Press Releases
Kilmer Legislation to Spur Economic Development for Puyallup Tribe Heads to President Biden’s Desk
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06); U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (WA) and Patty Murray (WA); and U.S. Representative Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) celebrated the House passage of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians Land Into Trust Act. The bill now heads to President Biden’s desk for signature. The Puyallup Tribe of Indians Land Into Trust Act places more than 17 acres of land currently owned by the Puyallup Tribe into trust, restoring part of the Tribe’s ancestral … Continue Reading
April 09, 2024
Kilmer Announces Major Infrastructure Investment to Reconnect Wapato Creek with Puget Sound
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) announced that the Northwest Seaport Alliance will receive $24.5 million in federal funding from the Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Fiscal Year 2022 and 2023 Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Discretionary Grant Program to replace the failing Wapato Creek Culvert, which currently presents a significant barrier to aquatic … Continue Reading
April 04, 2024
Kilmer Introduces Legislation to Empower Tribal Nations in the Face of Climate Challenges
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Mike Simpson (ID-02), and Marie Gluesenkamp-Perez (WA-03) introduced the Tribal Environmental Risk and Resilience Act (TERRA Act) to streamline the process for Tribal Nations to respond to environmental threats, including extreme weather events, natural disasters, and other climate-induced challenges. “Tribal communities are on the frontline of the climate crisis, facing threats that jeopardize their safety, cultural heritage, and … Continue Reading
April 02, 2024
Kilmer Announces New Federal Funding for the Makah Indian Tribe to Support Ocean Mapping Efforts
PORT ANGELES, WA - Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) announced that the Makah Indian Tribe will receive $288,482 in federal funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to support its ocean data mapping capabilities. This funding is made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and will build on prior ocean data and mapping support work by the Tribe, while also focusing on priorities identified by the Tribe and the West Coast Ocean Alliance, … Continue Reading
March 22, 2024
Kilmer Introduces Legislation to End Blood Quantum Discrimination Against Native Americans in Border Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Russ Fulcher (ID-01) introduced the Tribal Border Crossing Parity Act to redouble America’s efforts to end a half-century-old U.S. immigration policy which requires Native Americans to carry proof of their blood quantum, documents showing that they are at least 50 percent Native American, when exercising their treaty-protected right to freely cross between the U.S. and Canada. “Requiring Native Americans to prove their blood … Continue Reading
March 22, 2024
Kilmer Introduces Legislation to Spur Growth in Ocean-Based Energy, Create Jobs on Olympic Peninsula
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Dan Newhouse (WA-04) introduced the Blue Ocean Energy Innovation Act, bipartisan legislation to redouble America’s efforts to reassert the U.S. as the global leader in the research and development of ocean-based technologies, also known as blue energy technologies. “Washington has led the national charge to develop blue energy - utilizing marine energy resources right here in our region that can help provide clean power to … Continue Reading
March 22, 2024
Kilmer Secures $2 Million to Connect Seniors to Health Care in Jefferson County
PORT TOWNSEND, WA - U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced $2 million in new federal funding for Jefferson Healthcare’s Expanding Healthcare for Rural Seniors project. The funding was passed with bipartisan support in the House and is expected to be passed by the Senate and signed into law by President Biden. Jefferson Healthcare will use the funding to support the construction and opening of a new clinic offering specialty care in … Continue Reading
March 15, 2024
Kilmer Announces Nearly $14 Million in Climate Resilience Funding for Local Tribes
TACOMA, WA - Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) announced the allocation of $13.74 million in support of climate preparedness and resilience efforts for Tribal nations within Washington’s Sixth Congressional District. The funding, made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, is distributed through the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Branch of Tribal Climate Resilience. The allocated funding is as follows: $4,000,000 for the Hoh Indian … Continue Reading
March 15, 2024
Kilmer Introduces Legislation to Reduce Polarization and Support Community Bridgebuilding
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Andy Barr (KY-06) introduced the Building Civic Bridges Act (BCBA), bipartisan legislation to support communities in addressing sources of division by aiding local civic and community organizations. These efforts aim to confront contentious issues and, ultimately, bridge divides. A January 2022 NBC News poll revealed that 70% of Americans believe the country’s deep divisions prevent it from addressing major issues, a significant … Continue Reading
March 14, 2024
Kilmer Announces $1.3 Million to Improve Safety and Enhance Mobility Across I-5 in Tacoma
TACOMA, WA - Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) announced that the City of Tacoma will receive $1.3 million in new federal funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) and Neighborhood Access and Equity discretionary grant programs for increased safety and mobility options along Interstate 5 (I-5) in Tacoma. “Infrastructure should be about connecting people to everyday destinations - not separating them from their community. In Tacoma, … Continue Reading
March 12, 2024
Kilmer Secures Millions in New Federal Funding for Tacoma
TACOMA, WA - Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced that he secured more than $4.9 million in new federal funding to support community projects in Pierce County. The funding was passed with bipartisan support in the House and the Senate and signed into law by President Biden. The funding includes: $959,757 for the Tacoma Housing Authority’s James Center North (Aviva Crossing) Stormwater Infrastructure and Sustainability … Continue Reading
March 12, 2024
Kilmer Secures $800,000 for the Boat Haven Main Breakwater Replacement
PORT TOWNSEND, WA - Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced $800,000 in new federal funding for the Boat Haven Main Breakwater Replacement Project at the Port of Port Townsend. The funding was passed with bipartisan support in the House and the Senate and signed into law by President Biden. At the Port of Port Townsend’s Boat Haven Marina, a section of the breakwater was constructed in the 1930s using a sand-filled wood coffer … Continue Reading
March 12, 2024
Kilmer Secures Millions in New Federal Funding for Clallam County
CLALLAM COUNTY, WA - Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced $2.6 million in new federal funding to support community projects in Clallam County. The funding was passed with bipartisan support in the House and the Senate and signed into law by President Biden. The funding includes: $1 million for the Port of Port Angeles’s Waterfront Center project $800,000 for the Makah Indian Tribe’s Duplex Housing for Essential Workers … Continue Reading
March 12, 2024
Kilmer Secures New Federal Funding for Grays Harbor County
GRAYS HARBOR COUNTY, WA - Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced that he secured more than $1.78 million in new federal funding to support community projects in Grays Harbor County. The funding was passed with bipartisan support in the House and the Senate and signed into law by President Biden. The funding includes: $500,000 for the City of Hoquiam’s West Fork Dam Removal and Drinking Water Supply Project $1,288,000 for … Continue Reading
March 12, 2024
Kilmer Secures Millions in New Federal Funding for Mason County
MASON COUNTY, WA - Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced that he secured more than $2.7 million in new federal funding to support community projects in Mason County. The funding was passed with bipartisan support in the House and the Senate and signed into law by President Biden. The funding includes: $850,000 for the Squaxin Island Tribe’s State Route 108 Highway Safety Project $959,757 million for the Port of Shelton’s … Continue Reading
March 12, 2024
Kilmer Secures Millions in New Federal Funding for Kitsap County
KITSAP COUNTY, WA - Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced that he secured more than $4.6 million in new federal funding to support community projects in Kitsap County. The funding was passed with bipartisan support in the House and the Senate and signed into law by President Biden. The funding includes: $4,116,279 for the Washington State Department of Transportation’s SR 3 Gorst Area Resiliency Project $500,000 for … Continue Reading
March 11, 2024
Kilmer Announces Multi-Million Dollar Tribal Electrification Effort for Quinault Indian Nation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) announced that the Quinault Indian Nation will receive $3.65 million in new federal funding through the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Tribal Electrification Program. This grant will fund the installation of solar power generation and electricity infrastructure upgrades and retrofits to eventually deliver clean energy to nearly 500 new and existing homes in the Tribe’s main village of Taholah on … Continue Reading
March 07, 2024
Kilmer Reacts to President Biden’s State of the Union Address
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) reacted to President Biden’s State of the Union address: Tonight, President Biden laid out a clear vision for our nation’s future, emphasizing the need for urgent action to tackle the challenges facing the United States. There has been a lot of progress that’s been made, including a new law to allow Medicare to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices for seniors, investments to spur American manufacturing and lower prices, a … Continue Reading
March 07, 2024
Kilmer Introduces Constitutional Amendment to Ensure Congressional Continuity, Reduce Incentive for Political Violence
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Brad Wenstrup (OH-02) William Timmons (SC-04), and Emanuel Cleaver II (MO-05) proposed a Constitutional Amendment (Continuity Amendment) to temporarily fill House vacancies, ensuring congressional continuity and reducing the incentive for political violence. In recent years, experts from across the political spectrum - including a nonpartisan commission on the continuity of Congress - have raised concerns regarding the current … Continue Reading
March 04, 2024
Kilmer Introduces Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Bolster Skills Training for American Workers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15), and Brad Schneider (IL-10) introduced the bipartisan Skills Investment Act to help workers access skills training. The Skills Investment Act would expand Coverdell Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) - tax-advantaged savings accounts for educational expenses - so American workers can use the accounts to pay for skills training, apprenticeships, and professional development. U.S. … Continue Reading