Press Releases
Kilmer Calls on Defense Department to Include Greater Public Input in Military Project Planning
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) called on the Defense Department to incorporate greater public input into military project planning. In a letter to John Conger, Assistant Secretary of Defense, Kilmer pressed for the implementation of a new policy that would allow for extensions on public comment periods. Recently, residents of the Olympic Peninsula have voiced concerns about the Navy’s public outreach on an electronic warfare range proposal. Kilmer highlighted tha… Continue Reading
02.10.15
Kilmer Invites Students to Participate in Congressional Art Competition
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representative Derek Kilmer invites high school students from Washington’s 6th Congressional District to participate in the 2015 Congressional Art Competition. This nationwide competition, sponsored by the U.S. House of Representatives, is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the 6th Congressional District, as well as in the nation. The competition is open to all high school students residing in the 6th Congressional District of Washington. The s… Continue Reading
01.29.15
Kilmer Welcomes Federal Assistance for Small Business Owners and Families in Grays Harbor County
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) welcomed the announcement that the Small Business Administration (SBA) will provide assistance to businesses and residents in Grays Harbor County. The SBA approved Governor Jay Inslee’s request for a physical disaster declaration for the area. Earlier this week, Kilmer sent a letter to the SBA urging the approval, citing the severe flooding and mudslides that damaged local businesses and neighborhoods. “The severe storms in Grays … Continue Reading
01.23.15
Kilmer Reintroduces Bills to Address Health and Discrimination Issues Facing Veterans
WASHINGTON, DC - Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) reintroduced bills to address issues facing the nation’s veterans. One proposal would prohibit discrimination against veterans and servicemembers seeking jobs or housing. The other would attempt to end systemic management issues within the Veterans Health Administration. The bills reintroduced yesterday are part of Kilmer’s efforts this week to highlight the challenges and opportunities facing veterans. Kilmer invited a Tacoma veteran, Step… Continue Reading
01.21.15
Kilmer Statement on State of the Union
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) released the following statement after attending President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address. “Tonight, the President detailed why America wins when a growing economy expands opportunities for everyone. Overall, we are creating new jobs and our unemployment rate is falling. Now we can do more to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to enter the middle-class, and that families still feeling squeezed find ways to get ahead. T… Continue Reading
01.21.15
Kilmer Attends State of the Union with Tacoma Veteran
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) attended the State of the Union with Steve Buchanan, a Tacoma veteran. Buchanan developed a startup, ChooseVets, while participating in the University of Washington-Tacoma’s Veterans Incubator for Better Entrepreneurship (VIBE). ChooseVets is an online marketplace connecting military veterans who provide services and skilled labor with customers in need of help. So far, Steve has raised $175,000 in investment capital and has signed up… Continue Reading
01.20.15
Kilmer to Hold 7th Telephone Town Hall on January 26th
In order to connect with constituents while in Washington DC, Representative Derek Kilmer will hold his seventh telephone town hall with constituents on Monday, January 26th at 6pm PT. Participants will have the opportunity to ask Representative Kilmer a question or leave a message with their questions or comments. “I hope folks are able to join my next telephone town hall,” said Representative Derek Kilmer. “I work for you, and I want to make sure that I continue to be accessible and accou… Continue Reading
01.13.15
Kilmer Selected to Fill Seat on House Appropriations Committee
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Representatives Derek Kilmer (D-WA) was tapped by his Democratic colleagues to fill a seat on the House Appropriations Committee for the 114th Congress. The Appropriations Committee is one of only four “exclusive” committees in the House - the other three being Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Financial Services. The committee is responsible for discretionary spending on government agencies and programs. Each year the committee is tasked with producing 12 ann… Continue Reading
01.12.15
To Help Kick Off Second Term, Kilmer Announces Series of Town Hall Meetings
TACOMA, WA - Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) announced a series of town hall meetings to help kick off his second term in Congress. Over the next week Kilmer will hold six forums with constituents so he can hear directly from the people he represents. Kilmer’s town halls are open to the public and all are encouraged to attend. “I’m proud to work for folks in our region,” said Kilmer. “As your representative, it’s my job to stay accessible and accountable to you so I encourage ev… Continue Reading
01.09.15
Kilmer Reintroduces Bill to Close a Discriminatory Loophole in the Copyright Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Representatives Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.), and Jared Polis (D-Colo.) reintroduced legislation to ensure all married couples have equal rights under the Copyright Act. Companion legislation was reintroduced in the Senate by Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Al Franken (D-Minn.) “The Copyright Act should treat all families equally” said Kilmer. “For more than 100 years,… Continue Reading
01.06.15
Kilmer Reintroduces Bill to Reverse Expansion of Campaign Finance Limits Included in Spending Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) reintroduced a bill to reverse the increase in the amount of money donors can contribute to political parties that was included in the must-pass, end of year spending bill signed into law by President Obama. Kilmer’s legislation, the Close the Floodgates Act, would restore provisions that capped individual donor contributions for political parties at $97,200 per year. The bill is cosponsored by Representatives David Cicilline (D-RI), Jim… Continue Reading
12.19.14
Kilmer Calls for Swift Renewal of a Program Essential to Rural Communities
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) called on Congressional leaders to reauthorize a program that provides key support to rural communities. Representatives Kilmer, Chris Stewart (R-UT), Jared Huffman (D-CA), and Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) led a letter urging the swift renewal of Secure Rural Schools (SRS) to help counties with national forests. Since national forest land cannot be taxed by counties or states, for more than 100 years the Forest Service has shared revenues from… Continue Reading
12.18.14
Kilmer, Cotton Bill to Help Americans Save More Signed into Law by President
WASHINGTON, D.C. - A bipartisan bill introduced by Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Representative Tom Cotton (AR-4) to help reverse a decline in Americans’ personal savings rates was signed into law by President Obama today. The American Savings Promotion Act allows more financial institutions to offer prize-linked savings accounts. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) introduced companion legislation in the Senate. For the 113th Congress Representatives Kilmer, Er… Continue Reading
12.16.14
Kilmer Introduces Bill to Reverse Expansion of Campaign Finance Limits Included in Spending Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) introduced a bill to reverse the tenfold increase in the amount of money donors can contribute to political parties that was included in the must-pass, end of year spending bill expected to be signed into law by President Obama. Kilmer’s legislation, the Close the Floodgates Act (H.R. 5887), would restore provisions that capped individual donor contributions for political parties at $97,200 per year. The legislation would eliminate new a… Continue Reading
12.11.14
Kilmer, Cotton Bill to Help Americans Save More Passes Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, a bipartisan bill introduced by Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Representative Tom Cotton (AR-4) to help reverse a decline in Americans’ personal savings rates passed the Senate. The legislation was approved by the House in September and now heads to the President’s desk for his signature. The American Savings Promotion Act would allow more financial institutions to offer prize-linked savings accounts. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio… Continue Reading
12.04.14
Kilmer Applauds Passage of Bill to Bring Scientific Research into the Marketplace
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, a major defense bill containing an initiative championed by Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) to support the creation of small businesses passed the House of Representatives. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (NDAA) contains funding for a pilot program within the Department of Defense (DOD) that would make it easier for businesses and entrepreneurs to utilize scientific research from the military. “Research conducted by and for the military … Continue Reading
12.04.14
Major Defense Bill Passes House with Kilmer-backed Initiatives
***VIDEO AVAILABLE*** WASHINGTON, DC - Today, a major defense bill containing measures championed by Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) cleared the House of Representatives. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 (NDAA) contains proposals from Kilmer, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, to authorize an extension of overtime payments to civilian shipyard workers and make coordination easier for cyber and information technology ranges in the Department of Defens… Continue Reading
12.04.14
Kilmer Convenes Meeting with Stakeholders to Discuss DOD Policy that Reduces Worker Compensation
Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) convened a meeting with key stakeholders to discuss a Department of Defense (DOD) policy that reduces compensation for federal employees and active-duty service members who travel for work. DOD has enacted a proposal that passes the burden of finding affordable lodging while on assignment onto the individual rather than the department or service. The policy alters the per diem allowance for long-term temporary duty (TDY) workers. The DOD routinely req… Continue Reading
12.02.14
Kilmer Provision to Help Homeless Native American Veterans Passes House
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Representative Derek Kilmer’s (WA-06) provision to help Native American veterans facing homelessness passed the House of Representatives. The Housing Native Heroes Act will give tribes across the nation increased access to the successful HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program. Kilmer’s provision was included as part of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act (NAHASDA) reauthorization that passed the House by a voice vote.… Continue Reading
11.25.14
Kilmer Statement on Puget Sound Naval Shipyard’s Announcement of 850 Job Openings
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) released the following statement after the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility announced they will hire 850 entry-level workers. “A growing workforce at our shipyard boosts a growing middle-class in our community,” said Kilmer. “This announcement is a great opportunity for folks looking to learn new skills and build a career while earning a quality wage. It’s good news for veterans and servicemembers tr… Continue Reading