In The News
Kilmer Votes To Support George Floyd Justice In Policing Act Of 2020
Last Thursday, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) voted to support the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020, a comprehensive bill he helped introduce with the Congressional Black Caucus focused on structural changes to combat police brutality, raise standards, and address racial injustice. "Throughout our region and across this country, people are demanding change to end police brutality and ensure accountability and justice," said Rep. Kilmer. "Today, Congress passed the George F… Continue Reading
06.11.20
Modernization Committee Leaders Weigh In On Continuity of Operations, Reopening
by Tom Temin
Congress has been no less challenged by the pandemic than federal agencies. Proxy voting, online hearings, difficulties in dealing with constituents. The chair and vice chair of the select committee on the modernization of Congress have been on the case, exploring best practices. Washington Democrat Derek Kilmer and Georgia Republican Tom Graves joined Federal Drive with Tom Temin to discuss.… Continue Reading
06.09.20
Washington Democrats back bill to curtail police use of excessive force
by Joel Connelly
The Democrats in Washington's congressional delegation are lining up behind a sweeping bill aimed at curtailing excessive use of force by police and establishing a national data base to track and prosecute misconduct. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer introduced the legislation Monday with strong Congressional Black Caucus support. Republicans have not yet been heard along Sen. Tim Scott, R-South Carolina, a Black senator who is promising his own proposals la… Continue Reading
06.09.20
CKHS Student Places First In Congressional Art Competition
by Kitsap News Group Staff
Central Kitsap High School student Quincy Rumpke was named the first-place winner of the 2020 Congressional Art Competition for Washington's 6th Congressional District, Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) announced this week. The Congressional Art Competition takes place annually and is meant to showcase the artistic talents from high school students across the country. Rumpke's work will now be displayed for 11 months in the tunnel that leads to the United States Capitol in Washington D.C. alo… Continue Reading
05.28.20
The Vital Missing Piece of the Democrats’ Stimulus Bill
by Ezra Klein
At the end of No Country for Old Men, hitman Anton Chigurh arrives to murder Carla Jean, the wife of his dead nemesis. He offers her one chance to live: He'll flip a coin, and if she guesses right, he'll spare her life. "Call it," he says. She refuses. "Call it," he says again. "The coin don't have no say," she replies. "It's just you." Which brings me to the House Democrats. The House Democrats' $3 trillion HEROES Act has much of what the economy needs. A trillion dollars in aid to state … Continue Reading
05.26.20
Kilmer Introduces Legislation to Help Unemployed American Workers Access Skills Training Programs During Coronavirus Pandemic
Wednesday, May 20, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06), along with Representatives Susan W. Brooks (IN-05), Terri Sewell (AL-07), and Glenn "GT" Thompson (PA-15), introduced legislation to help American workers attain the skills they need to compete as we confront the coronavirus pandemic. The Skills Renewal Act will create a flexible skills training credit in the amount of $4,000 per person that may be applied to cover the cost of a wide range of training programs that build skills expect… Continue Reading
05.25.20
A New Stimulus Bill Could Give $4,000 Tax Credit to Those Still Unemployed by Pandemic
by Meghan Roos
Senators Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Ben Sasse of Nebraska last week introduced bipartisan legislation that, if passed, would give Americans who are unemployed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic a $4,000 tax credit. The money would be intended for use on training programs and skills development courses needed to make those struggling with unemployment more competitive in a post-pandemic workforce. Klobuchar, who was campaigning for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination until she … Continue Reading
05.24.20
Kilmer, Cantwell Applaud Selection of University of Washington to Lead New Ocean, Climate Research Institute
U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today applauded the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) selection of the University of Washington to lead a new Cooperative Institute for Climate, Ocean, and Ecosystem Studies (CICOES). The selection comes with a $300 million commitment from NOAA over the next five years to fund climate and oceans research by UW… Continue Reading
05.21.20
Big Score For University of Washington -- $300 Million For Ocean, Climate Studies
by Joel Connelly
The University of Washington has scored big in two fields in which its research enjoys international renown -- ocean and climate research. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has selected the UW to lead a new Cooperative Institute for Climate, Ocean and Ecosystem Studies, which comes with a NOAA commitment of up to $300 million to fund climate and ocean research over the next five years. The UW also led NOAA's previous cooperative research institute, the Joint Institute … Continue Reading
05.20.20
Legislation to Help Unemployed Access Skills Training Introduced
U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06), along with Representatives Susan W. Brooks (IN-05), Terri Sewell (AL-07), and Glenn "GT" Thompson (PA-15), introduced legislation to help American workers attain the skills they need to compete as we confront the coronavirus pandemic. The Skills Renewal Act will create a flexible skills training credit in the amount of $4,000 per person that may be applied to cover the cost of a wide range of training programs that build skills expected to be in high dem… Continue Reading
05.20.20
Bill Would Give $4,000 Tax Credit to Retrain Workers Who Lost Jobs In Pandemic
by Travis Pittman
Members of both houses of Congress are introducing bipartisan bills to provide a tax credit of $4,000 to retrain workers who lost their jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic. It would help those workers cover the costs associated with learning new jobs. It comes as 36 million Americans have filed for unemployment in the past two months. The Skills Renewal Act would be available to any worker who lost their job due to the pandemic, according to a statement from Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn. It woul… Continue Reading
05.16.20
Kilmer Votes to Support Frontline Workers and Families Impacted By Coronavirus
"Let's start with what we know. We know that educators and students have had their lives turned upside down - and they need more resources to ensure kids can learn. We know that small businesses on main street are hurting - and they need more help to keep folks on payroll and to weather this storm. We know that workers on the frontlines, in hospitals, in fire and police departments, in grocery stores, and elsewhere, are facing extraordinary strain - and we should have their backs," said Rep. Kil… Continue Reading
05.16.20
Coronavirus Relief Bill Stalls In Senate, But Kilmer Hopes Provisions Survive
by Ed Ronco
A new coronavirus relief bill passed the House last week, but appears dead in the Senate. Still, U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, hopes some of the provisions aren't lost. The original measure included more support for Medicare and Medicaid and hazard pay to health care workers dealing with the pandemic. Kilmer talked to KNKX about the bill, and the larger response to COVID-19. On the need for relief: "I talked to an employer in my district last week who said 'It took 32 years for me t… Continue Reading
05.16.20
Kilmer, McMorris Rodgers Introduce Legislation to Help Families Save for Planned Medical Procedures
U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) introduced new legislation on Tuesday to give families additional flexibility to use 2020 Flexible Spending Account (FSA) contributions to adjust for delays in accessing non-emergency care caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the American College of Surgeons, more than 30 states currently have executive orders in place limiting most non-emergency medical and dental procedures, following guidance from the Cente… Continue Reading
05.15.20
House Vote on Relief Bill Set Despite Democrats Upset Over Omissions
by Lindsey McPherson
House Democrats are plowing ahead with a Friday vote on a $3 trillion-plus coronavirus relief measure, arguing the urgency to act outweighs concerns among rank-and-file lawmakers that the "bold" package described by party leaders isn't bold enough. Several top priorities pushed by large blocs within the Democratic Caucus were left out of the bill. Congressional Progressive Caucus leaders upset by some of the omissions pushed for a delay in the vote to next week so lawmakers could discuss poten… Continue Reading
05.14.20
U.S. Rep. Kilmer Discusses CARES Act 2.0 and Other Relief In Monday Town Hall
by Mark Krulish
U.S. Congressional Rep. Derek Kilmer checked in with constituents Monday evening in a telephone town hall where he discussed updates on the federal government's response to the coronavirus pandemic. Kilmer, a Democrat, who represents Washington's 6th congressional district, which includes Kitsap County, was joined by health secretary Jonathan Wiesman, who gave information on the response from the state's perspective. Over the course of 90 minute meeting, Kilmer took questions ranging from assi… Continue Reading
05.13.20
Kilmer Leads Over 100 Legislators in Bipartisan Call for Economic Relief for Outdoor Recreation Industry
Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06), along with Representatives Joe Neguse, Joe Cunningham, and Brian Fitzpatrick, led over 100 legislators to request strong funding in future COVID-19 economic relief legislation for federal programs that serve as the foundation of the outdoor recreation industry -a critical sector that provides jobs and economic support to many local communities in northwest Washington and across the country. "Growing up on the Olympic Peninsula, I've seen firsthand how our Na… Continue Reading
05.11.20
North Coast Crab Value Down, Salmon Fishing Banned
by Daniel Mintz
This year's commercial Dungeness crab season is tracking to be on par with last year's but value took a hit, as live crab exports to China were blocked at a time when demand surges. And this year's ocean salmon season will offer little consolation. Northern California's season is canceled due to a forecast of low Klamath River fall Chinook runs. The Dungeness and Chinook fisheries are staples of the region's fishing industry but both are hampered this year. Live animal exports to China have o… Continue Reading
05.08.20
$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