In The News
Washington Tribes share these environmental concerns with Biden representative
by Natasha Brennan
Tribal leaders and the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission joined U.S. Reps. Derek Kilmer and Marilyn Strickland to discuss federal investments in Tribal communities and conservation efforts with Brenda Mallory, the chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, at the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge on Tuesday, Oct. 5. "We're very hopeful for this opportunity to work with Chair Mallory and the Biden Administration," said Willie Frank III, chairman of the Nisqual… Continue Reading
10.03.21
Infrastructure bill would let Bonneville Power Administration borrow $10 billion to modernize Northwest power grid, but critics say to props up ‘failed status quo’
by Orion Donovan-Smith
As progressive and centrist Democrats edged closer to a deal this week on a roughly $1 trillion infrastructure bill, Congress is poised to pass a bill with big implications for the Northwest, letting the cash-strapped Bonneville Power Administration borrow an extra $10 billion to shore up an agency that provides more than a quarter of the region's electricity. The provision, authored by Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., is part of the infrastructure package that passed the Senate with bipartisan su… Continue Reading
10.01.21
Kilmer, county commissioners secure grant for defense infrastructure project
U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer and the Kitsap County Board of Commissioners recently secured a $10 million federal grant for the Bangor/Keyport Forcemain Replacement project - which will help fund replacement of the sanitary sewer service force main break that supports Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor. "Upgrading our water systems and sewage infrastructure is important for the Navy, for military families, and for our region's environment," Kilmer sai, adding replacing the sewage infrastructure will greatly imp… Continue Reading
09.27.21
Wild Olympics Plan Passes House Again
Late last week, the Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act sponsored by Senator Patty Murray and Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA-06), passed once again through the House of Representatives. The passage came along with a number of other public land bills as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act. In Washington, only Democrat Pramiya Jayapal voted no on the bill overall. The National Defense Authorization Act issues appropriations for military activities and… Continue Reading
09.23.21
Kilmer visits county, hears business concerns
by Matt Baide
U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, paid a visit to Mason County last Thursday to check-in on his constituents. Kilmer, who represents Washington's sixth congressional district that includes Mason County, started the day by touring Big Creek Campground at Lake Cushman. According to a news release, he visited the area to talk to state and regional leaders. He hit the road to Hoodsport to visit Hardware Distillery and Hoodsport Winery. While at the distillery, he spoke with owners Jan and Chuc… Continue Reading
09.04.21
Kilmer talks about Afghanistan upheaval
U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, the Democrat representing the 6th Congressional District in Congress, participated in a roundtable with Kitsap Daily News reporters Aug. 20. One story ran last week. In this one the lawmaker provides his views on national and international issues. The situation in Afghanistan has been in a constant state of flux since the start of the U.S. withdrawal. A week after Kilmer's roundtable an attack by a suicide bomber resulted in 140 people being wounded and left at least 10… Continue Reading
09.01.21
Kilmer roundtable: Working to modernize Congress for the 21st century
by Bob Smith
PORT ORCHARD - U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, the Democrat representing the 6th Congressional District in Congress, sat down Aug. 20 for a roundtable discussion with reporters from the Port Orchard Independent and Kitsap Daily News on issues of local and regional importance, including his work as chairman of the House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress. The select committee's mission, he said, is to make Congress more accessible to the American people and to strengthen the institution b… Continue Reading
07.26.21
Can This 'Marriage' Be Saved? How Conservatives and Liberals Can Learn to Trust Again
Over the past few years, I've led dozens of workshops in which ordinary Americans across the ideological spectrum share their strongly held political views. It's no surprise that liberals and conservatives have deep disagreements on the core issues facing America. But they usually agree on one thing: Congress is broken. As one participant exclaimed: "Please stop fighting all the time and get things done!" - ADVERTISEMENT - As another reflected: "Neither side is going to finally vanquish the … Continue Reading
07.25.21
House Appropriations Committee Advances New Federal Funding to Support Affordable Housing & Jobs on Tacoma’s Hilltop
On July 16, the House Appropriations Committee advanced new federal funding that has been championed by U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) to support two projects that aim to provide more affordable housing and job opportunities in the Hilltop neighborhood of Tacoma. The investments aim to revitalize a historic Tacoma neighborhood and to help ensure the residential and business spaces will be attainable to community residents and BIPOC-owned businesses. The House Appropriations Committee … Continue Reading
07.24.21
Kilmer Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Spur Economic Growth & Create Jobs
On July 22, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-DE), along with Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA-03), introduced the bipartisan Rebuilding Economies and Creating Opportunities for More People Everywhere to Excel Act (RECOMPETE Act). The RECOMPETE Act would establish a new federal grant program at the Economic Development Agency (EDA) that would empower persistently distressed communities to develop, implement, and carry out 10-year economic developmen… Continue Reading
07.23.21
Herrera Beutler Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Create Federal Grant Program for Distressed Communities
Southwest Washington's U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, along with Washington Democrat Derek Kilmer, of Gig Harbor, introduced the "RECOMPETE Act" this week, which would establish a new federal grant program aimed at economically distressed communities. The Act, fully known as the "Rebuilding Economies and Creating Opportunities for More People Everywhere to Excel Act," would funnel money into infrastructure, rural broadband, brownfield redevelopment, workforce development, small business assis… Continue Reading
07.22.21
U.S. Keeps Canadian Border Closed for Another Month
PORT ANGELES - The U.S. government on Wednesday extended the closure of the land borders with Canada and Mexico to non-essential travelers until at least Aug. 21. The announcement by the Department of Homeland Security came two days after the Canadian government announced it would begin letting fully vaccinated U.S. citizens into Canada on Aug. 9, and those from the rest of the world on Sept. 7. It also means the MV Coho in Port Angeles will stay idled at least until August 21st. Coho official… Continue Reading
07.21.21
Q&A: Modernizing Congress With Rep. Kilmer
by Aaron Kunkler
The Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress has been working to update the nation's Legislative branch since its creation in January 2019. The Committee consists of six Democrats and six Republicans. It's chaired by Rep. Derek Kilmer of Washington state's 6th Congressional District, representing the Olympic peninsula. Since its inception, the Committee has issued a sweeping 97 recommendations, 24 of which have been approved by Congress. Some of its top priorities are improving sta… Continue Reading
07.13.21
U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer previews legislation
by Rob Ollikainen
PORT ANGELES - U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer touted the American Rescue Plan and previewed a bill he is authoring to help economically distressed areas like the North Olympic Peninsula in a virtual homecoming last week. Kilmer, a Gig Harbor Democrat who was raised in Port Angeles, told the Port Angeles City Council he planned to introduce a bipartisan bill that provides new grant funding to communities that have faced persistent challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Rebuilding Economies and Cr… Continue Reading
07.12.21
Opinion: Depolarizing Congress Starts With Relationships That Lead To Trust
by William Doherty
Over the past few years, I've led dozens of workshops in which ordinary Americans across the ideological spectrum share their strongly held political views. It's no surprise that liberals and conservatives have deep disagreements on the core issues facing America. But they usually agree on one thing: Congress is broken. As one participant exclaimed: "Please stop fighting all the time and get things done!" As another reflected: "Neither side is going to finally vanquish the other. So we'd bette… Continue Reading
07.10.21
Congressman Kilmer Visits Aberdeen to Talk Rail Separation Funding
by Dan Hammock
The need for relief from train and vehicle traffic conflicts in East Aberdeen is pretty well-known to anyone who regularly travels Highway 12. The trick is convincing federal funding sources of the project's importance, not just locally, but regionally and beyond. A roundabout and an overpass, part of the roughly $52 million proposed East Aberdeen rail separation project, would greatly improve safety and traffic flow, both private and commercial, through the area, which is responsible for about… Continue Reading
07.06.21
House Appropriations Subcommittees Advance Vital Federal Funding for Tribal Relocation Efforts in Western Washington
This week, the House Appropriations Committee advanced critical funding that has been championed by U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) to support tribal relocation efforts in Western Washington. The House fiscal year 2022 appropriations bills advanced by the Committee included $1,650,000 in federal funding for the Hoh Tribe's relocation development project and $1,479,355 in federal funding for the Quileute Tribe's Move to Higher Ground water system improvement project. The funding for the… Continue Reading
07.06.21
Kilmer-Led Culvert Amendment Part Of House Infrastructure Bill
by Dan Shalin
Washington, DC -Politicians and environmental leaders have offered their praise and support for an amendment to the INVEST in America Act designed to substantially invest in culvert restoration and aid anadromous fish passage and recovery efforts, according to the office of congressman Derek Kilmer (D-06). On July 1, the House of Representatives passed the $715 billion transportation and drinking water bill by a vote of 221-201, largely along party lines. This will set up talks with the Senate,… Continue Reading
07.05.21
U.S. House Advances Millions in Federal Funding for Grays Harbor Infrastructure Project
Legislation that cleared the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday includes millions of dollars in funding for Aberdeen and Hoquiam flood control projects, Heron Street Bridge rehabilitation and the East Aberdeen rail separation project. The INVEST in America Act aims to make transformational investments in highways, roads, bridges, transit, rail, and water infrastructure, and seeks to create good-paying jobs, modernize the nation's infrastructure, and reduce carbon pollution, according to … Continue Reading
07.05.21
House Passes Kilmer-Led Amendment to Support Fish Passage and Recovery in Infrastructure Legislation
On July 1, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the INVEST in America Act, which included an amendment led by Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and a bipartisan group of lawmakers from the Pacific Northwest to support salmon recovery. The amendment would create a new program within the U.S. Department of Transportation, the National Culvert Removal, Replacement, and Restoration Grant Program, to substantially invest in culvert restoration and aid anadromous fish passage and recovery effort… Continue Reading