In The News
$50 Million In Assistance for Washington Fishing and Shellfish Industries
In releases from Senator Maria Cantwell, Representatives Derek Kilmer and Jaime Herrera Beutler they announced that they assisted in securing $50 million in support for Washington's non-tribal fishing and shellfish industries. Sen. Cantwell adds that those eligible to receive grants and other forms of direct assistance include commercial fishing businesses, charter/for-hire fishing businesses, shellfish aquaculture operations, processors, other fishery-related businesses, and Tribes that have … Continue Reading
05.06.20
Connect to Congress: Rep. Derek Kilmer
05.06.20
Over 55 Congresspeople Push to Include Tribal Funding in Next COVID-19 Relief Package
by Megan Bender
WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Senators Kamala D. Harris (D-CA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Tom Udall (D-NM) and Representatives Raul Ruiz (D-CA) and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) on Tuesday led 55 of their colleagues in sending a letter to Senate leadership in a push to include include additional funding for Indian Health Service, Tribal Health Programs and Urban Indian Health Organizations to recover from significant COVID-19 related losses in revenue, a press release said. "I/T/U facilities provide criti… Continue Reading
05.05.20
Kilmer Talks Economic Impact, Solutions During Pandemic
by Michael Dashiell
Federal lawmakers have been busy in recent days and weeks with a spate of bills aimed at carrying individuals and businesses through what U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) calls the greatest health crisis of this generation. But not having a comprehensive, coordinated effort on a national level to significantly increase COVID-19 testing is "a recipe for disaster," Kilmer and other Washington state legislators wrote to Vice President Mike Pence on April 28. Kilmer reiterated that concern… Continue Reading
05.03.20
Kilmer Talks Economic Impact, Legislation During Pandemic
by Michael Dashiell
Federal lawmakers have been busy in recent days and weeks with a spate of bills aimed at carrying individuals and businesses through what U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer calls the greatest health crisis of this generation. But not having a comprehensive, coordinated effort on a national level to significantly increase COVID-19 testing is "a recipe for disaster," Kilmer and other Washington state legislators wrote to Vice President Mike Pence on April 28. Kilmer reiterated that concern in a Fr… Continue Reading
05.03.20
Climate: We Can Change | Letter to the Editor
by John Moran
Thank you to Lisa Graumlich for her Op-Ed "3 coronavirus science lessons give us hope for the planet's future" [April 23, Opinion]: It has been an education for us all to see the interplay between science, politics and public perception as the pandemic plays itself out. When the coronavirus finally subsides and we make our way back to "normal," I do wonder if we will have an altered approach to the consistent warnings of climate scientists. Or do we return to the pattern of delay and denial? Af… Continue Reading
05.03.20
Lawmakers Press for Changes in Small-Business Aid Program
by Amara Omeokwe
Proposals include extending the number of weeks that small businesses can spend money from the government's forgivable loans under the Paycheck Protection Program, and allowing businesses to use more of the funds for overhead costs. Some lawmakers want to create new funding vehicles, including allocating aid to local governments to disburse as they see fit amid the coronavirus pandemic. "What I know now for sure is Congress has to do more to promote the agenda of the smallest of the small busi… Continue Reading
04.30.20
Paycheck Protection Program Expansion Act With Rep. Derek Kilmer and Jaime Herrera Butler
Amy Anderson, AWB's Government Affairs Director for Federal Affairs, Education and Health Care talks with Representatives Derek Kilmer and Jaime Herrera Beutler about their bi-partisan legislation to increase funding to the Paycheck Protection Program, and what is to be expected overall as the country moves into economic recovery efforts.… Continue Reading
04.30.20
U.S. Congressman Derek Kilmer (WA-06)
U.S. Congressman Derek Kilmer (WA-06) called into Daybreak to talk about COVID-19 and how he and his office are working for the people in Washington State.… Continue Reading
04.30.20
Kilmer Joins Federal Lawmakers Pushing for Strong Testing System in Washington State, Nationwide
Tacoma, WA - Tuesday, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) joined U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Representative Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), and the Washington state Democratic Congressional Delegation in sending a letter to Vice President Mike Pence requesting that the Trump Administration devise a plan to significantly increase testing capabilities in Washington state and across the country and develop a strong national testing system. The letter follows the passage of the Paycheck Protec… Continue Reading
04.27.20
Opinion: ‘New Normal’ Must Address Pre-Virus Inequities
"How do we go back to normal? It's the question on everyone's minds. It's what I've been asked in nearly every town hall and media interview since the coronavirus pandemic began. We all want to go back out in public without worrying about getting sick. We all want to see our economy awakened from this medically-induced coma so we can support ourselves and our families. We all want to be able to get back to working, shopping, worshipping and living our lives as we did before we ever heard of CO… Continue Reading
04.27.20
Moderate Democrats Petition for Vote on Proxy Voting
by Gabriella Munoz
Moderate Democrats petitioned House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her top lieutenants to implement remote voting procedures, with or without Republican support, by the time Congress returns in early May. Rep. Derek Kilmer, chair of the New Democrat Coalition, endorsed the plan to vote by proxy and hold virtual committee hearings. He argued that if organizations and workers across the country have adapted to working from home, so should Congress. "While we hope a bipartisan agreement with Republican… Continue Reading
04.27.20
Kilmer Votes to Provide Support for WA Small Businesses and Frontline Workers, Increase Testing Capacity
Thursday last week, Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) voted to support the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act to deliver additional assistance to Washington's small businesses and frontline health care workers, while investing in the nation's testing capacity. The legislation provides $310 billion for the U.S. Small Business Administration's Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to provide forgivable loans to small businesses to pay their employees and keep them on the pa… Continue Reading
04.27.20
Kilmer Introduces Legislation to Support Washington’s Main Street Employers
Washington, DC - Today U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Madeleine Dean (PA-04) introduced the Restore America's Main Street Act to deliver immediate and unrestricted relief to America's small businesses through a first-ever small business rebate check. "Employers on Main Streets across our region - and all over America - are hurting as we work to contain the spread of the coronavirus. While new programs like the Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loans are… Continue Reading
04.24.20
Derek Kilmer on Komo Radio (4/24/20 at 4:37am, 5:34am, 7:38am, 8:38am)
04.24.20
Rep. Kilmer Speaks Out About COVID-19 Relief Package
U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer spoke to our Washington, D.C. bureau about the massive federal package designed to provide relief for those left reeling by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been blamed for over 700 deaths around the state.… Continue Reading
04.23.20
Kilmer Calls for National COVID-19 Testing Strategy
On Wednesday, Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) called on the President to develop a federal strategy to dramatically increase the production and availability of testing for COVID-19. "As governors contemplate strategies on how best to open their respective states' economies, a strong federal response is necessary to massively increase the capacity, accuracy, and simplicity of our nation's testing infrastructure for this highly communicable and often asymptomatic virus," Kilmer and Members of… Continue Reading
04.21.20
Senate Approves $483 Billion Coronavirus Aid Deal, Sends It To House
by Steve Kiggins
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A $483 billion coronavirus aid package flew through the Senate on Tuesday after Congress and the White House reached a deal to replenish a small-business payroll fund and provided new money for hospitals and testing. Passage was swift and unanimous, despite opposition from conservative Republicans. President Donald Trump tweeted his support, pledging to sign it into law. It now goes to the House, with votes set for Thursday. "I urge the House to pass the bill," Trump said a… Continue Reading
04.20.20
Kilmer Leads Bipartisan Call to Ramp Up Defense Manufacturing Capabilities in Response to Coronavirus
by Ben Sclair
Tacoma, WA - Friday Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Tom Cole (OK-04), and Cheri Bustos (IL-17) led 52 of their colleagues in a bipartisan letter to the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), urging them to utilize the full potential of DOD's manufacturing base to produce much needed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as masks, face shields, gowns and gloves, and other medical equipment, such as ventilators. Military installations currently l… Continue Reading
04.20.20