url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1756,Larsen Announces Winner of 2019 Congressional App Challenge,2019-12-31,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Rick Larsen,L000560,larsen.house.gov,larsen,https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"EVERETT, WA – Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) announced William Humarang, a student at Mariner High School in Everett, as the Second District winner of the 2019 Congressional App Challenge. Humarang was inspired to create his app, “Hacker Game: A Puzzle Game of 3 Stages,” after revisiting previous efforts to design and develop apps. Humarang’s winning entry features three interactive mini-games – a passcode game, a clicker game and a guessing game – that challenge the user to unlock a series of puzzles. Humarang encouraged students to explore how rewarding coding can be: “Coding can seem daunting at first, but it makes you look at not only computers, but the whole world in another way.” “The Congressional App Challenge has again shown the creativity of students from across Northwest Washington. I congratulate all of the students who competed and our winner, William Humarang, who developed a fun, interactive “hacker” game to engage students of all ages in coding,” said Larsen. As the Second District winner, Humarang will receive $250 in Amazon Web Services credits, and his app will be eligible to be on display in the U.S. Capitol building and on the House of Representatives website. In 2018, Burlington-Edison High School student Will Garrison won with an app designed to help users practice and learn math skills in a fun and engaging way. Washington state continues to be a leader in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics with more than 313,000 high school students and 165,000 two-year college students enrolled in Career and Technical Education programs. The Congressional App Challenge is an annual competition that aims to help maintain U.S. competitiveness by inspiring youth to pursue crucial STEM skills. For more information about the Congressional App Challenge, visit https://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-announces-winner-2019-congressional-app-challenge,Larsen Announces Winner of 2019 Congressional App Challenge,2019-12-31,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Rick Larsen,L000560,larsen.house.gov,,,legacy,"EVERETT, WA Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) announced William Humarang, a student at Mariner High School in Everett, as the Second District winner of the 2019 Congressional App Challenge. Humarang was inspired to create his app, Hacker Game: A Puzzle Game of 3 Stages, after revisiting previous efforts to design and develop apps. Humarang's winning entry features three interactive mini-games a passcode game, a clicker game and a guessing game that challenge the user to unlock a series of puzzles. Humarang encouraged students to explore how rewarding coding can be: Coding can seem daunting at first, but it makes you look at not only computers, but the whole world in another way. The Congressional App Challenge has again shown the creativity of students from across Northwest Washington. I congratulate all of the students who competed and our winner, William Humarang, who developed a fun, interactive hacker game to engage students of all ages in coding, said Larsen. As the Second District winner, Humarang will receive $250 in Amazon Web Services credits, and his app will be eligible to be on display in the U.S. Capitol building and on the House of Representatives website. In 2018, Burlington-Edison High School student Will Garrison won with an app designed to help users practice and learn math skills in a fun and engaging way. Washington state continues to be a leader in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics with more than 313,000 high school students and 165,000 two-year college students enrolled in Career and Technical Education programs. The Congressional App Challenge is an annual competition that aims to help maintain U.S. competitiveness by inspiring youth to pursue crucial STEM skills. For more information about the Congressional App Challenge, visit https://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1557,Larsen Statement on Resignation of Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg,2019-12-30,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Rick Larsen,L000560,larsen.house.gov,larsen,https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"– Today, House Aviation Subcommittee Chair Rick Larsen (WA-02) issued the following statement on news of the resignation of Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg: “Nothing is more important than the safety of the traveling public. As Chair of the Aviation Subcommittee, I remain committed to the thorough oversight of the 737 MAX certification process and ensuring the aircraft’s safe return to service. “The Committee’s oversight investigation will continue into 2020. I will continue to keep the 346 victims of the two tragic 737 MAX crashes and their families at the forefront, as well as the dedicated women and men of Boeing who design, assemble and build the aircraft. “Finally, the 737 MAX should not return to service until the FAA determines it is safe to do so. The Committee will continue to work with FAA Administrator Dickson and his team on safety while it also explores changes to the certification process for the future.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-statement-resignation-boeing-ceo-dennis-muilenburg,Larsen Statement on Resignation of Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg,2019-12-30,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Rick Larsen,L000560,larsen.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, House Aviation Subcommittee Chair Rick Larsen (WA-02) issued the following statement on news of the resignation of Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg: Nothing is more important than the safety of the traveling public. As Chair of the Aviation Subcommittee, I remain committed to the thorough oversight of the 737 MAX certification process and ensuring the aircraft's safe return to service. The Committee's oversight investigation will continue into 2020. I will continue to keep the 346 victims of the two tragic 737 MAX crashes and their families at the forefront, as well as the dedicated women and men of Boeing who design, assemble and build the aircraft. Finally, the 737 MAX should not return to service until the FAA determines it is safe to do so. The Committee will continue to work with FAA Administrator Dickson and his team on safety while it also explores changes to the certification process for the future. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=1D9531BF-C4B8-49AD-BCC4-BC96796DF7C9,"Senators Murray, Cantwell Demand HHS Rescind Rule Allowing Sweeping Taxpayer-Funded Discrimination",2019-12-20,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senators say HHS decision to roll back essential nondiscrimination protections would allow federally-funded organizations to discriminate against LGBTQIA+ people Senators: This is yet another step in the Trump Administration's efforts to erode civil rights protections and leave millions of people across the country again subject to discrimination WASHINGTON, D.C.U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), the top Democrat on the Senate health committee, and Maria Cantwell (D-WA), today demanded that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) rescind its proposed rule that would allow recipients of HHS awards and contracts to discriminate on the basis of religion. In a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar, the senators also expressed concern with the agency's decision to bypass the rulemaking process and immediately permit this discrimination. This is yet another step in the Trump Administration's efforts to erode civil rights protections and leave millions of people across the country again subject to discrimination, the senators wrote. Taken together, these actions leave vulnerable populations unable to access the services they need. We strongly urge the Department to enforce existing federal nondiscrimination regulations that protect against discrimination based on sex and religion and rescind this proposed rule. HHS annually awards more than $500 billion in taxpayer-funded awards and contracts to support a wide range of critical programs and services including for public health, early childhood education, youth homelessness, the elderly, federally funded adoption and foster care, and much more. By no longer enforcing existing nondiscrimination regulations, HHS is allowing funding recipients to cite their religious faith as justification for choosing not to serve certain peoplepotentially leaving people of various religious affiliations and LGBTQIA+ people without the services necessary to support their health and well-being. Read the full text of the letter HERE. Additionally, on December 12, Senator Murray sent a letter to Secretary Azar requesting the Department rescind the notice of non-enforcement of the rule and extend the comment period, allowing the impacted communities to make their voices heard about the devastating consequences of the rule.A copy of that letter is available HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=C8801DD1-7457-458D-9B54-27F19C997084,Murray Bill to Improve Safety and Sanitation at Columbia River Tribal Fishing Sites Heads to Presidents Desk,2019-12-20,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Bill would advance improvements at Yakima Nation historical fishing access sites Following House passage, the Columbia River In-Lieu and Treaty Fishing Access Sites Improvement Act now goes to the President to be signed into law Senator Murray: It is the federal government's duty to ensure our tribal communities along the river have access to safe, sanitary housing and infrastructure at historical fishing access sites Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) applauded the passage of the Columbia River In-Lieu and Treaty Fishing Access Sites Improvement Act in the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this week, which now goes to the president's desk to be signed into law. Senator Murray is a lead cosponsor of the Senate version of the bill. I'm excited to see this important legislation for our Columbia River tribes head to the President's desk. It is the federal government's duty to ensure our tribal communities along the river have access to safe, sanitary housing and infrastructure at historical fishing access sitesa critical component of their culture and heritage, as well as an important source of sustenanceand this bill takes another vital step toward fulfilling our government-to-government obligation, said Senator Murray. As a representative for our state's tribes in the Senate, I urge the President to sign this bill into law. Beginning in the 1930s, the construction of the three lower Columbia River dams displaced members of the four Columbia River Treaty tribes: Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Indian Reservation, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and the Nez Perce Tribe. These tribes have a treaty-protected right to fish along the Columbia River in their usual and accustomed places. Senator Murray has long fought to address the urgent need for adequate housing and infrastructure at tribal fishing access sites constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers, which were originally designed to be used primarily for daily, in-season fishing access and temporary camping. However, in many cases tribal members now use the areas as longer-term or even permanent residences. Many people at these sites are living in extremely distressed, unsafe, and unsanitary conditions, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs has not committed the resources necessary to ensure the basic necessities of clean and safe living conditions at these sites. Simultaneously, Senator Murray has been working to address unmet federal obligations to the four Columbia River Treaty Tribes, many of whom are living at these fishing sites, for flooding tribal communities and houses during the construction of The Dalles, Bonneville, and John Day dams. In 2017, after the Trump administration's Office of Management and Budget (OMB) halted work by the Army Corps on a Village Development Plan specific to The Dalles Dam, Senator Murray successfully pushed OMB to reverse its decision, and later announced that the Army Corps allocated $1.8 million to complete The Dalles Dam Tribal Housing Village Development Plan. The Columbia River In-Lieu and Treaty Fishing Access Sites Improvement Actwould address the urgent need for improved conditions by: Calling on the Bureau of Indian Affairs to conduct a much-needed assessment of current safety and sanitation conditions at the sites, in coordination with the affected Columbia River Treaty Tribes; and Authorizing the Bureau to work on improving sanitation and safety conditions in several key areas such as structural improvements (restrooms, washrooms, and other buildings); safety improvements (wells and infrastructure to address fire concerns, and more); electrical infrastructure to ensure safe electrical hookups; and basic sewer and septic infrastructure. The legislation is supported by the four Columbia River Treaty tribes Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Indian Reservation, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and the Nez Perce Tribeas well as the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2499,DelBene Announces Congressional App Challenge Winner,2019-12-20,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Suzan DelBene,D000617,delbene.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA01) is excited to announcethefirst congressional district'sentry to the 2019 Congressional App Challenge. The winning app, called Driver Vision, was created by Sohil Bhatia and Sayan Bhatia of Redmond High School. Driver Vision uses machine learning models and an Internet of Things (IoT) device to detect distracted vs.attentive driving behavior. It then provides the user with a report on their driving speed activity against the speed limits in the area and the number of times the driver was distracted. The Bhatias state that their app is about reinforcing the need for a driver's vision to be safely on the road. An app demo of Driver Vision can be foundHERE. The winning appfrom the first congressional districtwas selected by a panel of impartial judges. Driver Vision willnow goon displayin the U.S. Capitol for one year,along with other winning apps from around the nation. As someone who worked in the tech sector before coming to Congress, I know firsthand that innovation requires creative, entrepreneurial leaders,said DelBene. I am immensely proud of the students of Washington's firstdistrictfor their ingenuity, and I thank all those who entered this year's App Challenge for their willingness to share their hard work withall of us.Congratulations to the young developers behind Driver Vision I cannot wait to see what you will create next! DelBene was Co-Chair for both the 2018 and 2019 Congressional App Challenge.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1556,Larsen Statement on House Passage of USMCA,2019-12-20,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Rick Larsen,L000560,larsen.house.gov,larsen,https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), a co-chair of the New Democrat Coalition Trade Task Force, released the following statement after voting for the United States – Mexico – Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA): “After carefully reviewing the agreement and hearing from my constituents in the Second District, I decided to vote for the USMCA. “Today’s passage of the USMCA is a win for workers, families and jobs in Washington state, the most trade-dependent state in the United States. In Snohomish County, 60 percent of all jobs are tied to trade. “USMCA reflects priorities I fought for, like strong labor and environmental standards and strict enforcement rules that will help workers and businesses compete globally. I am also pleased the administration used provisions negotiated by the Obama administration to modernize NAFTA for digital trade and the 21st century economy. “Making it easier for local businesses to sell their goods and services abroad is a key way to help create jobs here at home. Each year, Washington state exports nearly $12.5 billion in goods and services to Mexico and Canada, the state’s second- and third-largest trade partners after China. The final agreement provides a boost to Washington state farmers, expanding dairy farmers’ access to Canadian markets and preserving existing market access in Mexico for Washington’s apple, cherry and pear farmers. The agreement also addresses digital trade and the 21st century economy, providing a boost to the 240,000 Washingtonians who work in the growing digital sector. “Thanks to Democrats, the improved USMCA has strong enforcement, as well as critical victories on prescription drug costs and environmental protections. However, this is not a “set it and forget it” agreement. Congress and future administrations must use the enforcement mechanisms and protections to make this agreement work for American workers. “Thank you to Speaker Pelosi, Vice Chair Sewell and my colleagues on the NDC Trade Task Force for your work to resolve outstanding issues to update NAFTA, protect and grow jobs and move the economy forward.” To read more about Democratic improvements to the USMCA, click here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-statement-house-passage-usmca,Larsen Statement on House Passage of USMCA,2019-12-20,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Rick Larsen,L000560,larsen.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), a co-chair of the New Democrat Coalition Trade Task Force, released the following statement after voting for the United States Mexico Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA): After carefully reviewing the agreement and hearing from my constituents in the Second District, I decided to vote for the USMCA. Today's passage of the USMCA is a win for workers, families and jobs in Washington state, the most trade-dependent state in the United States. In Snohomish County, 60 percent of all jobs are tied to trade. USMCA reflects priorities I fought for, like strong labor and environmental standards and strict enforcement rules that will help workers and businesses compete globally. I am also pleased the administration used provisions negotiated by the Obama administration to modernize NAFTA for digital trade and the 21st century economy. Making it easier for local businesses to sell their goods and services abroad is a key way to help create jobs here at home. Each year, Washington state exports nearly $12.5 billion in goods and services to Mexico and Canada, the state's second- and third-largest trade partners after China. The final agreement provides a boost to Washington state farmers, expanding dairy farmers' access to Canadian markets and preserving existing market access in Mexico for Washington's apple, cherry and pear farmers. The agreement also addresses digital trade and the 21st century economy, providing a boost to the 240,000 Washingtonians who work in the growing digital sector. Thanks to Democrats, the improved USMCA has strong enforcement, as well as critical victories on prescription drug costs and environmental protections. However, this is not a set it and forget it agreement. Congress and future administrations must use the enforcement mechanisms and protections to make this agreement work for American workers. Thank you to Speaker Pelosi, Vice Chair Sewell and my colleagues on the NDC Trade Task Force for your work to resolve outstanding issues to update NAFTA, protect and grow jobs and move the economy forward. To read more about Democratic improvements to the USMCA, click here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-secures-funding-for-washington-state-priorities-in-spending-bills,Cantwell Secures Funding for Washington State Priorities in Spending Bills,2019-12-20,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.20.19 Cantwell Secures Funding for Washington State Priorities in Spending Bills WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) secured a number of important Washington state priorities in Congress's spending bills to fund the government for Fiscal Year 2020. The measures passed the Senate yesterday and now move on to the president's desk to be signed into law. Among other Washington state priorities, the bills include the reauthorization of the U.S. Export-Import Bank and increased funding for wildfire fighting and prevention, critical transportation and infrastructure investment programs, and important environmental and economic programs throughout Washington state. Provides major funding increase to fight wildfires Cantwell, a senior member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, worked with her colleagues to secure a $1.6 billion increase in funding for wildland fire management. The total funding provided is $5.553 billion, which includes $445 million for the hazardous fuels program. The funding package also includes $305 million for forest and rangeland research conducted by the U.S. Forest Service. Cantwell has been a leader in the Senate on wildfire fighting and prevention funding. Earlier this year, she called on the administration to reverse proposed cuts to wildfire funding, and in 2018 she secured passage of language to fix the chronic failures in wildfire funding that have plagued fire-prone communities across the West. Reauthorizes the United States Export-Import Bank Working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle, Senator Cantwell helped secure a seven-year reauthorization of the United States Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im), as well as a fix to quorum issues that have plagued the Bank in recent years. According to the Washington Council on International Trade, Ex-Im supported 25,200 export jobs in Washington state between 2014 and 2018. In November 2019 alone, Ex-Im financed more than $2.5 million in exports from Washington state businesses. Cantwell has been a champion of Ex-Im and the small businesses it supports throughout her time in Congress. Earlier this year, Cantwell cosponsored the Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act of 2019 (S. 2293) to reauthorize the bank for 10 years and fix the quorum issues. When Ex-Im lapsed in June 2015, she worked with a bipartisan group of colleagues to reauthorize the bank for four years. An interactive map of companies throughout Washington state that have used Ex-Im is available HERE. Protects Hanford funding Senator Cantwell helped secure $912 million for the Richland Operations Office and $1.616 billion for the Office of River Protection. Those funding levels represent increases of $47 million and $43 million over the previous year, respectively, and increases of $283 million and $224 million over the president's budget request. Cantwell has long championed the Hanford clean-up and defended its budget against cuts. Last year, she led the successful effort to defeat proposed drastic cuts to the Hanford budget and earlier this year, she secured commitments on Hanford clean-up from President Trump's nominee for Energy Secretary. Provides major increase for transportation and infrastructure investment As the Ranking Member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, Cantwell worked with her colleagues to secure a $100 million increase in funding for the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) infrastructure grant program, which will receive $1 billion. It also includes a $70 million increase for the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program, for a total of $325 million. Additionally, the measures provide $15 million in funding for the Center of Excellence for Alternative Jet Fuels and Environment, which Cantwell created in 2012. The spending bills also provide $50 million in federal funding for the Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP), which provides competitive funding to local governments to construct infrastructure that serves military facilities but is located outside of the base boundary. Increases funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund Cantwell helped secure $495 million in funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), the highest discretionary funding level for the program since 2004. This funding represents a $57 million increase above last year. Cantwell has been the leading champion for the LWCF. Earlier this year, her legislation to permanently reauthorize the fund was signed into law. She has also introduced legislation to permanently fund the LWCF at its authorized level; that legislation passed through committee with bipartisan support in November. Increases funding for affordable housing Senator Cantwell worked with her colleagues to secure increases in federal funding for affordable housing. That includes a five percent increase in the overall Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) budget, to $56.5 billion, and an eight percent increase in funding for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, the only HUD program dedicated solely to affordable housing production and preservation, to $1.35 billion dollars. The legislation also includes funding increases for Section 8 Tenant-Based Rental Assistance, Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance, and McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Grants. Affordable housing has long been a priority for Cantwell. In 2018, she successfully secured a nearly $3 billion down payment to increase the Affordable Housing Tax Credit and take steps toward addressing the affordable housing crisis, helping to build over 28,000 units and support an additional 32,000 jobs. She has also introduced bipartisan legislation to expand the Affordable Housing Tax Credit also known as the Low Income Housing Tax Credit that would create more than 550,000 new units than would otherwise be built and to establish a task force on the affordable housing crisis. Invests in Washington state's maritime economy Cantwell helped secure $35.5 million for implementation of the 2018 Pacific Salmon Treaty, a $20 million increase from previous funding levels. She also helped maintain the tsunami warning program at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which the Trump administration had sought to eliminate, and secured $174 million for NOAA to do fisheries stock assessments, a $5.6 million increase in funding. These investments are in addition to maritime investments Cantwell secured in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed by Congress earlier this week. The NDAA included provisions authored by Cantwell to authorize $500 million for the Port and Intermodal Improvement Program, a competitive grant program that funds projects to improve the safety, efficiency, or reliability of the movement of goods through a port or the intermodal connection to a port. It also includes a $40 million authorization a 14% increase for the Small Shipyard Grant Program, which provided a $1.3 million grant to a shipyard in Freeland, WA, in 2018. Extends tax deductions for high medical expenses Senator Cantwell worked with Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) to extend the Medical Expense Deduction, which helps more than 200,000 Washingtonians lower their health care costs. The deduction allows households that spend more than 7.5 percent of their income on medical expenses to deduct those costs from their tax bill, a vital provision for those who have pre-existing medical conditions, suffer chronic medical conditions, experience unexpected illnesses or injuries, or face costs for long-term care services that are not covered by insurance. According to AARP, nearly half of those who rely on the deduction every year make $50,000 or less. Extends important tax provisions for Washington state's economy Cantwell was one of the key negotiators of a bipartisan package to extend critical tax provisions for Washington state's economy and renewable energy development. The legislation increases the funding for the New Markets Tax Credit, which has invested $2.4 billion in projects in economically-underserved areas throughout the state since 2003, from $3.5 to $5 billion; extends a tax credit that benefits small craft beer brewers, cider makers, vintners, and distillers; and extends credits to boost renewable energy development, including at a biodiesel plant in Grays Harbor and a planned facility in Cherry Point. Funds energy innovation Senator Cantwell helped secure $190 million for the Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Electricity, $2.85 billion for DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), $7 billion for DOE's Science Programs, and $95 million for the Cybersecurity for Energy Delivery Systems program. These funding levels represent an increase of $34 million, $469 million, $415 million, and $5.5 million, respectively, over last year allocations, and billions more than the White House had requested. These dollars fund R&D at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Washington state universities that are vital to accelerating our nation's urgently needed transition to a cleaner, more diverse, and more secure energy system. Increases medical research funding Senator Cantwell worked with her colleagues to secure a $2.6 billion increase in funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which supports innovative research essential in finding better treatments and new cures for disease. The total NIH funding included in the spending package is $41.7 billion, a more than 6 percent increase above last year's funding level and a reversal of the budget cuts proposed by the Trump Administration. Senator Cantwell is a member of the Senate NIH Caucus and joined her colleagues in requesting that the Senate Appropriations Committee provide strong funding to NIH in fiscal year 2020. NIH grants support Washington state research institutions such as the University of Washington, Washington State University, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle Children's Hospital, and many others. In total, Washington state research institutions received more than $1 billion in NIH grants in fiscal year 2018. Provides major increase in law enforcement funding Cantwell helped secure $547.2 million in funding for the Byrne JAG program, an increase of $123.7 million above last year. She has been a leading advocate for the program, which helps state and local governments across the country reduce crime, prevent juvenile delinquency, and reduce recidivism. Boosts small business programs Cantwell, a senior member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, helped secure a 40 percent increase in funding for the Small Business Administration (SBA). That includes a 21 percent increase in funding for Women's Business Centers, a program Cantwell has championed. It also includes an 11 percent increase in funding for the SBA's Microloan Technical Assistance Program and a $1 million increase in the State Trade Expansion Program. Senator Cantwell has long supported small businesses and efforts to promote women-owned businesses. In 2014, she introduced the Women's Small Business Ownership Act of 2014, to increase funding for loans for women-owned businesses, increase funding for WBCs, and promote women-owned businesses in the federal contracting process. She also released a report on female entrepreneurship in Washington state. In 2015, Cantwell introduced a bill to reauthorize the WBC program and increase its funding. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-cantwell-murray-demand-hhs-rescind-rule-allowing-sweeping-taxpayer-funded-discrimination,"Senators Cantwell, Murray Demand HHS Rescind Rule Allowing Sweeping Taxpayer-Funded Discrimination",2019-12-20,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.20.19 Senators Cantwell, Murray Demand HHS Rescind Rule Allowing Sweeping Taxpayer-Funded Discrimination Senators: This is yet another step in the Trump Administration's efforts to erode civil rights protections and leave millions of people across the country again subject to discrimination WASHINGTON, D.C.U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Patty Murray (D-WA), the top Democrat on the Senate health committee, today demanded that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) rescind its proposed rule that would allow recipients of HHS awards and contracts to discriminate on the basis of religion. In a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar, the senators also expressed concern with the agency's decision to bypass the rulemaking process and immediately permit this discrimination. This is yet another step in the Trump Administration's efforts to erode civil rights protections and leave millions of people across the country again subject to discrimination, the senators wrote. Taken together, these actions leave vulnerable populations unable to access the services they need. We strongly urge the Department to enforce existing federal nondiscrimination regulations that protect against discrimination based on sex and religion and rescind this proposed rule. HHS annually awards more than $500 billion in taxpayer-funded awards and contracts to support a wide range of critical programs and services including for public health, early childhood education, youth homelessness, the elderly, federally funded adoption and foster care, and much more. By no longer enforcing existing nondiscrimination regulations, HHS is allowing funding recipients to cite their religious faith as justification for choosing not to serve certain peoplepotentially leaving people of various religious affiliations and LGBTQIA+ people without the services necessary to support their health and well-being. Read the full text of the letter HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=0EC63763-8780-4BED-9BE7-9E90C87B1DC4,GUN VIOLENCE: Senator Murray Praises Breakthrough Funding for Gun Violence Prevention Research,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Bipartisan spending bill includes $25 million for gun violence prevention researchthe first such funding in more than two decades Funding represents breakthrough in continued push for stronger response to gun violence Move comes after Murray worked to include language in past funding deal affirming the Health Department has the authority to conduct research on the public health threat of gun violence Washington, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), the leading Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (LHHS), released the following statement following the passage of a bipartisan funding bill, which included $25 million dollars in funding for gun violence prevention research. There is still far more we need to do to address the nationwide epidemic of gun violence, but this research funding is a meaningful, hard-fought victory for everyone who has demanded we finally treat gun violence like the public health crisis it is, said Senator Murray. I'm going to keep fighting to make sure this is only a first step, and that we don't just learn more about the public health threat of gun violence, but that we also do more to address it and protect families across the country. The new funding for gun violence prevention research will be split evenly between the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and represents the first time Congress has passed dedicated funding for gun violence research since the Dickey amendment was enacted in 1996. Senator Murray fought in a previous spending bill to include language affirming that the Health Department had the authority to conduct research on the public health threat of gun violence. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=24EB295C-C396-4596-9DB2-20C4936D309D,Senator Murray Secures Provisions Forcing DeVos to Hold Student Loan Servicers Accountable in Year-End Spending Bill,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Provisions will force the Department of Education to hold unscrupulous student loan servicers accountable Senator Murray: When it comes to doing right by our students, I'm not going to allow Secretary DeVos's Department of Education to skirt its responsibility to hold unscrupulous actors accountable (Washington, D.C.) Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, successfully secured provisions forcing the Department of Education's Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) to hold student loan servicers accountable in the year-end spending package. Senator Murray fought for the inclusion of these provisions following thereleaseof a report from the Office of Inspector General at the Department of Education that found all nine federal servicers were noncompliant with federal requirements. Under the new measures, which passed the Senate today and now headto the President's desk for signature, FSA will be required to re-allocate borrower accounts from student loan servicers who violate federal standards, contracts, and State and Federal laws intended to protect borrowers. The measures will also prevent FSA from awarding new contracts to servicers that have a history of violating consumer protection laws. In order to increase transparency for borrowers, Senator Murray included additional measures to require FSA to make data on student loan servicers' performance and student loan dischargeswhich is already collected by the Departmentavailable to the public. I was appalled when I found out that student loan servicers have consistently and repeatedly violated requirementsintended to protect borrowerswithout any consequences from the Department of Education. When it comes to doing right by our students, I'm not going to allow Secretary DeVos's Department of Education to skirt its responsibility to hold unscrupulous actors accountableso I fought to include language in the must-pass spending bill to force them to do so,said Senator Murray.It's unfortunate these provisions were necessary in the first place, but I'm grateful that a bipartisan majority of both the House and the Senate agree that the Department of Education must do its job and enforce the laws on the books. Senator Murray has consistently called on Secretary DeVos to hold student loan companies accountable to the law and to borrowers. InAprilandJune 2017, she led more than 150 Members of Congress in calling for student loan borrower protections to be reinstated after Secretary DeVos rescinded rules to prevent predatory, abusive, and unfair practices in student loan servicing. InSeptember 2017, Senator Murray criticized a move by Secretary DeVos to block the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau from looking into misconduct by student loan servicers. InJune 2018, she asked Secretary DeVos to answer questions about how student loan servicers were being held accountable. InDecember 2018, Senator Murray demanded answers to how Secretary DeVos plans to ensure student loan companies will comply with consumer protection laws in exchange for massive new federal contracts that are currently being negotiated. In March 2019, Senator Murray demanded new accountability measures be implemented to correct for servicer noncompliance that was revealed by the OIG. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=36DE3170-C1E7-4119-8A5F-42A0D1FD3E4A,Murray on Title X: Republicans Will Be Held Accountable for Denying Patients Access to Reproductive Health Care,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,,,legacy,"ICYMI: Murray called for reversing Trump-Pence restrictions on medical providers at Title X-funded family planning centers; Senate Republicans canceled committee session to prevent bipartisan vote in support American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists on Trump-Pence gag rule: There is no room for politics in the exam room Senator Murray: Women who don't want politics interfering with their access to basic services like cancer screenings and birth control aren't going to forget who put patients first, and who put politics first WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Labor, Health, and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee, issued the following statement on Republican leaders' choice to ignore bipartisan support for reversing the harmful gag rule the Trump-Pence Administration imposed on Title X-funded family planning centers, jeopardizing care for millions of patients nationwide. President Trump and Vice President Pence have made it a top priority, since day one, to undermine access to reproductive health careincluding through an extreme, ideological rule that restricts the medical guidance providers can give to millions of patients. By blocking a vote to reverse this harmful rule and ignoring patients across the country who spoke out against it, Republican leaders in Congress have made it clearer than ever that they will go to any length to stand with President Trump and Vice President Pence. They should know that women who don't want politics interfering with their access to basic services like cancer screenings and birth control aren't going to forget who put patients first, and who put politics first. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=53C08B6E-4C92-43E0-AAD2-81588EDDA619,Senator Murray Wins Strengthened Investments in Child Care and Early Childhood Education,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senator Murray secures a funding boost for early childhood education programs including Head Start Senator Murray: I'm pleased to see significant investments in programs to support our youngest learners (Washington, D.C.) Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced significant increases in investments in child care and early childhood education in the end of year spending package, including significant increases for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and the Head Start program. Additionally, the package includes a $25 million increase for Preschool Development Grants (PDG), a program Senator Murray fought for and secured in the landmark Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). As a former pre-school teacher, I can tell you first-hand how critical the first years of a child's life are to their growth and development, and I'm pleased to see significant investments in programs to support our youngest learners, said Senator Murray. All children no matter where they live, or how much their family makes deserve to start school with the foundation they need to succeed. This funding boost is an important step, but I'm not done fighting to make sure that all our kids have access to high quality, affordable child care and early childhood education. Senator Murray's funding boost went to a variety of programs, including: a $550 million increase for Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), allowing states to provide child care to an estimated additional 44,000 children, a $550 million increase for Head Start, and a $25 million increase for Preschool Development Grants (PDG), expanding access to high quality preschool programs. Senator Murray has long been a champion of child care and early childhood education in the Senate. In February, she introduced the landmark Child Care for Working Families Act, to ensure high-quality, affordable child care for working families across the country, expand access to high-quality preschool, and livable wages for our nation's early childhood educators. Senator Murray has also long fought for increased investment in early childhood education, securing crucial funding increases in the bipartisan Fiscal Year 2019 Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations bill for programs including Head Start and Child Care and Development Block Grant. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=559E0B5C-67A6-4158-A9DE-B2B871E6508B,Senator Murray Applauds Extension of Export-Import Bank in Bipartisan Spending Deal,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Bipartisan spending deal includes 7 year reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank The Bank has facilitated support to hundreds of Washington state businesses to help them gain access to foreign markets Senator Murray: In Washington state we design, manufacture, innovate and grow some of the best goods and products our country has to offer, and the Export-Import Bank is instrumental in helping Washington state companies sell those products all over the world The Columbian Editorial Board: Congress must reauthorize Ex-Im Bank now MORE HERE Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement after the passage of legislation to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank for seven years. The legislation was passed as part of the bipartisan spending deal, which will now go to the President's desk for signature. In Washington state we design, manufacture, innovate and grow some of the best goods and products our country has to offer, and the Export-Import Bank is instrumental in helping Washington state companies sell those products all over the world, Senator Murray said. I'm glad to see both sides of Congress come together with a reauthorization to ensure the Bank is able to continue offering critical support to businesses across our state to help create jobs, grow our economy, and strengthen our communities. The Export-Import Bank is a critical tool for Washington state businesses that use the agency's loan services to access overseas markets, enabling them to expand production, create jobs, and grow the economy in Washington state. Senator Murray has consistently supported reauthorization of the Bank, and cosponsored legislation this summer and in 2014 to reauthorize the Bank when it's charter was set to expire. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=AFE8A3F9-A720-4DC3-99FD-013A9EF5E307,Senator Murray Statement on National Defense Authorization Act,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,,,legacy,"(Washington, D.C.) U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) released the statement below following her vote in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act. I'm glad that Congress reached bipartisan agreement on legislation to help ensure our servicemembers have the resources and support they need to protect Americans here at home and abroad. As a mother, grandmother and former educator, I'm particularly pleased the bill includes new investments in building more on-base child care centers to better support military families who often face unique challenges when it comes to finding quality child care. In addition, I have long advocated for paid family leave policies, so I'm glad to see this legislation will also guarantee federal employees twelve weeks of paid parental leave for the first time in our country's history. Nobody should have to choose between a paycheck and welcoming a child into their home, and we need to build on this step and ensure no one in our country has to choose between earning a paycheck and caring for loved ones in need. Know that as a voice in the Senate for our military and veterans I will keep working to make sure the federal government does its part to honor the enormous sacrifice of our military families and all our servicemembers. A longtime advocate for increased funding for and access to military childcare programs, Senator Murray fought to include a new, dedicated funding stream of $121 million for military child care construction. In 2017, Senator Murray introduced legislation to dramatically expand access to quality, affordable child care, the Child Care for Working Families Act, and has secured millions in funding for child care programs, including the Child Care Development Block Grant and the Child Care Access Means Parents in Schools (CCAMPIS) program. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=C095EA31-6EE4-46E2-B47C-7A40680A942F,Senator Murray Statement on National Defense Authorization Act,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,,,legacy,"(Washington, D.C.) U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) released the statement below following her vote in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act. I'm glad that Congress reached bipartisan agreement on legislation to help ensure our servicemembers have the resources and support they need to protect Americans here at home and abroad. As a mother, grandmother and former educator, I'm particularly pleased the bill includes new investments in building more on-base child care centers to better support military families who often face unique challenges when it comes to finding quality child care. In addition, I have long advocated for paid family leave policies, so I'm glad to see this legislation will also guarantee federal employees twelve weeks of paid parental leave for the first time in our country's history. Nobody should have to choose between a paycheck and welcoming a child into their home, and we need to build on this step and ensure no one in our country has to choose between earning a paycheck and caring for loved ones in need. Know that as a voice in the Senate for our military and veterans I will keep working to make sure the federal government does its part to honor the enormous sacrifice of our military families and all our servicemembers. A longtime advocate for increased funding for and access to military childcare programs, Senator Murray fought to include a new, dedicated funding stream of $121 million for military child care construction. In 2017, Senator Murray introduced legislation to dramatically expand access to quality, affordable child care, the Child Care for Working Families Act, and has secured millions in funding for child care programs, including the Child Care Development Block Grant and the Child Care Access Means Parents in Schools (CCAMPIS) program. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=D82354E8-8FDA-44FD-A9C9-104CA7586DEB,"As Senate Sends Bipartisan Spending Bill to President Trumps Desk to Avoid Government Shutdown, Senator Murray Applauds Major Investments in Washington State Priorities",2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Bipartisan spending deal addresses critical priorities for Washingtonians, including Hanford clean-up, affordable housing, and critical agricultural research among others A senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Murray also successfully secured strengthened investments in vital child care, transportation and infrastructure, gun violence prevention research, and more Senator Murray: As a voice for our state in the other Washington, I am glad I was able to help push through the DC gridlock to help guide these investments to Washington state, and now it's up to the President to sign this important deal that will support our families and communities ICYMI: 2019: Senator Murray Keeps Delivering for Washington State Families, Workers, Students, Veterans and More MORE HERE (Washington, D.C.) Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, applauded the passage of bipartisan legislation to fund the government that also included millions of dollars of new and renewed federal investments in important priorities for Washington state. The twelve spending bills, which the Senate passed in two packages, will ensure the government remains open after the current budget expires on December 20th and keep the government funded through the 2020 fiscal year. Every day in the Senate I work to make progress on the issues that matter to Washingtonians, and I am very pleased Congress was able to come together to keep the government open and make valuable investments in our state's workers, students, families, seniors, and veterans. While this is not the budget I would have written myself, especially when it comes to patients' access to reproductive health care, I'm glad that in this spending deal we were able to address some of the challenges that directly impact so many people across our stateincluding access to quality, affordable child care, critical transportation and infrastructure needs, homelessness and housing instability, and much-needed research on gun safety and violence prevention. I'm also proud this bill addresses challenges that are specifically relevant in our state, including Hanford clean-up and agricultural research, as well as preventing the closure of our state's Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers. As a voice for our state in the other Washington, I am glad I was able to help push through the DC gridlock to help guide these investments to Washington state, and now it's up to the President to sign this important legislation that will support our families and communities, Senator Murray said. See below highlights of several federal investments and other priorities Senator Murray secured for Washington state in the funding package: Transportation & Infrastructure TIGER/BUILD program: $1 billion, $100 million above FY19 level. Since Senator Murray created the TIGER program in 2009, it has awarded $7.1 billion to help facilitate 554 projects in every state in the country, as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands. Of that total, Washington state has received $270 million to support over 20 projects, including: the Barker Road grade separation in Spokane Valley, Tacoma LINK expansion, a new ferry terminal in Mukilteo, the North Spokane Corridor, the Mercer Corridor Redevelopment project in Seattle, the South Park Bridge Replacement in King County, the West Vancouver Freight Access project at the Port of Vancouver, improvements to I-5 to relieve congestion around Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and terminal modernization projects at the Ports of Seattle and Everett. Housing Homeless Assistance Grants: $2.777 billion, $141 million above FY19 level. These grants provide funding to break the cycle of homelessness and move the homeless to permanent housing through rental assistance, emergency shelter, and supportive service provision, among other steps. This funding includes a $50 million set-aside for supportive service projects to assist survivors of domestic violence, and a $80 million set-aside for homeless youth. HOME Investment Partnerships Program: $1.35 billion, $100 million above FY19 level. The HOME program is the federal government's only block grant program to help state and local governments create more affordable housing units for low-income families. Senator Murray has been instrumental in continuing the HOME program, previously fighting to save the program from near elimination, and successfully working to protect the program from attacks from the Trump Administration in spending bills over the past two years. Community Development Block Grants (CDBG): $3.4 billion, $100 million above FY19 level. These grants support home ownership, housing rehabilitation, public improvements, and economic development projects in communities throughout the country. Agriculture Specialty Crop Research Initiative: Stemming from a mistake in the 2018 Farm Bill, the deal includes a fix to allow USDA to waive the matching funds requirement in the grant program. Agricultural Research: a $4.5 million increase for the Agricultural Research Service above FY19, including increased funding for research supporting potatoes, alfalfa, cranberries, wine grapes, pulse crops and more. Frankenfish: The spending package contains bill language Senator Murray helped secure to label genetically engineered (GE) salmon as genetically engineered to ensure that products are clearly marketed. Environment, Interior, Energy and Climate Change Puget Sound clean-up: $33 million for Puget Sound, $5 million above FY19 enacted level. Pacific Salmon Treaty: $35.5 million for implementation, $20 million above the FY19 level. Hanford clean-up: $900 million for Richland Operations and $1.616 billion for Office of River Protection to facilitate nuclear waste cleanup at Hanford, an approximately $90 million increase above FY19. West Coast Groundfish Loan Re-estimate: The spending agreement includes language that will forgive $10 million in accrued loan interest unnecessarily placed on West Coast trawlers after the National Marine Fisheries Service failed to establish a repayment system. Defense & Veterans Polar Security Cutters: $40 million for the full costs of pier improvements at Base Seattle required for the Polar Security Cutter (formerly known as Polar icebreakers). Read more info on Senator Murray's work to bring the Polar Security Cutter fleet to Seattle here. Military Child Care: $33 million for planning and design of Child Development Centers, following up on Senator Murray's successful work to secure a new, dedicated line of funding for military child care center construction in the National Defense Authorization Act (read more here). Education & Workforce Early Learning & Head Start: a $550 million increase for the Head Start program, and a $25 million increase for Preschool Development Grants. Child Care: $550 million increase for the Child Care and Development Block Grant above FY19, which helps expand access to high-quality, affordable child care for working families, as well as a $3 million increase to the Child Care Access Means Parents In School (CCAMPIS) program to support student parents in college, building off a historic 233 percent ($45 million) increase Senator Murray secured in FY18. More information available here. Support for Elementary and Secondary Education: $16.3 billion, an increase of $450 million more than the FY19 enacted level, for the Title I-A grants to local educational agencies program. The bill also includes an increase of $400 million$12.8 billion in allfor special education, and $1.250 billion, an increase of $28 million, for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program. Federal Title I-A grants and special education funding bring more than $500 million annually to Washington state schools. Job Corps: $1.74 billion for the Job Corps Program, an increase of $25 million above FY19, and new bill language to prohibit the Department of Labor from closing Civilian Conservation Centers. Earlier this year, Senator Murray successfully fought back against the Trump Administration's attempts to dismantle the CCC program, which would have impacted three Washington state's three CCC sites. Institute of Museum and Library Services: $252 million, an increase of $10 million above FY19. Health Care Maternal Mortality: $53 million for the Maternal Mortality Initiative in CDC and HRSA, an increase of $3 million in HRSA and maintaining the $12 million FY19 level in CDC. Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners Training Grants: $9 million, $1 million increase above FY19. Previously, Senator Murray introduced the Survivors' Access to Supportive Care Act (SASCA), which would direct the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a national training and continuing education pilot program to expand access to health care for survivors of sexual assault and develop federal standards around examinations and treatment. Opioids: $3.8 billion total in funding to address opioid crisis, including $1.5 billion for State Opioid Response grants, and funding for programs to build up the mental health care and substance use disorder treatment workforce. Senator Murray has long worked to strengthen federal investments and support to help families and communities navigating substance misuse, including opioids. More information on Senator Murray's recent opioids work in Washington state available here. Gun Violence Prevention Research: $25 million split between CDC and NIH to fund research on firearm injury and mortality prevention, an effort long supported by Senator Murray and the first dedicated investment in this research in more than two decades. Mental Health: $10 million for a new CDC initiative for suicide prevention programs targeting vulnerable populations who have been identified at higher risk of suicidal behaviors. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://adamsmith.house.gov/news/press-releases/congressman-smith-statement-us-mexico-canada-agreement,Congressman Smith Statement on U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Adam Smith,S000510,adamsmith.house.gov,adamsmith,https://adamsmith.house.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA) released the following statement today regarding House passage of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA): ""The USMCA I voted to support today is the product of a year of work by Congressional Democrats to put forward something to build on as we work to shift our trade agreements to prioritize workers and the environment. ""Democrats made positive steps, especially in regard to labor standards and enforcement, that can help us move towards a trading system that puts workers, labor rights, and fair economic policies first. ""I have long been critical of the Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) program, which gives companies a private right of action to sue countries to settle business disputes but no such avenue for labor or environmental disputes. This agreement nearly eliminates ISDS, putting us on a path to prevent its inclusion in future trade agreements. In addition to strengthening labor standards, the USMCA also includes, for the first time, an enforcement mechanism specifically for labor and establishes an independent review body to ensure Mexico is implementing labor reforms and complying with obligations. ""Let me be clear, however, that USMCA is far from perfect. This agreement leaves a lot to be done on environmental and climate-related provisions. President Trump and Senate Republicans continue to ignore the threat of climate change against the urging of Congressional Democrats and the American people. A future Administration must prioritize strong climate change provisions in trade agreements that reflect the urgency of this worldwide crisis. It is unacceptable that the Trump Administration ignores the overwhelming evidence of climate change and refuses to take the necessary actions for the environment. ""As a lifelong resident of Washington State, I have seen firsthand the importance of trade for workers and the economy. I have also seen the impacts of job outsourcing and wage stagnation on middle class families. Trade agreements cannot be looked at in isolation. Fixing trade agreements alone will not address the income inequality and vanishing middle class that plagues workers and our economy. President Trump's tax cuts have incentivized outsourcing and benefited corporations and the wealthy at the expense of workers and their families. ""We need to restructure our tax code, trade agreements, and public policies to reverse this growing problem, and I believe the USMCA is a step in the right direction."" ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://adamsmith.house.gov/press-releases?ID=D819FD64-03ED-47C6-88BE-89A31CFAE94A,Congressman Smith Statement on U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Adam Smith,S000510,adamsmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA) released the following statement today regarding House passage of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA): The USMCA I voted to support today is the product of a year of work by Congressional Democrats to put forward something to build on as we work to shift our trade agreements to prioritize workers and the environment. Democrats made positive steps, especially in regard to labor standards and enforcement, that can help us move towards a trading system that puts workers, labor rights, and fair economic policies first. I have long been critical of the Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) program, which gives companies a private right of action to sue countries to settle business disputes but no such avenue for labor or environmental disputes. This agreement nearly eliminates ISDS, putting us on a path to prevent its inclusion in future trade agreements. In addition to strengthening labor standards, the USMCA also includes, for the first time, an enforcement mechanism specifically for labor and establishes an independent review body to ensure Mexico is implementing labor reforms and complying with obligations. Let me be clear, however, that USMCA is far from perfect. This agreement leaves a lot to be done on environmental and climate-related provisions. President Trump and Senate Republicans continue to ignore the threat of climate change against the urging of Congressional Democrats and the American people. A future Administration must prioritize strong climate change provisions in trade agreements that reflect the urgency of this worldwide crisis. It is unacceptable that the Trump Administration ignores the overwhelming evidence of climate change and refuses to take the necessary actions for the environment. As a lifelong resident of Washington State, I have seen firsthand the importance of trade for workers and the economy. I have also seen the impacts of job outsourcing and wage stagnation on middle class families. Trade agreements cannot be looked at in isolation. Fixing trade agreements alone will not address the income inequality and vanishing middle class that plagues workers and our economy. President Trump's tax cuts have incentivized outsourcing and benefited corporations and the wealthy at the expense of workers and their families. We need to restructure our tax code, trade agreements, and public policies to reverse this growing problem, and I believe the USMCA is a step in the right direction. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2498,DelBene Statement on Passage of USMCA,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Suzan DelBene,D000617,delbene.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) made the following statement: I am pleased that the House of Representatives has approved the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a deal which will support our region's farmers, workers, and families. This new agreement includes important provisions that will help our region's dairy farmers, who for years have struggled to export their products to Canada. It also eliminates a rule in British Columbia that requires imported wines to be placed in a separate part of grocery stores. This is also the first U.S. trade agreement that has a digital trade chapter, including important provisions on data localization, cross-border data flows and other important requirements that preserve a free and open internet, and support good-paying jobs in our region. While passing USMCA will provide our farmers and businesses with some certainty, the Administration needs to work to open up new markets for high-quality made-in America exports.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://dennyheck.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/statement-rep-denny-heck-on-house-passage-of-usmca,STATEMENT: Rep. Denny Heck on House Passage of USMCA,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Denny Heck,H001064,dennyheck.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Congressman Denny Heck (WA-10) voted in support of H.R. 5430, legislation to implement the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which will replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The new agreement includes significant improvements on labor, the environment, access to prescription drugs, and enforcement. The bill passed by a vote of 385 to 41. I represent Washington state, one of the most trade dependent states in the country. In the 20 years since NAFTA was enacted, Washington has exported almost $135 billion in goods to Canada and Mexico. Trade is also a huge job creator Mexico and Canada currently account for 330,00 jobs across Washington state. Our state's dairy farmers, fruit growers, manufacturers, and countless other workers rely on thoughtful trade policies to support their families. I arrived in Congress believing there are substantial benefits to trade. I still do. Robust trade reduces the risk of armed conflict and helps the economy overall. After all, freer trade, viewed one way, is simply a market-based economy on a global scale. I believe in a market-based economy and the considerable benefits that flow from it. Markets are beneficial because they generate wealth and make people happier. At the same time, I recognize the potentially adverse impacts that poorly-conceived trade deals can have on the U.S. economyresulting in the outsourcing of jobs, lowering of wages, and further degradation of our environment. I'll be frank and say that when the original USMCA trade deal was announced last year, I was skepticaland frankly worriedabout the outcomes it could produce. But thanks to the hard work of the Speaker and Chairman Neal, those worries have generally been laid to rest. Is the USMCA a perfect trade deal? Nono trade deal ever is. But as I see it, we have three possibilities: the old NAFTA, no NAFTA, or a new and improved NAFTA. The USMCA is the third of those options, a trade deal that is a significant improvement over the one it will replace. I have always said that U.S. manufacturing and agricultural workers need better answers on not just appropriate standards but the means and the will to ensure their enforcement. We owe them that promise. Among its provisions, this trade agreement removed language that made it difficult to prove whether our trading partners are living up to commitments to protect workers from violence. It also creates a presumption that a labor violation affects trade and investment, removes flawed language in the Forced Labor provision that rendered it unenforceable, and includes new mechanisms and resources to ensure the U.S. continues to monitor compliance with labor obligations specific to Mexico. I was also encouraged by the environmental provisions of the USMCA. This strengthens NAFTA's environmental rules by requiring the three countries to fulfill their obligations under several existing environmental agreements, establishes an interagency committee to oversee environmental enforcement, sets up customs verification targeting shipments of illegally taken wild animals or plants, increases environmental infrastructure funding for the North American Development Bank, and invests in the implementation and enforcement of the environmental provisions. This text also resolves a previous issue with prescription drug affordability by preserving the ability of Congress to bring down high prescription drug costs through pro-competitive reforms, and ensures fair competition between branded and generic drugs. This trade deal will have wide-ranging consequences on not only the lives of Washingtonians, but also millions of others across the country and around the world. I commend my colleagues on the House Democrats' Trade Working Group for successfully negotiating legislation that reflects our nation's priorities and goals.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kilmer.house.gov/news/press-releases/kilmer-votes-to-support-usmca-grow-washington-jobs,"Kilmer Votes to Support USMCA, Grow Washington Jobs",2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Derek Kilmer,K000381,kilmer.house.gov,,,legacy,"12.19.19 Kilmer Votes to Support USMCA, Grow Washington Jobs Washington, DC Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) voted to support the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) trade agreement following the December 10th announcement of a new trade agreement that incorporates significant changes negotiated by House Democrats for American workers and for the environment. Rep. Kilmer released the following statement announcing his support for the deal: Washington is the most trade-dependent state in the nation with exports and Washington-made products supporting our economy and hundreds of thousands of jobs. We do better when our communities are better able to export wood products, apples, cherries, airplanes, technology, seafood, Almond Roca, and other Made in Washington products. With that in mind, the discussion regarding the rules that govern trade between the United States and our closest neighbors is an important one. I've persistently been critical of NAFTA, the current agreement governing trade between Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Under NAFTA, there were no enforceable labor or environmental standards within the agreement. Enforcement in general was severely lacking, hurting jobs in America. Beyond that, NAFTA no longer adequately meets the demands of a 21st century economy. For example, NAFTA is an agreement that mentions telegraphs but doesn't mention the internet. In 2018, President Trump brought Congress what many have called NAFTA 2.0 the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). In my opinion, that proposal failed to deliver enough for workers, or for the environment. In response, House Democrats created a USMCA Working Group to negotiate transformational improvements. That group spent much of the last year working to improve upon the agreement. On top of that, I personally met several times with the U.S. Trade Representative to ensure that there were changes to improve labor and environmental standards, prescription drug provisions, and overall enforcement. Last week, the USMCA Working Group announced that it had secured significant improvements, and a deal was signed quickly thereafter by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The chance to modernize our trade relationship with our North American partners is a major opportunity to bolster our economy, support workers, and grow jobs in our region. The new negotiated deal is significantly stronger than NAFTA and makes major progress in a number of key areas. The new USMCA strengthens rules on labor enforcements and commitments including the implementation of a rapid-response labor protection to protect American workers, the creation of stronger rules to protect workers from violence and prosecute labor violations, and the use of new monitoring tools to ensure that Mexico is complying with its labor reforms. As a consequence of these improvements, the revised USMCA was endorsed by the AFL-CIO and other voices on behalf of working Americans. The new USMCA ensures that the deal recognizes the environments' connection to trade, allowing for the implementation of stronger, higher-standard rules that are clear and enforceable, and establishing Environment-Focused Attaches in Mexico City that will regularly monitor Mexico's environmental laws, regulations, and practices. Now, there will be some folks that say that this didn't go far enough, specifically on climate. And I agree. But the deal is undeniably better than the status quo. The new USMCA will also have the strongest enforcement mechanisms of any U.S. trade agreement in history closing enforcement loopholes and streamlining dispute settlement systems to ensure that our trading partners live up to their commitments to labor, environmental, and other fact-intensive disputes. The opportunity to improve our trade relationships with these critical partners leaves Congress with three choices: 1. To accept the status quo and leave an inadequate NAFTA as is. 2. To have President Trump take America out of NAFTA altogether and leave workers across our region and across the country in peril no longer able to trade adequately with our neighbors. Or, 3. To improve and support the new USMCA, which despite some shortcomings makes undeniable progress for our workers and for our environment. After securing significant improvements with our partner nations on labor and environmental standards, prescription drug prices, and overall enforcement, I'm choosing to support the United States Mexico Canada Agreement, and I'm choosing to support the creation of more jobs in our region and to sell more Washington-made products around the globe. The updated agreement and many of the 21st century economy provisions in USMCA represent a paradigm shift in U.S. trade agreements and should serve as a template for bipartisan consensus in future agreements. Richard Trumka, the President of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) which represents 12.5 million working men and women, announced his support for the agreement, calling USMCA an agreement that working people can proudly support. He continued: For the first time, there truly will be enforceable labor standardsincluding a process that allows for the inspections of factories and facilities that are not living up to their obligations. The updated USMCA: Creates certainty in the North American market and between the United States and its two largest trading partners in the wake of destabilizing trade action by the Trump Administration Closes enforcement loopholes and streamlines the dispute settlement system, bolstering the strength of the underlying rules in each chapter Significantly increases labor standards and makes them more enforceable by establishing an enhanced, rapid-response labor enforcement system to ensure partners live up to the agreement Creates a digital trade chapter to allow more American goods and services to reach Mexican and Canadian markets, building a roadmap for future agreements Expands agricultural market access, particularly in dairy markets, and improves sanitary and phytosanitary standards Includes strong environmental standards and protections that are fully enforceable Additional details on the initial USMCA can be found on theUSTR website section on USMCAand the changes Democrats secured in the USMCA can be found in theHouse Ways & Means Committee summaryand theprotocol of amendment to the USMCA. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1555,Larsen Introduces Bill to Eliminate Barriers to Education for Sign Language Students,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Rick Larsen,L000560,larsen.house.gov,larsen,https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) introduced the Signing is Language Act, legislation to ensure dual-language learners who use sign language to communicate at home have access to the resources needed to succeed in the classroom. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which was signed into law by President Obama in 2015, substantially improved access to educational resources for dual-language learners. However, native sign language users do not qualify as English Language Learners (ELL) under the law. The Signing is Language Act expands the definition of “English learner” to include an individual whose native language is sign language. This change ensures these students are counted as English learners for determining the appropriate level of federal funding for state English language programs. Despite speaking little to no English at home, dual-language learners raised in homes that primarily use sign language to communicate do not have access to the same resources in public schools as other English language learners. The lack of support like one-on-one language instruction and speech therapy for these students can impede English proficiency, with future academic and professional consequences. “All children deserve a high-quality public education, regardless of the language used at home,” said Larsen. “After learning about barriers to students’ ability to learn in Washington state, I committed to improving dual-language learning resources for these students to ensure they have the tools necessary to succeed in the future.” ""English Language Learning is an essential program for children who use a different language at home, and is now made available by this bill to deaf and hearing children who use sign language at home,” said Howard A. Rosenblum, CEO, National Association of the Deaf. “This bill delivers long awaited equality in learning to children who use sign language."" Read the full text of the Signing is Language Act here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-introduces-bill-eliminate-barriers-education-sign-language-students,Larsen Introduces Bill to Eliminate Barriers to Education for Sign Language Students,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Rick Larsen,L000560,larsen.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) introduced the Signing is Language Act, legislation to ensure dual-language learners who use sign language to communicate at home have access to the resources needed to succeed in the classroom. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which was signed into law by President Obama in 2015, substantially improved access to educational resources for dual-language learners. However, native sign language users do not qualify as English Language Learners (ELL) under the law. The Signing is Language Act expands the definition of English learner to include an individual whose native language is sign language. This change ensures these students are counted as English learners for determining the appropriate level of federal funding for state English language programs. Despite speaking little to no English at home, dual-language learners raised in homes that primarily use sign language to communicate do not have access to the same resources in public schools as other English language learners. The lack of support like one-on-one language instruction and speech therapy for these students can impede English proficiency, with future academic and professional consequences. All children deserve a high-quality public education, regardless of the language used at home, said Larsen. After learning about barriers to students' ability to learn in Washington state, I committed to improving dual-language learning resources for these students to ensure they have the tools necessary to succeed in the future. ""English Language Learning is an essential program for children who use a different language at home, and is now made available by this bill to deaf and hearing children who use sign language at home, said Howard A. Rosenblum, CEO, National Association of the Deaf. This bill delivers long awaited equality in learning to children who use sign language."" Read the full text of the Signing is Language Act here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-collins-provision-to-help-americans-with-high-health-care-costs-to-be-signed-into-law,"Cantwell, Collins Provision to Help Americans with High Health Care Costs to be Signed into Law",2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.19.19 Cantwell, Collins Provision to Help Americans with High Health Care Costs to be Signed into Law Millions of Americans rely on the medical expense deduction, nearly half of whom have incomes of $50,000 or less Washington, D.C.U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Susan Collins (R-ME) announced today that a provision they pushed for to assist families who are struggling to afford high medical costs was included in the appropriations package that passed the Senate today. The legislation now heads to the President's desk to be signed into law. For those households that spend more than 7.5 percent of their income on medical expenses, Senators Cantwell and Collins' provision, which is based on the Medical Expense Savings Act they introduced earlier this year, would allow them to continue to deduct these costs from their tax bill when they file in 2020 and 2021. Millions of Americans rely on the medical expense deduction. The burden of high medical expenses falls disproportionately on seniors and those with disabilities. The medical expense deduction is vital for those who have pre-existing medical conditions, suffer chronic medical conditions, experience unexpected illnesses or injuries, or face costs for long-term care services that are not covered by insurance. More than 200,000 Washingtonians claim the medical expense deduction to lower their health care costs, Senator Cantwell said. Extending this provision will help families with high medical bills pay for unexpected medical costs and life-saving treatment. Medical debt is a serious challenge facing millions of families in our country, and as we endeavor to reduce health care costs, we should also make every effort to ensure that we lower their tax burden as well,said Senator Collins. My provision temporarily restoring the income threshold to 7.5 percent for all taxpayers became law in 2017, and the bipartisan legislation we passed today will extend this vital deduction to help improve the affordability of health care for nearly 20,000 Mainers and millions of Americans."" The medical expense deduction provides important tax relief that helps offset the cost of acute and chronic medical conditions for older Americans, children, and individuals with disabilities, said Megan O'Reilly, Vice President of Government Affairs at AARP. For many, the medical expense deduction can help them manage their high out-of-pocket health care expenses including money paid for diagnosis, treatment, equipment, prescription medicine, long-term care services, and long-term care insurance premiums. Several years ago, the income threshold for taxpayers to deduct their medical expenses increased from 7.5 percent to 10 percent. In 2017, Senator Collins secured a provision to temporarily restore the income threshold for the medical expense deduction to 7.5 percent, but it expired at the end of 2018. Now that Congress has taken action, taxpayers will be able to deduct medical expenses that exceed 7.5 percent of their income then they file their taxes over the next two years. According to AARP, nearly 70 percent of taxpayers who will take the medical expense deduction in 2019 have an income of $113,000 or less. In Washington, more than 200,000 people rely on this deduction, and in Maine more than 19,400 residents are eligible. Overall, 4.4 million American taxpayers will benefit from the medical expense deduction. A 2016 survey of cancer survivors showed that one-third go into debt and of those more than half incurred more than $10,000 in expenses. Earlier this month, Senators Cantwell, Collins, Martha McSally (R-AZ), and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) sent a letter to Senate leadership urging them to extend the medical expense deduction in any end-of-year funding package. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-strengthens-labor-enforcement-in-usmca,Cantwell Strengthens Labor Enforcement in USMCA,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.19.19 Cantwell Strengthens Labor Enforcement in USMCA Cantwell pushes new tools, education and training to build capacity for - and enforcement of - labor standards in USMCA WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, fought for important new tools to strengthen labor enforcement in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) passed today by the House of Representatives. Those provisions include educating Mexican judges and labor officials about worker rights, digitizing and reviewing collective bargaining agreements, and combatting child labor and forced labor. In the agreement, Cantwell also secured $240 million in funding to help support the implementation of these reforms. Capacity building and labor enforcement go hand-in-hand. Workers need to know our rights in order to achieve them. We thank Senator Cantwell for pushing for funding for these initiatives in the USMCA, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said. Specifically, Cantwell's provisions would provide U.S. technical assistance through the U.S. Department of Labor over four years to support reforms of the Mexican labor justice system, worker-focused capacity building, and efforts to reduce child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking in Mexico. The bill will also provide support over eight years for additional U.S. government capacity to monitor compliance with labor obligations under the USMCA. The inclusion of these provisions comes after Cantwell urged the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to support this critical assistance, introduced legislation to provide technical assistance for trade enforcement programs, and worked with congressional leaders to ensure it was included in the deal. Cantwell also worked with Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) to provide for the creation of a new mechanism and the resources needed to implement it for monitoring, verifying, and enforcing labor rights in Mexico that are required by the USMCA and designed to level the playing field for American workers. The USMCA deal passed today also includes important updates to boost Washington state exports, including agricultural, dairy, and technology products. This agreement gives us duty-free access for our apples, dairy, and technology in Mexico. Given that Mexico is our number one export market for apples, this will mean an even bigger export growth opportunity than the current market, which is about $250-300 million a year. And if we want our trade agreements better enforced, we need two things: tools to better track and measure Mexico's enforcement, and the capacity in Mexico to strengthen training of judges and labor officials and educate workers about their rights so it can be a stronger partner on compliance, Senator Cantwell said. Included in the agreement are provisions that would benefit Washington state exports by: Implementing new digital trade provisions. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which was negotiated and signed during the early days of the internet, does not contain digital trade provisions. The USMCA would add new digital trade provisions to prohibit customs duties on digital products transmitted electronically, such as videos, music, e-books, software, and video games. It also contains provisions on cross-border data flows and restrictions on data localization requirements. Increasing access to the Canadian market for U.S. dairy producers. These provisions are estimated to increase U.S. dairy exports to Canada by 20%, or more than $314 million per year. Removing barriers for wine, spirits, and beer. The three countries agreed to non-discrimination and transparency commitments for the sale and distribution of wine, spirits and beer, and labeling and certification provisions to avoid technical barriers for wine and distilled spirits. The agreement also addresses market access issues for Washington state wines in British Columbia and Quebec. Ending the threat of tariffs. The agreement will end the threat of tariffs on key Washington state exports. Last year, Mexico imposed retaliatory tariffs on a range of agricultural goods, including 20% tariffs on apples and potatoes, in response to U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum. While the tariffs were in place, Washington state apple exports to Mexico fell by more than 29%, while potato exports to Mexico dropped by 21%. Other important provisions, such as the duty-free access to Canada and Mexico for U.S. agricultural exports that was first achieved under NAFTA, are maintained in the USMCA. Mexico and Canada are top export markets for Pacific Northwest apples, pears, and cherries. Passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement is essential to ensuring that growers retain duty-free access and stability in the rules of trade, so that they can continue to be successful in shipping their top-quality fruits to our northern and southern neighbors. We appreciate Senator Cantwell's support for this high priority trade agreement, said Mark Powers, President of the Northwest Horticultural Council. Trade with Canada and Mexico is critical for Washington state, the third-highest exporting state in the country. In 2018, Washington state exported roughly $9.3 billion in goods to Canada and $2.2 billion in goods to Mexico, helping to create more than 330,000 jobs statewide. From 2013-2016, Mexico was the top international market for Washington state apples, buying an average of 12.3 million cartons per year, with Canada second at 6.3 million cartons a year. Cantwell has prioritized trade throughout her time in the Senate. In 2015, she worked to create the Trade Enforcement Trust Fund, which provides resources for enforcement actions and helps agencies in charge of enforcing international trade agreements build capacity with trading partners on environmental, labor, intellectual property, and other issues. Since its creation, the Trade Enforcement Trust Fund has been used to prevent the export of illegally harvested logs from South America, to challenge European subsidies for the development of commercial aircraft at the World Trade Organization, and to stop limitations on wheat exports to China. Earlier this month, Cantwell called on the USTR to support the inclusion of capacity building funding in the USMCA. Cantwell has also been a strong proponent of the Export-Import Bank she helped secure a seven-year reauthorization of the bank in the spending bills passed by Congress this week and a champion of the small businesses supported by its activities. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/export-import-bank-reauthorization-heads-to-president-for-signature-into-law,Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Heads to President for Signature into Law,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.19.19 Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Heads to President for Signature into Law 40% of WA jobs are tied to trade, Ex-Im helps Washington businesses reach foreign markets and generate $31 billion in export revenue WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) applauded Senate passage of a seven-year reauthorization of the United States Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im). The Senate overwhelmingly passed the legislation, 71-23, as part of a package of end-of-year appropriations bills. After previously passing in the House of Representatives, the legislation now goes to the president's desk for signature into law. The reauthorization also includes a fix to quorum rules that have plagued the bank's Board of Directors in recent years. Ex-Im provides the financing support necessary to help thousands of American businesses export their products to overseas markets where more than 95% of the world's consumers live. The Export-Import Bank helps ensure that American companies can compete on a level playing field with global competitors. This is critical in Washingtonthe fourth-largest exporting state in the country by value of merchandise and commoditieswhere approximately 40% of all jobs are tied to trade. In November 2019 alone, Ex-Im financed more than $2.5 million in exports from Washington state businesses. Washington's economy is an export economy, and stopping the partisan politics around the nation's export credit agency and giving certainty to the Export-Import Bank for seven years will help lots of Washington businesses get their products to the growing middle class around the world, Senator Cantwell said. Ex-Im was founded in 1934 and exists in its current form under the Export-Impact Bank Act of 1945, which requires periodic reauthorization from Congress in order to continue operating. The House and Senate-passed appropriations bill will reauthorize Ex-Im for 7 years, giving exporters the certainty they need to close deals in foreign markets. The legislation will also fix the Bank's quorum rules to make sure U.S. exporters do not miss out on opportunities abroad because of congressional inaction. Under current rules, the Bank cannot approve financing for deals over $10 million without a quorum on its Board of Directors. A recent report by the Washington Council on International Trade found that the Export-Import Bank supported 25,200 jobs associated with Washington exports between 2014 and 2018. This was despite the significant drop in Ex-Im lending when the board operated without a quorum for more than 1,400 days between 2014 and 2018, leaving nearly $40 billion worth of export deals stuck in limbo. This situation only ended when Cantwell and her colleagues confirmed three nominees to the Ex-Im Board of Directors earlier this year. Businesses in every part of Washington, in sectors ranging from aerospace to wine to metal fabrication, rely on the Export-Import Bank to close deals and strengthen business. Current export data shows Ex-Im supporting 131 exporters in Washington100 of these small businesseswith a total export value of $31 billion. Ex-Im provides vital support for small businesses, which make up 90% of the companies assisted by the bank. The bank also produces a profit for the U.S. Treasury; through the interest it charges on loans, Ex-Im has earned American taxpayers approximately $5.2 billion over the past 10 years. The Export-Import Bank provides the vital financial backing that enables our Washington State businesses to compete on a level playing field with foreign competitors. Given the importance of exports to our state's businesses, workers and economy, we fully support efforts that help ensure EXIM runs at full capacity, said Lori Otto Punke, President of the Washington Council on International Trade. The Export-Import Bank plays a vital role in the health of our nation's economy, but it's especially important here in Washington state, which is among the most trade-driven states in the country. Hundreds of Washington manufacturers, including many small- and medium-sized employers located in communities throughout the state, rely on the bank to bring their products to foreign markets. On behalf of Washington's employer community, we thank the members of Washington's congressional delegation, including Sen. Cantwell, for their hard work and leadership to give manufacturers and exporters the certainty they need, said Kristofer Johnson, President of the Association of Washington Business. U.S. Exim Bank has provided our winery L'Ecole No 41 with invaluable export credit insurance for now more than eight years. As a small family business we would not be in a position to do any exports without this insurance program, said Martin Clubb, Owner and Managing Winemaker of L'Ecole No 41 in the Walla Walla Valley. All of us at Manhasset are very pleased that Congress has passed the seven year extension of the Ex-Im Bank. As a small manufacturer located in Yakima, WA, we have built our music stand export business very nicely over the last ten years. The insurance program offered by the Ex-Im Bank (for approved customers) has been an excellent tool in helping to increase exports into many of the countries that Manhasset serves. We applaud the Congress for approaching the Ex-Im Bank with support from both parties, to do what is good for American business, said Dan Roberts, President and General Manager at Manhasset Music Stands. Cantwell has been a strong proponent of the Export-Import Bank, and a champion of the small businesses supported by its activities, throughout her time in Congress. Earlier this year, Cantwell cosponsored the Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act of 2019 (S. 2293) to reauthorize the bank for 10 years and fix the quorum issues on the Board of Directors. When Ex-Im lapsed in June 2015, she worked with a bipartisan group of colleagues to reauthorize the bank for four years. And throughout the time Ex-Im was forced to operate without a quorum, she repeatedly urged President Trump and her Senate colleagues to return it to being fully operational. Here is an interactive map of companies throughout Washington state that have used the Ex-Im Bank to send their products around the globe. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=EBB5D0DF-F340-4195-BE62-D138B24E7C5C,"2019: Senator Murray Keeps Delivering for Washington State Families, Workers, Students, Veterans and More",2019-12-18,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,,,legacy,"As 2019 comes to a close, Senator Murray reflects on a year of breaking through the gridlock to get things done for Washington state READ BELOW FOR MORE Kitsap Sun: Murray secures millions for military construction of child-care facilities MORE HERE Tri-City Herald: Hanford union worker pay dispute stalled. Then Sen. Patty Murray stepped in MORE HERE Seattle Times: Feds say they'll grant $790M for Federal Way light-rail extension MORE HERE ICYMI: Senator Murray, Local Leaders Announce Major Housing Funding Across Washington State MORE HERE (Washington, D.C.) U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) has spent the past year working for Washington's families, workers, veterans, educators, students, servicemembers, and everyone in between. As the top Democrat on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, Senator Murray has worked to increase funding to combat the opioid epidemic, bolster child care services, and stepped in to help guarantee Hanford workers receive the back pay that they've earned. As a Senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Murray has consistently won funding for Washington state priorities, whether that be housing for those that need it most, vital transportation and infrastructure projects, or critical protections for Washington's wild spaces, and as a longtime member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and the daughter of a WWII veteran, Senator Murray has fought to ensure veterans facing homelessness in Washington state and across the country get the helping hand they need. Most importantly, as Washington state's senior Senator, throughout the year Senator Murray has fought consistently for every Washingtonian to ensure the federal government is doing its part to make sure they have the necessary tools, resources, and support they need to succeed and thrive. My top priority is doing everything I can to deliver for our state and help make sure our families, workers, students, seniors, veterans, and Washingtonians from all walks of life have the opportunity and resources to succeed, said Senator Murray. I'm glad to have helped take some important steps forward this year and I know there is much more we need to do across the boardfrom lowering health costs, to ensuring everyone has a safe and secure home, to tackling the climate crisisand I will keep working every day to push for progress on these issues and more for all our families and communities. In that fight, Senator Murray has secured some major victories for the people of Washington state and beyond. See below for key examples of what Senator Murray got done for Washington state and people across the country in 2019. HOUSING: Secured more housing for those that need it most by directing new resources to Washington state As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Murray fought to include a much-needed infusion of housing funds to ensure adult Washingtonians with disabilities and their families have the resources necessary to secure safe, stable housing through the Mainstream Housing Vouchers program. This year, 12 Washington communities, from King to Okanogan County, received more than $8.6 million in federal funds via new, additional Mainstream Housing Vouchers. and by successfully fighting to preserve and strengthen existing housing efforts. This year, Senator Murray helped secure tens of millions of dollars in federal grants to help fund secure, affordable housing for people and families in need across Washington state through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and HOME program. Senator Murray has been instrumental in continuing the CDBG and HOME programs, fighting not only to save the HOME program from near elimination, but successfully working to increase its funding in spite of attacks from the Trump Administration in spending bills over the past three years. ICYMI: VETERANS: Senator Murray says As a nation we have a responsibility to take care of our veterans With more and more veterans experiencing homelessness in Washington state, Senator Murray understands that part of the promise we make to those who serve is to ensure that no Washingtonian who has sacrificed for our country ends up on the street. That's why Senator Murray resurrected the HUD-VASH program to help veterans who are experiencing homelessness secure permanent housing in 2008, and why she helped secure more than $2.3 million in HUD-VASH funding for Washington state communities this year. and when it comes to fulfilling that responsibility, Senator Murray won't take no for an answer. After years of pressure and urging from Senator Murray, this summer the Trump Administration finally implemented automatic student debt relief to veterans with disabilities. Under the Higher Education Act, veterans who have been totally and permanently disabled from their service or have an individual unemployability rating are eligible to have their student loans cancelled, but until Senator Murray stepped in, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos had refused to do so automatically. CHILD CARE: Senator Murray knows quality, affordable child care is an economic issue for everyoneincluding our military families. She won new funding for military child care construction As a mother, grandmother and former educator, Senator Murray has long worked to improve access to high-quality child care for families serving our country, and civilians alike. That's why she successfully fought to include in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) a new, dedicated line of funding for military child care center construction that will pave the way for more than $120 million in critical federal investments to increase vital access to child care across all the services and ensure families are getting the support they need to succeed. ICYMI: Senator Murray got a historic increase in investments in child care for parents in schoolincluding six colleges in Washington state. Thanks to Senator Murray securing a historic 233% increase in funding for the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) program in FY18, six Washington state colleges received more than $1.4 million over four years through the program in order to provide child care assistance to student parents. The funding was awarded to Bates Technical College, The Evergreen State College, Green River College, Peninsula College, Pierce College District, and Tacoma Community College. EDUCATION: As a result of her Every Student Succeeds Act, Washington state will be able to expand its focus on early learning and development Through Senator Murray's Every Student Succeeds Act, the Washington state Department of Children, Youth, and Families was awarded a $5.2 million grant to expand programs like home visiting and preschool, conduct a comprehensive statewide birth through five needs assessment, and improve the integration of early learning and child welfare services across the state. and hundreds of thousands of Washington state students and families will have an easier time filling out the FAFSA thanks to legislation she got signed into law. As the top Democrat on the Senate education committee, Senator Murray led the passage of the bipartisan FUTURE Act, to permanently fund Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and minority-serving institutions (MSIs), including Northwest Indian College in Washington state, which will receive $1.1 million annually under the bill. The legislation also included the includes the FAFSA Act, a bill that will simplify and streamline the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for 20 million American families. Nearly 150,000 Washingtonian enrolled in income-driven repayment and more than 370,000 Washingtonians who fill out a FAFSA each year, will benefit from changes to simplify financial aid paperwork under the FUTURE Act. WORKERS: Senator Murray let Washington state workers know, she has their backs. After the Trump administration threatened to restructure the Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers (CCC) program, which would have impacted three Washington state CCC sites, Senator Murray fought back, and successfully kept all three Washington state CCC sites operating. Job Corps CCCs provide job training and economic opportunities to thousands of at-risk youth in rural areas, including students at centers in Washington state. ICYMI: Tri-City Herald: Hanford union worker pay dispute stalled. Then Sen. Patty Murray stepped in To quote the Tri-City Herald: Union workers at the Hanford nuclear reservation are entitled to back pay estimated at more than $140,000 for sick leave after Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., took up their complaint. Our government has a moral and legal obligation to clean up Hanford, and that responsibility extends to making sure every worker at the site is being treated with respect and compensated fairly for their work,' Murray said. INFRASTRUCTURE: Senator Murray finally got a commitment from the federal government to fund the Federal Way link extension project After long advocating for strong federal investments in the Federal Way light rail extension, Senator Murray helped push the Department of Transportation to finalize a $1.4 billion commitment from the federal government to help fund the Federal Way link extension project, including a $790 million grant awarded through the Department of Transportation's Capital Investment Grant (CIG) program, and a $629.47 million direct loan also approved through the Department's Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program. This is an early gift for the South Sound community that will help decrease commute times and reduce traffic congestion for families, students, workers and travelers throughout the region, Senator Murray said. ICYMI: and critical infrastructure priorities across the state. In addition to the Federal Way extension, Senator Murray also spearheaded efforts to secure federal funding for transportation and infrastructure projects across the state, including: more than $53 million for Spokane Central City Line Bus Rapid Transit following a letter of support for the project from Senator Murray, $15.5 million for improvements to the Port of Everett's waterfront from the BUILD grant program, which Senator Murray helped create in 2009, and $6.6 million in funding for the Regional Beltway Connector project in Union Gap following a letter of support from Senator Murray. ICYMI: CONSERVATION: Senator Murray is proud of protecting Washington state's natural splendor. She was able to preserve 340,000 acres of federal land in Methow Valley Senator Murray has long been a leader on protecting Washington state's natural spaces and resources for future generations, and 2019 saw the culmination of some of her key efforts as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee to secure funding for conservation efforts in Washington state and across the country. With the passage of the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act in March, which Senator Murray worked to help pass, her longtime work to reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which protects natural lands across the country, was finally realized. The major public lands package also preserved 340,000 acres of federal land in the Methow Valley, another longtime priority of Senator Murray's. and got 1.5 million acres of land designated as the Pacific Northwest's first National Heritage Area In April, Senator Murray's Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Act was signed into law, designating 1.5 million acres of land stretching along the Interstate 90 corridor from Seattle to Ellensburg as the Pacific Northwest's first National Heritage Area. National Heritage Areas are Congressional-designated partnerships between the National Park Service, states, and local communities through which the Park Service supports local and state efforts to preserve natural resources and promote tourism. TRIBAL COMMUNITIES: Senator Murray secured more than $17.3 million in housing assistance for Washington state tribes, as well as critical upgrades to facilities at tribal historical fishing access sites. As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Murray helped secure more than $17.3 million in housing assistance for tribes and tribally designated housing entities (TDHEs) to develop, maintain, and operate affordable housing, and more than $1 million to help replace the diesel engines on tribal fishing vessels with lower emitting alternatives. To further aid tribal fishing efforts, Senator Murray also helped advance legislation to install safe, sanitary housing and infrastructure at tribal historical fishing access sites, which has passed the House and Senate and is awaiting the president's signature before becoming law. OPIOIDS: Senator Murray knows how hard the opioid crisis is hitting Washington stateand secured more than $25 million for prevention, telemedicine, and recovery services for hard-hit communities. With more and more Washingtonians falling prey to substance misuse, Senator Murray has worked to provide critical funding to combat the opioid epidemic across the state. In her role as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Murray has consistently fought for increased funding for programs to address the opioid crisis, and this year secured more than $600,000 to support rural Washington state communities and $25 million for Washington state to invest in telemedicine, recovery and prevention services, support for tribal communities hit especially hard by the opioid epidemic, and data collection efforts. COMMUNITY HEALTH: Senator Murray delivered new resources for community health centers statewide, including new resources specifically for oral health care. As the top Democrat on the Senate health committee, Senator Murray understands the important role that community health centers (CHCs) play in providing affordable care for Washingtonians in their own communities. That's why Senator Murray has fought to increase funding for CHCs in Washington state and throughout the country, helping to secure quality improvement grants that awarded more than $3 million total to 26 CHCs across the state, and another $1 million to expand increased access to oral health services. ARCTIC: Senator Murray knows arctic security starts in Seattle. As a longtime champion of strengthening America's icebreaker fleet, Senator Murray was instrumental in ensuring that when our nation's new heavy icebreakers enter service, they will be based out of Seattle. According to an editorial in the Seattle Times, guaranteeing Seattle as our nation's heavy icebreaker hub, involves hundreds of jobs and boosts the region's maritime ecosystem. It also increases Seattle's role as a hub for Arctic services and support, a field that will grow as warming temperatures open the region to more research and commercial activity. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://dennyheck.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-denny-heck-sends-letter-to-amtrak-ceo-opposing-new-arbitration-rules,Rep. Denny Heck Sends Letter to Amtrak CEO Opposing New Arbitration Rules on Second Anniversary of DuPont Derailment,2019-12-18,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Denny Heck,H001064,dennyheck.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, on the second anniversary of the Amtrak Cascades 501 derailment in DuPont, Washington, Congressman Denny Heck (WA-10) sent a letter to Amtrak President and CEO Richard Anderson opposing changes that would prevent future accident victims from suing Amtrak in court. Rep. Heck is joined on the letter by Rep. Stephen Lynch (MA-08) and Rep. Danny Davis (IL-07). Amtrak is a company financed with taxpayer dollars, so their decision to quietly add a mandatory arbitration requirement is, quite simply, a betrayal of the public trust, said Heck. Today is the second anniversary of the Amtrak Cascades 501 derailment in DuPont, where three people lost their lives and fifty-seven were injuredsome critically. If this provision had been included in Amtrak's contract of carriage back then, the victims of that accident whom juries have so far awarded more than $21 million would have been deprived of their day in court. If Amtrak wants to minimize expenses they incur because of passengers' injuries, then the best way to do that is to make train travel safer, not to block victims' access to justice. To that end, I will soon be introducing legislation to improve and enhance rail safety in Washington state and around the country. On the morning of December 18, 2017, Amtrak Cascades passenger train 501 derailed off an overpass near DuPont, Washington. Several passenger railcars fell onto Interstate 5 and hit multiple highway vehicles. At the time of the accident, 77 passengers, 5 Amtrak employees, and a Talgo, Inc., technician were on the train. Of those on board, 3 passengers were killed, and 57 passengers and crewmembers were injured. In September, a jury awarded nearly $17 million to three plaintiffs involved with the DuPont crash one passenger who sustained injuries, one motorist who was injured when the train derailed onto the highway, and the pregnant wife of the injured motorist. In a separate case in November, another passenger was awarded $4.5 million for injuries sustained during the derailment. The Talgo technician on the train during the derailment has settled with Amtrak for an unspecified amount. Thirty-five people have sued Amtrak over the incident. On January 1, 2019, Amtrak changed its contract of carriage for ticket holders to include an arbitration clause. This clause waives the passenger's right to sue or join others in a class action against Amtrak, and instead mandates arbitration as the passenger's only recourse. Neither Congress nor other stakeholders were consulted before this change occurred. Full text of the letter can be accessed HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://dennyheck.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/statement-rep-denny-heck-on-articles-of-impeachment,STATEMENT: Rep. Denny Heck on Articles of Impeachment,2019-12-18,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Denny Heck,H001064,dennyheck.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Congressman Denny Heck (WA-10) released the following statement on his decision to support both articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. This week Americans are busy finishing up their Christmas shopping primarily for their children and if they're lucky enough to have them, for their grandchildren. The high school and college students are taking finals and sweating out the results. This got me to thinking about those who follow. What is our obligation to them? And what about those who came before? What did they see as their obligation to us? People like my grandfather who we think was born on the boat on the way over from Germany. Or my father who fought in WWII against the very people his grandfather had left. We are all here today because someone before us sacrificed so that they could journey here and build a new life in this unique land. And we are here today because those immigrants and their children were dedicated not just to the land of America but the idea freedom and opportunity secured by self-government: choosing our own leaders in free and fair elections. The Rule of Law, with everyone equal under it, anchored in the Constitution. And this idea of America is in peril, put there by a president who would seek to cheat in an election by illegally soliciting foreign assistance. A president who puts himself above the law. A president who attacks the bedrock constitutional precept of checks and balances by obstructing our legitimate inquiry. Can the idea of America handed down to us survive this behavior? What idea of America will we pass on to our kids? Finally, what is our obligation to those who follow? It is simply this: to do our duty and defend our Constitution and the values underpinning it by voting yes' for the Articles of Impeachment.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://adamsmith.house.gov/news/press-releases/congressman-smith-statement-articles-impeachment,Congressman Smith Statement on Articles of Impeachment,2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Adam Smith,S000510,adamsmith.house.gov,adamsmith,https://adamsmith.house.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA) released the following statement today on the two articles of impeachment against President Trump: ""After careful consideration of the evidence and witness testimony, I plan to vote in support of both articles of impeachment against President Trump. Accountability is a central tenet of our democracy, and in this solemn moment, it is crucial that Congress sends a strong and clear message that President Trump—and all presidents who follow him—will be held accountable and will not be given a free pass to abuse the presidency for personal gain. ""We must uphold the ideals of our republic against this test of our democratic resilience. We cannot ignore the evidence before us, and we cannot allow our vision to be clouded by partisanship. We must uphold our country's values. ""As always, I will vote with the interests of the constituents of Washington's Ninth District at the top of my mind. They deserve better than a president who actively undermines our electoral process and repeatedly jeopardizes our national security. They deserve a president who respects, rather than corrupts, his or her office. This president has defied our system of checks and balances by ignoring congressional subpoenas and obstructing Congress. By pressuring a foreign government to investigate a political opponent, he has blatantly abused the power of the presidency. His actions fly in the face of the democracy that our founding fathers boldly established and that our uniformed men and women work dutifully to secure every day. ""Since the launch of the impeachment inquiry, I have read messages from my constituents, heard their questions at town halls, and met with them in our community. On countless occasions, I have heard deep concerns about the damage this president has done to our country; I have also heard from constituents who oppose impeachment. I want all my constituents to know that my decision to vote for articles of impeachment was not a political one, and I will continue my work on issues that are important to our congressional district—from reigning in the costs of health care and medications to addressing the affordable housing shortage to enhancing and expanding infrastructure. Representing and advocating for those in Washington's Ninth Congressional District is not a responsibility I take lightly. In order to fulfill this duty, I will continue working to secure fairness, integrity, and accountability in our government."" ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://adamsmith.house.gov/press-releases?ID=286DD256-22B6-4202-AD85-BC11B9BD0C32,Congressman Smith Statement on Articles of Impeachment,2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Adam Smith,S000510,adamsmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA) released the following statement today on the two articles of impeachment against President Trump: After careful consideration of the evidence and witness testimony, I plan to vote in support of both articles of impeachment against President Trump. Accountability is a central tenet of our democracy, and in this solemn moment, it is crucial that Congress sends a strong and clear message that President Trumpand all presidents who follow himwill be held accountable and will not be given a free pass to abuse the presidency for personal gain. We must uphold the ideals of our republic against this test of our democratic resilience. We cannot ignore the evidence before us, and we cannot allow our vision to be clouded by partisanship. We must uphold our country's values. As always, I will vote with the interests of the constituents of Washington's Ninth District at the top of my mind. They deserve better than a president who actively undermines our electoral process and repeatedly jeopardizes our national security. They deserve a president who respects, rather than corrupts, his or her office. This president has defied our system of checks and balances by ignoring congressional subpoenas and obstructing Congress. By pressuring a foreign government to investigate a political opponent, he has blatantly abused the power of the presidency. His actions fly in the face of the democracy that our founding fathers boldly established and that our uniformed men and women work dutifully to secure every day. Since the launch of the impeachment inquiry, I have read messages from my constituents, heard their questions at town halls, and met with them in our community. On countless occasions, I have heard deep concerns about the damage this president has done to our country; I have also heard from constituents who oppose impeachment. I want all my constituents to know that my decision to vote for articles of impeachment was not a political one, and I will continue my work on issues that are important to our congressional districtfrom reigning in the costs of health care and medications to addressing the affordable housing shortage to enhancing and expanding infrastructure. Representing and advocating for those in Washington's Ninth Congressional District is not a responsibility I take lightly. In order to fulfill this duty, I will continue working to secure fairness, integrity, and accountability in our government. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2495,DelBene Statement on Impeachment of President Trump,2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Suzan DelBene,D000617,delbene.house.gov,,,legacy,"DelBene Statement on Impeachment of President Trump f t # e Washington, D.C., December 17, 2019 Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) released the following statement: Tomorrow, I will vote in favor of impeaching the President of the United States. After carefully reviewing the evidence and the articles of impeachment, it is clear that President Trump abused the power of the presidency and obstructed Congress. I did not come to this conclusion lightly. Impeachment is a serious matter, but no president can be allowed to pressure a foreign country to interfere in our elections. His behavior has jeopardized the integrity of our elections, put our national security at risk and placed his personal interests above those of the American people and our allies. His obstruction has prevented the House from conducting its constitutional duties of oversight of the executive branch. By failing to uphold his oath of office, President Trump is forcing Members of the House of Representatives to uphold ours. f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2496,"DelBene, Bucshon Applaud HHS Decision to Lower Living Organ Donor Barrier",2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Suzan DelBene,D000617,delbene.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, Kidney Caucus co-chairs Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA) and Rep. Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-IN) released the following statement regarding the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) efforts to increase organ transplants which would be a significant improvement for those waiting for a kidney. As co-chairs of the Congressional Kidney Caucus we welcome HHS's announcement to lower the barrier to entry to be a living organ donor and hold Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs) to a higher standard by establishing valid performance standards and ensuring all viable organs are delivered to patients who desperately need them. Today there are 95,000 patients waiting for a kidney transplant but only 21,000 kidney transplants were performed in 2018 these patients are depending on all of us to get this done the right way. We look forward to working with stakeholders, the kidney community, and the Administration to bring better results to patients.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2497,DelBene Scores Legislative Wins in House Appropriations Agreement,2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Suzan DelBene,D000617,delbene.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) is pleased to highlight some of the legislative victories she secured in Congress' Fiscal Year 2020 spending agreement, including first-time federal funding forKidneyX, a full repeal of the Medical Device Tax, and inclusion of DelBene'sSave Community Newspaper Act, among other important victories for Washington state residents. KidneyXreceived $5 million in funding in this year's agreement.KidneyXis a new public-private partnership aimed at accelerating the development and adoption of novel therapies and technologies to improve the diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases. As co-chair of the Congressional Kidney Caucus, DelBenehas helpedlead the bipartisan effort to fundKidneyXto support improving the prognoses for kidney patients. Today's compromise also includes thefull repeal of the Medical Device Tax. The tax deters investment in medical research and development. DelBene has been a leader in the House Democratic Caucus in advocating for the repeal of this tax. There are over 300 medical device or equipment companies in Washington state. The Cadillac tax was also repealed, which will make it easier for employers to offer robust quality health care plans for their employees. DelBene'sSave Community Newspaper Act(H.R. 1916) providespension relief to local newspapers across the country. This legislation changes certain pension rules for community newspapers and helpsprevent their pension plans from failing, helping several newspapers in Washington state. H.R. 1916 originally passed the House in May. No large spending bill is ever perfect, but the inclusion of these priorities demonstrates that honest bipartisan policy efforts still have a place in our nation's capital,said DelBene. I appreciate the support of my colleagues for causesthat my constituents care about deeply.I look forward tocontinuing my work for our district in the new year. Other allocations in the spending agreement that were supported or led by DelBene include: $40 million for HUD/VA Supportive Housing for Homeless Veterans, equal to the 2019 enacted level. The President's budget request proposed eliminating this program. $41.7 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an increase of $2.6 billion above the 2019 enacted level and $7.5 billion above the President's budget request $1.5 billion in State Opioid Response Grants, continuing the historic investment in FY18 $222 million in suicide prevention outreach activities at the Veterans Administration $25 million to the CDC and NIH for gun violence research and firearm injury and mortality prevention for the first time in more than 20 years $22.63 billion for National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), an increase of $1.13 billion above the FY 2019 enacted level $35.5 million is provided to address the recommendations outlined in the Pacific Salmon Commission's plan to implement the Pacific Salmon Treaty $22 million is provided for Mitchell Act hatchery activities, which enable federal agencies to work with Oregon, Washington, and Idaho to establish and operate a series of hatcheries and fish passage facilities to improve declining salmon runs in the Columbia River System $70 million for Indian Community Development Block Grants, $5 million above the 2019 enacted level. The President's budget request proposed eliminating this program. $3.4 billion for Community Development Block Grants, $100 million above the 2019 enacted level. The President's budget request proposed eliminating this program. $10.6 billion for Head Start, an increase of $550 million $1.2 billion for 21st Century Community Learning Centers, an increase of $28 million above the 2019 enacted level. The President's budget proposed to eliminate this program. Census Bureau the bill provides $7.56 billion in new discretionary funding, an increase of more than $3.7 billion above FY 2019 and $1.4 billion above the President's budget request, to enable the Bureau to effectively prepare for and conduct a thorough and accurate 2020 Decennial Census $6 billion in discretionary funding for WIC, which fully funds participation this year. The bill increases the breastfeeding peer counselor program to $90 million. $3.2 billion $171 million above the fiscal year 2019 level for agriculture research programs, including the Agricultural Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://dennyheck.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-heck-applauds-funding-authorization-of-defense-communities,Congressman Heck Applauds Funding & Authorization of Defense Communities Infrastructure Program,2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Denny Heck,H001064,dennyheck.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Congress took the final steps to create the Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP), an effort begun by Congressman Denny Heck (WA-10) in 2014. The program will provide grants to state and local governments to improve and expand infrastructure in communities to accommodate growing defense installations. Those of us who have the great honor to represent major defense installations know that the base is only as strong as the communities that surround it, said Heck. The communities are home to most uniformed personnel and all of the civilian workforce. The communities pay for the roads that lead up to the gates and the levees that protect the installation from floods. We have fought hard in Congress to ensure that our defense communities receive the funding they deserve. In my nearly six years of work on this issue, I am proud to have been joined in this fight by not only dozens of my Congressional colleagues but also local elected officials representing over 120 communities in 30 different states, including Washington. The South Sound has long been an excellent home to the armed forces, and the Pentagon has recognized that fact by steadily transferring commands to Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Adding those units enhances our communities, but the growth comes at a cost to local governments in Pierce County that must rapidly expand roads, wastewater and other infrastructure to accommodate new families. The federal government should be a better partner in sharing those costs, which is why I introduced the COMMUTE Act in 2014. Since then, I've never stopped working to bring this idea to reality, and today feels like a significant win for the South Sound and military communities across the country. DCIP was first included in the final defense authorization bill for 2019. However, without dedicated funding, the Pentagon has not yet implemented the grant program. This year, advocates of DCIP secured an authorization for $75 million in the 2020 defense authorization bill. On December 5, Congressman Heck sent a letter, signed by 18 of his colleagues, to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, calling for $75 million in DCIP funding. The dedicated $50 million appropriation approved today will ensure the program will have at least that much in 2020. Administered by the Office of Economic Adjustment, DCIP provides federal grants to help state and local governments address infrastructure deficiencies that directly impact mission readiness and resilience in communities near military installations. These grants are awarded under the guidance of the Secretary of Defense and require at least a 20% match from a state or local government. Congressman Heck represents Joint Base Lewis-McChord and is a member of the House Intelligence Committee. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://dennyheck.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-heck-commends-the-passage-of-2020-appropriations-bills,Congressman Heck Commends the Passage of 2020 Appropriations Bills,2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Denny Heck,H001064,dennyheck.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Representative Denny Heck (WA-10) voted in support of the two legislative packages that together make up the twelve funding bills for fiscal year 2020. Congressman Heck secured a number of vital provisions in both pieces of legislation that will create and protect U.S. manufacturing jobs, support infrastructure surrounding our nation's defense communities, fund housing on tribal lands, and invest in veterans programs and Puget Sound restoration. These spending bills are a thoughtful, bipartisan compromise that put the priorities of the American people first, and I was pleased to vote in support of both pieces of legislation today, said Heck. In addition to properly funding our military, supporting our veterans, and continuing restoration of Puget Sound, I am proud to report that the funding bills included a seven-year reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank, a major priority I fought hard to include in the final text. These bills also include, for the first time, funding to support infrastructure needs in communities that serve growing military bases. These are hard-fought wins I am honored to have played a part in securing. The domestic priorities and international assistance appropriations minibus, H.R. 1865, includes the conference agreements for the Labor-Health and Human Services-Education, Agriculture, Energy and Water Development, Interior-Environment, Legislative Branch, Military Construction-Veterans Affairs, State-Foreign Operations, and Transportation-Housing and Urban Development appropriations bills. Among its provisions, H.R. 1865 increases funding for vital housing and homelessness programs including those on tribal lands, supports surface transportation grants, allows crucial funding for gun violence research, supports programs critical to Washington state including the Puget Sound Geographic Program, Port Security Grant Program, and Pacific Salmon Commission, and provides record funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This legislation also reauthorizes the Export-Import Bank for seven years, a priority of Congressman Heck's. As the official national export credit agency, the Export-Import Bank sole purpose helps finance exports made in U.S. Because it fills gaps in private trade financing, the Bank primarily serves small businesses and makers of long-lived capital goods. The Export-Import Bank is fundamentally important to entrepreneurship and the U.S. manufacturing economy. H.R. 1865 passed the House by a 297 to 120 vote. The national security appropriations minibus, H.R. 1158, includes the conference agreements for the Defense, Commerce-Justice-Science, Financial Services and General Government, and Homeland Security appropriations. H.R. 1158 supports programs our veterans rely on, fully funds the military and better supports our service members, invests in research and strategies to fight climate change, increases funding for the Violence Against Women Program (VAWA), helps states better secure their elections, and fully funds the Census. It also fully funds the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), which oversees foreign investment in the U.S. and in order to protect national security. H.R. 1158 also includes several provisions led by Congressman Heck, including $50 million for the Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP) to fund infrastructure needs in communities that serve growing military bases. Rep. Heck originally proposed DCIP in 2014 in the COMMUTE Act (H.R. 5290, 113th Congress), and it was first authorized in the FY 2019 National Defense Authorization Act. H.R. 1158 also fully funds the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe which is a program designed to provide opportunities to adolescents who have left school before earning a high school diploma but demonstrate a desire to improve themselves and lead successful and productive lives. In addition, the bill fully funds the Procurement Technical Assistance Program which provides individualized, intensive assistance to small businesses seeking to enter the defense market. The bill also provides a 3.1 percent pay raise for military and federal civilian employees. H.R. 1158 passed the House by a 280 to 138 vote. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://dennyheck.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/heck-hails-record-breaking-reauthorization-for-export-import-bank,Heck hails record-breaking reauthorization for Export-Import Bank,2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Denny Heck,H001064,dennyheck.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. As Congress passed an end-of-year spending package, Congressman Denny Heck drew attention to a significant win for American workers contained deep within the appropriations bill. The long-embattled Export-Import Bank of the United States, which provides financing for American-made goods sold overseas, received an extraordinary vote of confidence: a record-long extension and new protections against efforts to hamstring it by blocking nominees to its board of directors. This reauthorization will give the Bank the time and certainty it needs to rebuild its operations after the significant damage done by ideological attacks on it for the last decade, said Heck. After the last reauthorization, we learned some hard lessons, and my top priorities for the bill this year were a long term and a quorum fix. Getting both means American exporters can expand production for overseas customers, confident that Ex-Im will be there to support their sales. Heck served as the lead Democrat on the 2015 reauthorization bill in the face of intense, but narrow, opposition. While debate dragged out, the Bank's authorization expired for five months, blocking all new business. After the bill passed and the Bank reopened, Senate opponents blocked all nominations to the Board of Directors, and, lacking a quorum, the Board was unable to meet from July 2015 to May 2019. Without a quorum, Ex-Im was unable to consider applications for any sale over $10 million. The Export-Import Bank is the nation's official export credit agency. It provides financing for exports of products made in America that cannot be financed by the private market typically either goods sold by small businesses or long-lived capital equipment. During the 2014 closure no exports could be financed. In the following quorum lapse from 2015 to 2019, no large capital equipment could be financed. The bill that becomes law this week will guarantee that Ex-Im will be open to all applications through 2026. The effort to save Ex-Im was one of the things I'm most proud of, continued Heck. I support the Export-Import Bank because we want to see more U.S. exports. The international market for goods and services is three times as big as our domestic economy, and the gap is widening. The American economy has not historically been export-oriented, so targeting foreign markets and increasing exports holds untapped promise to raising living standards in every district in the country. If we want to keep our middle class, we better learn how to sell into the rest of the world's growing middle class. Today's vote shows that's something we can agree on. Chartered by Congress in 1945, the Export-Import Bank has twice been reauthorized for six years (in 1947 and 1986). This seven-year reauthorization is the longest in its history. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kilmer.house.gov/news/press-releases/kilmer-secures-critical-investments-in-regional-priorities-votes-to-keep-government-open,"Kilmer Secures Critical Investments in Regional Priorities, Votes to Keep Government Open",2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Derek Kilmer,K000381,kilmer.house.gov,,,legacy,"12.17.19 Kilmer Secures Critical Investments in Regional Priorities, Votes to Keep Government Open Washington, DC Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) voted to support two legislative packages that together comprise all 12 fiscal year 2020 funding bills. The packages, products of bipartisan, bicameral negotiations, now head to the Senate. Today, I voted to keep the government open and to fund critical priorities for our region that will create jobs and help our environment, said Rep. Kilmer. As a Member of the Appropriations Committee, I am pleased that it includes vital investments in Puget Sound recovery and restoring our salmon, a much-deserved pay raise for our military and for civilian federal workers, support for Indian Country and veterans, investments in jobs at Naval Base Kitsap, and funding for broadband and rural economic development. Kilmer added, This is not the agreement I would have written on my own. There are provisions of this legislation that I detest. But I don't get to vote yes, but I have concerns' or no, but I liked these parts'. While there is a Democratic majority in the House of Representatives, to avert a government shutdown we needed to reach an agreement with a Republican Senate and a Republican President whose values are different than those of a majority of folks in our region. We saw the lasting damage caused when that process failed and our country suffered a government shutdown. Our region doesn't want further chaos and shutdowns. Today's vote responsibly funds our government, prevents another damaging government shutdown, and invests in our region. The bill includes a number of priorities championed by Rep. Kilmer, including: Promoting Salmon and Orca Recovery In the FY 2020 appropriations agreement, Rep. Kilmer secured $35,500,000 in funding to address the recommendations outlined in the Pacific Salmon Commission's plan to implement the Pacific Salmon Treaty. Signed by Canada and the United States in 1985, the Treaty provides a framework for the two countries to cooperatively manage Pacific salmon stocks focused on protecting and expanding spawning habitat, increasing hatchery production, and implementing conservation measures to prevent overfishing and maximize production. Rep. Kilmer also secured $22,000,000 in funding for Mitchell Act hatchery activities, which enable federal agencies to work with Oregon, Washington, and Idaho to establish and operate a series of hatcheries and fish passage facilities to improve declining salmon runs in the Columbia River System, in order to ensure conversation of these critical natural resources, maintain economically viable tribal, commercial, and sports fisheries, and provide prey for Southern Resident killer whales. In addition, the legislation includes $65 million for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund to support efforts to protect and restore salmon habitat and maintain long-term monitoring to track the success of restoration efforts. This program is the primary source of funding dedicated to recovering wild salmon and steelhead populations listed as threatened and endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act. Protecting and restoring the salmon resource for the Pacific Northwest and Alaska is critical for the welfare of thousands of Tribal and Non-Tribal families who depend on it for their livelihood, said W. Ron Allen, Tribal Chair/CEO, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe. We deeply appreciate the support of Representative Kilmer to secure funding to implement the newly negotiated US-Canada Pacific Salmon Treaty, and for his continued commitment to protect and restore our salmon and the coastal ecosystems and economies that depend on them. Investing in Local Navy Installations Recognizing the important role that the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard plays in our national defense and local economy, Rep. Kilmer fought to increase funding available for facilities improvements and upgrades at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and ultimately secured $20 million in additional funding for enhancements at the Navy's public shipyards. Rep. Kilmer also championed a $50 million increase for the Office of Economic Adjustment's Defense Communities Infrastructure Program (DCIP), which helps communities near defense installations - like those around Naval Base Kitsap and JBLM - plan for and implement future infrastructure projects that improve the quality of life for people, including civilians and members of the armed services and their families, living in the surrounding areas. In addition, the spending bill included a 3.1 percent pay increase for members of the armed forces and for civilian defense workers. In a continued effort to invest in facilities and infrastructure at critical defense facilities across the region, the legislation includes $25 million for an Undersea Vehicle Maintenance Facility at Keyport, $51 million for Dry Dock 4 and Pier 3 modernization work at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, and $48 million for the Seawolf Service Pier at Bangor. I want to express appreciation to Congressman Kilmer for fighting to increase funding for improvements at PSNS and for future infrastructure investment near the base in Bremerton, said Bremerton Mayor Greg Wheeler. This financial support will continue to ensure PSNS maintains a strong military presence here and will help meet the needs of individuals and families living in our community. Restoring Puget Sound The FY 2020 Interior Appropriations Bill includes a $5 million increase in the Puget Sound Geographic Program, which provides grants to state, local, and tribal governments to implement projects that protect jobs and local economies by improving water quality, enhancing fish passage, increasing salmon habitat, and protecting shorelines. The total funding level of $33 million included in the FY 2020 bill is an increase of more than 18% above the current funding level. Additionally, each of the 28 National Estuary Programs (NEPs) received a $100,000 increase over the FY 2019 enacted level, as well as a $3 million increase for competitive grants. The Puget Sound National Estuary Program is an Environmental Protection Agency place-based program to protect and restore the water quality and ecological integrity of estuaries of national significance, including Puget Sound - the nation's second largest estuary. Rep. Kilmer also helped to sustain funding for the National Marine Fisheries Service to continue research and monitoring efforts that are critical to recover Southern Resident Killer Whales. We know what we need to do to recover Puget Sound, said Laura Blackmore, Executive Director, Puget Sound Partnership. The primary barrier between us and more food for orcas, clean and sufficient water supplies for people and fish, sustainable working lands, and harvestable shellfish beds is funding. These proposed budget increases would be a very welcome boost to Puget Sound recovery, to orca recovery, and to estuarine recovery nationwide. Reducing Jet Noise Over the past several years, Rep. Kilmer has pushed the Department of Defense to fund efforts to reduce the noise of the Navy's EA-18G Growler through his work on the Appropriations Committee. This year, Rep. Kilmer included a provision requiring the Navy to measure jet noise generated by Growler activities, make those measurements available to the public, and work with affected communities to mitigate potential impacts of these activities. He also worked to secure an additional $2 million investment to continue the Navy's work to develop technologies that can reduce jet noise.These provisions continue Rep. Kilmer's work to ensure that the Navy remains a good neighbor to residents of the Olympic Peninsula and surrounding communities. Ensuring Access to Quality, Affordable Health Care in Rural Communities The bill also contains several provisions that continue Rep. Kilmer's effort to protect access to affordable and high-quality health care for Washingtonians who live in rural areas. Rep. Kilmer authored a provision that aims to halt a new policy from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) known as site neutrality, which would cost Olympic Medical Center (OMC) $47 million over ten years. The provision directs CMS to reconsider the rule and take into account the negative effects to hospitals like OMC that are designated as a Sole Community Hospital or are located in a Health Professional Shortage Area. The CMS policy of site neutrality' will significantly reduce access to needed physician care for the elderly, low income and sickest patients in rural areas served by Sole Community Hospitals, said Eric Lewis, CEO, Olympic Medical Center. Safety net hospitals serving these patients in both urban and rural areas face a 60% reimbursement cut in physician practice expenses, and patient access is going to be negatively impacted. I'm grateful for Rep. Kilmer's continued efforts to fix this problem and help protect access to care in rural areas. Rep. Kilmer also championed an effort to pursue strategies to help attract health care practitioners to rural clinics and hospitals in areas with health care professional shortages, like the Olympic Peninsula. Additionally, Rep. Kilmer secured language directing the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to conduct a review of the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program, to determine how this program could better address the health care needs of rural communities by identifying more effective strategies to encourage health care providers to practice in designated shortage areas. Supporting Investments in Innovative Medical Research To keep the United States on the forefront of medical research that is critical to combating terminal diseases and improving patient outcomes, Rep. Kilmer worked to secure a $2.6 billion increase in funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which includes funding for Alzheimer's disease research, HIV/AIDS research, and the Cancer Moonshot research initiative. Supporting Clean Energy Research and Development and Efforts to Combat Climate Change The bill significantly increases funding for the Department of Energy (DOE) to invest in clean energy technologies to change the energy sector and more effectively address the critical economic, environmental, and energy security challenges facing the nation as the result of climate change. Included in the legislation is an initiative championed by Rep. Kilmer to fund the Water Power Technologies Office's Powering the Blue Economy initiative, which is focused on developing marine hydrokinetic energy and creating more resilient coastal communities. This funding will help to continue ongoing work at the DOE funded Marine Sciences Laboratory in Sequim. Additionally, the bill includes $390 million in funding for the Advanced Research Project Agency Energy (ARPA-E) to support research aimed at quickly developing energy technologies that have the potential to change the energy sector and address critical challenges. The bill also includes $2.72 billion - a $286 million increase from the FY 2019 enacted level - for the Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE) program to ensure that American continues to lead in the transition to a global clean energy economy. The legislation also includes $38.34 million for the U.S Geological Survey (USGS) to support the eight regionally-focused Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs) around the country and rejects the Administration's proposal to reduce the overall number of centers. These Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs), including the Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center housed at the University of Washington, provide actionable science and research that directly address many of the climate-related challenges unique to different regions of the country. Investing in Forest Collaboration Management and Forest Restoration Rep. Kilmer authored a provision highlighting the value of collaborative forest management and directing the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to prioritize resources to better leverage support from existing Forest Collaboratives to expedite project development and approval of forest treatments developed by Collaboratives. This provision will help collaboratives like the Olympic Forest Collaborative continue to advance forest treatments that increase harvest levels while also achieving much needed environmental benefits like landscape restoration, watershed protection, and habitat conservation, in order to create more economic opportunities on the Olympic Peninsula. The legislation also provides a $50 million increase for the Forest Service's non-firefighting activities, including a $5 million increase for Forest Products. We appreciate Rep. Kilmer's leadership in helping secure critical investments for necessary work on overstocked and at-risk national forests, said Travis Joseph, President, American Forest Resource Council. Increased funding for active, sustainable forest management, thinning, forest roads, and smart wildfire suppression while engaging diverse stakeholders and partner organizations will improve the health and resiliency of our forests, local economies, and surrounding communities. Combating Climate Change and Investing in Resiliency In order to continue making meaningful progress towards combating the impacts of climate change, Rep. Kilmer fought to increase federal funding for programs that support state efforts to protect vulnerable communities from coastal hazards and other consequences of climate change. The bill includes $77 million for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Coastal Zone Management Grants, which provide core funding for states to address important national and state coastal management priorities. Rep. Kilmer also ensured that the Committee encourages NOAA to support mitigation and relocation efforts of coastal tribal communities, like the Hoh, Quileute, and Makah tribes, that are seeking to mitigate the threat of severe weather storms and promote public safety. The legislation also includes a $5 million increase in the Bureau of Indian Affairs' Tribal Climate Resilience program, which will provide competitive awards to support vulnerable coastal tribal communities. In addition, the legislation includes $66.5 million for NOAA's Climate Research Cooperative Institutes to support cutting-edge research on climate, ocean, and fishery science and directs additional funds for enhancing coastal resiliency. Rep. Derek Kilmer has been a staunch friend and ally for the City of Ocean Shores, WA, providing us with guidance and assistance when we declared an emergency when our geotubes failed, helping us develop strategies and partners to pursue solutions for the emergency, and assisting us in seeking and obtaining the long-term maintenance for the issues relating to our deteriorating navigation jetty, said Crystal L. Dingler, Mayor, City of Ocean Shores. Increasing Early Warning Capabilities for Natural Hazards and Disasters Rep. Kilmer also fought to maintain funding for NOAA's Tsunami Warning Centers and for the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program. The funding for these programs supports hazard identification and assessment; response and evacuation planning at both the state and community level; installation and maintenance of evacuation route signs; deployment, installation, and maintenance of the All Hazards Alert Broadcast tsunami warning siren system, which is comprised of 58 sirens along the coastline; and a robust program of outreach, education, and exercises. Without these funds, most, if not all, of these activities would be discontinued. The legislation also includes $19 million for the USGS for the construction, operation, and maintenance of a West Coast Earthquake Early Warning System. In addition, the bill includes $30.26 million for the Volcano Hazards program to maintain support for next generation lahar detection operations and infrastructure on Mount Rainier and other high-threat volcanoes. Making Our Communities Safer In 2018, Congress passed the Bipartisan STOP School Violence Act, which Rep. Kilmer co-led, to boost school efforts to develop violence prevention programs and coordinate with law enforcement to improve school safety. This year, Rep. Kilmer helped secure $125 million for the grant program - a $25 million increase - to help train students, teachers, school officials, and local law enforcement how to identify and intervene early when signs of violence arise and create a coordinated reporting system when threatening signs are noticed. The legislation also includes $25 million for gun violence research at the Centers for Disease Control and the National Institutes of Health, which is being funded for the first time in more than 20 years. The bill also includes $502.5 million for the Violence Against Women Act Prevention and Prosecution Programs, a $5 million increase from the FY 2019 enacted level. The bill will include direct funding for federally-recognized Indian tribes. This funding is critical to protecting our children. We know that violence and suicide in our schools are preventable when we teach students and adults to know the signs' and reach out when they see someone hurting or need help themselves. We applaud the continued bipartisan commitment of Reps. Kilmer, Rogers, Deutch, Crist, and Rutherford, and the House of Representatives, to improve school safety through prevention and early intervention to stop future tragedies before they can happen, said Mark Barden, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Sandy Hook Promise, and the father of Daniel, who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy. Improving Quality of Care at the VA and Investing in Regional Facilities Rep. Kilmer worked to secure several provisions that will help to improve the quality of care administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), including $1.5 billion for the Veterans Electronic Health Record to develop an interoperable electronic health record system that will access seamlessly the records of veterans in the VA system, the Department of Defense (DOD), and of community providers. In addition, Rep. Kilmer pushed for the bill to include a Committee recommendation that the VA conduct a pilot program to improve health outcomes and patient experience for beneficiaries with complex medical conditions. Supporting Affordable Housing and Homeownership Programs This year, Rep. Kilmer was able to help secure a $4.9 billion increase for the Department of Housing and Urban Development for a wide range of programs that support affordable housing and homeownership and to provide communities with resources to increase affordable housing stock, make homeownership more accessible, and increase access to rental assistance, including: a $1.3 billion increase for Tenant-based Rental Assistance, a $100 million increase for the HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME), a $100 million increase for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), a $6.5 million increase for the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation (NeighborWorks America) And,a $1 million increase for the Section 4 Capacity Building for Community Development and Affordable Housing, Strengthening Rural Economies The bill invests over $640 million in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to expand broadband service to grow economic development opportunities and improve education and healthcare services. The bill also includes an effort by Rep. Kilmer to urge the USDA to expand high-speed internet deployment in Indian country, and to work with tribal communities to better understand the unique infrastructure challenges they face and ensure that they are not held at a competitive disadvantage when competing for broadband resources. Mason PUD 3 is excited about the commitment of Representative Kilmer to find solutions for rural broadband expansion. He has reached across the aisle to work an issue that is important to the entire country, regardless of location and political persuasion, said Joel Myer, Public Information & Government Relations Manager, Mason County PUD 3. We are pleased that Representative Kilmer has regularly consulted with public and private entities that are working so hard to ensure our citizens have the tools to personally and professionally successful, wherever they live. In addition, final agreement also includes $500 million for Payments in Lieu of Taxes and a two-year reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools program, both of which provide critical funds to rural counties that have a high percentage of federal lands that don't contribute to local tax revenue. Protecting American Elections The final agreement includes $425 million for a new round of election security grants to improve the security and integrity of elections for Federal office. This includes funding efforts to restore staffing and other resources and enable the EAC to improve their support to states in advance of the 2020 elections and beyond. Enhancing Educational Opportunities The final agreement includes investments in education including increases to Title I and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the federal programs serving students most in need. Additionally, the legislation boosts funding for Pell Grants, higher education programs, the office of civil rights, and full-service community schools, which provide students with academic and support services that help cultivate success. ### Kilmer Secures Critical Investments in Regional Priorities, Votes to Keep Government Open Washington, DC Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) voted to support two legislative packages that together comprise all 12 fiscal year 2020 funding bills. The packages, products of bipartisan, bicameral negotiations, now head to the Senate. Today, I voted to keep the government open and to fund critical priorities for our region that will create jobs and help our environment, said Rep. Kilmer. As a Member of the Appropriations Committee, I am pleased that it includes vital investments in Puget Sound recovery and restoring our salmon, a much-deserved pay raise for our military and for civilian federal workers, support for Indian Country and veterans, investments in jobs at Naval Base Kitsap, and funding for broadband and rural economic development. Kilmer added, This is not the agreement I would have written on my own. There are provisions of this legislation that I detest. But I don't get to vote yes, but I have concerns' or no, but I liked these parts'. While there is a Democratic majority in the House of Representatives, to avert a government shutdown we needed to reach an agreement with a Republican Senate and a Republican President whose values are different than those of a majority of folks in our region. We saw the lasting damage caused when that process failed and our country suffered a government shutdown. Our region doesn't want further chaos and shutdowns. Today's vote responsibly funds our government, prevents another damaging government shutdown, and invests in our region The bill includes a number of priorities championed by Rep. Kilmer, including: Promoting Salmon and Orca Recovery In the FY 2020 appropriations agreement, Rep. Kilmer secured $35,500,000 in funding to address the recommendations outlined in the Pacific Salmon Commission's plan to implement the Pacific Salmon Treaty. Signed by Canada and the United States in 1985, the Treaty provides a framework for the two countries to cooperatively manage Pacific salmon stocks focused on protecting and expanding spawning habitat, increasing hatchery production, and implementing conservation measures to prevent overfishing and maximize production. Rep. Kilmer also secured $22,000,000 in funding for Mitchell Act hatchery activities, which enable federal agencies to work with Oregon, Washington, and Idaho to establish and operate a series of hatcheries and fish passage facilities to improve declining salmon runs in the Columbia River System, in order to ensure conversation of these critical natural resources, maintain economically viable tribal, commercial, and sports fisheries, and provide prey for Southern Resident killer whales. In addition, the legislation includes $65 million for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund to support efforts to protect and restore salmon habitat and maintain long-term monitoring to track the success of restoration efforts. This program is the primary source of funding dedicated to recovering wild salmon and steelhead populations listed as threatened and endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act. Protecting and restoring the salmon resource for the Pacific Northwest and Alaska is critical for the welfare of thousands of Tribal and Non-Tribal families who depend on it for their livelihood, said W. Ron Allen, Tribal Chair/CEO, Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe. We deeply appreciate the support of Representative Kilmer to secure funding to implement the newly negotiated US-Canada Pacific Salmon Treaty, and for his continued commitment to protect and restore our salmon and the coastal ecosystems and economies that depend on them. Investing in Local Navy Installations Recognizing the important role that the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard plays in our national defense and local economy, Rep. Kilmer fought to increase funding available for facilities improvements and upgrades at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and ultimately secured $20 million in additional funding for enhancements at the Navy's public shipyards. Rep. Kilmer also championed a $50 million increase for the Office of Economic Adjustment's Defense Communities Infrastructure Program (DCIP), which helps communities near defense installations - like those around Naval Base Kitsap and JBLM - plan for and implement future infrastructure projects that improve the quality of life for people, including civilians and members of the armed services and their families, living in the surrounding areas. In addition, the spending bill included a 3.1 percent pay increase for members of the armed forces and for civilian defense workers. In a continued effort to invest in facilities and infrastructure at critical defense facilities across the region, the legislation includes $25 million for an Undersea Vehicle Maintenance Facility at Keyport, $51 million for Dry Dock 4 and Pier 3 modernization work at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, and $48 million for the Seawolf Service Pier at Bangor. I want to express appreciation to Congressman Kilmer for fighting to increase funding for improvements at PSNS and for future infrastructure investment near the base in Bremerton, said Bremerton Mayor Greg Wheeler. This financial support will continue to ensure PSNS maintains a strong military presence here and will help meet the needs of individuals and families living in our community. Restoring Puget Sound The FY 2020 Interior Appropriations Bill includes a $5 million increase in the Puget Sound Geographic Program, which provides grants to state, local, and tribal governments to implement projects that protect jobs and local economies by improving water quality, enhancing fish passage, increasing salmon habitat, and protecting shorelines. The total funding level of $33 million included in the FY 2020 bill is an increase of more than 18% above the current funding level. Additionally, each of the 28 National Estuary Programs (NEPs) received a $100,000 increase over the FY 2019 enacted level, as well as a $3 million increase for competitive grants. The Puget Sound National Estuary Program is an Environmental Protection Agency place-based program to protect and restore the water quality and ecological integrity of estuaries of national significance, including Puget Sound - the nation's second largest estuary. Rep. Kilmer also helped to sustain funding for the National Marine Fisheries Service to continue research and monitoring efforts that are critical to recover Southern Resident Killer Whales. We know what we need to do to recover Puget Sound, said Laura Blackmore, Executive Director, Puget Sound Partnership. The primary barrier between us and more food for orcas, clean and sufficient water supplies for people and fish, sustainable working lands, and harvestable shellfish beds is funding. These proposed budget increases would be a very welcome boost to Puget Sound recovery, to orca recovery, and to estuarine recovery nationwide. Reducing Jet Noise Over the past several years, Rep. Kilmer has pushed the Department of Defense to fund efforts to reduce the noise of the Navy's EA-18G Growler through his work on the Appropriations Committee. This year, Rep. Kilmer included a provision requiring the Navy to measure jet noise generated by Growler activities, make those measurements available to the public, and work with affected communities to mitigate potential impacts of these activities. He also worked to secure an additional $2 million investment to continue the Navy's work to develop technologies that can reduce jet noise.These provisions continue Rep. Kilmer's work to ensure that the Navy remains a good neighbor to residents of the Olympic Peninsula and surrounding communities. Ensuring Access to Quality, Affordable Health Care in Rural Communities The bill also contains several provisions that continue Rep. Kilmer's effort to protect access to affordable and high-quality health care for Washingtonians who live in rural areas. Rep. Kilmer authored a provision that aims to halt a new policy from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) known as site neutrality, which would cost Olympic Medical Center (OMC) $47 million over ten years. The provision directs CMS to reconsider the rule and take into account the negative effects to hospitals like OMC that are designated as a Sole Community Hospital or are located in a Health Professional Shortage Area. The CMS policy of site neutrality' will significantly reduce access to needed physician care for the elderly, low income and sickest patients in rural areas served by Sole Community Hospitals, said Eric Lewis, CEO, Olympic Medical Center. Safety net hospitals serving these patients in both urban and rural areas face a 60% reimbursement cut in physician practice expenses, and patient access is going to be negatively impacted. I'm grateful for Rep. Kilmer's continued efforts to fix this problem and help protect access to care in rural areas. Rep. Kilmer also championed an effort to pursue strategies to help attract health care practitioners to rural clinics and hospitals in areas with health care professional shortages, like the Olympic Peninsula. Additionally, Rep. Kilmer secured language directing the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to conduct a review of the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program, to determine how this program could better address the health care needs of rural communities by identifying more effective strategies to encourage health care providers to practice in designated shortage areas. Supporting Investments in Innovative Medical Research To keep the United States on the forefront of medical research that is critical to combating terminal diseases and improving patient outcomes, Rep. Kilmer worked to secure a $2.6 billion increase in funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which includes funding for Alzheimer's disease research, HIV/AIDS research, and the Cancer Moonshot research initiative. Supporting Clean Energy Research and Development and Efforts to Combat Climate Change The bill significantly increases funding for the Department of Energy (DOE) to invest in clean energy technologies to change the energy sector and more effectively address the critical economic, environmental, and energy security challenges facing the nation as the result of climate change. Included in the legislation is an initiative championed by Rep. Kilmer to fund the Water Power Technologies Office's Powering the Blue Economy initiative, which is focused on developing marine hydrokinetic energy and creating more resilient coastal communities. This funding will help to continue ongoing work at the DOE funded Marine Sciences Laboratory in Sequim. Additionally, the bill includes $390 million in funding for the Advanced Research Project Agency Energy (ARPA-E) to support research aimed at quickly developing energy technologies that have the potential to change the energy sector and address critical challenges. The bill also includes $2.72 billion - a $286 million increase from the FY 2019 enacted level - for the Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE) program to ensure that American continues to lead in the transition to a global clean energy economy. The legislation also includes $38.34 million for the U.S Geological Survey (USGS) to support the eight regionally-focused Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs) around the country and rejects the Administration's proposal to reduce the overall number of centers. These Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs), including the Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center housed at the University of Washington, provide actionable science and research that directly address many of the climate-related challenges unique to different regions of the country. Investing in Forest Collaboration Management and Forest Restoration Rep. Kilmer authored a provision highlighting the value of collaborative forest management and directing the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to prioritize resources to better leverage support from existing Forest Collaboratives to expedite project development and approval of forest treatments developed by Collaboratives. This provision will help collaboratives like the Olympic Forest Collaborative continue to advance forest treatments that increase harvest levels while also achieving much needed environmental benefits like landscape restoration, watershed protection, and habitat conservation, in order to create more economic opportunities on the Olympic Peninsula. The legislation also provides a $50 million increase for the Forest Service's non-firefighting activities, including a $5 million increase for Forest Products. We appreciate Rep. Kilmer's leadership in helping secure critical investments for necessary work on overstocked and at-risk national forests, said Travis Joseph, President, American Forest Resource Council. Increased funding for active, sustainable forest management, thinning, forest roads, and smart wildfire suppression while engaging diverse stakeholders and partner organizations will improve the health and resiliency of our forests, local economies, and surrounding communities. Combating Climate Change and Investing in Resiliency In order to continue making meaningful progress towards combating the impacts of climate change, Rep. Kilmer fought to increase federal funding for programs that support state efforts to protect vulnerable communities from coastal hazards and other consequences of climate change. The bill includes $77 million for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Coastal Zone Management Grants, which provide core funding for states to address important national and state coastal management priorities. Rep. Kilmer also ensured that the Committee encourages NOAA to support mitigation and relocation efforts of coastal tribal communities, like the Hoh, Quileute, and Makah tribes, that are seeking to mitigate the threat of severe weather storms and promote public safety. The legislation also includes a $5 million increase in the Bureau of Indian Affairs' Tribal Climate Resilience program, which will provide competitive awards to support vulnerable coastal tribal communities. In addition, the legislation includes $66.5 million for NOAA's Climate Research Cooperative Institutes to support cutting-edge research on climate, ocean, and fishery science and directs additional funds for enhancing coastal resiliency. Rep. Derek Kilmer has been a staunch friend and ally for the City of Ocean Shores, WA, providing us with guidance and assistance when we declared an emergency when our geotubes failed, helping us develop strategies and partners to pursue solutions for the emergency, and assisting us in seeking and obtaining the long-term maintenance for the issues relating to our deteriorating navigation jetty, said Crystal L. Dingler, Mayor, City of Ocean Shores. Increasing Early Warning Capabilities for Natural Hazards and Disasters Rep. Kilmer also fought to maintain funding for NOAA's Tsunami Warning Centers and for the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program. The funding for these programs supports hazard identification and assessment; response and evacuation planning at both the state and community level; installation and maintenance of evacuation route signs; deployment, installation, and maintenance of the All Hazards Alert Broadcast tsunami warning siren system, which is comprised of 58 sirens along the coastline; and a robust program of outreach, education, and exercises. Without these funds, most, if not all, of these activities would be discontinued. The legislation also includes $19 million for the USGS for the construction, operation, and maintenance of a West Coast Earthquake Early Warning System. In addition, the bill includes $30.26 million for the Volcano Hazards program to maintain support for next generation lahar detection operations and infrastructure on Mount Rainier and other high-threat volcanoes. Making Our Communities Safer In 2018, Congress passed the Bipartisan STOP School Violence Act, which Rep. Kilmer co-led, to boost school efforts to develop violence prevention programs and coordinate with law enforcement to improve school safety. This year, Rep. Kilmer helped secure $125 million for the grant program - a $25 million increase - to help train students, teachers, school officials, and local law enforcement how to identify and intervene early when signs of violence arise and create a coordinated reporting system when threatening signs are noticed. The legislation also includes $25 million for gun violence research at the Centers for Disease Control and the National Institutes of Health, which is being funded for the first time in more than 20 years. The bill also includes $502.5 million for the Violence Against Women Act Prevention and Prosecution Programs, a $5 million increase from the FY 2019 enacted level. The bill will include direct funding for federally-recognized Indian tribes. Improving Quality of Care at the VA and Investing in Regional Facilities Rep. Kilmer worked to secure several provisions that will help to improve the quality of care administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), including $1.5 billion for the Veterans Electronic Health Record to develop an interoperable electronic health record system that will access seamlessly the records of veterans in the VA system, the Department of Defense (DOD), and of community providers. In addition, Rep. Kilmer pushed for the bill to include a Committee recommendation that the VA conduct a pilot program to improve health outcomes and patient experience for beneficiaries with complex medical conditions. Supporting Affordable Housing and Homeownership Programs This year, Rep. Kilmer was able to help secure a $4.9 billion increase for the Department of Housing and Urban Development for a wide range of programs that support affordable housing and homeownership and to provide communities with resources to increase affordable housing stock, make homeownership more accessible, and increase access to rental assistance, including: a $1.3 billion increase for Tenant-based Rental Assistance, a $100 million increase for the HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME), a $100 million increase for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), a $6.5 million increase for the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation (NeighborWorks America) And,a $1 million increase for the Section 4 Capacity Building for Community Development and Affordable Housing, Strengthening Rural Economies The bill invests over $640 million in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to expand broadband service to grow economic development opportunities and improve education and healthcare services. The bill also includes an effort by Rep. Kilmer to urge the USDA to expand high-speed internet deployment in Indian country, and to work with tribal communities to better understand the unique infrastructure challenges they face and ensure that they are not held at a competitive disadvantage when competing for broadband resources. Mason PUD 3 is excited about the commitment of Representative Kilmer to find solutions for rural broadband expansion. He has reached across the aisle to work an issue that is important to the entire country, regardless of location and political persuasion, said Joel Myer, Public Information & Government Relations Manager, Mason County PUD 3. We are pleased that Representative Kilmer has regularly consulted with public and private entities that are working so hard to ensure our citizens have the tools to personally and professionally successful, wherever they live. In addition, final agreement also includes $500 million for Payments in Lieu of Taxes and a two-year reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools program, both of which provide critical funds to rural counties that have a high percentage of federal lands that don't contribute to local tax revenue. Protecting American Elections The final agreement includes $425 million for a new round of election security grants to improve the security and integrity of elections for Federal office. This includes funding efforts to restore staffing and other resources and enable the EAC to improve their support to states in advance of the 2020 elections and beyond. Enhancing Educational Opportunities The final agreement includes investments in education including increases to Title I and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the federal programs serving students most in need. Additionally, the legislation boosts funding for Pell Grants, higher education programs, the office of civil rights, and full-service community schools, which provide students with academic and support services that help cultivate success. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kilmer.house.gov/news/press-releases/rep-kilmer-statement-on-support-for-articles-of-impeachment,Rep. Kilmer Statement on Support for Articles of Impeachment,2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Derek Kilmer,K000381,kilmer.house.gov,,,legacy,"12.17.19 Rep. Kilmer Statement on Support for Articles of Impeachment I didn't come to Congress to pursue impeachment.Rather, as most of the folks I represent likely know, my focus has been on trying to create more economic opportunity in our region and pushing to have a government that works better - period.Having said that, the very first thing I do as your representative is raise my right hand and swear an oath to uphold the Constitution.That's a commitment I take seriously. It matters to me that all elected officials are held accountable to the public.It should never be acceptable for a sitting president or any elected official to abuse their position of power to achieve their political aims. This is a value that extends beyond party politics and is critical to our adherence to the rule of law and the integrity of our democracy. To be clear, this cannot be and should not be about politics now or in the future nor should it be about re-litigating the 2016 election. Rather, the focus must be on whether the president abused his office and obstructed Congress in its investigation to evaluate that abuse. The two articles of impeachment that Congress will consider lay out two important points.First, the President abused the power of his office.In testimony by members of the president's own administration, it is clear that he withheld security assistance from one of our allies, demanding a favor from them in the form of an investigation of his political rival.Second, the President directed the White House and Executive Branch agencies to defy lawful subpoenas, prevent testimony and withhold documents that were within the scope of the impeachment inquiry. Based on the evidence brought to light in the course of the impeachment inquiry, more than 500 constitutional scholars recently signed a letter saying that they believe the president committed impeachable conduct.This comes on the heels of over 300 national security professionals Democrats and Republicans supporting the impeachment inquiry based on the damaging ramifications of the President's actions related to the Ukraine. Having reviewed the evidence laid out in the impeachment inquiry and having evaluated these various assessments, I intend to support the articles of impeachment put before the House. As I've said previously, this entire process is disruptive, and it may further polarize a country that is already far too divided. But in my view, these incidents should not be dismissed based on politics, party biases, or the fear of some predicted outcome. My approach on this is not grounded in politics or partisanship but rather a belief that simply ignoring these allegations sets a dangerous precedent for future presidents and sends a frightening message regarding our adherence to the rule of law. Some have asked, why not just wait until the election next November? Honestly, that is more difficult when the questionable conduct is specifically focused on a president's effort to manipulate the 2020 election. In addition, our national security is impacted when any president uses their office to ask a foreign government for political help. In fact, the letter from national security experts states that the President's actions should be considered a profound national security concern. As the representative for our region, I will continue working every day to grow jobs.And I will keep working to have government work better for the people. Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1755,Larsen Statement on Boeings Decision to Halt 737 MAX Production in Renton,2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Rick Larsen,L000560,larsen.house.gov,larsen,https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"EVERETT, WA – House Aviation Subcommittee Chair Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement in response to Boeing’s decision to temporarily halt the production of 737 MAX airplanes at its Renton, Washington factory: “Today’s Boeing announcement is a body blow to its workers and the region’s economy. The only saving grace is the Boeing leadership has promised not to lay off any workers. I am ready to work with Boeing workers to ensure they are protected and that they will have access to the necessary resources in the event of a prolonged shutdown. “In the meantime, the FAA should continue to emphasize that safety is the guiding principle for any return to service decision for the 737 MAX. The MAX is a great airplane and will be in use for many years, but the best decision for the long-term and for the workers at Boeing is ensuring the necessary changes needed to put the plane back in service are done only with safety in mind.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-statement-boeing%E2%80%99s-decision-halt-737-max-production-renton,Larsen Statement on Boeings Decision to Halt 737 MAX Production in Renton,2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Rick Larsen,L000560,larsen.house.gov,,,legacy,"EVERETT, WA House Aviation Subcommittee Chair Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement in response to Boeing's decision to temporarily halt the production of 737 MAX airplanes at its Renton, Washington factory: Today's Boeing announcement is a body blow to its workers and the region's economy. The only saving grace is the Boeing leadership has promised not to lay off any workers. I am ready to work with Boeing workers to ensure they are protected and that they will have access to the necessary resources in the event of a prolonged shutdown. In the meantime, the FAA should continue to emphasize that safety is the guiding principle for any return to service decision for the 737 MAX. The MAX is a great airplane and will be in use for many years, but the best decision for the long-term and for the workers at Boeing is ensuring the necessary changes needed to put the plane back in service are done only with safety in mind. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://schrier.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-schrier-introduces-bill-ensure-students-get-enough-time-eat-lunch,Rep. Schrier Introduces Bill to Ensure Students Get Enough Time to Eat Lunch,2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Kim Schrier,S001216,schrier.house.gov,schrier,https://schrier.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) was joined by Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) to introduce the Healthy Meal Time Act. The Healthy Meal Time Act would provide schools with best practices for scheduling lunch and recess to ensure that students have enough time to eat and reduce food waste. ""As a pediatrician, I know how important it is for children to eat healthy foods and get some energy out at recess,"" said Rep. Schrier. ""But the schedule most schools use puts lunch before recess. Students rush through lunch to get to recess. Some skip lunch because of long lines. Putting recess first makes time for both, and evidence shows they eat even more food and healthier options if they've had a chance to run around outside before lunch. It makes sense that children should build up an appetite first before lunch. That way they are able to focus on school and not worry about being hungry later in the day."" ""Lunch is critical for the health and well-being of students because it gives them the nutrition they need to reach their full potential,"" said Rep. Bonamici, Chair of the Education and Labor Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services. ""I'm pleased to be working with Congresswoman Schrier on the Healthy Meal Time Act to support long-overdue research, guidance, and best practices for schools to boost learning with appropriate meal times."" The Healthy Meal Time Act directs the Department of Agriculture, with input from the Department of Education, to do a study that will share successful efforts and current best practices with schools. It is unclear how many schools provide students adequate time for their meals, and no federal guidelines on this matter exist. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that students have a minimum of 20 minutes to eat lunch each day. Likewise, a study in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that lunch periods of at least 25 minutes were found to improve students' nutritional intake and limit food waste. A study in the Journal of Child Nutrition and Management found that having recess before lunch results in students consuming more food, eating healthier food, and wasting less. ""Thanks to the work of community groups, educators, parents and legislators, students increasingly have access to more fresh foods and nutrition-rich meals at school, but far too many of them do not have the time during the school day to even eat their lunches. Our food service workers, paraprofessionals and teachers tell stories of some students starting lunch at 10:30am, while others don't get lunch break until almost 2pm. By the time students get into the cafeteria and go through the cafeteria line, most only have about 15 minutes to eat, forcing them to rush through meals simply because of poor school scheduling. Representative Schrier's Healthy Meal Time Act will allow districts to gather additional information about the time lunches are served and the duration of lunch periods at schools, as well as when recess is combined with lunch time, making it easier for adults to partner on solutions so lunch breaks don't fall by the wayside. We fought and continue to fight to provide our children with healthier meals at school; this bill will make sure they can actually have time in the school day to eat them,"" added AFT President Randi Weingarten. Tom Stenzel, President & CEO, United Fresh Produce Association said, ""The increased servings of delicious, crunchy, fresh fruits and vegetables are one of the crowning achievements of the Healthy-Hunger Free Kids Act. Yet, many kids still don't have time to finish their meals before returning to class. For too long we have ignored the potential implications of short and rushed lunch periods on consumption. We are grateful for the leadership of Dr. Schrier and Chairwoman Bonamici in introducing this legislation, which will provide much-needed technical assistance for schools to address the challenge of adequate time to eat."" The Healthy Meal Time Act has been endorsed by Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, American Heart Association, American Federation of Teachers, Center for Science in the Public Interest, National Education Association, National PTA, School Nutrition Association, and United Fresh.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-helps-secure-important-tax-wins-in-end-of-year-spending-package,Cantwell Helps Secure Important Tax Wins in End-of-Year Spending Package,2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.17.19 Cantwell Helps Secure Important Tax Wins in End-of-Year Spending Package Legislation extends critical tax credits for renewable energy, Washington state economic development; New Market Tax Credit has invested $2.4 billion in Washington state since 2003 WASHINGTON, D.C. After months of bipartisan negotiations, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) applauded the inclusion of critical tax provisions for Washington state's economy, renewable energy development, and investment in communities throughout the state in the end-of-year appropriations bills unveiled by congressional leaders early this morning. Cantwell was one of the key negotiators of the bipartisan, bicameral package. These tax credit provisions are so important for many small businesses and industries that support families, help revitalize economic depressed communities, and invest in those that are underserved, Senator Cantwell said. Small businesses and families don't have people running through the halls of Congress to lobby for them, but they deserve the tax certainty and predictability this legislation will deliver. The appropriations bills include the extension of a number of critical tax credits that support small businesses and invest in communities throughout Washington state: New Markets Tax Credit increases the funding for investment in low-income communities from $3.5 billion to $5 billion and extends the credit through 2020. Between 2003 and 2019, the New Markets Tax Credit invested $2.4 billion in projects throughout Washington state, including more than $50 million each in 12 counties across the state; helped create more than 26,000 jobs; and provided funding for 130 projects across the state, including: $10.5 million in financing for the Kalispel Tribe Wastewater Treatment And Buffalo Preserve; $13 million for HopeWorks Station in Everett; $16.7 million for the Clark County Family YMCA in Vancouver; $29 million for Eastside Community Center in Tacoma; $13.6 million for Northwest Harvest, the only statewide hunger relief agency in Washington; $25.9 million for the Bullitt Center in Seattle; And many more. Beer, Wine, and Distilled Spirits Tax Credit extends the credit, which provides tax relief to craft beer brewers, cider makers, vintners, and distillers by cutting federal taxes from $13.50 to $2.70 on the first 100,000 proof gallons sold, through 2020. Medical Expense Deduction extends the medical expense deduction through 2020. The medical expense deduction allows Americans with medical expenses exceeding 7.5% of their adjusted gross income to deduct these expenses from their taxes. More than 200,000 Washingtonians rely on the medical expense deduction to lower their health care costs. Senator Cantwell led a bipartisan push to extend this deduction last week. Work Opportunity Tax Credit extends the credit through 2020. This credit helps people who face significant barriers to employment, including veterans, SNAP recipients, and previously incarcerated people, find employment by providing up to $2,400 in credits to businesses who hire certified individuals. In 2013, Washington had over 26,000 individuals certified with the tax credit, helping them find employment and saving the state a total of $42 million. Cantwell also successfully pushed for the extension of a number of other tax incentives that help reduce fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions, including: Biofuel incentives extends the $1 per gallon credit for environmentally-friendly biodiesel through 2022. In Washington state, this credit benefits biofuel production facilities in Grays Harbor and Cherry Point. The package also includes a 46 cent per gallon credit for advanced biofuels produced from algae and cellulosic feedstocks. Renewable energy incentives extends the wind energy tax credit for an additional year, as well as other federal incentives crucial for the development of clean energy alternatives, such as biomass, geothermal, incremental hydro, and marine and hydrokinetic energy. Energy efficiency incentives revives credits for residential and commercial energy efficiency improvements that had expired in 2018. Senator Cantwell has long supported tax credits for investment in renewable energy and economic development. Earlier this month, as negotiations to extend the provisions were ongoing, she spoke on the Senate floor to push for their extension. Cantwell has also worked with Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) to promote biodiesels and extend the tax credit. The spending package was passed by the U.S. House today and is expected to be voted on by the Senate in the coming days. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-larsen-provision-to-monitor-noise-of-naval-operations-headed-to-presidents-desk,"Cantwell, Larsen Provision to Monitor Noise of Naval Operations Headed to President’s Desk",2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.17.19 Cantwell, Larsen Provision to Monitor Noise of Naval Operations Headed to President's Desk Language requires real-time noise monitoring of flights from two West Coast Navy installations WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, language introduced by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (D, WA-02) to provide for real-time noise monitoring at two West Coast Navy installations passed the Senate 86-8 as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The legislation now heads to President Trump's desk to be signed into law. Increased Growler activity over Whidbey Island and the Olympic National Park has impacted local communities and caused concern, Cantwell said. Now we will have real-time noise monitoring, which is crucial for the Navy, state, and communities to hold transparent and accurate discussions on the issue. On June 12, the House Armed Services Committee adopted my provision to require real-time noise monitoring at three Naval Air Stations and three Air Force bases because the challenge we face with jet noise on Whidbey Island is a challenge shared by other communities, said Larsen, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee. As a member of the conference committee responsible for shepherding this provision to final passage, I am happy the final bill included real-time noise monitoring language to require the Navy to mitigate the effects of military aircraft noise on private residences, schools and hospitals. This provision will ensure air crews can get vital training while better understanding and reducing the impact of operations on surrounding communities. Thank you to Chair Smith and Senator Cantwell for working with me to get this bill across the finish line. This March, the U.S. Navy announced the addition of 36 Growler aircraft to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, increasing annual airfield activity by up to 33%. The Cantwell-Larsen provision in the NDAA compromise requires real-time monitoring of noise at two West Coast Navy installations. This includes field carrier landing practice at Naval Outlying Field Coupeville and Ault Field, which now see about 112,100 Growler operations annually. The final NDAA conference report requires the Secretary of the Navy to conduct real-time monitoring of noise from flights at the installations. It also requires the results be made publicly available on a Department of Defense website. It also requires the Secretary of the Navy to work with the Director of the National Park Service and the Chief of the Forest Service to come up with a plan within 90 days for real-time noise monitoring above or adjacent to nearby public lands, including Olympic National Park, Olympic National Forest, and Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve. In June of this year, the Senate passed Senator Cantwell's amendment as part of its NDAA bill. In July, the House passed Larsen's amendment as part of its NDAA bill. The House voted to pass the final conference report last week, 377-48. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-merkley-pacific-coast-members-announce-major-win-for-trawlers-in-year-end-spending-bill-,"Cantwell, Merkley, Pacific Coast Members Announce Major Win for Trawlers in Year-End Spending Bill",2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.17.19 Cantwell, Merkley, Pacific Coast Members Announce Major Win for Trawlers in Year-End Spending Bill Spending bill language would help West Coast Trawlers and revive coastal economies WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), joined by Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR) Ron Wyden (D-OR), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Kamala Harris (D-CA), and U.S. Representatives Peter DeFazio (D-OR-4), Greg Walden (R-OR-2), Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA-3), Kurt Schrader (D-OR-5), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-1), and Jared Huffman (D-CA-2), today announced a major, bipartisan victory for West Coast trawlers in the 2020 spending bill that Congress is expected to pass this week. Language in the bill would forgive more than $10 million in accrued loan interest that was forced onto the West Coast groundfishing fleet because of mismanagement by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). This is a victory for West Coast groundfish fishermen and fishing jobs in the Pacific Northwest,said SenatorCantwell.This legislation is an important step to ensure year-round economic activity and stability for rural fishing communities. Today's news is a huge victory for our coastal communities in Oregon and up and down the West Coast, said Senator Merkley, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which negotiated the spending bills. It was outrageous that the federal government forced family fishermen to foot the bill because of bureaucratic incompetence. This win will lift a huge burden off our trawlers' backs, helping them keep their small businesses afloat and keep our coastal economies humming. After years of uncertainty for our fishers, I'm glad we were able to secure some much-needed relief for Washington state's groundfishing fleet. Our fisheries play a vital role in the Pacific Northwest, and this provision is an overdue correction by Congress to lift an unnecessary burden off of our trawlers who do so much to support our culture, economy and communities, said Senator Murray, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. I'm glad this issue for West Coast fishermen will finally be resolved. Groundfish fishermen shouldn't be held responsible for interest accrued on a disaster loan before the federal government had a repayment plan in place. Removing the unfair interest charges will go a long way toward helping these fishermen rebuild and flourish, said Senator Feinstein. Oregonians working on trawlers along the coast can now enter the new year without this senseless burden on the bottom line of their fishing operations, said Senator Wyden. Fishing on the Oregon Coast for a living is a key piece of our state's economy that never should have been a victim of this bureaucratic bungling, and I am glad to have teamed up with fishermen and my congressional colleagues to get this problem fixed. For years, Oregon's groundfish vessels have been subject to a heavy financial loan burden, caused solely by government ineptitude. Groundfish fisheries are a vital part of Oregon's coastal economy that need support, not red tape, from Washington. I'm proud to have helped right this ridiculous wrong and ease the financial burden on our region's fishermen. I will be vigilant to ensure the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) follows through with Congress's decision and does not short-change Oregonians, said Rep. DeFazio. Commercial fishing is an important part of Oregon's economy. It's hard enough work without government failures making business harder. Government inaction has left the fishing industry with a costly and unnecessary burden. This legislation corrects that wrong and I was glad to work with my colleagues to get this long overdue fix into law, said Rep. Walden. For the groundfish trawlers that provide jobs along our coast, today's news is a relief and a victory. As a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, I was pleased to help successfully advocate for providing relief to these employers, said Rep. Herrera Beutler. Fisheries are an integral part of the Oregon Coast's economy,said Rep. Schrader. When the federal government asked West coast fishermen to make a sacrifice for the future of their fisheries, they did.But when the government failed to implement the buyback program correctly, they turned their back on those same fishermen. Today we are righting those wrongs. Thank you to all of those who have been tireless advocates for West coast fishermen for so many years. In Northwest Oregon, the robust groundfish fishery helps provide year-round economic stability for our coastal communities, said Rep. Bonamici. But the industry is still working to recover from the fishery disaster in 2000. I'm proud to have worked withcolleagues to address debt accrued by the Pacific Coast groundfish trawl industry as a result of delays in NMFS regulations to collect loan payments for the buyback programs. This was the not the fault of the industry, and we are pleased to stand with them in securing these long-overdue federal dollars. As Co-Chair of the House Oceans Caucus, I know how important our fisheries are to the blue economy. I will keep advocating for strong, effective management to help more species like the West Coast groundfish recover. The recovery of the West Coast groundfish fishery is an environmental success story, said Rep. Huffman. We all know how vital this industry is: sustainable fisheries are critical to the economic health of communities up and down California's North Coast. I have been working to ease the fleet's unnecessary financial burdens since I was first elected to Congress. Along with Appropriations Committee leaders like Nita Lowey and Rosa DeLauro, and our west coast congressional delegation, it is incredibly rewarding to be able to announce that the 2020 funding package will direct the Commerce Department to finally and fully forgive the unwarranted loan interest on the West Coast groundfish trawl fleet. This is an essential step to ensure a sustainable economic future for this fishery. The West Coast congressional delegation has stepped up and righted a wrong that will have a huge economic benefit for Oregon trawl fishing businesses, said Heather Mann, Director of the Midwater Trawlers Cooperative. The west coast trawl rationalization program, which has been an environmental success, will now start realizing some real economic benefits as well, thanks to our champions in Congress. After the Secretary of Commerce declared the West Coast groundfish fishery an economic disaster in 2000, the NMFS provided a $36 million buyout loan to retire one-third of the fishing fleet to reduce overcapacity. After providing the loan, however, the NMFS inexplicably failed for nearly two years to implement a repayment mechanism and refused to allow the owners of the remaining vessels to start paying off the loan. As a result, $4 million in interest accrued before repayment was even permitted to start. That additional interest has grown over time; the industry today owes at least $10 million more than it would have if repayment had started immediately as intended. Over the years, this additional interest has created an albatross around the neck of an industry that is already facing significant challenges. The bipartisan members of Congress last week sent a letter advocating for the change. The provision secured in today's bill would forgive the interest resulting from the bureaucratic error, finally making West Coast trawlers whole and helping grow and revive coastal economies from Northern California all the way up to the Canadian border. The bill is expected to be passed by both the House and Senate this week, and to be signed into law prior to December 20 to avert a government shutdown. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=635214EA-A982-4EFF-8DE9-646C65DFE311,Washington State Lawmakers Announce Major Federal Investments for Federal Way Link Extension Project,2019-12-16,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Led by Senator Murray, WA's Democratic congressional delegation cheered announcement of vital funding for South Sound light rail extension project With execution of funding agreements near, Sound Transit can begin construction on long-awaited project to extend light rail to Federal Way Funding announcements follow lawmakers' repeated efforts urging Transportation Secretary Chao to expedite funding for the project ICYMI: State lawmakers push for final approval of Federal Way Link Extension funding More HERE from the Federal Way Mirror WASHINGTON, D.C. Led by U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), today Washington state's Democratic congressional delegation, including U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and U.S. Representatives Adam Smith (D-WA 9th), Rick Larsen (D-WA, 2nd), Suzan K. DelBene (D-WA, 1st), Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA, 8th), Denny Heck (D-WA, 10th), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA, 7th), and Derek Kilmer (D-WA, 6th) applauded the announcement of the forthcoming signing of the full funding grant agreement (FFGA) for the Federal Way light rail extension, following months of pressure urging U. S. Department of Transportation officials to follow Congressional direction and approve the grant. Once signed, the final agreement cements a more than $1.4 billion commitment from the federal government to help fund the Federal Way link extension project, including a $790 million grant awarded through the Department of Transportation's Capital Investment Grant (CIG) program, and a $629.47 million direct loan also approved through the Department's Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program. According to Sound Transit, the company is ready to proceed with construction once the FFGA and TIFIA loan are signed and executed. Officials from Sound Transit have indicated the loan will be signed this week and the agreement will be signed in mid-January. This is an early gift for the South Sound community that will help decrease commute times and reduce traffic congestion for families, students, workers and travelers throughout the region, said Senator Murray. As transit ridership in Puget Sound continues to grow and more Washingtonians look to transportation alternatives like light rail to escape gridlock and traffic, this vital infrastructure project will help keep Puget Sound moving toward the future. I commend Secretary Chao and the FTA for working with Washingtonians to move this critical project forward, and I look forward to getting this project underway. This announcement is great news for everyone in the South Sound who will now have the option to take light rail right into downtown Seattle and beyond. Three new light rail stations and 1,200 new parking spaces will help reduce congestion and increase connectivity for commuters and families throughout south King and Pierce counties, said Senator Cantwell. The Federal Way Link Extension Project will connect thousands of passengers in South King County to work, school, and community events. The light rail extension adds transportation options while relieving congestion, connecting communities, and improving access for all. This project will be transformative for the region and it is great news that federal funding has been approved for this expansion, said Congressman Smith. In Washington state, transportation means jobs, and a healthy regional economy cannot move forward without the efficient movement of goods and people, said Congressman Larsen. Federal investment in the Federal Way Link and in similar transit projects like the Lynnwood Link will help improve traffic congestion and provide a reliable commuting option for daily riders. I will continue to champion robust federal investment to expand light rail in the Pacific Northwest. Construction of the Federal Way Link Extension is critical for commuters in our region who are spending precious time stuck in traffic when they could be at home with their families. This critical funding will help alleviate congestion and give commuters more options to get to and from their work. Investments in essential infrastructure projects such as this one will meaningfully support our economy and improve the quality of life of our constituents and neighbors, said Congresswoman DelBene. This is great news for commuters in the 8th district and the surrounding area. The investment into light rail will alleviate traffic on our roads and connect the South Sound. I'm glad that the Department of Transportation recognized the need for this vital infrastructure, said Congresswoman Schrier. Like most Washingtonians, I've spent far too much of my life stuck in traffic on I-5, said Congressman Heck. The Federal Way link extension will be a critical gateway towards connecting the South Sound with region-wide transit and alleviating congestion throughout the region. This significant investment in our region's transportation system will help Sound Transit expand more quickly, and alleviate the time-sucking traffic congestion my constituents experience. I'm so glad the Department of Transportation heeded our calls to prioritize this funding agreement and look forward to seeing the progress these resources make possible, said Congresswoman Jayapal. ?It's exciting to see this funding agreement come to fruition and the continued progress of the Federal Way Link Extension Project which will connect our neighborhoods, cut down on traffic and provide new, affordable transit options for folks throughout the South Sound community, said Congressman Kilmer. I'm a longtime supporter of projects like this and I'll keep encouraging Congress to invest in infrastructure projects that create and support local jobs. Heralded as the next step in implementing Puget Sound's much-needed regional system, the Federal Way Link Extension project is a 7.8-mile light rail expansion from Angle Lake, just south of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, to Federal Way. Puget Sound continues to boast the nation's fastest-growing transit ridership: in the last five years, traffic congestion in the I-5 corridor has increased by 128 percent, while transit ridership has grown by 196 percent. To that end, Sound Transit expects the Federal Way Link Extension to add 40,700 daily trips and save the average commuter approximately 30 minutes of travel time compared to driving. Additionally, the Federal Way Link Extension will make a strong contribution to the local economy: local officials expect the extension to be a catalyst for an estimated $34 million in transit-oriented development and an estimated $1.8 million in annual parking revenue. Additionally, recent, current and projected private-sector development near light rail stations in the City of SeaTacat the northern end of the projectare expected to total $465 million, and another $680 million of overall public- and private-sector value capture has been identified in the Federal Way Link corridor, presenting additional opportunities for local economic growth. ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND: The lawmakers have been strong advocates in Congress for federal investments in Washington state infrastructure priorities, sending in a letter to Secretary Chao in October urging her to complete the full funding grant agreement for the Federal Way extension project and follow through on her repeated promises to uphold Congressional direction to approve federal investments affecting projects like the Federal Way link extension. Additionally: In the Senate: A vocal champion for critical transportation and infrastructure projects in Washington state, as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee Senator Murray helped secure a historic $2.644 billion for the CIG program in the FY19 federal spending bill to support ongoing and new transit projects in Washington state and throughout the nation, including the Federal Way Link extension project. Additionally, during a March hearing of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, Senator Murray questioned Secretary Chao about the status of the Federal Way Link extension application and urged the Department to follow through on its commitment to allocate funds to the project. The Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Senator Cantwell has been a long-time advocate for investments in transportation and infrastructure throughout Washington state. In the 2018 omnibus, Senator Cantwell worked with Senator Murray to secure an increase in funding for the CIG program, as well as the National Infrastructure Investments program. In 2015, she authored a grant program to invest in railway, seaport, and highway freight mobility projects to increase efficiency and safety and reduce congestion. Previously, Senators Murray and Cantwell successfully fought back attempts by President Trump and his administration to reduce funding for the CIG program, and pushed the Department of Transportation to move forward with the final funding grant agreement for Sound Transit's Lynnwood Link light rail extension project in Snohomish County, which was executed in December 2018 and cemented a $1.2 billion commitment from the federal government to help fund the light rail expansion. In the House: Representative Larsen, the only member of the Washington state delegation on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, has been a fierce advocate for federal investment to develop vital transportation projects throughout Washington state. Larsen repeatedly pressed Department of Transportation officials, including Transportation Secretary Chao, to execute the Full Funding Grant Agreement for Lynnwood Link Light Rail Extension project, which is scheduled to open in 2024. Larsen also supported an increase in for Capital Investment Grants (CIG) funding in the House FY2020 Appropriations bill to further support vital transit projects. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-helps-secure-seven-year-extension-of-export-import-bank-in-government-funding-bill,Cantwell Helps Secure Seven Year Extension of Export-Import Bank in Government Funding Bill,2019-12-16,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.16.19 Cantwell Helps Secure Seven Year Extension of Export-Import Bank in Government Funding Bill 40% of jobs are tied to trade; Ex-Im helps Washington businesses reach foreign markets and generate $31 billion in export revenue WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) applauded the inclusion of a seven-year reauthorization of the United States Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im) in the end-of-year appropriations bills unveiled today by U.S. Senate and House leaders. The reauthorization also includes a fix to quorum rules that have plagued the bank's Board of Directors in recent years. Both houses of Congress are expected to vote on the legislation in the coming days. Ex-Im provides the financing support necessary to help thousands of American businesses export their products to overseas markets where more than 95% of the world's consumers live. The Export-Import Bank helps ensure that American companies can compete on a level playing field with global competitors. This is critical in Washingtonthe fourth-largest exporting state in the country by value of merchandise and commoditieswhere approximately 40% of all jobs are tied to trade. In November 2019 alone, Ex-Im financed more than $2.5 million in exports from Washington state businesses. Washington's economy is an export economy, and stopping the partisan politics around the nation's export credit agency and giving certainty to the Export-Import Bank for seven years will help lots of Washington businesses get their products to the growing middle class around the world, Senator Cantwell said. Ex-Im was founded in 1934 and exists in its current form under the Export-Impact Bank Act of 1945, which requires periodic reauthorization from Congress in order to continue operating. The House-passed appropriations bill would reauthorize Ex-Im for 7 years, giving exporters the certainty they need to close deals in foreign markets. The legislation would also fix the Bank's quorum rules to make sure U.S. exporters do not miss out on opportunities abroad because of congressional inaction. Under current rules, the Bank cannot approve financing for deals over $10 million without a quorum on its Board of Directors. A recent report by the Washington Council on International Trade found that the Export-Import Bank supported 25,200 jobs associated with Washington exports between 2014 and 2018. This was despite the significant drop in Ex-Im lending when the board operated without a quorum for more than 1,400 days between 2014 and 2018, leaving nearly $40 billion worth of export deals stuck in limbo. This situation only ended when Cantwell and her colleagues confirmed three nominees to the Ex-Im Board of Directors earlier this year. Businesses in every part of Washington, in sectors ranging from aerospace to wine to metal fabrication, rely on the Export-Import Bank to close deals and strengthen business. Current export data shows Ex-Im supporting 131 exporters in Washington100 of these small businesseswith a total export value of $31 billion. Ex-Im provides vital support for small businesses, which make up 90% of the companies assisted by the bank. The bank also produces a profit for the U.S. Treasury; through the interest it charges on loans, Ex-Im has earned American taxpayers approximately $5.2 billion over the past 10 years. All of us at Manhasset are very pleased that Congress will pass the seven year extension of the Ex-Im Bank. As a small manufacturer located in Yakima, WA, we have built our music stand export business very nicely over the last ten years. The insurance program offered by the Ex-Im Bank (for approved customers) has been an excellent tool in helping to increase exports into many of the countries that Manhasset serves. We applaud the Congress for approaching the Ex-Im Bank with support from both parties, to do what is good for American business, said Dan Roberts, President and General Manager at Manhasset Music Stands. Cantwell has been a strong proponent of the Export-Import Bank, and a champion of the small businesses supported by its activities, throughout her time in Congress. Earlier this year, Cantwell cosponsored the Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act of 2019 (S. 2293) to reauthorize the bank for 10 years and fix the quorum issues on the Board of Directors. When Ex-Im lapsed in June 2015, she worked with a bipartisan group of colleagues to reauthorize the bank for four years. And throughout the time Ex-Im was forced to operate without a quorum, she repeatedly urged President Trump and her Senate colleagues to return it to being fully operational. Here is an interactive map of companies throughout Washington state that have used the Ex-Im Bank to send their products around the globe. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-mcmorris-rodgers-secure-historic-win-for-spokane-tribe-,"Cantwell, McMorris Rodgers Secure Historic Win for Spokane Tribe",2019-12-16,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.16.19 Cantwell, McMorris Rodgers Secure Historic Win for Spokane Tribe Spokane Tribe Equitable Compensation Act passes House of Representatives, heads to president's desk for signature into law WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and U.S. Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R, WA-05) to provide the Spokane Tribe of Indians equitable and just compensation for the lands taken by the United States as part of the Grand Coulee Dam development project in the 1930s and 1940s. Having previously passed through the Senate, the bill now heads to the president's desk to be signed into law. The Spokane Tribe of Indians has waited for almost 80 years to receive just and equitable compensation for the land, life, and culture they lost when the Grand Coulee Dam was constructed. This corrects a flawed adjudication process that left the Spokane out, Cantwell said. Today, the Department of Interior, Republicans, and Democrats stand together to right this historic wrong, which will allow the Tribe to invest in regional economic development opportunities. The construction of the Grand Coulee Dam positively transformed our region in countless ways, but it also fundamentally changed the Spokane Tribe's way of life, said McMorris Rodgers. This is long overdue, and I'm happy we are finally moving forward to get the Spokane Tribe the compensation they deserve and right this historical wrong. The Spokane Tribe of Indians of the Spokane Reservation Equitable Compensation Act would authorize annual payments to be made by the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) to the Spokane Tribe for past and continuing use of Tribal lands for the construction and operation of the Grand Coulee Dam. The compensation does not increase taxpayer obligation and is based on compensation received by the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation through the 1994 Colville Reservation Grand Coulee Dam Settlement Act. As the largest hydroelectric facility in the United States, Grand Coulee Dam has produced electricity for towns and cities across the western United States for more than 75 years. However, since the construction of the multipurpose project, the Spokane Tribe has yet to be compensated for the significant damages to its Tribal lands and livelihoods. Senator Cantwell has worked to pass legislation to secure just compensation for the Tribe since 2003. The bill has passed the Senate three times and the House of Representatives once, but it has never passed both chambers in the same Congress before. Throughout her time in the Senate, Senator Cantwell has repeatedly introduced the legislation and pushed for its passage. Representative McMorris Rodgers has also tirelessly worked with her colleagues to ensure its passage. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/pacific-northwest-delegation-announces-house-passage-of-bill-to-improve-safety-and-sanitation-at-columbia-river-tribal-fishing-sites-,Pacific Northwest Delegation Announces House Passage of Bill to Improve Safety and Sanitation at Columbia River Tribal Fishing Sites,2019-12-16,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.16.19 Pacific Northwest Delegation Announces House Passage of Bill to Improve Safety and Sanitation at Columbia River Tribal Fishing Sites WASHINGTON, D.C. Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-3), along with Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-1), today announced that the U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Columbia River In-Lieu and Treaty Fishing Access Sites Improvement Act, sending it to the president's desk to be signed into law. The legislation would enable the Bureau of Indian Affairs to make important safety and sanitation improvements at the tribal treaty fishing access sites along the Columbia River, which are on lands held by the United States for the benefit of the four Columbia River Treaty tribes. The bill, authored by Merkley and Blumenauer, was unanimously passed by the U.S. Senate on June 28, 2019. Improving housing and infrastructure at Tribal fishing sites is a critical step to fulfill our treaty promises. I hope the president will sign this legislation into law so we can get to work on providing clean and safe living conditions at these sites as soon as possible,said Senator Cantwell. The current conditions at Columbia River fishing sites are unacceptable, unjust, and must be fixed, Senator Merkley said. I've personally seen the shocking conditions at Lone Pine. We owe better to thetribal communities in the Northwest, and the very least we can do is uphold our commitments to tribes and ensure basic sanitation and safety. I'm pleased that our colleagues in the House of Representatives have joined us in passing this bill, and I urge the president to sign it into law without delay. Congress has a responsibility to address the egregious misdeeds committed against the tribes who have lived along the Columbia River since time immemorial, said Rep. Blumenauer. We cannot pretend that this bill rectifies all of these injustices, but passing it is an important step in helping improve the lives of those who still reside there. This is just the start, and Congress must continue its work to right these wrongs."" I'm excited to see this important legislation for our Columbia River tribes head to the President's desk. It is the federal government's duty to ensure our tribal communities along the river have access to safe, sanitary housing and infrastructure at historical fishing access sitesa critical component of their culture and heritage, as well as an important source of sustenanceand this bill takes another vital step toward fulfilling our government-to-government obligation, said Senator Murray. As a representative for our state's tribes in the Senate, I urge the President to sign this bill into law. Improving the health and safety at tribal fishing sites along the Columbia River is an important and long overdue step toward righting historic wrongs, Senator Wyden said. The federal government can't stop hereit must do more to finally meet all obligations promised to indigenous peoples in the Northwest. I am grateful that the House passed this legislation to address historical injustices and honor the fishing treaty rights of four Columbia River Tribes, said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. This bill will finally provide access to safe and sanitary housing and infrastructure at several fishing access sites. For too long the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Indian Reservation, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Nez Perce Tribe, and the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation have been without the support that the federal government is legally and morally obligated to provide. I look forward to seeing this important legislation signed into law and will continue to do all I can to protect tribal rights. Beginning in the 1930s, the construction of the three lower Columbia River dams displaced members of the four Columbia River Treaty tribes: Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Indian Reservation, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Nez Perce Tribe, and the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation. These tribes have a treaty-protected right to fish along the Columbia River in their usual and accustomed places. The Senators and Representatives have been fighting to address the urgent need for adequate housing and infrastructure at tribal fishing access sites constructed by the Army Corps following construction of The Dalles, Bonneville, and John Day dams. The Army Corps designed the sites to be used primarily for daily, in-season fishing access and temporary camping; however, in many cases tribal members now use the areas as longer-term or even permanent residences. In fact, many people at these sites are living in extremely distressed, unsafe, and unsanitary conditions, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs has not committed the resources necessary to ensure the basic necessities of clean and safe living conditions at these sites. Simultaneously, the Senators and Representatives have been working to address unmet federal obligations to the four Columbia River Treaty Tribes, many of whom are living at these fishing sites, for flooding tribal communities and houses during the construction of The Dalles, Bonneville, and John Day dams. In 2017, after the Trump administration's Office of Management and Budget (OMB) halted work by the Army Corps on a Village Development Plan specific to The Dalles Dam, the members successfully pushed OMB to reverse its decision, and later announced that the Army Corps allocated $1.8 million to complete The Dalles Dam Tribal Housing Village Development Plan. In the 2019 spending bill, Merkley successfully included language acknowledging the Army Corps' mission, and instructing the Corps to uphold its responsibility to tribes that were displaced by the construction of The Dalles Dam on the Columbia River, and to mitigate the impact of that displacement. The Columbia River In-Lieu and Treaty Fishing Access Sites Improvement Actwould address the urgent need for improved conditions by: Calling on the Bureau of Indian Affairs to conduct a much-needed assessment of current safety and sanitation conditions at the sites, in coordination with the affected Columbia River Treaty Tribes; and Authorizing the Bureau to work on improving sanitation and safety conditions in several key areas such as structural improvements (restrooms, washrooms, and other buildings); safety improvements (wells and infrastructure to address fire concerns, and more); electrical infrastructure to ensure safe electrical hookups; and basic sewer and septic infrastructure. The legislation is supported by the four Columbia River Treaty tribesConfederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Indian Reservation, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Nez Perce Tribe, and the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nationas well as the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/washington-state-lawmakers-announce-major-federal-investments-for-federal-way-link-extension-project,Washington State Lawmakers Announce Major Federal Investments for Federal Way Link Extension Project,2019-12-16,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.16.19 Washington State Lawmakers Announce Major Federal Investments for Federal Way Link Extension Project With execution of funding agreements near, Sound Transit can begin construction on long-awaited project to extend light rail to Federal Way WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Washington state's Democratic congressional delegation, including U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Patty Murray (D-WA), and U.S. Representatives Adam Smith (D-WA 9th), Rick Larsen (D-WA, 2nd), Suzan K. DelBene (D-WA, 1st), Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA, 8th), Denny Heck (D-WA, 10th), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA, 7th), and Derek Kilmer (D-WA, 6th) applauded the announcement of the forthcoming signing of the full funding grant agreement (FFGA) for the Federal Way light rail extension, following months of pressure urging U. S. Department of Transportation officials to follow Congressional direction and approve the grant. Once signed, the final agreement cements a more than $1.4 billion commitment from the federal government to help fund the Federal Way link extension project, including a $790 million grant awarded through the Department of Transportation's Capital Investment Grant (CIG) program, and a $629.47 million direct loan also approved through the Department's Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program. According to Sound Transit, the company is ready to proceed with construction once the FFGA and TIFIA loan are signed and executed. Officials from Sound Transit have indicated the loan will be signed this week and the agreement will be signed in mid-January. This is an early gift for the South Sound community that will help decrease commute times and reduce traffic congestion for families, students, workers and travelers throughout the region, said Senator Murray. As transit ridership in Puget Sound continues to grow and more Washingtonians look to transportation alternatives like light rail to escape gridlock and traffic, this vital infrastructure project will help keep Puget Sound moving toward the future. I commend Secretary Chao and the FTA for working with Washingtonians to move this critical project forward, and I look forward to getting this project underway. This announcement is great news for everyone in the South Sound who will now have the option to take light rail right into downtown Seattle and beyond. Three new light rail stations and 1,200 new parking spaces will help reduce congestion and increase connectivity for commuters and families throughout south King and Pierce counties, said Senator Cantwell. The Federal Way Link Extension Project will connect thousands of passengers in South King County to work, school, and community events. The light rail extension adds transportation options while relieving congestion, connecting communities, and improving access for all. This project will be transformative for the region and it is great news that federal funding has been approved for this expansion, said Congressman Smith. In Washington state, transportation means jobs, and a healthy regional economy cannot move forward without the efficient movement of goods and people, said Congressman Larsen. Federal investment in the Federal Way Link and in similar transit projects like the Lynnwood Link will help improve traffic congestion and provide a reliable commuting option for daily riders. I will continue to champion robust federal investment to expand light rail in the Pacific Northwest. Construction of the Federal Way Link Extension is critical for commuters in our region who are spending precious time stuck in traffic when they could be at home with their families. This critical funding will help alleviate congestion and give commuters more options to get to and from their work. Investments in essential infrastructure projects such as this one will meaningfully support our economy and improve the quality of life of our constituents and neighbors, said Congresswoman DelBene. This is great news for commuters in the 8th district and the surrounding area. The investment into light rail will alleviate traffic on our roads and connect the South Sound. I'm glad that the Department of Transportation recognized the need for this vital infrastructure, said Congresswoman Schrier. Like most Washingtonians, I've spent far too much of my life stuck in traffic on I-5, said Congressman Heck. The Federal Way link extension will be a critical gateway towards connecting the South Sound with region-wide transit and alleviating congestion throughout the region. This significant investment in our region's transportation system will help Sound Transit expand more quickly, and alleviate the time-sucking traffic congestion my constituents experience. I'm so glad the Department of Transportation heeded our calls to prioritize this funding agreement and look forward to seeing the progress these resources make possible, said Congresswoman Jayapal. ?It's exciting to see this funding agreement come to fruition and the continued progress of the Federal Way Link Extension Project which will connect our neighborhoods, cut down on traffic and provide new, affordable transit options for folks throughout the South Sound community, said Congressman Kilmer. I'm a longtime supporter of projects like this and I'll keep encouraging Congress to invest in infrastructure projects that create and support local jobs. Heralded as the next step in implementing Puget Sound's much-needed regional system, the Federal Way Link Extension project is a 7.8-mile light rail expansion from Angle Lake, just south of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, to Federal Way. Puget Sound continues to boast the nation's fastest-growing transit ridership: in the last five years, traffic congestion in the I-5 corridor has increased by 128 percent, while transit ridership has grown by 196 percent. To that end, Sound Transit expects the Federal Way Link Extension to add 40,700 daily trips and save the average commuter approximately 30 minutes of travel time compared to driving. Additionally, the Federal Way Link Extension will make a strong contribution to the local economy: local officials expect the extension to be a catalyst for an estimated $34 million in transit-oriented development and an estimated $1.8 million in annual parking revenue. Additionally, recent, current and projected private-sector development near light rail stations in the City of SeaTacat the northern end of the projectare expected to total $465 million, and another $680 million of overall public- and private-sector value capture has been identified in the Federal Way Link corridor, presenting additional opportunities for local economic growth. ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND: The lawmakers have been strong advocates in Congress for federal investments in Washington state infrastructure priorities, sending in a letter to Secretary Chao in October urging her to complete the full funding grant agreement for the Federal Way extension project and follow through on her repeated promises to uphold Congressional direction to approve federal investments affecting projects like the Federal Way link extension. As the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Senator Cantwell has been a long-time advocate for investments in transportation and infrastructure throughout Washington state. In the 2018 omnibus, Senator Cantwell worked with Senator Murray to secure an increase in funding for the CIG program, as well as the National Infrastructure Investments program. In 2015, she authored a grant program to invest in railway, seaport, and highway freight mobility projects to increase efficiency and safety and reduce congestion. Previously, Senators Murray and Cantwell successfully fought back attempts by President Trump and his administration to reduce funding for the CIG program, and pushed the Department of Transportation to move forward with the final funding grant agreement for Sound Transit's Lynnwood Link light rail extension project in Snohomish County, which was executed in December 2018 and cemented a $1.2 billion commitment from the federal government to help fund the light rail expansion. Representative Larsen, the only member of the Washington state delegation on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, has been a fierce advocate for federal investment to develop vital transportation projects throughout Washington state. Larsen repeatedly pressed Department of Transportation officials, including Transportation Secretary Chao, to execute the Full Funding Grant Agreement for Lynnwood Link Light Rail Extension project, which is scheduled to open in 2024. Larsen also supported an increase in for Capital Investment Grants (CIG) funding in the House FY2020 Appropriations bill to further support vital transit projects. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=AD544ABE-FCE7-453A-B96E-733D16FCBA44,Senator Murray Praises Final Senate Passage of Bipartisan Legislation to Permanently Fund HBCUs and Minority Serving Institutions,2019-12-13,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Legislation now heads to the President's desk to be signed into law Bipartisan legislation led by Senator Murray will permanently fund HBCUs and minority serving institutions, after funding lapsed at the end of September Legislation amends the FUTURE Act to include FAFSA Act, legislation that would simplify FAFSA and streamline income-driven repayment Senator Murray: I'm also pleased this legislation streamlines federal student aid for more than 20 million students applying on the FAFSA, and nearly 8 million borrowers (Washington, D.C.) Following passage in the U.S. House of Representatives this week, the Senate passed a bipartisan deal led by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), the top Democrat on the Senate education committee, to permanently fund Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and minority serving institutions (MSIs), including Northwest Indian College in Washington state. The legislation now heads to the President's desk to be signed into law. The bill, which amended the FUTURE Act, also includes the FAFSA Act, a bill that will simplify and streamline the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for 20 million American families by eliminating duplicative paperwork between the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Education.The FAFSA Act will also help nearly 8 million borrowers in income-driven repayment plans seamlessly stay in their plans each year without needing to go through complicated annual recertification. While this funding should never have lapsed in the first place, I'm glad that we were able to reach a deal that provides minority-serving institutions with the certainty of funding they deserveand I truly appreciate the work done on both sides of the aisle to get us to this point, Senator Murray said. By permanently extending funding for these valuable institutions and streamlining our student aid system, this deal is a win-win. Now, I look forward to continuing to work with my Republican colleagues on efforts to overhaul the Higher Education Act in a comprehensive, bipartisan way that does right by all students. Led by Senator Murray and Senator Doug Jones (D-AL), Senate Democrats have been fighting for months to secure funding for the HBCUs and MSIs by calling for passage of the bipartisan FUTURE Act, which would extend funding for HBCUs and MSIs for two years. Following months of Republican opposition, last week, Senate education leaders reached a bipartisan deal to permanently extend funding for these critical universities with the savings from the FAFSA Act, legislation which passed the Senate unanimously last year. This bill would create the first and only permanent funding outside of Pell Grants and student loansto support students and colleges. This week, the House passed an amended version of the bill, which unanimously passed the Senate hours later, sending the final bill to the President's desk. Washington state is home to several MSIs, including Northwest Indian College, the only accredited tribal college serving the states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, as well as several Hispanic Serving Institutions, including Columbia Basin College and Heritage University. Nearly 150,000 student loan borrowers in Washington state are enrolled in income-driven repayment, and more than 370,000 Washingtonians fill out a FAFSA each year, all of whom will benefit from the legislation's changes to simplify financial aid paperwork. I'm also pleased this legislation streamlines federal student aid for more than 20 million students applying on the FAFSA, and nearly 8 million borrowers, said Senator Murray.Our nation's outdated and overly complicated financial aid system is forcing students and student loan borrowers to jump through too many hoops to access federal financial aid, verify the tax returns they've already filled out, and toget help if they're struggling to pay their student loans. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://dennyheck.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/heck-s-bill-naming-tumwater-post-office-signed-into-law,Hecks Bill Naming Tumwater Post Office Signed Into Law,2019-12-13,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Denny Heck,H001064,dennyheck.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Yesterday, Congressman Denny Heck's (D-WA) bill naming the Tumwater Post Office to honor Eva G. Hewitt was signed into law. Hewitt served as Tumwater's first woman postmaster from 1915 until her retirement in 1942. It's heartwarming that we're closing out 2019, a year marking 150 years since Tumwater's incorporation, with the Eva G. Hewitt Post Office being signed into law, said Congressman Heck. Eva was a businesswoman, postmaster, and community leader during her life, and it's only fitting that the Tumwater Post Office be named for her. I send my sincere thanks to the City of Tumwater for sharing Eva's story with the community and approaching me about this bill. I look forward to visiting the Eva G. Hewitt Post Office soon when I'm back home. Heck introduced the bill in March during Women's History Month. The bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives by voice vote in July. The bill was successfully guided through the Senate by Washington's U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray, and passed the Senate by unanimous consent in November. The law designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 200 Israel Road Southeast in Tumwater, Washington as the Eva G. Hewitt Post Office.'' It further requires that any mention in any law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States properly reference the facility and use the new name. Often described as the heart and soul of Tumwater, Eva G. Hewitt (1875-1957) played an influential role during the early years of Tumwater. She assumed the position of postmaster in 1915, where she oversaw the tremendous growth in mail volumes in the South Sound. Following the death of her husband in 1927, she took over business operations of the Hewitt Drug Store. She served as store owner and postmaster until her retirement in 1942. In addition to being Tumwater's first woman postmaster, Eva G. Hewitt was the longest-serving Tumwater postmaster at the time of her retirement. She was also widely regarded as Tumwater's local historian, researching, preserving, and promoting the history of the Pacific Northwest. Hewitt passed away in Olympia in 1957. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1754,"Larsen: Naval Station Everett is Ideal Location for Future Navy, Coast Guard Homeporting",2019-12-13,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Rick Larsen,L000560,larsen.house.gov,larsen,https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"EVERETT, WA – Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee and House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, released a report outlining why Naval Station Everett (NSE) is the ideal location for future U.S. Navy and Coast Guard homeporting. In the report, Larsen highlights NSE’s location, natural deep-water port, modern infrastructure and new shipyards as unique and vital fits for future Navy and U.S. Coast Guard missions. “Naval Station Everett is still “the Sailor’s Choice,” but I am working to make it the Pentagon’s Choice,” said Larsen. “For more than twenty years, NSE has played a crucial role in keeping the country safe and protecting U.S. interests worldwide. Everett is ready, willing and able to support more and larger ships. I look forward to continue working with local leaders to make that case to the Navy and the Coast Guard.” Larsen cited several advantages to NSE as an ideal future homeport for Navy and U.S. Coast Guard vessels: As a natural deep-water port, NSE has no tidal restrictions, bridges or other obstructions between port and the open ocean and does not require dredging to maintain depth. The Navy will need every available pier in order to reach its 355-ship goal by 2049. NSE hosted Navy frigates in the past and has the capability to do so in the future. NSE is in the center of the Pacific Northwest transportation network. Location and ease of access make NSE an ideal location for U.S. Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Cutter Homeporting. Larsen has long pushed to homeport more Navy and U.S. Coast Guard vessels at NSE. In 2012, Larsen worked to bring three destroyers to the base and in 2013, pushed the Navy to avoid a gap between retiring frigates and bringing in the new destroyers. In 2015, Larsen supported homeporting three destroyers at the base. Larsen has also continually advocated for the return of the USS Nimitz since it left for Bremerton in 2015. Conceived as an aircraft carrier homeport, NSE is now home to six Navy destroyers and two U.S. Coast Guard ships. Since its commissioning in 1994, NSE has functioned as one of the country’s premier naval bases and is the most modern base in the Navy. The base has served as the homeport for two aircraft carriers, the USS Abraham Lincoln, from 1997 to 2011 and the USS Nimitz from 2012 to 2015. In 2015, the Navy affected a temporary homeport shift for the Nimitz from NSE to Bremerton to prepare the ship for a planned maintenance period. Subsequently, Navy planning documents did not return to Nimitz to NSE and did not homeport any other carrier at NSE. This year, Vigor Marine LLC was awarded a contract for long-term repair work on two cruisers, the USS Chosin (CG 65) and USS Cape St. George (CG 71). While the cruisers will be located in Seattle, the crew and families will be homeported in Everett. With the loss of the carrier mission, Rep. Larsen will continue to engage with local leaders and the Navy to develop strategies to ensure NSE continues to play a vital role in national security. To read the full report, click here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-naval-station-everett-ideal-location-future-navy-coast-guard-homeporting,"Larsen: Naval Station Everett is Ideal Location for Future Navy, Coast Guard Homeporting",2019-12-13,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Rick Larsen,L000560,larsen.house.gov,,,legacy,"EVERETT, WA Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee and House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, released a report outlining why Naval Station Everett (NSE) is the ideal location for future U.S. Navy and Coast Guard homeporting. In the report, Larsen highlights NSE's location, natural deep-water port, modern infrastructure and new shipyards as unique and vital fits for future Navy and U.S. Coast Guard missions. Naval Station Everett is still the Sailor's Choice, but I am working to make it the Pentagon's Choice, said Larsen. For more than twenty years, NSE has played a crucial role in keeping the country safe and protecting U.S. interests worldwide. Everett is ready, willing and able to support more and larger ships. I look forward to continue working with local leaders to make that case to the Navy and the Coast Guard. Larsen cited several advantages to NSE as an ideal future homeport for Navy and U.S. Coast Guard vessels: As a natural deep-water port, NSE has no tidal restrictions, bridges or other obstructions between port and the open ocean and does not require dredging to maintain depth. The Navy will need every available pier in order to reach its 355-ship goal by 2049. NSE hosted Navy frigates in the past and has the capability to do so in the future. NSE is in the center of the Pacific Northwest transportation network. Location and ease of access make NSE an ideal location for U.S. Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Cutter Homeporting. Larsen has long pushed to homeport more Navy and U.S. Coast Guard vessels at NSE. In 2012, Larsen worked to bring three destroyers to the base and in 2013, pushed the Navy to avoid a gap between retiring frigates and bringing in the new destroyers. In 2015, Larsen supported homeporting three destroyers at the base. Larsen has also continually advocated for the return of the USS Nimitz since it left for Bremerton in 2015. Conceived as an aircraft carrier homeport, NSE is now home to six Navy destroyers and two U.S. Coast Guard ships. Since its commissioning in 1994, NSE has functioned as one of the country's premier naval bases and is the most modern base in the Navy. The base has served as the homeport for two aircraft carriers, the USS Abraham Lincoln, from 1997 to 2011 and the USS Nimitz from 2012 to 2015. In 2015, the Navy affected a temporary homeport shift for the Nimitz from NSE to Bremerton to prepare the ship for a planned maintenance period. Subsequently, Navy planning documents did not return to Nimitz to NSE and did not homeport any other carrier at NSE. This year, Vigor Marine LLC was awarded a contract for long-term repair work on two cruisers, the USS Chosin (CG 65) and USS Cape St. George (CG 71). While the cruisers will be located in Seattle, the crew and families will be homeported in Everett. With the loss of the carrier mission, Rep. Larsen will continue to engage with local leaders and the Navy to develop strategies to ensure NSE continues to play a vital role in national security. To read the full report, click here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://schrier.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-schrier-statement-articles-impeachment,Rep. Schrier Statement on Articles of Impeachment,2019-12-13,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Kim Schrier,S001216,schrier.house.gov,schrier,https://schrier.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) released the following statement on the articles of impeachment: ""The people of the 8th district sent me to Congress to bring down the cost of health care, fight for their families, and make thoughtful, evidence-based decisions. I did not come to Congress to impeach the President. However, the evidence before us, including from the President himself, is serious. The President abused the power of his office to sway the 2020 election in his favor. He put his own political interest above the interests of our nation. And then, when pressed for more information, he refused to cooperate or let key witnesses testify. No one is above the law. On my first day in office, I took an oath to uphold the Constitution and protect our country. Given all the facts before us, impeachment is the only remedy. No future president should ever believe that this was acceptable behavior.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z http://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=D6214853-8AC2-4CF4-95D1-A73AD14DE391,"As Military Child Care Crisis Grows, Senator Murray Announces New Dedicated Funding for Military Child Care Construction Projects in Major Military Authorization Bill",2019-12-12,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,,,legacy,"A longtime champion for military families and strengthening working families' access to child care, Senator Murray applauded new line item for military child care construction funding included in National Defense Authorization Act New provisions follow Senator Murray's successful efforts to strengthen access to on-base child care To break down why this funding is important and what it means for military families across the country, Senator Murray talked to MilitaryTimes.com Senator Murray: New dedicated child care center construction funding is a really great step forward for the military that we have today, not yesterday ICYMI: How this $121 million may jump-start fixes to military child care needs MORE HERE (Washington, D.C.) As a mother, grandmother and former educator, U.S. Senator Patty Murray has long worked to improve access to high-quality child care for families serving our country, and civilians alike. Over the years, Senator Murray has heard firsthand from servicemembers all across Washington statefrom Bangor to Fairchildabout the challenges of securing high-quality, reliable child care due to lack of adequate facilities. That's why she has consistently fought to increase funding for and access to military child care programs across the country and across the globe, including in the recently announced National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the annual military funding bill. This year's NDAA includes a new, dedicated line of funding for military child care center construction that will pave the way for more than $120 million in critical federal investments to increase vital access to child care across all the services and ensure families are getting the support they need to succeed. This week, Senator Murray talked with Karen Jowers of MilitaryTimes.com to break down this critical new funding, and below are 7 things you may have missed from that article: 1. $121 million dollars will be going directly to construction of on-base military child care facilities. A new funding stream for child development centers on military bases aims to at least start to address problems with lack of enough child care spaces for military families, and what one senator describes as some dilapidated facilities. Provisions included in the sweeping defense policy bill unveiled this week would provide about $121 million for child development centers, giving the service branches the flexibility to determine where the dollars are needed first. 2. When servicemembers and their families speak, Senator Murray listens. For years, military leaders have said the common thread they hear when visiting service members is the lack of available and affordable child care. There's a wide range of needs in child development centers, said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., who pushed for the funding. Some are in good condition, but just don't have enough space. Others are in bad need of repair, she said, adding that it's really appalling, describing some as dilapidated. 3. As a former pre-school teacher, Senator Murray knows child care is a top priority for families in our military and beyond, especially in Washington state. As a former preschool teacher, I was appalled at what we are asking parents to leave their kids in, said Murray, who visited child development centers at Bangor, which is part of Naval Base Kitsap, and Fairchild Air Force Base earlier this year. At Bangor, she said, pre-schoolers had to walk outside the facility to get to a restroom; there was paint peeling on walls; and children were crowded on the floor at nap time. It's not a good learning environment, it's not a good care environment, and I have been determined to make a difference with that, she said. 4. Military child care impacts military readiness. Murray said she has long been concerned about the lack of available child care and the impact on the readiness of military members. A key part of readiness, she said, is that they know their kids are in a safe place, in terms of child care. 5. Flexible funding means specific solutions for specific problems. In addition to specific requests for projects for the few child development centers that are included in the administration's budget request, this pumps more money into child development centers and gives the services the flexibility to determine where the money is needed first. The dollars could be used for a variety of construction needs, whether building, expanding or improving. Different bases have different needs, Murray said. The services have to put together a list of priorities. They know their bases and where their needs are. 6. Military families agree that this funding is a priority. The National Military Family Association is pleased that Congress recognizes there's a more immediate need for addressing child care needs, said Nicole Russell, deputy director for children and youth for the nonprofit organization. 7. For modern military families child care is a necessity, not a luxury. For today's military, where both spouses are working in many families, and need child care, this funding is a really great step forward for the military that we have today, not yesterday, Murray said. Read the full article HERE ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://adamsmith.house.gov/news/press-releases/congressman-smith-votes-lower-prescription-drug-prices-house-passage-hr-3,Congressman Smith Votes to Lower Prescription Drug Prices with House Passage of H.R. 3,2019-12-12,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Adam Smith,S000510,adamsmith.house.gov,adamsmith,https://adamsmith.house.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA) released the following statement after voting to pass H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, which will help lower the cost of prescription drugs and level the playing field for American patients who are paying more for medication than patients in other countries. ""The costs of prescription drugs have been an increasing burden on individuals and families, forcing many to choose between their medications and basic needs such as paying rent or putting food on the table. Today's passage of H.R. 3 is a necessary and bold step to reduce prescription drug prices, expand access to care for Medicare beneficiaries, and invest in the health of our communities. ""H.R. 3 will give Medicare the power to negotiate directly and transparently with drug companies and ensure those prices are available to plans outside of Medicare. The legislation also sets a cap on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries and limits the ability for pharmaceutical companies to drastically raise prices. In addition to dramatically reducing prescription drug prices, H.R. 3 invests drug costs savings into Medicare beneficiaries and the health of our communities. The bill would finally add coverage of dental, vision, and hearing benefits to Medicare and make significant investments in biomedical research, maternal health, the opioid crisis, and Community Health Centers. ""House Democrats continue to fulfill our commitment to work hard for the people and pass legislation that will have a positive impact on the lives of everyday people. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://adamsmith.house.gov/press-releases?ID=967B5943-22E3-44DC-86DE-65D4BA489F61,Congressman Smith Votes to Lower Prescription Drug Prices with House Passage of H.R. 3,2019-12-12,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Adam Smith,S000510,adamsmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA) released the following statement after voting to pass H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, which will help lower the cost of prescription drugs and level the playing field for American patients who are paying more for medication than patients in other countries. The costs of prescription drugs have been an increasing burden on individuals and families, forcing many to choose between their medications and basic needs such as paying rent or putting food on the table. Today's passage of H.R. 3 is a necessary and bold step to reduce prescription drug prices, expand access to care for Medicare beneficiaries, and invest in the health of our communities. H.R. 3 will give Medicare the power to negotiate directly and transparently with drug companies and ensure those prices are available to plans outside of Medicare. The legislation also sets a cap on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries and limits the ability for pharmaceutical companies to drastically raise prices. In addition to dramatically reducing prescription drug prices, H.R. 3 invests drug costs savings into Medicare beneficiaries and the health of our communities. The bill would finally add coverage of dental, vision, and hearing benefits to Medicare and make significant investments in biomedical research, maternal health, the opioid crisis, and Community Health Centers. House Democrats continue to fulfill our commitment to work hard for the people and pass legislation that will have a positive impact on the lives of everyday people. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://dennyheck.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-heck-applauds-passage-of-national-defense-authorization-act,Congressman Heck applauds passage of National Defense Authorization Act,2019-12-12,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Denny Heck,H001064,dennyheck.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Yesterday, Congressman Denny Heck (WA-10) voted in support of the FY20 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference report. Rep. Heck secured a number of vital provisions that will improve servicemember quality of life and emergency preparedness in the South Sound. I want to thank Chairman Adam Smith for fighting on behalf of the provisions I authored in this year's NDAA, and ensuring they were included in the final bill. He has been a tireless advocate for our state and our servicemembers, and I am grateful for his leadership. said Rep. Heck. I am proud to support legislation that both improves our military readiness against the myriad threats our nation faces around the globe, and does right by our servicemembers and their families. Section 560A will require each of the armed services, as part of their annual financial literacy education briefing, to include information on free credit monitoring available to servicemembers under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Rep. Heck's amendment to the NDAA gives servicemembers the tools they need to be financially secure. Section 1756(b) will require the Department of Defense to submit a report regarding the interoperability of military installations and civilian emergency services. The derailment of Cascades 501 in DuPont underscored that confusion and redundant efforts between civilian and military emergency services can delay rescue efforts and potentially cost lives. Rep. Heck introduced this interoperability provision as an amendment to the NDAA. Section 1114 will reverse a provision of the Republican tax law of 2017 that designated the moving expenses of federal employees working overseas as taxable income. These moving costs were previously tax exempt. In response to this unfair provision targeting federal employees in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Rep. Heck first introduced legislation to restore this tax exemption in 2018, the Keeping the Promise to American Public Servants Act (H.R. 7254, 115th Congress). Section 4301 authorizes $75 million for the Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP) to fund infrastructure needs in communities that serve growing military bases. Rep. Heck originally proposed DCIP in 2014 in the COMMUTE Act (H.R. 5290, 113th Congress), and it was first authorized in the FY19 NDAA. This legislation also includes hard fought priorities of Rep. Heck's including support for additional visas for individuals who have risked their lives in order to assist U.S. forces in Afghanistan, and adoption of legislation to better protect the country against its economic and military competitors without negatively impacting international scientific collaboration. Division E of the NDAA contains the Damon Paul Nelson and Matthew Young Pollard Intelligence Authorization Act of Fiscal Years 2018, 2019, and 2020 (IAA). As a member of the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Heck secured critical additions to the IAA that were included for final passage. I have served on the House Intelligence Committee for three years, and this is the first time since joining that we will see an Intelligence Authorization Act become law, said Rep. Heck. In his first year with the gavel, Chairman Adam Schiff has negotiated a bill that equips the intelligence community with the tools needed to protect against today's geopolitical threats and prepare for those just around the corner. That's a credit to Chairman Schiff, and I applaud and thank him for his work. Section 6433 creates an advisory board which will allow the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) to leverage public-private partnerships to promote innovation, competition and efficiency. As options expand and technology rapidly advances for space launch and imaging satellites, the National Reconnaissance Office needs to be able to expand the pool of expertise it draws upon. Rep. Heck led the charge in committee for this provision's inclusion in the IAA. Sections 6714 and 6716 require the Director of National Intelligence to report to Congress on how the new rules on foreign investment in the United States are working to protect national security. These reports pair with Rep. Heck's work to expand and enhance the powers of the Council on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) last Congress in the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act, which became law as part of the FY2019 NDAA. Congressman Heck represents Joint Base Lewis-McChord and is a member of the House Intelligence Committee. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kilmer.house.gov/news/press-releases/kilmer-supports-legislation-to-lower-prescription-drug-costs,Kilmer Supports Legislation to Lower Prescription Drug Costs,2019-12-12,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Derek Kilmer,K000381,kilmer.house.gov,,,legacy,"12.12.19 Kilmer Supports Legislation to Lower Prescription Drug Costs Washington, DC Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) voted to support H.R. 3, the Lower Drug Costs Now Act, to lower prescription drug prices and make investments in Medicare and public health. The bill, which was supported by 230 Members of the House, allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate to lower the price of drugs and caps annual out-of-pocket costs in Medicare Part D. I've spoken with far too many seniors and families in our region who are grappling with the high costs of prescription drugs. When you talk with someone who is having to skip doses or having to cut their pills in half because the costs are simply too high, it has a way of sticking with you, said Rep. Kilmer. That's why I've been such a strong advocate for reducing drug prices and I'm proud to support this bill - which aims to level the playing field for patients, ensuring they have access to less expensive medications and giving health and financial security to all Americans. Specifically, this bill: Mandates the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate fair prices directly with drug companies for the most expensive and most common drugs used by Medicare enrollees. To deliver maximum savings for the greatest number of Americans, the price determined by the negotiation process would be available to all purchasers not just Medicare beneficiaries. Ensures that the global market pays its fair share for research and development, putting U.S. prescription drug prices on par with other countries where patients are often charged less for the same prescriptions. Places a limit on out-of-pocket spending in Medicare Part D, ensuring Medicare beneficiaries pay no more than $2,000 per year out-of-pocket on their medications. Reinvests savings to expand Medicare's benefits to include dental, vision and hearing; drive innovation in the search for new cures and treatments, including research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH); and help combat the opioid crisis. In addition to lowering prescription drug prices,H.R.3also reinvests savings into expanding Medicare coverage for dental, vision, and hearing services for constituents in Washington's Sixth Congressional District: About 99% of beneficiaries or 165,800 people stand to gain from adding a dental benefit. About 90% of beneficiaries or 151,100 people stand to gain from adding a vision benefit. About 94% of beneficiaries or 157,900 people stand to gain from adding a hearing benefit. The Lower Drug Costs Now Act is supported by a number of organizations advocating for the interests of American citizens, including: AARP AARP, on behalf of its nearly 38 million members and all older Americans nationwide, supports your legislation, H.R. 3, the Lower Costs Now Act of 2019. We commend you for working to lower prescription drug prices and the out-of-pocket costs of individuals and families across the country. AARP has been working to advance three key policy goals at the federal level: reducing drug prices, capping seniors' out-of-pocket costs, and increasing competition. First, we are pleased that your legislation would take important steps to lower drug prices, including providing Medicare with the authority to negotiate the price of drugs. Medicare should be able to use its bargaining power to get a better deal for the 40 million Part D beneficiaries, especially for the highest-priced drugs and those drugs with little or no market competition. AARP has also advocated for an out-of-pocket cap for Medicare Part D that also protects the financial sustainability of the Medicare program, and we are pleased that this reform was included in H.R 3. Alliance for Retired Americans On behalf of the 4.4 million members of the Alliance for Retired Americans, I am writing to urge you to support H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act. This historic legislation will help reduce drug spending under the Medicare program, lower out-of-pocket costs for all insured Americans, and expand Medicare benefits. H.R. 3 will make a real difference in the lives of older Americans. It requires the Secretary of Human Services to negotiate lower drug prices for 250 of the most expensive drugs under Medicare, including insulin. The negotiated prices will extend to 180 million Americans receiving employer-provided health insurance. This is a win for all Americans. Patients for Affordable Drugs Now Early details of H.R. 3 clearly deliver on the promise to break the monopoly pricing power of drug corporations by allowing Medicare to negotiate for lower prescription prices. Importantly, the legislation incorporates key bipartisan priorities like an International Pricing Index, caps on price increases, and an out-of-pocket limit for prescription drug spending. It will lower drug prices for all Americans covered by a government plan or private insurance. H.R. 3 is a bold step forward. ### Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1554,Larsen Statement on Final Passage of National Defense Authorization Act,2019-12-12,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Rick Larsen,L000560,larsen.house.gov,larsen,https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, voted for the final conference report for the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to support servicemembers and military communities in Washington’s Second District. Larsen served on the conference committee that helped shape the final version of the bill, which passed the House by a vote of 377-48. “The final NDAA conference report makes important investments in military readiness, increases pay for servicemembers, helps small businesses compete for defense contracts and spurs innovative research to prepare for future conflicts,” said Larsen. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to get the final bill over the finish line.” Larsen successfully included provisions in the conference report that will benefit the Pacific Northwest. These include: Jet Noise Larsen successfully included important provisions to conduct real-time sound monitoring and authorize jet noise reduction research. These policies will ensure air crews can get vital training while better understanding and reducing the impact of operations on surrounding communities. Artificial Intelligence Larsen successfully included a provision that requires the Department of Defense to develop an Artificial Intelligence (AI) education strategy and requires the underlying curriculum to include ethical issues, bias and potential strengths and weaknesses of AI. Naval Station Everett Built as a carrier homeport, Naval Station Everett is uniquely well-suited to this mission. Unfortunately, the Navy’s 2018 Strategic Laydown and Dispersal Plan changed the Navy’s plan to base an aircraft carrier at Naval Station Everett in 2019 and beyond. Larsen successfully included a provision that directs the Comptroller General of the United States to submit a report to HASC on recent changes to the Navy’s West Coast aircraft carrier homeporting. Impact Aid Larsen successfully included $50 million for Impact Aid payments to schools serving military dependents, such as the Oak Harbor School District. The NDAA includes additional provisions benefiting Northwest Washington’s military families, installations and the surrounding communities. Supports Military Communities The NDAA bans Department of Defense use of firefighting agents containing PFAS on military bases by 2024, requires the use of state drinking water standards when they are more stringent than federal standards, and authorizes funding for schools serving military students. The NDAA also requires the DoD to develop a comprehensive mental health policy and combats the opioid epidemic by implementing economic and financial sanctions on foreign drug traffickers. Invests in Science and Technology The NDAA increases funding for the Defense University Research Initiative by $5 million. This program helped fund the Robotarium, a remote-access robotics lab located at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Larsen has advocated for the expansion of the Robotarium concept to other universities and educational institutions to expand access to autonomous systems. Strengthens the NATO Alliance The NDAA reverses President Trump’s cuts to the European Deterrence Initiative, instead providing additional funding to deter Russia and work with U.S. allies and partners. The bill prohibits funding to be used to suspend, terminate or withdraw from NATO and expresses strong support of U.S. commitment to the alliance. Promotes Nuclear Stability The NDAA includes Larsen’s provision extending the prohibition on development of mobile Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) for five years. The bill also authorizes $20 million for research and development of advanced naval reactors to reduce the use of weapons-grade uranium. Protects Dreamers The NDAA prohibits a DACA or TPS recipient from being involuntarily separated from the military and requires military service to be considered in any determination for removal proceedings. The bill also requires counseling to noncitizen servicemembers on how to apply for citizenship. The final NDAA conference report now awaits passage in the Senate before heading to the president’s desk to be signed into law. To read the final conference report, click here. ### Related News Larsen Introduces Bill to Expand Rural Health Care Access for Tribes, Military Families May 22, 2026 | Posted in Press Releases Larsen, Elfreth Secure AI Provisions in Defense Policy Bill December 10, 2025 | Posted in Press Releases Larsen Releases Statement on Defense Policy Bill Vote December 10, 2025 | Posted in Press Releases Larsen Releases Statement on Cancellation of Constellation-class Frigate Program November 26, 2025 | Posted in Press Releases Larsen Statement on House-Passed Defense Policy Bill September 11, 2025 | Posted in Press Releases",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-statement-final-passage-national-defense-authorization-act-0,Larsen Statement on Final Passage of National Defense Authorization Act,2019-12-12,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Rick Larsen,L000560,larsen.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, voted for the final conference report for the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to support servicemembers and military communities in Washington's Second District. Larsen served on the conference committee that helped shape the final version of the bill, which passed the House by a vote of 377-48. The final NDAA conference report makes important investments in military readiness, increases pay for servicemembers, helps small businesses compete for defense contracts and spurs innovative research to prepare for future conflicts, said Larsen. I look forward to working with my colleagues to get the final bill over the finish line. Larsen successfully included provisions in the conference report that will benefit the Pacific Northwest. These include: Jet Noise Larsen successfully included important provisions to conduct real-time sound monitoring and authorize jet noise reduction research. These policies will ensure air crews can get vital training while better understanding and reducing the impact of operations on surrounding communities. Artificial Intelligence Larsen successfully included a provision that requires the Department of Defense to develop an Artificial Intelligence (AI) education strategy and requires the underlying curriculum to include ethical issues, bias and potential strengths and weaknesses of AI. Naval Station Everett Built as a carrier homeport, Naval Station Everett is uniquely well-suited to this mission. Unfortunately, the Navy's 2018 Strategic Laydown and Dispersal Plan changed the Navy's plan to base an aircraft carrier at Naval Station Everett in 2019 and beyond. Larsen successfully included a provision that directs the Comptroller General of the United States to submit a report to HASC on recent changes to the Navy's West Coast aircraft carrier homeporting. Impact Aid Larsen successfully included $50 million for Impact Aid payments to schools serving military dependents, such as the Oak Harbor School District. The NDAA includes additional provisions benefiting Northwest Washington's military families, installations and the surrounding communities. Supports Military Communities The NDAA bans Department of Defense use of firefighting agents containing PFAS on military bases by 2024, requires the use of state drinking water standards when they are more stringent than federal standards, and authorizes funding for schools serving military students. The NDAA also requires the DoD to develop a comprehensive mental health policy and combats the opioid epidemic by implementing economic and financial sanctions on foreign drug traffickers. Invests in Science and Technology The NDAA increases funding for the Defense University Research Initiative by $5 million. This program helped fund the Robotarium, a remote-access robotics lab located at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Larsen has advocated for the expansion of the Robotarium concept to other universities and educational institutions to expand access to autonomous systems. Strengthens the NATO Alliance The NDAA reverses President Trump's cuts to the European Deterrence Initiative, instead providing additional funding to deter Russia and work with U.S. allies and partners. The bill prohibits funding to be used to suspend, terminate or withdraw from NATO and expresses strong support of U.S. commitment to the alliance. Promotes Nuclear Stability The NDAA includes Larsen's provision extending the prohibition on development of mobile Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) for five years. The bill also authorizes $20 million for research and development of advanced naval reactors to reduce the use of weapons-grade uranium. Protects Dreamers The NDAA prohibits a DACA or TPS recipient from being involuntarily separated from the military and requires military service to be considered in any determination for removal proceedings. The bill also requires counseling to noncitizen servicemembers on how to apply for citizenship. The final NDAA conference report now awaits passage in the Senate before heading to the president's desk to be signed into law. To read the final conference report, click here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://schrier.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-schrier-votes-bring-down-cost-prescription-drugs,Rep. Schrier Votes to Bring Down Cost of Prescription Drugs,2019-12-12,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Kim Schrier,S001216,schrier.house.gov,schrier,https://schrier.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) voted today for HR 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act. Rep. Schrier gave the following speech on the floor in support of the bill: I'm so excited about HR 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act. I am the first pediatrician elected to Congress. And currently the only female doctor in Congress. I am also a patient with Type 1 Diabetes. My life depends on insulin, so the high cost of prescription drugs affects me and people like me every day. I have driven over 7,300 miles this year, traversing my district and talking with people about the issues that matter to them. They want to know ""what are you going to do to bring down the cost of prescription drugs?"" It doesn't matter if you are a Democrat or a Republican if you cannot afford your medications. I understand this issue, both as a doctor and as a patient. Because it is not theoretical for me, or for my patients. When we talk about the cost of insulin, I have felt that personally. I have seen the price of my insulin go from $40 twenty years ago, to $300 today. That is the price for a bottle that holds 10 mL - two teaspoons - making it comparable in price to cobra venom. Before being elected to Congress, I worked for nearly 20 years as a pediatrician in the suburbs of Seattle, three hours from the Canadian border. Mostly, I prescribed electronically. But when patients asked for a printed prescription, I understood why. They would drive up to Canada with those prescriptions. Because in Canada the $600 Epi Pen costs $50. In Canada the $300 insulin costs $50. Right now, Americans pay -- on average -- 3 to 4 times what our neighbors in Canada or people in France, Germany, England, Australia, and Japan, pay for their medications. That is unconscionable. We should not be subsidizing the rest of the developed world's medications. I know that my district can't be all that different from the districts that you all serve. All of our constituents are looking to us to fix this problem of out - of - control drug price inflation. I am so pleased today to deliver HR3 for the people we all serve. This is groundbreaking legislation that will make a meaningful difference in the lives and the health of Americans in every one of our districts. The American people cannot wait another day for this to become law.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/house-passes-cantwell-legislation-to-expand-medicare-coverage-for-people-living-with-lymphedema,House Passes Cantwell Legislation to Expand Medicare Coverage for People Living with Lymphedema,2019-12-12,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.12.19 House Passes Cantwell Legislation to Expand Medicare Coverage for People Living with Lymphedema Bipartisan Lymphedema Treatment Act could help more than 6,300 Washingtonians, 1.5 million Americans get essential, effective care WASHINGTON, D.C.Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation pushed by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D, IL-9) to improve Medicare coverage for lymphedema patients. The Lymphedema Treatment Act would expand available care and benefits for Medicare beneficiaries with lymphedema by requiring Medicare to cover compression treatment items, which are essential in the effective treatment of the disease. The measure passed as part of a larger House bill, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3), which now moves to the Senate for consideration. Lymphedema affects millions of Americans, including more than 6,300 Washingtonians, Senator Cantwell said. Updating Medicare to cover necessary and effective treatment for this condition is a commonsense measure that will improve care for Medicare beneficiaries with lymphedema, while also reducing costly hospitalizations. Lymphedema is an incurable but treatable condition affecting between three and five million Americans. It is a chronic condition caused by injury, trauma, or congenital defects in the lymphatic system, which can occur after cancer treatment. If left untreated or inadequately treated, it can lead to complications including loss of function, disability, and in some cases, death. The House-passedLymphedema Treatment Actwould close an existing coverage gap and improve care for the more than 1.5 million Medicare beneficiaries with lymphedema by ensuring that Medicare covers physician-prescribed compression therapy items. These items include multi-layer compression bandaging systems, standard fit compression garments, and other compression items that are used in the medical treatment of lymphedema. These compression therapy items, which reduce complications and disease progression by controlling swelling of the limbs, are part of the standard of care for lymphedema. State Medicaid programs and private health insurance plans currently cover compression therapy items, but Medicare Part B does not. The Senate version of the legislation was introduced this year by Senator Cantwell and Senator Todd Young (R-IN), and is co-sponsored by 68 senators from both parties and widely supported by patient advocates and health care providers. Groups endorsing the bill include the American Cancer Society, the Lymphedema Advocacy Group, and the American Medical Association. Senator Cantwell has a long record of working to protect and improve the Medicare program. In July 2019, Cantwell and the Senate Finance Committee passed a bipartisan bill through the Committee that would lower Medicare patients' prescription drug costs. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=52446DBA-0D8C-4152-A44B-E4A90FF79CDF,"Senator Murray, Tribal Leaders Announce Millions in Housing Funding for Tribes in Washington State",2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Awards come as part of the Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) Program, which Senator Murray successfully worked to strengthen funding for in recent spending bills Combined funding totals more than $17.3 million in housing assistance for tribes to develop, maintain, and operate affordable housing to benefit Native American families who have low incomes HUD Report: [T]he overcrowding and physical housing problems of American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIANs) living on reservations and other tribal areas remain strikingly more severe than those of other Americans MORE HERE Senator Murray: Every family deserves a safe, secure home, and I'm proud to announce this crucial funding to tackle some of the unique housing issues that tribal communities here in Washington state face (Washington, D.C.) Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined local tribal leaders to announce more than $17.3 million in federal funds going to five tribes across Washington state. The housing awards are part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) Program, which provides funding to Native American tribes and tribally designated housing entities (TDHEs) to develop, maintain, and operate affordable housing, with a focus on providing housing and other resources for low-income Native American families. Every family deserves a safe, secure home, and I'm proud to announce this crucial funding to tackle some of the unique housing issues that tribal communities here in Washington state face, Senator Murray said. I've consistently fought to strengthen funding for the Indian Housing Block Grant Program, which is an important tool that allows communities to address homelessness and housing insecurity on tribal lands. And as a voice for our state, I will keep working in partnership with Indian Country to ensure that federal funds from this and other vital programs continue flowing to tribes in Washington state and across the country. According to a report by HUD, more than 50% of Native American households in the Pacific Northwest qualify as low-income (less than 80% of median income). The report also details the extent to which Native American households in tribal areas deal with physical housing deficiencies, such as heating or plumbing deficiencies, at a much higher rate than other U.S. households. In her role as a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Murray has successfully fought for increased funding for the IHBG Program, which helps to combat the housing issues that specifically plague tribal communities, in particular those who qualify as low-income. See a full breakdown of federal awards going to Washington state tribes below: State Recipient City Amount WA Colville Indian Housing Authority Nespelem $ 5,000,000 WA Kalispel Indian Community of the Kalispel Reservation Cusick $ 1,000,000 WA Muckleshoot Indian Tribe dba Muckleshoot Housing Authority Auburn $ 5,000,000 WA Swinomish Housing Authority La Conner $ 1,375,708 WA Yakama Nation Housing Authority Wapato $ 5,000,000 See some quotes from grant recipients in Washington state below: The grant will have a major impact on low-income housing for the Kalispel Tribe. Providing numerous units that will reduce overcrowding and provide healthy and safe affordable homes for Kalispel tribal families. Said Rebekah Sutch, Planning Director of the Kalispel Tribe. The Tribe is committed to building a healthy community for all of our tribal members. We plan to utilize this grant to build 30 housing units committed to families or individuals in recovery and families working on active reunification. The Muckleshoot Tribal Council will do everything it can to ensure that our members seeking help to better their lives can receive that help. I want to thank HUD for supporting this project and Senator Murray, Senator Cantwell, and Congresswoman Schrier for their assistance. Said Muckleshoot Tribe Chairman Jaison Elkins. We are grateful for the help and support of Senator Murray and her staff in securing a much needed grant for the development of affordable housing on the Yakama Reservation. This grant award will have immediate impact on our affordable housing programs, said Delano Saluskin, Chairman of the Yakama Tribal Council Loan, Extension, Education and Housing Committee. Our Yakama tribal council and housing staff are pleased to hear the award announcement. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=960915C3-8B96-41BB-B778-F640E85759D2,"As UN Convention on Climate Change in Europe is Underway, Senator Murray Leads Group of Senators in Letter to President Trump Urging Him to Reconsider Paris Climate Accord Withdrawal",2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,,,legacy,"(Washington, D.C.) U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) joined 26 of her Senate colleagues in a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to reconsider his decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement. In the letter, Senator Murray sounded the alarm on the dangerous, growing impacts of the climate crisis and the damage that will be inflicted on current and future generations unless immediate action is taken. Senator Murray also warned the President against ceding U.S. leadership on this issue, and admonished him for failing to honor his commitment to work with Democrats to renegotiate the Paris Climate Accord or to craft a new deal to address the climate crisis. The letter comes as the 25th United Nations Climate Change conference takes place in Madrid this week. Senator Murray wrote, As the second largest global emitter of greenhouse gases, and the largest historical emitter, it is imperative that the United States assume our rightful place as a global leader in the fight to combat climate change, yet with this action you are ceding American leadership to other nations at great political and economic costs. Additionally, the letter emphasized the national security implications related to the President's withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord, underscoring the damage done to the United States' reputation by going back on an international commitment. Senator Murray's letter further illustrates the outcry from Washingtonians and Americans across various sectors, including the business community, citing more than 2,200 U.S. businesses including major companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Starbucks. Senator Murray concluded the letter by reminding the President of the overwhelming number of Americans who believe the United States should participate in the Paris Climate Agreement three out of every four registered voters or 77 percent. Read the full letter HERE. A longtime defender of our nation's bedrock environmental laws, Senator Murray has consistently opposed President Trump's decision to leave the Paris Climate Accords, and joined with her Senate Democratic colleagues on another letter this week in support of the 25th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 25) and their commitment to global efforts to thwart climate change. Senator Murray has also been a leader on legislative efforts to address climate change and protect the environment, introducing legislation to maintain national fuel economy standards and protect local wilderness and natural landscapes throughout Washington state. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://adamsmith.house.gov/news/press-releases/chairman-smith-corrects-record-fy20-ndaa,Chairman Smith Corrects the Record on the FY20 NDAA,2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Adam Smith,S000510,adamsmith.house.gov,adamsmith,https://adamsmith.house.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith (D-Wash.) today issued the following statement ahead of the House vote on the Conference Report for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020. ""Before my colleagues and I cast our votes on the FY20 NDAA, one thing must be made clear: This is the most progressive defense bill we have passed in decades. ""After months of hard-fought negotiations, our bill is now final, and contains major wins for Democrats and working people and promotes our national security. Despite this sweeping success, some have decried the bill, saying it fails to live up to progressive values. To those detractors I ask one simple question: Which of the provisions that did not make it into our final bill did President Trump, Leader McConnell, and Chairman Inhofe not hate? ""From the moment we passed our bill through the House without the support of a single Republican vote, it was clear that our counterparts in the Senate and White House fundamentally opposed the Democratic priorities included in the bill. ""Do you know what they also hated? The repeal of the ‘widow's tax' and granting paid parental leave for federal employees. But, because of our tireless work, we succeeded in getting these provisions included. Because of this hard work, our bill will have real impacts on Americans leading real lives. ""Throughout the negotiations I failed in one way: I was unable to turn President Trump, Leader McConnell, and Chairman Inhofe into Democrats and convince them to suddenly accept all of the provisions they despise. Nonetheless, we have accomplished more with this bill than anyone ever thought possible given the realities of a Trump White House and a Republican-controlled Senate, and we should be proud of that. ""To those who say that this bill isn't enough - I could not disagree more. When I look at the widows, the parents, and families who will benefit from the bill, it is enough. We are delivering more for families across this country than anyone even conceived of going into this year. ""To those who say that we should have ‘fought harder' or ‘held the line' - I can assure you we fought the entire time until the very end. President Trump, Leader McConnell, and Chairman Inhofe would have killed the bill over these provisions. If we kill the bill, we would have gotten nothing. Not a single Democratic priority. ""Leader McConnell and Chairman Inhofe would have been thrilled to pass a ‘skinny NDAA' with zero Democratic priorities. That alternative bill would have none of the key policies we fought so hard for - no paid parental leave, no ""widow's tax"" repeal, and nothing to address PFAS. ""That is why I so am proud of this bill - because of everything that is contained in its 1,249 individual provisions and more than 4,000 pages. I am proud that this bill will change the lives of millions by providing paid parental leave. I am proud that this bill will better provide for the widows and families of those service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. And I am proud that this bill reflects Democratic priorities and American values. ""And make no mistake about it, I will continue to fight for the provisions we did not get, hopefully at some point with a Senate and President who better reflect the values of our country. I know how important these provisions are."" ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://adamsmith.house.gov/news/press-releases/congressman-smith-statement-house-passage-fy20-national-defense-authorization,Congressman Smith Statement on House Passage of the FY20 National Defense Authorization Act,2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Adam Smith,S000510,adamsmith.house.gov,adamsmith,https://adamsmith.house.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"December 11, 2019 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20), which authorizes funding for the Department of Defense and the national security programs of the Department of Energy: ""Today the House passed the most progressive National Defense Authorization Act in decades. It takes important strides toward strengthening our national defense, supporting service members and their families, and preserving the American values we share. It increases oversight and accountability of the Department of Defense (DOD), promotes a more inclusive and diverse military, and takes steps to protect public health. ""Under the Democratic majority in the House, the NDAA takes a historic step to support families and children by providing 12 weeks of paid parental leave for federal workers across all agencies - benefiting millions of federal workers and their families. ""Democrats also secured some of the strongest environmental and climate-related provisions of any NDAA, continuing our work to put DOD at the forefront of planning and mitigating for the impacts of climate change and adopting strong energy efficiency and resilience practices. It nearly doubles funding authorization for the Energy Resilience and Conservation Investment Program for projects that improve energy resiliency or energy conservation efforts at military installations, and it increases funding for the Readiness Environmental Protection Initiative that supports land conservation efforts in cooperation with local communities. ""I was successful in working with my colleagues to include the most significant legislative action on PFAS ever. The House prevailed in securing a total ban on DOD use of firefighting agents containing PFAS by 2024 and forcing DOD to prioritize the effort to find a safe alternative. In addition, the bill immediately bans the use of firefighting agents with PFAS for training and any uncontrolled release of PFAS for any purpose other than putting out fires. While this agreement contains crucial, initial steps to improve the health of families, Senate Republicans refused to compromise on additional provisions to hold polluters accountable and protect vulnerable populations against dangerous PFAS ‘forever chemicals.' The Democratic Caucus remains committed to moving legislation in the House that takes additional action on PFAS and speaker Pelosi has vowed to make this issue a priority in the New Year. ""This NDAA recognizes the valuable role that immigrants play in our military and communities across the country. The bill prohibits a member of the armed services who is protected under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or Temporary Protected Status (TPS) from being involuntarily separated from the military and requires that a veteran's military service shall be considered in any determination for removal proceedings. The bill allocates an additional 4,000 visas allowing Afghans and their families to immigrate to the United States whose services to the U.S. government puts them at great personal risk. Furthermore, our bill requires counseling to service members who are not citizens on how to apply for citizenship. ""I also fought to ensure provisions promoting diversity and inclusion in the military were included. The bill requires the DOD to update and implement its Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan and address racial, ethnic, and gender disparities in the military justice system. The NDAA increases funding and support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions. In addition, the Marine Corps will finally be required to gender integrate basic training at Parris Island within five years and San Diego within eight years. ""This NDAA secures long-overdue changes to provide the protections and benefits that military families need and deserve. This includes an end to the unjust ‘widow's tax' and significant reforms and increased resources to enhance oversight and management of military housing. Additionally, the NDAA provides a 3.1 percent military pay raise for service members - the largest increase in a decade. ""I must admit, however, that certain Democratic priorities are not included in this legislation. As Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, I fought for months with my Republican colleagues in the Senate to include provisions relating to Yemen, Iran, the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF), and the border wall. I fought for these provisions until the final moments, however, Senate Republicans and the White House were completely unwilling to negotiate. Instead, they threatened to kill the bill. If we had allowed them to kill the bill, Democrats would have gotten nothing. Not a single one of our priorities. ""But that is why I so am proud of this bill - because of everything that is contained in its 1,249 individual provisions and more than 4,000 pages. I am proud that this bill will change the lives of millions by providing paid parental leave. I am proud that this bill will better provide for the widows and families of those service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. And I am proud that this bill reflects Democratic priorities and American values. ""And make no mistake about it, I will continue to fight for the provisions we did not get, hopefully at some point with a Senate and President who better reflect the values of our country. I know how important these provisions are."" Background: Key provisions in the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act include: Reforms the FERES Doctrine Under current law, service members on active duty who are victims of medical malpractice in a Military Treatment Facility are prevented from filing claims for personal injury or death. Water Contamination: PFOS, PFOA, AFFF Bans DOD use of fire fighting agents containing PFAS by 2024 and forcing DOD to prioritize the effort to find a safe alternative. Requires DOD to ensure that when disposing of AFFF and supplies used to remediate PFAS contamination (such a water filters) it does so in a manner that is safe and does not create further pollution. Bans the use of PFAS chemicals in the packaging of the meals (MREs) our service members eat when deployed in combat areas and for training. Closes a loophole in the DOD Environmental clean-up accounts that was keeping the National Guard from being able to access these funds to address PFOS and PFOA contamination. Authorizes DOD to provide alternative water to farmers effected by PFAS contaminated agricultural water. Bans the uncontrolled release of fire fighting agents containing PFAS for any purpose other than putting out fires. Agrees to all portions of the Senate PFAS package except Safe Drinking Water Regulation because the Senate would not agree to protect vulnerable populations. Afghan Special Immigrant Visas Allocates an additional 4,000 visas allowing Afghans (and their families) whose service to the U.S. Government puts them at great personal risk, immigrate to the United States. Modifies eligibility requirements for the program to all who, ""provided faithful and valuable service to the U.S. Government,"" consistent with the original language of the ""Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009."" Requires the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, to work to ensure the meaningful participation of Afghan women in the ongoing peace process in Afghanistan. Takes Care of Service Members and Their Families Comprehensive Mental Health Policy: This provision requires the Department of Defense to develop a comprehensive mental health policy that looks at the availability of mental health services for service members and the effectiveness in how these services are delivered. Report on Suicide Prevention Programs: Requires a report on the effectiveness of suicide prevention programs and the development of metrics evaluating treatment plans, mental health screenings and resiliency programs. Deferred deployment for members who give birth: Mandates a 1-year deployment deferment for mothers after birth of a child. Adopts the Fentanyl Sanctions Act to combat the opioid epidemic, which implements a number of economic and financial sanctions to cripple the operations of foreign traffickers of opioids. Parole in Place: Requires the Sec Homeland Security to consider whether granting a request for parole in place from a member of the Armed Forces for a family member would enable military family unity that would constitute a significant public benefit. Addresses Military Housing Issues Military Family Housing: Adopts numerous provisions that reform the oversight and management of military family housing; and establishment of rights and responsibilities of military family housing landlords and tenants. Prohibits the use of non-disclosure agreements in connection with entering into, continuing, or terminating a lease for on-base military housing. Authorizes an additional $140.8 million to hire additional civilian personnel to improve oversight and management of military family housing. Creates a public database for complaints related to military housing, requires annual financial audits of randomly selected privatized military family housing, and annual congressional reports on the condition, maintenance, and management of privatized military family housing. Housing Hazard Assessment Tool: Requires the Department of Defense to develop a health and safety hazard assessment tool for housing and provide a summary report to potential occupants. Protects Victims of Sexual And Domestic Assault Defense Advisory Committee for the Prevention of Sexual Misconduct: Requires the Establishment of a Defense Advisory Committee for the Prevention of Sexual Misconduct. Training for Special Victims' Counsel on civilian criminal justice matters in the States of the military installations to which assigned: Requires training for Special Victims' Counsel (SVCs) on local criminal laws in order to adequately advise sexual assault victims on their choice for prosecution jurisdiction. Improvement of Special Victims' Counsel authorities: Requires SVCs to advise sexual assault victims on rights related to retaliation. Consideration of request for transfer of a cadet or midshipman at a military service academy who is the victim of a sexual assault or related offense: Establishes regulations providing for timely consideration of transfer applications for military service academy students who are the victims of sexual assault and related offenses. Legal Counsel for victims of alleged domestic violence offenses: Requires the DOD to establish a program by 2020 to provide legal counsel to domestic violence victims and to report to Congress on how they will structure and implement the program. Military Construction and the Wall Border Wall Backfill: Does not authorize any backfill of military construction funds taken for the President's border wall. Disaster Related Military Construction: Authorizes $4.1 billion for emergency-designated military construction projects necessary to support disaster recovery and reconstruction at military installations impacted by hurricanes, flooding, and earthquakes. Requires an assessment of the impact of any planned or proposed border wall construction would have on the volume of illegal narcotics entering the United States. Protects Dreamers in the Armed Services Prohibition on involuntary separation and consideration of military service in removal determinations: Prohibits a member who is protected under DACA or TPS from being involuntarily separated from the military, and requires that a veterans military service shall be consider in any determination for removal proceedings. Citizenship: Requires counseling to service members who are not citizens on how to apply as well as inclusion of questions on the pre-separation counseling checklist on immigration status to ensure those leaving the military know how to apply for citizenship. Promotes a Diverse, Inclusive Military Diversity Plan: Requires the Secretary of Defense to update and implement the Department of Defense Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan. Diversification of the research and engineering workforce of the Department of Defense: Strengthens and diversifies the Department's science and technology workforce and infrastructure. Marine Corps gender integration: Requires Marine Corps to gender integrate basic training at Parris Island within 5 years and San Diego within 8. Assessment of racial, ethnic, and gender disparities in the military justice system: Requires DOD to record and maintain information regarding race, ethnicity, and gender and requires the Secretary of Defense to establish guidance to further identify any disparities and to take action on any identified disparities during the justice process. Requires DoD to submit an initial report, within 120 days of enactment, and an annual report for two years thereafter, setting forth information about the number of transgender applicants and transgender service members who sought and received a waiver or an exception to policy to permit their enlistment, accession, or retention in the military. National study on defense research at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Other Minority Institutions: Establishes a National Study on Defense Research at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions. HBCU/MSI Funding Increases: Increases funding and support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions. Adopts the Fair Chance Act Prevents the federal government—including the executive, legislative, and judicial branches—from requesting criminal history information from applicants until they reach the conditional offer stage; Prohibits federal contractors from requesting criminal history information from candidates for positions within the scope of federal contracts until the conditional offer stage; Includes important exceptions for positions related to law enforcement and national security duties, positions requiring access to classified information, and positions for which access to criminal history information before the conditional offer stage is required by law; and Requires the Bureau of Justice Statistics, in coordination with the U.S. Census Bureau, to issue a report on the employment statistics of formerly incarcerated individuals. Climate Change and Environment Readiness Environmental Protection Initiative: Authorizes $100 million, $25 million above the budget request, for the Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative (REPI), supports land conservation efforts in cooperation with local communities to prevent incompatible development around military bases and ranges. Climate Resiliency Provisions: Contains a number of provisions that require DOD to identify, mitigate, and plan for the material impacts of climate change on military installations and infrastructure. Requires DOD develop installation master plans that assess current climate vulnerabilities and plan for mitigating the risks to installations from extreme weather events, mean sea level fluctuation, wildfires, flooding, and other changes in environmental conditions using projections from recognized governmental and scientific entities. Limits DOD's ability to spend planning and design funds until it initiates the process of amending the building standards for military construction (Unified Facility Criteria) to ensure that building practices and standards promote energy, climate, and cyber resilience at military installations. Requires all proposals for military construction projects to consider potential long-term changes in environmental conditions, and increasingly frequent extreme weather events, as well as, industry best-practices to withstand extreme weather events. Requires DOD to report on the feasibility of transitioning installation planning from 100-year floodplain data to a forward-looking predictive model that takes into account the impacts of sea-level rise. Establishes a pilot authority for the Department of Defense to carry out military construction projects, with prior congressional notification, that enhance military installation resilience, mission assurance, support mission critical functions, and address known vulnerabilities. Direct Air Capture and Blue Carbon Removal Technology Program: Creates a program for air capture and blue carbon removal technology to strengthen the sustainment of our Navy and combat climate warming. Energy Resilience and Conservation Investment Program: Authorizes $283 million, an additional $133 million, for military construction projects that improve energy resiliency or energy conservation efforts at a military installation. Requires the DOD to consult with experts from other agencies to adapt or develop a tool that can help them better assess and plan for climate risk. Requires the DOD to identify and remove barriers to resiliency and to reform policies and programs to better address climate vulnerability. Requires DOD to have a dedicated budget line to address resiliency to extreme weather events. Requires Navy to purchase, with a $10 million authorization, a portable detonation chamber to reduce the amount of open detonations on Vieques, Puerto Rico . Requires the Comptroller General to complete a study on the Federal cleanup and decontamination process on Vieques and Culebra, Puerto Rico, to include an assessment of the impacts on public health and safety of the clean-up activities. Improves Nuclear Oversight and Strategic Deterrence Nuclear safety: Increases the legal authority of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board to conduct nuclear safety oversight of the nuclear security enterprise. Nuclear weapons budget: Mandates that DOD and NNSA budget officials participate in Nuclear Weapons Council meetings to inform requirements and program decisions on nuclear weapons programs; also requires CBO report on acquisition costs of nuclear modernization, including as percentage of acquisition, to increase transparency of nuclear weapons costs. ICBMs: Extends prohibition on development of mobile ICBMs. Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent: A reduction of $40 million to the program. No First Use: Requires an independent report on a U.S. policy of not using nuclear weapons first. Arms control/strategic stability: Limits withdrawal from the New START and Open Skies treaties (120 day wait period and requires consultation). Nuclear non-proliferation: Authorizes $20M for research and development on using low-enriched uranium for naval reactor fuel to reduce the use of nuclear weapons-grade uranium. Study of risks of nuclear war: Independent report on risks of nuclear war and nuclear terrorism. Waste reclassification: Limits the Administration from reclassifying high-level waste in WA state for FY2020. INF-range missiles: Prohibits production and deployment of ground-launched missiles in FY2020; Requires report on analysis of alternatives, on basing options and whether deployment in Europe would require NATO consensus. Independent study on impacts of missile defense development and deployment: Requires an independent assessment on the impacts of U.S. missile defense development on the security of the United States as a whole. National Missile Defense Policy: Updates the national missile defense policy to state that U.S. homeland missile defense will be targeted against rogue states, and will rely on nuclear deterrence for near-peer adversary ballistic missile threats. Improvements to missile defense testing and reporting: Requires increased operationally realistic testing, specifically with regards to countermeasures, of missile defense systems and increased analysis and reporting on the results of those tests. Next Generation Interceptor: Increases oversight of the ground-based midcourse defense system and places a 50 percent fence on FY20 efforts for a next generation interceptor until the Department of Defense provides a report on validated requirements and technical, programmatic, and cost analyses of the program's path forward. Space-Based missile defense: Repeals FY18 NDAA requirement for a space-based missile defense test bed. Conventional Prompt Strike: Directs the Secretary of the Navy to develop a conventional prompt strike hypersonic capability for deployment on surface ship platforms (instead of limiting it to ambiguous sub-launched which could increase the risks of miscalculation). Addresses Civilian Casualties Annual report on strikes undertaken by the United States against terrorist targets outside areas of active hostilities: Directs a two-year reporting requirement to the Director of National Intelligence and Secretary of Defense to submit a coordinated, corroborated report on civilian casualties resulting from U.S. strikes against terrorist targets outside areas of active hostilities. Partially reinstates the previous administration's Executive Order to report on U.S. activities outside areas of military engagement. Modification of annual report on civilian casualties in connection with United States military operations: Directs additional reporting requirements in the annual Department of Defense report on civilian casualties, increasing accountability and transparency by the Department in the way civilian casualties are accounted for, tracked, and reported. Assessment of standards, processes, procedures, and policy relating to civilian casualties: Directs an independent study of Department of Defense standards, processes, procedures, and policy relating to the accounting, tracking, and reporting of civilian casualties resulting from U.S. military operations. Independent assessment on gender and countering violent extremism: Directs the Secretaries of Defense and State to coordinate on an independent study of the relationship between gender - specifically the role of women - and violent extremism as a means of highlighting and advancing the role(s) of women as key contributors to peace processes, under the auspices of the Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017. Iraq, Syria, And Iran Requires stricter Congressional oversight of U.S. military activity in Iraq and Syria. Fences funding if DOD fails to provide all past, overdue reports related to U.S. military activities in Iraq and Syria by January 1, 2020 and requires DOD to consult with the Government of Iraq on its activities in Iraq. Includes a rule of construction that nothing in this Act or any amendment made by this Act may be construed to authorize the use of military force against Iran. Afghan Security Forces Fund The authorization continues to include requirements to develop Gender Programs for the recruitment, retention, and professional development of women in the ANDSF. Yemen And Saudi Arabia Prohibits in-flight refueling to the Saudi-led coalition for two years, unless and until a specific authorization from Congress is enacted. Drives accountability for the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi and highlights Saudi human rights abuses. The NDAA requires an intelligence assessment from the Director of National Intelligence, naming those responsible for Jamal Khashoggi's murder. It also requires a report from the Secretary of State detailing Saudi Arabia's gross human rights violations. Enhances transparency and accountability through the establishment of additional civilian casualty reporting elements. It also requires an independent assessment of the Department of Defense standards, processes, procedures, and policy relating to civilian casualties resulting from United States military operations. Additionally, it requires the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to submit a report detailing the number of civilian casualties caused by the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthis in Yemen. Russia & Europe Increases funding for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which provides support and assistance to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, by $50 million, bringing the funding level to $300 million in order to provide robust ongoing support of Ukraine's efforts to counter Russian aggression. Adds coastal defense cruise missiles and anti-ship missiles to the categories of appropriate security assistance and intelligence support. Prohibits the use of federal funds to suspend, terminate, or file notice for withdrawal from the North Atlantic Treaty (NATO). Expresses the sense of Congress in strong support of the U.S. commitment to the NATO alliance. Includes numerous provisions countering Russian influence and election interference efforts as part of the Intelligence Authorization Act (IAA), which is included in the NDAA. Extends the prohibition on funding for any activity that would recognize the sovereignty of the Russian Federation over Crimea. Turkey Prohibits the transfer of an F-35 aircraft or related materials to Turkey, now that Turkey has taken possession of the S-400 air defense system. Acquisition Policy Incentivizes contractors to invest in workforce development programs to address the workforce needs of the Department of Defense by requiring the Secretary of Defense to include an evaluation of contractor workforce development programs in the contract past performance system. Establishes a small business contracting credit for subcontractors that are businesses located in United States territories. Directs agencies to accelerate payment of small business prime contractors to the fullest extent possible, with a goal of 15 days after receipt of proper invoice. Security Cooperation, Stabilization, And Human Rights Accountability Encourages DOD to integrate gender perspectives and meaningful participation by women in security cooperation authorities. Authorizes the use of up to $18 million to provide logistical support to stabilization activities of the Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development and other federal agencies in certain countries emerging from conflict. Requires a report that assesses the human rights climate in Brazil and whether Brazilian security-force units that engaged in human rights abuses received or purchased United States equipment or training. Requires a report that assesses the human rights climate in Honduras and compliance of the military and security forces of Honduras with international human rights laws and standards. Requires a report on security sector assistance for the Philippines National Police, including an identification of any units determined or credibly alleged to have committed human rights abuses and a description of the relationship of those units with units that receive U.S. assistance. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://adamsmith.house.gov/press-releases?ID=11C90FC9-4E55-4482-AD01-3D7D2B8E8619,Congressman Smith Statement on House Passage of the FY20 National Defense Authorization Act,2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Adam Smith,S000510,adamsmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20), which authorizes funding for the Department of Defense and the national security programs of the Department of Energy: Today the House passed the most progressive National Defense Authorization Act in decades. It takes important strides toward strengthening our national defense, supporting service members and their families, and preserving the American values we share. It increases oversight and accountability of the Department of Defense (DOD), promotes a more inclusive and diverse military, and takes steps to protect public health. Under the Democratic majority in the House, the NDAA takes a historic step to support families and children by providing 12 weeks of paid parental leave for federal workers across all agencies benefiting millions of federal workers and their families. Democrats also secured some of the strongest environmental and climate-related provisions of any NDAA, continuing our work to put DOD at the forefront of planning and mitigating for the impacts of climate change and adopting strong energy efficiency and resilience practices. It nearly doubles funding authorization for the Energy Resilience and Conservation Investment Program for projects that improve energy resiliency or energy conservation efforts at military installations, and it increases funding for the Readiness Environmental Protection Initiative that supports land conservation efforts in cooperation with local communities. I was successful in working with my colleagues to include the most significant legislative action on PFAS ever. The House prevailed in securing a total ban on DOD use of firefighting agents containing PFAS by 2024 and forcing DOD to prioritize the effort to find a safe alternative. In addition, the bill immediately bans the use of firefighting agents with PFAS for training and any uncontrolled release of PFAS for any purpose other than putting out fires. While this agreement contains crucial, initial steps to improve the health of families, Senate Republicans refused to compromise on additional provisions to hold polluters accountable and protect vulnerable populations against dangerous PFAS forever chemicals.' The Democratic Caucus remains committed to moving legislation in the House that takes additional action on PFAS and speaker Pelosi has vowed to make this issue a priority in the New Year. This NDAA recognizes the valuable role that immigrants play in our military and communities across the country. The bill prohibits a member of the armed services who is protected under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or Temporary Protected Status (TPS) from being involuntarily separated from the military and requires that a veteran's military service shall be considered in any determination for removal proceedings. The bill allocates an additional 4,000 visas allowing Afghans and their families to immigrate to the United States whose services to the U.S. government puts them at great personal risk. Furthermore, our bill requires counseling to service members who are not citizens on how to apply for citizenship. I also fought to ensure provisions promoting diversity and inclusion in the military were included. The bill requires the DOD to update and implement its Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan and address racial, ethnic, and gender disparities in the military justice system. The NDAA increases funding and support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions. In addition, the Marine Corps will finally be required to gender integrate basic training at Parris Island within five years and San Diego within eight years. This NDAA secures long-overdue changes to provide the protections and benefits that military families need and deserve. This includes an end to the unjust widow's tax' and significant reforms and increased resources to enhance oversight and management of military housing. Additionally, the NDAA provides a 3.1 percent military pay raise for service members the largest increase in a decade. I must admit, however, that certain Democratic priorities are not included in this legislation. As Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, I fought for months with my Republican colleagues in the Senate to include provisions relating to Yemen, Iran, the 2002 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF), and the border wall. I fought for these provisions until the final moments, however, Senate Republicans and the White House were completely unwilling to negotiate. Instead, they threatened to kill the bill. If we had allowed them to kill the bill, Democrats would have gotten nothing. Not a single one of our priorities. But that is why I so am proud of this bill because of everything that is contained in its 1,249 individual provisions and more than 4,000 pages. I am proud that this bill will change the lives of millions by providing paid parental leave. I am proud that this bill will better provide for the widows and families of those service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. And I am proud that this bill reflects Democratic priorities and American values. And make no mistake about it, I will continue to fight for the provisions we did not get, hopefully at some point with a Senate and President who better reflect the values of our country. I know how important these provisions are. Background: Key provisions in the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act include: Reforms the FERES Doctrine Under current law, service members on active duty who are victims of medical malpractice in a Military Treatment Facility are prevented from filing claims for personal injury or death. Water Contamination: PFOS, PFOA, AFFF Bans DOD use of fire fighting agents containing PFAS by 2024 and forcing DOD to prioritize the effort to find a safe alternative. Requires DOD to ensure that when disposing of AFFF and supplies used to remediate PFAS contamination (such a water filters) it does so in a manner that is safe and does not create further pollution. Bans the use of PFAS chemicals in the packaging of the meals (MREs) our service members eat when deployed in combat areas and for training. Closes a loophole in the DOD Environmental clean-up accounts that was keeping the National Guard from being able to access these funds to address PFOS and PFOA contamination. Authorizes DOD to provide alternative water to farmers effected by PFAS contaminated agricultural water. Bans the uncontrolled release of fire fighting agents containing PFAS for any purpose other than putting out fires. Agrees to all portions of the Senate PFAS package except Safe Drinking Water Regulation because the Senate would not agree to protect vulnerable populations. Afghan Special Immigrant Visas Allocates an additional 4,000 visas allowing Afghans (and their families) whose service to the U.S. Government puts them at great personal risk, immigrate to the United States. Modifies eligibility requirements for the program to all who, provided faithful and valuable service to the U.S. Government, consistent with the original language of the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2009. Requires the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, to work to ensure the meaningful participation of Afghan women in the ongoing peace process in Afghanistan. Takes Care of Service Members and Their Families Comprehensive Mental Health Policy: This provision requires the Department of Defense to develop a comprehensive mental health policy that looks at the availability of mental health services for service members and the effectiveness in how these services are delivered. Report on Suicide Prevention Programs: Requires a report on the effectiveness of suicide prevention programs and the development of metrics evaluating treatment plans, mental health screenings and resiliency programs. Deferred deployment for members who give birth: Mandates a 1-year deployment deferment for mothers after birth of a child. Adopts the Fentanyl Sanctions Act to combat the opioid epidemic, which implements a number of economic and financial sanctions to cripple the operations of foreign traffickers of opioids. Parole in Place: Requires the Sec Homeland Security to consider whether granting a request for parole in place from a member of the Armed Forces for a family member would enable military family unity that would constitute a significant public benefit. Addresses Military Housing Issues Military Family Housing: Adopts numerous provisions that reform the oversight and management of military family housing; and establishment of rights and responsibilities of military family housing landlords and tenants. Prohibits the use of non-disclosure agreements in connection with entering into, continuing, or terminating a lease for on-base military housing. Authorizes an additional $140.8 million to hire additional civilian personnel to improve oversight and management of military family housing. Creates a public database for complaints related to military housing, requires annual financial audits of randomly selected privatized military family housing, and annual congressional reports on the condition, maintenance, and management of privatized military family housing. Housing Hazard Assessment Tool: Requires the Department of Defense to develop a health and safety hazard assessment tool for housing and provide a summary report to potential occupants. Protects Victims of Sexual And Domestic Assault Defense Advisory Committee for the Prevention of Sexual Misconduct: Requires the Establishment of a Defense Advisory Committee for the Prevention of Sexual Misconduct. Training for Special Victims' Counsel on civilian criminal justice matters in the States of the military installations to which assigned: Requires training for Special Victims' Counsel (SVCs) on local criminal laws in order to adequately advise sexual assault victims on their choice for prosecution jurisdiction. Improvement of Special Victims' Counsel authorities: Requires SVCs to advise sexual assault victims on rights related to retaliation. Consideration of request for transfer of a cadet or midshipman at a military service academy who is the victim of a sexual assault or related offense: Establishes regulations providing for timely consideration of transfer applications for military service academy students who are the victims of sexual assault and related offenses. Legal Counsel for victims of alleged domestic violence offenses: Requires the DOD to establish a program by 2020 to provide legal counsel to domestic violence victims and to report to Congress on how they will structure and implement the program. Military Construction and the Wall Border Wall Backfill: Does not authorize any backfill of military construction funds taken for the President's border wall. Disaster Related Military Construction: Authorizes $4.1 billion for emergency-designated military construction projects necessary to support disaster recovery and reconstruction at military installations impacted by hurricanes, flooding, and earthquakes. Requires an assessment of the impact of any planned or proposed border wall construction would have on the volume of illegal narcotics entering the United States. Protects Dreamers in the Armed Services Prohibition on involuntary separation and consideration of military service in removal determinations: Prohibits a member who is protected under DACA or TPS from being involuntarily separated from the military, and requires that a veterans military service shall be consider in any determination for removal proceedings. Citizenship: Requires counseling to service members who are not citizens on how to apply as well as inclusion of questions on the pre-separation counseling checklist on immigration status to ensure those leaving the military know how to apply for citizenship. Promotes a Diverse, Inclusive Military Diversity Plan: Requires the Secretary of Defense to update and implement the Department of Defense Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan. Diversification of the research and engineering workforce of the Department of Defense: Strengthens and diversifies the Department's science and technology workforce and infrastructure. Marine Corps gender integration: Requires Marine Corps to gender integrate basic training at Parris Island within 5 years and San Diego within 8. Assessment of racial, ethnic, and gender disparities in the military justice system: Requires DOD to record and maintain information regarding race, ethnicity, and gender and requires the Secretary of Defense to establish guidance to further identify any disparities and to take action on any identified disparities during the justice process. Requires DoD to submit an initial report, within 120 days of enactment, and an annual report for two years thereafter, setting forth information about the number of transgender applicants and transgender service members who sought and received a waiver or an exception to policy to permit their enlistment, accession, or retention in the military. National study on defense research at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Other Minority Institutions: Establishes a National Study on Defense Research at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions. HBCU/MSI Funding Increases: Increases funding and support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions. Adopts the Fair Chance Act Prevents the federal governmentincluding the executive, legislative, and judicial branchesfrom requesting criminal history information from applicants until they reach the conditional offer stage; Prohibits federal contractors from requesting criminal history information from candidates for positions within the scope of federal contracts until the conditional offer stage; Includes important exceptions for positions related to law enforcement and national security duties, positions requiring access to classified information, and positions for which access to criminal history information before the conditional offer stage is required by law; and Requires the Bureau of Justice Statistics, in coordination with the U.S. Census Bureau, to issue a report on the employment statistics of formerly incarcerated individuals. Climate Change and Environment Readiness Environmental Protection Initiative: Authorizes $100 million, $25 million above the budget request, for the Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative (REPI), supports land conservation efforts in cooperation with local communities to prevent incompatible development around military bases and ranges. Climate Resiliency Provisions: Contains a number of provisions that require DOD to identify, mitigate, and plan for the material impacts of climate change on military installations and infrastructure. Requires DOD develop installation master plans that assess current climate vulnerabilities and plan for mitigating the risks to installations from extreme weather events, mean sea level fluctuation, wildfires, flooding, and other changes in environmental conditions using projections from recognized governmental and scientific entities. Limits DOD's ability to spend planning and design funds until it initiates the process of amending the building standards for military construction (Unified Facility Criteria) to ensure that building practices and standards promote energy, climate, and cyber resilience at military installations. Requires all proposals for military construction projects to consider potential long-term changes in environmental conditions, and increasingly frequent extreme weather events, as well as, industry best-practices to withstand extreme weather events. Requires DOD to report on the feasibility of transitioning installation planning from 100-year floodplain data to a forward-looking predictive model that takes into account the impacts of sea-level rise. Establishes a pilot authority for the Department of Defense to carry out military construction projects, with prior congressional notification, that enhance military installation resilience, mission assurance, support mission critical functions, and address known vulnerabilities. Direct Air Capture and Blue Carbon Removal Technology Program: Creates a program for air capture and blue carbon removal technology to strengthen the sustainment of our Navy and combat climate warming. Energy Resilience and Conservation Investment Program: Authorizes $283 million, an additional $133 million, for military construction projects that improve energy resiliency or energy conservation efforts at a military installation. Requires the DOD to consult with experts from other agencies to adapt or develop a tool that can help them better assess and plan for climate risk. Requires the DOD to identify and remove barriers to resiliency and to reform policies and programs to better address climate vulnerability. Requires DOD to have a dedicated budget line to address resiliency to extreme weather events. Requires Navy to purchase, with a $10 million authorization, a portable detonation chamber to reduce the amount of open detonations on Vieques, Puerto Rico . Requires the Comptroller General to complete a study on the Federal cleanup and decontamination process on Vieques and Culebra, Puerto Rico, to include an assessment of the impacts on public health and safety of the clean-up activities. Improves Nuclear Oversight and Strategic Deterrence Nuclear safety: Increases the legal authority of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board to conduct nuclear safety oversight of the nuclear security enterprise. Nuclear weapons budget: Mandates that DOD and NNSA budget officials participate in Nuclear Weapons Council meetings to inform requirements and program decisions on nuclear weapons programs; also requires CBO report on acquisition costs of nuclear modernization, including as percentage of acquisition, to increase transparency of nuclear weapons costs. ICBMs: Extends prohibition on development of mobile ICBMs. Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent: A reduction of $40 million to the program. No First Use: Requires an independent report on a U.S. policy of not using nuclear weapons first. Arms control/strategic stability: Limits withdrawal from the New START and Open Skies treaties (120 day wait period and requires consultation). Nuclear non-proliferation: Authorizes $20M for research and development on using low-enriched uranium for naval reactor fuel to reduce the use of nuclear weapons-grade uranium. Study of risks of nuclear war: Independent report on risks of nuclear war and nuclear terrorism. Waste reclassification: Limits the Administration from reclassifying high-level waste in WA state for FY2020. INF-range missiles: Prohibits production and deployment of ground-launched missiles in FY2020; Requires report on analysis of alternatives, on basing options and whether deployment in Europe would require NATO consensus. Independent study on impacts of missile defense development and deployment: Requires an independent assessment on the impacts of U.S. missile defense development on the security of the United States as a whole. National Missile Defense Policy: Updates the national missile defense policy to state that U.S. homeland missile defense will be targeted against rogue states, and will rely on nuclear deterrence for near-peer adversary ballistic missile threats. Improvements to missile defense testing and reporting: Requires increased operationally realistic testing, specifically with regards to countermeasures, of missile defense systems and increased analysis and reporting on the results of those tests. Next Generation Interceptor: Increases oversight of the ground-based midcourse defense system and places a 50 percent fence on FY20 efforts for a next generation interceptor until the Department of Defense provides a report on validated requirements and technical, programmatic, and cost analyses of the program's path forward. Space-Based missile defense: Repeals FY18 NDAA requirement for a space-based missile defense test bed. Conventional Prompt Strike: Directs the Secretary of the Navy to develop a conventional prompt strike hypersonic capability for deployment on surface ship platforms (instead of limiting it to ambiguous sub-launched which could increase the risks of miscalculation). Addresses Civilian Casualties Annual report on strikes undertaken by the United States against terrorist targets outside areas of active hostilities: Directs a two-year reporting requirement to the Director of National Intelligence and Secretary of Defense to submit a coordinated, corroborated report on civilian casualties resulting from U.S. strikes against terrorist targets outside areas of active hostilities. Partially reinstates the previous administration's Executive Order to report on U.S. activities outside areas of military engagement. Modification of annual report on civilian casualties in connection with United States military operations: Directs additional reporting requirements in the annual Department of Defense report on civilian casualties, increasing accountability and transparency by the Department in the way civilian casualties are accounted for, tracked, and reported. Assessment of standards, processes, procedures, and policy relating to civilian casualties: Directs an independent study of Department of Defense standards, processes, procedures, and policy relating to the accounting, tracking, and reporting of civilian casualties resulting from U.S. military operations. Independent assessment on gender and countering violent extremism: Directs the Secretaries of Defense and State to coordinate on an independent study of the relationship between gender specifically the role of women and violent extremism as a means of highlighting and advancing the role(s) of women as key contributors to peace processes, under the auspices of the Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017. Iraq, Syria, And Iran Requires stricter Congressional oversight of U.S. military activity in Iraq and Syria. Fences funding if DOD fails to provide all past, overdue reports related to U.S. military activities in Iraq and Syria by January 1, 2020 and requires DOD to consult with the Government of Iraq on its activities in Iraq. Includes a rule of construction that nothing in this Act or any amendment made by this Act may be construed to authorize the use of military force against Iran. Afghan Security Forces Fund The authorization continues to include requirements to develop Gender Programs for the recruitment, retention, and professional development of women in the ANDSF. Yemen And Saudi Arabia Prohibits in-flight refueling to the Saudi-led coalition for two years, unless and until a specific authorization from Congress is enacted. Drives accountability for the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi and highlights Saudi human rights abuses. The NDAA requires an intelligence assessment from the Director of National Intelligence, naming those responsible for Jamal Khashoggi's murder. It also requires a report from the Secretary of State detailing Saudi Arabia's gross human rights violations. Enhances transparency and accountability through the establishment of additional civilian casualty reporting elements. It also requires an independent assessment of the Department of Defense standards, processes, procedures, and policy relating to civilian casualties resulting from United States military operations. Additionally, it requires the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to submit a report detailing the number of civilian casualties caused by the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthis in Yemen. Russia & Europe Increases funding for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which provides support and assistance to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, by $50 million, bringing the funding level to $300 million in order to provide robust ongoing support of Ukraine's efforts to counter Russian aggression. Adds coastal defense cruise missiles and anti-ship missiles to the categories of appropriate security assistance and intelligence support. Prohibits the use of federal funds to suspend, terminate, or file notice for withdrawal from the North Atlantic Treaty (NATO). Expresses the sense of Congress in strong support of the U.S. commitment to the NATO alliance. Includes numerous provisions countering Russian influence and election interference efforts as part of the Intelligence Authorization Act (IAA), which is included in the NDAA. Extends the prohibition on funding for any activity that would recognize the sovereignty of the Russian Federation over Crimea. Turkey Prohibits the transfer of an F-35 aircraft or related materials to Turkey, now that Turkey has taken possession of the S-400 air defense system. Acquisition Policy Incentivizes contractors to invest in workforce development programs to address the workforce needs of the Department of Defense by requiring the Secretary of Defense to include an evaluation of contractor workforce development programs in the contract past performance system. Establishes a small business contracting credit for subcontractors that are businesses located in United States territories. Directs agencies to accelerate payment of small business prime contractors to the fullest extent possible, with a goal of 15 days after receipt of proper invoice. Security Cooperation, Stabilization, And Human Rights Accountability Encourages DOD to integrate gender perspectives and meaningful participation by women in security cooperation authorities. Authorizes the use of up to $18 million to provide logistical support to stabilization activities of the Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development and other federal agencies in certain countries emerging from conflict. Requires a report that assesses the human rights climate in Brazil and whether Brazilian security-force units that engaged in human rights abuses received or purchased United States equipment or training. Requires a report that assesses the human rights climate in Honduras and compliance of the military and security forces of Honduras with international human rights laws and standards. Requires a report on security sector assistance for the Philippines National Police, including an identification of any units determined or credibly alleged to have committed human rights abuses and a description of the relationship of those units with units that receive U.S. assistance. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://adamsmith.house.gov/press-releases?ID=A7D31BCC-F4CD-4FDF-AE7F-4387912D2EF7,Chairman Smith Corrects the Record on the FY20 NDAA,2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Adam Smith,S000510,adamsmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith (D-Wash.) today issued the following statement ahead of the House vote on the Conference Report for the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020. Before my colleagues and I cast our votes on the FY20 NDAA, one thing must be made clear: This is the most progressive defense bill we have passed in decades. After months of hard-fought negotiations, our bill is now final, and contains major wins for Democrats and working people and promotes our national security. Despite this sweeping success, some have decried the bill, saying it fails to live up to progressive values. To those detractors I ask one simple question: Which of the provisions that did not make it into our final bill did President Trump, Leader McConnell, and Chairman Inhofe not hate? From the moment we passed our bill through the House without the support of a single Republican vote, it was clear that our counterparts in the Senate and White House fundamentally opposed the Democratic priorities included in the bill. Do you know what they also hated? The repeal of the widow's tax' and granting paid parental leave for federal employees. But, because of our tireless work, we succeeded in getting these provisions included. Because of this hard work, our bill will have real impacts on Americans leading real lives. Throughout the negotiations I failed in one way: I was unable to turn President Trump, Leader McConnell, and Chairman Inhofe into Democrats and convince them to suddenly accept all of the provisions they despise. Nonetheless, we have accomplished more with this bill than anyone ever thought possible given the realities of a Trump White House and a Republican-controlled Senate, and we should be proud of that. To those who say that this bill isn't enough I could not disagree more. When I look at the widows, the parents, and families who will benefit from the bill, it is enough. We are delivering more for families across this country than anyone even conceived of going into this year. To those who say that we should have fought harder' or held the line' I can assure you we fought the entire time until the very end. President Trump, Leader McConnell, and Chairman Inhofe would have killed the bill over these provisions. If we kill the bill, we would have gotten nothing. Not a single Democratic priority. Leader McConnell and Chairman Inhofe would have been thrilled to pass a skinny NDAA' with zero Democratic priorities. That alternative bill would have none of the key policies we fought so hard for no paid parental leave, no widow's tax repeal, and nothing to address PFAS. That is why I so am proud of this bill because of everything that is contained in its 1,249 individual provisions and more than 4,000 pages. I am proud that this bill will change the lives of millions by providing paid parental leave. I am proud that this bill will better provide for the widows and families of those service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. And I am proud that this bill reflects Democratic priorities and American values. And make no mistake about it, I will continue to fight for the provisions we did not get, hopefully at some point with a Senate and President who better reflect the values of our country. I know how important these provisions are. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2494,"DelBene, LaHood Bill to Empower Small Business Receives Strong Industry Support",2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Suzan DelBene,D000617,delbene.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (D-WA) and Congressman Darin LaHood (R-IL) are pleased to announce overwhelming industry support for their bipartisan legislation theSmall Business Tax Fairness and Compliance Simplification Act(H.R. 1349). In aletter, over 3,300 salon owners and beauty professionals expressed their support forH.R. 1349, which would reduce compliance burdens for tens of thousands of small businesses in the beauty industry. This bicameral, bipartisan bill would extend the tax code's Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax tip credit which is currently available only to the food service industry to the tens of thousands of employer-based beauty service establishments where tipping is also customary. The FICA tax tip credit is part of an integrated compliance system that has been effective in ensuring the accurate reporting of tip income and reducing the tax gap.The credit acts as a reimbursement for the costs employers incur in accounting for tip income.By reducing the tax burdens for tipped employees as well as improving reporting of tip income, H.R. 1349 would provide equitable treatment to the beauty industry allowing them to support their employees and grow their businesses. I appreciate the support of beauty industry professionals for this commonsense, bipartisan legislation. Employees and employers in this industry who are disproportionately women and minorities rely on tips to support themselves and their families,said DelBene.This bill would ensure that they receive equitable treatment under the tax code and a fair, simple approach to tax administration. I'm proud that our bipartisan, bicameral legislation has such strong support from the beauty and hair care industry, said LaHood. In an industry where most businesses are owned and operated by women and minorities, our bill will level the playing field and provide direct relief to millions of beauty care professionals who rely on tips. Our bill is commonsense, and I'll continue to work to see it signed into law. FICA Tip Tax Fairness is extremely important to the health and profitability of my small business. I run at a very minimal profit margin and any additional relief I can receive will allow me to give more benefits to my staff, upgrade my business and offset soaring medical bills. I am extremely forthcoming withall ofmy reporting and pay an exorbitant amount of taxes. Any relief will be welcomed and help to even out the playing field within our industry, said Lisa Power, who owns a salon in Seattle. The bill text can be foundHERE.DelBene and LaHoodfirstintroduced this legislationduring the 115thCongress. It was reintroduced in February 2019.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kilmer.house.gov/news/press-releases/kilmer-backs-national-defense-authorization-act,Kilmer Backs National Defense Authorization Act,2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Derek Kilmer,K000381,kilmer.house.gov,,,legacy,"12.11.19 Kilmer Backs National Defense Authorization Act Washington, D.C. Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) voted to support the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020. The bill authorizes funding for the Department of Defense, the defense-related activities of the Department of Energy, the Overseas Contingency Operations, and emergency disaster recovery to restore installations damaged by extreme weather or earthquakes. The legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives 377-48. If you serve this country, Congress should have your back and invest in you and your family. I'm proud that this bill includes a number of measures to support our troops and their families,said Rep. Kilmer. In our region, we have talented civilians doing vitally important work to keep our country safe. We were able to include measures that benefit those workers and our region's economy. Key provisions in the bill focus on improving the lives of military families, including a 3.1 percent pay raise for service members, and provisions to improve military housing and clean-up contaminated drinking water at military bases. The legislation also includes a measure championed by Rep. Kilmer to ensure that the Secretary of Defense initiates earlier consultations with tribal governments for military construction projects that may impacts treaty rights and works with tribes to minimize impacts to tribal lands, sacred sites, or tribal treaty rights. The bill includes additional priorities backed by Rep. Kilmer, including: Ensuring Fairness for Shipyard Workers For decades, the Navy has sought to recruit and retain talented workers to public shipyards for critical positions in science and engineering using the Accelerated Promotion Program (APP). In 2016, the Navy suspended the program as it sought recertification from the Office of Personnel Management. Workers hired during that one-year gap in the program were adversely affected by the suspension, leading to lost pay and slower promotions compared to their other colleagues. To fix this issue, Rep. Kilmer authored an amendment that asks the Navy for a plan to make this right for those workers. Supporting Servicemembers and Federal Workers The bill includes measures to support American service members and their families, implementing long-sought reforms supported by Rep. Kilmer, including a 3.1% pay increase for service members. The NDAA also includes a measure to provide all federal employees with 12 weeks of paid parental leave bringing Civilian Employee parental leave benefits more in line with what military personnel receive and enhancing employee retention. Additionally, the NDAA repeals the widow's tax, which will ensure that when a service member makes the ultimate sacrifice for our country, their spouse will continue to receive annuity payments from both the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense. The legislation also includes a requirement for the Department of Defense to develop a comprehensive mental health policy that ensures mental health services are available for service members and that these services are delivered effectively. Increasing Tribal Mitigation Capabilities Currently, the Department of Defense must undertake meaningful consultations and discussions with Native American tribes in the event that a military construction project impacts treaty rights and must make sure that those impacts are appropriately mitigated. To improve the consultation process and minimize potential impacts to tribes, the NDAA includes a measure championed by Rep. Kilmer to ensure that the Secretary of Defense initiates consultations with tribal governments earlier in the process and works with tribes to minimize impacts to tribal lands, sacred sites, or tribal treaty rights. Reducing Jet Noise Over the past several years, Rep. Kilmer has pushed the Department of Defense to fund efforts to reduce the noise of the Navy's EA-18G Growler through his work on the Appropriations Committee. In addition to the measuressecured by Rep. Kilmer to monitor Navy jet noiseand make that monitoring data public in the Defense Appropriations bill, the NDAA directs the Secretary of the Navy and the Secretary of the Air Force to conduct real-time noise-monitoring at Navy and Air Force installations. Like the Defense Appropriations bill, the NDAA also sets aside $2,000,000 to continue developing technology that could be installed on Growler engines to reduce their noise. Ensuring the Military is a Responsible Climate Partner The NDAA ensures that the military makes progress toward being a responsible partner in fighting climate change. This year, the NDAA requires the Department of Defense to develop installation master plans that assess current climate vulnerabilities and establish measures to mitigate the risks. It also requires the Department of Defense to amend the building standards for military construction to ensure that building practices and standards promote energy efficiency, climate resilience, and cyber resilience at military installations.Relatedly, the bill requires all proposals for military construction projects to consider potential long-term changes in environmental conditions, and increasingly frequent extreme weather events, as well as, industry best practices to withstand extreme weather events. Improving Military Housing Issues The NDAA implements the most substantial overhaul of the Privatized Military Housing Initiative since its creation in 1996. These reforms address the considerable gaps in oversight and accountability seen at all levels of housing management from ineffective housing offices, to substandard property management, to under-engaged military leadership. The bill also requires the Services to establish a Tenant Bill of Rights that sets minimum acceptable livability standards, requires better communication, creates greater transparency, establishes a formal dispute resolution process, bans the use of non-disclosure agreements as a condition of moving out of military housing, and enhances protections against reprisal. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kilmer.house.gov/news/press-releases/kilmer-to-hold-telephone-town-hall-and-facebook-live-town-hall-next-week,Kilmer to Hold Telephone Town Hall and Facebook Live Town Hall Next Week,2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Derek Kilmer,K000381,kilmer.house.gov,,,legacy,"12.11.19 Kilmer to Hold Telephone Town Hall and Facebook Live Town Hall Next Week Washington, DC - In order to hear from constituents about the issues that matter to them, Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) will hold a telephone town hall and a Facebook Live town hall next week. I work for the people I represent and it's important to me that I get opportunities to hear directly from you, said Rep. Kilmer. I hope folks will be able to join one of my upcoming town halls to share their ideas and concerns. Rep. Kilmer has held town halls so far in 2019 in Port Angeles, Quilcene, Tacoma, Belfair, Poulsbo, Kingston, Gig Harbor, Montesano, Westport, Forks, over the phone, and on Facebook. Press are welcome to join. Facebook Live Town Hall Tuesday, December 17 at 5:00pm PT WHO: Representative Derek Kilmer, Residents of the 6th Congressional District WHAT: Facebook Live Town Hall WHEN: Tuesday, December 17 at 5:00pm PT WHERE: Residents of the 6th Congressional District who would like to join should log-on to Facebook.com/Derek.Kilmer for the live feed. DETAILS: All are welcome to join the event by visitinghttp://www.facebook.com/derek.kilmer. At the start of the event, a live video will appear at the top of Kilmer's newsfeed. Participants who are logged into Facebook should click on the live video to watch the event in real time. Constituents will be invited to ask questions by entering their first name, hometown and question in the comment. The video will also be available on Facebook after the event for those who could not join while the event was live. Telephone Town Hall Wednesday, December 18 at 5:00pm PT WHO: Representative Derek Kilmer, Residents of the 6th Congressional District WHAT: Telephone Town Hall WHEN: Wednesday, December 18 at 5:00pm PT WHERE: Residents of the 6th Congressional District who would like to join can send an email to kilmer.teletownhall@mail.house.gov. DETAILS: Residents of the 6th District who would like to join the call can send an email to kilmer.teletownhall@mail.house.gov with their name, address, and phone number by Tuesday, December 17. Residents who sign up before the deadline will receive a phone call on Wednesday, December 18 inviting them to the telephone town hall. ### Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1552,Larsens Opening Statement Ahead of 737 MAX Hearing on FAA Oversight of Aircraft Certification,2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Rick Larsen,L000560,larsen.house.gov,larsen,https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"House Aviation Subcommittee Chair Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the below opening statement ahead of the December 11th House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing entitled “The Boeing 737 MAX: Examining the Federal Aviation Administration’s Oversight of the Aircraft’s Certification.” For a full video of the statement, click here. Remarks as prepared for delivery “Hello, I am U.S. Representative Rick Larsen, Chair of the House Aviation Subcommittee. “Tomorrow, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will hold its fifth hearing on the two tragic crashes of Boeing 737 MAX airplanes in Indonesia and Ethiopia. “With this hearing, the Committee reaches another milestone in its investigation. For the first time, the Committee will hear directly from FAA Administrator Steve Dickson. “Since the Committee’s investigation began in March, the focus has been on the design, development and certification of the 737 MAX. “It is increasingly clear the process by which the FAA evaluates and certifies aircraft is itself in need of repair. “Congress must reevaluate and improve the current certification process to ensure the safety of the flying public. “As this critical oversight work continues, what will remain at the forefront of these efforts are the 346 lives tragically lost in the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines crashes. “The first panel will feature FAA Administrator Steve Dickson, in his first appearance in this role before the T&I Committee. “The FAA must fix its credibility problem. Just like I asked Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg at the Committee’s last hearing, I expect to hear the three main mistakes the FAA made regarding the 737 MAX. “I expect to hear from Administrator Dickson about the specific steps the FAA is taking to restore public confidence in its ability to maintain the safest aerospace system in the world. “I also expect to hear answers on: “The agency’s role in approving MCAS and other key flight control features on the 737 MAX, including why critical information was not adequately considered in the certification process; “FAA’s fragmented approach to the development of related pilot training; and “Troubling instances where FAA managers overruled safety engineers and technical experts on critical safety decisions, such as the rudder cable system on the 737 MAX and lightning protection on the 787 Dreamliner. “Administrator Dickson will be joined by a member of the Technical Advisory Board (TAB), an independent panel which Chair DeFazio and I called for, whose job is to look over the FAA’s shoulder as the agency works on a return to service decision “I look forward to hearing more about the current status of the TAB’s ongoing oversight of this critical process. “The second panel will feature two former Boeing and FAA employees who are stepping forward to share their concerning experiences with questionable management decision-making that seem to prioritize economic interests over public safety. “Their perspectives on these issues are vital to the Committee’s ongoing investigation. “This panel will also include aviation industry experts to discuss the challenges in the aircraft certification process today and the improvements needed to ensure aviation safety. “I am particularly interested in learning more about the integration of human factors as aviation technology becomes increasingly automated. Airplanes are changing and the federal government is not changing with those planes. “Though 2019 is coming to an end, the Committee’s investigation is far from over. “The 346 lives lost in the Lion Air 610 and Ethiopian Airlines 302 crashes are constant reminders of the importance of the Committee’s work and what is at stake. “The Committee will continue to maintain safety as the guiding principle and use all available tools to ensure the safety of the traveling public. “Thank you.” Note: Tomorrow’s hearing will take place at 10:00 a.m. EST/7:00 a.m. PST. To watch video of the hearing, please click here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1553,Larsen Delivers Opening Statement at 737 MAX Hearing on FAA Oversight of Aircraft Certification,2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Rick Larsen,L000560,larsen.house.gov,larsen,https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"House Aviation Subcommittee Chair Rick Larsen (WA-02) delivered the below opening statement at the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing entitled “The Boeing 737 MAX: Examining the Federal Aviation Administration’s Oversight of the Aircraft’s Certification.” You can view Chair Larsen’s opening statement here. Remarks as prepared for delivery “Thank you, Chair DeFazio. “With today’s hearing, the Committee reaches another milestone in its investigation. “It is increasingly clear the process by which the FAA evaluates and certifies aircraft is itself in need of repair. “Congress must reevaluate and improve the current certification process to ensure the safety of the flying public. “As this critical oversight work continues, the 346 lives tragically lost in the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines crashes will remain at the forefront of these efforts. “Several of the family members of the victims are here today. I extend my deepest condolences to you and your loved ones. Your advocacy makes a difference. “The FAA must fix its credibility problem. Just like I asked Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg at the Committee’s last hearing, I expect to hear the three main mistakes the FAA made regarding the 737 MAX and the specific steps the agency is taking to restore public confidence. “I also look forward to hearing about the TAB’s progress as it looks over the FAA’s shoulder as the agency works on a return to service decision. “From today’s second panel, the two former Boeing and FAA employees are providing an important perspective on questionable management decision-making that seem to prioritize economic interests over public safety. “Further, I am interested in learning more from the safety experts on the panel about the integration of human factors as aviation technology becomes increasingly automated. Airplanes are changing, but the federal government and certification is not changing with those planes. “Though 2019 is coming to an end, the Committee’s investigation is far from over. “The Committee will continue to maintain safety as the guiding principle and use all available tools to ensure the safety of the traveling public. “Thank you, I yield back.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen%E2%80%99s-opening-statement-ahead-737-max-hearing-faa-oversight-aircraft-certification,Larsens Opening Statement Ahead of 737 MAX Hearing on FAA Oversight of Aircraft Certification,2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Rick Larsen,L000560,larsen.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. House Aviation Subcommittee Chair Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the below opening statement ahead of the December 11th House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing entitled The Boeing 737 MAX: Examining the Federal Aviation Administration's Oversight of the Aircraft's Certification. For a full video of the statement, click here. Remarks as prepared for delivery Hello, I am U.S. Representative Rick Larsen, Chair of the House Aviation Subcommittee. Tomorrow, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will hold its fifth hearing on the two tragic crashes of Boeing 737 MAX airplanes in Indonesia and Ethiopia. With this hearing, the Committee reaches another milestone in its investigation. For the first time, the Committee will hear directly from FAA Administrator Steve Dickson. Since the Committee's investigation began in March, the focus has been on the design, development and certification of the 737 MAX. It is increasingly clear the process by which the FAA evaluates and certifies aircraft is itself in need of repair. Congress must reevaluate and improve the current certification process to ensure the safety of the flying public. As this critical oversight work continues, what will remain at the forefront of these efforts are the 346 lives tragically lost in the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines crashes. The first panel will feature FAA Administrator Steve Dickson, in his first appearance in this role before the T&I Committee. The FAA must fix its credibility problem. Just like I asked Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg at the Committee's last hearing, I expect to hear the three main mistakes the FAA made regarding the 737 MAX. I expect to hear from Administrator Dickson about the specific steps the FAA is taking to restore public confidence in its ability to maintain the safest aerospace system in the world. I also expect to hear answers on: The agency's role in approving MCAS and other key flight control features on the 737 MAX, including why critical information was not adequately considered in the certification process; FAA's fragmented approach to the development of related pilot training; and Troubling instances where FAA managers overruled safety engineers and technical experts on critical safety decisions, such as the rudder cable system on the 737 MAX and lightning protection on the 787 Dreamliner. Administrator Dickson will be joined by a member of the Technical Advisory Board (TAB), an independent panel which Chair DeFazio and I called for, whose job is to look over the FAA's shoulder as the agency works on a return to service decision I look forward to hearing more about the current status of the TAB's ongoing oversight of this critical process. The second panel will feature two former Boeing and FAA employees who are stepping forward to share their concerning experiences with questionable management decision-making that seem to prioritize economic interests over public safety. Their perspectives on these issues are vital to the Committee's ongoing investigation. This panel will also include aviation industry experts to discuss the challenges in the aircraft certification process today and the improvements needed to ensure aviation safety. I am particularly interested in learning more about the integration of human factors as aviation technology becomes increasingly automated. Airplanes are changing and the federal government is not changing with those planes. Though 2019 is coming to an end, the Committee's investigation is far from over. The 346 lives lost in the Lion Air 610 and Ethiopian Airlines 302 crashes are constant reminders of the importance of the Committee's work and what is at stake. The Committee will continue to maintain safety as the guiding principle and use all available tools to ensure the safety of the traveling public. Thank you. Note: Tomorrow's hearing will take place at 10:00 a.m. EST/7:00 a.m. PST. To watch video of the hearing, please click here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-delivers-opening-statement-737-max-hearing-faa-oversight-aircraft-certification,Larsen Delivers Opening Statement at 737 MAX Hearing on FAA Oversight of Aircraft Certification,2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Rick Larsen,L000560,larsen.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. House Aviation Subcommittee Chair Rick Larsen (WA-02) delivered the below opening statement at the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing entitled The Boeing 737 MAX: Examining the Federal Aviation Administration's Oversight of the Aircraft's Certification. You can view Chair Larsen's opening statement here. Remarks as prepared for delivery Thank you, Chair DeFazio. With today's hearing, the Committee reaches another milestone in its investigation. It is increasingly clear the process by which the FAA evaluates and certifies aircraft is itself in need of repair. Congress must reevaluate and improve the current certification process to ensure the safety of the flying public. As this critical oversight work continues, the 346 lives tragically lost in the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines crashes will remain at the forefront of these efforts. Several of the family members of the victims are here today. I extend my deepest condolences to you and your loved ones. Your advocacy makes a difference. The FAA must fix its credibility problem. Just like I asked Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg at the Committee's last hearing, I expect to hear the three main mistakes the FAA made regarding the 737 MAX and the specific steps the agency is taking to restore public confidence. I also look forward to hearing about the TAB's progress as it looks over the FAA's shoulder as the agency works on a return to service decision. From today's second panel, the two former Boeing and FAA employees are providing an important perspective on questionable management decision-making that seem to prioritize economic interests over public safety. Further, I am interested in learning more from the safety experts on the panel about the integration of human factors as aviation technology becomes increasingly automated. Airplanes are changing, but the federal government and certification is not changing with those planes. Though 2019 is coming to an end, the Committee's investigation is far from over. The Committee will continue to maintain safety as the guiding principle and use all available tools to ensure the safety of the traveling public. Thank you, I yield back. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-announces-military-widows-tax-repeal-included-in-final-defense-bill,Cantwell Announces Military Widow’s Tax Repeal Included in Final Defense Bill,2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.11.19 Cantwell Announces Military Widow's Tax Repeal Included in Final Defense Bill Congress just steps away from repealing law that prevents Gold Star families from receiving full survivor benefits WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) announced today that bipartisan legislation she cosponsors to repeal the military widow's tax has been included in the final annual defense bill known as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This marks a significant step in the 18-year effort to pass legislation to repeal the military widow's tax, which penalizes our nation's Gold Star families by preventing them from receiving the full survivor benefits they deserve. Military families sacrifice so much for our country, and we have a responsibility to stand by them in their time of need, Senator Cantwell said. We owe it to our nation's veterans to fix the current system so families can receive the full benefits they are due. The Military Widow's Tax Elimination Act would repeal the unfair law that prevents as many as 67,000 surviving military spouses nationwide from receiving their full Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs survivor benefits. Currently, military widows and widowers who qualify for the VA's Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) are forced to take a dollar-for-dollar offset from the Survivors Benefits Plan (SBP) benefit, even though their retired spouses elected to pay into the program. Cantwell has long supported the effort to repeal the military widow's tax. For nearly two decades, legislation has repeatedly been introduced in the Senate to roll back the tax, which was enacted in 1972. This year's bipartisan bill, led by U.S. Senators Doug Jones (D-AL) and Susan Collins (R-ME), has earned a record-high 78 total cosponsors in the Senate. It will now advance to both houses of Congress for final consideration as part of the full NDAA. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-collins-mcsally-sinema-lead-bipartisan-push-for-legislation-to-help-americans-with-high-healthcare-costs,"Cantwell, Collins, McSally, Sinema Lead Bipartisan Push for Legislation to Help Americans with High Healthcare Costs",2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.11.19 Cantwell, Collins, McSally, Sinema Lead Bipartisan Push for Legislation to Help Americans with High Healthcare Costs More than 200,000 Washingtonians rely on the Medical Expense Deduction to lower health care costs WASHINGTON, D.C.U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Martha McSally (R-AZ), and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) sent a letter Monday to Senate leadership urging them to extend the reduction in the threshold for the medical expense deduction in any end-of-year funding package. Without action from Congress, millions of Americans with high medical costs will see a tax increase when they next file their taxes. In 2017 and 2018, Americans with medical expenses exceeding 7.5% of their adjusted gross income (AGI) were able to deduct these expenses when filing their taxes. However, the 7.5% income threshold will increase to 10% if an extension is not enacted before the end of the year, reducing the amount that can be deducted from yearly taxes. If allowed to take effect, that change could mean millions of Americans would have to pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars more than they have in previous years. Emphasizing the strong bipartisan and bicameral consensus on the issue, the senators wrote to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Chairman Chuck Grassley, and Ranking Member Ron Wyden: This extension is low-cost but has an incredibly high impact. About 3.6 million taxpayers, including 1.4 million who are ages 65 and over, will benefit from the medical expense deduction remaining at the 7.5 percent income threshold. This deduction provides needed financial relief for Americans with high medical expenses, particularly seniors and individuals with disabilities or serious medical conditions, the senators continued. As Congress works to complete action on a number of must-pass items before the end of the year, we urge you to extend the current medical expense deduction for future tax years. The medical expense deduction is a vital tax provision for those who have pre-existing or chronic medical conditions, experience unexpected illnesses or injuries, or face costs for long-term care services that are not covered by insurance. Support for the medical expense deduction is widespread in the medical community, including from organizations such as the AARP, American Heart Association, National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs, LeadingAge, Fight Colorectal Cancer, Medicare Rights Center, FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Triage Cancer, Family Voices, Well Spouse Association, American Health Care Association, National Center for Assisted Living, Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and the Alliance for Aging Research. These groups have written a coalition letter in support of extending the 7.5% threshold. Earlier this year, Senators Cantwell and Collins introduced the Medical Expense Savings Act, which would provide financial relief for households that spend more than 7.5% of their income on medical expenses by allowing them to continue to deduct these costs from their tax bills. The legislation was endorsed by the AARP. The full letter is available here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwells-legislation-to-rescue-rehabilitate-marine-mammals-passes-commerce-committee,"Cantwell’s Legislation to Rescue, Rehabilitate Marine Mammals Passes Commerce Committee",2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.11.19 Cantwell's Legislation to Rescue, Rehabilitate Marine Mammals Passes Commerce Committee Legislation contains funding to rescue and treat stranded, entangled marine mammals; Also requires study on connection between ocean warming, marine mammal mortality WASHINGTON, D.C. Bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, to reauthorize and revise the Marine Mammal Protection Act passed through the committee today. The legislation would reauthorize the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue and Response Grant Program to provide funding to assist marine mammals that are entangled or become sick or injured in U.S. waters. In 2019, organizations in Washington state received just under $300,000 from the program. Overall in Fiscal Year 2019, 43 programs in 18 states received a total of more than $3.5 million in Prescott Grants. The bill also directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to create a Marine Mammal Health MAP, expand the availability of their data to assist with research, and requires a scientific study on the connection between ocean warming events, such as harmful algae blooms, and marine mammal mortality. Orcas and other marine mammals are iconic throughout the Pacific Northwest, Cantwell said. This legislation would authorize grants needed to assist marine mammals tangled in gear and other issues, will establish a rapid response program, and create a study on harmful algae blooms and issues plaguing many of our coastal states and environments. The passage of the legislation through the Commerce Committee comes amidst increasingly dire reports of widespread marine animal die-offs and other issues for the world's maritime habitats. A recent report released by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change found that oceans are getting hotter, losing oxygen, and becoming more acidic, driving a cascade of negative effects across these critical ecosystems. In addition to Cantwell, the legislation is also cosponsored by U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Brian Schatz (D-HI). ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=3948C00C-9DB6-4FAE-9B3D-FE89BD08A591,"Following Visit with Seattle Housing, Education and Community Leaders, Senator Murray Introduces Bill to Improve Educational Opportunities for Youth Facing Homelessness and Housing Insecurity",2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,,,legacy,"The AHEAD Act would provide incentives and funding for housing authorities and school districts to work together to tackle child and family homelessness The bill encourages innovative and local solutions to the unique challenges that different school districts face in combatting youth homelessness Legislation inspired by successful WA innovations, partnerships & best practices in Seattle, King County, Tacoma, Vancouver and beyond KUOW: Child homelessness has doubled in Washington state in the last decade MORE HERE ICYMI: Sen. Patty Murray aims to help students experiencing homelessness with new bill MORE HERE from KNKX (Washington, D.C.) Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), the top Democrat on the Senate education committee and a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, introduced legislation to help address the many challenges that youth facing homeless and housing insecurity must overcome as they pursue an education. The bill, the Affordable Housing for Educational Achievement Demonstration (AHEAD) Act is based on successful innovations created in Washington state and will create a federal grant program to help encourage housing authorities and school districts to work together to address child and family homelessness. Every kid should have the opportunity to succeed in school and in life, but for those facing housing instability or navigating homelessness, the deck is overwhelmingly stacked against them, Senator Murray said. I've seen how effective efforts in Washington state have been to provide support and coordinate services for students and families most in need, and this bill is a step forward that willhelp empower other communities across the country to pursue these best practices and innovations. We need to be doing everything we can to help these kids, and this bill is a great first step. Our community's future is in our children. And that future starts with safe, secure housing and educational opportunity. Senator Murray's initiative puts these two issues together in critical ways that will encourage effective, efficient, locally driven initiatives that will help ensure that all children have a chance to succeed. This is an incredibly important vision. Said Stephen Norman, Executive Director of the King County Housing Authority. When families are coping with homelessness parents are stressed just to survive and children struggle to perform in school and develop appropriately, said Andrew Lofton, Executive Director of the Seattle Housing Authority. We see firsthand the remarkable progress in families' lives and the academic and social achievements of children when we catch them in time, provide stable housing and support families with the right services. We applaud Senator Murray for recognizing the gaps in our capacity to do this, and the importance of housing authority, school district and other community-based partnerships to identify, house and support these vulnerable families in turning their lives around. We've learned that there are ways to spend a housing dollar that not only helps prevent or end a family's homelessness, but that can also help their children succeed in school and promote the success of schools that serve low-income children, said Tacoma Housing Authority Executive Director Michael Mirra. ""The AHEAD Act recognizes the lessons we've learned in Washington State to help students thrive in school and in life, and we are grateful for Senator Murray's work to extend these best practices nationwide. All children have the right to a decent education and we know that lack of access to safe, affordable housing is one of the biggest barriers to making that right a reality. The AHEAD Act would allow us to take our local partnerships with school districts to the next level to help our children thrive. The collaborative efforts will create security and stability for at-risk children; it will also address the likelihood of generational poverty with the provision of earlier interventions that promote educational achievement. Said Roy Johnson, Executive Director of the Vancouver Housing Authority. Specifically, the AHEAD Act would allow local school districts, in partnership with local housing authorities and other community-based organizations, to apply for federal grants to implement innovative projects to address and prevent child and family homelessness, promote education stability and academic achievement for students navigating homelessness and housing insecurity, and improve outcomes for children and youth from low-income families. According to a report from Schoolhouse Washington, there are currently more than 40,000 students facing homelessness in Washington state and students dealing with housing insecurity face unique challenges that have been shown to negatively affect academic outcomes. As a former educator, Senator Murray has long worked to promote opportunity for all students, introducing an earlier version of the AHEAD Act in 2017 and spearheading efforts to secure millions of dollars in federal funding towards combatting youth homelessness in Washington state. Last week in Seattle, Senator Murray also heard from local education and housing leaders about the successful programs they have innovated to help combat youth homeless and improve education efforts for those facing housing insecurity. The AHEAD Act is endorsed by numerous Washington state and national groups, including the King County Housing Authority, the Mockingbird Society, and SchoolHouse Connection. Text of the legislation can be found HERE. A one-pager on the bill can be found HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=FD32502E-EE3E-47BB-89DB-B6020FE02A75,Senator Murray Announces Major Federal Investment in Housing Awards for Veterans across Washington State,2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Awards come as part of the HUD-VASH program that Senator Murray helped restart in 2008 More than $2.3 million in funding will go to help veterans who are experiencing homelessness secure permanent housing, connect with VA case managers WA State Department of Commerce Report: Although veteran homelessness increased in 14 states between 2016 and 2017, Washington had the largest percentage [increase] of any state 41 percent MORE HERE ICYMI: Senator Murray secures $40 million for HUD-VASH program in major FY 2019 spending bill MORE HERE Senator Murray: As a nation we have a responsibility to take care of our veterans, and I'm glad these critical investments will help ensure no Washingtonian who has sacrificed for our country ends up on the street (Washington, D.C.) Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and Senate Appropriations Committee, announced more than $2.3 million in funding for housing for Washington state veterans through the HUD-VA Supportive Housing Program, better known as HUD-VASH. The federal program helps veterans across the country by providing housing vouchers that combine rental assistance from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Since 2008, when Senator Murray helped restart HUD-VASH, the program has helped more than 130,000 homeless veterans secure supportive housing. As a nation we have a responsibility to take care of our veterans, and I'm glad these critical investments will help ensure no Washingtonian who has sacrificed for our country ends up on the street, Senator Murray said. I have long fought to defend and strengthen the HUD-VASH program because I've seen how guaranteeing veterans have access to safe, supportive housing can change their lives and provide vital stability to those most vulnerable to homelessness. And as a voice for Washington state, as well as servicemembers and veterans across the nation, I'll keep fighting for our veterans to give them the helping hand and resources they need to get back on their feet and not just live, but thrive. Senator Murray has long been focused on finding legislative solutions to end homelessness among military veterans, which has gotten worse in recent years. According to a report from the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, there are currently more than 40,000 veterans experiencing homelessness in the U.S., and the number of homeless veterans has increased from 2016, the first such increase since 2010. In Washington state, the number of veterans experiencing homelessness increased 41 percent between 2016 and 2017. Since resurrecting the HUD-VASH program in 2008, Senator Murray has led the charge against efforts by the Trump administration to eliminate funding for the vital program. See a full breakdown of federal awards going to Washington state housing authorities below: State Housing Authority Name City County Award Amount WA Seattle Housing Authority Seattle King $519,480 WA HA of King County Seattle King $733,972 WA HA City of Tacoma Tacoma Pierce $180,780 WA Housing Authority of the City of Vancouver Vancouver Clark $385,740 WA HA City of Renton Renton King $63,522 WA HA City of Pasco and Franklin County Pasco Franklin $89,203 WA Housing Authority of Snohomish County Everett Snohomish $219,528 WA HA City of Yakima Yakima Yakima $45,870 WA HA City of Walla Walla Walla Walla Walla Walla $25,980 WA HA Of Chelan Co and the City of Wenatchee Wenatchee Chelan $25,058 WA Housing Authority of Okanogan County Omak Okanogan $23,195 ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://adamsmith.house.gov/news/press-releases/congressman-smith-statement-introduction-safety-net-health-plan-employee,Congressman Smith Statement on the Introduction of the Safety Net Health Plan Employee Student Loan Forgiveness Fairness Act,2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Adam Smith,S000510,adamsmith.house.gov,adamsmith,https://adamsmith.house.gov/news/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) and Rep. Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) released the following statement today following the introduction of the Safety Net Health Plan Employee Student Loan Forgiveness Fairness Act. This legislation would codify safety net health plans as qualifying employers under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and expand access to Public Service Loan Forgiveness to employees working for certain safety net health plans. Currently, the Department of Education's (DOE) Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program forgives remaining federal loan balances after a borrower performs 10 years of work for qualifying public service employers and makes 120 months of qualifying payments. Recently, the DOE has begun more narrowly defining what employers qualify as ""qualifying public service organizations."" As a result, some borrowers who were formerly making qualifying payments under the program are being denied, despite working for employers that formerly qualified as PSLF-eligible employers. Included among those impacted are employees for certain safety net health plans. ""Safety net health plans provide access to quality Medicaid, Medicare, and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage, and employees of these government and non-profit health plans deserve access to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF),"" said Reps. Adam Smith and Kim Schrier. ""The Department of Education's recent decision to rescind some of these employers' eligibility for the PSLF program has resulted in employees having the rug pulled out from under them."" ""These plans exist entirely to support recipients of federal safety net health care programs, and employees who work for them should continue to qualify for the PSLF program,"" said Reps. Adam Smith and Kim Schrier. ""This bill would codify safety net health plans as qualifying employers under the PSLF Program and expand access for employees working for 501(c)4 safety net health plans while retroactively ensuring current borrowers who were denied loan forgiveness or qualifying payments are able to obtain credit for payments they already made."" Organizations such as the Association for Community Affiliated Plans and the Community Health Plan of Washington have echoed these sentiments and showed their support: ""Congress has long recognized that safety net health plans serve a unique role in America's health care system,"" said Meg Murray, CEO of the Association for Community Affiliated Plans. ""This legislation furthers that commitment by recognizing what ACAP and our members have long known - that we could not serve our 20 million plan enrollees without the dedication of staff committed to our mission. We appreciate Reps. Schrier and Smith's strong support of the people who make SNHPs so successful."" ""Student debt is a significant economic and social burden many individuals face and can further deter people interested in pursuing careers in the nonprofit sector,"" said Leanne Berge, CEO of Community Health Plan of Washington. ""In addition, it is no surprise low-income students and people of color are disproportionately burdened by debt which further contributes to the systemic and racial inequities present in society. As a local not for profit safety net health plan providing high quality care to the most vulnerable, it is vital we provide opportunities to help ease loan burden for employees dedicated to working in the nonprofit sector and making contributions to their communities. This bill is a huge step in increasing access, removing burden and working towards equity."" ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://adamsmith.house.gov/press-releases?ID=4D18F6C1-1BD4-489C-8A3D-DBD21C96FDB3,Congressman Smith Statement on the Introduction of the Safety Net Health Plan Employee Student Loan Forgiveness Fairness Act,2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Adam Smith,S000510,adamsmith.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) and Rep. Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) released the following statement today following the introduction of the Safety Net Health Plan Employee Student Loan Forgiveness Fairness Act. This legislation would codify safety net health plans as qualifying employers under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and expand access to Public Service Loan Forgiveness to employees working for certain safety net health plans. Currently, the Department of Education's (DOE) Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program forgives remaining federal loan balances after a borrower performs 10 years of work for qualifying public service employers and makes 120 months of qualifying payments. Recently, the DOE has begun more narrowly defining what employers qualify as qualifying public service organizations. As a result, some borrowers who were formerly making qualifying payments under the program are being denied, despite working for employers that formerly qualified as PSLF-eligible employers. Included among those impacted are employees for certain safety net health plans. Safety net health plans provide access to quality Medicaid, Medicare, and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage, and employees of these government and non-profit health plans deserve access to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), said Reps. Adam Smith and Kim Schrier. The Department of Education's recent decision to rescind some of these employers' eligibility for the PSLF program has resulted in employees having the rug pulled out from under them. These plans exist entirely to support recipients of federal safety net health care programs, and employees who work for them should continue to qualify for the PSLF program, said Reps. Adam Smith and Kim Schrier. This bill would codify safety net health plans as qualifying employers under the PSLF Program and expand access for employees working for 501(c)4 safety net health plans while retroactively ensuring current borrowers who were denied loan forgiveness or qualifying payments are able to obtain credit for payments they already made. Organizations such as the Association for Community Affiliated Plans and the Community Health Plan of Washington have echoed these sentiments and showed their support: Congress has long recognized that safety net health plans serve a unique role in America's health care system, said Meg Murray, CEO of the Association for Community Affiliated Plans. This legislation furthers that commitment by recognizing what ACAP and our members have long known that we could not serve our 20 million plan enrollees without the dedication of staff committed to our mission. We appreciate Reps. Schrier and Smith's strong support of the people who make SNHPs so successful. Student debt is a significant economic and social burden many individuals face and can further deter people interested in pursuing careers in the nonprofit sector, said Leanne Berge, CEO of Community Health Plan of Washington. In addition, it is no surprise low-income students and people of color are disproportionately burdened by debt which further contributes to the systemic and racial inequities present in society. As a local not for profit safety net health plan providing high quality care to the most vulnerable, it is vital we provide opportunities to help ease loan burden for employees dedicated to working in the nonprofit sector and making contributions to their communities. This bill is a huge step in increasing access, removing burden and working towards equity. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2493,"House Passes DelBene's Bicameral, Bipartisan FAFSA Act to Help Students Attend and Pay for College",2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Suzan DelBene,D000617,delbene.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) is pleased to announce the passage of her legislation to ease the process of applying for federal financial aid for students in Washington state and nationwide the Faster Access for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Act.The bill passed in the House of Representatives as part of the Future Act. DelBene's legislation, which has a companion bill introduced in the Senate by HELP Committee Chair and Ranking MemberSenators Lamar Alexander (R-TN)and Patty Murray (D-WA), would make FAFSA application completion easier and more secure for nearly 20 million students. Currently, millions of dollars in grants to attend college are being left on the table due to the burdensome process of filling out the FAFSA. This is especially true in Washington state, which is ranked 48thin the nationin FAFSA completion among high school seniors. Currently, 54percentof FAFSA applications are filed using information obtained by parents and students from the IRS using a third-party Data Retrieval Tool to transfer that information to the Department of Education. This requires filers to give direct permission to the IRS each time they wish to send income information to the Department of Education. With one-third of borrowers in an income-driven repayment program (which requires the borrower to update their income information annually), this outdated process can be difficult and time-consuming and causes far too many students who need assistance the most to fall through the cracks. This is especially apparent in the fact that 19percentof borrowers in income-driven repayment fail to update their income ontime, resulting in their automatic entry into a standard 10-year repayment plan. This causes one-third of those borrowers to go into hardship-related forbearance or deferment. The current system of data-sharing for those filing for student loans is unnecessarily burdensome, creating hurdles that prevent borrowers from successfully paying back their student loans,said Rep. DelBene. The FAFSA Act will lessen the burden for millions of parents and students, making applying and repaying federal loans what it is was supposed to be: an easier process that promotes, rather than prevents, students from pursuing higher education. I'm pleased that my colleagues in the Housepassed this critical legislation, and I look forward to continuing the conversation back in the Senate. This bipartisan deal is a win-win for more than 500,000 students and families across Washington state, said Senator Murray. I'm glad that we were able to reach an agreement on the FAFSA Act that simplifies the financial aid process in order to make it easier for more students to apply for federal student aid. I'm proud that in addition to streamlining FAFSA, this deal also includes the FUTURE Act, which will provide minority-serving institutions, like our tribal colleges and HBCUs, with critical permanent funding. I'm pleased we were able to address the concerns of my House colleagues so we can get this bill to the President's desk without further delay, and I'm hopeful that we can continue this bipartisan progress and pass a comprehensive, bipartisan HEA reauthorization that addresses all of the challenges facing students today. The FAFSA Act willalsosecure the transfer of tax and income data from the IRS to the Department of Education by eliminating the need for third-party retrieval tools and allow the IRS to send borrower data directly to the Department of Education. This reduces the burdensome verification process for parents and students filing for aid. The FAFSA Act will also allow borrowers to automate the annual process of updating income information for those in income-driven repayment plans, ensuring that borrowers will not be defaulted into standard repayment plans. DelBenefirstintroduced the FAFSA Act in the 115thCongress. She is a member of the Ways and Means Committee and Vice-Chair of the New Democrat Coalition.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://dennyheck.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-denny-heck-rep-adam-kinzinger-secure-critical-legislative-measures,"Rep. Denny Heck, Rep. Adam Kinzinger Secure Critical Legislative Measures to Combat Russian Aggression in Must-Pass Defense Package",2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Denny Heck,H001064,dennyheck.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Congressman Denny Heck (WA-10) and Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) applauded the agreement reached by the House and Senate on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes work led by Rep. Heck and Rep. Kinzinger to counter Russian efforts to build the Gazprom Nord Stream 2 pipeline project. Over the past few months, Congress and the American people have become acutely aware of the challenges that Ukraine faces as it continues its struggle to cast off the yoke of Russian oppression said Congressman Heck. The Nord Stream 2 pipeline threatens Ukraine's very survival as a countryand the project is nearly complete. I am pleased that Congress has decided to intervene to stop the construction of this pipeline and frustrate Putin's plans for regional domination. With a crumbling economy and a failing governance, Russia has long tried to use energy dependence as a means to intimidate and coerce our European allies. The continuation of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project poses heavy security risks for millions of Europeans, and the world, and it needs to be stopped, said Congressman Kinzinger. I'm proud to see my bill H.R. 3206, which imposes specific sanctions to stop construction and completion of the pipeline, be included in the 2020 NDAA text, showing Congress's support for our allies and our own national security against Russia's power grabs. The Protecting Europe's Energy Security Act (H.R. 3206), introduced by Rep. Kinzinger and Rep. Heck, imposes targeted U.S. sanctions on companies with pipelaying ships doing construction for Russian oil pipelines like Nord Stream 2. The Protecting Europe's Energy Security Act follows on Rep. Heck's earlier Nord Stream bill, the Protect European Energy Security Act (H.R. 1081). Sponsored by Representative Heck and Ted Poe (TX-02), this legislation would have required executive branch reports on how the U.S. is actively resisting the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. In addition, it would have required identification of companies involved to prepare for possible future sanctions. As Nord Stream 2 construction continued into 2019, it became necessary to move directly to sanctions included in the Protecting Europe's Energy Security Act. I want to thank Rep. Kinzinger for his doggedness in pursuing this legislation to protect Ukraine, said Heck. Working on these Nord Stream 2 bills all these many months has made clear to me that there is still strong bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress for our friends in Ukraine. The Nord Stream 2 project is a $12 billion natural gas pipeline owned primarily by Gazprom, a Russian Federation-owned oil company with ties to Russian oligarchs and Vladimir Putin. The completion of the project would allow Russian exports to Germany to double, bypass the current route through Ukraine, thus eliminating transit fees and undermining Europe and Ukraine's sovereignty. The Protecting Europe's Energy Security Act, as Title LXXV of the FY 2020 NDAA, is expected to pass Congress and be signed into law before year's end. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://dennyheck.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-heck-s-climate-security-initiative-included-in-defense-authorization,Rep. Hecks Climate Security Initiative Included in Defense Authorization Package,2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Denny Heck,H001064,dennyheck.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. On Monday, congressional leaders prepared the defense authorization package for passage, which includes a section drawn from Congressman Denny Heck's (D-WA) climate security legislation. Section 5321 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (NDAA) would establish a Climate Security Advisory Council to help the intelligence community analyze climate-based security threats. The intelligence community has stated loudly and clearly that climate hazards pose a real danger to stability and security across the globe, said Heck. It is past time that Congress recognize these threats and equip the intelligence community with the tools necessary to study and prepare for climate-related security challenges. Incorporating parts of my climate security legislation into the defense authorization package is a strong first step, and I will continue to work with my colleagues to build a long-term response to the climate security challenges we face. On June 5, Congressman Heck introduced the Climate Security Intelligence Act in the U.S. House, which was largely repurposed into Division E, Section 5321 of the NDAA. Section 5321 directs the Director of National Intelligence to establish a Climate Security Advisory Council for the purposes of assisting with analysis of climate security and its impacts, facilitating the flow of climate data between intelligence agencies and non-intelligence agencies studying climate change, and ensuring that the intelligence community is prioritizing climate change in carrying out its activities. Division E of the NDAA contains the Damon Paul Nelson and Matthew Young Pollard Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 2018, 2019, and 2020 (IAA). In July, the IAA, including Heck's climate security initiative, passed the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence by unanimous consent. Shortly after, the IAA passed the House by a vote of 397-31. The 2019 Worldwide Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community delivered to Congress by Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats listed climate change as a major threat to national security, stating, Climate hazards such as extreme weather, higher temperatures, droughts, floods, wildfires, storms, sea level rise, soil degradation, and acidifying oceans are intensifying, threatening infrastructure, health, and water and food security. Congressman Heck is a member of the House Intelligence Committee and co-chairof the Puget Sound Recovery Caucus. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kilmer.house.gov/news/press-releases/house-passes-kilmer-bill-to-help-coastal-tribes-facing-severe-weather-threats,House Passes Kilmer Bill to Help Coastal Tribes Facing Severe Weather Threats,2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Derek Kilmer,K000381,kilmer.house.gov,,,legacy,"12.10.19 House Passes Kilmer Bill to Help Coastal Tribes Facing Severe Weather Threats Bipartisan Legislation Included in House Package to Combat Climate Change and Protect Coastal Communities Washington, DC Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to approve a package of bipartisan bills to protect vulnerable coastal and Great Lakes communities impacted by climate change. The package includes bipartisan legislation introduced by Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) that would provide dedicated resources to Native American tribes living in coastal areas to support their efforts to mitigate threats caused by climate change and sea level rise. In addition, the bill creates programs to support Tribal, State, and local community projects that protect, restore, and preserve coastal zones and working waterfronts; helps communities prepare for and respond to the impacts of climate change; and improves data collection and monitoring to strengthen coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes management. Climate change is real and it requires bold action,said Rep. Kilmer. Our region has seen severe storms and rising sea levels threaten communities.We've seen homes and community centers in Taholah face water damage.We've seen the Quileute Tribal School in La Push be in the crosshairs of a rising ocean.We've seen coastal challenges threaten public safety, public access, and cultural landmarks for these tribes and others, including the Hoh and Makah Tribes.I'm grateful the package of bills passed today includes a bipartisan bill I've introduced, the Tribal Coastal Resiliency Act, to provide tribal communities with direct access to much needed resources to enhance their coastal resiliency and keep their people out of harm's way.I'm proud that the House is continuing to take action to combat climate change by passing actionable, ambitious, bipartisan bills that can not only help our planet but create quality jobs and keep communities safe.It's great news that the House passed this legislation, and I hope the Senate will enable this to become law. I would like to thank the House of Representatives for considering and passing the Coastal and Great Lakes Communities Enhancement Act today. I would also like to thank Congressman Derek Kilmer for his continued leadership and work in Congress to address climate change, said Fawn Sharp, President, Quinault Indian Nation. This bill will make available to Tribes grant funding for the protection and preservation of Tribal coastal zones and areas. This funding will be very helpful to every Tribe that is dealing with rising sea level, and coastal and shoreline degradation and destabilization due to climate change. I urge the Senate to immediately pass this important legislation. Coastal treaty tribes are on the front lines of climate change. They face severe storms, sea-level rise, flooding, loss of traditional resources and more, said Mike Stevens, Washington State Director, The Nature Conservancy. Rep. Kilmer's Tribal Coastal Resiliency Act is an important step forward to help tribal nations confront these challenges. This package of bills underscores the importance of vibrant coastal communities to our nation, and honors the leadership of Indian Tribes in protecting and restoring coastal areas.These bills will both accelerate the recovery of Puget Sound and protect our communities and economy, said Laura Blackmore, Executive Director, Puget Sound Partnership. The Living Shorelines Act fully supports one of the Puget Sound Action Agenda's main goals: restore the nearshore habitat which has been so badly damaged over the years by construction of seawalls. The recently released State of the Sound report demonstrates the immediate need to pass these bills and get actions underway to restore the well-being of the people and ecosystems that comprise the Puget Sound region. As the director of one of the largest Sea Grant programs, I applaud the House and Representative Kilmer for supporting this legislation to reauthorize the Sea Grant Program and reinforce its STEM education mandate as well as the Knauss Fellowship Program. Sea Grant fosters cost-effective partnerships among state universities, state and local governments, NOAA, and coastal communities and businesses, including those in Washington State, leveraging nearly $3 for every $1 received from the government, said W. Russell Callender, Director of Washington Sea Grant. Among the key provisions included in the H.R. 729: Supporting Resilient Coasts Kilmer's Tribal Coastal Resiliency Act provides federal resources to Native American tribes living in coastal areas to support their efforts to mitigate threats caused by climate change and sea level rise. The bill would modernize the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA's) Coastal Zone Management Grant Program to create a dedicated set-aside for tribal communities to secure grant funding to support key projects that will protect their people and landmarks from changing landscapes and weather events. Coastal tribes are increasingly confronting persistent flooding, mold damage, tsunami threats, and erosion. Washington state has over 3,000 miles of marine coastline, where 17 tribal communities have made their homes since time immemorial. To date, tribes such as the Quileute Nation village of La Push, the Hoh Tribe, the Makah Tribe, and the Quinault Indian Nation have begun the process of moving assets and people to higher ground. This dedicated funding is critical to supporting these efforts. Rep. Kilmer's bipartisan bill recognizes tribal sovereignty by amending the Coastal Zone Management Act to allow tribal governments to directly compete for Coastal Zone Management Grants, instead of requiring them to petition states to prioritize their projects. This parity is essential given the severe challenges tribal governments face in implementing coastal and shoreline measures that support public safety, public access, and cultural and historic preservation. Protecting Living Shorelines H.R. 729 also include bipartisan legislation co-sponsored by Rep. Kilmer to establish a grant program to fund the design, implementation, and monitoring of climate resilient living shoreline projects intended to protect coastal communities and ecosystem functions from environmental conditions, particularly those impacted by climate change. Eligible projects include the removal of shoreline armoring and restoration of nearshore habitat for juvenile salmon, which not only improve resilience, but are also are among the top priorities for the Puget Sound Partnership's Action Agenda to protect and restore Puget Sound. Keeping America's Waterfronts Working The package also includes a bipartisan bill Rep. Kilmer co-sponsored to establish a working waterfront grant program to protect and enhance coastal access for marine-dependent commercial activities. Working waterfronts which include waterfront property, infrastructure, and waterways that provide access to coastal waters for people in commercial and recreational fishing businesses, boatbuilding, aquaculture, or other water-dependent activities are essential for supporting coastal economies. Despite their intrinsic economic value, working waterfronts are facing numerous threats, including pressure from competing land use plans, aging infrastructure, changing regulations, coastal hazards, and environmental impacts from climate change. This program would create a new federal incentive to help local communities like Westport and Port Angeles make strategic investments to support their working waterfronts. Supporting the National Sea Grant College Program Additionally, the package includes a bipartisan bill co-sponsored by Rep. Kilmer to reauthorize and update the National Sea Grant College Program, increasing the efficacy of Sea Grant's educational, research, and extension programs. Sea Grant sends nearly 95 percent of its appropriated funds to coastal states for competitive grants that enhance the practical use and conservation of coastal, marine, and Great Lakes resources. For every federal dollar appropriated, Sea Grant leverages nearly $3 from partnerships among state universities, state and local governments, and coastal communities and businesses. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kilmer.house.gov/news/press-releases/rep-kilmer-statement-on-usmca-agreement,Rep. Kilmer Statement on USMCA Agreement,2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Derek Kilmer,K000381,kilmer.house.gov,,,legacy,"12.10.19 Rep. Kilmer Statement on USMCA Agreement I am pleased to see Speaker Pelosi and Ambassador Lighthizer announce an agreement on modifying the United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA), setting the stage for congressional consideration. I have been supportive of the ongoing efforts by Congress to negotiate serious improvements with our partner nations on overall enforcement, labor and environmental standards, and prescription drug pricing. As a representative from one of the most trade-dependent states in the nation, I know how important updating this agreement is to help create jobs in our region and to continue to sell Washington-made products across the globe. I look forward to reviewing the merits of the final agreement as we move closer to modernizing our trade relationship with our North American partners. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1551,Larsen Statement on Final USMCA,2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Rick Larsen,L000560,larsen.house.gov,larsen,https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), co-chair of the New Democrat Coalition Trade Task Force, released the following statement on news of the final United States – Mexico – Canada Agreement (USMCA): “The final USMCA reflects priorities I fought for, like strong labor and environmental standards and enforcement. I am also pleased the administration used provisions negotiated by the Obama administration to update NAFTA for digital trade and the 21st century economy. “Washington is the most trade dependent state in the country, and a high-standards trade deal means jobs and opportunity for the women and men I represent in the Second District. I will work with my colleagues in the House to pass USMCA and deliver a win for workers and families in Washington state.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-statement-final-usmca,Larsen Statement on Final USMCA,2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Rick Larsen,L000560,larsen.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), co-chair of the New Democrat Coalition Trade Task Force, released the following statement on news of the final United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA): The final USMCA reflects priorities I fought for, like strong labor and environmental standards and enforcement. I am also pleased the administration used provisions negotiated by the Obama administration to update NAFTA for digital trade and the 21st century economy. Washington is the most trade dependent state in the country, and a high-standards trade deal means jobs and opportunity for the women and men I represent in the Second District. I will work with my colleagues in the House to pass USMCA and deliver a win for workers and families in Washington state. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-colleagues-demand-a-vote-on-save-the-internet-act,"Cantwell, Colleagues Demand a Vote on Save the Internet Act",2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.10.19 Cantwell, Colleagues Demand a Vote on Save the Internet Act House of Representatives passed net neutrality legislation in April, but Leader McConnell refuses to bring bill up for a vote WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, took to the Senate floortopush for Senate passage of theSave the Internet Actand urge the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to restore net neutrality rules. It is long past time for the Senate to vote onSave the Internet Act,Cantwell said.Our bill would restore the protections for a free and open internet by the Obama administration's FCC in 2015, which would say no blocking, throttling, or paid prioritizationwouldbe allowed. In 2018, Ranking Member Cantwellledcolleagues from both the House and Senate to challenge the FCC's decision to eliminate net neutrality rules.In March of this year, Cantwelljoined Democrats from the House and Senate tointroduce theSave the Internet Act.She also recently took to the Senate floor todemandthe restoration of net neutrality for afree and open internet. It has been 244 days since the House of Representatives passed net neutrality legislation. In an information age, you have to give consumers rights. You have to give them the right to privacy and you have to give them the right to a free andopen internet,Cantwell said.Thisis going to be a key communication tool for the 21st century,and it needs to be open. So I thank my colleague for raising this important issue, and I continue to work with him and our other colleagues to make it the law of the land. Videoof Senator Cantwell's floor speechis availableHERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-secures-important-wins-for-washingtons-maritime-economy-in-defense-authorization-bill,Cantwell Secures Important Wins for Washington’s Maritime Economy in Defense Authorization Bill,2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.10.19 Cantwell Secures Important Wins for Washington's Maritime Economy in Defense Authorization Bill Legislation includes increase in Cantwell port grants program, 14 percent increase in grants for small shipyards, support for Military to Mariner program WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, announced that key wins for Washington state's maritime economy have been included in the final text of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) released last night. The bill is expected to be voted on in both houses of Congress in the coming weeks. The United States maritime transportation system is critical to our nation's economy and to our security, Senator Cantwell said. In the state of Washington, we have nearly 70,000 direct jobs. So whether it's ports connecting to freight corridors, warehouse workers, or ship building, we know the value of our domestic maritime industry. The legislation contains provisions authored by Cantwell to authorize $500 million for the Port and Intermodal Improvement Program, a competitive grant program that funds projects to improve the safety, efficiency, or reliability of the movement of goods through a port or the intermodal connection to a port. It also includes a $40 million authorization a 14% increase for the Small Shipyard Grant Program, which provided a $1.3 million grant to a shipyard in Freeland, WA, in 2018. Other programs supported by Cantwell are also included in the final NDAA text, including a report on infrastructure and upkeep needs for 17 strategic ports around the country, including Tacoma; reauthorization of the Maritime Security Program; and codification of a program to build the maritime workforce by helping retiring or transitioning servicemembers obtain mariner credentials. These provisions were originally included in the Maritime Administration Authorization and Enhancement Act introduced by Cantwell and Commerce Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) earlier this year. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/congress-includes-cantwell-larsen-provision-to-monitor-noise-of-naval-operations-in-final-defense-package,"Congress Includes Cantwell, Larsen Provision to Monitor Noise of Naval Operations in Final Defense Package",2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.10.19 Congress Includes Cantwell, Larsen Provision to Monitor Noise of Naval Operations in Final Defense Package Language included in final conference report of National Defense Authorization Act; final votes expected this month WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (D, WA-02) announced that their amendment to provide for real-time noise monitoring at two West Coast Navy installations will be included in the final compromise of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The legislation is expected to be considered by both houses of Congress this month. Noise from Growler training has caused much concern in local communities, Senator Cantwell said. Publicly available real-time monitoring of Whidbey Island and the Olympic National Park will provide transparency and a basis for an accurate discussion on the impacts of the increased flight activity between the Navy, the state, and the communities involved. I'm pleased to see this provision included in the final defense package, and I encourage Congress to support its passage. On June 12, the House Armed Services Committee adopted my provision to require real-time noise monitoring at three Naval Air Stations and three Air Force bases because the challenge we face with jet noise on Whidbey Island is a challenge shared by other communities, said Larsen, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee. As a member of the conference committee responsible for shepherding this provision to final passage, I am happy the final bill includes real-time noise monitoring language to require the Navy to mitigate the effects of military aircraft noise on private residences, schools and hospitals. This provision will ensure air crews can get vital training while better understanding and reducing the impact of operations surrounding communities. Thank you to Chair Smith and Senator Cantwell for working with me to include my priorities in the final version of the NDAA. This March, the U.S. Navy announced the addition of 36 Growler aircraft to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, increasing annual airfield activity by up to 33%. The Cantwell-Larsen provision in the NDAA compromise requires real-time monitoring of noise at two West Coast Navy installations. This includes field carrier landing practice at Naval Outlying Field Coupeville and Ault Field, which now see about 112,100 Growler operations annually. The legislation authorizes $1 million to perform the noise monitoring and requires the Secretary of Defense to provide for real-time monitoring of noise from flights at the installations. It also requires the results be made publicly available on a Department of Defense website. It also requires the Secretary of Defense to work with the Director of the National Park Service and the Chief of the Forest Service to come up with a plan within six months for real-time noise monitoring above or adjacent to nearby public lands, including Olympic National Park, Olympic National Forest, and Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve. In June of this year, the Senate passed Senator Cantwell's amendment as part of its NDAA bill. Since then, the legislation has been in a conference committee to be reconciled with the version passed by the House. Today's announcement means the compromise FY 2020 NDAA bill, including the noise monitoring provision, will advance to final consideration in both houses of Congress. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/45-mayors-across-america-call-for-action-on-cantwell-delbene-affordable-housing-bill-,"45 Mayors Across America Call for Action on Cantwell, DelBene Affordable Housing Bill",2019-12-09,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.09.19 45 Mayors Across America Call for Action on Cantwell, DelBene Affordable Housing Bill In bipartisan letter to congressional leaders, mayors push for passage of legislation that would build 550,000 new units nationwide in the next decade; Mayors representing 8 of 10 most populous U.S. cities, communities in 19 states sign letter WASHINGTON, D.C. In a letter sent today, a bipartisan group of 45 mayors representing communities in 19 states throughout the country and the District of Columbia urged congressional leaders to include affordable housing legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and U.S. Representative Suzan DelBene (D, WA-01) in any tax package considered by Congress before the end of the year. The list includes mayors representing 8 of the 10 most populous cities, and 14 of the top 25, in the United States. The letter was led by the mayors of Seattle, WA, and Tacoma, WA. It was also signed by the mayors of: Anchorage, AK; Mesa, AZ; Phoenix, AZ; Tucson, AZ; East Palo Alto, CA; Los Angeles, CA; Newark, CA; Oakland, CA; Oceanside, CA; Rancho Cordova, CA; Sacramento, CA; San Francisco, CA; San Jose, CA; San Leandro, CA; Santa Monica, CA; Denver, CO; Washington, D.C.; Chicago, IL; Carmel, IN; Louisville, KY; New Orleans, LA; Boston, MA; Minneapolis, MN; Saint Paul, MN; St. Louis, MO; New York, NY; Newburgh, NY; Rochester, NY; Akron, OH; Cleveland, OH; Columbus, OH; Philadelphia, PA; Pittsburgh, PA; Dallas, TX; San Antonio, TX; Montpelier, VT; Vergennes, VT; Winooski, VT; Alexandria, VA; Colville, WA; Everett, WA; Madison, WI; and Milwaukee, WI. Our nation is facing one of the worst housing crises in our history, the mayors wrote in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act would have a critical impact in addressing our rental housing shortages and increasing access to affordable housing for hard-working families, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. Calling the Housing Credit a model public-private partnership, the mayors continued: the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act would provide a much-needed investment in our nation's housing infrastructure, while also generating $48.5 billion in wages and business income, $19.1 billion in additional tax revenue, and 510,000 jobs. In June, Cantwell and DelBene introduced the bipartisan Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2019. The bill would expand the Affordable Housing Tax Credit also known as the Low Income Housing Tax Credit creating more than 550,000 new units than would otherwise be built, including almost 10,000 in Washington state. The bill would also support more than 11,000 jobs in Washington and add over $1 billion to the state's economy in wages and business income. In recent years, the United States has experienced a severe housing affordability crisis. In Washington state between 2006 and 2015, the median rent increased by 18%, while the median income in the state increased only three percent. In 2017, more than 500,000 households nearly 37% of all households in the state spent more than 30% of their monthly income on rent, and nearly 400,000 of these households paid more than half of their monthly income. These statistics are even more drastic among extremely low-income renters in the state 71% pay half or more of their monthly income on rent. In addition to building thousands of new units, the Cantwell-DelBene legislation would enable the Housing Tax Credit to better serve at-risk and underserved communities by increasing the number of credits available for housing developments serving extremely low-income populations, those with special needs, and those in Indian Country. The legislation would also strengthen veteran-specific housing options and allow states to increase the credits available for projects in rural areas. Affordable housing has long been a priority issue for Senator Cantwell. In 2018, she successfully secured a nearly $3 billion down payment toward addressing the affordable housing crisis, helping to build over 28,000 units and support an additional 32,000 jobs. Earlier this year, she joined colleagues to introduce bipartisan legislation that would establish a task force on the affordable housing crisis. DelBene has been a leading voice in the House of Representatives on affordable housing legislation. She has held numerous roundtables with local organizations in Washington state to find solutions to the affordable housing crisis facing so many families throughout Washington state. A fact sheet on Cantwell and DelBene's Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2019 is available HERE. More information on the tax credit is available HERE. The full letter is available below. December 9, 2019 Dear Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, As bipartisan mayors representing communities in 18 states and the District of Colombia, we write to urge you to include S. 1703/H.R. 3077, the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2019, as part of any tax package. The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (Housing Credit) is our nation's primary tool for encouraging private investment in affordable rental housing. This bipartisan legislation would help strengthen and expand the highly effective Housing Credit, resulting in more than half a million additional affordable homes nationwide over the next decade. Our nation is facing one of the worst housing crises in our history. As residents of our cities continue to face these challenges, we know that access to safe and affordable housing is essential for the health and well-being of our residents and the economic strength of our communities. Nearly 11 million renter households one in four of all renters in the U.S. spend more than half of their monthly income on housing costs alone. With that severe cost burden, there is very little left for other necessities, such as food, healthcare, education, and transportation to employment, let alone for retirement or college savings. The Housing Credit has long been the most effective and critical tool to building new and preserving existing affordable housing. The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act would have a critical impact in addressing our rental housing shortages and increasing access to affordable housing for hard-working families, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. As a model public-private partnership, the Housing Credit has financed the development or preservation of 3.2 million affordable homes. In addition to financing virtually all affordable housing development today, the Housing Credit provides economic benefits and creates jobs. Furthermore, by design, the Housing Credit is administered at the state level so that it can address rural, urban, and suburban communities' unique housing needs nationwide. We must respond to the alarming need for more affordable housing in our cities, and the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act would provide a much-needed investment in our nation's housing infrastructure, while also generating $48.5 billion in wages and business income, $19.1 billion in additional tax revenue, and 510,000 jobs. Strong federal leadership in partnership with our cities is critical to addressing the housing needs in our communities. This legislation has broad, bipartisan support and is critical for our cities, our residents, and our nation. We urge you to include S. 1703/H.R. 3077, the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2019, in any tax package. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-introduces-legislation-to-provide-technical-assistance-for-trade-enforcement-programs-,Cantwell Introduces Legislation to Provide Technical Assistance for Trade Enforcement Programs,2019-12-09,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.09.19 Cantwell Introduces Legislation to Provide Technical Assistance for Trade Enforcement Programs Technical assistance, capacity building programs help grow international trade WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) introduced legislation to provide $75 million to the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Agency for International Development for technical assistance and trade enforcement programs. The funding will help support critical programs and infrastructure to grow trade between the United States and Mexico. Trade with Mexico is critical for Washington state's economy: In the state of Washington, we export $2 billion worth of goods to Mexico, Senator Cantwell said. It accounts for 107,000 jobs in the state of Washington. And when we're talking about these things, we should be talking about expanding economic opportunity. There's a big market outside the United States, but we have to have the tools and the enforcement mechanisms to make sure these agreements are lived up to. Last week, Cantwell and Representative Suzan DelBene (D, WA-01) sent a letter to United States Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer urging him to include U.S. technical assistance for labor enforcement programs in Mexico in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Capacity building is key to strengthening enforcement of labor rights an essential element of the USMCA. Furthermore, the United States must also have the requisite resources to monitor and enforce the labor obligations in the USMCA in order to protect workers throughout North America, Cantwell and DelBene wrote to Ambassador Lighthizer. Whether it be through capacity building support or monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, we need to make clear that the United States is committed to supporting Mexico's labor reform process. Senator Cantwell has long prioritized capacity building and technical assistance programs. In 2015, she worked to create the Trade Enforcement Trust Fund, which provides resources for enforcement actions and helps agencies in charge of enforcing international trade agreements build capacity with trading partners on environmental, labor, intellectual property, and other issues. She also raised the issue at a Senate Finance Committee hearing earlier this year, questioning Michael Wessel, a staff advisor to the United States Trade Representative and Department of Labor's Labor Advisory Committee and the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations, about the importance of capacity building assistance: Earlier this year, Mexico entered into new labor laws ensuring Mexican workers the right to organize and bargain collectively. And now they have to create their independent labor courts, Cantwell said at the hearing. So now they have to implement these reforms. So what do we need to do to build capacity in this area? And don't we need to put in place enforcement tools to build capacity to protect and enforce labor rights? The market opportunities you're talking about are enhanced by having workers be able to enjoy their rights so that they are good consumers of our products. So having labor rights in Mexico will enhance opportunities for our exporters of all products, Wessel replied. Mexico has a number of things it needs to do on its own, and they have set out a work plan to do some of that So the U.S. helping on capacity building in Mexico is vital to help those workers who have not had rights or understood their rights for so long to make sure that we don't have to go to enforcement where injury has occurred, but that we can build the capacity to be able to make sure the agreement is a success. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=46ACC6DE-9EF4-4D00-95D6-2A9AA3CAFA72,"In Meeting with Seattle Housing, Education, and Community Leaders, Senator Murray Previews Bill Inspired by Successful Washington State Programs to Improve Education Opportunities for Youth Facing Homelessness and Housing Insecurity",2019-12-06,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,,,legacy,"The AHEAD Act would provide funding for housing authorities and school districts to work together to tackle child and family homelessness In a conversation with local housing, education, and community stakeholders, Senator Murray discussed how successful local initiatives to address youth homelessness, housing insecurity, and education are reflected in the bill KUOW: Child homelessness has doubled in Washington state in the last decade MORE HERE (Washington, D.C.) This morning, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) sat down with Seattle housing, education, and community leaders to discuss some of the successful efforts by local stakeholders to support students experiencing homelessness, and to provide families and young people facing homelessness and housing insecurity with better educational opportunities. During the discussion, Senator Murray previewed her Affordable Housing for Educational Achievement Demonstration (AHEAD) Act, legislation she plans to introduce in the coming days that will create a federal grant program to help encourage housing authorities and school districts to work together to address child and family homelessness. I think everyone knows homelessness is a problem, and who it is impacting a lot is our young people. And we are seeing some exciting things happen in this region when we break down barriers and silos between agencies and have people work together I'm talking about education, and social services, and housing, and have those people work together to make sure we're doing the right thing for those young kids today, Senator Murray said. So, I'm going to be introducing legislation next week based on what all of you have been doing out here that I've seen as so successful, it's called the AHEAD Act and it is having the federal government be a partner in these collaboration efforts by providing grants and opportunities to these agencies that work together to find unique solutions in their communities. During the discussion, Senator Murray heard from numerous local stakeholders, including Rachael Steward, the community service administrator of the Seattle Housing Authority (SHA), who outlined SHA's collaborations with education and community partners, and how those relationships have helped to improve education outcomes and opportunities for low income youth and families. Dede Fauntleroy, Principal of Northgate Elementary School, spoke to the challenges that homelessness creates for students and the approaches Northgate has used to address these challenges. The AHEAD Act incorporates many of the strategies and practices discussed by Steward, Fauntleroy, and the other roundtable participants in an effort to promote collaboration and empower local officials, advocates, and educators. The shelter that I stayed at was in the U District and my high school was in West Seattle, so I had to every day get up at five AM didn't get much sleep, go out and take a metro bus to school every morning. The shelter staff would just give me a bus ticket and send me on my way. It was really stressful for me because that was a two hour bus trip and its in the wee hours of the morning and its dark, downtown as a sixteen year old in the dark not really the safest thing, said Alyssa Downing, a local resident who experienced homelessness as a teen and now works for the Mockingbird Society, an organization that works to combat youth homelessness. I was stressed out most of the time and it really had an impact on my grades. I was falling asleep in class because I wasn't getting a lot of sleep at night. Thankfully I didn't have to endure that for more than a month, but if I had, I don't know what I would've done, I probably would have had to drop out. This isn't a unique experience. We get people at the Mockingbird Society who have experiences really similar to mine. According to a report from Schoolhouse Washington, there are currently more than 40,000 students facing homeless in Washington state and students dealing with housing insecurity face unique challenges that have been shown to negatively affect academic outcomes. As a former educator and the top Democrat on the Senate education committee, Senator Murray has consistently worked to promote opportunity for all students, introducing an earlier version of the AHEAD Act in 2017 and spearheading efforts to secure millions of dollars in federal funding towards combatting youth homelessness in Washington state. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z