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov     legacy “Although there should not have been any doubt before, this report makes it even clearer that there should be no room for torture in our security programs. Torture doesn't work, it's illegal, and I believe that our brave troops and intelligence officers can keep our nation safe while adhering to America's fundamental beliefs and values when it comes to human rights. “I am also extremely concerned about what this report brought to light regarding the inaccurate information provided by government officials and the flawed management of the interrogation efforts. This report highlights the need for robust Congressional oversight of our intelligence operations and will be an important new resource as we continue working to make sure that our government has the tools it needs to keep our families truly safe while maintaining the rule of law, our moral credibility, and the values we hold dear.” 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=3739454a-ff01-4e9c-a510-0decd90e2bfb HEALTH CARE: Murray Applauds Investment in Washington State Health Centers 2014-12-09 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov     legacy (Washington, D.C.) –Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) applauded an announcement from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that twenty-four health centers across Washington state will receive a total of $1,094,052 in Affordable Care Act funding to recognize health center quality improvement achievements and invest in ongoing quality improvement activities.  The Washington health centers receiving awards are proven leaders in areas such as chronic disease management, preventive care and the use of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) to report quality data. “Washington state’s community health centers are helping patients get care when and where they need it, and I’m so pleased they are being recognized for their work,” said Senator Murray. “This funding will help health centers get the resources they need to continue putting patients’ needs first and providing the best possible care.” Washington Health centers receiving these funds are being recognized for high levels of quality performance in one or more of the following categories: Health center quality leaders received awards if they were among the top 30 percent of all health centers that achieved the best overall clinical outcomes, demonstrating their ability to focus on quality in all aspects of their clinical operations; 7 Washington health centers received funding in this category for approximately $250,290. National quality leaders received awards for exceeding national clinical benchmarks (Healthy People 2020 objectives and health center national averages) for chronic disease management, preventive care, and perinatal/prenatal care, demonstrating the critical role that health centers play in promoting higher quality health care nationwide; 4 Washington health centers received funding in this category for approximately $162,551. Clinical quality improvers received awards if they demonstrated at least a 10 percent improvement in clinical quality measures between 2012 and 2013, showing a significant improvement in the health of the… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://delbene.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/delbene-statement-on-alpine-lakes DelBene Statement on Alpine Lakes Wilderness and Illabot Creek Legislation Passing the U.S. House of Representatives Today 2014-12-04 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Suzan DelBene D000617 delbene.house.gov     legacy Helping Our Veterans Find Jobs November 10, 2017 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 3... Read More » 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://dennyheck.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/fincher-and-heck-offer-stability-for-servicemembers-act-to-prevent Fincher and Heck Offer Stability for Servicemembers Act to Prevent Foreclosures 2014-12-04 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Denny Heck H001064 dennyheck.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. – To prevent a pending expiration of foreclosure protection for military homeowners, Representatives Stephen Fincher (TN-8) and Denny Heck (WA-10) today introduced the Stability for Servicemembers Act. Existing law currently protects servicemembers from foreclosure for one year after they leave active duty, but the law is set to expire at the end of this year. The Stability for Servicemembers Act extends the one-year foreclosure prevention measure through December 31, 2015. “We’re making progress on reducing veteran unemployment, but we’re not even close to being where we need to be when it comes to housing protections,” Heck said. “The truth is volunteering to protect our country can make servicemembers vulnerable to foreclosure, and we need to recognize and acknowledge that risk by passing laws that prevent our heroes from losing their homes.” “A slow recovering economy and real estate market have hit our nation’s military personnel especially hard as they transition out of active duty and seek new employment opportunities.  Many of these folks are facing the threat of eviction from or foreclosure on their home,” Fincher said. “Our men and women in uniform are the best in the world, willingly putting their lives on the lines to protect our freedoms every day.  The least we can do for them is ensure they don’t lose their home when they leave active duty service.” In 2012, Congress temporarily extended the foreclosure protection to one year. The temporary revised timeframe was examined in a U.S. Government Accountability Office study to ensure its effectiveness. In "Servicemembers Civil Relief Act: Information on Mortgage Protections and Related Education Efforts," GAO found the revised timeframe successfully protected veterans from losing their homes and didn’t cause any unintended consequences for veterans or lenders. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-and-delbene-applaud-house-approval-keep-illabot-creek-wild-and-scenic Larsen and DelBene Applaud House Approval to Keep Illabot Creek Wild and Scenic 2014-12-04 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Rick Larsen L000560 larsen.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON—Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, and Suzan DelBene, WA-01, today praised the U.S. House of Representatives’ vote to designate Illabot Creek in Skagit County as a Wild and Scenic River. Illabot Creek is a critical habitat for threatened wild Chinook salmon, steelhead, bull trout and other wildlife, as well as a popular recreational destination for fishers and hunters. “Illabot Creek is a beautiful part of our community and an integral part of Skagit Valley’s environment,” Larsen said. “Preserving this habitat ensures that Skagit County residents and visitors will be able to continue hunting, fishing and hiking in the region. When we support vital salmon spawning waters like this, we protect the fishing industry jobs that depend on healthy fish populations. Moving this bill forward has taken persistence over the years, and I am pleased to work with Rep. DelBene to try to push it across the finish line.” “For years, there has been a broad coalition of stakeholders from our region who have fought tirelessly to protect these important public lands, and I am thrilled that we are about to cross the finish line. The inclusion of the Illabot Creek Wild and Scenic bill means we will ensure the preservation of significant wild lands that are home to several threatened species. In addition to being important to local wildlife habitat, people have come to Illabot Creek for generations to hunt, fish and recreate. This legislation will preserve these opportunities for generations to come,” DelBene said. Larsen first introduced the bill in 2009 with Senator Patty Murray. It passed the House in 2012, but did not clear the Senate. DelBene took the bill up after being elected to represent the new First Congressional District. Illabot Creek flows for 14.3 miles through Skagit County, starting at Snow King Mountain 7,500 feet up in the Cascades and tumbling down to join the Skagit River at 500 feet above sea level. Other conservation provisions in Washington state include: Expand the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area. Create the Manh… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-and-murray-ask-navy-fund-%E2%80%98hush-house%E2%80%99-naswi Larsen and Murray Ask Navy to Fund Hush House at NASWI 2014-12-04 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Rick Larsen L000560 larsen.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Patty Murray, WA, and Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, took action this week to respond to constituents concerned about noise from the EA-18G Growlers at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. Murray and Larsen asked the U.S. Navy to consider recommending funding for the construction of a hangar at Ault Field called a hush house, which would muffle noise from on-ground engine testing and maintenance. “Community members from Whidbey Island and the San Juan Islands have shared with me their concerns about the noise from the Growlers at NASWI. Senator Murray and I have listened and are asking the Navy to help out by building a hush house, which would muffle engine noise from testing and maintenance on the ground and direct it away from communities,” Rep. Larsen said. “I have always been clear in my support for NASWI’s role as one of the country’s premier Navy installations, the Growlers being stationed at the base, and the necessary training such as field carrier landing practice to make sure our servicemen and women are prepared. I will also continue working with community members and local leaders to address the impact of noise.” “We’ve heard from families on Whidbey Island and the San Juan Islands that the noise from NASWI is disturbing their communities,” said Senator Murray.  “Construction of this facility is a reasonable step to minimize the impact that planes from NASWI have on the surrounding area.” Full text of the letter to the U.S. Navy can be found here. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-defense-bill-funds-five-growlers-underscores-importance-pnw-national-defense Larsen: Defense Bill Funds Five Growlers, Underscores Importance of PNW to National Defense 2014-12-04 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Rick Larsen L000560 larsen.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON—Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today voted for and the House of Representatives passed the final version of the annual defense policy bill, the National Defense Authorization Act of 2015. The bill includes several provisions that support Navy bases in Northwest Washington, strengthening national security and improving the local economy. One measure in the bill allows the Navy to buy an additional five EA-18G Growlers, aircraft that are critical to the country’s electronic warfare strategy. This brings the total number of Growlers that Congress will purchase from 135 to 140. “Congress’ decision to buy five more Growlers indicates the planes’ importance to our national defense in this age of new technology, and continues to underscore the national commitment to maintaining Naval Air Station Whidbey Island as one of our country’s preeminent Navy bases. “I want to be clear this does not mean NASWI will automatically house five more Growlers. The number of Growlers at NASWI will be determined by the ongoing Environmental Impact Study (EIS), which has provided multiple opportunities for public input,” Larsen said. Currently, there are 82 Growlers actively flying out of NASWI and 12 used as backup in case an active plane is damaged. The EIS will determine the number of planes to be flown out of the base, which could be as high as 118 aircraft. This scenario could happen even if Congress had not funded any new Growlers this year. After the EIS determines the number of active planes at NASWI, the remaining aircraft that Congress has purchased will continue to be split between a Navy base in Japan, testing facilities, and spares at NASWI to replace lost or damaged aircraft, or those undergoing extended maintenance.e lost or damaged aircraft, or those undergoing extended maintenance. The EIS is open for public comment until January 9, and people are encouraged to submit comments here: https://www.whidbeyeis.com/Comment.aspx. The bill now moves onto the Senate for a vote. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-votes-defense-policy-bill-makes-important-investments-northwest-washington Larsen Votes for Defense Policy Bill That Makes Important Investments in Northwest Washington 2014-12-04 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Rick Larsen L000560 larsen.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON—Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today voted for and the House of Representatives passed the bipartisan final version of the annual defense policy bill, the Carl Levin and Howard P. ‘Buck’ McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015. The bill contains key provisions that continue to invest in vital assets in Northwest Washington, while strengthening U.S. national defense. Larsen is a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee. “This bill demonstrates the importance of the Pacific Northwest to national defense by investing in construction, manufacturing, and military bases in our region. Bases on the Pacific Coast are vital to our country’s pivot to the Asia-Pacific region as a focus for security and economic interests. “I am also pleased the bill contains full funding the for KC-46A tanker program, one of the Air Force’s top three priorities. I fought hard to get the tanker program into the hands of the best aerospace workers in the world – the Machinists of Puget Sound, and I fought successfully for full funding. “However, there are many ways this legislation could be improved. It fails to make progress towards closing the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. And it fails to take on the budgetary challenge of sequestration that Congress imposed upon the Pentagon. Congress is unwilling to make cuts to military programs that have outlived their usefulness, and I would like to see us make decisions that reshape national security policy to meet 21st century challenges. “I have also heard from veterans and military families concerned about cuts to their benefits, and I understand their concern. The Pentagon has proposed a number of budget cuts to stick within sequestration limits, but Congress has rejected them. Unfortunately, if Congress continues to fail to address sequestration, the limited cuts in this bill are a harbinger of tougher choices to come. “While the bill is not perfect, it is an important bipartisan compromise that defines our country’s national defense for the comi… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-votes-extend-tax-relief-families-middle-class Larsen Votes to Extend Tax Relief for Families, Middle Class 2014-12-04 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Rick Larsen L000560 larsen.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON—The U.S. House of Representatives today passed a bill with support from Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, that preserves tax credits to help families and the middle class. H.R. 5771, the Tax Increase Prevention Act, extends for one year a variety of tax breaks that expired at the end of 2013, applying them to the 2014 tax year. Larsen also praised the country’s decreasing deficit and called for continued fiscal responsibility. “Our country’s budget should reflect our shared value of opportunity for all, and it should do so in a balanced and responsible way. I have long called for a sane approach to our country’s fiscal policy, and I am happy to report that we are moving in the right direction. Over the last five years, our country’s deficit has fallen from $1.4 trillion to $483 billion. This means the deficit is down to 2.8 percent of our GDP, so we are getting closer to a world of budget sustainability. “I voted in favor of this bill to support hardworking families who are putting their kids through college and to help low-income families afford housing. I am also pleased the bill extends the state and local tax deduction, which makes the tax code fairer for people in states like Washington that do not have an income tax. And it helps businesses invest in research and development, which are critical to the foundation of long-term economic growth that creates jobs and opportunity in Northwest Washington and across the country. “But this bill is far from perfect. Sane fiscal policy would not be extending handouts to NASCAR and horse racing, as this bill does. These kinds of tax breaks used to be called earmarks. Rather than this piecemeal and last-minute approach to legislating, Congress should work on broad, long-term business tax reform that encourages economic growth and opportunity. “While I am frustrated with Congress’ continued piecemeal approach to legislating, we cannot pin a higher bill on the middle class simply because Congress has yet again waited until the last minute to make decisions. People shoul… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=db50166a-a366-4641-aa72-d897424ec50c Murray Meets with Attorney General Nominee, Talks Civil Rights, Immigration 2014-12-04 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov     legacy Senator Patty Murray in her office with Attorney General Nominee Loretta Lynch. (Washington, D.C.) –  Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray met with Loretta Lynch, President Obama’s nominee for U.S. Attorney General, in advance of her confirmation hearings. Sen. Murray and Lynch discussed civil rights, immigration, and other issues impacting families in Washington state and across the country. Senator Murray’s November statement on Lynch’s nomination HERE.  *Download high quality version of the image HERE. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://larsen.house.gov/press-release/house-passes-coast-guard-reauthorization-bill-includes-larsen-priorities House Passes Coast Guard Reauthorization Bill That Includes Larsen Priorities 2014-12-03 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Rick Larsen L000560 larsen.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON—Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to reauthorize the U.S. Coast Guard that contains several provisions Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, has championed, including a plan for the U.S. icebreaker fleet and improved Arctic readiness. The Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014 also reauthorizes the Small Shipyards program, which invests in small shipyards that create jobs in the Pacific Northwest and across the country. Larsen spoke on the floor in favor of the bill today. Watch his floor speech here. “Our country faces a steep opportunity curve when it comes to the Arctic, and I am pleased the Coast Guard reauthorization bill recognizes the need to improve U.S. readiness in the region. As the U.S. prepares to take over the chairmanship of the Arctic Council in 2015, this bill signals that our country is ready to engage further in Arctic issues. “As the Arctic increasingly opens up to more shipping traffic, our icebreaker fleet will become even more important to protect American commerce and our national security. This bill requires the Coast Guard to come to a long overdue decision about reactivating the mothballed Polar Sea icebreaker. And it requires the Department of Defense, Coast Guard, and National Science Foundation to work together to develop a funding strategy for icebreakers they will all use. I am hopeful this whole-of-government approach will improve our country’s icebreaking capacity, which is woefully inadequate, particularly compared with other Arctic nations. “The U.S. needs to participate in building infrastructure in the Arctic to protect the environment and provide safe passage for our vessels. This bill encourages the development of forward operating bases for the Coast Guard in the region, and it improves the ability of the Coast Guard to monitor, patrol, and protect our nation’s Arctic waters. “I am also pleased that this bill includes $10 million for the Small Shipyards Grant Program, a successful effort that provides infrastructure funding to sh… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.cantwell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-about-maria?ContentRecord_id=2ef90e00-da54-4e29-a26b-de8e8407b51c Congress to Pro Sports: Toughen Up the Rules 2014-12-03 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov     legacy 12.03.14 Congress to Pro Sports: Toughen Up the Rules Congress is stepping into the debate about pro athletes and domestic violence. Tuesday, the United States Senate called top leaders of pro sports leagues to Washington.   Lawmakers want to see league leaders put tougher and clearer domestic violence policies in place.   NFL star Ray Rice recently had his indefinite suspension overturned in the wake of his domestic violence case. His public apology to his wife making a fresh round of headlines, has become the most visible face of the problem of domestic abuse at the hands of pro athletes.   Now the U.S. Senate is stepping in. Top officials from the NFL, NBA, and MLB were all on Capitol Hill.   “It has to stop and that's what we're here for,” said Sen. Jay Rockefeller.   Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell says the Ray Rice incident shows the NFL’s policies for dealing with domestic violence aren't good enough.   “Well I think the NFL needs to have a zero tolerance policy and a consistent plan as to how that is implemented,” said Cantwell.   In emotional testimony, NFL executive Troy Vincent told the Senate panel his mother was a victim of domestic violence and promised the league is committed to do better.   “I relate to the 20 million victims, the survivors of domestic violence and abuse in every community across our great nation,” said Vincent.   Congress does have some influence here. The pro sports leagues have tax exempt status. Sen. Corey Booker has introduced a bill that would eliminate that and use the money raised to fund domestic abuse programs 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://web.archive.org/web/20141206002203/http://delbene.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delbene-announces-federal-funds-to-boost-local-farm-to-school-programs DelBene Announces Federal Funds to Boost Local Farm-to-School Programs 2014-12-03 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Suzan DelBene D000617 web.archive.org     legacy WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) announced that the Washington Sustainable Food & Farming Network has been awarded $88,444 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to support its efforts to connect school cafeterias with local farmers and growers. The grant is part of USDA’s Farm to School Program. “As schools do more to provide healthy, nutritious food for students, we should do everything possible to help them take advantage of the amazing fresh fruits and vegetables grown by our local farmers,” said DelBene. “The funds announced today will support successful programs that help connect local farmers with school districts eager to serve our students fresh, healthy, locally grown food.” The federal grant will help to expand and boost Washington Sustainable Food & Farming Network’s farm to school program. The project will provide educational tools, professional development, networking opportunities, field trips, and technical training to enhance existing farm to school programs. Regional farm to school networks in Northwest and Central Washington will be developed to support new partnerships between local farmers and ranchers, food hubs and schools, resulting in more Washington grown food being served in school cafeterias. “We are thrilled to receive support from USDA,” says WSFFN Executive Director Ellen Gray. “Strengthening the purchasing relationships between local farmers and ranchers and schools helps our hardworking farmers, our kids and our economy.” USDA's Farm to School Grants help schools across the country acquire locally grown foods, while increasing market opportunities for farmers and ranchers. More information about the USDA grant can be found HERE. # # # 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://dennyheck.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/congressman-denny-heck-urges-house-passage-of-sales-tax-deduction Congressman Denny Heck Urges House Passage of Sales Tax Deduction 2014-12-02 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Denny Heck H001064 dennyheck.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today U.S. Representative Denny Heck (WA-10) released the following statement regarding the anticipated vote Wednesday, December 3, on the short-term tax extenders package, which includes the extension of deductions for state and local general sales taxes (H.R. 5771, Section 105): “I am pleased that this bill reinstates a short-term extension of state and local sales tax deductions for American taxpayers, but I firmly believe the House and Senate should also work to make this tax provision permanent. A lasting law on the books delivers certainty for the residents of Washington that their tax contributions will be honored, and ensures they have disposable income that boosts the state and local economy, giving renewed strength to the local job market. “Congress should cement the promise of tax fairness by keeping the sales tax deduction intact for good. Let Washington’s tax dollars be treated the same way as taxes in other states.” Background The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (P.L. 112-240) extended the sales tax deduction option through the 2013 tax year, but it has since been allowed to expire. Data on the economic impact of the sales tax deduction in WA (via Pew Charitable Trusts): 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. According to 2012 IRS data, total amount claimed in Washington for the “state and local general sales taxes” itemized deduction category was $1.952 billion. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://larsen.house.gov/press-release/coast-guard-reauthorization-bill-includes-larsen-priorities Coast Guard Reauthorization Bill Includes Larsen Priorities 2014-12-02 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Rick Larsen L000560 larsen.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON—Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today praised the bipartisan and bicameral agreement to reauthorize the U.S. Coast Guard. The Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014 advances several of Larsen’s priorities, including clarifying the Coast Guard’s icebreaking role, improving its ability to track ships in U.S. Arctic waters, and reauthorizing the Small Shipyards program. “I am pleased this bill directs the Coast Guard and other federal agencies to clarify how they will move forward to build up our country’s icebreaking capacity. Our icebreaker fleet protects American commerce and our national security, and creates hundreds of jobs in Northwest Washington. As the Arctic increasingly opens up to more shipping traffic, the U.S. needs to participate in building infrastructure in the region to protect the environment and provide safe passage for our vessels. We cannot and should not cede this important region to international competitors. “The women and men of the Coast Guard perform their many missions with dedication and bravery every day. This bill gives them the resources they need to do their jobs. By moving forward on icebreakers, investing in small shipyards in Northwest Washington and increasing our capabilities in the Arctic, this bill sets a strong foundation for the Coast Guard’s continuing work and supports the economy in the Pacific Northwest,” Larsen said. The bill accomplishes a number of goals, including: Larsen is the co-chair of the Congressional Arctic Working Group and has been advocating in Congress for investments in U.S. Arctic infrastructure. The bill is now expected to come before both the House and the Senate for votes. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.cantwell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=cbbacbed-fab0-48d5-89aa-c1f49b9361ae Cantwell: NFL Needs to Show Stronger Leadership on Domestic Violence 2014-12-02 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov     legacy 12.02.14 Cantwell: NFL Needs to Show Stronger Leadership on Domestic Violence Senator: ‘My constituents are just flabbergasted that the NFL continues to enjoy a tax exempt status’ WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a Senate committee hearing today on domestic violence in professional sports, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) urged the National Football League to show stronger  leadership in addressing domestic abuse and changing the name of the Washington, D.C. franchise. “My constituents are just flabbergasted that the NFL continues to enjoy a tax exempt status,” said Cantwell during Tuesday’s hearing of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. “On these issues of having a hateful name for a team, and then having these cases of domestic violence – the NFL is not showing the leadership that I believe it should. And it certainly doesn’t deserve the tax exempt status.” The hearing focused on professional sports leagues’ policies on domestic violence amid controversy over the NFL’s handling of disciplinary action against running back Ray Rice.  Cantwell and other committee members questioned witnesses about whether the leagues’ policies do enough to hold players accountable and protect victims. Witnesses included representatives from the NFL, Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association and National Hockey League, as well as representatives of the various players associations. “We saw this case with Donald Sterling, and we saw immediate and swift action,” said Cantwell, referring to the NBA’s decision to ban former Los Angeles Clippers’ owner Donald Sterling from the league.  “It is clear that in some cases, these organizations can act swiftly and do act swiftly. The question is, in this issue of domestic violence, why you don’t? What is the culture within these organizations that prevent them from acting as swiftly as in the case of Donald Sterling?” Can… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-nfl-needs-to-show-stronger-leadership-on-domestic-violence Cantwell: NFL Needs to Show Stronger Leadership on Domestic Violence 2014-12-02 2014 2014-12 Democrat House WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov     legacy 12.02.14 Cantwell: NFL Needs to Show Stronger Leadership on Domestic Violence Senator: My constituents are just flabbergasted that the NFL continues to enjoy a tax exempt status' WASHINGTON, D.C. In a Senate committee hearing today on domestic violence in professional sports, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) urged the National Football League to show stronger leadership in addressing domestic abuse and changing the name of the Washington, D.C. franchise. My constituents are just flabbergasted that the NFL continues to enjoy a tax exempt status, said Cantwell during Tuesday's hearing of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. On these issues of having a hateful name for a team, and then having these cases of domestic violence the NFL is not showing the leadership that I believe it should. And it certainly doesn't deserve the tax exempt status. The hearing focused on professional sports leagues' policies on domestic violence amid controversy over the NFL's handling of disciplinary action against running back Ray Rice. Cantwell and other committee members questioned witnesses about whether the leagues' policies do enough to hold players accountable and protect victims. Witnesses included representatives from the NFL, Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association and National Hockey League, as well as representatives of the various players associations. We saw this case with Donald Sterling, and we saw immediate and swift action, said Cantwell, referring to the NBA's decision to ban former Los Angeles Clippers' owner Donald Sterling from the league. It is clear that in some cases, these organizations can act swiftly and do act swiftly. The question is, in this issue of domestic violence, why you don't? What is the culture within these organizations that prevent them from acting as swiftly as in the case of Donald Sterling? Cantwell (D-WA), … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.cantwell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=4674ee06-4b88-448a-8829-b6fd2553c141 Cantwell Statement on Small Business Saturday 2014-11-29 2014 2014-11 Democrat House WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov     legacy 11.29.14 Cantwell Statement on Small Business Saturday Senator encourages shoppers to support local jobs during holiday season SEATTLE – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, released the following statement to remind holiday shoppers about “Small Business Saturday” on November 29. “Small businesses drive our economy and help create jobs on Main Streets across America,” Cantwell said. “On this Small Business Saturday, I encourage my fellow Washingtonians to visit the small, local shops in their neighborhoods. Supporting local small businesses means investing in local jobs and the future success of our communities.” Cantwell and Senator Jim Risch (R-ID), the committee’s ranking member, introduced Senate Resolution 548 to designate this year’s Small Business Saturday on November 29. The Senate passed the resolution in September. Small Business Saturday falls between Black Friday and Cyber Monday and encourages consumers to shop local and support small businesses during one of the heaviest shopping periods of the year.  According to the National Retail Federation, an estimated 141 million shoppers spent $57.4 billion on consumer purchases during Thanksgiving weekend last year. Shopping at independent, locally-owned businesses puts 52 cents of every dollar spent back into the local community. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/2014/11/29/cantwell-statement-on-small-business-saturday Cantwell Statement on Small Business Saturday 2014-11-29 2014 2014-11 Democrat House WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov     legacy 11.29.14 Cantwell Statement on Small Business Saturday Senator encourages shoppers to support local jobs during holiday season SEATTLE Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, released the following statement to remind holiday shoppers about Small Business Saturday on November 29. Small businesses drive our economy and help create jobs on Main Streets across America, Cantwell said. On this Small Business Saturday, I encourage my fellow Washingtonians to visit the small, local shops in their neighborhoods. Supporting local small businesses means investing in local jobs and the future success of our communities. Cantwell and Senator Jim Risch (R-ID), the committee's ranking member, introduced Senate Resolution 548 to designate this year's Small Business Saturday on November 29.The Senate passed the resolution in September. Small Business Saturday falls between Black Friday and Cyber Monday and encourages consumers to shop local and support small businesses during one of the heaviest shopping periods of the year. According to the National Retail Federation, an estimated 141 million shoppers spent $57.4 billion on consumer purchases during Thanksgiving weekend last year. Shopping at independent, locally-owned businesses puts 52 cents of every dollar spent back into the local community. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://web.archive.org/web/20141206034200/http://kilmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kilmer-statement-on-puget-sound-naval-shipyard-s-announcement-of-850-job Kilmer Statement on Puget Sound Naval Shipyards Announcement of 850 Job Openings 2014-11-25 2014 2014-11 Democrat House WA Derek Kilmer K000381 web.archive.org     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) released the following statement after the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility announced they will hire 850 entry-level workers. “A growing workforce at our shipyard boosts a growing middle-class in our community,” said Kilmer. “This announcement is a great opportunity for folks looking to learn new skills and build a career while earning a quality wage. It’s good news for veterans and servicemembers transitioning to civilian life and looking for a job that builds on their experiences serving on our behalf too.  A thriving shipyard also provides jobs that give workers a chance to support critical Naval missions and at the same time helps local small businesses expand. I’ll keep fighting to ensure our shipyard workforce has the support it needs to continue creating quality opportunities for our region.”                                                   ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-murray-kilmer-herrera-beutler-applaud-usda-cranberry-purchase Cantwell, Murray, Kilmer, Herrera Beutler Applaud USDA Cranberry Purchase 2014-11-25 2014 2014-11 Democrat House WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov     legacy 11.25.14 Cantwell, Murray, Kilmer, Herrera Beutler Applaud USDA Cranberry Purchase is home to 110 cranberry farms, 1,700 acres of farmland WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer and Jaime Herrera Beutler applauded an announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approving up to $55 million nationwide to purchase up to 68 million pounds of surplus cranberry products, a move that will provide stability to Washington state cranberry growers. Last week, the delegation members sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack requesting the USDA purchase. According to the Cranberry Marketing Committee, there are 110 farms in Washington state on 1,700 acres of farmland supporting approximately 165 direct jobs and $8 million in local revenue. The purchase will be made under USDA's Section 32 program, which provides funds for USDA to purchase surplus foods from farmers for use in USDA food and nutrition programs. As you know, in the states of Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin cranberry production is not only important to the many family farming operations, but critical to the local and state rural economies they support, the Delegation Members wrote in the letter. In these states, the industry provides significant jobs, at both the farm level and throughout the region. A successful Section 32 purchase of cranberry products will directly assist these families and regional economies in weathering the impact of the aforementioned factors on cranberry commodity prices. Washington state is the 5th largest producer of cranberries in the United States, and is expected to produce 162,000 barrels this year, which is an increase of 10,000 barrels from 2013. The state has been seeing consistently higher yields due to favorable weather conditions in cranberry-growing areas. … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=9ccf7f09-3972-4fd0-872e-dc9be629184b RURAL WA: Murray Urges Republican and Democratic Leaders to Fund Expiring Programs For Rural Communities 2014-11-25 2014 2014-11 Democrat House WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov     legacy Most impacted WA counties include: Chelan, Clallam, Grant, Jefferson, Kittitas, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Skagit, Snohomish, Whatcom (Washington, D.C.) –Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) sent a letter to Democratic Senate Leader Harry Reid and Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell urging the inclusion of Payment In Lieu of Taxes and Secure Rural Schools payments to counties in legislation moving at the end of the year. These funds go to emergency services, police, health, schools, prison facilities, and more and frequently play an important role in the budgets of counties with public lands within their boundaries.  In 2014, Washington state counties received just over $19 million from PILT and approximately $21.5 million from SRS.  “Though many families in Washington state have never heard of the PILT or SRS programs, they serve as a lifeline for dozens of rural communities in our state and across the country,” Senator Murray said.  “From funding local police forces to supporting public schools, these programs are vital to counties impacted by non-taxable federal land, so I will continue working to ensure the PILT and SRS programs are renewed in any legislation passed by Congress before the year’s end.” FY14 PILT payments broken down by county can be found here. Counties benefitting significantly from the PILT program include: Chelan, Clallam, Grant, Jefferson, Kittitas, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom. Full text of the letter below: Dear Majority Leader Reid and Minority Leader McConnell: We write to request that full funding of the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program and the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (SRS) program be included in any end-of-year legislation likely to pass in the Senate and House.  We greatly appreciate your attention to these programs in previous years and would welcome the opportunity to work with you to ensure that a solution for at least Fiscal Year 2015 (FY15) is in place before the end of the 113th Congress. T… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=a3c172c3-1f24-4855-9710-094394affd77 Murray Joins Group of 40 Senators in Backing DOD Plan to Better Protect Military Families from Abusive Financial Practices 2014-11-25 2014 2014-11 Democrat House WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) joined a group of 40 Senate colleagues in supporting the Department of Defense’s (DOD) plan to update the Military Lending Act (MLA) and close existing loopholes in order to better protect soldiers and their families from abusive financial practices.  The letter, sent to U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, expresses strong support for the proposed new rule to help prevent lenders from charging excessive fees and taking advantage of military families. Following a 2006 Pentagon report that found that “predatory lending undermines military readiness, harms the morale of troops and their families, and adds to the cost of fielding an all-volunteer fighting force,” Congress passed the MLA.  This law capped the annual interest rates for consumer credit to service members and their dependents at 36% while giving DOD the authority to define what loans should be covered.  The DOD’s 2007 implementing regulations narrowly included only three types of loans: (1) payday loans: closed-end loans with terms of 91 days or fewer, for $2,000 or less; (2) auto title loans: closed-end loans with terms of 181 days or fewer; and (3) refund anticipation loans: closed-end credit. In the proposed changes to the rules implementing the MLA, first announced in September, DOD sought to close existing loopholes in the current MLA rule.  Today’s letter voices strong support for the proposed rule, arguing that the changes strike a better balance between protecting service members and their families while maintaining access to good credit.  “As our service members are asked to take on even more tasks in defense of our nation, we should take every opportunity to protect them and their families here at home, especially from unscrupulous lenders,” the Senators wrote.  “We strongly support the proposed MLA rule and urge that the final MLA rule be similarly robust in enhancing protections for service members and their families, producing significant cost savings for DOD, and improving … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://larsen.house.gov/press-release/bellingham-herald-op-ed-climate-deal-could-help-china%E2%80%99s-smog-us-economy Bellingham Herald Op Ed: Climate deal could help Chinas smog, U.S. economy 2014-11-24 2014 2014-11 Democrat House WA Rick Larsen L000560 larsen.house.gov     legacy By Rep. Rick Larsen While riding down a major route in Beijing in January 2013, one sight struck me: the inability to see the tops of the buildings on either side of this street. The height of the buildings was not the problem, terrible smog was. I returned home with a terrible cold exacerbated by the particulate-heavy air I breathed in Beijing and other large cities I visited on that trip to assess China's pollution problem. My assessment: It’s bad. But China should not attack this problem on my account and its leadership won't. It will and should because of the millions of Chinese who breathe this air every day. Dirty air and the many problems it causes for Chinese citizens are reasons that China experts cite pollution as a threat to Chinese Communist Party credibility. That motivating factor is surely behind China's announcement that it will actively engage on an international agreement to reduce the sources of greenhouse gas emissions. China is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world, which makes its commitment to peaking its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 or earlier so important. As part of the deal with the U.S., China’s leadership also committed to growing the country’s use of non-fossil fuels by 20 percent in the same time frame. To meet its goals, China must begin to slow its rate of growth in greenhouse gases now. China can only begin this effort by increasing its use of no- and low-emission sources of energy now. This means China needs to be less coal dependent and immediately invest in renewable energy. There are at least two key reasons why China's commitment is so important. First, according to one report in the Washington Post, other countries have cited China's refusal to adopt greenhouse gas reductions as an excuse not to start their own efforts. That excuse is now gone, and I am hopeful this new agreement will set a positive course of action for other countries to follow. Second, the 2015 United Nations climate change conference will take place in Paris in December, and a deal bet… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.cantwell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=f7b672c6-1e1b-4215-9d28-29d470579fe6 Cantwell, Murray, Kilmer, Herrera Beutler Applaud USDA Cranberry Purchase 2014-11-24 2014 2014-11 Democrat House WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov     legacy 11.25.14 Cantwell, Murray, Kilmer, Herrera Beutler Applaud USDA Cranberry Purchase is home to 110 cranberry farms, 1,700 acres of farmland WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer and Jaime Herrera Beutler applauded an announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approving up to $55 million nationwide to purchase up to 68 million pounds of surplus cranberry products, a move that will provide stability to Washington state cranberry growers. Last week, the delegation members sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack requesting the USDA purchase. According to the Cranberry Marketing Committee, there are 110 farms in Washington state on 1,700 acres of farmland supporting approximately 165 direct jobs and $8 million in local revenue. The purchase will be made under USDA’s Section 32 program, which provides funds for USDA to purchase surplus foods from farmers for use in USDA food and nutrition programs. “As you know, in the states of Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin cranberry production is not only important to the many family farming operations, but critical to the local and state rural economies they support,” the Delegation Members wrote in the letter.  “In these states, the industry provides significant jobs, at both the farm level and throughout the region. A successful Section 32 purchase of cranberry products will directly assist these families and regional economies in weathering the impact of the aforementioned factors on cranberry commodity prices.” Washington state is the 5th largest producer of cranberries in the United States, and is expected to produce 162,000 barrels this year, which is an increase of 10,000 barrels from 2013. The state has been seeing consistently higher yields due to favorable weather conditions in cranberry-growing a… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=402bed99-9913-4ca6-b84f-e9e9901252ac Murray, Isakson Lead Bipartisan Letter Pressing Army Secretary on Grave Concern Over Retirement Benefits 2014-11-24 2014 2014-11 Democrat House WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov     legacy In letter to Army Secretary McHugh, Senators call for immediate reversal of policy forcing officers to retire at highest enlisted rank  Current policy results in significant decrease in lifetime retirement benefits, for some as much as $1,000 per month or more U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA) led a bipartisan group of colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Army Secretary John McHugh over the Army’s treatment of a significant number of captains and majors who are former non-commissioned officers and are being forced to retire at their highest previous enlisted rank as a result of the Army’s use of Enhanced-Selective Early Retirement Boards (E-SERB). This will result in a significant decrease in lifetime retirement benefits for the impacted soldiers, for some as much as $1,000 per month or more, or just over $1 million over a 40 year retirement in the case of a captain forced to retire as a sergeant first class.    “These former non-commissioned officers answered the Army’s call for volunteers to attend Officer Candidate School as the Army expanded its officer corps to fight the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Now, despite having served for years as commissioned officers and rising through the ranks to become captains and majors, these dedicated soldiers will soon be forced to retire at their highest previous enlisted rank,” the Senators wrote in their letter. “To demote these soldiers in retirement is an injustice that devalues their service and will materially disadvantage them and their families for the rest of their lives… We strongly urge you to take the necessary steps to rectify this situation in order to allow these soldiers to retire at the rank they have earned and appropriately honor their service to our nation.” Under current law a soldier must serve at least 8 years of active service as a commissioned officer in order to retire as a commissioned officer.  Soldiers who serve 20 years total, but less than 8 years as commissioned officers are retired at their highest enlisted… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=f05c5c7e-13ff-4cf0-8b93-afdc3c08c90e AGRICULTURE: Murray, Cantwell, Kilmer, Herrera Beutler Applaud USDA Cranberry Purchase 2014-11-24 2014 2014-11 Democrat House WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov     legacy Delegation Members wrote letter to Sec. Vilsack supporting the purchase last week WASHIGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer and Jaime Herrera Beutler applauded an announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approving up to $55 million nationwide to purchase up to 68 million pounds of surplus cranberry products, a move that will provide stability to Washington state cranberry growers. Last week, the delegation members sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack requesting the USDA purchase. According to the Cranberry Marketing Committee, there are 110 farms in Washington state on 1,700 acres of farmland supporting approximately 165 direct jobs and $8 million in local revenue. The purchase will be made under USDA’s Section 32 program, which provides funds for USDA to purchase surplus foods from farmers for use in USDA food and nutrition programs. “As you know, in the states of Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin cranberry production is not only important to the many family farming operations, but critical to the local and state rural economies they support,” the Delegation Members wrote in the letter.  “In these states, the industry provides significant jobs, at both the farm level and throughout the region. A successful Section 32 purchase of cranberry products will directly assist these families and regional economies in weathering the impact of the aforementioned factors on cranberry commodity prices.” Washington state is the 5th largest producer of cranberries in the United States, and is expected to produce 162,000 barrels this year, which is an increase of 10,000 barrels from 2013. The state has been seeing consistently higher yields due to favorable weather conditions in cranberry-growing areas. Full text of the letter below: Dear Secretary Vilsack: We are writing in support of the recent request by U.S. cranberry growers in our states for Section 32 purchases of surplus cranberr… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-even-new-protections-time-now-comprehensive-immigration-reform Larsen: Even With New Protections, Time is Now For Comprehensive Immigration Reform 2014-11-21 2014 2014-11 Democrat House WA Rick Larsen L000560 larsen.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON—Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, released the following statement tonight about President Obama’s executive order to defer deportation for parents of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents who have been in the U.S. for more than five years and meet certain requirements, and expand the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Larsen also called again for comprehensive immigration reform. He is an original cosponsor of H.R. 15, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act.   “I understand the President’s decision today to defer deportation for millions of immigrants here illegally who have children who are American citizens or legal residents. Our country’s immigration system should not focus on tearing families apart, but instead on upholding national security and public safety. That is one of many reasons why the real solution to the complex issue of immigration must be comprehensive, like the reform bill I have long supported.   “Republicans should channel their outrage about the President’s decision into voting on the bipartisan comprehensive reform bill the Senate already passed. The President has said Congressional action would override his executive order, so there is a clear solution to Republicans’ indignation – let the House vote.   “Because of House Republicans’ inaction, I asked the President earlier this year to consider expanding prosecutorial discretion guidelines that account for ties immigrants have here, like close family members in the U.S. who are citizens, legal permanent residents, or DREAMers. I support steps like this within the confines of the law that focus resources on those who pose a threat to public safety, not separating families," Larsen said.   ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-executive-action-takes-positive-steps-real-solution-comprehensive-reform Larsen: Executive Action Takes Positive Steps; Real Solution is Comprehensive Reform 2014-11-21 2014 2014-11 Democrat House WA Rick Larsen L000560 larsen.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON—President Obama’s executive action to reform the U.S. immigration system takes positive steps to keep families together, better focus law enforcement resources on upholding public safety and national security, and update opportunities for high-skill workers and entrepreneurs, Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, said today in a statement. He also called again for comprehensive immigration reform legislation as the true solution to the complicated immigration issue in the U.S. “President Obama’s decision to refocus our country’s immigration enforcement resources will help keep families together, better direct law enforcement resources to upholding public safety and national security, and update opportunities and processes for high-skill workers and entrepreneurs. But these actions cannot be the end of our country’s conversation about immigration reform. The real solution to the complex issue of immigration must be comprehensive and permanent, like the reform bill I have long supported. “In Northwest Washington, I know there are many young undocumented immigrants who want to pursue their education so they can contribute to our country. I have also talked with members of cultural communities who have shared with me why they brought their families to the U.S. And business owners and workers have given me their views on visa reform. The President’s actions take steps to address these concerns for those in the Pacific Northwest and across the country to expand people’s opportunities and grow our economy. “The centerpiece of the President’s plan defers deportations for parents of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents who have been in the U.S. for more than five years and expands the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Eligible parents will need to register, pass criminal and national security background checks, and start paying taxes. They can apply for a three-year period of deferred action and will be able to apply for work permits. Ending these families’ constant fears of separation will enable them … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.cantwell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=5ea81f9a-586e-43fb-942c-5a4b938d7165 Cantwell, Murray, Smith Call on DOE to Take Immediate Action to Protect Hanford Workers 2014-11-21 2014 2014-11 Democrat House WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and U.S. Representative Adam Smith sent a letter to Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz calling on him to take immediate action to protect the workforce at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation by implementing the recommendations of the Hanford Tank Vapor Assessment Report without delay. After multiple instances since March of workers experiencing chemical vapor exposures in or near the tank farms, Sens. Murray and Cantwell and Rep. Smith have engaged with all levels of DOE, its contractor, and constituents to determine the reason for the exposures, their impact, and the precautions necessary to protect the workforce.  On April 25, at the direction of the Department of Energy, its contractor tasked the Savannah River National Laboratory to lead an independent review by experts of the current chemical vapors practices at Hanford and provide recommendations to minimize workforce exposure and increase protections.  The delegation members wrote to Secretary Moniz urging him to ensure immediate implementation of these recommendations. “While we are pleased that the Savannah River National Laboratory was quickly tasked to lead a review of current chemical vapors practices and make recommendations to minimize worker exposure and increase protections, it is now time for DOE to take swift and definitive actions to implement the recommendations within the Report,” the delegation members wrote in the letter. Full text of the letter below: Dear Secretary Moniz: We write to call on the Department of Energy (DOE) to take immediate action to protect the workforce at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in Washington state by implementing the recommendations of the Hanford Tank Vapor Assessment Report (Report) without delay.  Nothing less than a complete commitment to safety at Hanford is acceptable. We understand that chemicals in the nuclear waste stored in single shell and double shell tank farms creates vapors that are vented into the atmosphere through vari… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-murray-smith-call-on-doe-to-take-immediate-action-to-protect-hanford-workers Cantwell, Murray, Smith Call on DOE to Take Immediate Action to Protect Hanford Workers 2014-11-21 2014 2014-11 Democrat House WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and U.S. Representative Adam Smith sent a letter to Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz calling on him to take immediate action to protect the workforce at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation by implementing the recommendations of the Hanford Tank Vapor Assessment Report without delay. After multiple instances since March of workers experiencing chemical vapor exposures in or near the tank farms, Sens. Murray and Cantwell and Rep. Smith have engaged with all levels of DOE, its contractor, and constituents to determine the reason for the exposures, their impact, and the precautions necessary to protect the workforce. On April 25, at the direction of the Department of Energy, its contractor tasked the Savannah River National Laboratory to lead an independent review by experts of the current chemical vapors practices at Hanford and provide recommendations to minimize workforce exposure and increase protections. The delegation members wrote to Secretary Moniz urging him to ensure immediate implementation of these recommendations. While we are pleased that the Savannah River National Laboratory was quickly tasked to lead a review of current chemical vapors practices and make recommendations to minimize worker exposure and increase protections, it is now time for DOE to take swift and definitive actions to implement the recommendations within the Report, the delegation members wrote in the letter. Full text of the letter below: Dear Secretary Moniz: We write to call on the Department of Energy (DOE) to take immediate action to protect the workforce at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in Washington state by implementing the recommendations of the Hanford Tank Vapor Assessment Report (Report) without delay. Nothing less than a complete commitment to safety at Hanford is acceptable. We understand that chemicals in the nuclear waste stored in single shell and double shell tank farms creates vapors that are vented into the atmosphere through various me… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=f7092ce7-3283-49ff-bfe4-cda3e8294215 HANFORD: Murray, Cantwell, Smith Call on DOE to Take Immediate Action to Protect Hanford Workers from Vapor Exposure 2014-11-21 2014 2014-11 Democrat House WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and U.S. Representative Adam Smith sent a letter to Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz calling on him to take immediate action to protect the workforce at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation by implementing the recommendations of the Hanford Tank Vapor Assessment Report without delay. After multiple instances since March of workers experiencing chemical vapor exposures in or near the tank farms, Sens. Murray and Cantwell and Rep. Smith have engaged with all levels of DOE, its contractor, and constituents to determine the reason for the exposures, their impact, and the precautions necessary to protect the workforce.  On April 25, at the direction of the Department of Energy, its contractor tasked the Savannah River National Laboratory to lead an independent review by experts of the current chemical vapors practices at Hanford and provide recommendations to minimize workforce exposure and increase protections.  The delegation members wrote to Secretary Moniz urging him to ensure immediate implementation of these recommendations. “While we are pleased that the Savannah River National Laboratory was quickly tasked to lead a review of current chemical vapors practices and make recommendations to minimize worker exposure and increase protections, it is now time for DOE to take swift and definitive actions to implement the recommendations within the Report,” the delegation members wrote in the letter. Full text of the letter below: Dear Secretary Moniz: We write to call on the Department of Energy (DOE) to take immediate action to protect the workforce at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in Washington state by implementing the recommendations of the Hanford Tank Vapor Assessment Report (Report) without delay.  Nothing less than a complete commitment to safety at Hanford is acceptable. We understand that chemicals in the nuclear waste stored in single shell and double shell tank farms creates vapors that are vented into the atmosphere through va… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://delbene.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/delbene-responds-to-president-obama-s-announcement-on-immigration DelBene Responds to President Obamas Announcement on Immigration 2014-11-20 2014 2014-11 Democrat House WA Suzan DelBene D000617 delbene.house.gov     legacy Join me in Skagit County! November 14, 2017 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. That’s why I’m hosting a series of community forums in Skagit County on Saturday, November 18. I wil... Read More » 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://larsen.house.gov/press-release/moment-silence-marysville-pilchuck-high-school-and-surrounding-communities Moment of Silence for Marysville-Pilchuck High School and Surrounding Communities 2014-11-20 2014 2014-11 Democrat House WA Rick Larsen L000560 larsen.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today the U.S. House of Representatives held a moment of silence to remember the students killed and injured on October 24 in the shooting at Marysville-Pilchuck High School. Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, led the moment of silence and delivered the following remarks. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to address the House for one minute. On October 24, the Marysville, Washington and Tulalip communities were violently ripped apart by a tragic shooting at Marysville-Pilchuck High School. Four students and their assailant have died, and one student was seriously wounded. As a father of two teenage boys, my heart breaks as I consider the families who were given the worst news imaginable as a result of this horrible event. Healing is a difficult process, especially as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday. Marysville, Tulalip and the surrounding communities have shown their strength and resilience by celebrating these young people and giving thanks for their lives, though they were cut terribly short – the lives of Zoe Galasso, Gia Soriano, Shaylee Chuckulnaskit, Andrew Fryberg, and the shooter, Jaylen Fryberg. Our thoughts are also with Nate Hatch and his family as he continues to recover. I would like to thank our first responders and the Marysville-Pilchuck High School staff and leadership for their quick action that sad day. I want to thank the Tulalip’s leadership for their resiliency, and the faith communities for opening their buildings and their arms to the grieving population. Everyone involved deserves our thanks and our prayers. To our first responders, you put yourselves at risk to keep our children safe. I know I speak for our whole community when I thank you for your service and bravery. I also want to commend the strength of our community leaders during this incredibly difficult time. My colleagues and I continue to send thoughts and prayers to the students, teachers, families and Marysville and Tulalip communities. Mr. Speaker, I ask that the House observe a moment of silence as we remembe… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://larsen.house.gov/press-release/us-china-working-group-emphasize-importance-us-china-bilateral-relationship U.S.-China Working Group Emphasize Importance of U.S.-China Bilateral Relationship 2014-11-20 2014 2014-11 Democrat House WA Rick Larsen L000560 larsen.house.gov     legacy APEC Summit Advanced Agreements Between U.S. and China to Reduce Trade and Travel Barriers Working Group Founded in 2005 by Kirk and Rep. Larsen WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), Senator Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Representatives Rick Larsen (D-Wash.-02) and Charles Boustany (R-La.-03), hosted a meeting of the U.S.-China Working Group with U.S. government and private sector representatives to discuss the outcomes of President Obama's visit to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit (APEC) in Beijing last week. During the visit, President Obama met with China's President Xi Jinping and concluded a series of bilateral agreements regarding tourism, trade, energy, and national security.   “The relationship between the United States and China is the most important bilateral relationship of the 21st century,” Senator Kirk said. “The 10-year visa will give cities like Chicago a big boost from additional Chinese business and tourism travelers, which nationally will generate $85 billion to the economy by 2021. The U.S.-China Working Group will continue to work to educate members of Congress on the immense benefits of this relationship.” “This year’s APEC Summit was productive for U.S. engagement in the region,” Senator Hirono said. “Strengthening America’s ties with China, and in particular extending visitor and business travel visas to 10 years, will bring new diplomatic and economic opportunities for our country.  For the State of Hawaii, we welcome this opportunity to further build relationships internationally.” “Promoting trade with China is an important avenue to expand the markets into which American companies can compete. Currently, Louisiana is the seventh-most export-heavy state, but we can do even better. By promoting a strong U.S.-Chinese trade relationship, everyone stands to benefit,” Rep. Boustany said. “As the two largest economies in the world, the U.S. and China cannot afford not to engage. The successes that came out of the recent APEC summit about trade, travel visas and the environment … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=a7b102c6-ce50-4ba3-b81b-1262e9cd3899 Murray and Ryan Propose Commission to Promote Evidence-Based Policymaking 2014-11-20 2014 2014-11 Democrat House WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray (D., Wash.) and U.S. House of Representatives Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R., Wisc.) announced the Evidence-Based Policymaking Commission Act of 2014. The bill would establish a 15-member commission to study how best to expand the use of data to evaluate the effectiveness of federal programs and tax expenditures. The commission would also study how best to protect the privacy rights of people who interact with federal agencies and ensure confidentiality. Specifically, the commission would determine whether the federal government should establish a clearinghouse for program and survey data, which qualified researchers from both the private and public sector could access and use to perform program evaluations and policy-relevant research. By coordinating data across federal programs and tax expenditures, and giving researchers greater access to that data, federal agencies would gain a better grasp of how effective they are, and lawmakers would gain a better grasp of how to improve them. “The families and communities we represent deserve a government that works for them and delivers results,” said Chairman Murray. “I’m proud to have partnered with Chairman Ryan on this legislation, which would take an important step towards strengthening our understanding of how government investments, from programs to spending in our tax code, can better serve all Americans.” “We want to change the focus in Washington,” said Chairman Ryan. “Instead of putting the focus on effort, we want to put the focus on results. This commission will help us learn how to use data to make better policy, and I want to thank Chairman Murray for her hard work on this issue.” Upon an affirmative vote of 75 percent of its members, the commission would submit a detailed report to the President and Congress on their findings along with their recommendations for legislation. The report would be due no later than 15 months after the majority of members are appoin… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=d584ac10-4671-418b-bb99-7e4614bc009f Murray Statement on President Obamas Administrative Action 2014-11-20 2014 2014-11 Democrat House WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov     legacy VIDEO: Earlier this week, Murray spoke out in support of the President’s decision to act  Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) issued the following statement after President Obama took Administrative Action to improve the broken immigration system. “As President Obama said this evening, America is a nation of laws, and the actions he announced reaffirm that legacy while continuing our shared commitment to national security and public safety. “In Washington state and around the country, immigrants are a critical part of our communities.  But because of our broken immigration system, these men and women are forced to live in the shadows as Americans in all but name. “By no means is this a long term solution.  Plain and simple, the only way to fix our immigration system is to pass comprehensive immigration reform legislation. But until Congress is able to do that, I applaud the President for his leadership and his actions to support our economy and protect more than 4 million people from unjust law enforcement.  This is an historic day, not only for the millions of men and women who can finally come out of the shadows, but also for our country’s identity as a nation of immigrants. “More than 500 days ago, the Senate passed real, bipartisan, comprehensive immigration reform legislation that would provide these men and women with a path to citizenship, support our economy, and improve our national security, but since then, Speaker Boehner has refused to bring up the Senate bill that we know would also pass in the House of Representatives.  Because the Speaker simply refuses to move our nation forward and act, President Obama is right to take action to improve our immigration system. “The President’s actions today are only a first step.  In the months to come, there will be lots of work to do to ensure families and businesses can safely and reliably adjust to these changes.  And until Congress passes true, comprehensive immigration reform, I will continue working each day to help the families and businesses t… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.cantwell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-about-maria?ContentRecord_id=1196b3b8-4bc9-4a8e-800d-f4f44307cd19 In the News: Cantwell to FCC: No toll lanes, Preserve Net Neutrality 2014-11-19 2014 2014-11 Democrat House WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov     legacy 11.20.14 Cantwell to FCC: No ‘toll lanes,’ Preserve Net Neutrality Calling for “a strong and open Internet,” Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., has warned the Federal Communications Commission not to set up a tiered system in which broadband providers could charge higher prices for access to “fast lanes.” “We do not want artificial toll lanes on the innovation economy of the future,” Cantwell said in a Senate speech.  “We can’t allow Internet service providers to set up fast lanes for those who can pay, and slow lanes for those who cannot.” Politicians haven’t always been up on the technology economy.  The late Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, once described the Internet as a “series of tubes.” But Internet access has suddenly emerged as a political issue since Republican mid-term election victories earlier this month. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks at a rally in front of the WWII Memorial Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013 in Washington as Senate leaders have taken the helm in the search for a deal to end the partial government shutdown and avert a federal default. The memorial has been closed due to the government shutdown. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas: ”Obamacare for the Internet” (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) President Obama, who campaigned twice on the issue, urged the FCC to adopt a policy of “net neutrality.”  Ultraconservative Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, shot back, describing net neutrality as “Obamacare for the Internet.” “What happens when government starts regulating something as a public utility?  It calcifies everything. It freezes it in place,” Cruz said in a video released earlier this week. Cantwell and Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., both veterans of the technology economy — Cantwell with RealNetworks, DelBene with Microsoft — make the opposite argument.  They have become leading advocates for net neutrality. “A strong and open Internet is one of the best ways to protect the innovation that supplies millions of American jobs,” said Cantwell.  “Today, I’m calling on … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.cantwell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-about-maria?ContentRecord_id=1f6566ef-94b8-4d39-bff1-e12d926e38d3 In the News: Cantwell Demands FCC Take 'Forceful Action' to Protect Net Neutrality 2014-11-19 2014 2014-11 Democrat House WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov     legacy 11.20.14 Cantwell Demands FCC Take 'Forceful Action' to Protect Net Neutrality Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) called on the Federal Communications Commission to protect an “open and fair Internet.” “I’m calling on the FCC to take forceful action,” Cantwell said on the Senate floor Wednesday. “Strong net neutrality rules will help maintain the same Internet we have today.” The administration has called on the FCC to ensure that the Internet is regulated, so providers cannot charge some companies more to deliver their content. Cantwell agrees with the sentiment that a tiered Internet system would harm consumers and the economy. “Today we want to make sure the Internet is not under attack by those who want a pay-for-play system,” Cantwell said. “A strong, open Internet is one of the best ways to protect the competitiveness of the digital economy.” 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.cantwell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-about-maria?ContentRecord_id=59dc8d6b-ace2-4108-bc05-f59d97b108c3 In the News: Maria Cantwell: Net Neutrality Should be Law of the Land 2014-11-19 2014 2014-11 Democrat House WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov     legacy 11.20.14 Maria Cantwell: Net Neutrality Should be “Law of the Land” U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, one of  most vocal advocates in Congress for an open Internet, on Wednesday called on Congress to ensure that “net neutrality is the law of the land.” The Washington Democrat’s remarks on the Senate floor came after President Obama earlier this month waded into the contentious issue of whether broadband providers should be allowed to charge a premium to move certain kinds of Internet traffic faster. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)  is weighing whether to tighten regulations to treat broadband operators such as Comcast, AT&T and Verizon Communications like utilities. That possibility has already brought threats of lawsuits against the agency. Cantwell has long called for banning tolls to websites such as Netflix that would create fast and slow lanes on the Internet. In January 2001, Cantwell introduced a bill to codify that stance, but the Senate never acted on it. Cantwell serves on the Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee’s subcommittee on communications, technology and the Internet. Obama stepped into the net neutrality debate last Monday by urging the FCC to use its most powerful authority, known as Title II of the Communications Act, saying that the Internet is essential to the economy. Critics question whether such regulation would be legal. Some civil rights leaders, including Jesse Jackson, also are pushing for lighter regulation, saying that a blanket ban on pay-for-priority would shortchange minority and low-income Americans by discouraging broadband operators from offering special deals or expanding broadband access. Cantwell, however, said Wednesday, that allowing companies to block or slow down traffic would “threaten the fundamental nature of the Internet.” “I encourage the FCC to adopt robust and durable rules to prevent blocking, throttling, and fast lanes, and to safeguard transparency for consumers.” Cantwell said. “These r… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.cantwell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=6da972a5-7d5a-4bc9-b30f-57c2fa3601bc In Floor Speech, Cantwell Urges FCC to Preserve Net Neutrality 2014-11-19 2014 2014-11 Democrat House WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov     legacy 11.19.14 In Floor Speech, Cantwell Urges FCC to Preserve Net Neutrality Senator: ‘We do not want artificial toll lanes on the innovation economy of the future’ ***VIDEO AVAILABLE*** WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) called on the Federal Communications Commission to adopt “robust and durable” rules to preserve net neutrality and protect America’s competitiveness in a 21st Century digital economy. In a speech on the U.S. Senate floor, Cantwell urged her colleagues to “stand up and protect the American spirt of entrepreneurship by making sure that net neutrality is the law of the land.” “A strong and open Internet is one of the best ways to protect the innovation that supports millions of American jobs,” said Cantwell, a senior member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. “Today, I’m calling on the FCC to take forceful action that adopts the strongest possible rules to provide maximum protection for consumers and maximum flexibility to promote the Internet economy.” Net neutrality is the principle of ensuring equal access and non-discriminatory treatment for all Internet users regardless of the source or data. In January, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit struck down the FCC’s previous net neutrality rules that blocked broadband providers from charging higher prices for access to Internet “fast lanes.” In response, the FCC announced in May that it was considering new rules that would allow a tiered Internet. President Obama weighed in last week by calling for the FCC to adopt strong net neutrality rules and to apply them equally to hardline and mobile broadband traffic. “We do not want artificial toll lanes on the innovation economy of the future,” Cantwell said today. “We can't allow Internet Service Providers to set up fast lanes for those who can pay and slow lanes for those who can't. Tiered Internet would … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/in-floor-speech-cantwell-urges-fcc-to-preserve-net-neutrality In Floor Speech, Cantwell Urges FCC to Preserve Net Neutrality 2014-11-19 2014 2014-11 Democrat House WA Maria Cantwell C000127 www.cantwell.senate.gov     legacy 11.19.14 In Floor Speech, Cantwell Urges FCC to Preserve Net Neutrality Senator: We do not want artificial toll lanes on the innovation economy of the future' ***VIDEO AVAILABLE*** WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) called on the Federal Communications Commission to adopt robust and durable rules to preserve net neutrality and protect America's competitiveness in a 21st Century digital economy. In a speech on the U.S. Senate floor, Cantwell urged her colleagues to stand up and protect the American spirt of entrepreneurship by making sure that net neutrality is the law of the land. A strong and open Internet is one of the best ways to protect the innovation that supports millions of American jobs, said Cantwell, a senior member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. Today, I'm calling on the FCC to take forceful action that adopts the strongest possible rules to provide maximum protection for consumers and maximum flexibility to promote the Internet economy. Net neutrality is the principle of ensuring equal access and non-discriminatory treatment for all Internet users regardless of the source or data. In January, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit struck down the FCC's previous net neutrality rules that blocked broadband providers from charging higher prices for access to Internet fast lanes. In response, the FCC announced in May that it was considering new rules that would allow a tiered Internet. President Obama weighed in last week by calling for the FCC to adopt strong net neutrality rules and to apply them equally to hardline and mobile broadband traffic. We do not want artificial toll lanes on the innovation economy of the future, Cantwell said today. We can't allow Internet Service Providers to set up fast lanes for those who can pay and slow lanes for those who can't. Tiered Internet would allow Internet … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=7fa67c54-2fd7-4012-b747-341fce878b55 VETERANSMENTAL HEALTH: Murray Concerned That VA and Local Communities Unprepared to Help Veterans in Crisis 2014-11-19 2014 2014-11 Democrat House WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov     legacy (Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray, a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, attended a hearing to examine mental health and suicide among veterans. According to recent data, suicide rates have continued to increase among female veterans who use VA care and among male veterans ages 18-24 who use VA, the rate has skyrocketed to 79 per 100,000. “There is no issue as pressing as providing quality, timely mental health care and suicide prevention programs to our nation’s heroes. The problem is familiar to all of us, but the solutions still seem elusive,” Senator Murray said at the hearing. “Just one suicide, just one veteran in crisis, or just one family struggling to make it through is just one too much.” Senator Murray’s full remarks as prepared: “Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding this hearing today. There is no issue as pressing as providing quality, timely mental health care and suicide prevention programs to our nation’s heroes. The problem is familiar to all of us, but the solutions still seem elusive. “Twenty-two veterans per day die by suicide. Rates have continued to increase among female veterans who use VA care. Among male veterans age 18 to 24 who use VA, the rate has skyrocketed to 79 per 100,000. And finally, according to VA’s access data, wait times for new mental health patients are virtually unchanged -- at 36 days -- over the five months that VA has provided this data. “Mr. Chairman, I am very concerned about whether VA and local communities are prepared with the resources, policies, and training to help veterans in serious crisis. When our men and women in uniform have the courage to come forward and ask for help, VA must be there with not only high quality and timely care, but also the right type of care to best meet the veteran’s needs. We must demand progress on each of these areas. “Mr. Chairman, a few months ago we passed a VA reform bill to help veterans get into care.  It included a temporary authority to improve access to community provide… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=aea32aea-bf4e-46fb-9488-50058cf03d47 VIDEO: IMMIGRATION: Murray: The system has failed, so now, its time to act 2014-11-19 2014 2014-11 Democrat House WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov     legacy Murray: “Administrative action is a band-aid, but it’s better than nothing.  And nothing is what House Republicans are offering” (Washington, D.C.) –Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) delivered remarks on the Senate floor on the need to fix the broken immigration system. In her speech, Murray expressed support for the President’s decision to take administrative action to improve the immigration system, after the House of Representatives has refused to act on bipartisan legislation passed by the Senate. Murray also called on Republican leaders to push aside Tea Party threats of another government shutdown and work with Democrats in a bipartisan manner to make progress on issues like the budget and immigration reform.   Key Excerpts from Senator Murray’s Remarks: “Speaker Boehner had a full year and a half to do one simple thing: bring the Senate bill up for a vote. And we knew then what we still know now – that if the Speaker brought our bill up for a vote: it would pass with bipartisan support and become law. But instead of doing that, the Speaker has sided with the Tea Party and refused to move our country forward.  He’s made it clear that the House will refuse to act this Congress and ignore the historic opportunity we have.” “…the system has failed, so now, it’s time to act. President Obama has made it clear that because the House refuses to act, he will take Administrative Action before the end of the year to improve our immigration system – and I support his decision to do that.” “…I also want to say it has been deeply disappointing to hear that some of my Republican colleagues are threatening to shut the government down, just to keep families from getting some initial relief from the pain our broken immigration system is causing. This is the latest example of extreme Republicans creating uncertainty and threatening to hurt our economy if they don’t get their way. And it’s the exact opposite of the approach Congress needs to take going forward.” Full Text of Senator Murray’s Remarks: “Mr. P… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-opening-statement-faa-reauthorization-issues-modernizing-and-operating-nation%E2%80%99s Larsen Opening Statement: FAA Reauthorization: Issues in Modernizing and Operating the Nations Airspace 2014-11-18 2014 2014-11 Democrat House WA Rick Larsen L000560 larsen.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON— Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, the Ranking Member of the Aviation Subcommittee, delivered the following statement at the House Transportation and Infrastructure’s hearing, “FAA Reauthorization: Issues in Modernizing and Operating the Nation’s Airspace.” The remarks are as prepared for delivery. Thank you, Chairman Shuster, for calling today’s hearing on our work ahead to reauthorize federal aviation programs by October 2015.  I look forward to working with you, Chairman LoBiondo, and all my colleagues to get a bill done on time—one that improves safety and keeps our aviation system the envy of the world. I would also like to recognize the families of the passengers on Colgan Flight 3407, who are with us today.  We welcome you and thank you for your tireless efforts to improve aviation safety. I will be brief because I want to hear from our witnesses.  With the current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorization expiring September 30, 2015, it is time to get down to business.  I recognize that many aviation stakeholders, including a few testifying here today, are frustrated with the funding uncertainty and the delays associated with NextGen. But let’s be clear: The FAA is making progress—and good progress—thanks to the Aviation Subcommittee’s strong oversight under Chairman LoBiondo’s leadership. This time last year, we were uncertain when we would see a plan for implementing DataComm.  Now, in response to a tasking by Chairman LoBiondo and me, the FAA has a plan, with industry support, to implement DataComm.  This time last year, we were uncertain about the path forward for performance-based navigation (PBN) procedures.  Now, again in response to our tasking, the FAA has a plan—with industry support—for accelerating PBN procedure implementation.  And the list goes on. So when I read in some stakeholders’ testimony that the FAA is not moving fast enough on several of these programs, I would point out that we have progressed significantly from last year.  And Chairman LoBiondo and I remain laser-focus… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://web.archive.org/web/20141206034228/http://kilmer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kilmer-encourages-continued-development-of-national-ap-engineering Kilmer Encourages Continued Development of National AP Engineering Course 2014-11-18 2014 2014-11 Democrat House WA Derek Kilmer K000381 web.archive.org     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Larry Bucshon (IN-08) encouraged continued development of the framework for a national Advanced Placement (AP) Engineering course. In a bipartisan letter to the National Science Foundation (NSF), the members encouraged the NSF to make investments in engineering similar to the AP Computer Science Principles course, set to launch in the fall of 2016. Kilmer and Bucshon were joined by 53 other members of Congress in sending the letter to NSF. “We support the continuation of your efforts in developing AP courses in Engineering and Computer Science with stakeholders, such as the College Board, universities, educators, and industry,” Kilmer wrote in the letter sent today. “Collaborative work on these courses will help ensure students are receiving college-level education and learning concepts applicable in the workforce. We applaud the NSF’s partnership with the College Board in providing funding for production of the AP Computer Science Principles curriculum framework. We encourage the NSF to similarly invest in the development of an AP Engineering course as well.” In the letter, Kilmer noted that it’s important for the American education system to address an increase in demand for technological and engineering competence in the global workforce. The U.S. Department of Commerce has reported that in the last 10 years, job growth for STEM careers has increased three times more than that of non-STEM jobs. Developing curriculum for high school students to engage in and access college-level courses is part of the drive to get students prepared for jobs that are in demand. According to Washington STEM this can have significant benefit in Washington state because the state continues to have significant job vacancies in STEM fields. “We need to equip our kids with the skills they need to be successful in an increasingly technology-driven workforce,” said Kilmer in the letter. “This dependence on technology and our capacity for innovation is a major source of U.… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=24baf806-8714-4e14-9719-5dc6cbed4a8f VIDEO: KEYSTONE PIPELINE: Murray Speaks Against Keystone Pipeline Bill 2014-11-18 2014 2014-11 Democrat House WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov     legacy Murray: “Even though the Keystone pipeline would not run through our home state, Washingtonians know well that the pipeline’s impacts could quickly reach our communities from Spokane to Seattle.” (Washington, D.C.) –Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) delivered remarks on the Senate floor opposing the Keystone XL Pipeline Bill. In her speech, Murray discussed the impacts of climate change, and the dangers of moving forward on the Keystone Pipeline proposal before its environmental impacts are fully evaluated. Senator Murray has consistently worked to protect the environment, and recently held a Budget Committee hearing on the economic and budgetary impacts of climate change.  Key Excerpts from Senator Murray’s Remarks: “I understand the desire of my colleagues to expedite a project they support, and I understand cutting through red tape to get things done.  But when we’re considering a project that could have significant impacts on our economy and our environment, making a decision before we have all the facts is reckless.  It could even be dangerous.” “We simply cannot put expediency ahead of scientific facts regarding climate change, because as a country, we’ve done that for far too long.  And now, we’re paying the price.” “With all that we already know about the impacts of climate change, how can we possibly move this project forward before we have a thorough understanding of the environmental impacts that will result from building the Keystone pipeline? How can we force a decision that could very possibly make the impacts of climate change even worse?” “Even though the Keystone pipeline would not run through our home state, Washingtonians know well that the pipeline’s impacts could quickly reach our communities from Spokane to Seattle. So M. President, I will oppose this legislation, and I will continue to oppose any effort in Congress that ignores or brushes aside the environmental consequences of our actions. For far too long, we’ve put short-term interests ahead of our environment and long-… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=a8d2a1d1-883e-4cfa-96ef-19d6149d84af MURRAY JOINS BIPARTISAN GROUP OF SENATE WOMEN CALLING ON FEDERAL HEALTH LEADERS TO PRIORITIZE COMBATING WOMENS HEART DISEASE 2014-11-18 2014 2014-11 Democrat House WA Patty Murray M001111 www.murray.senate.gov     legacy U.S. Senator Patty Murray joined a bipartisan group of Senate women including Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) in announcing that they have called on federal health leaders to prioritize combating heart disease, which is the number one killer of women in America. “Heart disease kills more women than all cancers combined and, since 1984, more women than men have died from heart disease. Yet, for the last 50 years, women’s heart treatment has largely been based on medical research on men – often to negative results,” the Senators wrote. “Every minute, a woman dies from heart disease. We cannot let another year pass with 400,000 more women dying because these disparities are not addressed. While not enough is being done to recognize the differences and appropriately treat heart disease in women, we believe that your leadership could have a huge impact on combating women’s cardiovascular disease.” In a letter (available here) to Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Sylvia Burwell, the Senators call on the agency to examine existing HHS programs in an effort to determine if more resources can be directed toward women’s cardiovascular disease. Joined by Senator Ayotte in letters (available here and here) to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Thomas Frieden and Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Dr. Francis Collins, the Senators called on these agencies to ensure women’s heart health is a greater focus in health education, science, and research. “At a time when 1 in 3 women in the U.S. dies from heart disease, it is critical that we prioritize funding for screening, treatment, and research that will raise awareness and save lives,” said Senator Patty Murray.  “The warning signs for cardiovascular diseases are often different for women than … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z

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