In The News
OPINION: 4,800 ways to improve government
As the 118th Congress begins, Americans may be wondering what, if anything, the legislative branch will accomplish in 2023. For a dose of optimism, they should look to the recently enacted National Defense Authorization Act, which included a bipartisan measure providing a blueprint for good government reforms in the 118th Congress. The Improving Government for America's Taxpayers Act requires the comptroller general to provide an annual report to Congress with a streamlined list of open … Continue Reading
December 30, 2022
Federal spending package includes $1 million for Bay Street project
The city has secured a portion of the $1.7 trillion federal spending package that will be used to fortify downtown Port Orchard in years to come. President Biden is expected to sign the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023 by year's end that will fund the remainder of the fiscal year through Sept. 30 in order to avoid a government shutdown. Included in the package is $1 million in funding for the design phase of the Highway 166/Bay Street reconstruction project, which is intended to address … Continue Reading
December 30, 2022
Editorials: Puget Sound wins big in federal budget, defense bills
If you want to see how power is exerted in Washington, D.C., look no further than recent federal investments in Puget Sound. The state's congressional delegation successfully made restoring Puget Sound a national concern and added tens of millions of dollars for habitat and stormwater programs - seen as vital to saving salmon and other species. First, U.S. Reps. Derek Kilmer and Marilyn Strickland - co-chairs of the Puget Sound Recovery Caucus - attached the "PUGET SOS Act" to a larger … Continue Reading
December 29, 2022
Federal funding secured for Suquamish affordable housing project
U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer recently voted to pass the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which includes over $1.5 million in federal funding for the Suquamish Shores Enetai Project. The almost $1.62 million project will help create affordable housing townhomes on the Suquamish Tribe's Native American Reservation. The Enetai Project, which is receiving Community Project Funding, calls for construction of the new housing complex, a Kilmer news release states. Approximately 20 affordable townhomes … Continue Reading
December 28, 2022
Federal funding supports community projects in Grays Harbor
U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) voted to pass the Consolidated Appropriations Act, government funding legislation that includes new federal funding for local priorities in Grays Harbor County. Specifically, the government funding package includes: $4.943 million for the Aberdeen-Hoquiam Flood Protection Project $1,080,764 for the Early Childhood and Family Support in Grays Harbor County Project $750,000 for the Westport Marina Modernization Project With regard to the … Continue Reading
December 27, 2022
Clallam County gets millions in funding
The $1.7 trillion omnibus spending bill expected to be signed into law by President Joe Biden before Friday includes millions for projects specifically in Clallam County. Nearly $3 million will go to the Joint Emergency Services and Public Safety Facility planned by Clallam County and the City of Port Angeles. Allocated for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe is $1.92 million for facilities and equipment and for the Makah Tribe $4.8 million for facilities and equipment as well as $2 million for the … Continue Reading
December 27, 2022
Jefferson County gets millions in funding
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The $1.7 trillion omnibus spending bill expected to be signed into law by President Joe Biden before Friday includes millions for projects specifically in Jefferson County. Some $3 million is allocated for the Port Hadlock Sewer Project; $2.5 million each for the City of Port Townsend's Sewer Pump Station Project and Jefferson Healthcare's Cancer Treatment Project; and nearly $1.9 million for a tsunami evacuation center for the Hoh Tribe. The bill passed Congress on … Continue Reading
December 27, 2022
Flooding, fallen trees cause problems on Kitsap roads. Port Orchard plans to raise part of Bay Street by 2025
Several coastal areas in Kitsap County flooded Tuesday and several roads are closed because of flooding and strong winds that blew down trees. The flooding hit hard in South Kitsap, where motorists drove in the water on Bay Street on Tuesday morning. The City of Port Orchard closed part of Bay Street between Kitsap Street and Bay Street and the roundabout at Bethel Avenue and Mile Hill Drive Tuesday morning and reopen the streets around noon after the tides receded, according to Port Orchard … Continue Reading
December 21, 2022
Federal grants aim to improve fish passage in region
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has given groups on the North Olympic Peninsula $18.7 million to remove barriers and replace culverts to improve fish passage and infrastructure in the region. NOAA is funding 10 projects across the state and 36 projects across the nation, totaling $38.9 million in grants for fish barrier removal. The primary Peninsula beneficiaries of the funding - which was championed by U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Mountlake Terrace, and U.S. Rep. Derek … Continue Reading
December 12, 2022
Editorials: Pass the Honoring Promises to Native Nations Act
For more than a century, the United States government has failed to make good on its debt to Native nations. In exchange for the surrender and reduction of tribal lands and removal of Native Americans, the United States has signed 375 treaties and passed laws that were to govern the future existence of Native Americans. Those treaties, including the Treaty of Point Elliott in 1855, involved housing, education, health care and economic development, among other promises. For nearly 200 years, … Continue Reading
December 10, 2022
Kilmer visits port, Ediz Hook where federal grant dollars are working
U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer visted Friday the site of a project local officials say will help bolster the local log yard's efficiency and help the local timber industry. With the help of two federal grants, the Port of Port Angeles plans to pave and improve its log yard which the project's supports say will help support the local timber industry. The facility in Port Angeles is the only industrial facility with a waterfront on the Olympic Peninsula that can process whole logs coming from Canada … Continue Reading
December 08, 2022
Dept. of Ag invests $6.3M to purchase Ocean Shores hotel
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack Wednesday announced the Department is investing $981 million to help create new and better market opportunities and expand essential services for rural people, businesses and entrepreneurs in 47 states, Guam and the Virgin Islands. Included in the press release was the investment includes $6.3 million "to fund the acquisition of an existing hotel. Marathon Enterprises Inc. is located in Ocean Shores, Grays Harbor County, Washington. … Continue Reading
December 06, 2022
Representatives Kilmer, Warren Introduce Historic Legislation to Address Barriers to Sovereignty
On Tuesday, Dec. 6, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) introduced a bill that acknowledges "the chronic failures" of the federal government to fulfill its trust and treaty agreements with tribes and to "ensure progress towards trust and treaty obligations." The bill-named the "Honoring Promises to Native Nations Act"- addresses "chronic underfunding" and barriers to sovereignty faced by Indian Country due to the federal government's failures. … Continue Reading
December 05, 2022
Elizabeth Warren Unveils Sweeping Plan To Address 'Broken Promises' To Tribes
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) on Monday unveiled a sweeping, first-of-its-kind bill aimed at addressing the U.S. government's broken promises to Native American tribes, providing a legislative framework to Congress for living up to its legal and financial responsibilities laid out in centuries of treaties. The bill, called the Honoring Promises to Native Nations Act, has been in the works for years and written with extensive input from tribal leaders and citizens. It's a direct response … Continue Reading
December 01, 2022
$25M from feds will boost Quinault Indian Nation’s climate relocation; here’s how
The courthouse, community center, store, post office and dozens of homes in Quinault's lower village of Taholah were flooded within minutes when the ocean breached the seawall two winters ago. But it wasn't the first time. At the confluence of the Quinault River and Pacific Ocean, the village had already begun to experience the effects of sea level rise and intense storm surges that caused flooding and landslides in early 2014 and again in 2015. The Quinault Indian Nation is just one of many … Continue Reading
November 22, 2022
Return of the Evidence-Based Policymaking Commission?
A bipartisan group of House members has offered legislation to create the next version of the Commission on Evidence-based Policymaking. The first iteration of the commission created in 2016 produced strong results that led to passage of legislation in 2019 that greatly boosted the profile of data-related work in the Federal government. The latest push takes the form of a resolution offered by Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Wash., and co-sponsored by Reps. William Timmons, R-S.C., Dean Phillips, … Continue Reading
November 21, 2022
House Modernization Leaders Have High Hopes for Tech Proposals, Even as Committee Disbands
Efforts to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of Congress-particularly through the adoption of technology-based solutions-will have a meaningful impact on the legislative process moving forward, according to the bipartisan leaders of the House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress. The select committee, which was initially created in January 2019 to recommend solutions for improving congressional operations and services, held its final business meeting on Thursday and is … Continue Reading
November 18, 2022
As Pelosi backs away, a new generation of Democrats steps forward
One day after Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) announced she would step back from leading the House Democratic caucus, a changing of the guard began, led by a crop of Democrats tasked with charting a new path for the party as it reaches a generational inflection point. Seasoned and newer Democratic lawmakers eagerly embraced the prospect of a fresh start that could usher in a new era for the Democratic Party, as new leaders Friday announced their intention to fill the vacancies left by … Continue Reading
November 17, 2022
Congressman Kilmer discusses local issues with Milgard Windows and Doors team
TACOMA, WA --News Direct-- Milgard Windows and Doors Congressman Derek Kilmer listened to team members at Milgard Windows and Doors, a MITER Brands™ company, and discussed local challenges and opportunities at a recent visit. Congressman Kilmer reached out to Milgard in hopes of learning more about the issues they faced as a business that resided in his district. "I wanted to learn about their ongoing priorities and concerns about doing business in the area," Kilmer said about his … Continue Reading
November 15, 2022
Tribes receive grant funding
North Olympic Peninsula tribes are getting an injection of cash for climate resilience projects thanks to a program from the U.S. Department of the Interior. The funding is part of a $45 million program from DOI to support adaptation planning, climate implementation actions, ocean and coastal management planning, capacity building, relocation, managed retreat and protect-in-place planning for climate risks. DOI said it would award 124 grants across 76 tribes and eight tribal organizations a … Continue Reading