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://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/weekly-columns-and-op-eds/end-old-congress-beginning-new-year,"COLUMN: End of Old Congress, Beginning of New Year",2018-12-31,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,,,legacy,"As 2018 comes to a close, so does the 115th Congress. It is an honor to represent the diverse interests of the Fourth Congressional District, and I am especially proud of the accomplishments we achieved that will improve the quality of life in Central Washington. One year after Congress passed historic tax relief for American taxpayers, we are seeing results in the form of higher paychecks, improved employee benefits, and growing small businesses. We are making it easier for Americans to save for their futures and encouraging innovation. I have heard stories from people across the Fourth District who are using their tax cuts and extra take-home pay to reinvest in our local communities. With the lowest unemployment rate in decades and hundreds of thousands of jobs being created each month, our country has a bright economic future. One of the biggest economic drivers in our state is agriculture. As a farmer, I know first-hand the difficulties farmers and ranchers face in Central Washington, from scarce water resources and labor shortages to international trade and crop insurance. While there is still a lot of work left to be done, I have worked diligently with my colleagues and the Trump Administration to address each of these issues. I am pleased that Congress delivered on one of the most important pieces of agricultural legislation: the Farm Bill. The Farm Bill is only reauthorized every five years, but I am proud to have demonstrated its importance to Washington's unique agriculture industry by bringing numerous influential policymakers to meet with Central Washington farmers, including U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway, Agriculture Subcommittee on Research Chairman Rodney Davis, and U.S. Agriculture Undersecretary Bill Northey. This bill will give farmers and ranchers the certainty they deserve and provide a safety net for the men and women in Washington state and across the country who produce the food that feeds America and the world. Ensuring food security is one of the most important steps we can take to protect our communities, but Congress also took steps to alleviate the grief and pain caused by the growing opioid epidemic. I voted to support over 50 pieces of legislation that aim to prevent addiction and overdose, increase treatment options and alternative pain-management therapies, and give law enforcement agencies better tools to keep these dangerous drugs off the streets and out of our country. I was deeply moved to hear the personal stories from constituents affected by the opioid crisis at a symposium in Moses Lake, and I will continue to work on your behalf to stop these drugs from ravaging our communities. While these pieces of legislation will do great things for Americans across the country, my proudest accomplishment is ensuring that our local voices are heard and that local heroes are honored. This year, my staff and I responded to over 13,000 phone calls, letters, and e-mails and assisted almost 400 constituents who were having trouble with a federal agency. When I learned that Sergeant Dietrich Schmieman of Richland was tragically killed in a military plane crash, I worked with his family to rename a Post Office in his honor. Working on the Appropriations Committee, I included language to ensure adequate funding for the Hanford cleanup and agricultural research and to prevent the privatization of the Bonneville Power Administration. As we enter the 116th Congress and the New Year, the work is far from over. I look forward to making more progress on Central Washington's priorities.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://dennyheck.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/questions-and-answers-about-the-impact-of-a-partial-government-shutdown,Questions and Answers about the Impact of a Partial Government Shutdown,2018-12-28,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Denny Heck,H001064,dennyheck.house.gov,,,legacy,"Will my mail still arrive during the shutdown? Yes. The U.S. Postal Service is not affected by a government shutdown. The U.S. Postal Service is an independent entity that is funded through the sale of its products and services, and not by tax dollars. Will I continue to receive my Social Security checks? Yes. During a government shutdown, recipients continue to receive their Social Security checks. Will Medicare and Medicaid be interrupted? No. The operations of Medicare and Medicaid will operate normally during the shutdown. Can I get taxpayer assistance from IRS personnel during the shutdown? It will likely be difficult. If the Trump Shutdown goes into January, it will have a significant impact on the IRS. While the shutdown continues, 90 percent of the IRS staff is furloughed. IRS's tax filing season is January-April. Beginning in January, some Americans will start thinking about filing their 2018 taxes, due April 15, 2019. This will be the first year when Americans are filing their taxes under the new GOP tax law, and many will have numerous questions. If the Trump Shutdown continues, the limited IRS staff will be unable to keep up with the questions coming in from taxpayers using the IRS customer service hotline. Can I get a passport during the shutdown? Perhaps, with it depending on where you live. The U.S. Passport Agency remains open during the shutdown and continues to issue passports. However, depending on where you live, the State Department could curtail issuing passports where those passport services are offered in buildings run by another agency that is shut down. Will I be able to continue visiting the national parks during the shutdown? The Trump Administration claims that the vast majority of national parks are open during the shutdown (on the grounds that barriers have not been put up at the parks to prevent entry.) However, the fact is that there are no services for visitors to National Park Service sites during the shutdown. Services such as restrooms, visitors' centers, campgrounds, information kiosks, trash removal, and interpretative programs are all closed during the shutdown. The vast majority of National Park Service employees are furloughed. Also, law enforcement staffing is sharply curtailed, so visitors' safety will be put at risk Will the Smithsonian Museums continue to be open during the shutdown? The Smithsonian has announced that it has prior-year funds that allow its museums to remain open through Tuesday, January 1. However, it appears that if the shutdown lasts beyond January 1, the museums will have to close. Will I be able to obtain a new flood insurance policy or renew my existing flood insurance policy during the shutdown? No. On Dec. 27, the Trump Administration's FEMA ruled to not renew the National Flood Insurance Program during the shutdown. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) has stated that this decision by FEMA jeopardizes tens of thousands of home sales across America, as NAR estimates up to 40,000 closings are disrupted each month that the NFIP cannot issue flood insurance policies. Which federal departments are affected by the Trump Shutdown? There are nine federal departments affected by the Trump Shutdown: Homeland Security, Treasury, Agriculture, Interior, HUD, Justice, Commerce, Transportation, and State. In addition, numerous critical smaller independent agencies, including EPA, the Small Business Administration, and NASA, are affected. (The six federal departments that are already fully funded for FY 2019 and are not affected by the Trump Shutdown are: Defense, Veterans Affairs, HHS, Education, Labor, and Energy.) How many federal employees have to work without pay during the Trump Shutdown? There are approximately 420,000 federal employees, deemed essential, including FBI agents, DEA agents, Secret Service agents, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents, who are being required to work without pay during the Trump Shutdown. None of them will receive a paycheck until the shutdown is over and the government re-opens. The longer the Trump Shutdown lasts, the longer they are working without a paycheck, increasing their families' financial difficulties. How many federal employees have been put on unpaid furlough during the Trump Shutdown? There are also approximately 380,000 federal employees who have been placed on unpaid furlough during the Trump Shutdown. They are also not receiving any pay during the Trump Shutdown. Will the 420,000 federal employees forced to work without pay during the shutdown receive the pay for their work when the shutdown is over? Yes. Under federal law, those federal employees forced to work without pay in the shutdown are guaranteed the pay they have earned when the government re-opens. Will the 380,000 federal employees who were placed on unpaid furlough during the shutdown receive back pay when the shutdown is over? That will be up to the Congress and the White House. Legislation would have to be enacted. The precedent has been that furloughed employees are later paid, through legislation. Indeed, after every previous shutdown, Congress has passed legislation mandating that furloughed workers get paid. What is the impact of the Trump Shutdown on small businesses? A shutdown halts federal loans to small businesses. During a shutdown, the Small Business Administration stops approving applications for small businesses to obtain loans and guarantees, typically $1 billion per month. Indeed, on Dec. 22, SBA put a notice on Facebook simply stating, Due to the lapse in government funding, SBA will remain inactive until further notice. What is the impact on home mortgage applications? During the shutdown, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will see significant delays in loan processing and approvals, due to the furloughing of most employees. Thousands of people trying to buy a new home or refinance a FHA-insured mortgage will likely be put on standby. What is the impact on FDA's food safety activities? During the Trump Shutdown, the FDA will be unable to support a number of its food safety activities. FDA has furloughed 40 percent of its employees. As a result, it will have to reduce its routine inspections of domestic food facilities. For example, in the 16-day GOP shutdown in 2013, the FDA had to delay nearly 360 food safety inspections.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://dennyheck.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/its-about-time-editorial,It's about time (Editorial),2018-12-27,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Denny Heck,H001064,dennyheck.house.gov,,,legacy,"With the Chinese American WWII Veteran Congressional Gold Medal Act now being signed into law, let freedom ring for all. This is a wonderful holiday gift to the Chinese American community. The president's signature on this bill on Dec. 20 reaffirms this administration's recognition of the contributions that people of color make in protecting our nation. They put their lives on the line, pledging loyalty to our country, and proving that we are all patriots. The passing and signing into law of this act honorably recognizes the Chinese Americans who bravely served our country. Few people know that more than 18,000 Chinese and Chinese Americans served in the U.S. Armed Forces during WWII. They served in every capacity within the armed forces, even though the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act was still in force for much of the war. Many earned citations for their heroism and honorable duty to our nation. Up until now, they were the only U.S. minority group that had not been recognized for their service. We have lost many of these patriots in the years since the end of WWII. With precious few still alive, it's about time that those still with us are getting honored and recognized for their selflessness and sacrifice. Ted Lieu (D-CA) introduced the bill, along with Ed Royce (R-CA) in the U.S. House of Representatives. Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Thad Cochran (R-MS) introduced it in the Senate. Here are the Washington senators and congressmen who cosponsored the bill: Sen. Maria Cantwell Sen. Patty Murray Rep. Suzan DelBene Rep. Denny Heck Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler Rep. Pramila Jayapal Rep. Derek Kilmer Rep. Rick Larsen Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers Rep. Dan Newhouse Rep. Dave Reichert Rep. Adam Smith",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/weekly-columns-and-op-eds/president-trump-signs-criminal-justice-reform-law,COLUMN: President Trump Signs Criminal Justice Reform into Law,2018-12-24,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,,,legacy,"Last week, Congress acted, and President Trump signed into law major criminal justice reform, the First Step Act. As the national crime rate declines, this legislation makes changes to reduce recidivism among federal prisoners, increase public safety, and save taxpayer dollars. Earlier this year, President Trump said, I'm thrilled to announce my support for this bipartisan bill that will make our communities safer and give former inmates a second chance at life after they have served their time.And we're all better off when former inmates can receive and reenter society as law-abiding, productive citizens.And thanks to our booming economy, they now have a chance at more opportunities than they've ever had before. The President continued: the bill includes reasonable sentencing reforms while keeping dangerous and violent criminals off our streets. President Trump pointed out the example of Alice Marie Johnson, a 63-year old grandmother who was sentenced to life in prison without eligibility for parole for a first-time, non-violent drug offense. Johnson has accepted responsibility for her crime and has already served 21 years in federal prison. She admitted that what she did was wrong and served adequate time in prison, even becoming an ordained minister and a mentor to other prisoners. The President served the cause of justice by commuting Johnson's sentence, saying, While this administration will always be very tough on crime, it believes that those who have paid their debt to society and worked hard to better themselves while in prison deserve a second chance. The First Step Act will treat non-violent offenses like Johnson's more fairly. The bill gives judges more say in sentencing through targeted reforms including reducing the three-strike penalty for non-violent drug offenses from life imprisonment to 25 years. It creates a risk and needs assessment system that will ensure each prisoner's risk of re-offending is assessed while excluding violent and high risk criminals, including fentanyl traffickers, from using new time credits. It will encourage prisoners to participate in evidence-based programs to reduce recidivism. The First Step Act ensures dangerous, violent criminals serve their time behind bars, preserving the maximum potential sentences for violent and career criminals. It also ensures courts cannot reduce mandatory minimum sentences of violent and serious criminals, and it provides courts the ability to lengthen sentences for deserving criminals. The bipartisan legislation was supported by many diverse groups and was backed by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Fraternal Order of Police, Prison Fellowship, and the Faith and Freedom Coalition. President Trump has said that Americans from across the political spectrum can unite around prison reform legislation that will reduce crime while giving our fellow citizens a chance at redemption. The First Step Act is a breakthrough that will give Americans like Alice Marie Johnson a second chance.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://larsen.house.gov/press-release/partial-government-shutdown-will-hurt-washington-communities,Partial Government Shutdown Will Hurt Washington Communities,2018-12-22,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Rick Larsen,L000560,larsen.house.gov,,,legacy,"Partial Government Shutdown Will Hurt Washington Communities Dec 22, 2018 Issues: Budget WASHINGTON, D.C. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) issued the below statement regarding the impacts a partial government shutdown will have on Washington state communities. A partial government shutdown is bad for Washington state, said Larsen. The childish games played by President Trump and Republicans in Congress will cause Washington state organizations and our communities to feel the consequences of a shutdown. I have heard from local organizations, like the Bellingham Food Bank, U.S. Department of Agriculture Service Center in Mount Vernon and Volunteers of America Western Washington, a partial shutdown will negatively impact operations, including their ability to provide funding for transportation, distribution and storage of food. This shutdown is unnecessary and will impact the thousands of workers who will now spend the holidays working without pay, especially the federal transportation personnel who will support the estimated 45 million passengers travelling during the holidays. Local Impacts of a Partial Government Shutdown Bellingham Food Bank is an emergency food assistance distributor. A shutdown will impact their operations and ability to transport, distribute and store food. A shutdown would close the USDA Service Center in Mount Vernon, which provides support for farmers and rural communities. A long-term shutdown could impact Volunteers of America Western Washington's operations and harm their ability to help the people they serve. Washington State Department of Transportation will need to delay Federal Transit Administration grant payments during a shutdown. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=50F862F5-933B-42A6-AA70-6DA829312834,Senator Murray Statement on Partial Federal Government Shutdown,2018-12-22,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,,,legacy,"(Washington, D.C.) U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement: This shutdown is truly absurd, and would not have happened if President Trump had simply ignored the 11th hour taunts of a handful of conservatives and instead moved forward with the Senate's bipartisan bill. On behalf of families in Washington state and across the country who are now left wondering when they'll get their next paycheck or when their government will be fully functioning, I'm urging Republicans to work with us to do the right thing and re-open the government as quickly as possible.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2415,DelBene Statement on Trump Shutdown,2018-12-21,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Suzan DelBene,D000617,delbene.house.gov,,,legacy,"Tonight, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (D-WA) made the following statement regarding President Trump's refusal to keep the federal government open. Earlier this week, Republicans and Democrats in Congress were ready to pass legislation that would keep the government open. Unfortunately, President Trump in an effort to appease hardline conservatives and Fox News chose to sabotage this deal and demand $5 billion to fund a wasteful border wall that won't make us any safer. House Republicans have now embraced President Trump's desire to shut down the government. The shutdown will result in roughly 800,000 federal employees being furloughed or working without pay, just in time for the holidays. They include forest service firefighters, Customs and Border Protection agents, and TSA employees. New home and small business loans will stop, many national parks will close, and the IRS won't be able to issue tax refunds. Our farmers will also take a hit as Farm Service county offices will close and much-needed aid from the Department of Agriculture will cease. Enough is enough. This president whose party also controls the House and Senate is incapable of passing a simple spending measure without manufacturing a needless crisis. It's time for President Trump to set aside his ego and do right by the people he is fortunate to serve. Rep. DelBene represents Washington's first congressional district. She is a member of the Ways and Means Committee and the Budget Committee.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-calls-house-leadership-permanently-reauthorize-lwcf,Larsen Calls on House Leadership to Permanently Reauthorize LWCF,2018-12-21,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Rick Larsen,L000560,larsen.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. This week, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) sent a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi calling for Congress to pass legislation to permanently authorize and allocate mandatory funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) before the end of the 115th Congress. The Land and Water Conservation Fund is the cornerstone of environmental conservation which helps preserve Washington state's public lands and waters. Over the last 50 years, Washington state has received more than $675 million from the LWCF to help protect and restore green spaces such as Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve, Chuckanut Bay and the Wild Sky Wilderness in my district. A healthy environment is vital to Washingtonians' way of life and the regional economy. Outdoor recreation is responsible for an estimated 7.6 million jobs in the United States and plays a significant role in the rural economies and for local businesses in the Second District, Larsen wrote. The Land and Water Conservation Authorization and Funding Act would permanently reauthorize and fully fund the LWCF. Securing annual, mandatory appropriations and permanent reauthorization for the LWCF will safeguard the nation's environmental heritage and guarantee green spaces and pristine waters are available for the enjoyment of future generations. You can read the full letter below. December 20, 2018 Representative Paul D. Ryan Speaker United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 Representative Nancy Pelosi Minority Leader United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Speaker Ryan and Leader Pelosi: I write in strong support of the passage of the Land and Water Conservation Authorization and Funding Act (H.R. 6759). Congress must pass this bipartisan legislation to permanently reauthorize and allocate mandatory funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) before the end of the 115th Congress. The Land and Water Conservation Fund is the cornerstone of environmental conservation which helps preserve Washington state's public lands and waters. Over the last 50 years, Washington state has received more than $675 million from the LWCF to help protect and restore green spaces such as Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve, Chuckanut Bay and the Wild Sky Wilderness in my district. A healthy environment is vital to Washingtonians' way of life and the regional economy. Outdoor recreation is responsible for an estimated 7.6 million jobs in the United States and plays a significant role in the rural economies and for local businesses in the Second District. I am a proud cosponsor of H.R.6759, which would permanently reauthorize and fully fund the LWCF. Securing annual, mandatory appropriations and permanent reauthorization for the LWCF will safeguard the nation's environmental heritage and guarantee green spaces and pristine waters are available for the enjoyment of future generations. Congress cannot afford to hesitate to act on this issue any longer. I strongly support permanent reauthorization of the LWCF and the passage of the Land and Water Conservation Authorization and Funding Act (H.R. 6759) before the end of the 115th Congress. Sincerely, Rick Larsen Member of Congress ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-calls-president-trump-step-efforts-combat-ebola-and-protect-national-security,Larsen Calls on President Trump to Step Up Efforts to Combat Ebola and Protect National Security,2018-12-21,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Rick Larsen,L000560,larsen.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. This week, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) sent a letter to President Trump calling for the U.S. to combat the current outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The outbreak is already the second worst in history with more than 500 cases, including nearly 300 deaths. Experts at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) are among the very best in the world, having gained valuable experience during the largely unsung success of the response to the 2014 West Africa Ebola outbreak. These agencies have responded to other global emergencies where security threats were present. U.S. leadership will be critical to halting the current Ebola outbreak in the DRC and could convince other countries to increase their commitments, Larsen wrote in the letter. As Larsen noted in his letter, deploying CDC and USAID personnel to the epicenter of the outbreak would protect national security and align with the National Security Strategy and National Biodefense Strategy. I believe the U.S. response to date has been overly cautious. I ask you to direct the National Security Council to assess how many U.S. personnel are needed in North Kivu and Ituri, how to most effectively use them to combat the epidemic and how best to protect responders from security threats, Larsen continued. You can read the full letter below. December 20, 2018 President Donald J. Trump The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, DC 20500 Dear President Trump: The National Security Strategy (NSS) rightly identifies the impact of biological threats on national security. Building on this point, the National Biodefense Strategy (NBS) highlights the importance of U.S. intervention abroad, stating that the health of the American people depends on our ability to stem infectious disease outbreaks at their source, wherever and however they occur. The current outbreak of Ebola in North Kivu and Ituri provinces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is already the second worst Ebola outbreak in history. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified 505 cases, including 296 deaths, and the situation is likely to get worse. Deploying Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) personnel to the epicenter of the outbreak would protect national security and align with the NSS and NBS. The domestic and international response has been complicated by ongoing violence in the region, largely perpetrated by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an Islamist militant group. This violence is inexorably linked to the spread of Ebola. The security situation has inhibited the international response, and new infections increased in the chaos and widespread mourning following a September 22 attack attributed to the ADF. As dangerous as this outbreak is already, it will likely get worse without appropriate international intervention. North Kivu is home to 1.1 million internally displaced persons, complicating case investigation and contact tracing. The outbreak is also occurring near international borders, raising concern for further spread of the disease. In addition, the WHO has reported 51 infections of health workers, highlighting the insufficiency of the existing response in controlling the spread of the virus. The WHO and its partners currently on the ground are leading a brave response with limited resources and at high personal risk. With just a handful of U.S. personnel in the region, it is time for the United States to do more. Instead, CDC personnel were ordered to withdraw to Kinshasa, more than 1,000 miles away. Experts at the CDC and USAID are among the very best in the world, having gained valuable experience during the largely unsung success of the response to the 2014 West Africa Ebola outbreak. These agencies have responded to other global emergencies where security threats were present. U.S. leadership will be critical to halting the current Ebola outbreak in the DRC and could convince other countries to increase their commitments. I believe the U.S. response to date has been overly cautious. I ask you to direct the National Security Council (NSC) to assess how many U.S. personnel are needed in North Kivu and Ituri, how to most effectively use them to combat the epidemic and how best to protect responders from security threats. Additionally, I request a briefing from the appropriate NSC staff on this assessment and an implementation plan. Sincerely, Rick Larsen Member of Congress Washington State, 2nd District CC: Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State, United States Department of State CC: Robert R. Redfield, MD, Director, Center for Disease Control and Prevention CC: Mark Green, Administrator, United States Agency for International Development ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-supports-historic-criminal-justice-reform-legislation,Larsen Supports Historic Criminal Justice Reform Legislation,2018-12-21,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Rick Larsen,L000560,larsen.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) issued the below statement after voting for the First Step Act, which makes significant changes to the federal criminal justice system: The First Step Act is a good start in making important reforms to the U.S. criminal justice system. This bill reforms sentencing, prisoner assessment, living conditions and post-sentencing support. Through new programs, the bill aims to reduce recidivism and implement post-sentencing support, said Larsen. The bill makes important sentencing reforms for non-violent drug offenders and allows prisoners sentenced before the 2010 law to decrease the disparity on crack/cocaine to petition the court to be resentenced. The bill also includes other necessary provisions like banning the restraint of pregnant women and allowing access to employment assistance, substance abuse treatment, housing, family programming, mentoring and victim support. While Congress has more work to do in reforming the criminal justice system and decreasing the disparities within the system, I hope this first step will lead to many second chances, said Larsen. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=78093456-EB0D-4931-BE32-742A1750905F,VETERANS: Senator Murray Applauds VA Secretarys Announcement That Will Keep All Veterans in Caregiver Support Program While Reforms Made,2018-12-21,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Announcement comes two days after Senator Murray asked VA Secretary Wilkie during a Congressional hearing to allow veterans to stay in the program until reforms are made to ensure decisions are being made accurately Senator Murray's request comes after NPR report of veterans being kicked out or downgraded from program arbitrarily Senator Murray: I commend Secretary Wilkie for taking these concerns seriously...But this is just the first step.I urge the Secretary to use this time to get it right WATCH: Senator Murray's exchange with VA Secretary Wilkie about the Caregiver Support Program eligibility (Washington, D.C.) U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) commended Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie for announcing today that VA will temporarily suspend discharges and downgrades for veterans enrolled in VA's Caregiver Support Program. The program, which Senator Murray helped implement in 2011 when she was Chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, supports those who provide care for veterans injured as a result of their service to our country. Senator Murray had expressed her deep concerns to Secretary Wilkie two days ago during a Congressional hearing about reports of veterans who'd lost eligibility in the program for arbitrary reasons. (Watch their exchange here.) I commend Secretary Wilkie for taking these concerns seriously and putting forth this moratorium. But this is just the first step. On behalf of veterans and their caregivers across the country, I urge the Secretary to use this time to get it right. Our military families, who sacrificed so much on our country's behalf, deserve nothing less, said Senator Murray. Senator Murray has consistently worked to hold senior VA officials accountable for implementing the Caregivers program in a way that works best for veterans and their caregivers, not the least of which is creating clear, standardized eligibility requirements. In June 2018, Senator Murray helped secure additional federal investments in the program to ensure VA had the resources that VA leaders have long said is necessary to make the program a success. Additionally, in May, Senator Murray's proposal to expand the program to make veterans of all eras eligible for the program passed Congress and was signed into law as part of the VA MISSION Act.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://adamsmith.house.gov/press-releases?ID=029CC42A-5800-42C1-84F5-39D4A544FA3E,Smith Urges FAA Action on Highline Amendment Guidance,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Adam Smith,S000510,adamsmith.house.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://adamsmith.house.gov/press-releases?ID=15D7618D-427E-48E6-8996-1BEB1F6706DE,Smith Statement in Support of the First Step Act,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Adam Smith,S000510,adamsmith.house.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://larsen.house.gov/press-release/after-months-championing-lynnwood-link-extension-dc-murray-cantwell-larsen-and-jayapal,"After Months of Championing Lynnwood Link Extension in D.C., Murray, Cantwell, Larsen, and Jayapal Cheer Final Signature on the Project; Work on Long-Awaited Project Can Now Begin",2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Rick Larsen,L000560,larsen.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and U.S. Representatives Rick Larsen (D, WA-2nd), a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Pramila Jayapal (D, WA-7th) applauded the signing of the full funding grant agreement for the Lynnwood Link light rail extension following months of pressure from lawmakers urging U. S. Department of Transportation officials to follow Congressional direction and approve the grant. The final agreementsigned by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Sound Transit CEO Peter Rogoffcements a $1.2 billion commitment from the federal government to help fund the Lynnwood Link project, and allows Sound Transit to begin drawing down on $200 million in federal funding already allocated by Congress for the project through the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program. According to Sound Transit, now that the final agreement is signed and executed, work on the Lynnwood Link light rail extension is slated to begin in early 2019. This critical step comes on the heels of a new $657.9 million direct loan also approved through the Department's Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program in support of the Lynnwood Link project. Just in time for the holidays, this major federal investment is an incredible gift to Puget Sound to help address congestion on our roads and connect residents to jobs, schools, and businesses in King and Snohomish counties. I commend Secretary Chao and the FTA for working with us to move this vital project forward, and I look forward to continuing our work in Congress to get this project across the finish line, said Senator Murray. The $1.2 billion commitment from the Department of Transportation is an important next step in supporting local jobs and the regional economy, said Representative Larsen. The Lynnwood Link Extension will address traffic congestion in Snohomish County and provide a reliable commuting option for an additional 67,000 daily riders who are traveling to work, school and home. Washington state residents have voted three times to fund Sound Transit's expansion projects, the majority of which are self-funded. This is incredible news for over 68,500 commuters in King and Snohomish counties. A successful public transit system is key to connecting our communities, strengthening our economy and creating a greener, cleaner infrastructure for Washington, said Representative Jayapal. I look forward to continuing working with the Washington delegation to ensure that our state is livable, sustainable and welcoming. BACKGROUND: The 8.5 mile Lynnwood Link light rail extension project will connect King and Snohomish Counties, helping address concerns over increasing congestion and continued regional growth with an estimated one million new residents expected in Puget Sound by 2040. The lawmakers have all been strong advocates in Congress for federal investments in Washington state infrastructure priorities, writing to Secretary Chao in June to urge her to complete the full funding grant agreement for the Lynnwood Link extension and follow through on her repeated promises to uphold Congressional direction to approve federal investments affecting projects like Lynnwood Link. Additionally: In the Senate, Senators Murray and Cantwell have long fought to strengthen the Capital Investment Grants programhelping successfully pass two consecutive spending bills that have rejected President Trump's attempts to slash its funding. Senators Murray and Cantwell have repeatedly pressed senior Department of Transportation officials on funding for the Lynnwood Link project. Senator Murray pushed Secretary Chao during a Senate hearing in April to move forward with additional CIG awards with federal investments already provided by Congress to help support public transportation projects like the Lynnwood Link extension. Senator Cantwell also pressed Secretary Chao for more Sound Transit funding during the secretary's confirmation hearing. 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 has repeatedly pressed Department of Transportation officials, including Secretary Chao, to execute the Full Funding Grant Agreement for Lynnwood Link, which will benefit the local community. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mcmorris.house.gov/congress-passes-bipartisan-legislation-to-award-spokane-native-steve-gleason-with-congressional-gold-medal/,Congress Passes Bipartisan Legislation to Award Spokane Native Steve Gleason with Congressional Gold Medal,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,WA,Cathy McMorris Rodgers,M001159,mcmorris.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 20, 2019) Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05), along with U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Patty Murray (D-WA), John Kennedy (R-LA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), U.S. Representatives Cedric Richmond (D-LA), Steve Scalise (R-LA), Ralph Abraham (R-LA) and Mike Johnson (R-LA), and representatives of Microsoft, the New Orleans Saints, and the ALS Association, applauded the House's unanimous passage today of bipartisan legislation (S. 2652) to award Spokane native, ALS champion, and former New Orleans Saints star Steve Gleason with the Congressional Gold Medal. The Senate unanimously passed the bill in June, and it now heads to the president's desk to be signed into law. Steve, a Spokane native, is a hero to me and to so many of us in Eastern Washington, said Representative McMorris Rodgers. As a tireless advocate for those with ALS and other degenerative diseases, Steve has helped usher legislation through Congress to permanently provide access to important speech-generating devices for those who've lost their ability to communicate. He has chosen to fight back against ALS, and to undergo this very personal battle in the public eye to bring awareness to this disease and the people who it impacts on a daily basis. This legislation, which is on its way to becoming law, will recognize Steve's advocacy and determination with one of our nation's highest honors, the Congressional Gold Medal. Through his work to help others who are disabled, Steve Gleason has changed so many lives for the better, said SenatorCassidy (R-LA). As more members of Congress heard about Steve's work, the support for this bill only grew. Steve is a hero to many and I'm proud we got this done to honor a great American. The Congressional Gold Medal is reserved for those individuals who make a profound and lasting contribution to our country and Mr. Gleason has certainly done that, said Senator Murray (D-WA). For those of us who've followed him from his early days in eastern Washington, to anyone just learning about his story today, we are all so fortunate that Steve brings the same fight and passion to his health care advocacy that he brought to the football field. Steve, you make Washington state so proud, and it's been my honor to play a role in helping your Congressional Gold Medal come to fruition. The lives of countless people have been improved because of Steve's determination, perseverance, and advocacy. Rather putting up a white flag, Steve used his own devastating diagnosis to inspire a nation and make sure people living with ALS have access to the latest speech-generating technology. It is befitting that Steve's incredible work be recognized with a Congressional Gold Medal, said Senator Cantwell (D-WA). New Orleans Saints fans will always remember Steve Gleason's seven spectacular seasons with the team. But it has been Steve's work off the field that truly distinguishes him as an American hero,said Senator Kennedy (R-LA). Steve works tirelessly to spread awareness for ALS, all while battling this terrible disease. No one is more deserving of a Congressional Gold Medal than Steve Gleason. The Congressional Gold Medal is one of the highest honors for people who have dedicated themselves to improving the lives of others, said Representative Richmond (D-LA). Steve Gleason is someone who represents this honor and will now receive this award. I am proud to have worked with my colleagues in both the House and Senate to make this happen. Steve will join in the ranks of fellow American trailblazers and who have changed the course of our history for the better. His enduring commitment to those with disabilities makes him a living legend and forever a Saint. The city of New Orleans and Saints fans alike are proud to have Steve recognized as a leader whose contributions will make a lasting effect for years to come. In Louisiana, Steve Gleason inspired all of us as a New Orleans Saint and has continued to inspire us with his bravery and service to others battling ALS. More than 5,000 people each year are diagnosed with ALS, and Steve Gleason serves as a leading voice in championing the fight against ALS. I am pleased to announce that to honor this service, Congress is awarding Steve Gleason a Congressional Gold Medal. More than 350 Members of Congress signed on to support this legislation, a sign of how powerful a mark Steve Gleason has made on this country. Thank you, Steve, said Representative Scalise (R-LA). Steve Gleason is such an inspirational man whose work has forever changed the lives of so many people. He is certainly deserving of this tremendous honor, and I'm so proud that members of Congress from across the country recognized the incredible work he has done to help those with neuromuscular diseases and injuries, said Representative Abraham (R-LA). I also want to thank Sen. Bill Cassidy for taking charge of this effort and seeing that Steve got this amazing recognition. Steve Gleason has not only confronted his diagnosis with bravery and courage, but he has used his voice to help the lives of people all across the nation, said Representative Johnson (R-LA). All Americans deserve to have their voice heard, and those with severe disabilities should not be forced to live a life of silence. Steve has worked tirelessly to help provide the resources needed to ensure he, and countless others, can continue living meaningful and productive lives. It is an honor to recognize him with the Congressional Gold Medal for his unwavering resolve and outspoken advocacy on this important issue. Steve Gleason is an inspirational leader who has advocated on behalf of those with ALS for access to speech-generating devices. These devices provide people living with ALS who have lost their voices with the critically important means to communicate with health care professionals, loved ones, and their communities, said ALS Association President and CEO Calaneet Balas. The ALS Association is honored to support awarding Steve for a Congressional Gold Medal. In addition to recognizing Steve, this award also elevates public awareness of the daily challenges of all those with ALS and the urgency to find treatments and a cure. It is a true honor to witness Steve Gleason become the first New Orleanian and former NFL Legend to receive the Congressional Gold Medal, said Saints Owner Gayle Benson. Along with his wife, Michel, and everyone at Team Gleason, they have unfailingly confronted ALS with a courageous and unwavering determination. Their tireless work to provide crucial assistance and the latest in technology and services has improved countless people's quality of living. Steve is leaving a truly indelible mark in American history and we are honored to call him a true New Orleans Saint. The Stephen Michael Gleason Congressional Gold Medal Act recognizes Gleason for his work through the Gleason Initiative Foundation to provide individuals with neuromuscular diseases or injuries with the assistance they need to thrive, his advocacy for federal legislation ensuring people living with diseases such as ALS have access to speech generating devices, and his leadership in bringing together the single largest coordinated and collaborative ALS research project in the world. NOTE: The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian honor Congress can bestow. Previous recipients of the Congressional Gold Medal include Orville and Wilbur Wright, Thomas Edison, Robert Frost, Bob Hope, Walt Disney, Roberto Clemente, Sir Winston Churchill, John Wayne, the 1980 U.S. Summer Olympic Team, Joe Louis, Jesse Owens, Ruth and Billy Graham, Frank Sinatra, Mother Teresa, Rosa Parks, Jackie Robinson, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, Byron Nelson, Arnold Palmer, and Jack Nicklaus. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-statement-president-trump-signing-2018-farm-bill,Newhouse Statement on President Trump Signing 2018 Farm Bill,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement after attending the White House signing ceremony of the 2018 Farm Bill, Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 2 - Agriculture Improvement Act. Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 369-47 to pass the Farm Bill. Thank you, President Trump, for signing this critical legislation on behalf of Farm Country, said Rep. Newhouse. The 2018 Farm Bill is a major accomplishment that gives Central Washington farmers and agriculture producers across the country much-needed certainty and a secure safety net. Additionally today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced a proposed rule intended to move more able-bodied recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to self-sufficiency through the dignity of work. The rule proposed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) focuses on work-related program requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents. The rule would apply to non-disabled people, between the ages of 18 and 49, with no dependents. The rule would not apply to the elderly, the disabled, or pregnant women. Click here to read additional highlights of the Farm Bill Conference Report. Click here to read a summary of the Farm Bill Conference Report. Click here to read the Farm Bill Conference Report text. CLICK HERE TO WATCH REP. NEWHOUSE SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THE 2018 FARM BILL Transcript: Mr. Speaker, earlier this yearas the House considered its version of the Farm BillI spoke in this chamber about a Farm Bill listening tour that I had conducted in my own District, traveling to every county that I represent to hear from and listen to input and the concerns from farmers, ranchers, and producers across the State of Washington. In the days since then the House passed that bill early this summer, there has been growing concern that the job would not get donethat the 2014 Farm Bill would expire and that our nation's Farm Country would be left without the crucial tools this legislation provides to strengthen the farm safety net and provide certainty and flexibility to America's farmers and ranchers. Fortunately, with the legislation before us today, we can report that this is not the case. After months of painstaking negotiations between the House and Senate conferees, we have an agreement before us. This agreement, while not including several provisions that I would have liked to have seen, sets us on a better path for our farmers and ranchers, for our rural communities, for small businesses, and for consumers across the country at the grocery store and at kitchen tables. With this conference agreement to the Farm Bill, I can go back to my District and confidently report to my constituents that we have provided a strong foundation to help our farmers survive a 50-percent drop in net farm income over the past five years. I can go back to Okanogan County and tell my constituents in Pateros that we have strengthened market access programs and provided strong resources to open new sources for exporting across the globe. I can tell farmers in Grant County that we have protected crop insurance and made several key improvements, including for whole farm revenue coverage for specialty crop producers. I can tell dairy producers in Yakima County that we have improved the dairy safety net for large, mid-sized, and small dairies. I can report back to producers in Prosser in Benton County, who stressed the importance of agricultural research, that we have provided an increase in funding for research, for extension, and for education projects. With the bill before us, I can let key agricultural partners in our community like Washington State University know that we will keep American agriculture at the forefront of innovation and productivity. Farmers from East Wenatchee will hear from me that this Farm Bill invests in critical cost-share and incentive-based programs to help farm families improve our soil, water, and other natural resources. And I can tell farmers in Othello in Adams County, concerned with the regulatory burdens on their shoulders, that this legislation protects our producers from costly additional, unnecessary red tape. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today as a third-generation farmer to say that this Farm Bill takes strong steps to address challenges facing America's agricultural community. The rule we bring before the House provides for further consideration of the Conference Report to H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act, legislation that is critically important to my District in Central Washington, and to rural districts across this great country. This legislation maintains and strengthens important policies like Price Loss Coverage, Agriculture Risk Coverage, Commodity Loans, Dairy Margin Coverage, Livestock Disaster Programs, and Crop Insurance. It enhances and permanently funds the Foreign Market Development Program and Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops, which are so vital for export-driven agricultural economies like my State of Washington has. It increases funding for land grant universities, research, extension, and education, as well as special research initiatives, including for specialty crops and organic research. This legislation makes strides to expand quality broadband to all of rural America by including forward-looking standards to ensure that we are meeting next-generation rural broadband needs. It also improves the tools available to reduce forest fuel loads that increase the size and force of catastrophic wildfires. By renewing key categorical exclusions and expanding its purpose to allow for expedited reduction of hazardous fuels in our forests, we can continue to reduce the threat that these wildfires pose on rural communities. Mr. Speaker, with support from the 2014 Farm Bill, American farmers have been able to combat depressed prices and severe drops in farm income, but they would not have been able to do so without a robust safety net in place. The Conference Report before us will build upon this effort and ensure a steady food supply will be on the shelves and in our markets for years to come. As I mentioned, it doesn't include everything I would have liked to have seen in this billbut in reality no piece of legislation is perfect, particularly comprehensive bills that have been negotiated for months. But the fact of the matter is, this Farm Bill includes important and significant wins for American farmers and ranchers, and it is now our responsibility to get the job done. Mr. Speaker, the People's House has more than 20 farmers, ranchers, and producers serving in this body. Among us are a dairyman from Central California, a blueberry farmer from Maine, a rancher from South Dakota, two rice farmersone from California and another from Minnesotaa cattleman from Kentucky, an almond farmer from California, and yesa proud hops farmer from the Yakima Valley of Washington state. This is the first Farm Bill that I have had the opportunity to engage in since being in Congress, Mr. Speaker. I've spent my whole life on the farmand my life in public service, including serving as Washington State's Director of the Department of Agriculture, has been spent working on behalf of American farmers, ranchers, rural communities, and families. It is an honor today to bring this rule forward for the Conference Report to Accompany the Farm BillH.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act. I humbly urge my colleagues to support the rule, support the bill, and strengthen the future for America's farmers and all those who depend upon them.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-statement-secretary-mattis-service,Newhouse Statement on Secretary Mattis Service,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement on the service of Secretary of Defense James Mattis: ""I am grateful for Secretary Mattis' honorable service, said Rep. Newhouse. A fellow Washingtonian, he has served our nation with distinction. Every Americans can be proud of his record both in uniform as a U.S. Marine and as Secretary of Defense. He has shown himself to be a man who exemplifies duty and patriotism and a true role model for every young Tri-Citian.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/-cantwell-applauds-signing-of-lynnwood-link-final-agreement,Cantwell Applauds Signing of Lynnwood Link Final Agreement,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.20.18 Cantwell Applauds Signing of Lynnwood Link Final Agreement Work on light rail extension expected to start in early 2019 WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, applauded the signing of the final agreement between the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Sound Transit to provide funding to the Lynnwood Link light rail extension project: Finalizing this agreement means we can put shovels in the ground in early 2019 to provide commuters with a faster option to get to work, school, and throughout Puget Sound. With a 28 minute travel time between Lynnwood and downtown Seattle, Snohomish County will soon have a transit option that delivers the connectivity it needs to keep up with the tremendous growth the region has experienced. Senator Cantwell has long fought for more public transit and infrastructure funding for Puget Sound and Washington state, and she has repeatedly pressed senior Department of Transportation officials for funding for the Lynnwood Link project. At Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao's confirmation hearing, Cantwell urged Chao to prioritize more funding for Sound Transit. Cantwell has also fought back against the administration's efforts to cancel funding for nearly 60 shovel-ready public transit projects, including the Lynnwood Link project, and has advocated for strong funding for the Capital Investment Grant program. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-cantwell-murray-cheer-passage-of-their-legislation-to-award-spokane-native-steve-gleason-with-congressional-gold-medal,"Senators Cantwell, Murray Cheer Passage of Their Legislation to Award Spokane Native Steve Gleason with Congressional Gold Medal",2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.20.18 Senators Cantwell, Murray Cheer Passage of Their Legislation to Award Spokane Native Steve Gleason with Congressional Gold Medal Standout WA football star and health care advocate becomes first NFL player in history to receive highest civilian honor Congress can bestow WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Patty Murray (D-WA) applauded the House's passage of bipartisan legislation (S. 2652) to awardWashington state native, ALS champion, and former New Orleans Saints star Steve Gleasonwith the Congressional Gold Medal, following the Senate passage in June. The bill, championed by Cantwell and Murray, as well as Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and John Kennedy (R-LA) and U.S. Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), now heads to the president's desk to be signed into law. The lives of countless people have been improved because of Steve's determination, perseverance, and advocacy. Rather putting up a white flag, Steve used his own devastating diagnosis to inspire a nation and make sure people living with ALS have access to the latest speech-generating technology. It is befitting that Steve's incredible work be recognized with a Congressional Gold Medal,said Senator Cantwell. The Congressional Gold Medal is reserved for those individuals who make a profound and lasting contribution to our country and Mr. Gleason has certainly done that, said Senator Murray. For those of us who've followed him from his early days in eastern Washington, to anyone just learning about his story today, we are all so fortunate that Steve brings the same fight and passion to his health care advocacy that he brought to the football field. Steve, you make Washington state so proud, and it's been my honor to play a role in helping your Congressional Gold Medal come to fruition. The Stephen Michael Gleason Congressional Gold Medal Act recognizes Gleason for his work through the Gleason Initiative Foundation to provide individuals with neuromuscular diseases or injuries with the assistance they need to thrive, his advocacy for federal legislation ensuring people living with diseases such as ALS have access to speech generating devices, and his leadership in bringing together the single largest coordinated and collaborative ALS research project in the world. The Congressional Gold Medalis the highest civilian honor Congress can bestow. Previous recipients of the Congressional Gold Medal include Orville and Wilbur Wright, Thomas Edison, Robert Frost, Bob Hope, Walt Disney, Roberto Clemente, Sir Winston Churchill, John Wayne, the 1980 U.S. Summer Olympic Team, Joe Louis, Jesse Owens, Ruth and Billy Graham, Frank Sinatra, Mother Teresa, Rosa Parks, Jackie Robinson, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, Byron Nelson, Arnold Palmer, and Jack Nicklaus. ICYMI: Watch Senator Cantwell's floor speech on Steve GleasonHERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/servicemembers-can-be-charged-cancellation-fees-when-they-deploy-cantwell-fischer-secure-fix,"Servicemembers Can Be Charged Cancellation Fees When they Deploy; Cantwell, Fischer Secure Fix",2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.20.18 Servicemembers Can Be Charged Cancellation Fees When they Deploy; Cantwell, Fischer Secure Fix Senators' bill will shield military servicemembers from pay TV and internet cancellation fees WASHINGTON, D.C. Legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) to amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) to ensure military servicemembers are not charged cancellation fees for pay TV and internet services when they deploy or change duty stations passed the Senate. The legislation passed the House of Representatives earlier last week and now heads to President Trump's desk for signature into law. Under existing law, servicemembers may break rental leases, cellphone contracts, car leases, and other contractual agreements without penalty if they are relocating or deploying on official orders. The Cantwell-Fischer bill extends the same relief to cover pay TV and internet service contracts for relocating or deploying servicemembers and eligible dependents. Our brave servicemembers leave their families, loved ones, and communities to serve our country and defend our freedoms, said Senator Cantwell. This bill will allow servicemembers to focus on their families and training for pending deployments instead of costly cancellation fees. When our men and women in uniform are deployed or relocated, the last thing they should have to worry about are cancellation fees from TV or internet providers. I helped lead this bipartisan solution to prevent unfair fees and reduce burdens when deploying, so that service members can concentrate on their active duty orders. Now that Congress has passed the legislation, I hope President Trump will quickly sign it into law to make life a bit easier for the Americans who defend our nation and keep us safe, said Senator Fischer. Currently, there are limited protections for servicemembers who are issued orders to move or deploy, and have to break their pay TV and internet contracts as a result. While some companies voluntarily waive these fees, contract cancellation penalties can reach into the hundreds of dollars, often times impacting credit scores and affecting servicemembers' peace of mind. On behalf of the 35,000 members of The American Legion Family in Washington State, I would like to thank Washington State Senator Cantwell for sponsoring legislation that helps protect our service men and women who selflessly sacrifice so much to serve America. Frequent moves can be costly and significantly disrupt their lives. This legislation makes life just a little easier for our military families, said the American Legion Department of Washington State Commander Gary Roach. Service members who are being deployed currently face cancelation fees if they have to interrupt their cable or satellite contracts in order to serve overseas. The VFW thanks Senator Cantwell for her efforts to eliminate this unnecessary hassle for our service members. This common sense solution provides relief so our service members can turn their full attention to the mission at hand knowing they won't face unnecessary penalties for heading overseas to serve our country, said Washington state Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander Linda Fairbank. Deployments are major disruptions in the lives of our servicemembers and their families. The two million members of The American Legion thank Senator Cantwell for introducing this legislation that would protect our military members from fees associated with the cancellation of cable, satellite TV, or internet services when they deploy or change duty stations much in the same way the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act protects them when they have to break a lease. It is right that our nation's businesses afford these accommodations to those American men and women who answer their nation's call, said the American Legion National Commander Brett P. Reistad. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=3762C362-C5EC-4F32-85AF-D80B28E2C37D,Senator Murray Applauds Senate Passage of Her Bill to Make Applying for Federal Financial Aid Easier for Students in Washington State and Nationwide,2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Bipartisan bill will allow students to complete tax information on the FAFSA with only one click; now heads to House for a vote Senator Murray: Bill will help fix federal financial aid so students and student loan borrowers are able navigate financial aid through a streamlined and efficient process ICYMI Senator Murray's Medium Post: Thousands of dollars for Washington state college students who just need to fill out a form MORE HERE (Washington, D.C.) U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), top Democrat on the Senate education committee, cheered the Senate passage of legislation that will make it easier for the nearly 20 million students that complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year by having the IRS securely send the Department of Education their federal tax information with one-click. The Faster Access to Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Act, introduced by Senator Murray last month, will simplify the process for students to file their Free Application for Federal Student Aid, make it easier for certain student loan borrowers to pay back their loans, and streamline coordination between federal agencies that handle student aid programs. Now that the Senate has passed the legislation, it will head to the U.S. House of Representatives. 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, or get help if they're struggling to pay their student loans, said Senator Murray. I'm pleased to work with my colleagues on this needed fix to federal financial aid, and I urge the House to pass this quickly so students and borrowers are able navigate their financial aid through a streamlined and efficient process. The Faster Access to Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Actwillmake FAFSA completion easierand more securefor nearly 20 million studentsby: Improvingand securingthe way individuals' IRS tax information is sent to the Department of Education. Turninga 7-click process into a single click process to transfer IRS tax filling data to the Department of Education. Allowing8 to 9 million more FAFSA filers to use their existing IRS tax filing information. Reducingthe burdensome verification processes for students and parents filing for aid. Automatingthe annual process for 7 million borrowers in income driven repayment to recertify their income and remain in their repayment plan. In her role on the Senate education committee, Senator Murray has been a leading proponent of efforts to simplify FAFSA, particularly for low-income and underrepresented students and their families in Washington state and across the country. Background on FAFSA: Currently 54% of FAFSAs are filed with information received from the IRS by parents or students using the Data Retrieval Tool to request and transfer tax information from the IRS to the Department of Education. The current process for students or parents to transfer tax information to the FAFSA requires the applicant to give direct permission to the IRS to send tax information to ED. This requires the applicant to jump from FAFSA website to IRS website and back to ED website which takes a total of 7 clicks. For 37% of FAFSAs, either the student or the parent does not file taxes. The new process will allow the IRS to confirm that those students or parents have not filed. Washington state ranked 48th of all 50 states and the District of Columbia in FAFSA completion among high school seniors last year, leaving millions of dollars in grants to attend college on the table. Background on Income Driven Repayment: Almost a third of borrowers in repayment on federal student loans are in an income-driven repayment program. These programs require that borrowers certify their income on an annual basis. If borrowers fail to complete this process, they are automatically reentered into standard 10 year repayment. Each year 19 percent ofborrowers in IDR fail to recertify their income on-time, resulting in payment spikes and interest capitalization for approximately 1.3 million borrowers.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=7C195FE6-3DB6-4B69-B559-1CA6243F30E0,"TRANSPORTATION: After Months of Championing Lynnwood Link Extension in DC, Murray, Cantwell, Larsen, and Jayapal Cheer Final Signature on the Project; Work on Long-Awaited Project Can Now Begin",2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Signing of final agreement for Lynnwood Link light rail extension project follows 30-day congressional review period Sound Transit can start drawing down federal funds for Lynnwood Link project, including $200M in funding already appropriated by Congress Key federal loan to support Lynnwood Link project also approved WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and U.S. Representatives Rick Larsen (D, WA-2nd), a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Pramila Jayapal (D, WA-7th) applauded the signing of the full funding grant agreement for the Lynnwood Link light rail extension following months of pressure from lawmakers urging U. S. Department of Transportation officials to follow Congressional direction and approve the grant. The final agreementsigned by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Sound Transit CEO Peter Rogoffcements a $1.2 billion commitment from the federal government to help fund the Lynnwood Link project, and allows Sound Transit to begin drawing down on $200 million in federal funding already allocated by Congress for the project through the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program. According to Sound Transit, now that the final agreement is signed and executed, work on the Lynnwood Link light rail extension is slated to begin in early 2019. This critical step comes on the heels of a new $657.9 million direct loan also approved through the Department's Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program in support of the Lynnwood Link project. Just in time for the holidays, this major federal investment is an incredible gift to Puget Sound to help address congestion on our roads and connect residents to jobs, schools, and businesses in King and Snohomish counties. I commend Secretary Chao and the FTA for working with us to move this vital project forward, and I look forward to continuing our work in Congress to get this project across the finish line, said Senator Murray. The $1.2 billion commitment from the Department of Transportation is an important next step in supporting local jobs and the regional economy, said Representative Larsen. The Lynnwood Link Extension will address traffic congestion in Snohomish County and provide a reliable commuting option for an additional 67,000 daily riders who are traveling to work, school and home. Washington state residents have voted three times to fund Sound Transit's expansion projects, the majority of which are self-funded. This is incredible news for over 68,500 commuters in King and Snohomish counties. A successful public transit system is key to connecting our communities, strengthening our economy and creating a greener, cleaner infrastructure for Washington, said Representative Jayapal. I look forward to continuing working with the Washington delegation to ensure that our state is livable, sustainable and welcoming. BACKGROUND: The 8.5 mile Lynnwood Link light rail extension project will connect King and Snohomish Counties, helping address concerns over increasing congestion and continued regional growth with an estimated one million new residents expected in Puget Sound by 2040. The lawmakers have all been strong advocates in Congress for federal investments in Washington state infrastructure priorities, writing to Secretary Chao in June to urge her to complete the full funding grant agreement for the Lynnwood Link extension and follow through on her repeated promises to uphold Congressional direction to approve federal investments affecting projects like Lynnwood Link. Additionally: In the Senate, Senators Murray and Cantwell have long fought to strengthen the Capital Investment Grants programhelping successfully pass two consecutive spending bills that have rejected President Trump's attempts to slash its funding. Senators Murray and Cantwell have repeatedly pressed senior Department of Transportation officials on funding for the Lynnwood Link project. Senator Murray pushed Secretary Chao during a Senate hearing in April to move forward with additional CIG awards with federal investments already provided by Congress to help support public transportation projects like the Lynnwood Link extension. Senator Cantwell also pressed Secretary Chao for more Sound Transit funding during the secretary's confirmation hearing. 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 has repeatedly pressed Department of Transportation officials, including Secretary Chao, to execute the Full Funding Grant Agreement for Lynnwood Link, which will benefit the local community.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=BE1F7DC5-B0DA-4684-9FA2-999A8DA9C513,"Senators Murray, Cantwell Cheer Passage of Their Legislation to Award Spokane Native Steve Gleason with Congressional Gold Medal",2018-12-20,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Standout WA football star and health care advocate becomes first NFL player in history to receive highest civilian honor Congress can bestow Popular bipartisan legislation will now head to the president's desk to be signed into law WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) applauded the House's passage of bipartisan legislation (S. 2652) to awardWashington state native, ALS champion, and former New Orleans Saints star Steve Gleasonwith the Congressional Gold Medal, following the Senate passage in June. The bill, championed by Murray, Cantwell, as well as Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and John Kennedy (R-LA) and U.S. Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), now heads to the president's desk to be signed into law. The Congressional Gold Medal is reserved for those individuals who make a profound and lasting contribution to our country and Mr. Gleason has certainly done that, said Senator Murray. For those of us who've followed him from his early days in eastern Washington, to anyone just learning about his story today, we are all so fortunate that Steve brings the same fight and passion to his health care advocacy that he brought to the football field. Steve, you make Washington state so proud, and it's been my honor to play a role in helping your Congressional Gold Medal come to fruition. The lives of countless people have been improved because of Steve's determination, perseverance, and advocacy. Rather putting up a white flag, Steve used his own devastating diagnosis to inspire a nation and make sure people living with ALS have access to the latest speech-generating technology. It is befitting that Steve's incredible work be recognized with a Congressional Gold Medal, said Senator Cantwell. The Stephen Michael Gleason Congressional Gold Medal Act recognizes Gleason for his work through the Gleason Initiative Foundation to provide individuals with neuromuscular diseases or injuries with the assistance they need to thrive, his advocacy for federal legislation ensuring people living with diseases such as ALS have access to speech generating devices, and his leadership in bringing together the single largest coordinated and collaborative ALS research project in the world. The Congressional Gold Medalis the highest civilian honor Congress can bestow. Previous recipients of the Congressional Gold Medal include Orville and Wilbur Wright, Thomas Edison, Robert Frost, Bob Hope, Walt Disney, Roberto Clemente, Sir Winston Churchill, John Wayne, the 1980 U.S. Summer Olympic Team, Joe Louis, Jesse Owens, Ruth and Billy Graham, Frank Sinatra, Mother Teresa, Rosa Parks, Jackie Robinson, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, Byron Nelson, Arnold Palmer, and Jack Nicklaus. ICYMI: Watch Senator Murray's Senate floor speech on Steve Gleason HERE. Watch Senator Cantwell's floor speech HERE.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://dennyheck.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/new-proposal-made-on-relocation-tax-issue,New Proposal Made on Relocation Tax Issue,2018-12-19,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Denny Heck,H001064,dennyheck.house.gov,,,legacy,"Legislation (HR-7254) newly introduced in the House aims to fix a tax liability for federal employees who relocate that was caused by last year's tax law changes. That law made employer-paid relocation expenses taxable as ordinary income effective with calendar year 2018, ending a previous general exclusion from taxes that now applies only to military personnel. Under urging from several members of Congress, the GSA told agencies to essentially make employees whole for the added tax liability for transfers within the U.S. However, the GSA instruction does not protect employees relocating from overseas, meaning that they may owe thousands of more dollars in taxes, sponsor Rep. Denny Heck, D-Wash., said in introducing the bill. The measure, which would apply retroactively to the beginning of this year, would make civilian federal employees returning from overseas eligible for a tax exclusion like that applying to military personnel. It also would make newly hired and retiring employees eligible for the reimbursement. This close to the adjournment of Congress, the best chance for enactment likely would be to try attaching the proposal to some other measure set to pass.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://herrerabeutler.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399377,"Southwest Washington Lawmakers Urge Governor Inslee to Respect Clark County Voters Opposition to Light Rail, Consider Transit Alternatives",2018-12-19,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,WA,Jaime Herrera Beutler,H001056,herrerabeutler.house.gov,,,legacy,"In a joint letter sent today, eight federal and state Southwest Washington lawmakers urged Governor Inslee to consider alternatives to light rail in addressing the I-5 Columbia River bridge. Past light rail proposals have been soundly rejected by Clark County residents in multiple county-wide votes. share: f t In a joint letter sent today, eight federal and state Southwest Washington lawmakers urged Governor Inslee to consider alternatives to light rail in addressing the I-5 Columbia River bridge. Past light rail proposals have been soundly rejected by Clark County residents in multiple county-wide votes.The letter was signed by U.S. Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler, Washington state Senators John Braun (LD 20), Ann Rivers (LD 18) and Lynda Wilson (LD 17), Washington state Representatives Richard DeBolt (LD 20), Paul Harris (LD 17), Ed Orcutt (LD 20) and Brandon Vick (LD 18). The letter follows the governor's newly-released 2019-2021 budget which includes funding for an I-5 bridge replacement and language that the Washington Department of Transportation shall assume any plan for a new bridge will include light rail. In their letter, the lawmakers state: The Columbia River Crossing project failed in large part due to the insistence of politicians and bureaucrats that the new bridge bring Oregon's light rail system into Clark County, despite the demonstrated lack of support from the County's voters. Those who refuse to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. The full text of the letter follows and a PDF version is available here. Dear Governor Inslee: We are writing to ask you to help keep mass transit alternatives to light rail on the table during negotiations on any I-5 bridge project over the Columbia River. We all agree on the pressing need to address the congestion and safety issues at the current I-5 bridge, and it's imperative that we all work together on a long-term solution that both sides of the river can support. While we are encouraged that your proposed FY 2019-2021 budget contains funding to restart the planning process for a Columbia River bridge project, we are dismayed to find that the proposal also contains a statement that any new bridge will include light rail, with no consideration of alternative transit options. The voters of Clark County have had three opportunities to weigh in on light rail, most recently in 2013. Each time, the pro-light rail side of the issue was soundly defeated[1]. We owe it to those we serve to represent their preferences in negotiations over any future I-5 bridge project. It's not just faithful representation that demands we remain open-minded to transit alternatives, it's also practical politics for those of us who actually want to solve the problems on the I-5 corridor. The Columbia River Crossing project failed in large part due to the insistence of politicians and bureaucrats that the new bridge bring Oregon's light rail system into Clark County, despite the demonstrated lack of support from the County's voters. Those who refuse to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. We were encouraged by your statement to The Columbian newspaper that you are ""not foreclosing on other alternatives"" and we hope you will further elaborate on your position to clarify that you are open-minded on the topic. ____________________ [1] November 5, 2013: Clark County Advisory Vote No. 1; November 6, 2012: C-TRAN Proposition No.1; February 7, 1995",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://herrerabeutler.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399386,"Bipartisan Bill to Control Sea Lions, Save Salmon on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers Signed Into Law",2018-12-19,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,WA,Jaime Herrera Beutler,H001056,herrerabeutler.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, the bipartisan bill authored by U.S. Representatives Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) and Kurt Schrader (D-OR) giving tribal members and government fish managers the authority to lethally remove sea lions that are decimating endangered salmon and steelhead runs was signed into law. share: f t Today, the bipartisan bill authored by U.S. Representatives Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) and Kurt Schrader (D-OR) giving tribal members and government fish managers the authority to lethally remove sea lions that are decimating endangered salmon and steelhead runs was signed into law.The Endangered Salmon and Fisheries Predation Prevention Act passed the U.S. House earlier this year, and companion legislation passed the U.S. Senate earlier this month. After 12 years of hard work by so many on this legislation, seeing it finally become law today represents a momentous step in the effort to protect our endangered salmon and steelhead runs. Today, we have reason to be optimistic that our fight to prevent the extinction of entire Northwest salmon runs, and the species that depend on them, can succeed, said Rep. Herrera Beutler. This has been an issue that I have worked on since first coming to Congress. I want to thank everyone Rep. Herrera Beutler, Senators Risch and Cantwell, and our states, tribes, and local communities for the exceptional work to get this bill over the finish line this year, said Rep. Schrader. In the last few years especially, we've seen a record number of sea lions in the Columbia River from Astoria to Bonneville Dam. Ratepayers and my constituents are paying hundreds of millions of dollars annually towards the largest mitigation program in the country for threatened and endangered salmon. These sea lions, whose population has become totally inconsistent with their historic range, have been undoing all of that work by feasting on the endangered species. Our law will provide a great step forward in eliminating this threat to our iconic Oregon salmon that are struggling to survive once and for all. This legislation affirms our collective determination to keep Columbia River salmon robust and abundant. The entire Northwest Congressional delegation really went to bat for these fish and we're grateful for that. We're eager to put this new law into action and provide better balance between these species, said Charles Hudson, Intergovernmental Affairs Director, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission. We commend the tireless, bipartisan efforts of Representatives Jaime Herrera Beutler and Kurt Schrader and Senators Maria Cantwell and Jim Risch to give Northwest states and tribes the authority to protect wild and endangered salmon and steelhead from excessive, unnatural sea lion predation in the Columbia River basin, said Gary Loomis, founder of G-Loomis, Edge Rods, and Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) in the Pacific Northwest. The enactment of this science-based legislation is the culmination of a decade-long effort by Reps. Herrera Beutler and Schrader and a coalition of states, tribes, conservation organizations, and sportfishing advocates, including tens of thousands of citizens who voiced their support for this legislation that is so critical to the future of Columbia River salmon. We appreciate the bipartisan leadership of Congresswoman Herrera Beutler, Congressman Schrader, Senators Cantwell and Risch on this effort. The legislation had the unanimous support of the Northwest delegation, and we applaud its passage and enactment into law. The increasing sea lion population in the Lower Columbia River in recent years has presented a greater threat to wild salmon and steelhead runs than ever before. The states and our tribal partners now have the tools to better protect our iconic and endangered fish populations from their predation, said Kelly Susewind, Director of Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. How this new law will impact Northwest salmon and steelhead: Historic recovery efforts of endangered salmon and steelhead populations in the Columbia River have been compromised by exponentially increasing sea lion predation in recent years. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), California sea lions have killed the largest proportion of spring Chinook salmon and steelhead this year than any year since 2011. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife estimates that at the current rate, the Willamette Winter Steelhead run faces a 90 percent chance of extinction if nothing changes. This bipartisan legislation authorizes states and tribal members to lethally remove sea lions that are predating on endangered salmon, steelhead and other native fish species. The new law is supported by a broad spectrum of Northwest residents and organizations that include recreational fishermen represented by the Coastal Conservation Association, Tribes and the Oregon and Washington State Departments of Fish and Wildlife.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mcmorris.house.gov/president-trump-signs-mcmorris-rodgerss-7th-bill-into-law/,President Trump Signs McMorris Rodgers’s 7th Bill into Law,2018-12-19,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,WA,Cathy McMorris Rodgers,M001159,mcmorris.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 19, 2018) Today, President Donald Trump signed Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers's (WA-05) 7th bill into law, herSpurring Business in Communities Act (H.R. 4111). Cathy introduced this legislation alongside Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-FL) in October of 2017 to help bring more Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs) to Eastern Washington to invest in local businesses. As Cathy said earlier this month, Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, providing two out of every three new jobs in America and serving as a foundation for our communities. Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs) serve an important function in providing capital and support to these job creators, however, there are currently none here in Washington state. My bipartisan bill, which now heads to the president's desk to become law, will make it easier for them to form here in Eastern Washington and invest in our community and local small businesses. Rep. Murphy, ranking member on the House Small Business Committee's Subcommittee on Contracting and Workforce, added, As a former businesswoman, I know how important growth capital is to starting and sustaining a successful small business. Securing private capital remains a challenge for too many businesses. I am incredibly proud that our bipartisan legislation to support small businesses and boost private sector job creation is now law. NOTE:A 2017 Library of Congress study found that SBIC-backed small businesses created 3 million new jobs and supported an additional 6.5 million. According to the Small Business Administration's most recent report, SBICs reported more than $800 million in financing during the fourth quarter of2017,and created more than 16,000 jobs. Over the same period, SBICs were able to finance 210 companies across the U.S., including 25 businesses in Low- and Moderate-Income areas, and 12 businesses owned by women, minorities, or veterans. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-newhouse-legislation-transfer-kennewick-irrigation-district,House Passes Newhouse Legislation to Transfer Kennewick Irrigation District Title,2018-12-19,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON D.C. Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement after the House of Representatives by a bipartisan vote of 358 to 1 approved federal legislation he introduced, H.R. 6652, to transfer title of U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) related works and lands to the Kennewick Irrigation District (KID). In accordance with the December 2017 Memorandum of Agreement between KID and BOR, this legislation will transfer title of works beginning at KID's head gate and extending 40 miles east to the Columbia River. The transfer includes the conveyance of land and project facilities and should be completed no later than two years after the enactment. The legislation must now be approved by the Senate. Local resources should be responsively managed by local entities wherever possible, and that's what my legislation will ensure on behalf of the Kennewick Irrigation District, said Rep. Newhouse. This is a big improvement for Central Washington water users, and I'm proud that the House passed my bill. I urge my Senate colleagues to act before the end of the year so that this legislation can be signed into law. Rep. Newhouse gave a speech on the floor of the House earlier today on the legislation: Click here to watch Rep. Newhouse speak on House floor in support of H.R. 6652 Click here to read the text of H.R. 6652. Background: H.R. 6652 conveys title for the facilities managed and operated by Kennewick Irrigation District (KID). It does not privatize federal water projects or properties within the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR). KID will complete an environmental assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act, as well as all necessary Endangered Species Act, National Historical Preservation Act, and hazardous review processes. KID and BOR have committed to ensuring that all stakeholders, tribal concerns, and local interests have a seat at the table throughout the process. In addition to ensuring the proper reviews are completed, KID will repay their allocated share of construction costs to the federal government.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/-murray-cantwell-call-on-trump-administration-to-protect-rights-of-transgender-federal-employees,"Murray, Cantwell Call on Trump Administration to Protect Rights of Transgender Federal Employees",2018-12-19,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.19.18 Murray, Cantwell Call on Trump Administration to Protect Rights of Transgender Federal Employees WASHINGTON, D.C. This week, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and 27 of their Senate colleagues called on the Trump administration to restore guidelines for protecting the privacy and rights of transgender federal employees. Last month, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) replaced information on its website that provided supervisors with guidelines regarding transgender federal employees with new guidance that omits essential information, including any reference to transgender individuals. We write to express our serious concern that guidance meant to ensure transgender federal employees are treated with dignity and respect has been removed from the website of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the senators wrote in a letter to the Acting Director of OPM. We request that you immediately make the guidance available online, so that managers, supervisors, and employees are equipped with accurate information and fully understand their responsibilities in the federal workplace. The new guidance that replaced it omits essential information, including any reference to transgender individuals, greatly diminishing OPM's ability to educate federal agencies on anti-discrimination policies and retain a productive federal workforce as diverse as the people it serves, the senators continued. The Trump Administration has removed information about LGBTQ people from a variety of websites across federal agencies, including the White House website, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Women's Health website, and the Department of State website, and has aggressively taken anti-LGBTQ actions, which have been catalogued by the National Center for Transgender Equality and GLAAD. In addition to Murray and Cantwell, the letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ed Markey (D-MA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Pat Leahy (D-VT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Jack Reed (D-RI), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tina Smith (D-MN), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Bob Casey (D-PA), and Tom Carper (D-DE). The full text of the letter is available HERE and below. December 18, 2018 Dear Acting Director Weichert: We write to express our serious concern that guidance meant to ensure transgender federal employees are treated with dignity and respect has been removed from the website of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). We request that you immediately make the guidance available online, so that managers, supervisors, and employees are equipped with accurate information and fully understand their responsibilities in the federal workplace. The original guidance addressed common questions that agency managers and federal employees had raised with OPM, identifying issues and core concepts specific to understanding rights and fair treatment of transgender employees. The new guidance that replaced it omits essential information, including any reference to transgender individuals, greatly diminishing OPM's ability to educate federal agencies on anti-discrimination policies and retain a productive federal workforce as diverse as the people it serves. In a statement last month, 178 companies, including Microsoft, IBM, Google, and many others, affirmed that diversity and inclusion are good for business, while discrimination significantly harms transgender people and imposes enormous productivity costs. In the Business Statement on Transgender Equality, business leaders noted the importance of guidance and other resources to support their transgender employees, citing that more than 80 percent of the Fortune 500 have clear gender identity protections; two-thirds have transgender-inclusive healthcare coverage; hundreds have LGBTQ+ and Allies business resource groups and internal training efforts. On June 25, 2018, the OPM Director's Blog issued a statement celebrating LGBT Pride Month 2018, which committed OPM to human capital management strategies that attract, develop and retain a high performing, engaged and diverse Federal workforce where each employee feels valued and respected as a member of the Federal family. The statement also encouraged all Federal employees to further commit themselves to the progress we've made in creating a culture that is aware, accepting, inclusive, and respectful of our diversity. We hope that you will continue this commitment by making the original guidance supporting transgender employees available online in order to promote safe and positive workplace conditions across the federal government. We also request information on what further actions OPM will take under your leadership to ensure the privacy and rights of transgender federal employees. We appreciate your consideration and look forward to receiving your prompt response on this important issue. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-pallone-demand-immediate-action-on-pipeline-cybersecurity-from-dhs,"Cantwell, Pallone Demand Immediate Action On Pipeline Cybersecurity From DHS",2018-12-19,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.19.18 Cantwell, Pallone Demand Immediate Action On Pipeline Cybersecurity From DHS The Call Comes on the Heels of a GAO Report Spotlighting Vulnerabilities in our System Washington, D.C. Today, Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and House Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) released a letter to DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen calling for her to take urgent action to protect America's pipelines from cyber attack. The letter comes as the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report today, requested by Cantwell and Pallone, detailing issues American pipelines face defending against potentially catastrophic cyber attacks. We write today to request the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) perform an assessment of current cyber and physical security protections for U.S. natural gas, oil, and other hazardous liquid pipelines and associated infrastructure, Cantwell and Pallone wrote. We also request a specific plan of action as to how DHS will address GAO's concerns. Our nation's energy assets are critical to our safety, security and economic well-being. Protecting our pipelines, and the people who live and work near them, must be a top priority for our government and I hope this report will prompt the Trump administration to start treating this challenge with the urgency it deserves, said Sen. Cantwell. It's clear from GAO's work that while pipelines are reliable today, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is not fully prepared to face the challenges of tomorrow. I'm concerned that TSA lacks both the resources and expertise in energy delivery systems to keep up with its obligations under the law. Secretary Nielsen must address the concerns Senator Cantwell and I raise in our letter to ensure the security of our nation's pipelines. said Rep. Pallone. Key findings of the GAO report include: 1. TSA does not have a process to update its Pipeline Security Guidelines to ensure consistency with the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity or updates in the cybersecurity space. For much of the guidelines' existence they have not kept pace with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. 2. TSA relies on the industry's self-evaluation using ill-defined criteria provided by TSA to determine whether a specific pipeline operator has a critical facility within its pipeline system. As a result, approximately one third of the top 100 systems based on volume indicated to TSA that they do not have any critical facilities and TSA did not conduct an onsite review of these facilities. 3. TSA has not tracked the status of corporate security review recommendations to pipeline operators for the past five years. As a result, TSA may be unable to determine whether a pipeline operator has corrected any omission or vulnerability identified in a previous site visit. In GAO's words, [w]ithout current, complete, and accurate information, it is difficult for TSA to evaluate the performance of the pipeline security program. In March 2018, Secretary Perry acknowledged the serious problem our pipelines face with cybersecurity, saying Senator Cantwell, thank you for recognizing the challenge that we have, it is very real, it is ever changing. Additionally, two members of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), one Democrat and one Republican, co-authored an op-ed about the looming challenge. Read about Senator Cantwell's previous actions and statements on cybersecurity here. The full letter can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=969E594F-4E86-4DDC-A6DA-0B58902EF71F,"Senators Murray, Cantwell Call on Trump Administration to Protect Rights of Transgender Federal Employees",2018-12-19,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. This week, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and 27 of their Senate colleagues called on the Trump administration to restore guidelines for protecting the privacy and rights of transgender federal employees. Last month, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) replaced information on its website that provided supervisors with guidelines regarding transgender federal employees with new guidance that omits essential information, including any reference to transgender individuals. We write to express our serious concern that guidance meant to ensure transgender federal employees are treated with dignity and respect has been removed from the website of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the senators wrote in a letter to the Acting Director of OPM. We request that you immediately make the guidance available online, so that managers, supervisors, and employees are equipped with accurate information and fully understand their responsibilities in the federal workplace. The new guidance that replaced it omits essential information, including any reference to transgender individuals, greatly diminishing OPM's ability to educate federal agencies on anti-discrimination policies and retain a productive federal workforce as diverse as the people it serves, the senators continued. The Trump Administration has removed information about LGBTQ people from a variety of websites across federal agencies, including the White House website, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Women's Health website, and the Department of State website, and has aggressively taken anti-LGBTQ actions, which have been catalogued by the National Center for Transgender Equality and GLAAD. In addition to Murray and Cantwell, the letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ed Markey (D-MA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Pat Leahy (D-VT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Jack Reed (D-RI), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tina Smith (D-MN), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Bob Casey (D-PA), and Tom Carper (D-DE). The full text of the letter is available HERE and below. December 18, 2018 The Honorable Margaret Weichert Acting Director U.S. Office of Personnel Management 1900 E Street, NW Washington, DC 20415 Dear Acting Director Weichert: We write to express our serious concern that guidance meant to ensure transgender federal employees are treated with dignity and respect has been removed from the website of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). We request that you immediately make the guidance available online, so that managers, supervisors, and employees are equipped with accurate information and fully understand their responsibilities in the federal workplace. The original guidance addressed common questions that agency managers and federal employees had raised with OPM, identifying issues and core concepts specific to understanding rights and fair treatment of transgender employees. The new guidance that replaced it omits essential information, including any reference to transgender individuals, greatly diminishing OPM's ability to educate federal agencies on anti-discrimination policies and retain a productive federal workforce as diverse as the people it serves. In a statement last month, 178 companies, including Microsoft, IBM, Google, and many others, affirmed that diversity and inclusion are good for business, while discrimination significantly harms transgender people and imposes enormous productivity costs. In the Business Statement on Transgender Equality, business leaders noted the importance of guidance and other resources to support their transgender employees, citing that more than 80 percent of the Fortune 500 have clear gender identity protections; two-thirds have transgender-inclusive healthcare coverage; hundreds have LGBTQ+ and Allies business resource groups and internal training efforts. On June 25, 2018, the OPM Director's Blog issued a statement celebrating LGBT Pride Month 2018, which committed OPM to human capital management strategies that attract, develop and retain a high performing, engaged and diverse Federal workforce where each employee feels valued and respected as a member of the Federal family. The statement also encouraged all Federal employees to further commit themselves to the progress we've made in creating a culture that is aware, accepting, inclusive, and respectful of our diversity. We hope that you will continue this commitment by making the original guidance supporting transgender employees available online in order to promote safe and positive workplace conditions across the federal government. We also request information on what further actions OPM will take under your leadership to ensure the privacy and rights of transgender federal employees. We appreciate your consideration and look forward to receiving your prompt response on this important issue. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=E6665B19-43D2-4B43-A7CD-07DAB2DA0605,"As Impact of #MeToo Movement Grows in Washington State and Nationwide, New Report From Senator Murray Shines Spotlight On Sexual Assault, Harassment In Key Industries; Recommends Next Steps To Stop Harassment For All Workers",2018-12-19,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Yearlongoversight report highlights stories of brave women and men who came forward to share experiences of workplace harassment, their storiesare making an impact Report highlights need for new federal action to give workers the tools and support they need to hold employers accountable Senator Murray: I wanted to make sure that Congress paid attention not just to the stories from Hollywood or here in the nation's capital, but to all workers ***Read the full report HERE*** (Washington, D.C.) U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), top Democrat on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released a new report on the scourge of workplace harassment, entitled, So I Tolerated It:' How Workplaces Are Responding to Harassment and the Clear Need for Federal Action. The report is a result of a nearly yearlong examination, initiated by Senator Murray after so many brave women and men came forward and shared their stories of sexual harassment and assault in the wake of the #MeToo movement. It examines the ways in which survivors' stories are leading to change and underscores the need for stronger action to ensure workers have the tools and support to hold employers accountable. The report comes on the heels of legislation passed by Congress last week to strengthen protections for congressional employees against sexual assault and harassment, which Senator Murray supported. We've seen so many people bravely come forward and make clear that sexual assault and harassment in the workplace just has to stopand I wanted to make sure that Congress paid attention not just to the stories from Hollywood or here in the nation's capital, but to all workers, especially in industries like manufacturing and food service where these threats are especially high,said Senator Murray.It's inspiring to see that, as the report shows, workers are having an impact by speaking up. It's also clear there is a real need for stronger protections and preventative measures, which is something I'll be very focused on as we head into the next Congress. The report is based on conversations with survivors, advocates, labor unions, and business groups, among others. It includes a review of existing federal laws and policies and outlines the ways in which workers currently do not have the tools or support at the federal level to hold employers accountable for preventing workplace harassment, or to effectively and equally advocate for their rights and safety on the job. In addition to providing an overview of serious gaps in research, prevention, and legal protection that both enable workplace harassment and prevent workers from enforcing their rights, the report lays out recommendations for federal action to begin closing these gaps. The report can be found HERE. The appendix to the report can be found HERE.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=F906B520-0E6D-4FF3-99EA-A4A297503936,"Senators Murray, Cantwell Join Senate Democratic Colleagues to Urge President Trump to Condemn Texas v. U.S. Decision That Could Gut Health Care for Millions of Patients and Families, Protect Pre-Existing Condition Protections",2018-12-19,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,,,legacy,"In new letter, Senators call controversial federal court decision on health care not just legally unsound, but inhumane and cruel Senators to President Trump: Americans need you to work with us to defend their access to quality, affordable health carewe must not let this flawed court decision stand and devastate millions of American families both physically and financially ICYMI: After Texas Federal Court Decision, Senate Democrats Urge Republicans to Show Leadership, Defend Patient Protections WATCH VIDEO HERE WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), top Democrat on the Senate health committee, and Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, joined a group of 49 Senators in calling on President Trump to condemn the recent decision in Texas v. United States which declared the Affordable Care Act (ACA) unconstitutional. If the decision stands, 20 million Americans will be left without the health insurance they rely on, 133 million Americans with a pre-existing condition will be at risk of losing their access to health insurance, and millions of families across the country will see healthcare costs rise. In their letter to President Trump, the Senators wrote in part, It is not too late for you to condemn this decision by requesting a stay and taking steps to defend the Affordable Care Act moving forward. The ACA is, quite simply, the law of the land, and it is your Administration's duty to defend it. Further, even among the numerous, failed attempts to repeal the ACA, there was widespread recognition that simply repealing the law without a replacement would be too devastating to American families and to our economy to fathom. Yet that is exactly what this ruling, if upheld, would do. The Senators continued: Americans need you to work with us to defend their access to quality, affordable health care. We can work together to improve our health care system and reduce costs, but we must not let this flawed court decision stand and devastate millions of American families both physically and financially. Both Senators Murray and Cantwell previously slammed the federal court decision and have been persistent critics of President Trump's repeated attempts to undermine health care for millions of people through sabotage, working in Congress to find legislative solutions to defend patient protections and ensure patients and families are able to get the care they need. Read the full letter below or HERE: Dear President Trump: We are writing to express our serious concerns with the December 14th decision by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas in the matter of Texas v. United States and to reiterate our strong objection to the Department of Justice's refusal to defend the law of the land. Judge O'Connor's decision wrongly declares the individual mandate unconstitutional and inseverable from the remainder of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This decision is not just legally unsound, itis inhumane and cruel. If the ruling stands, nearly every American's health care will be affected. The 20 million people who receive insurance coverage through the ACA will be left without the coverage they desperately need. Furthermore, 133 million Americans with pre-existing conditions will be at risk of losing access to treatment. And millions of families, women, seniors, and people with low incomes will see their health care costs rise. It is no exaggeration to say that, if upheld, this decision is a matter of life and death to many Americans. We urge you to reverse course and direct the Department of Justice to defend the law of the land and pursue a stay of this decision. It is not too late for you to condemn this decision by requesting a stay and taking steps to defend the Affordable Care Act moving forward. The ACA is, quite simply, the law of the land, and it is your Administration's duty to defend it. Further, even among the numerous, failed attempts to repeal the ACA, there was widespread recognition that simply repealing the law without a replacement would be too devastating to American families and to our economy to fathom. Yet that is exactly what this ruling, if upheld, would do. The human cost of this decision is profound. As mentioned above, tens of millions of Americans covered in the law's Health Insurance Marketplaces and by Medicaid expansion will lose their insurance, and tens of millions more with health conditions from cancer to heart disease, pregnant women, and people with costly prescriptions could lose access to care or have to pay significantly more for it. It is also alarming that in the midst of the devastating opioid epidemic, millions of Americans suffering from substance use disorders would lose access to the treatment that they need to recover. But it does not stop there. Health care makes up over one-sixth of our economy: the uncertainty for health care providers created by the dramatic upheaval that this decision will inevitably cause will have a substantial economic impact on families, rural hospitals and clinics, businesses, state governments, and more. Americans need you to work with us to defend their access to quality, affordable health care. We can work together to improve our health care system and reduce costs, but we must not let this flawed court decision stand and devastate millions of American families both physically and financially. The fight for our health care in the case of Texas v. United States is not over. We urge you and the DOJ to immediately request a stay of this order and to uphold the rule of law by defending the constitutionality of current law. Millions of Americans are relying on you.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=3E2BECB1-1022-4414-AE60-D1ABBA1170B6,"Senator Murray Statement on School Safety Commission: It is insulting to students, parents, and teachers that Secretary DeVos wasted this opportunity",2018-12-18,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Trump administration school safety commission released report that failed to address commonsense gun safety reform, recommended reversing policies aimed at addressing discriminatory discipline practices in schools Senator Murray: Report underscores that Secretary DeVos is more interested in pandering to the NRA than listening to the students, parents, and teachers ICYMI: Senator Murray Demands Answers From Education Secretary Betsy DeVos on New Gun Commission MORE HERE (Washington, D.C.) U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), top Democrat on the Senate education committee, released the following statement today on the report released by the Trump administration's school safety commission. After the Parkland shooting, Senator Murray voiced concerns that the Commission, led by Department of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, would be nothing more than a distraction and delay from addressing meaningful gun safety measures. It is insulting to students, parents, and teachers that Secretary DeVos wasted this opportunity to make some progress on a really important issue. Despite overwhelming evidence and basic common sense, Secretary DeVos is trying to make the case that it's not weapons of war in schools that make students unsafe, but rather the true danger is schools' attempts to fight racism and inappropriate discipline. This is mind-boggling and absurd, and it underscores that Secretary DeVos is more interested in pandering to the NRA than listening to the students, parents, and teachers she is supposed to serve. The gun industry itself could not have written a more blatant and obvious distraction from the real problem gun violence poses to students across our country. Though the Trump administration commission on school safety was formed following the deadly school shooting in Parkland, Florida, the report completely avoids addressing meaningful, commonsense gun safety reform, such as universal background checks for gun purchases. The report also recommends the Departments of Education and Justice roll back Obama Administration guidance aimed at ensuring students of color are not unfairly disciplined more frequently than their peers. Senator Murray has been a vocal critic of Secretary DeVos' school safety commission from the beginning, chiding the Secretary's decision to redirect the commission's focus from meaningful gun safety measures in its broader discussion of school safety, and pushing the Secretary to take real action to address gun violence in our nation's schools.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kilmer.house.gov/news/press-releases/reps-tim-ryan-d-oh-and-derek-kilmer-d-wa-place-friendly-bet-on-rose-bowl-game,Reps. Tim Ryan (D-OH) and Derek Kilmer (D-WA) Place Friendly Bet on Rose Bowl Game,2018-12-17,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Derek Kilmer,K000381,kilmer.house.gov,,,legacy,"12.17.18 Reps. Tim Ryan (D-OH) and Derek Kilmer (D-WA) Place Friendly Bet on Rose Bowl Game Washington, DC Representatives Derek Kilmer (D-WA) and Tim Ryan (D-OH) today made a friendly wager on the 2019 Rose Bowl Game: The Ohio State University Buckeyes vs The University of Washington Huskies. If the Huskies win, Ryan agreed to give Kilmer Buckeyes from Gorant Chocolatier and gourmet popcorn from Metropolis Popcorn; and, if The Ohio State University wins the game, Kilmer agreed to give Ryan candy apples from Amy's Decadent Chocolate, Almond Roca, and smoked salmon. The forecast in Ohio's 13th Congressional District is calling for Purple Reign, Kilmer said. Myles Gaskin and Jake Browning are an unstoppable combo. And, Ohio State's offense is no match for the nation's leading tackler Ben Burr-Kirven and the stout Husky defense. I'm looking forward to eating some buckeyes after the Huskies beat Ohio State. Go Dawgs. I have no doubt that we will see The Ohio State Buckeyes claim victory over the Washington Huskies in the 2019 Rose Bowl. The Big Ten Champion Buckeyes have been firing on all cylinders and is being led by one of Ohio State's most talented quarterbacks, Dwayne Haskins a Heisman finalist who has led the country in both passing yards and touchdown passes. We will be starting the New Year with a W' and some Washington candy apples, Almond Roca, and smoked salmon to top it all off, said Ryan. This matchup will be the first time in the College Football Playoff era that the Rose Bowl has its traditional matchup, the Pac-12 champion against the Big Ten champion. ### Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/weekly-columns-and-op-eds/column-farm-bill-passage-helps-central-washington-farm,COLUMN: Farm Bill Passage Helps Central Washington Farm Country,2018-12-17,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,,,legacy,"Last week, Congress voted 369-47 to pass the 2018 Farm Bill, sending this critical legislation to President Trump for his signature into law. The agreement sets us on a better path for our country's farmers and ranchers, for our rural communities, for small businesses, and for consumers across the country at the grocery store and at kitchen tables. In March, I traveled across Central Washington to speak with farmers from every county in the Fourth Congressional District about their goals for the Farm Bill. With passage of the bill, I am proud to spread the news that we have provided a strong foundation to help farmers survive a 50-percent drop in net farm income over the past five years. I am proud to let farmers in Pateros in Okanogan County know that we have strengthened market access programs and provided strong resources to open new sources for exporting across the globe. I can tell farmers in Grant County that we have protected crop insurance and made several key improvements, including for whole farm revenue coverage for specialty crop producers. I can tell dairy producers in Yakima County that we have improved the dairy safety net for large, mid-sized, and small dairies. I can report back to producers in Prosser in Benton County, who stressed to me the importance of agricultural research, that we have provided an increase in funding for research, for extension, and for education projects. With the passage of the Farm Bill, key agricultural partners in our community like Washington State University can be confident that we will keep American agriculture at the forefront of innovation and productivity. Farmers from East Wenatchee can be confident that this Farm Bill invests in critical cost-share and incentive-based programs to help farm families improve our soil, water, and other natural resources. Farmers in Othello in Adams County with whom I spoke who are concerned with the regulatory burdens on their shoulders can be assured that this legislation protects producers from costly additional, unnecessary red tape. The legislation directs the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Board (FCIC) to streamline the process for developing hop insurance policies. The bill requires FCIC to submit a report on hops policies that describes the results of the policy developments along with any recommendations. The legislation renames the dairy Margin Protection Program to Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) and builds on the Bipartisan Budget Act (BBA) investment by offering new coverage levels for the first 5 million pounds of dairy production, drastically reducing premiums on catastrophic coverage levels for larger producers. The 2018 Farm Bill also expedites environmental reviews to protect our forests from catastrophic wildfires a central concern for Central Washington communities. The legislation encourages proper management for healthy and productive federal, state, and private forests and incentivizes infrastructure and new market opportunities to revitalize communities and healthy landscapes. As a proud third-generation farmer from the Yakima Valley, this is the first Farm Bill that I have had the opportunity to engage in since being in Congress. While it was not perfect, the bipartisan 2018 Farm Bill will strengthen the future for America's farmers and all those who depend upon them. *This column was adapted from a speech Rep. Newhouse gave on the House floor on December 12, 2018.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=6A0D5F41-DD00-41DD-A5F9-24BFE6A76170,"Ahead of One Year Anniversary of Fatal Train Derailment near DuPont, Senator Murray Remembers Victims and Continues Push for Strengthened Investments in Critical Train Safety Technology",2018-12-17,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,,,legacy,"The derailment of Amtrak Cascades train 501 near DuPont, WA, on Dec. 18, 2017, killed three train passengers and injured 70 other people who were either on the train or in their vehicles on I-5 below Senator Murray is pushing at the federal level to implement Positive Train Control (PTC) nationwide, technology that could have prevented the DuPont train derailment A senior member of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Murray has fought for federal support for PTC, including securing significant investments in PTC in the current spending bill Senator Murray: I will not stop demanding answers from federal officials and railroads about the progress of PTC implementation, or holding them accountable for making sure trains are as safe as possible ICYMI: At Senate Hearing, Senator Murray Presses Federal and Amtrak Officials for Update on Implementation of Life-saving Train Safety Technology MORE HERE Tacoma News Tribune Editorial: In the aftermath of the DuPont tragedy, Murray is right to demand answers MORE HERE (Washington, D.C.) Leading up to the first anniversary of the tragic Amtrak Cascades train derailment near DuPont, Washington, U.S. Senator Murray (D-WA) urged her colleagues to strengthen federal investments in technology that could prevent similar train accidents in honor of the train derailment's victims. A senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Murray has fought to increase federal support for Positive Train Control (PTC), safety technology that could have prevented the Cascades derailment which killed three people and injured 70 others, including working to secure new federal investments for PTC implementation in the current transportation spending bill before Congress. The tragic loss of life and injuries caused by last December's train derailment resonated with people from DuPont, Washington, to Washington, D.C. because no family or community should have to experience that type of heartbreak and horrorespecially when technology already exists to help prevent tragedies like this from happening, said Senator Murray. From government agencies to consumer advocates to industry leaders, there is wide agreement on the need to continue to work together to implement PTC technology to prevent future accidentsthat's why I have pushed to secure investments in PTC in the current spending bill, and will continue fighting for additional federal support to ensure trains in Washington state and across the country are equipped with this life-saving technology. More importantly, I will not stop demanding answers from federal officials and railroads about the progress of PTC implementation, or holding them accountable for making sure trains are as safe as possible. As a voice for Washington state, Senator Murray has actively worked to implement PTC, including in the aftermath of the Cascades train derailment. Three days after the accident, Senator Murray and 14 of her Senate colleagues requested updates from U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao on PTC implementation. Additionally, in a letter to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) in January, Senator Murray and her colleagues stressed that implementing PTC must be a top priority for the agency, and that it was imperative that FRA conduct vigorous oversight of the data provided by railroads and use all tools within the FRA's authority to ensure that all railroads complete full PTC implementation by the deadline. Senator Murray has also pushed senior federal officials and Amtrak executives for specifics regarding the industry's progress to implement PTC, how the FRA plans to handle railroads that miss the statutory deadline, and how railroads have improved training programs for crew members to prevent future derailments. To help implement PTC, Senator Murray has worked to strengthen federal investments in the Fiscal Year 2018 spending bill enacted in March, and again in the Fiscal Year 2019 transportation spending bill currently before Congress. Background on PTC and Federal Investments: Following the 2008 collision between a freight and commuter train in Chatsworth, California, that killed 25 people and injured 125 people, Congress mandated that railroads implement Positive Train Control, or PTC, on tracks used for intercity passenger rail, commuter passenger rail, or certain hazardous materials. According to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), 41 railroads are required to implement PTC on approximately 60,000 miles of the national railroad network. PTC is technology designed to prevent certain types of railroad accidents like train-on-train collisions, overspeed derailments, the movement of trains through a switch left in the wrong position, and incursions into established work zones. A September GAO report found that as of June 30, 2018 many railroads remain in the early stages of PTC implementation and anticipate needing an extension beyond the December 31, 2018 deadline previously set by Congress to fully implement PTC. The Fiscal Year 2019 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations bill, which was passed by the U.S. Senate in August, includes several initiatives to support PTC implementation: $10 million for the Federal Railroad Administration to conduct oversight, $50 million for Amtrak for railroad safety technology on state-supported routes like the Cascades, including PTC implementation, and $255 million for the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement grants, with emphasis on supporting PTC implementation. Congress continues to negotiate the final details of this spending bill. Additionally, earlier this year, Congress provided investments for PTC implementation through the Fiscal Year 2018 spending bill, including: $50 million for Amtrak for railroad safety technology, like PTC, on state-supported routes like the Cascades, and $250 million for PTC implementation through Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement grants.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://dennyheck.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-heck-reacts-to-ruling-against-the-affordable-care-act,Congressman Heck reacts to ruling against the Affordable Care Act,2018-12-15,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Denny Heck,H001064,dennyheck.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Denny Heck (WA-10) released the following statement after a federal judge in Texas v. United States struck down the Affordable Care Act, including its protections for people with pre-existing conditions: The fight for affordable health care has morphed into a game of chutes and ladders, said Heck. This misguided ruling represents a spiteful and steep slide down for those of us who want to make health care more affordable and accessible for all Americans. No matter how hard we try to push the conversation forward, we find the basic tenets of the Affordable Care Act under attack by the White House and in the courts. The opponents take calculated steps to undo all that this landmark law was able to do provide Americans with comprehensive, affordable insurance so everyone can access the medical treatment they need to stay healthy. I don't know of any elected official who can sleep at night knowing that they ripped affordable health care away from millions of Americans and also made it increasingly unaffordable for the rest. Policymaking and governing is supposed to be about solutions, not sabotage, and it's past time that President Trump and his allies in Congress come to learn that. On December 14, a federal judge ruled the ACA unconstitutional. This lawsuit was brought by twenty Republican state attorneys general after the deficit-exploding tax scam zeroed out the mandate that everyone carry health insurance. In June 2018, President Trump announced that his administration would not defend the ACA in this lawsuit. Shortly after, Congressman Heck cosponsored H.Res. 1031, a resolution that would allow the House of Representatives to intervene and defend the ACA in Texas v. United States. This ruling will not impact current coverage or 2019 coverage while the case is moving through the courts. Open enrollment for 2019 coverage ends tonight in most states. To enroll, visit Healthcare.gov. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=8EE44F7A-F6CA-45D5-9292-BFFA7993A39F,Senator Murray Statement on Secretary Ryan Zinkes Resignation from the U.S. Department of the Interior,2018-12-15,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,,,legacy,"(Washington, D.C.) Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement: Despite his pledges to be a Theodore Roosevelt-like leader on conservation, Mr. Zinke's tenure at Interior proves he was anything but. From rolling back protections for our treasured U.S. monuments, to advancing a foreign mining project in Washington state, Mr. Zinke clearly never had the best interests of our environment or future generations in mind. Instead, his legacy at Interior will be known for scandal after scandal, and selling out to special interests. I'm glad Mr. Zinke is leaving this important post and now I hope President Trump bows to public pressure and nominates someone who will actually put people and the environment first, ahead of the corporations and special interests that view our public lands and natural resources not as something to be preserved, but solely to be used for profit.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://herrerabeutler.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399375,Jaimes Bill to Prevent Maternal Deaths Heads to Presidents Desk,2018-12-14,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,WA,Jaime Herrera Beutler,H001056,herrerabeutler.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler's bipartisan bill to prevent maternal deaths is heading to the president's desk to become law after it passed the U.S. Senate last night. share: f t U.S. Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler's bipartisan bill to prevent maternal deaths is heading to the president's desk to become law after it passed the U.S. Senate last night.Jaime's bill, H.R. 1318 Preventing Maternal Deaths Act, passed the U.S. House Tuesday by unanimous voice vote. Passage of this bill through Congress represents a monumental step in addressing our country's maternal health crisis. We should be investigating every single maternal death because every woman is worth it, and this bill will help states do just that, Jaime said. While we can't bring back the mothers we have tragically lost, we can honor their lives by doing everything possible to prevent more women dying during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. The rise of maternal mortality in the U.S.: The U.S. has the highest rate of maternal mortality in the developed world, and the rate continues to rise. Between 700-900 women die in the U.S. every year from pregnancy-related and pregnancy-associated deaths. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 60% of maternal deaths are preventable.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kilmer.house.gov/news/press-releases/reps-rice-gallagher-and-kilmer-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-increase-accountability-and-transparency-of-political-spending,"Reps. Rice, Gallagher & Kilmer Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Increase Accountability and Transparency of Political Spending",2018-12-14,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Derek Kilmer,K000381,kilmer.house.gov,,,legacy,"12.14.18 Reps. Rice, Gallagher & Kilmer Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Increase Accountability and Transparency of Political Spending WASHINGTON U.S. Representatives Kathleen Rice (D-NY), Mike Gallagher (R-WI), and Derek Kilmer (D-WA), three of the co-chairs of the Congressional Reformers Caucus, announced the introduction of a bipartisan bill to increase disclosure and accountability of political spending. The Political Accountability and Transparency Act, H.R. 7267, would strengthen coordination rules between super PACs and individual campaigns to ensure that super PACs truly operate independently from candidates, require political advertisements to disclose the top donors to the organization paying for the advertisements, and would apply the personal use restriction on campaign funds to all political committees, including leadership PACs. For too long, we've allowed outside money to play an outsized and shadowy role in our politics, blurring the lines between special interest groups and the candidates they support, said Representative Kathleen Rice. The Political Accountability and Transparency Act will close some of the most gaping loopholes in our campaign finance laws by increasing restrictions and reporting requirements for outside groups. This bipartisan bill will help restore integrity and trust in our nation's political process. The American people deserve to know who is spending hundreds of millions of dollars every election cycle to influence their vote and muddy our politics, said Representative Gallagher. This bipartisan bill is critical to injecting more transparency into our campaign finance system and helping reduce the corrosive influence of dark money in our elections. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this important piece of legislation. Sunlight is the best disinfectant, Rep. Derek Kilmer said. Americans deserve to know who is paying for the political ads they see regardless of how those ads are purchased. The Political Accountability and Transparency Act slams shut campaign finance loopholes and shines a light on the murky world of dark money. The Political Accountability and Transparency Act addresses some of the most obvious flaws in federal campaign law that repeatedly frustrate members of Congress on both sides of the aisle. We are pleased to see these leaders of the bipartisan Congressional Reformers Caucus put forward solutions to help fix America's broken political system, said Issue One Executive Director Meredith McGehee. The Political Accountability and Transparency Act will address some of the worst loopholes in our campaign finance system while giving Americans much-needed transparency about who's trying to influence the policy-making process in Washington. We're proud to support this bill to increase integrity and accountability in our elections, said Tiffany Muller, president of End Citizens United Action Fund. Strengthening the law requiring independence of candidates from outside groups is critical to loosening the influence that megadonors who fund super PACs holdover candidates and officeholders, said Trevor Potter, President of the Campaign Legal Center, and a former Republican Chairman of the Federal Election Commission. Similarly, increasing political spending transparency and stopping politicians from using leadership PACs as slush funds are broadly popular bipartisan reforms. Voters have a right to know who is bankrolling campaign ads. And it would seem obvious that lawmakers shouldn't be using donors' PAC money to fund golf memberships, trips to five-star resorts, and Disney World vacations. The Political Accountability and Transparency Act represents a much-needed step toward strengthening a culture of transparency and accountability in our politics. Stand Up Republic is proud to support this bipartisan initiative, said Greg Spenchian, Director of Policy and Partnerships for Stand Up Republic. H.R. 7267 tightens coordination rules between Super PACs and individual campaigns in several ways. For one, the bill would apply to the coordination that happens before a candidate is officially running for office if the spending occurs after the candidate is running for office. The bill would also apply broadly to any ads paid for by super PACs that promote, attack, support or oppose a candidate. Further, H.R. 7267 would apply to any communications that mention a candidate starting 120 days before a primary and going through the general election, and it explicitly covers all types of activity in addition to mass-broadcast communications, including mail and canvassing literature. Lastly, this bill strengthens the restriction on staff moving from a campaign or official office to an outside spender and, in the case that it does happen, requires a robust firewall. Another goal of H.R. 7267 is to provide voters with additional information on who pays for political advertisements. The bill would require television, radio, and internet advertisements to display, within the advertisement itself, the three largest donors to the organization paying for the advertisement. This would apply to super PACs, 501(c) nonprofits, and other corporate entities. Finally, H.R. 7267 aims to limit the widespread abuse of leadership PAC funds. Issue One and the Campaign Legal Center revealed widespread abuse of leadership PACs by Members of Congress, who are increasingly using these funds for five-star dinners, high-end vacations, and country club memberships, all under the guise of fundraising expenses. H.R. 7267 has been endorsed by Issue One, the Campaign Legal Center, Stand Up Republic, and End Citizens United Action Fund. The full text of the bill is available here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/-cantwell-murray-call-on-federal-government-to-include-firefighters-in-studies-on-health-effects-of-exposure-to-pfas,"Cantwell, Murray Call on Federal Government to Include Firefighters in Studies on Health Effects of Exposure to PFAS",2018-12-14,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.14.18 Cantwell, Murray Call on Federal Government to Include Firefighters in Studies on Health Effects of Exposure to PFAS WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Patty Murray (D-WA) this week joined a bipartisan group of 23 senators in requesting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) take additional steps to ensure the health effects of occupational exposure to per-and polyfluoralkyl substance (PFAS), particularly in firefighters, are sufficiently studied. Firefighters are a vital component of our nation's emergency response system and risk their lives to protect the communities they serve, the senators wrote. There is a critical need to better understand how PFAS workplace exposure among firefighters may affect the health of these heroes and their families. Cantwell and Murray both supported the establishment of the first-ever nationwide PFAS health impact study in the fiscal year (FY) 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which will be conducted by ATSDR. However, earlier this year, ATSDR Director Patrick Breysse announced that firefighters will not be included in the study. In their letter, the senators requested that the agencies ensure future studies investigating the potential health effects from PFAS exposure include firefighters and others who are more likely to come into contact with the chemicals in occupational settings. Firefighters, both military and civilian, work in environments that have higher exposure to PFAS, which are found in firefighting foam. As you are aware, PFAS chemicals are a byproduct of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF), a fire suppressant agent, and have been linked to a number of adverse human health effects, the senators continued. The potential ties between PFAS and various forms of cancer are of particular concern to military and civilian firefighters across the country who may have experienced long-term occupational exposure to PFAS due to the use of AFFF in firefighting and fire training exercises. Several studies, including a multi-year study completed by CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), indicate that firefighters are at a higher risk of cancer compared to the general population in the U.S. The PFAS health impact study established in the NDAA allows for the agencies to investigate the human health effects of PFAS contamination through a number of exposure pathways, including those encountered by firefighters. In addition to Cantwell and Murray, the letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Lisa Murkowksi (R-AK), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tom Udall (D-NM), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Susan Collins (R-ME), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tom Carper (D-DE), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Jack Reed (D-RI), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Gary Peters (D-MI), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Bob Casey (D-PA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), and Michael Bennet (D-CO). The full text of the letter can be found HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=64853EAE-EFEA-4427-9623-09A60A0D5C68,Senator Murray: Blatantly Partisan Republican Legal Threat Once Again Jeopardizes Pre-Ex Protections; Families Health Care,2018-12-14,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senator Murray urges Republicans who claimed to support pre-existing conditions to show leadership; ensure people are protected from reckless Republican political games (Washington, D.C.) U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, issued the following statement on a ruling jeopardizing health care for tens of millions of people across the country. Thanks to Republicans' nonstop effort to jeopardize health care in our country, tens of millions of people with pre-existing conditions, women in need of affordable birth control, and seniors stretching to afford their prescriptions are worried once again about what the future holds for their health care coverage. Democrats are going to keep fighting to protect care for every patient and family in our country, but let me be clear: this blatantly partisan legal threat shows it's time for every single Republican who claimed this November that they support protections for pre-existing conditions, or care about affordable health care for the people they represent, to prove it by showing some leadership, dropping the harmful partisan politics, and making sure families aren't hurt once again by their party's reckless political games. The ruling comes just one day before the open enrollment deadline for 2019, and families can and should continue to sign up for coverage on the exchanges.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://adamsmith.house.gov/press-releases?ID=53BEE5C7-665E-471B-B6AE-C4DBE926A5DD,Senate Passes Smith Legislation Honoring James Marshall Jimi Hendrix,2018-12-13,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Adam Smith,S000510,adamsmith.house.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://kilmer.house.gov/news/press-releases/kilmer-delbene-bill-to-improve-timber-innovation-passes-house-expected-to-become-law,"Kilmer, DelBene Bill to Improve Timber Innovation Passes House, Expected to Become Law",2018-12-13,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Derek Kilmer,K000381,kilmer.house.gov,,,legacy,"12.13.18 Kilmer, DelBene Bill to Improve Timber Innovation Passes House, Expected to Become Law Washington, D.C. Representatives Derek Kilmer (D-WA) and Suzan DelBene (D-WA) applauded the passage of important measures in the Timber Innovation Act (H.R. 1380) as part of the 2019 Farm Bill that passed the House of Representatives yesterday evening. Kilmer and DelBene introduced the bipartisan, bicameral legislation which would find new and innovative uses for wood as a building material. The Farm Bill is expected to be signed into law by the president. Following the economic crisis of 2008, rural communities across Washington state saw major job losses throughout the timber industry. Since then, advances have been made showing that tall buildings can be built using cleaner and less expensive materials such as cross-laminated timber (CLT), a hybrid wood panel system that consists of lumber boards that are glued together, and which are stronger and more cost-effective. A greater investment in products like CLT could result in more economic opportunities for rural parts of Washington. Components of the Timber Innovation Act in the Farm Bill include establishing a new performance driven research and development program advancing tall wood building construction. Also included are federal grants to support state, local, tribal, university and private sector education, outreach, and research and development to accelerate the use of wood in tall buildings. DelBene introduced the legislation to spur the use of tall wood building construction those above 85 feet or seven stories through the use of less expensive and cleaner materials like CLT, which will lower our carbon footprint and significantly aid forest health. Building with new wood technologies and wood that is sustainably harvested will lead to more jobs and mills on the Olympic Peninsula and taller, more earthquake-resistant buildings in Seattle, Kilmer said. That's a vision that I call timber 2.0, which is a sustainable plan that will reinvigorate timber communities, lead to healthier, sustainably-managed forests and ultimately create more economic opportunities for more people in more places. Washington's First District is home to rural communities with economies dependent on forest products, said DelBene. Timber towns across our region have been in desperate need of new good-paying jobs, and the use of mass timber in tall wood buildings will help forge a path to newfound economic growth. By adding key provisions of the Timber Innovation Act into the Farm Bill, we are encouraging the use of innovative green building materials that will result in more jobs for hardworking local families, stronger local economies, and a healthier environment for the people of Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish counties. DelBene represents Washington's first congressional district. She serves on the Ways and Means Committee and is Vice-Chair of the New Democrat Coalition. Kilmer represents Washington's sixth congressional district and serves on the House Appropriations Committee. Next Article Previous Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-votes-farm-bill-address-hunger-washington-state-and-support-local-farms,Larsen Votes for Farm Bill to Address Hunger in Washington State and Support Local Farms,2018-12-13,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Rick Larsen,L000560,larsen.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) issued the below statement after voting for the Farm Bill, which would support Washington's Second Congressional District: The final Farm Bill addresses some of the concerns I raised regarding the House Farm Bill in May. Nearly one in eight Washingtonians suffer from hunger, and this legislation provides important funding to help address hunger in local communities. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) accounts for 80 percent of the 2018 Farm Bill. The final version of the legislation does not include the egregious work requirements which would have placed an undue burden on the more than 34,000 households in Washington's Second District using food stamps to put dinner on the table each night. Instead, the Farm Bill invests in Employment and Training opportunities. In 2016, Washington state's Basic Food Employment and Training program connected over 2,500 volunteer SNAP recipients with skills, training and job experience to improve their employment prospects and reduce reliance on SNAP. Washington state is the most trade-dependent state in the country, thanks in part to agriculture. The Farm Bill is an opportunity for Congress to help Washington state farmers stay competitive in a global market. The Farm Bill includes permanent funding for Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG), which help farmers in Skagit Valley invest in value-added infrastructure to generate new products and create and expand marketing opportunities. Access to VAPG funding will help farmers stay competitive as they sell Washington-grown crops around the world. Additionally, the bill recognizes the importance of fostering future trade opportunities for local farmers. Agriculture accounts for 12 percent of Washington state's economy, is the state's second largest export and supports 160,000 jobs. This legislation will help local groups develop and expand into overseas markets. During my visits to farms and meetings with agriculture groups, I have heard repeatedly about the need to expand funding for trade. This bill maintains funding for market access and development to help companies successfully export Washington state potatoes, apples, seed crops and other specialty crops. Impacts to Washington's Second District Increases funding to access fresh produce: The bill increases funding for the Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentives (FINI) and Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) programs. Washington is one of the eight states to receive a large-scale Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive grant. Farmers markets use this funding to match EBT dollars to help people purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from local producers. Provides funding for Employment and Training (E&T): The bill invests funding in the SNAP E&T case management, including providing more staff to work with enrollees or building additional systems to identify needs and track progress over time. Washington state is one of ten states across the country piloting SNAP E&T to learn help people gain skills, training and job experience to help them land good-paying jobs. Funds Value-Added Producer Grants: The bill funds Value-Added Producer Grants which are vital for companies in Skagit Valley. Larsen has toured farms across the Second District including Bow Hill Blueberries and Gothberg Farms in Bow as well as Penn Cove Shellfish on Whidbey Island where he heard about the impact of Value-Added Producer Grants to operations. Funds organic research programs: The bill increases permanent funding for the Organic Research and Extension Initiative, important to the 677 organic farms across Washington state. Washington State University's (WSU) Mount Vernon Research & Extension Center is the hub for organic research in Northwest Washington. Specialty Crops: The bill protects funding for specialty crops. Skagit County is a significant contributor of specialty crops. Washington state produces 75 percent of the U.S. supply of spinach and cabbage seed and nearly 95 percent of U.S. beet seed. Last year, Larsen visited Viva Farms in Burlington where he heard about the importance of Specialty Crop Block Grants to the company's operations. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mcmorris.house.gov/mcmorris-rodgers-newhouse-joint-statement-responding-to-governor-inslees-announcement-of-taxpayer-funds-to-consider-breaching-snake-river-dams/,"McMorris Rodgers, Newhouse Joint Statement Responding to Governor Inslee’s Announcement of Taxpayer Funds to Consider Breaching Snake River Dams",2018-12-13,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,WA,Cathy McMorris Rodgers,M001159,mcmorris.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 13, 2018) Today, Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers(WA-05) and Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) released the following joint statement on Washington Governor Jay Inslee's proposed $750,000 in the state budget to support evaluation by a state task force of breaching the Lower Snake River dams: The people of Eastern Washington whose livelihoods depend on these dams should not be collateral damage for anyone's presidential ambitions. The Governor does not have the authority to breach our federal dams on the Lower Snake River, and allocating state taxpayers' funds to consider breaching them would be wasteful. Congress has the sole authority to authorize breaching our federal dams, and as representatives of Eastern Washington communities that depend on the many benefits they provide, breaching them is out of the question. We commit to do everything in our power to save our dams. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-mcmorris-rodgers-joint-statement-responding-wa-governor-s,"Newhouse, McMorris Rodgers Joint Statement Responding to WA Governors Announcement of Taxpayer Funds to Consider Breaching Snake River Dams",2018-12-13,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON D.C. Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) released the following joint statement on Washington Governor Jay Inslee's proposed $750,000 in the state budget to support evaluation by a state task force of breaching the Lower Snake River dams: The people of Eastern Washington whose livelihoods depend on these dams should not be collateral damage for anyone's presidential ambitions. The Governor does not have the authority to breach our federal dams on the Lower Snake River, and allocating state taxpayers' funds to consider breaching them would be wasteful. Congress has the sole authority to authorize breaching our federal dams, and as representatives of Eastern Washington communities that depend on the many benefits they provide, breaching them is out of the question. We commit to do everything in our power to save our dams. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/-cantwell-colleagues-call-for-ferc-commissioner-mcnamees-recusal-from-future-discussions-involving-potential-subsidization-of-coal-nuclear-plants-,"Cantwell, Colleagues Call for FERC Commissioner McNamee’s Recusal from Future Discussions Involving Potential Subsidization of Coal, Nuclear Plants",2018-12-13,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.13.18 Cantwell, Colleagues Call for FERC Commissioner McNamee's Recusal from Future Discussions Involving Potential Subsidization of Coal, Nuclear Plants WASHINGTON, D.C. This week, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), the top Democrat on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, joined 16 of her Senate colleagues in calling for Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Commissioner Bernard McNamee to recuse himself from any future discussions at the commission involving the potential subsidization of coal and nuclear plants. In the letter, the senators expressed concerns regarding Mr. McNamee's actions in his previous role at the Department of Energy (DOE) in developing and filing a rule to subsidize failing coal and nuclear plants, as well as his recent public comments implying bias against renewable energy technologies. We are concerned about positions you have taken, both while serving as the U.S. Department of Energy's Deputy General Counsel for Energy Policy and in the private sector, the senators wrote. These positions and statements suggest a lack of independence and an inappropriate predisposition on a number of topics likely to be involved in proceedings that will come before you in your new role as a FERC Commissioner. Moving forward, and particularly as FERC considers matters related to grid resilience and reliability, we urge you to remain true to your commitment to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources to be fair, objective, and impartial' and to work with your colleagues to fulfill (FERC's) mission to ensure just and reasonable rates under the law,' the senators continued. With that in mind, we urge you to recuse yourself from any future FERC proceedings where your impartiality could be questioned based upon your past statements, positions, or work on the DOE [Notice of Proposed Rulemaking]. In addition to Senator Cantwell, the letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Angus King (I-ME), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Ed Markey (D-MA). The full text of the letter is available HERE and below. Dear Commissioner McNamee, The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has a requirement to ensure that electric rates are just and reasonable and not unduly discriminatory or preferential. As a FERC Commissioner, you will have a responsibility to uphold that requirement. We are concerned about positions you have taken, both while serving as the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Deputy General Counsel for Energy Policy and in the private sector. These positions and statements suggest a lack of independence and an inappropriate predisposition on a number of topics likely to be involved in proceedings that will come before you in your new role as a FERC Commissioner. We were initially troubled by the implications of your involvement in the development of DOE's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) for the Grid Reliability and Resilience Pricing Rule, previously submitted to FERC. We believe that the viewpoints evident from the thrust of the NOPR, with its emphasis on propping up uneconomic coal and nuclear plants, along with statements you made more recently favoring fossil fuel and denigrating renewable resources, could present an appearance of a lack of impartiality in carrying out your responsibilities as a FERC Commissioner. In light of that, we respectfully request that you commit to recusing yourself in any future matters before FERC that might be characterized as pitting one fuel source against another. We have been troubled by this Administration's persistent efforts to interfere in our energy markets in order to subsidize coal and nuclear energy generation at the expense of ratepayers and other more economically produced forms of energy. As you know, in July 2017, a draft report prepared by DOE on the reliability of the U.S. electric grid stated: The power system is more reliable today due to better planning, market discipline, and better operating rules and standards. This draft report found two primary conclusions that coal and nuclear plants are retiring primarily because of cheaper energy sources such as natural gas, not because of the rise of renewable energy generation or the implementation of environmental regulation, and that the retirement of coal and nuclear plants has not impacted grid reliability. Notwithstanding the conclusions of the draft report, just months later Secretary Perry submitted a proposed rule for FERC's consideration to subsidize power plants that can store 90 days of fuel on site, which only nuclear and coal plants can do, citing a critical need for enhanced grid resilience and reliability. This proposed action immediately drew condemnation from the oil, gas, and renewable energy industries. In January 2018, FERC unanimously rejected the proposed rule, noting that DOE failed to provide evidence that retiring coal and nuclear plants represented an existential threat to grid reliability and resilience. Instead, FERC Commissioners opened a new docket to push the country's grid operators to examine grid resilience from storms and floods, cyber or physical attacks, and other major disruptions. As mentioned above, our concerns over your apparent lack of impartiality are not based solely on the role you played in formulating the NOPR. Your Earth Day op-ed, and your comments during a 2018 public policy forum in Texas display a pronounced preference for fossil fuels and nuclear energy, and at a minimum suggest a strong bias against renewable energy technologies: Renewables, when they come on and off, it screws up the whole physics of the grid. So when people want to talk about science, they ought to talk about the physics of the grid and know what real science is, and that is how do you keep the lights on? And it is with fossil fuels and nuclear."" These actions and comments suggest that you may be unable or unwilling to take a fuel-neutral approach, but rather will favor particular technologies and outcomes. Moving forward, and particularly as FERC considers matters related to grid resilience and reliability, we urge you to remain true to your commitment to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources to be fair, objective, and impartial and to work with your colleagues to fulfill (FERC's) mission to ensure just and reasonable rates under the law. With that in mind, we urge you to recuse yourself from any future FERC proceedings where your impartiality could be questioned based upon your past statements, positions, or work on the DOE NOPR. Finally, at your nomination hearing on November 15, 2018, you said you would need to consult with ethics officials regarding specific topics you can and cannot participate in as a FERC Commissioner. We request that you provide us with an update about both the specific guidance you sought and the ethics guidance you have received by January 9, 2019. Thank you for your attention and consideration of this matter. Sincerely, ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/-cantwells-earthquake-resilience-bill-signed-into-law,Cantwell’s Earthquake Resilience Bill Signed into Law,2018-12-13,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.13.18 Cantwell's Earthquake Resilience Bill Signed into Law Legislation helps states prepare for earthquakes, improve early warning systems WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell's (D-WA) earthquake resilience bill has been signed into law by President Donald Trump. Senator Cantwell, the top Democrat on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, introduced the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act (NEHRP) to modernize safety programs and help states prepare for and respond to earthquakes, as well as provide important resources to improve earthquake early warning, monitoring, and research. Cantwell's legislation is critical to Washington state, which faces the second highest risk of large and damaging earthquakes in the United States. Earthquakes are inevitable so it's critical that we do all we can to prepare. This legislation will help save lives and protect property in the Pacific Northwest and other areas prone to seismic disaster, said Cantwell. Since 1977, NEHRP has enabled earthquake-prone communities to better prepare and protect themselves by minimizing losses through infrastructure improvements and hazard and risk assessments. This legislation reauthorizes NEHRP and also: Improves earthquake early warning systems - Removes outdated language related to earthquake prediction and emphasizes the continued development of earthquake early warning systems through the Advanced National Seismic System. Helps states prioritize earthquake preparedness - Directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to implement a grant program to assist states with incorporating earthquakes in their hazard reduction portfolios. Provides ongoing preparedness assessments and long-term planning - Directs the completion of a comprehensive assessment of the nation's earthquake risk reduction progress, as well as areas that require more funding, and evaluation of resulting hazards, such as tsunamis or landslides. Requires updated, state-of-the-art maps to better understand local geographies and topographies - Requires the production of a set of maps showing active faults and folds, liquefaction susceptibility, and other hazards that can be induced by an earthquake, such as landslides. Cuts red tape to improve information sharing - Reduces various administrative burdens that are disruptive to the essential mission of NEHRP, improves data sharing between agencies, and provides clear direction to the four federal agencies charged with overseeing NEHRP the National Institute of Standards and Technology, FEMA, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the National Science Foundation to continue working with states and private sector experts on performance-based design features. In addition to Senator Cantwell, the legislation was sponsored by U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Patty Murray (D-WA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Martin Heinrich (D-NM). ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://adamsmith.house.gov/press-releases?ID=EF0EC4BD-3EA4-4768-9FCD-DFAB39BBCE60,Smith Statement on the Farm Bill Conference Report Passage,2018-12-12,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Adam Smith,S000510,adamsmith.house.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2410,"DelBene, Kilmer Bill to Improve Timber Innovation Passes House, Expected to Become Law",2018-12-12,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Suzan DelBene,D000617,delbene.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, Representatives Suzan DelBene and Derek Kilmer (D-WA) applauded the passage of important measures in the Timber Innovation Act (H.R. 1380) as part of the 2019 Farm Bill that passed the House of Representatives. DelBene and Kilmer introduced the bipartisan, bicameral legislation which would find new and innovative uses for wood as a building material. The Farm Bill is expected to be signed into law by the president.Following the economic crisis of 2008, rural communities across Washington state saw major job losses throughout the timber industry. Since then, advances have been made showing that tall buildings can be built using cleaner and less expensive materials such as cross-laminated timber (CLT), a hybrid wood panel system that consists of lumber boards that are glued together, and which are stronger and more cost-effective. A greater investment in products like CLT could result in more economic opportunities for rural parts of Washington. Components of the Timber Innovation Act in the Farm Bill include establishing a new performance driven research and development program advancing tall wood building construction. Also included are federal grants to support state, local, tribal, university and private sector education, outreach, and research and development to accelerate the use of wood in tall buildings. DelBene introduced the legislation to spur the use of tall wood building construction those above 85 feet or seven stories through the use of less expensive and cleaner materials like CLT, which will lower our carbon footprint and significantly aid forest health. Washington's First District is home to rural communities with economies dependent on forest products, said DelBene. Timber towns across our region have been in desperate need of new good-paying jobs, and the use of mass timber in tall wood buildings will help forge a path to newfound economic growth. By adding key provisions of the Timber Innovation Act into the Farm Bill, we are encouraging the use of innovative green building materials that will result in more jobs for hardworking local families, stronger local economies, and a healthier environment for the people of Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish counties. Building with new wood technologies and wood that is sustainably harvested will lead to more jobs and mills on the Olympic Peninsula and taller, more earthquake-resistant buildings in Seattle, Kilmer said. That's a vision that I call timber 2.0, which is a sustainable plan that will reinvigorate timber communities, lead to healthier, sustainably-managed forests and ultimately create more economic opportunities for more people in more places. DelBene represents Washington's first congressional district. She serves on the Ways and Means Committee and is Vice-Chair of the New Democrat Coalition. Kilmer represents Washington's sixth congressional district and serves on the House Appropriations Committee.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mcmorris.house.gov/mcmorris-rodgers-celebrates-passage-of-2018-farm-bill-conference-report/,McMorris Rodgers Celebrates Passage of 2018 Farm Bill Conference Report,2018-12-12,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,WA,Cathy McMorris Rodgers,M001159,mcmorris.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 12, 2018) Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) released the following statement celebrating the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill Conference Report. Right now, our farmers need certainty. They need to know that the farm safety net is intact. That's what this legislation does, said Cathy. The final 2018 Farm Bill includes my top three priorities: protecting crop insurance, supporting trade and market access programs, and increasing our commitment to agriculture research, like the great work being done at Washington State University. Our farmers are the greatest anti-poverty program and have done more to provide food security to the world than any government program. I was proud to support this legislation which supports them. Today, Cathy spoke on the House floor in support of the Farm Bill Conference Report. In case you missed it, you can see her full remarks here: NOTE: At the beginning of the Farm Bill process, Cathy laid out these three priorities to support Eastern Washington's farmers and agriculture industry through hosting a series of Farm Bill Listening Sessions all throughout Washington's 5th Congressional District. This summer, Cathy brought Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee Michael Conaway (R-TX) to again reiterate the importance of these priorities and let them hear directly from Eastern Washington farmers. In November, Cathy was also recognized with the Friend of Farm Bureau award for herleadershipon policies that benefit farmers and support agriculture. See more by clicking here. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congress-approves-2018-farm-bill,Congress Approves 2018 Farm Bill,2018-12-12,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives voted 369-47 to pass the 2018 Farm Bill, Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 2 - Agriculture Improvement Act. The legislation now heads to President Trump for his signature into law. Farm Countryhas waited long enough, and todayCongress delivered,saidRep. Newhouse.As a third-generation Yakima Valley farmer, I knowthe Farm Bill plays an enormously important role in Central Washington's agriculture economy by delivering a secure safety net for farmers and providing for research that keeps us on the cutting edgeof global innovation.Farmersare struggling witha 50-percent drop in net farm income over the past five years, which is why market access programsand crop insurance are critical to providing certainty for agriculture producers.While some improvements were made, I would have preferred to include stronger provisions to improve nutrition programs and forestry management. Farmers needed action sooner rather than later.I applaud Chairman Conaway for his hard work in getting thisbillacross the finish line. 2018 Farm Bill Conference Report Highlights: Study to include hops in crop insurance: The Conference Report includes language making hops eligible for crop insurance and directs the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Board (FCIC) to streamline the process for developing hop insurance policies. The bill requires FCIC to submit a report on hops policies one year after the enactment to the Agricultural Committees that describes the results of the policy developments along with any recommendations. Dairy protection: The Conference Report renames the dairy Margin Protection Program to Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) and builds on the Bipartisan Budget Act (BBA) investment by offering new coverage levels for the first 5 million pounds of production, drastically reducing premiums on catastrophic coverage levels for larger producers, and eliminating the restriction between the margin program (formerly MPP, now DMC) and Livestock Gross Margin (LGM) insurance. Expedites environmental reviews to protect our forests: The conference report encourages proper management for healthy and productive federal, state, and private forests and incentivizes infrastructure and new market opportunities to revitalize communities and healthy landscapes. The conference report simplifies environmental reviews while still ensuring robust protection of the environment. Click here to read additional highlights of the Conference Report. Click here to read a summary of the Conference Report. Click here to read the Conference Report text. CLICK HERE TO WATCH REP. NEWHOUSE SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THE 2018 FARM BILL Transcript: Mr. Speaker, earlier this yearas the House considered its version of the Farm BillI spoke in this chamber about a Farm Bill listening tour that I had conducted in my own District, traveling to every county that I represent to hear from and listen to input and the concerns from farmers, ranchers, and producers across the State of Washington. In the days since then the House passed that bill early this summer, there has been growing concern that the job would not get donethat the 2014 Farm Bill would expire and that our nation's Farm Country would be left without the crucial tools this legislation provides to strengthen the farm safety net and provide certainty and flexibility to America's farmers and ranchers. Fortunately, with the legislation before us today, we can report that this is not the case. After months of painstaking negotiations between the House and Senate conferees, we have an agreement before us. This agreement, while not including several provisions that I would have liked to have seen, sets us on a better path for our farmers and ranchers, for our rural communities, for small businesses, and for consumers across the country at the grocery store and at kitchen tables. With this conference agreement to the Farm Bill, I can go back to my District and confidently report to my constituents that we have provided a strong foundation to help our farmers survive a 50-percent drop in net farm income over the past five years. I can go back to Okanogan County and tell my constituents in Pateros that we have strengthened market access programs and provided strong resources to open new sources for exporting across the globe. I can tell farmers in Grant County that we have protected crop insurance and made several key improvements, including for whole farm revenue coverage for specialty crop producers. I can tell dairy producers in Yakima County that we have improved the dairy safety net for large, mid-sized, and small dairies. I can report back to producers in Prosser in Benton County, who stressed the importance of agricultural research, that we have provided an increase in funding for research, for extension, and for education projects. With the bill before us, I can let key agricultural partners in our community like Washington State University know that we will keep American agriculture at the forefront of innovation and productivity. Farmers from East Wenatchee will hear from me that this Farm Bill invests in critical cost-share and incentive-based programs to help farm families improve our soil, water, and other natural resources. And I can tell farmers in Othello in Adams County, concerned with the regulatory burdens on their shoulders, that this legislation protects our producers from costly additional, unnecessary red tape. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today as a third-generation farmer to say that this Farm Bill takes strong steps to address challenges facing America's agricultural community. The rule we bring before the House provides for further consideration of the Conference Report to H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act, legislation that is critically important to my District in Central Washington, and to rural districts across this great country. This legislation maintains and strengthens important policies like Price Loss Coverage, Agriculture Risk Coverage, Commodity Loans, Dairy Margin Coverage, Livestock Disaster Programs, and Crop Insurance. It enhances and permanently funds the Foreign Market Development Program and Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops, which are so vital for export-driven agricultural economies like my State of Washington has. It increases funding for land grant universities, research, extension, and education, as well as special research initiatives, including for specialty crops and organic research. This legislation makes strides to expand quality broadband to all of rural America by including forward-looking standards to ensure that we are meeting next-generation rural broadband needs. It also improves the tools available to reduce forest fuel loads that increase the size and force of catastrophic wildfires. By renewing key categorical exclusions and expanding its purpose to allow for expedited reduction of hazardous fuels in our forests, we can continue to reduce the threat that these wildfires pose on rural communities. Mr. Speaker, with support from the 2014 Farm Bill, American farmers have been able to combat depressed prices and severe drops in farm income, but they would not have been able to do so without a robust safety net in place. The Conference Report before us will build upon this effort and ensure a steady food supply will be on the shelves and in our markets for years to come. As I mentioned, it doesn't include everything I would have liked to have seen in this billbut in reality no piece of legislation is perfect, particularly comprehensive bills that have been negotiated for months. But the fact of the matter is, this Farm Bill includes important and significant wins for American farmers and ranchers, and it is now our responsibility to get the job done. Mr. Speaker, the People's House has more than 20 farmers, ranchers, and producers serving in this body. Among us are a dairyman from Central California, a blueberry farmer from Maine, a rancher from South Dakota, two rice farmersone from California and another from Minnesotaa cattleman from Kentucky, an almond farmer from California, and yesa proud hops farmer from the Yakima Valley of Washington state. This is the first Farm Bill that I have had the opportunity to engage in since being in Congress, Mr. Speaker. I've spent my whole life on the farmand my life in public service, including serving as Washington State's Director of the Department of Agriculture, has been spent working on behalf of American farmers, ranchers, rural communities, and families. It is an honor today to bring this rule forward for the Conference Report to Accompany the Farm BillH.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act. I humbly urge my colleagues to support the rule, support the bill, and strengthen the future for America's farmers and all those who depend upon them.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=CD6E2974-58F8-4A73-867E-31F54B167533,Senator Murray Cosponsors New Bill to Help Protect Peoples Personal Data Online,2018-12-12,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,,,legacy,"The Data Care Act will stop websites and apps from using personal data against users, protect user information from hacks, and hold companies accountable for misuse Senator Murray: New bill makes clear that the companies we entrust with our personal information will not only be held to a higher standard, they will face penalties if they breach our trust (Washington, D.C.) Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), joined a group of 15 senators in introducing new legislation to protect people's personal data online. The Data Care Act would require websites, apps, and other online providers to take responsible steps to safeguard personal information and stop the misuse of users' data. As we see more and more often, consumer data is being used and abused in ways few people had imagined before. Now, it's on Congress to ensure consumer protections keep pace with this changing reality, said Senator Murray. This legislation being introduced today makes clear that the companies we entrust with our personal information will not only be held to a higher standard, they will face penalties if they breach our trust. Doctors, lawyers, and bankers are legally required to exercise special care to protect their clients and not misuse their information. While online companies also hold personal and sensitive information about the people they serve, they are not required to protect consumers' data. This leaves users in a vulnerable position; they are expected to understand the information they give to providers and how it is being usedan unreasonable expectation for even the most tech-savvy consumer. By establishing a fiduciary duty for online providers, Americans can trust that their online data is protected and used in a responsible way. To that end, the Data Care Act establishes reasonable duties that will require providers to protect user data and will prohibit providers from using user data to their detriment: Duty of Care Must reasonably secure individual identifying data and promptly inform users of data breaches that involve sensitive information; Duty of Loyalty May not use individual identifying data in ways that harm users; Duty of Confidentiality Must ensure that the duties of care and loyalty extend to third parties when disclosing, selling, or sharing individual identifying data; Federal and State Enforcement A violation of the duties will be treated as a violation of an FTC rule with first fine authority. States may also bring civil enforcement actions, but the FTC can intervene. Rulemaking Authority FTC is granted rulemaking authority to implement the Act. Read the full text of the bill HERE.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://dennyheck.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-denny-heck-introduces-bill-to-protect-federal-employees-from-unfair,Rep. Denny Heck introduces bill to protect federal employees from unfair taxes on moving expenses,2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Denny Heck,H001064,dennyheck.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.Today, Congressman Denny Heck (WA-10) introduced legislation to reverse a portion of the Republican tax scam that designated the moving expenses of federal employees working overseas as taxable income. These moving costs were previously tax exempt, but the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Public Law No. 115-97) changed any reimbursements of moving costs into taxable income that may force taxpayers to owe thousands of more dollars in taxes to the Internal Revenue Service. The Keeping the Promise to American Public Servants Act would create a tax exclusion for these costs for federal workers, similar to the one in place for servicemembers. If this bill became law, federal workers would not be taxed on overseas moving expenses incurred after December 31, 2017. The Republican tax plan was disastrous for several reasons, and we are just starting to find some of the harmful provisions that snuck their way in, including this irresponsible attempt to make federal employees pay taxes on their overseas moving costs, Heck said. I represent many hard-working federal employees at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and many who leave their home for honorable public service positions around the world. We should not reverse the commitments we made to them on how their moving expenses are treated by our tax code. If we don't fix this, we could severely damage our ability to recruit and retain skilled federal employees that we need to serve in important international roles. December 22, 2018 will mark one year since the GOP tax bill became law. Since then, the Congressional Budget Office projected that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act would increase the federal deficit by $1.9 trillion over the next decade. Heck issued a statement following the House passage, pointing out that 36 million American households will have to pay higher taxes despite promises made by President Trump that all Americans will get a tax cut. The full text of H.R. 7254, Keeping the Promise to American Public Servants Act is available on Rep. Denny Heck's website. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://herrerabeutler.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399369,Bipartisan Bill to Prevent Maternal Deaths Passes U.S. House,2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,WA,Jaime Herrera Beutler,H001056,herrerabeutler.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Representatives Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) and Diana DeGette's (D-CO) bipartisan bill to prevent maternal deaths passed the U.S. House by unanimous voice vote today. share: f t U.S. Representatives Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) and Diana DeGette's (D-CO) bipartisan bill to prevent maternal deaths passed the U.S. House by unanimous voice vote today.H.R.1318, the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act, would establish and support state Maternal Mortality Review Committees to review every pregnancy-related or pregnancy-associated death, and based on those findings, develop recommendations for how to prevent future mothers' deaths. Today marks an important day in addressing our country's maternal mortality crisis, as this is the strongest step Congress has taken to date to reverse it. By providing states with resources to investigate every maternal death, we can begin to tackle this troubling trend and take appropriate steps to prevent such tragedies in the future. As moms and lawmakers, this is personal to us, and it was an honor to join with our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to lead this life-saving measure successfully through the House. We must improve our understanding of why mothers are dying in pregnancy, during childbirth and post-partum so we can then unleash every possible resource to protect women in this critical season of life. We hope the Senate will take swift action to pass this critical legislation so we can send it to the President's desk, said U.S. Representatives Jaime Herrera Beutler and Diana DeGette. AMCHP thanks Rep. Herrera Beutler and Rep. DeGette for their leadership in introducing the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act and being tireless advocates for its passage into law. Once all states have adequate resources to expertly review maternal deaths, we can achieve greater success in both honoring the lives of mothers lost and equipping our nation to prevent future deaths during pregnancy or in the year following childbirth, said Jonathan Webb, CEO, Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP). The Preventing Maternal Deaths Act had 190 cosponsors when it passed the House. There is a companion bill in the U.S. Senate sponsored by Senators Heidi Heitkamp and Shelly Moore Capito. There's still time for the Senate to pass this bill and send it to the president's desk before the end of the year. The rise of maternal mortality in the U.S.: The U.S. has the highest rate of maternal mortality in the developed world, and the rate continues to rise. Between 700-900 women die in the U.S. every year from pregnancy-related and pregnancy-associated deaths. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 60% of maternal deaths are preventable. Maternal mortality in the news: USA Today: What states aren't doing to save new mothers' lives The Hill: Alone among developed nations, the US maternal mortality rate is rising. Here's how we can fix that NPR: Focus On Infants During Childbirth Leaves U.S. Moms In Danger Washington Examiner: Lawmakers want to solve mysterious maternal deaths St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Editorial: Why are there more maternal deaths in the U.S. than in other advanced nation? The Hill: Maternal deaths keep rising in US, raising scrutiny",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://herrerabeutler.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399370,President Signs Jaimes Tribal Equality Bill into Law,2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,WA,Jaime Herrera Beutler,H001056,herrerabeutler.house.gov,,,legacy,"President Signs Jaime's Tribal Equality Bill into Law Indian tribes will now be allowed to operate distilleries on their land, promising new jobs in Lewis, Thurston Counties f t # e Washington, D.C., December 11, 2018 President Donald Trump signed U.S. Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler's bipartisan bill repealing a prohibition of distilleries on tribal land into law today. Senator Maria Cantwell led the bill's passage in the U.S. Senate last month and Jaime secured passage of her bill in the U.S. House in September. share: f t President Donald Trump signed U.S. Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler's bipartisan bill repealing a prohibition of distilleries on tribal land into law today. Senator Maria Cantwell led the bill's passage in the U.S. Senate last month and Jaime secured passage of her bill in the U.S. House in September.Today, I join the Chehalis Tribe and all others across the country as we celebrate the repeal of a law that strives to bring more equality and sovereignty to Indian tribes, Jaime said. This is a good day for tribal members who can now expand economically in the distillery business and bring new skills training and jobs to our region. Background: An 1834 law had prohibited distilleries on Indian lands. Now tribes, including the Chehalis who first brought this issue to Jaime's attention, will be free to build and operate distilleries on their land, increasing economic development opportunities. The Chehalis Tribe is planning to build and operate a distillery, brewery and restaurant that would bring about 100 new jobs to Southwest Washington.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://herrerabeutler.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399371,"Jaimes ACE Kids Act to Improve Health Care for Low-Income, Medically-Complex Kids Passes U.S. House",2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,WA,Jaime Herrera Beutler,H001056,herrerabeutler.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler's bipartisan initiative to improve care for children with complex medical conditions on Medicaid passed the U.S. House today. Jaime's initiative, the Advancing Care for Exceptional Kids Act (ACE Kids Act), was included in a broad Medicaid improvement package called the IMPROVE Act. share: f t U.S. Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler's bipartisan initiative to improve care for children with complex medical conditions on Medicaid passed the U.S. House today. Jaime's initiative, the Advancing Care for Exceptional Kids Act (ACE Kids Act), was included in a broad Medicaid improvement package called the IMPROVE Act.Jaime's been a longtime champion, and one of the original cosponsors, of the ACE Kids Act. This legislation ensures kids with complex medical conditions of families who rely on Medicaid can cross state lines to access often life-saving health care. We took an important step today by passing my bill, the ACE Kids Act, that removes barriers families face when trying to get care for their medically-complex children, Jaime said. I've been in the NICU and met families who were faced with the reality of having a sick child, and also have hit hard times economically. I can put too many faces and names to the reality that little kiddos often can't get the care they need. With passage of this bill, we are doing right by our kids regardless of their zip codes, they'll be able to get specialized medical treatment that can often be life-saving. Background: One in 25 children in the U.S. is medically complex with diagnoses like cancer, congenital heart disease, Down syndrome, or others that require consistent care and medical expertise. Of the several million medically-complex children, roughly two million rely on Medicaid. Children who have complex medical conditions represent a small percentage of kids in Medicaid, but account for a large portion of the costs. In order to enhance the critical care for these two million children, the ACE Kids Act creates networks anchored by children's hospitals to help coordinate care. States would choose to opt into this network, allowing families to seamlessly pursue the best doctors and facilities even if it takes them to another state, which Medicaid often wouldn't allow. Passage of this bill works to remove that barrier so all kids can receive the treatment they need.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://herrerabeutler.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399372,Bipartisan Bill to Save Salmon On the Columbia River Headed to the Presidents Desk,2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,WA,Jaime Herrera Beutler,H001056,herrerabeutler.house.gov,,,legacy,"The bipartisan Endangered Salmon and Fisheries Predation Prevention Act, led by Reps. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) and Kurt Schrader (D-OR) in the House, passed out of Congress today and is headed to the President's desk to become law. The legislation gives tribal members and government fish managers the authority to remove sea lions from specific areas of the Columbia River system and its tributaries where they are posing the most harm to endangered salmon, steelhead and other native fish runs. share: f t The bipartisan Endangered Salmon and Fisheries Predation Prevention Act, led by Reps. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) and Kurt Schrader (D-OR) in the House, passed out of Congress today and is headed to the President's desk to become law. The legislation gives tribal members and government fish managers the authority to remove sea lions from specific areas of the Columbia River system and its tributaries where they are posing the most harm to endangered salmon, steelhead and other native fish runs. Today's passage of our bill to control sea lions was a hard-fought victory it's a personal victory for each of us who treasure our Northwest salmon runs and want to see them preserved for generations to come, said Rep. Herrera Beutler. I'm grateful for the partnership of my colleague Kurt Schrader, and for Senators Risch and Cantwell for shepherding this through the Senate. I'm so pleased we are able to give Northwest fish managers this critical tool to help save our salmon and steelhead runs. This has been an issue that I have worked on since first coming to Congress nine years ago. I want to thank everyone Rep. Herrera Beutler, Senators Risch and Cantwell, and our states, tribes, and local communities for the exceptional work to get this bill over the finish line this year, said Rep. Schrader. In the last few years especially, we've seen a record number of sea lions in the Columbia River from Astoria to Bonneville Dam. Ratepayers and my constituents are paying hundreds of millions of dollars annually towards the largest mitigation program in the country for threatened and endangered salmon. These sea lions, whose population has become totally inconsistent with their historic range, have been undoing all of that work by feasting on the endangered species. Our legislation will provide a great step forward in eliminating this threat to our iconic Oregon salmon that are struggling to survive once and for all. Historic recovery efforts of endangered salmon and steelhead populations in the Columbia River have been compromised by exponentially increasing sea lion predation in recent years. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), California sea lions have killed the largest proportion of spring Chinook salmon and steelhead this year than any year since 2011. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife estimates that at the current rate, the Willamette Winter Steelhead run faces a 90 percent chance of extinction if nothing changes. This bipartisan legislation authorizes states and tribal members to lethally remove sea lions that are predating on endangered salmon, steelhead and other native fish species. The Endangered Salmon and Fisheries Predation Prevention Act is supported by a broad spectrum of Northwest residents and organizations that include recreational fishermen represented by the Coastal Conservation Association, Tribes and the Oregon and Washington State Departments of Fish and Wildlife.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mcmorris.house.gov/mcmorris-rodgers-applauds-bill-to-protect-endangered-salmon/,McMorris Rodgers Applauds Bill to Protect Endangered Salmon,2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,WA,Cathy McMorris Rodgers,M001159,mcmorris.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 11, 2018) Today, Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) supported the Endangered Salmon Predation Prevention Act (S. 3119) in the House to protect endangered salmon on the Columbia and Snake Rivers. This legislation passed the Senate on December 6 and now heads to the president's desk to be signed into law. Eastern Washington believes in both supporting clean, renewable hydropower and protecting our endangered salmon, a species so unique to the history of our region, said Cathy. Over the past 80 years, we've seen steady increases in salmon recovery rates on the Columbia and Snake Rivers, largely due to increased technology and innovation at our dams. This bill is another important step in protecting our endangered salmon. By mitigating sea lion predation we can increase fish recovery without costing Washingtonians hundreds of millions of dollars. NOTE: In March, Rep. McMorris Rodgers joined Reps. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) and Jaime Herrera Beulter (WA-03) in writing this column to advocate for supporting the Columbia and Snake River dams and finding solutions to increase fish recovery efforts. In case you missed it, you can read the joint column here. Cathy also authored a column in the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin in 2016 which further explains the need for this legislation. In it she says, In fact, one of the biggest threats to fish are not the dams, but invasive predators. Many coalitions in support of our dams and fish have made serious efforts to remove invasive predators. To assist in their efforts, I support Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler's (WA-03) legislation, the Endangered Salmon and Fisheries Predation Prevention Act. This legislation removes non-native California seals, which eat salmon as they enter the ocean or when they return to our rivers to spawn. Read the full column here. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-sends-bipartisan-salmon-recovery-legislation-president,House Sends Bipartisan Salmon Recovery Legislation to President,2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed S. 3119, theEndangered Salmon Predation Prevention Act, bipartisan legislation aimed at improving the survival of endangered salmon, steelhead and other native fish species in the Columbia River system. The legislation amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to give state and tribal managers more flexibility in addressing predatory sea lions in the Columbia River system that are threatening both Endangered Species Act-listed salmon and steelhead. S. 3119 is similar to legislation cosponsored by Rep. Newhouse which passed in the House earlier this year. Billions of taxpayer dollars have been spent on salmon recovery in the Pacific Northwest only to see invasive sea lions take a bite out of the population, said Rep. Newhouse. Non-native sea lions have had a severe impact on spring Chinook salmon mortality on the Columbia River. I applaud colleagues in the House and Senate with whom I have worked on legislation in our bipartisan effort toimprove management of pinnipeds threatening salmon. WATCH NEWHOUSE SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF H.R. 2083 EARLIER THIS YEAR",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-applauds-passage-of-farm-bill-secures-key-wins-for-washington-farmers-and-ranchers,"Cantwell Applauds Passage of Farm Bill, Secures Key Wins for Washington Farmers and Ranchers",2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.11.18 Cantwell Applauds Passage of Farm Bill, Secures Key Wins for Washington Farmers and Ranchers WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) applauded final passage of a five-year Farm Bill. The bill includes several key priorities for Washington growers and agriculture producers, including several Cantwell-led priorities to boost production of cross-laminated timber through new uses and innovative uses for wood as a building material, promote pulse crops, and increase export programs for American agriculture products. Passing the Farm Bill is a huge investment in Washington state's agricultural economy. Our crops, including our world leading pulse and specialty crops, will get a boost from hundreds of millions of dollars that will be invested into critical research programs. Timber communities will experience job growth as we promote cross-laminated timber in building construction. And our globally traded agricultural products, like cherries, wheat and apples, which have been harmed by retaliatory tariffs, will see $500 million in new assistance to maintain critical markets and expand opportunities around the globe, said Cantwell. In addition, the bill avoids harmful anti-environment riders as well as rejects harmful benefits cuts and eligibility changes that would take away food and create obstacles for working families. Key Washington priorities included in the 2018 Farm Bill include: Boosts exports for Washington agriculture products: The 2018 Farm Bill expands export opportunities by securing an additional nearly $500 million in permanent funding over the next decade to help farmers find new global markets for their goods. In addition, the bill prioritizes $6 million in a Priority Trade Fund to be used at the discretion of the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture for critical trade programs that have more requests for assistance than available funding, in turn supporting American farmers at no additional cost to the taxpayer. Increases research into pulse crops: The 2018 Farm Bill reauthorized the Cantwell Pulse Crop Health Initiative until 2023, which authorizes $25 million per year over five years in pulse crop health research to help increase public demand and drive job growth. The program supports technical expertise to help food companies use nutrient-dense pulse crops in their products as well as establish an educational program to encourage the consumption and production of pulse crops. Promotes cross-laminated timber: The 2018 Farm Bill includes the Timber Innovation Act, which incentivizes investment through the National Forest Products Lab and American colleges and universities to conduct research and development on new methods for the construction of wood buildings. Additionally, the bill will support ongoing efforts at the United States Department of Agriculture to further support the use of wood products as a building material for tall buildings. Helps Integrate American seafood into school lunches: The 2018 Farm Bill includes Cantwell's Buy American language to ensure the school lunches are using American seafood. Strengthens investments in Agricultural research: The 2018 Farm Bill supports groundbreaking science that makes farmers more efficient, resilient, and sustainable, and invests $185 million in public-private research, which will generate nearly $4 billion in returns to the agricultural economy. The bill also includes $2.4 billion in permanent investments in specialty crop research, pest management, and promotion of fruits and vegetables. Washington State University was the number one recipient of U.S. Department of Agriculture research funds in FY 2016. Boosts efforts to increase organic produce production: The 2018 Farm Bill nearly quadruples investment in organic research and offers cost-share assistance to help farmers transition into organics and strengthens trade enforcement. Increases resources for priorities in rural communities: The 2018 Farm Bill expands high-speed internet in rural communities, takes important steps to fight the opioid crisis by investing in telemedicine and essential community facilities that can provide critical treatment options for communities suffering from opioid addiction. In addition, the bill invests in biobased manufacturing, which creates rural manufacturing jobs by using American-grown crops and biobased products. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-colleagues-urge-faa-to-implement-and-improve-airport-contract-tower-program,"Cantwell, Colleagues Urge FAA to Implement and Improve Airport Contract Tower Program",2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.11.18 Cantwell, Colleagues Urge FAA to Implement and Improve Airport Contract Tower Program WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined a bipartisan letter of 35 Senators urging the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to implement a provision in this year's FAA spending bill allowing airports that utilize the contract tower program to become eligible for Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants from the small airport fund. This provision, which was introduced and included in the recent FAA Reauthorization law, will help enhance air traffic safety at small, rural airports. Not only do these contract towers provide an important safety service, but they do it in a very cost-effective manner, the senators wrote.It is Congress's clear intent that tower construction, improvement, and related equipment should be given priority when deciding which projects should receive grants from the small airport fund. The Airport Improvement Program funds airport development and planning projects by paying for critical infrastructure like runways, taxiways, and safety equipment. In September of this year, Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport received an additional $7 million in funding from AIP for the ongoing construction of a new runway. From 2013-2017, Washington state airports received $380 million from these grants. In addition to Senator Cantwell, the letter was signed by Senators Cortez Masto (D-NV), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Michael Bennet (D-CO), James Risch (R-ID), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ed Markey (D-MA), Brian Schatz (D-HI), John Cornyn (R-TX), Bill Nelson (D-FL), John Boozman (R-AR), Doug Jones (R-AL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Gary Peters (MI), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Steve Daines (MT), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Roger Wicker (R-MS), James Inhofe (R-OK), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Tina Smith (D-MN), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Dick Durbin (D-IL). The letter is available HERE and below: Dear Acting Administrator Elwell: As you begin implementing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2018, we would like to draw your attention to section 152 of that Act. Section 152 authorizes you to make AIP grants from the small airport fund to an airport participating in the contract tower program for the purpose of constructing or improving its air traffic control tower and for the acquisition and installation of related equipment. The contract tower program has been in place for over 30 years. Now there are 256 airports in 46 states that participate in this program. The program consistently receives high marks for customer service from aviation users (pilots, airlines, FBOs, flight schools and corporate flight departments). Without it, people living and traveling to our small communities and rural areas would be without the important safety benefits that air traffic control provides. Not only do these contract towers provide an important safety service, but they do it in a very cost-effective manner. This is demonstrated by the fact that contract towers handle approximately 29 percent of all U.S. air traffic control tower operations, but account for just 11 percent of FAA's overall budget allotted to such operations. This means that the contract tower program saves the FAA and tax payers approximately $200 million per year and $2 billion over 10 years. In addition to the safety and financial benefits, the contract tower program plays a key role in connecting rural communities to the national air transportation system, helps airports retain and develop commercial air service, promotes economic development and job creation, provides significant support for military readiness and training as well as for disaster relief, homeland security, and law enforcement operations. For all these reasons, the contract tower program enjoys widespread support in the Congress. That is why Congress included section 152, as well as other provisions to boost the contract tower program, in the FAA Reauthorization Act. It is important to note that this provision authorizing small airport funds for tower construction and improvement was placed in subsection (d) of section 47116 of the United States Code. Subsection (d) is entitled Priority Consideration for Certain Projects. This provision could have been placed in section 47124 but it was placed in subsection 47116(d) instead precisely because Congress wanted air traffic control tower construction and improvement projects to receive priority consideration for grants from the small airport fund. It is therefore Congress's clear intent that tower construction, improvement, and related equipment should be given priority when deciding which projects should receive grants from the small airport fund. Priority consideration for these projects is fully justified in light of the safety, financial, and other benefits that these towers provide at small airports and in rural areas. We expect FAA to follow congressional intent in implementing this important provision that will enhance air traffic safety at smaller and rural airports throughout the country, including utilizing the benefit/cost ratios for new airport applicants/candidates that FAA submitted to Congress in April, 2018. In this connection, we would like you to explain to us how the FAA will revise its National Priority Ranking and related order to ensure that funding for air traffic control tower construction, improvements, and related equipment receive the priority intended in the law. In addition, we request that, after the end of this fiscal year, you provide us with a list of the airports that requested money from the small airport fund for tower construction, improvement, or related equipment, a list of those airports that received such funds for that purpose, and a statement explaining why airports did not receive such funding even though they requested it. We appreciate your timely attention to this matter and look forward to continuing to work with you in a constructive manner on this important issue. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-secures-bipartisan-bill-to-accelerate-the-use-of-cross-laminated-timber-and-green-buildings,Cantwell Secures Bipartisan Bill to Accelerate the Use of Cross-Laminated Timber and Green Buildings,2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.11.18 Cantwell Secures Bipartisan Bill to Accelerate the Use of Cross-Laminated Timber and Green Buildings Legislation will help spur economic development through the construction of large scale wood buildings WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) secured bipartisan legislation in the Farm Bill that promotes new and innovative uses for wood as a building material. The legislation known as the Timber Innovation Act will accelerate the research and development of wood for use in construction projects such as cross-laminated timber (CLT) focusing on the construction of buildings more than 85 feet in height. In March 2017, Senator Cantwell along with Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, and several of her Senate and House colleagues, reintroduced the Timber Innovation Act bipartisan, bicameral legislation. The Timber Innovation Act will create new jobs across rural Washington by fostering innovation. The building technologies promoted in our bill, like cross-laminated timber, will bring several wins to Washington, including faster construction of buildings, more eco-friendly buildings, and new timber jobs, said Cantwell. Cross-laminated timber is driving the effort to replace concrete with wood in construction. These buildings are faster to construct, more energy efficient, and comprised completely from renewable materials. Wood products have been an integral part of construction for centuries, but most wood buildings do not exceed three to four stories in height. With recent developments in wood products engineering, alongside other new technologies, it is now possible to expand the use of wood into larger construction projects. Passage of the Timber Innovation Act will incentivize investment through the National Forest Products Lab and American colleges and universities to conduct research and development on new methods for the construction of wood buildings. Additionally, the bill will support ongoing efforts at the United States Department of Agriculture to further support the use of wood products as a building material for tall buildings. New mass timber technologies, such as CLT, are becoming more frequently discussed in the state of Washington. Research on building with CLT is underway at Washington State University and the University of Washington. In addition, several towns and businesses around the state are exploring this technology. Multiple parties are seeking to develop in Washington tall wood buildings and the production facilities to source them. Just last week, the Washington State Building Code Council announced a revision to the state's building codes to allow for expedited permitting of buildings made of CLT. Specifically, the Washington building code will now allow for wooden buildings up to 18 stories tall. Senator Cantwell and a bipartisan group of senators wrote to the Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) in May to express strong support of the inclusion of the Timber Innovation Act in the 2018 Farm Bill. In the letter, the senators wrote, The steps taken by S. 538 to promote the application of mass-timber technologies will assist the U.S. Forest Service in achieving their mandate of maintaining healthy, sustainable forest production for years to come. In addition to Senator Cantwell and Senator Stabenow, cosponsors of the legislation include Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). U.S. Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Glenn Thompson (PA-05) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. Read the bill text of the Timber Innovation Act HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=2663C621-40D3-44A2-96DB-91EE7993D4EE,"Senator Murray Continues Fight Against President Trumps Far-Right Judicial Nominees, Opposes Nominee Tied to Fake Womens Health Clinics",2018-12-11,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,,,legacy,"In a Senate floor speech, Senator Murray shared her opposition to Circuit Court nominee Jonathan Kobes and laid out why his volunteer work for fake women's health centers is disqualifying Kobes volunteered to help defend a law that interfered in the relationship between providers and patients by requiring providers to give fake information to women seeking reproductive care Kobes is the sixth nominee from President Trump to be rated unqualified by the American Bar Association Senator Murray: I'm going to keep standing up, speaking out, and making clear just how harmful President Trump's ideological nominees are ***WATCH SENATOR MURRAY'S FLOOR SPEECH HERE*** (Washington, D.C.) Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) outlined her opposition to Jonathan Kobes' nomination to serve on the Eight Circuit Court of Appeals in a speech on the Senate floor. Senator Murray made clear that not only does Mr. Kobes lack the qualifications for the position, but that his past work with fake women's health centersclinics that seek out women looking for information about their health care needs and reproductive rights, and then use misleading or false propaganda to scare and pressure themis utterly disqualifying. In her speech, Senator Murray highlighted the importance of continuing to stand up for women's health care and rights, particularly in light of Judge Kavanaugh's confirmation earlier this year, and made clear she is going to keep fighting against Republican efforts to ram through President Trump's far-right ideological judges. Key excerpts of Senator Murray's speech: Like many of President Trump's nominees before him, Mr. Kobes lacks almost any real experience to qualify him for a seat on the Eighth Circuit Court. He has little trial experience, little appellate experience, and no record of legal scholarship to speak of. And I'm not the only one concerned by thatthe American Bar Association has also rated him unqualified. That makes Mr. Kobes the sixth judicial nominee from President Trump opposed by his professional colleagues. But the thin record he does have is disqualifyingbecause it shows he will put extreme right-wing ideology ahead of women and science. Hours before the final vote on Judge Kavanaugh, I came here to speak about, how angry I was when the Senate failed Anita Hill back in 1991 and confirmed Justice Thomas, how I decided to run for Senate after that so I could fight to change things, and how I hoped everyone who was angry about Judge Kavanaugh would stay angry and keep fighting for change. And then, I also promisedright herethat whatever happened, I was going to get up the next day and keep fighting too, and I meant it. I'm going to keep standing up, speaking out, and making clear just how harmful President Trump's ideological nominees are. Watch video of Senator Murray's floor speechHERE. Full text of Senator Murray's floor speech below: Thank you M. President. I come to the floor today to oppose Jonathan Kobes' nomination to serve on the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. People across the country know how important it is we fight back against extremeand extremely unqualifiedjudicial nominees. Earlier this year, during Judge Kavanaugh's confirmation, we saw just how far President Trump and Senate Republicans are willing to go to jam through extreme judges who will work to strip away women's rights. But that wasn't all we saw. We saw how many millions of women and men across the country were inspired to stand up and fight back against his nomination. We saw people speak out and share their own personal stories about what was at stakeabout sexual assault and how important it is we believe survivors, about the right to safe, legal abortions and what it means for women and their families, about what kind of country we want to live in. And we saw without question that people across the country want us to stop President Trump from swinging our courts far-right by packing them with ideological judges. Judges like Mr. Kobes, who will continue the Trump-Pence agenda of rolling back women's rights and access to health care. M. President I want to spend a few minutes today making sure families know exactly what Mr. Kobes would mean for women if he is seated: weaker rights and less access to health care. Like many of President Trump's nominees before him, Mr. Kobes lacks almost any real experience to qualify him for a seat on the Eighth Circuit Court. He has little trial experience, little appellate experience, and no record of legal scholarship to speak of. And I'm not the only one concerned by thatthe American Bar Association has also rated him unqualified. That makes Mr. Kobes the sixth judicial nominee from President Trump opposed by his professional colleagues. But the thin record he does have is disqualifyingbecause it shows he will put extreme right-wing ideology ahead of women and science. Mr. Kobes is an outspoken advocate for fake women's health care centerssometimes called crisis pregnancy centers.' These fake clinics seek out women looking for information about their health care needs and reproductive rights, and then use misleadingand even blatantly falsepropaganda to scare and pressure women. Mr. Kobes even went out of his way to represent some of these fake clinics free of charge. He voluntarily defended a law requiring providers to give a lecture full of ideological propaganda and fearmongering to women seeking safe, legal abortions. The required lecture in this case actually went so far as to demand providers lie to women and claim abortion increases their risk of suicideit does not. Think about that. He argued for a law that directly interfered with the relationship between patients and health care providers. A law that said women making their own decisions about their own bodies, and seeking health care that is their constitutional right should be lied toshould be frightened out of their decision with fake informationincluding fake information about suicide. That is utterly wrong and disqualifying for any judicial nominee. And Mr. Kobes hasn't merely represented these fake clinics in court, he served on the board of an organization which aimed to deceive and frighten women out of getting abortions. It's clear Mr. Kobes wasn't chosen for his bona fides in the legal fieldbecause he doesn't have them. M. President, women and men across the country are paying attention, because they know how much is at stake. Hours before the final vote on Judge Kavanaugh, I came here to speak about, how angry I was when the Senate failed Anita Hill back in 1991 and confirmed Justice Thomas, how I decided to run for Senate after that so I could fight to change things, and how I hoped everyone who was angry about Judge Kavanaugh would stay angry and keep fighting for change. And then, I also promisedright here on the Senate floorthat whatever happened, I was going to get up the next day and keep fighting too, and I meant it. I'm going to keep standing up, speaking out, and making clear just how harmful President Trump's ideological nominees are. I strongly oppose Mr. Kobes' nomination, and I hope all of my colleagues will do the same.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://delbene.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2409,DelBene and Sewell Introduce Legislation Establishing Worker Access to Lifelong Learning and Training,2018-12-10,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Suzan DelBene,D000617,delbene.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene and Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL) introduced the Lifelong Learning and Training Account Act. This bill would create a tax-preferred savings account with a generous government match to assist low and moderate-income workers seeking to retrain or upskill over the course of their careers. This legislation was introduced in the Senate by Senator Mark Warner (D-VA).Studies show that in the years ahead, more workers will be forced to learn new skills throughout their careers. The World Economic Forum estimates that by 2020, more than one-third of the core skill sets of most jobs will be skills that are not considered crucial to today's workforce. The Lifelong Learning and Training Account Act would give workers a portable, government-matched savings vehicle for lifelong learning so they can continue to work and provide for their families. As our economy continues to change, workers must have access to the opportunities of tomorrow, said Rep. DelBene. Right now, many hardworking Americans don't have the skillsets to transition into a new job. This legislation will give those folks the tools to retrain and learn new skills so they can keep up with advances in technology and earn a good-paying job. Investing in these workers and helping them further their education will yield benefits that help middle-class families thrive. If we want to grow our economy and create better jobs for American families, we have to invest in our nation's number one asset our workforce, said Rep. Terri Sewell. That means providing our workers with opportunities to learn new skills and transition into competitive jobs in a changing economy. The Lifelong Learning and Training Account Act gives working families the tools they need to save for retraining and continuing education over the course of their careers. For workers in Alabama's 7th District and across the country, today's bill represents a step forward in our fight for better jobs, better pay, and a better future for our families. By 2030, up to one-third of American workers will need to retrain or change jobs to keep up with disruptions due to automation and a changing economy. That means lifelong learning will be the new normal for millions of Americans, said Senator Mark R. Warner. The Lifelong Learning and Training Account Act represents the first major investment towards helping workers pay for the education and training necessary to modernize their skills, and I'm pleased that this important legislation is moving forward in the House of Representatives. The Lifelong Learning and Training Account Act creates employee-owned Lifelong Learning and Training Account (LLTA) savings plans. Contributions to an LLTA by low-to-moderate income workers or their employers are eligible for a dollar-for-dollar federal match of up to $1,000. The federal matching funds are directly deposited into the LLTA immediately after the contribution by the worker or employer. The worker then gets to choose how to use the LLTA funds, which can be applied towards any training that leads to a recognized post-secondary credential. For workers that need to contribute to the cost of updating their job skills, this significant federal investment can make a huge difference in whether or not these workers seek additional training. If employers are willing to match employees' savings, the returns can be even greatera $500 contribution by a worker would create $2,000 in training opportunities (a $500 match by the employer, and then a $1,000 match from the federal government.) The accounts are portable from job to job, and always under the workers' control. Contributions by workers and employers are after-tax dollars, but face no additional taxes on earnings if the LLTA funds are used for qualified training expenses. Eligibility is for workers age 25 to 60, with incomes of up to $82,000 per worker. States will manage the accounts. Accounts are designed to encourage the worker to use the funds to regularly update their skills, rather than build up large balances over many years. Restrictions are put in place to ensure that the government's matching dollars go only to qualified training expenses. The full text of the bill can be read here. DelBene serves on the House Ways and Means Committee and is Vice-Chair of the New Democrat Coalition. She represents Washington's first congressional district.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://herrerabeutler.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399368,Two of Jaimes Health Care Initiatives Scheduled for a House Vote This Week,2018-12-10,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,WA,Jaime Herrera Beutler,H001056,herrerabeutler.house.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler announced today that two of her initiatives to improve health care for women and children are scheduled for a vote in the U.S. House tomorrow, Tuesday. share: f t U.S. Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler announced today that two of her initiatives to improve health care for women and children are scheduled for a vote in the U.S. House tomorrow, Tuesday. Jaime's bipartisan bill, H.R. 1318 the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act, currently has 185 cosponsors. Her legislation seeks to prevent moms from dying by establishing or supporting Maternal Mortality Review Committees to examine pregnancy-related and pregnancy-associated deaths and identify ways to reduce such tragedies. Jaime has also been a longtime champion and one of the original cosponsors of the Advancing Care for Exceptional Kids Act (ACE Kids Act), which will help improve the coordination of and access to high quality care for children with complex medical conditions on Medicaid. Jaime's ACE Kids Act has been rolled into H.R. 7217 the Improving Medicaid Programs and Opportunities for Eligible Beneficiaries Act (IMPROVE Act) and is also scheduled to receive a full U.S. House vote Tuesday. Jaime's office will be sending additional press releases with quotes following passage of both bills.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-introduces-senate-resolution-recognizing-the-need-to-improve-disability-access-and-infrastructure-in-federally-funded-buildings,Cantwell Introduces Senate Resolution Recognizing the Need to Improve Disability Access & Infrastructure in Federally-Funded Buildings,2018-12-10,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.10.18 Cantwell Introduces Senate Resolution Recognizing the Need to Improve Disability Access & Infrastructure in Federally-Funded Buildings 13 Democratic senators join resolution reaffirming support for ensuring people with disabilities have equal access to federal buildings & government services WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined 13 Democratic colleagues to introduce a Senate resolution to highlight the need for improvements in disability access and infrastructure in federally-funded buildings. The resolution also reaffirms support for existing laws that work to ensure equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, which former George Herbert Walker Bush signed into law. The United States was founded on the principles of equality and freedom, and such principles require that all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, are able to engage as equal members of society, the resolution reads. Congress will continue working to identify and remove the barriers that prevent all people of the United States, including people with disabilities, from having equal access to the services provided by the Federal Government. The resolution was sponsored by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Chris Coons (D-DE), Jack Reed (D-RI), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Patty Murray (D-WA), Bob Casey (D-PA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI). The full resolution can be found HERE and below: Title: Recognizing the need to improve physical access to many federally funded facilities for all people of the United States, particularly individuals with disabilities. Whereas the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States prevents Congress from making any law respecting an establishment of religion, prohibiting the free exercise of religion, or abridging the freedom of speech, the freedom of the press, the right to peaceably assemble, or the right to petition for a governmental redress of grievances, and was ratified on December 15, 1791, as 1 of the 10 amendments that constitute the Bill of Rights; Whereas the Bill of Rights, specifically the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, calls for the right of all individuals to peaceably assemble, and to this end, all individuals, regardless of their physical ability, shall be offered equal opportunity to access all amenities that are federally funded, in whole or part, with the exception of certain sites of historical importance approved by the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (commonly known and referred to in this preamble as the United States Access Board) or a nonpartisan commission convened by the United States Access Board; Whereas, in the 28 years since the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), there have been advances in technologies that benefit individuals with disabilities, such as automatic doors; Whereas, in 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that (1) 61,000,000 individuals in the United States have a disability that impacts major life activities; (2) 1 of every 7 adults experience a mobility impairment, which is the most common form of disability; and (3) as people age, disability becomes increasingly common, affecting an estimated 2 of every 5 older adults; Whereas, as significant advances in medical treatment result in improved health outcomes, the incidence of disability has increased over time; Whereas, in 2016, an estimated 25.1 percent of veterans in the United States, or more than 2,000,000 individuals, reported having a service-connected disability; Whereas the Act entitled An Act to insure that certain buildings financed with Federal funds are so designed and constructed as to be accessible to the physically handicapped, approved August 12, 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.) (commonly known as the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968), was enacted to ensure that certain federally funded facilities are designed and constructed to be accessible to individuals with disabilities; Whereas title V of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 791 et seq.) (1) prohibits discrimination against a person with a disability in programs and activities funded by the Federal Government; (2) requires the elimination of architectural barriers for Federal employees and applicants with disabilities; and (3) established the United States Access Board; Whereas the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.) (1) prohibits discrimination against a person with a disability by a State or local government, including any department, agency, special purpose district, or other instrumentality of a State or local government, in programs and activities, transportation, communications, and the built environment; (2) prohibits discrimination against a person with a disability in the activities of a place of public accommodation, which is an entity that is (A) generally open to the public; and (B) within a category described in that Act, such as a restaurant, movie theater, school, day care facility, or doctor's office; and (3) requires a newly constructed or altered place of public accommodation or commercial facility (such as a factory, warehouse, or office building) to comply with the Standards for Accessible Design; Whereas the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.) (1) prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in multifamily housing, including military family housing; and (2) requires the elimination of architectural barriers in common areas; Whereas the United States Access Board has developed new guidelines for public rights-of-way that address various issues, including access for blind pedestrians at street crossings, wheelchair access to on-street parking, and various constraints posed by space limitations, roadway design practices, slope, and terrain; Whereas the new guidelines developed by the United States Access Board cover pedestrian access to sidewalks and streets, including crosswalks, curb ramps, street furnishings, pedestrian signals, parking, and other components of public rights-of-way; Whereas the aim of the United States Access Board in developing the new guidelines includes ensuring that (1) access for individuals with disabilities is provided wherever a pedestrian way is newly built or altered; and (2) the same degree of convenience, connection, and safety afforded the public generally is available to pedestrians with disabilities; Whereas, on the date on which the Attorney General adopts the new guidelines, the guidelines will become enforceable standards under title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12131 et seq.); and Whereas the United States was founded on the principles of equality and freedom, and such principles require that all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, are able to engage as equal members of society: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That Congress (1) recognizes the importance of equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in the United States; (2) recognizes that too many facilities of Federal, State, and local governments remain inaccessible to people with disabilities due to architectural and other barriers; (3) reaffirms its support of the Act entitled An Act to insure that certain buildings financed with Federal funds are so designed and constructed as to be accessible to the physically handicapped, approved August 12, 1968 (42 U.S.C. 4151 et seq.) (commonly known as the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968), title V of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 791 et seq.), the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), and the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.) and requires full compliance with such Acts; and (4) pledges to make universal and inclusive design a guiding principle for all infrastructure bills and projects and will continue working to identify and remove the barriers that prevent all people of the United States, including people with disabilities, from having equal access to the services provided by the Federal Government.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=A626256B-1B98-4D06-9CDA-96753BDB56FA,"As Comment Period on Proposed Public Charge Rule Change Closes, Senator Murray Demands Trump Administration Withdraw Proposal That Would Harm Immigrant Families",2018-12-10,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senator Murray highlights anecdotes from Washington state in new public comment opposing proposal that would expand definition of public charge, harming public health and well-being Proposed rule change by Department of Homeland Security would place health care and nutrition for millions of families at risk Proposed regulation has caused fear among many immigrants, leading many to forego benefits like food assistance and access to health care they are otherwise eligible for Senator Murray: Proposed rule change that would circumvent congressional authority on immigration law yet another policy authored by the Trump administration that could force immigrants and their families back into the shadows ICYMI: Senator Murray Urges Trump Administration to Rescind Proposed Rule Expanding Definition of Public Charge' MORE HERE (Washington, D.C.) U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), the top Democrat on the Senate health committee, stated her firm opposition to President Trump's proposed public charge rule and demanded the Department of Homeland Security withdraw the proposed regulation in a public comment submitted today to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services during the agency's public comment period. As a voice for Washington state, Senator Murray had previously urged Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen to rescind the Department's proposed rule expanding the definition of public charge, which would require immigration officers to consider an individual's use of public benefits when applying for travel to the U.S. or adjustment of immigration statusa departure from decades of immigration policy that could deter lawful immigrants and their citizen family members from using public benefits they are otherwise eligible to receive. Citing anecdotes from individuals and families in Washington state who have already been adversely affected by the Trump administration's proposed policy shift, in her public comment Senator Murray outlined how the proposed rule change would harm public health and well-being should it go into effect, highlighting the adverse impact on families' ability to access health care and the policy's unintended consequences that would undermine nutrition assistance and efforts to lower health care costs for children and families, leading to poor health outcomes. This deeply misguided policy will not ensure self-sufficiency' among immigrants, nor will it help hospitals, which will see a further rise in costs and frequency of emergency care that will result from the drop in use and accessibility of preventive services. In addition, this policy will have a significant impact on programs not implicated in the text of proposed rule. Immigrant families are likely to refuse services for which they are eligible out of fear of possible reprisal for using these servicesleading to numerous adverse consequences for children and families' educational outcomes, health, and general well-being. This policy will have a detrimental effect on the children of lawful immigrants and their future generations, further hindering their paths to success, wrote Senator Murray. Senator Murray also underlined the threat the proposed rule poses to individuals' civil rights, writing: Additionally, I am greatly concerned by the proposed rule's requirement for immigration officers to make a determination as to whether an individual is a public charge now or will ever become one in the future. Not only is this assessment highly speculative, but it threatens an individual's civil rights. Such a determination could disproportionately impact people with disabilities, older adults, those with limited English proficiency, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals. The proposed public charge' rule clearly undermines the foundational principles of equity and inclusion that must be the basis for our government's policy, including with respect to immigration. Read Senator Murray's full public comment below or HERE. December 10, 2018 Samantha Deshommes Chief, Regulatory Coordination Division Office of Policy and Strategy U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services U.S. Department of Homeland Security 20 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20529-2140 Re: DHS Docket No. USCIS-2010-0012 Dear Ms. Deshommes: I write to express my firm opposition to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking under 212(a)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, DHS Docket No. USCIS-2010-0012 and urge DHS to withdraw the proposed regulation. During consideration of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA), Congress carefully considered the issue of access to public benefits in relation to our immigration lawsand rejected an approach similar to what DHS is now proposing.[1] I am deeply concerned this proposed rule is an attempt to circumvent the will of Congress and, should it go into effect, will harm public health and well-being. Since DHS published the proposed rule, I have heard from teachers, social workers, and others who provide important services about immigrants who are turning down all public assistance out of a fear of possible reprisaleven when they are clearly eligible and in great need of this assistance. For example, a teacher from my home state told my staff about a student's parent withdrawing their children from health care and turning down Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for fear of a coming rule that would penalize legal permanent residents and their children for using public benefits. News reports from my home state and around the country confirm this fear-driven withdrawal from SNAP and health insurance is widespread.[2] Similarly, many educators have witnessed declining enrollment in school meals programs, as well as in afterschool and summer programs designed to support immigrant students, due to families' fears of repercussions for using these important resources.[3] As explained below, proceeding with the proposed rule would harm the health, safety, and well-being of children and their families. As written, this proposed rule would require immigration officers to consider an individual's use of broadly defined public benefits when evaluating an application to enter the United States or for adjustment of status. This is a stark departure from decades of precedent. Over the past year, multiple reports have demonstrated the detrimental effects this calculation has on the health of parents and their children, as many families have turned down critical services over the past year due to the rumors of a public charge proposal.[4] Research indicates that the long-term health of children is inextricably linked to the health of their parents.[5] One in four children in the U.S., equating to roughly 18.4 million children, lives in an immigrant family, and about 86 percent of those children are U.S. citizens.[6] Research on the effect of previous welfare reform efforts shows a chilling effect on immigrant families' participation in public programs.[7] These findings suggest the proposed rule will lead to declines in enrollment in Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) among U.S. citizen children with non-citizen parents, which would have a devastating impact on U.S. citizen children with non-citizen parents. Even the preamble to the proposed rule acknowledges this policy may lead to disenrollment or the decision to forgo enrollment among noncitizens and U.S. citizens alike from programs these families are clearly eligible to receive. This is yet another policy authored by the Trump administration that could force immigrants and their families back into the shadows. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), children who receive essential health care services through programs such as CHIP and Medicaid are more likely to have better health and education outcomes later in life, as compared to children who go without these essential services.[8] Research demonstrates that public benefits programs such as SNAP, the nation's most effective anti-hunger program, have drastically improved health outcomes and lowered health care costs for children.[9] As the primary source of nutrition assistance for many low-income families, in 2017, SNAP provided a nutritious diet to millions of low-income people.[10] Although it provides a modest benefit of just $1.40 per person per meal on average, it forms a critical foundation for the health and well-being of many low-income individuals.[11] The proposed rule could deter lawful immigrants and their citizen family members from using Medicaid and CHIP benefits they are eligible to receive, worsening health outcomes and increasing health disparities. A recent analysis shows that under the proposed public charge rule, an estimated 4.4 million immigrants and 8.8 million citizens who have an immigrant family member eligible for and enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP could stop using these critical health care programs.[12] Such a response would not only harm individuals, families, and public heathit would undermine efforts to lower health care costs nationwide and could have significant repercussions for the hospitals that provide services to this population. The proposed rule could result in an increase in uncompensated care costs, as people forgo preventive and routine care, but continue to use hospitals for expensive acute care and inpatient procedures.[13] When care costs go uncompensated, hospitals must still cover them, leading to more debt, and in the long-term, widening financial implications for the accessibility of their services. I am also concerned the chilling effect the proposed rule would create could extend to the use of crucial public health services that help prevent and contain communicable diseases, threatening not only the health of immigrants but the health of all people in the United States. While DHS states the public charge test would continue to exempt any [p]ublic health assistance [] for immunizations with respect to immunizable diseases and for testing and treatment of symptoms of communicable diseases whether or not such symptoms are caused by a communicable disease, I am concerned, the use of these services would decline given the fear and confusion this rule would create. Additionally, I am greatly concerned by the proposed rule's requirement for immigration officers to make a determination as to whether an individual is a public charge now or will ever become one in the future. Not only is this assessment highly speculative, but it threatens an individual's civil rights. Such a determination could disproportionately impact people with disabilities, older adults, those with limited English proficiency, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals. The proposed public charge rule clearly undermines the foundational principles of equity and inclusion that must be the basis for our government's policy, including with respect to immigration. A policy such as the proposed public charge rule will have ripple effects far beyond what current research has been able to measure. What we know, however, is already deeply alarming. For instance, DHS itself predicts worse health outcomes, including increases in obesity and malnutrition for pregnant or breastfeeding women, infants, or children.[14] DHS also indicates it expects high-cost emergency room and emergent care services will likely increase as a method of primary health care utilization due to delayed and missing health treatments, as will instances of treatment or services not paid for by an insurer or a patient and left to be covered by the hospitals.[15] This deeply misguided policy will not ensure self-sufficiency among immigrants, nor will it help hospitals, which will see a further rise in costs and frequency of emergency care that will result from the drop in use and accessibility of preventive services. In addition, this policy will have a significant impact on programs not implicated in the text of proposed rule. Immigrant families are likely to refuse services for which they are eligible out of fear of possible reprisal for using these servicesleading to numerous adverse consequences for children and families' educational outcomes, health, and general well-being. This policy will have a detrimental effect on the children of lawful immigrants and their future generations, further hindering their paths to success. With this in mind, I urge you to immediately reverse course on this policy and withdraw the proposed rule. Sincerely, [1] Pub. L. No. 104-208, 110 Stat. 3009 [2] Nina Shapiro, As Trump considers penalties, Seattle-area immigrants turn down public benefits they're entitled to claim, Seattle Times (Aug. 18, 2018), https://www.sreattletimes.com/seattle-news/legal-immigrants-in-seattle-area-alarmed-over-possible-penalties-for-using-benefits/; Helena Bottemiller Evich, Immigrant families appear to be dropping out of food stamps, Politico (Nov. 14, 2018), https://www.politico.com/story/2018/11/14/immigrant-families-dropping-out-food-stamps-966256; Megan Messerly, Trump administration rule on public benefits having chilling effect' on immigrant health insurance enrollment, The Nevada Independent (Nov. 16, 2018), https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/trump-administration-rule-on-public-benefits-having-chilling-effect-on-immigrant-health-insurance-enrollment; Lisa Schencker, Illinois doctors say Trump immigration proposal already scaring away patients, Chicago Tribune (Dec. 2, 2018), https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-immigration-proposal-scaring-people-from-medicaid-1202-story.html. [3] Wendy Cervantes, Rebecca Ullrich, and Hannah Matthews, Our Children's Fear Immigration Policy's Effects on Young Children, CLASP (Mar. 1, 2018), https://www.clasp.org/sites/default/files/publications/2018/03/2018_ourchildrensfears.pdf. [4] Nina Shapiro, As Trump considers penalties, Seattle-area immigrants turn down public benefits they're entitled to claim, Seattle Times (Aug. 18, 2018), https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/legal-immigrants-in-seattle-area-alarmed-over-possible-penalties-for-using-benefits/; Helena Bottemiller Evich, Immigrant families appear to be dropping out of food stamps, Politico (Nov. 14, 2018) [5] Parental Behavior and Child Health, Health Affairs (Mar./Apr. 2002), https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/full/10.1377/hlthaff.21.2.164. [6] Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of the March 2017 Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement. https://www.kff.org/disparities-policy/fact-sheet/proposed-changes-to-public-charge-policies-for-immigrants-implications-for-health-coverage/#endnote_link_274689-4; Immigrant Child Health Toolkit, American Academy of Pediatrics, https://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/Immigrant-Child-Health-Toolkit/Pages/Key-Facts.aspx [7] Neeraj Kaushal and Robert Kaestner, Welfare Reform and Health Insurance of Immigrants, Health Services Research, 40(3), (June 2005),https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1361164/; Michael Fix and Jeffrey Passel, Trends in Noncitizens' and Citizens' Use of Public Benefits Following Welfare Reform 1994-97 (Washington, DC: The Urban Institute, March 1, 1999)https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/69781/408086-Trends-in-Noncitizens-and-Citizens-Use-of-Public-Benefits-Following-Welfare-Reform.pdf; Namratha R. Kandula, et. al, The Unintended Impact of Welfare Reform on the Medicaid Enrollment of Eligible Immigrants, Health Services Research, 39(5), (October 2004),https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1361081/; Rachel Benson Gold, Immigrants and Medicaid After Welfare Reform, (Washington, DC: The Guttmacher Institute, May 1, 2003),https://www.guttmacher.org/gpr/2003/05/immigrants-and-medicaid-after-welfare-reform. [8] AAP Opposes Dangerous Public Charge Proposal, American Academy of Pediatrics (Sep. 23, 2018), https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/Pages/AAP-Opposes-Dangerous-Public-Charge-Proposal.aspx [9] Hilary Hoynes, Diane Whitmore Schanzenbach and Douglas Almond, Long-Run Impacts of Childhood Access to the Safety Net, American Economic Review American Economic Review 2016, 106(4): 903934, http://dx.doi.org/10.1257/aer.20130375. [10] Steven Carlson and Brynne Keith-Jennings, SNAP Is Linked with Improved Nutritional Outcomes and Lower Health Care Costs, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (Jan. 17, 2018), https://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/snap-is-linked-with-improved-nutritional-outcomes-and-lower-health-care [12] Cindy Mann, April Grady, and Allison Orris, Medicaid Payments at Risk for Hospitals Under the Public Charge Proposed Rule, Manatt Health (Nov. 2018), https://www.manatt.com/Insights/White-Papers/2018/Medicaid-Payments-at-Risk-for-Hospitals-Under-Publ [14] Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds, Department of Homeland Security (Oct. 10, 2018), https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/10/10/2018-21106/inadmissibility-on-public-charge-grounds",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://adamsmith.house.gov/press-releases?ID=250105B7-2832-426F-8AB1-4241743AD507,Smith Statement on Extended Border Deployment,2018-12-07,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Adam Smith,S000510,adamsmith.house.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/president-trump-signs-newhouse-bill-honoring-fallen-richland-marine-law,President Trump Signs Newhouse Bill Honoring Fallen Richland Marine Into Law,2018-12-07,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and the Schmieman family released the following statements after President Trump signed legislation into law to designate the U.S. Postal Service facility at 4801 West Van Giesen Street in West Richland, Washington as the Sergeant Dietrich Schmieman Post Office. Rep. Newhouse introduced H.R. 5504 with the support of the entire Washington delegation to honor the life and service of U.S. Marine Sergeant Dietrich Schmieman of Richland, who was serving in the 2nd Raider Battalion at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina when he was tragically killed in a cargo plane crash in Mississippi on July 10, 2017. A designation ceremony for the Post Office with the Schmieman family and Rep. Newhouse will be announced at a later date. Rep. Newhouse: It is an honor to recognize Sergeant Schmieman for his honorable sacrifice. He served to protect our freedom, and I know this Post Office will mean a lot to his community as a reminder of his dedication to our country. Sergeant Schmieman's parents, Susan and Eric, on behalf of the Schmieman family: We are grateful to Washington Representatives, Senators, and their staffs for renaming the West Richland Post Office in honor of our son, USMC Raider Dietrich Schmieman. It is our hope that the renamed facility will remind users not only of Dietrich, but of all those who have served under arms and given their all for our nation. Watch Rep. Newhouse speak in support of his legislation to honor Sgt. Dietrich Schmieman Transcript: I rise today to speak in support of legislation that will commemorate the life and service of a young man from Central Washington who died serving his country, just over a year ago on July 10, 2017. Marine Sergeant Dietrich Schmieman grew up in Richland, Washington with his parents, Eric and Susan, and his two brothers, Aaron and Hans. He attended Christ the King Catholic School, Hanford High School, and Columbia Basin College, where he met friends who would remain close to him throughout his entire life. In 2010, with a world of opportunity ahead of him, he chose to dedicate his life to service and enlist in the United States Marine Corps. It was his goal to serve within Special Operations Command. Throughout his service, he received 14 awards and decorations, including several Achievement Medals, Good Conduct Medals, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. He had completed two overseas deployments serving our nation during Operation Enduring Freedom. He achieved his goal, honorable serving as a Critical Skills Operator in the U.S. Marine Corps 2nd Raider Battalion at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, when he was tragically killed in a KC-130 plane crash in Mississippi on July 10, 2017. My legislation would designate the U.S. Postal Service facility at 4801 West Van Giesen Street in West Richland, Washington as the Sergeant Dietrich Schmieman Post Office Building. Dietrich and his fellow service members gave the ultimate sacrifice, and I hope to honor his memory as well as the memory of the 15 other men and women killed in the crash with this dedication to their service. Dietrich's strong ties to his family, friends, and hometown continue to be evident. An avid skydiver, Dietrich's death inspired his parents, childhood friends, and fellow Marines to complete a memorial skydive over Central Washington. He had a tattoo symbolizing his love of the Pacific Northwest and requested that his ashes be spread on Mt. Rainier, where his Marine brothers-in-arms will hike this August in his honor. We recently observed the one-year anniversary of the devastating plane crash, and I know that the designation of this Post Office will mean a lot to Dietrich's family and to our community serving as a local memorial and reminder of the sacrifice he and his fellow service members gave to preserve the freedoms that are the cornerstone of our nation. I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this legislation to name this building, which will be visited often by friends and family, after a courageous young man whose life and service deserve this honor.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/-cantwell-cosponsored-legislation-to-improve-response-to-missing-murdered-native-women-and-girls-passes-senate,"Cantwell-Cosponsored Legislation to Improve Response to Missing, Murdered Native Women and Girls Passes Senate",2018-12-07,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.07.18 Cantwell-Cosponsored Legislation to Improve Response to Missing, Murdered Native Women and Girls Passes Senate According to new report, Seattle leads country in total number of murdered Native women, Tacoma highest number of missing individuals WASHINGTON, D.C. This week, the U.S. Senate passed legislation co-sponsored by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) to help federal, state, and Tribal law enforcement agencies better respond to disappearances and murders of Indigenous women and girls. The unanimous passage of Savanna's Act, authored by U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), comes only weeks after the Seattle Indian Health Board (SIHB) released a new report that found 506 cases of missing and murdered Native women and girls nationwide. Of the 71 urban areas throughout the United States included in the study, Seattle had the highest total number of missing and murdered individuals, as well as the highest total number of murdered individuals. Tacoma was found to have the highest total number of missing individuals. We can no longer sweep these statistics under the rug, Cantwell said. This problem is more than real it's horrifying. And it must be answered. In an effort to better respond to reports of disappearances or murders of Native women and girls, Savanna's Act would increase coordination efforts across federal departments, Tribes, and states. It would also standardize protocols for responding to reports of missing or murdered Native Americans, improve Tribal access to certain federal crime databases, and require annual reports to Congress on ways to improve the collection of data on these crimes. The legislation is named after Savanna LaFontaine-Greywind, a 22-year-old member of the Spirit Lake Tribe who disappeared on August 19, 2017, while eight months pregnant. Eight days later, her body was found in the Red River north of Fargo, North Dakota. Police determined her death to be caused by homicidal violence. Native American women and girls have faced devastating levels of violence in the United States. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, nearly half of all Native American women have been raped, beaten, or stalked by an intimate partner; one in three will be raped in their lifetime; and on some reservations, women are murdered at a rate 10 times higher than the national average. Addressing the epidemic of violence against Native women has long been a priority for Senator Cantwell. In 2013, as Congress considered the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, she spoke out about the importance of addressing violence against Native women and successfully fought to prevent efforts to remove language from the bill aimed at enhancing domestic violence protections for women in Tribal communities. At the release of the SIHB report last month, Cantwell called on her colleagues in Congress to take swift action to pass Savanna's Act. We need to get this legislation on the President's desk before the end of the year, Cantwell said. Every community needs these tools. Now that the legislation has passed the Senate, it moves on to the House of Representatives for consideration. Video from Senator Cantwell's remarks at the release of the SIHB report is available HERE, and audio is available HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=EEBA71E0-5E48-4705-BEE5-57B00AC8D6A8,"TROOPS AT SOUTHERN U.S. BORDER: Senator Murray and Colleagues Slam Trump Administrations Decision to Extend Deployment Through January, Urge Secretary Mattis to Reverse Course Immediately",2018-12-07,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senators: Trump administration's lack of transparency on troop deployment should worry all those who are invested in the readiness of our military, its professional use, and the need to keep a bright-line distinction between military and law enforcement ICYMI: Senators Urge Defense Secretary Mattis to End Deployment, Send U.S. Troops Home for Thanksgiving Holiday MORE HERE Washington, D.C. Led by U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), today a group of senators sent a letter to Department of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, urging the Department to reconsider its decision to extend the deployment of active duty servicemembers currently stationed at the U.S. southern border. Joined by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Edward Markey (D-MA), and Robert Menendez (D-NJ), the letter follows Senators Murray and Schatz's previous request to Secretary Mattis to end the deployment of U.S. troops at the border and allow them to return to their home base for the holidays, as the Trump administration has thus far failed to establish that asylum seekers traveling to the southern U.S. border pose a threat to national security. In their letter, the senators raised several questions and concerns regarding the deployment that the White House still has not answered, and urged the Secretaryabsent justification and substantial transparencyto deny any extension of orders for troops on the southern U.S. border. Many of us have previously detailed our concern with this deployment and use of active duty forces. The administration's rationale for deploying troops was to evoke fear and xenophobia and does not serve a genuine national security purpose. Continuing to rely on active duty troops militarizes the border and normalizes the deployment of active duty forces domestically a dangerous precedent for any democracy, wrote the senators in the letter. Read the full letter below, or click HERE for the PDF. December 7, 2018 The Honorable James Mattis Secretary of Defense 1000 Defense Pentagon Washington, DC 20301-1000 Dear Secretary Mattis: We are writing to express deep concern over the extended deployment of active duty military to the U.S. southern border, and strongly urge you to reconsider your approval to extend the orders. On November 30, the Department of Homeland Security sent a request to extend the deployment of 4,000 of the currently 5,900 deployed active duty troops for an additional 45 days through January 31, 2019. On December 4, the Defense Department confirmed it would support the request. As a country, we call on our troops frequently to sacrifice in defense of our freedoms, which they do willingly and selflessly. As you know better than most, the decision to deploy the military comes with the responsibility to be judicious and ethical when we make those requests. In this case the White House's decision does not live up to that obligation and seems designed to stoke fear about those seeking asylum in our country. Many of us have previously detailed our concern with this deployment and use of active duty forces. The administration's rationale for deploying troops was to evoke fear and xenophobia and does not serve a genuine national security purpose. Continuing to rely on active duty troops militarizes the border and normalizes the deployment of active duty forces domestically a dangerous precedent for any democracy. We would like to raise three specific aspects of the deployment that should worry all those who are invested in the readiness of our military, its professional use, and the need to keep a bright-line distinction between military and law enforcement. First, we have seen no justification for the extension of the orders. The Trump administration has presented no evidence to suggest asylum seekers pose a national security threat to the nation. In fact, the Department's own assessment does not show a high risk of violence. There are other steps that can be taken to support U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agent processing of asylum seekers in an orderly and lawful way that does not involve active duty servicemembers. The Department has yet to detail a desired end-state and specify what conditions will allow these troops to return home. The majority of the points asked to be hardened have been completed; there has not been a request to leave concertina wire in place, suggesting that these obstacles were never operationally necessary; and the troops still lack authorities to perform the duties most needed by CBP, which is expedited processing at the border. We are also concerned that a plan for rotating forces, while an improvement for the families and individuals who will not have to remain at the border more than 45 days, would allow for the deployments to continue indefinitely by neutralizing concerns over individual deployment lengths. We request a clear end-state that can be met and will ensure servicemembers return home. Second, we remain concerned with the expansion of rules of use of force. On November 21, 2018, White House Chief of Staff John Kelly signed a cabinet order allowing the Department of Defense to expand its rules for use of force beyond what, reportedly, you or Department of Homeland Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen thought was necessary or appropriate. The fact that the rules were expanded at the insistence of political figures in the White House, rather than based on the professional military judgment of Department leaders, is inappropriate and unacceptable. Without a basis in the tactical situation and coming dangerously close to violating the Posse Comitatus Act, authorizing use of lethal force to protect CBP agents, crowd control, temporary detention and cursory search, this expansion will inevitably force soldiers and Marines into compromised situations. As with the extension, there has been no justification supported by evidence or intelligence for why these authorities have been expanded. Media reports suggest these authorities were part of the initial DHS request for assistance in October and were rejected by your office then. We are deeply concerned that a legitimate or substantiated rationale has not been provided for the expansion, especially in conjunction with the extension of the deployment. We request a detailed justification for the expansion of rules of use of force. Finally, we still have not received an adequate answer to justify the use of active duty forces. There are currently approximately 2,100 National Guard troops serving on the border in California, Arizona, and Texas with 4,000 authorized. There has been no justification provided by either the Departments of Defense or Homeland Security as to why active duty troops were deployed. Further, if hardening points along the border is an immediate concern worthy of active duty support, it is unclear why the National Guard units already there have not been asked to support these tasks when they possess the capacity to do so. The lack of justification for the use of Title 10 instead of Title 32 remains concerning and suggests, again, this deployment is less about the mission than it is about the optics of crisis the presence of active duty forces creates. Our concern remains that this politically motivated mission is inappropriate and must be ended. It has the potential to normalize and create ambiguity surrounding the deployment of active duty forces domestically, something we believe should be refused in all but the most necessary situations of existential threat; it will blur the line between military and law enforcement duties; and it risks breaking the trust of those soldiers and Marines whose professionalism is being manipulated for domestic political purposes inevitably putting them in situations where any decision is legally or morally fraught. Absent justification and substantial transparency, the extension of orders must be rescinded. We appreciate your prompt attention to our letter and look forward to your response not later than December 20, 2018. Sincerely,",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mcmorris.house.gov/mcmorris-rodgers-announces-14-million-grant-for-geiger-boulevard-project-5-7-million-for-rural-rail-rehabilitation-project/,"McMorris Rodgers Announces $14 Million Grant for Geiger Boulevard Project, $5.7 Million for Rural Rail Rehabilitation Project",2018-12-06,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,WA,Cathy McMorris Rodgers,M001159,mcmorris.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 6, 2018) Today, following a call with Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao, Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) announced the approval of $20 million in new federal infrastructure grants for two projects in Eastern Washington, including $14.3 million for the Geiger Boulevard Project in Spokane County and $5.7 million for the Rural Rail Rehabilitation Project in Whitman, Lincoln, and Spokane Counties. By investing in Eastern Washington infrastructure, this Republican administration is again demonstrating their commitment to creating jobs and rebuilding our nation's roads, bridges, and railways,said Cathy.These projects are important to our communities, which is why I worked directly with the Department of Transportation to see them approved and fully funded. The Administration's continued investment in infrastructure promises to stimulate economic investment, improve quality of life, and create safe, reliable transportation in our communities,said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao. I am very grateful for the work that our federal delegation has done and especially Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers to secure the award of the BUILD grant for the West Plains PDA,said Al French, Spokane County Commissioner. This funding will make more sites shovel ready to support and attract more businesses and more jobs to Spokane. This BUILD grant award reflects the strategic importance of this freight rail system to Washington state's agricultural community and is a recognition of the collaborative partnership between our Congresswoman, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, WSDOT, PCC shippers and other stakeholders,stated Paul Katovich, CEO, of HighLine Grain Growers, Inc. We are very pleased that we can now begin to repair portions of these turn-of-the-century rail lines and preserve our rural economies here in Eastern Washington. NOTE:This round of grants marks more than $85 million in infrastructure funding Cathy has helped secure for Eastern Washington in the last two years, including$9 million in funding for Spokane Valley's Barker Road Projectand more than$57 million in grant funding for Eastern Washington airports. CLICK HEREto read Cathy's letter of support for the Geiger Boulevard Project. CLICK HEREto read Cathy's letter of support for the Rural Rail Rehabilitation Project. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mcmorris.house.gov/mcmorris-rodgers-bill-to-support-small-business-passes-senate-heads-to-presidents-desk-to-become-law/,"McMorris Rodgers Bill to Support Small Business Passes Senate, Heads to President’s Desk to Become Law",2018-12-06,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,WA,Cathy McMorris Rodgers,M001159,mcmorris.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 6, 2018) Today, Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers's (WA-05) Spurring Business in Communities Act (H.R. 4111) passed the United States Senate and will now head to the president's desk to become law. This legislation passed the House by a voice vote on May 8, 2018, and will help encourage small business development in Eastern Washington. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, providing two out of every three new jobs in America and serving as afoundation for our communities, said Cathy. Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs) serve an important function in providing capital and support to these job creators, however, there are currently none here in Washington state. My bipartisan bill, which now heads to the president's desk to become law, will make it easier for them to form here in Eastern Washington and invest in our community and local small businesses. This will be Cathy's 7th bill to be signed into law in the last year. In May, when this legislation passed the House, Cathy gave remarks on the House floor about the importance of bringing SBIC's to Eastern Washington. In case you missed it, you can watch her remarks here: NOTE: A 2017 Library of Congress study found that SBIC-backed small businesses created 3 million new jobs and supported an additional 6.5 million. According to the Small Business Administration's most recent report, SBICs reported more than $800 million in financing during the fourth quarter of 2017, and created more than 16,000 jobs. Over the same period, SBICs were able to finance 210 companies across the U.S., including 25 businesses in Low- and Moderate-Income areas, and 12 businesses owned by women, minorities, or veterans. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/-cantwell-bipartisan-group-of-senators-call-on-secretary-perry-to-stop-unnecessary-delays-over-weatherization-assistance-program-funding,"Cantwell, Bipartisan Group of Senators Call on Secretary Perry to Stop Unnecessary Delays over Weatherization Assistance Program Funding",2018-12-06,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.06.18 Cantwell, Bipartisan Group of Senators Call on Secretary Perry to Stop Unnecessary Delays over Weatherization Assistance Program Funding WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined a bipartisan group of colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry, calling on him to stop unnecessarily delaying energy assistance to states from the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), which helps low-income households reduce their energy bills to free up limited financial resources for other essentials, such as food and medicine. By delaying the funding, the administration will make it more difficult to get started with weatherization work during the prime weather window for construction, effectively forcing low-income families to spend more of their hard-earned dollars on energy bills. The letter comes after the Department of Energy (DOE) missed an important deadline to deliver information concerning state allocations to WAP grantees. We have long supported this key energy efficiency program and urge the Department to uphold Congress' direction to adhere to a timely process for distribution of both funds and guidance, the senators wrote. We urge DOE to release the FY 2019 WAP guidance and state allocations no later than December 7, 2018, in order to avoid unnecessary delays in services to low-income families and seniors who rely on the energy savings from this program. In their letter, the senators highlighted the $6 million increase in funding for WAP provided by Congress through the annual appropriations bill that was signed into law earlier this fall, which directed the DOE to distribute the funds in a timely manner. The funding bill included provisions directing DOE to distribute grant awards to grantees no later than 60 days after funds are appropriated by Congress, in an effort to prevent undue delays in distributing awards to state and local partners that implement energy initiatives. For more than 40 years, the WAP has enabled families, seniors, veterans and individuals with disabilities to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Since 2010, WAP has provided $33.8 million to Washington state to help thousands of low-income households save money by improving their energy efficiency. Over the past six years, almost 19,000 Washington homes have benefitted from weatherization services, helping to save these families up to 30 percent on their yearly energy costs. In addition to Cantwell, today's letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Susan Collins (R-ME), Jack Reed (D-RI), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Chris Coons (D-DE). The full letter can be found HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-murray-colleagues-urge-department-of-justice-to-investigate-decision-making-process-for-epstein-case,"Cantwell, Murray, Colleagues Urge Department of Justice to Investigate Decision-Making Process for Epstein Case",2018-12-06,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.06.18 Cantwell, Murray, Colleagues Urge Department of Justice to Investigate Decision-Making Process for Epstein Case According to a new Miami Herald investigation, Jeffrey Epstein was given the deal of a lifetime in 2007 when he and then-U.S. Attorney Alexander Acosta entered a non-prosecution agreement. WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Patty Murray (D-WA), along with 14 of their Senate colleagues, sent a letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General requesting an investigation into the DOJ's decision-making process when then-U.S. Attorney Alexander Acosta entered into a non-prosecution agreement with accused serial sexual abuser Jeffrey Epstein. Questions about Acosta's involvement in the Epstein case were raised during his nomination process for Secretary of Labor; the call for investigations from the DOJ Inspector General comes after new information was brought to light in reporting on the case by the Miami Herald. We are deeply concerned by Mr. Epstein's horrific, serial abuse of children and new revelations about the process by which he was given, to quote the Herald, the deal of a lifetime,' the Senators wrote. It is essential that an independent investigatory office conduct an investigation to determine whether DOJ policies and procedures were followed in this matter. In addition to the request for an independent investigation, the Senators also voiced concern that the plea bargain Acosta struck with Epsteinwhich was kept secret from the victimsviolated the Crime Victims' Rights Act, which provides victims with important protections, including the right to be informed of any plea agreement. Epstein was accused of coercing underage girls into sex acts in his home in Florida and of trafficking dozens of young girls, often from overseas. The non-prosecution agreement required Epstein to only serve 13 months in county prison, where he was allowed to leave each day to go to work, and essentially shut down an ongoing FBI investigation into whether there were more victims or more people involved in Epstein's crimes. In addition to Senators Cantwell and Murray, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Ed Markey (D-MA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Dick Durbin (D-IL). The full text of the letter can be found HERE and below. December 6, 2018 The Honorable Michael E. Horowitz Inspector General U.S. Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20530-0001 Dear Inspector General Horowitz: We write to request that your office conduct an investigation regarding the decision-making process by which the Department of Justice (DOJ) proposed, deliberated upon, and entered into a plea agreement with Jeffrey Epstein. As you are aware, considerable public attention is being paid to this matter in the wake of recent investigative journalism centered on the propriety and legality of the agreement, brokered on behalf of DOJ by then-United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida R. Alexander Acosta, who currently serves as Secretary of the Department of Labor. In an article published on November 28, 2018, the Miami Herald revealed new details about the interconnected relationships between the prosecution and defense and explored many of the horrifying details of the alleged actions of Mr. Epstein, including child sex trafficking.[1] We are deeply concerned by Mr. Epstein's horrific, serial abuse of children and new revelations about the process by which he was given, to quote the Herald, the deal of a lifetime. It is essential that an independent investigatory office conduct an investigation to determine whether DOJ policies and procedures were followed in this matter. We understand that similar requests have been made of your office by other Members of Congress with respect to this matter and that the subject matter is substantively and procedurally complex. While it is important that federal prosecutors are provided flexibility to strike plea bargains that serve the interests of justice and make our nation both safer and more fair, such negotiations and agreements must comport with federal law and DOJ policy, including ethical guidelines, and must be struck on terms that are beyond reproach. The federal Crime Victims' Rights Act provides numerous protections for victims of crime, including the right to be informed in a timely manner of any plea bargain or deferred prosecution agreement.[2] We are concerned about whether this agreement is in compliance with the law, based on reported interviews with a number of Mr. Epstein's victims who deny being informed, as well as court filings by DOJ seeking to justify the Department's secrecy by claiming Mr. Epstein's concession that his victims were in fact victims is of sufficient importance to warrant giving him special treatment. Our justice system is predicated on the fundamental value that no individual is above the law, and to that end, it is essential that plea agreements involving well-connected individuals not only follow the law and standard practice, but also stand up under scrutiny. While the legality of the non-prosecution agreement and the horrifying treatment of Mr. Epstein's victims are both matters subject to ongoing litigation, the judicial process must not be a substitute for oversight by Congress and the Executive Branch. We ask that you examine the circumstances and substance of this agreement to ensure compliance with all applicable DOJ rules and regulations and that you provide answers to the following questions: The plea agreement grants immunity to any potential co-conspirators who were also involved in Mr. Epstein's crimes. Is it consistent with the practice and policy of the Department of Justice to enter into plea agreements that provide a blanket immunity to unnamed, potentially-nonexistent unindicted co-conspirators?Does the United States Attorney of jurisdiction retain sole authority to approve such provisions or is approval required from the Attorney General of the United States or any other senior DOJ official?In this case, was Mr. Acosta the individual ultimately tasked with approving the terms of the agreement, including the immunity provisions? At the time of the agreement, was it consistent with federal law and DOJ policy for the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida to fail to notify the victims of Mr. Epstein's crimes?Would such practice be consistent with current federal law and DOJ policy? It is also reported that Mr. Epstein was permitted to serve his extremely limited jail sentence not in state or federal prison, but rather in county jail, where he was permitted work release privileges that were not made available to other sex offenders. Did the non-prosecution agreement include stipulations as to the terms of Mr. Epstein's physical confinement in Palm Beach County jail, including that he would be afforded work release or other perquisites not available to other individuals incarcerated for similar crimes? Thank you for your time, consideration, and attention to this important matter. We look forward to a prompt response. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-opposes-ferc-nominee-bernard-mcnamee-on-the-senate-floor,Cantwell Opposes FERC Nominee Bernard McNamee On The Senate Floor,2018-12-06,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.06.18 Cantwell Opposes FERC Nominee Bernard McNamee On The Senate Floor Washington, D.C. Today, Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) took to the Senate floor to voice opposition to the Trump administration's nominee for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Bernard McNamee. It's important that the Commission remain independent and impartial because it is a quasi-judicial roleThey need to be impartial making decisions about important energy projects that get built around the United States, said Senator Cantwell. I believe that this nominee, Mr. McNamee, does not meet the standard. I believe that he is too ideologically motivated to continue on what needs to be a fact-based decision-making model on outcomes that affect people's energy rates, said Senator Cantwell. The Commission has to police and regulate energy markets without regard to fuel source, market power or having a political lens. ""Their job is not to pick winners and losers in the market. Their job is to determine whether there will be just and reasonable rates for the individual consumers in those markets,"" said Cantwell. ""It's their job to make sure that there aren't excessive prices and that there is true competition in the market, not to favor a high-cost fuel source like coal and try to protect it from other fuel sources that might be more economical for consumers."" Trying to prop up uneconomical coal plants for the sake of the reliability of the grid is a fake rationale that the administration tried to use, and it would have impacted the free market and consumers, said Senator Cantwell. Mr. McNamee's words reveal a very strong bias in favor of fossil fuels against renewable energy, said Senator Cantwell. One of the most striking is when he said, the green energy movement is always talking about more government control because it's the constant battle between liberty and tyranny.' And then to say that his son should, just deny climate science' even if it hurts the boy's grades. These are not the words or sentiments of someone who is going to play that role of an arbiter for federal energy regulatory policy. Senator Cantwell's floor speech can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-cantwell-murray-applaud-major-federal-investment-in-geiger-boulevard-infrastructure-project,"Senators Cantwell, Murray Applaud Major Federal Investment in Geiger Boulevard Infrastructure Project",2018-12-06,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.06.18 Senators Cantwell, Murray Applaud Major Federal Investment in Geiger Boulevard Infrastructure Project Championed by Senators Cantwell and Murray, $14.3 million federal award will support critical improvements to Spokane's Geiger Boulevard WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, and Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced a significant federal award to make vital infrastructure improvements to Spokane's Geiger Boulevard. The $14.3 million competitive grant was awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation's BUILD programformerly known as TIGERand will support several key upgrades to the area that will improve freight and vehicle travel times, increase safety, and spur continued economic development in the greater Spokane region. Overhauling the transportation infrastructure at Geiger Boulevard paves the way to bring nearly 3,000 new jobs and over 600 new housing units in Spokane County. When complete, this project will help businesses throughout the region grow, boost the economy, and create new jobs,said Senator Cantwell. This is a major win for the greater Spokane region. As local infrastructure needs evolve with Spokane's steady growth, federal investments in projects like Geiger Boulevard will upgrade our roads and prepare our communities for the future. I'm proud to see our work in Congress pay off for Spokane-area residents and business, said Senator Murray. In addition, today Senators Cantwell and Murray also announced an additional multi-million dollar BUILD grant that will support key improvements to the Palouse River and Coulee City (PCC) Rail System. More information on the federal award is available HERE. BACKGROUND: Adjacent to I-90 and the Spokane International Airport, the Geiger Boulevard area includes more than 400 acres of available land primed for continued industrial, commercial, and residential development to support the region's economic development. The Geiger Boulevard Infrastructure Improvements project would upgrade Geiger Boulevard to a three-lane asphalt road, put signals in at the Hayford Road intersection, improve two high-traffic interchanges at Medical Lake Road and Grove Road, install water and sewer utilities to prepare the area's open land for development, and add bicycle and pedestrian pathways to make it easier for commuters to access regional transit, including the new West Plains Transit Center. Additionally, the new development could support more than 3,200 new jobs and over 1,300 new residents. Senators Cantwell and Murray both previously wrote letters to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao in support of the improvement project. The TIGER program was created in 2009 as a unique, cost-effective program to help state and local agencies tackle complex transportation challenges in their communities, while putting people to work and boosting regional economies. Since then, the program has awarded $5.6 billion to help facilitate 463 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 $248 million to support 17 projects, including: the Barker Road grade separation in Spokane Valley, the 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. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/significant-federal-investment-in-critical-eastern-washington-rail-system,"Senators Cantwell, Murray Announce Significant Federal Investment in Critical Eastern Washington Rail System",2018-12-06,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.06.18 Senators Cantwell, Murray Announce Significant Federal Investment in Critical Eastern Washington Rail System Championed by Senators Cantwell and Murray, new federal award will support improvements to PCC Rail System, WA's longest short-line freight rail system WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, and Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced a major new federal investment in the Palouse River and Coulee City (PCC) Rail System. Awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation'sBUILDprogram (formerly known as TIGER), the grant, totaling more than $5.6 million, was awarded to the Washington State Department of Transportation's (WSDOT) Rural Rail Rehabilitation project, and will support critical improvements to key sections of the 298-mile rail systemincluding replacing or rehabilitating 10 bridges, replacing 4.6 miles of rail, and rehabilitating 20.8 miles of track. The repairs and upgrades funded by this grant will help Washington's farmers get their world renowned products to global markets quickly and efficiently,said Senator Cantwell. This major investment will help ensure Eastern Washington's agricultural community has access to efficient and reliable transportation to our state's ports and other markets, allowing them to remain competitive while also supporting local jobs and enhancing economic development in our rural communities,said Senator Murray.This is great news for Eastern Washington, and I will continue working in Congress to champion this investment program and make sure vital projects like improving the PCC rail system remain a top priority in the other Washington. Agriculture is a vital economic driver in eastern Washington and a viable rail system to transport their products allows growers to remain competitive in the global marketplace. This federal investment supports the collaborative spirit we've developed that brings together farmers, shippers, communities, and the state to upgrade the state-owned short-line railroad and advance economic vitality in the region,said WSDOT Secretary Roger Millar. Senators Cantwell and Murray also announced today an additional multi-million dollar BUILD grant that will support a range of infrastructure improvements to Spokane's Geiger Boulevard. More information on the federal award is availableHERE. BACKGROUND: Serving Grant, Lincoln, Spokane, Adams, and Whitman counties, the Palouse River and Coulee City (PCC) Rail System is the longest short-line freight rail system in Washington State.Senators Cantwell and Murray both previouslywrotelettersto U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao in support of the improvement project. The TIGER program was created in 2009 as a unique, cost-effective program to help state and local agencies tackle complex transportation challenges in their communities, while putting people to work and boosting regional economies. Since then, the program has awarded $5.6 billion to help facilitate 463 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 $248 million to support 17 projects, including: the Barker Road grade separation in Spokane Valley, 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.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=2D3CE0B1-7102-401E-8054-2EB8B536CF6A,"SPOKANE: Senators Murray, Cantwell Applaud Major Federal Investment in Geiger Boulevard Infrastructure Project",2018-12-06,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Championed by Senators Murray and Cantwell, $14.3 million federal award will support critical improvements to Spokane's Geiger Boulevard New Geiger Boulevard development could support more than 3,200 new jobs and over 1,300 new residents Grant awarded through Department of Transportation's BUILD programformerly known as TIGER, and created by Senator Murray in 2009 WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, announced a significant federal award to make vital infrastructure improvements to Spokane's Geiger Boulevard. The $14.3 million competitive grant was awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation's BUILD programformerly known as TIGERand will support several key upgrades to the area that will improve freight and vehicle travel times, increase safety, and spur continued economic development in the greater Spokane region. This is a major win for the greater Spokane region. As local infrastructure needs evolve with Spokane's steady growth, federal investments in projects like Geiger Boulevard will upgrade our roads and prepare our communities for the future. I'm proud to see our work in Congress pay off for Spokane-area residents and business, said Senator Murray. Overhauling the transportation infrastructure at Geiger Boulevard paves the way to bring nearly 3,000 new jobs and over 600 new housing units in Spokane County. When complete, this project will help businesses throughout the region grow, boost the economy, and create new jobs, said Senator Cantwell. In addition, today Senators Murray and Cantwell also announced an additional multi-million dollar BUILD grant that will support key improvements to the Palouse River and Coulee City (PCC) Rail System. More information on the federal award is available HERE. BACKGROUND: Adjacent to I-90 and the Spokane International Airport, the Geiger Boulevard area includes more than 400 acres of available land primed for continued industrial, commercial, and residential development to support the region's economic development. The Geiger Boulevard Infrastructure Improvements project would upgrade Geiger Boulevard to a three-lane asphalt road, put signals in at the Hayford Road intersection, improve two high-traffic interchanges at Medical Lake Road and Grove Road, install water and sewer utilities to prepare the area's open land for development, and add bicycle and pedestrian pathways to make it easier for commuters to access regional transit, including the new West Plains Transit Center. Additionally, the new development could support more than 3,200 new jobs and over 1,300 new residents. Senators Murray and Cantwell both previously wrote letters to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao in support of the improvement project. Senator Murray created the TIGER program in 2009 as a unique, cost-effective program to help state and local agencies tackle complex transportation challenges in their communities, while putting people to work and boosting regional economies. Since then, the program has awarded $5.6 billion to help facilitate 463 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 $248 million to support 17 projects, including: the Barker Road grade separation in Spokane Valley, the 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.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=D39DE28D-E03E-4A94-8D2B-207C4A9550EA,"TRANSPORTATION: Senators Murray, Cantwell Announce Significant Federal Investment in Critical Eastern Washington Rail System",2018-12-06,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Championed by Senators Murray and Cantwell, new federal award will support improvements to PCC Rail System, WA's longest short-line freight rail system Serving 5 Eastern Washington counties, rail system upgrades would improve reliability, reduce maintenance, and increase safety Grant awarded through Department of Transportation's BUILD programformerly known as TIGER, created by Senator Murray in 2009 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, today announced a major new federal investment in the Palouse River and Coulee City (PCC) Rail System. Awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation's BUILD program (formerly known as TIGER), the grant, totaling more than $5.6 million, was awarded to the Washington State Department of Transportation's (WSDOT) Rural Rail Rehabilitation project, and will support critical improvements to key sections of the 298-mile rail systemincluding replacing or rehabilitating 10 bridges, replacing 4.6 miles of rail, and rehabilitating 20.8 miles of track. This major investment will help ensure Eastern Washington's agricultural community has access to efficient and reliable transportation to our state's ports and other markets, allowing them to remain competitive while also supporting local jobs and enhancing economic development in our rural communities, said Senator Murray. This is great news for Eastern Washington, and I will continue working in Congress to champion this investment program and make sure vital projects like improving the PCC rail system remain a top priority in the other Washington. The repairs and upgrades funded by this grant will help Washington's farmers get their world renowned products to global markets quickly and efficiently, said Senator Cantwell. Agriculture is a vital economic driver in eastern Washington and a viable rail system to transport their products allows growers to remain competitive in the global marketplace. This federal investment supports the collaborative spirit we've developed that brings together farmers, shippers, communities, and the state to upgrade the state-owned short-line railroad and advance economic vitality in the region, said WSDOT Secretary Roger Millar. Senators Murray and Cantwell also announced today an additional multi-million dollar BUILD grant that will support a range of infrastructure improvements to Spokane's Geiger Boulevard. More information on the federal award is available HERE. BACKGROUND: Serving Grant, Lincoln, Spokane, Adams, and Whitman counties, the Palouse River and Coulee City (PCC) Rail System is the longest short-line freight rail system in Washington State. Senators Murray and Cantwell both previously wrote letters to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao in support of the improvement project. Senator Murray created the TIGER program in 2009 as a unique, cost-effective program to help state and local agencies tackle complex transportation challenges in their communities, while putting people to work and boosting regional economies. Since then, the program has awarded $5.6 billion to help facilitate 463 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 $248 million to support 17 projects, including: the Barker Road grade separation in Spokane Valley, 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.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://larsen.house.gov/press-release/larsen-fix-dakota-creek-industries-signed-law,Larsen Fix for Dakota Creek Industries Signed into Law,2018-12-05,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Rick Larsen,L000560,larsen.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) today applauded the signing of the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018, which will save hundreds of jobs at Dakota Creek Industries (DCI) in Anacortes. Yesterday, I had the chance to meet with the hard-working women and men of Dakota Creek Industries to celebrate the passage of the Coast Guard Authorization Act and to recognize the importance of shipbuilding to Washington state's economy, said Larsen. The employees at Dakota Creek support an industry that creates good jobs, strengthens national defense, fosters innovation and contributes to the maritime economy in Washington state and Alaska. I am proud to stand with the women and men of Dakota Creek to finally secure a Jones Act solution. Larsen has been a strong advocate for Dakota Creek Industries. The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018 includes a Jones Act waiver for the 264-foot America's Finest vessel, subject to Coast Guard review, which will provide higher performance and increased safety for the crew. The Jones Act places requirements on the amount of foreign-made steel allowed in construction of fishing vessels in an effort to promote U.S.-built and flagged vessels. Larsen has successfully included the waiver for DCI twice in related House-passed legislation. I appreciate the coordination with Senator Cantwell, Senator Sullivan and Rep. Don Young as we have worked non-stop to find avenues to save hundreds of jobs on the line, said Larsen. The U.S. Coast Guard will now undertake a 30-day review of whether the shipyard or purchaser knew components used in the manufacturing of the vessel violated Jones Act requirements. This has been a very difficult and stressful two years for Dakota Creek, and the signing of this bill is a huge relief for all our employees. We now can get back to work serving our valued customers with the support of our many suppliers throughout the region. We wish to express our sincere gratitude to Senator Maria Cantwell, Senator Dan Sullivan and Congressman Don Young for their work in getting this important legislation passed and we would especially like to thank Congressman Rick Larsen and his staff for their tremendous efforts in seeing this through from beginning to end, said Dakota Creek Industries owner Mike Nelson. Last week, Larsen spoke on the House Floor in support of the legislation. Larsen is the only member of the Washington state delegation serving on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=E6AF07D0-7A37-4C3C-806F-539CB0795067,Senator Murray Statement on the Funeral of President George H.W. Bush,2018-12-05,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,,,legacy,"(Washington, D.C.) Today, after attending the state funeral for former U.S. President George Herbert Walker Bush, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement: From his courageous sacrifice as a Navy pilot during World War II, to his landmark advocacy for people with disabilities, to his dedication to giving back through his Points of Light Foundation, President Bush lived his life as a testament to the enduring values of public service and putting your country before yourself. As people in Washington state and around the globe mourn the passing of our nation's former leaderone of the last of our greatest generation'I too send my thoughts and condolences to the Bush family and urge all of us to aspire to the dignity, civility, and service that President Bush modeled throughout his long, remarkable life.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://adamsmith.house.gov/press-releases?ID=8DB7C3D0-DF5E-4F51-A053-F3FCED7AB04C,Smith Statement on Trump INF Treaty Decision,2018-12-04,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Adam Smith,S000510,adamsmith.house.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://jayapal.house.gov/media/press-releases/jayapal-announces-gautam-raghavan-chief-staff,Jayapal Announces Gautam Raghavan As Chief of Staff,2018-12-03,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Pramila Jayapal,J000298,jayapal.house.gov,,,legacy,"Seattle, WA- Today, Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) announced Gautam Raghavan as her new Chief of Staff. Raghavan currently serves as Executive Director of the Indian American Impact Project & Fund and as an advisor to the Biden Foundation. He previously served as Vice President of Policy for the Gill Foundation, the nation's oldest funder of LGBTQ Civil Rights Advocacy. From 2011 to 2014, Raghavan served as President Barack Obama's liaison to the LGBTQ community as well as the Asian American & Pacific Islander community, and from 2009 to 2011, as Acting White House Liaison for the U.S. Department of Defense and as Outreach Lead for the Pentagon's Don't Ask, Don't Tell Working Group. A first-generation immigrant, Raghavan was born in India, raised in the Seattle area, and graduated from Stanford University. Since joining Congress, Representative Jayapal quickly established herself as a bold, unapologetic, national voice for progressive values. With so much at stake, I can think of no better place to fight for a more just, fair, and prosperous future than at her side, said Raghavan. I'm honored to have the opportunity to support her leadership and work with her highly capable and passionate team. My goals in the 116th Congress will continue to be stand for a bold, progressive agenda that ensures opportunity. The progressive movement has never been stronger, and I look forward to translating that into real wins for working people, women, immigrants, those living in poverty and the most marginalized, said Rep. Jayapal. I'm thrilled to have Gautam, a fellow Seattleite, joining our exceptional team. I know his experience and leadership will continue guiding our office as we fight for real progressive change in Washington and across our country in hopes of creating a fairer and more just country. I also want to thank Carmen Gallus Frias for her tremendous service as my Chief in my first term. She has been a true asset for me and the people of the 7th District.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-congratulates-kennewick-high-school-student-winners,Newhouse Congratulates Kennewick High School Student Winners of Congressional App-Design Challenge,2018-12-03,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) announced the winners of the Fourth Congressional District's 2018 App Challenge, an app competition for K-12 students. Two Kennewick High School 11th graders, Nikhil Devanathan and Aiden Arends, both 16 years-old, have been named the competition winners. Their winning app, named Wallet Wise, teaches players how to manage a balanced personal budget to encourage prudent fiscal decision making. You can see a preview of the winning app by clicking here. Congratulations to Nikhil Devanathan and Aiden Arends, whose winning app creates realistic scenarios to encourage users to maintain a budget over a 12-month period, said Rep. Newhouse. I am impressed by the technical know-how, creativity, and persistence demonstrated by everyone who submitted apps to this year's competition. Our high school students are the innovators of tomorrow, and Central Washington can be proud to cultivate the success of these hard-working young people. The winning app was selected by a panel of local judges and will receive a prize tour of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The winners will also share $250 in Amazon Web Services credits donated by Amazon for the challenge. The winning app will be featured on a video display in the U.S. Capitol building, as well as House.gov and the Congressional App Challenge website. The second place app, Invasion Defenders, was designed by Maxwell Fischer (Southridge High School/Tri-Tech Skills Center, Kennewick), Roger Hays (Southridge High School/Tri-Tech Skills center, Kennewick), and Elijah Saba (Homeschool/Columbia Basin College, Pasco). The app is a strategy game that requires players to use a tactical approach in a battle scenario when the defending side is at a disadvantage. The third place app, Civilization Defense Unlimited was designed by Jeremiah Templeton (Kamiakin High School/Tri-Tech Skills Center, Kennewick)), Nathan Weis (Mid-Columbia Partnership/Tri-Tech Skills Center, Kennewick), and Aaron Wiens (Mid-Columbia Partnership/Tri-Tech Skills Center, Kennewick). The app is a game targeted to mobile users in which players defend their town using walls and towers while developing their civilization. Background: The Congressional App Challenge (CAC) was created because Congress recognized that Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education skills are essential for economic growth and innovation, and that the U.S. has been falling behind on these fronts. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, STEM occupations are projected to grow by 17% between 2008 and 2018, compared to 9.8% growth for non-STEM occupations. According to some estimates, the U.S. may be short as many as 3 million high-skilled workers by 2018. To maintain American competitiveness, it is crucial that the U.S. industry invest in our youth now and help them acquire necessary STEM-based skills. The CAC highlights and encourages students to pursue those skills. Last year's Fourth District App Challenge winners, Three Kennewick high school students of Tri-Tech Skills Center named Seth Florman, Damon Fuller, and Kyler Zimmerman, won the Challenge for the app they designed called Powerhouse. You can see a preview of the 2017 app by clicking here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/weekly-columns-and-op-eds/column-remembering-our-41st-president,"COLUMN"" Remembering Our 41st President",2018-12-03,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,,,legacy,"The passing of President George Herbert Walker Bush on last Friday evening calls us to reflect on the actions and character of this outstanding public servant. Born with wealth and a powerful family name, Bush chose to dedicate himself to service greater than himself. He once said, ""The American Dream means giving it your all, trying your hardest, accomplishing something. And then I'd add to that, giving something back. No definition of a successful life can do anything but include serving others."" Bush was spurred to sign up for military service by the Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, and he joined the U.S. Navy the following year as soon as he turned 18. During World War II he flew Navy torpedo bombers, and his plane was shot down during a mission. Rescued from sea, he would receive a Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism under fire. Bush was the last president to have served in that conflict. Bush served our nation in a multitude of roles and always faithfully. He won elected office in Congress, then served as U.S. envoy to China and ambassador to the United Nations. He was appointed to lead the Central Intelligence Agency as Director under President Gerald Ford. President Ronald Reagan tapped him for Vice President after a bruising presidential primary. Elected president in 1988, President Bush led the U.S. in a world that seems unrecognizable from that of today. History will show that he was a steady hand during global challenges and crises, from the reunification of Germany to the impending dissolution of the Soviet Union. His diplomatic skills enabled him to lead a global coalition to oust Saddam Hussein's invading armies from Kuwait. Bush started a post-presidency initiative to encourage volunteerism, believing that fellow citizens can serve as a thousand points of light to help our communities. He had no doubt that the future of the United States of America was a bright one: ""I do not mistrust the future; I do not fear what is ahead. For our problems are large, but our heart is larger."" George H. W. Bush was a true statesman and a faithful public servant to the American people. In the words of historian and biographer Jon Meacham, this is a man whose innate grace was something that no one need exaggerate to commemorate.He managedto combine a spirit of service to give back with a great spirit of adventure. Godspeed to President Bush on his final adventure: his eternal reward and to be with his beloved wife Barbara.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://dennyheck.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/bankshot-the-one-banking-bill-congress-might-actually-pass-next-term,Bankshot: The one banking bill Congress might actually pass next term,2018-12-02,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Denny Heck,H001064,dennyheck.house.gov,,,legacy,"Conventional wisdom says that it's going to be a tall order to pass banking legislation next term, but there just might be a key exception. One measure to watch will be a legislative fix for banks with customers in the legal marijuana business. While success is certainly not guaranteed, a narrow safe harbor for financial institutions in states where cannabis is now permitted is beginning to draw wide support from industry officials as well as from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. As chatter picks up, such a provision could find its way to passage in what may be an otherwise deadlocked term. As long as this issue is framed as a targeted and technical fix intended to clarify states' rights, I think it has a path to passage in the next Congress, said Isaac Boltansky, a policy analyst at Compass Point Research & Trading, who puts the odds of seeing a targeted safe harbor approved at around 75%. Of course, there will still be hurdles. With Congress divided next term, Republicans and Democrats will need to come to an agreement on what exactly a pot banking fix might entail and how comprehensive a potential carve-out should be. Should legislation, for example, address the steep compliance costs banks face in this market due to requirements that they file suspicious activity reports for state-licensed businesses? It's hard to think of an issue that ought to be an easier, bipartisan slam dunk than cannabis banking, but there are a couple of significant obstacles, said Aaron Klein, a fellow at the Brookings Institution. Klein noted, for example, that if the political debate turns from addressing specific business concerns to a broader fight over the legality of pot at the federal level, that's likely to make a targeted fix significantly more difficult. It's also unclear whether the vocal minority of mostly Republican lawmakers who strongly oppose marijuana legalization will block more targeted efforts from passage. Lawmakers on the banking committees in both chambers will also be busy with impending deadlines including the reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank and the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act and likely more work on the federal flood insurance program that could take time away from debating pot banking and other industry initiatives. Yet these bigger measures, along with other major legislative packages focused on government spending and the debt ceiling, could also prove to be a vehicle for more targeted items, such as a pot banking fix, that can be tacked on as policy riders. Interest in the topic is beginning to tick up as more states legalize marijuana in some form. Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., who is expected to take over as chairman of the Financial Services Committee next year, told The Wall Street Journal last week thatpolitical discussionson this issue are inevitable. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and Comptroller of the Currency Joseph Otting have also raised concerns about the problems facing financial institutions in recent months. The resignation of Attorney General Jeff Sessions whopreviously revokedObama-era guidance that offered some protections to businesses operating legally in the marijuana industry may also bode well for continued discussions. I'd certainly put it in the issues-to-watch category, said James Ballentine, executive vice president of congressional relations and political affairs at the American Bankers Association. We're hopeful the topic will get a fair discussion, because it's simply not going to go away. At the same time, there's already been some groundwork laid in recent months. Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Cory Gardner, R-Colo., introduced a bill this summer which wasthen endorsedby President Trump that would authorize states to write and enforce their own laws with regard to marijuana, codifying the Obama-era guidelines that Sessions reversed. Legislation by Reps. Ed Perlmutter, D-Colo., and Denny Heck, D-Wash., would block federal regulators from issuing enforcement actions against financial institutions banking marijuana businesses in states where it is legal. Companion legislation has also been introduced in the Senate. That plan has also beenbackedby the Independent Community Bankers of America. There's a real opportunity next term to move legislation offering a pot safe harbor for banks, Perlmutterrecently toldPolitico. With Republicans controlling the Senate and Democrats in charge of the House next term, observers aren't expecting a lot of big, comprehensive banking packages like the regulatory relief bill signed into law earlier this year. But that doesn't mean legislation can't happen if the industry keeps its eyes on narrow fixes. Bankshot is American Banker's column for real-time analysis of today's news.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://mcmorris.house.gov/mcmorris-rodgers-mourns-the-passing-of-president-george-h-w-bush/,McMorris Rodgers Mourns the Passing of President George H. W. Bush,2018-12-01,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,WA,Cathy McMorris Rodgers,M001159,mcmorris.house.gov,,,legacy,"I will keep America moving forward, always forward, for a better America, for an endless enduring dream and a thousand Points of Light. This is my mission, and I will complete it. -President George H. W. Bush WASHINGTON, D.C. Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) released the following statement mourning the passing of former President George H. W. Bush. A few months after saying a tearful goodbye to a beloved First Lady, our nation mourns again for President George H. W. Bush. After a decade of Cold War, President Bush was the face of a new era, a stronger era, with America at the helm. We were tasked with being an example to the world that true prosperity can't be bought with wars or suppression it comes from freedom and the opportunity to pursue. Passionate, yet graceful, he fought always for a better America, for an endless enduring dream, and a thousand points of light.' This is a mindset that President Bush carried with him throughout his presidency. In a grand Rose Garden ceremony 28 years ago, he signed into law the landmark legislation, the Americans with Disabilities Act. This historic bill gave more than 50 million Americans with disabilities, just like my son Cole, the chance to live the American Dream and be defined only by their potential not their limitations. I will forever be grateful for his leadership. President Bush had a storied career of service to our country, even when it meant putting personal ambitions on hold. He loved America, but more importantly, he loved his family. The hole in our hearts left by President Bush and his wife Barbara's passing is filled with the joy of knowing they now walk with our Creator. May God bless the Bush family. # # #",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-statement-passing-president-george-h-w-bush,Newhouse Statement on Passing of President George H. W. Bush,2018-12-01,2018,2018-12,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON D.C. Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement after the passing of President George H. W. Bush: President George Herbert Walker Bush served this nation in a multitude of roles and always faithfully. From his military service during World War II, his service in Congress, his ambassadorship, his time leading the Central Intelligence Agency as Director, his service as Vice President, and finally his Presidency, he dutifully faced many of the 20th Century challenges of our country. He leaves a legacy of public service. As Americans, we are grateful for the leadership his life demonstrated and that he is now reunited with his beloved Barbara.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-statement-on-the-passing-of-president-george-hw-bush,Cantwell Statement on the Passing of President George H.W. Bush,2018-12-01,2018,2018-12,Democrat,House,WA,Maria Cantwell,C000127,www.cantwell.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.01.18 Cantwell Statement on the Passing of President George H.W. Bush Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) released the following statement on the passing of President George Herbert Walker Bush: From his service in World War II to his work navigating the end of the Cold War, President George H.W. Bush dedicated more than 70 years of his life to our country and to trying to make the world a better place. Countless Americans have been inspired by his leadership, grace, and kindness. My thoughts are with the entire Bush family. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://jayapal.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressional-progressive-caucus-leaders-call-no-border-wall-funding-humane,"Congressional Progressive Caucus Leaders Call for No Border Wall Funding, Humane Immigration System in Government Funding",2018-11-30,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,WA,Pramila Jayapal,J000298,jayapal.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC Today, U.S. Representatives Mark Pocan (WI-02) and Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, released the following statement regarding ongoing discussions about Congress' December 7th deadline to fund the government. Congress cannot continue to stand by while President Trump relentlessly attacks immigrant communities. As negotiations continue over the FY19 DHS spending bill, we urge House and Senate Democratic leadership to hold strong in providing zero funding for Trump's ill-conceived border wall, reducing funding for detention beds, and curbing inhumane border and interior enforcement. Members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus have been unwavering in our call for a fair immigration process that upholds the dignity of all individuals. We will continue to oppose policies and funding levels that move us away from this goal and perpetuate harm against immigrant families.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://newhouse.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/newhouse-ties-knot-ms-joan-galvin,Newhouse Ties Knot with Ms. Joan Galvin,2018-11-30,2018,2018-11,Republican,House,WA,Dan Newhouse,N000189,newhouse.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON D.C. Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) released the following statement after exchanging vows of marriage with Ms. Joan Galvin. Rep. Newhouse and Ms. Galvin were married today after the conclusion of House votes. The couple was accompanied by a small group of family and friends as witnesses. The ceremony was held in the Congressional Prayer Room in the U.S. Capitol and officiated by the Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives, Reverend Patrick J. Conroy, S.J. I am overjoyed and truly blessed to be starting this new chapter of my life with Joan, said Rep. Newhouse. We are so grateful for the support and love of our friends, family, and everyone celebrating with us in spirit. Click here for photos. In October, Rep. Newhouse and Joan Galvin publicly announced their engagement. Click here to read the story in the Tri-City Herald and here to read the story in the Yakima Herald Republic.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://reichert.house.gov/press-release/reichert-brady-statements-signing-usmca,"Reichert, Brady Statements on Signing of the USMCA",2018-11-30,2018,2018-11,Republican,House,WA,Dave Reichert,R000578,reichert.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DCToday, House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Chairman Dave Reichert (R-WA) and Committee Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) released the following statements after the United States, Mexico, and Canada formally signed the new US-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Trade Subcommittee Chairman Reichert stated: Throughout my time in Congress I have been proud to champion trade agreements that help American businesses, workers, and farmers sell their goods and services around the world. With today's signing of an updated agreement with our North American partners, I urge the Administration to continue to work with my colleagues to ensure the agreement meets the standards laid out by Congress and is ultimately successful. A modernized agreement that increases opportunities to sell more goods and services and provides certainty for American businesses is key to the over 248,000 jobs in my home state that depend on trade with Canada and Mexico. I thank Ambassador Lighthizer and his team for their work on this agreement. Chairman Brady added: A trilateral agreement to update and modernize NAFTA for the 21st century can be a big win for America's workers, farmers, and ranchers. With today's signing by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, we are carefully analyzing this text in the open and transparent process that Congress created under our new trade rules. There is no doubt that President Trump has delivered on his promise to obtain many provisions that will increase our ability to sell more American goods and services. But as I've said throughout the negotiations, for USMCA to gain widespread support, it must increase certainty as to the durability of the agreement, be fully enforceable to hold our trading partners accountable across all sectors, and increase not diminish our ability to sell into these markets. I look forward to continuing to consult with the Trump Administration as we look closely at these important questions.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=17177FD4-1C5F-4B68-9F75-9DA922401F6F,"Following Debacle at VA to Process Delayed G.I. Bill Benefits, Senator Murray Demands Answers and Urgent Action from Trump Administration to Help Veterans Seeking Relief",2018-11-30,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,WA,Patty Murray,M001111,www.murray.senate.gov,,,legacy,"In two new letters today to VA Secretary Wilkie and VA Inspector General Missal, Senator Murray demands internal investigation into VA's withholding Post 9/11 G.I. Bill benefits and clarification on VA's next steps to reimburse veterans' missed payments Hundreds of thousands of veterans receiving G.I. Bill benefits are believed to have been impacted by VA's processing delays Actions follow Senator Murray's previous request for VA to immediately address it's severe backlog of living stipend and tuition payments for veterans receiving Forever G.I. Bill benefits Senator Murray: I will not ease up until every last veteran has the correct G.I. Bill payment that they earned in their service to our country ICYMIfrom November 14th: As Veterans Seek Relief from Mounting Housing and Education Expenses, Senator Murray Calls For Increased Transparency and Action at VA to Process Delayed G.I. Bill Benefits MORE HERE WA's Kitsap Sun: Olympic College students feeling the pinch from delayed G.I. Bill benefit payments LINK (Washington, D.C.) As a follow-up to her previous demands for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to immediately process delayed G.I. Bill benefits for veterans, today U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), top Democrat on the Senate education committee and a senior member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, took new action to address the Trump administration's lack of urgency and transparency to resolve this crisis and hold officials accountable for processing veterans' delayed payments and implementing the bill according to Congress' intentions. Senator Murray's latest actions come after her efforts earlier this month urging VA to take immediate action to address the severe backlog of living stipend and tuition payments for veterans receiving Forever G.I. Bill benefits. The VA needs to fix this problem, and fast. It's absolutely unacceptable to put the burden of delayed benefits onto the backs of the very men and women who served our country, so I'm demanding information from the VA's watchdog and raising this issue again to the Secretary. I will not ease up until every last veteran has the correct G.I. Bill payment that they earned in their service to our country, said Senator Murray. In a new letter to VA Secretary Robert Wilkie, Senator Murray decried VA's failure to make accurate payments to veterans receiving G.I. Bill benefits, and called on the agency to articulate a credible plan to correct the Department's failures implementing the policy. In the letter Senator Murray also highlighted VA's obligation to ensure payments are consistent with the law's statuary deadlines, and reiterated her request for VA to provide information immediately regarding VA's progress toward processing all delayed payments. Senator Murray also sent a letter to VA Inspector General Michael J. Missal requesting additional information and an internal investigation of VA's implementation of the law and allegations that the Department will withhold retroactive payments for missed or underpaid benefits. It is believed hundreds of thousands of veterans receiving G.I. Bill benefits have been impacted by VA's processing delays; in a November 13 letter to Secretary Wilkie, Senator Murray requested that VA provide Congress periodic updates on its efforts to resolve this problem, which to date VA has failed to provide. Read Senator Murray's letter to VA Secretary Wilkie HERE. Read Senator Murray's letter to VA Inspector General Missal HERE.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://adamsmith.house.gov/press-releases?ID=2FA992EE-DB80-4900-BD4E-DDD6F29FA65F,"Smith, Murray, Cantwell and Jayapal Call for Answers and Transparency in Death of Asylum Seeker at Northwest Detention Center",2018-11-29,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,WA,Adam Smith,S000510,adamsmith.house.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://adamsmith.house.gov/press-releases?ID=62DC8EC0-7AE7-4ADA-A772-CBCA849150F6,"Smith, Cantwell, Murray and Jayapal Request Inspector General Investigations into Conditions at the NWDC",2018-11-29,2018,2018-11,Democrat,House,WA,Adam Smith,S000510,adamsmith.house.gov,,,legacy,,0,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://herrerabeutler.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399363,"Jaime Introduces Legislation to Enact Sensible Clean Water Protection, Protect Responsible Landowners",2018-11-29,2018,2018-11,Republican,House,WA,Jaime Herrera Beutler,H001056,herrerabeutler.house.gov,,,legacy,"Jaime Introduces Legislation to Enact Sensible Clean Water Protection, Protect Responsible Landowners Bill replaces controversial Waters of the U.S. rule with common sense definition of navigable waters"" f t # e Washington, D.C., November 29, 2018 Today, U.S. Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler introduced a bill to repeal the controversial Waters of the United States (WOTUS) Rule and clarify that the Clean Water Act remains in effect as it has been interpreted for more than four decades. share: f t Today, U.S. Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler introduced a bill to repeal the controversial Waters of the United States (WOTUS) Rule and clarify that the Clean Water Act remains in effect as it has been interpreted for more than four decades. The current WOTUS rule expands the definition of navigable waters under the Clean Water Act to include water that is not navigable under any previous interpretation or common sense definition, including seasonal wet spots, puddles and small man-made ditches. WOTUS would require private landowners with such puddles and ditches on their property to obtain costly Clean Water Act permits when improving their land, costing thousands of dollars and years of wait time. Jaime's bill would clarify that navigable waters includes territorial seas, interstate waters that are navigable-in-fact, tributaries to the interstate, navigable-in-fact waters, and wetlands that have a continuous surface water connection to interstate, navigable-in-fact waters or their tributaries. The legislation also blocks the federal government's ability to grant itself the unprecedented authority to regulate seasonal wet areas, ponds, puddles and ditches as navigable waters, whether on public or private property. The bill, titled Regulatory Certainty for Navigable Waters Act, would also require the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to act upon request within 60 days to determine whether water on a private property is a covered wetland under the Clean Water Act, relieving property owners from waiting lengthy periods of time for a costly review. It is time for Congress to provide permanent relief for Southwest Washington farmers and landowners who would be so detrimentally impacted by this devastating rule that would cost time, money and jobs, Jaime said. It is unthinkable that D.C. bureaucrats and courts would allow the federal government to regulate every pond and ditch on private property overturning four decades of effective Clean Water Act protection of our lands. My bill is necessary to defend Southwest Washington residents from this egregious government power grab. Background: The Obama Administration's Waters of the United States rule that was finalized in 2015 changed four decades of Clean Water Act policy and expanded the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers' authority to regulate every ditch, man-made pond, and seasonally-wet area on public and private property as navigable waters. The power given to these agencies allows them to require a Clean Water Act permit for navigable waters. A Supreme Court case from 2006 cited: A Clean Water Act permit costs $270,000 on average to obtain Permits take an average of 788 days to obtain Penalties for violation of the Clean Water Act can be up to $37,500 per day",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z