An Update on Ukraine – and Working to Bring People Together
Hello Folks –
I hope you have been staying well. It’s been a busy few weeks – so let’s dive right in!
As you know, since the last newsletter, Russia took the unprovoked and aggressive action of invading Ukraine. The invasion is not only illegal - but a reckless breach of global peace and stability. It has long been an American value that we respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our allies. Our nation has supported the notion that countries should be able to choose their own destinies without the threat of invasion. The United States must do all we can to support Ukraine and impose severe costs on Russia.
The U.S. stands united with our allies in condemning Russia’s attack on Ukraine. In fact, last Thursday Democrats and Republicans passed a resolution making clear that we stand “steadfastly, staunchly, proudly, and fervently behind the Ukrainian people in their fight against the authoritarian Putin regime.” It made clear that we “will never recognize or support any illegitimate Russian-controlled leader or government installed through the use of force.” And it called on the U.S. and its allies to deliver the assistance Ukraine needs. In addition, Democrats and Republicans joined together on the Capitol steps to show solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
In recent days, the United States has – in coordination with our allies – imposed harsh sanctions on Russia. These sanctions include removing certain Russian banks from the SWIFT bank messaging system, restricting the Russian Central Bank from deploying its international reserves, and launching a transatlantic task force to identify and freeze the assets of sanctioned individuals and companies. Additionally, Germany has stopped the certification of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline and the U.S. has sanctioned the company and its leaders. I have also co-sponsored bipartisan legislation to ban Russian oil imports – so we can further isolate Putin. You can read more about the other sanctions being imposed by the U.S., U.K., the E.U., and other countries here.
I strongly support these measures. In fact, in January, I co-sponsored the Defending Ukrainian Sovereignty Act, legislation to authorize security assistance for Ukraine and sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, Russian financial institutions, and Russian leaders that would be triggered if Russia further invades or undermines Ukrainian sovereignty, as has occurred.
Over the weekend, I was proud to join Ukrainian-Americans and many others at a rally in faith to show our region’s solidarity with the Ukrainian people. As a region, state, and nation, we will continue to support and pray for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.
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The State of Our Union
Last week, President Biden gave the State of the Union Address to a joint session of Congress to highlight the achievements of the past year, and to preview the work ahead.
While safety protocols meant that this year’s in-person attendance was limited, I was proud to host Nathe Lawver, the Executive Secretary of the Pierce County Building and Construction Trade Council, AFL-CIO, as my Hometown Hero virtual guest. In a video conversation before the State of the Union Address, Nathe and I discussed the importance of the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This bipartisan law is about putting people to work now – and laying the foundation for economic growth over the long haul by investing in our roads, bridges, transit, water systems, ports, and broadband. And when we make these investments, we’re not just building projects – we’re building jobs and building the middle-class. Catch our full conversation here:
As for President Biden’s remarks... Over the past year, there has been substantial progress in getting our economy up off the ground, in getting a handle on COVID-19, and in getting our kids back in school safely. While things are heading in the right direction, we know more needs to be done.
I think it was important that the President laid out a plan to create jobs and build an economy that works better for people. He proposed specific strategies to strengthen our supply chains and to ensure that we make things here in America, rather than someplace else. I also think it’s important that he put forward specific ideas to reduce costs for American families – from health care and housing to child care and everyday goods – so folks aren’t feeling squeezed. Those are ideas I think Democrats and Republicans—and all Americans—should be able to rally around.
Reducing Polarization and Supporting Community Bridgebuilding
If you’ve watched cable news at all in recent years, you’d get a good sense that there are some real and tangible divides among the American people (let’s not kid ourselves – cable news probably isn’t helping!).
According to an NBC News poll conducted in January, 70 percent of Americans agreed with the statement that “America has become so polarized that it can no longer solve the major issues facing the country — and that those differences will only continue to grow” – up from 45 percent in 2010. The increase in polarization is prompting serious doubts about whether American democracy is under threat. That same NBC News poll showed that 76 percent of Americans “believe there is a threat to democracy and majority rule in this country.”
That’s a huge concern.
But in our neck of the woods, we’ve seen inspiring efforts to counter increased division. After a series of horrific attacks—including assault, vandalism, and arson—against faith-based institutions in our region, we saw an interfaith group rise up to try to foster community understanding and build community cohesion. In response to conflict at a local YMCA, we saw a group of leaders work to bring in some conflict resolution capacity and work to sponsor community events to build understanding across differences. In both cases, we saw inspiring local examples of folks in our region trying to advance civic bridgebuilding. In both cases, when they asked if there were resources available from the federal government to support such work, the answer was ‘Not really. At least, not currently.’
That’s why, last week, I led 9 Democrats and 9 Republicans in introducing the Building Civic Bridges Act – bipartisan legislation that would lend some support to these civic bridgebuilding efforts in hopes of bridging divides and strengthening democracy. Ultimately, the legislation would empower communities like ours to tackle sources of division while assisting local civic and community organizations with ongoing efforts to address contentious issues and ultimately, bridge divides.
It would do this by creating a new non-partisan pilot program, led by AmeriCorps, focused on supporting civic organizations and spaces that are dedicated to the revitalization of civic culture and bridgebuilding in the United States. That could make a real difference to the community, faith, and civic leaders and organizations that are leading efforts to foster dialogue, defuse and address sources of conflict, and bridge differences.
A broad coalition has already announced its support for the legislation – including Partnership for American Democracy, the Anti-Defamation League, the Islamic Center of Tacoma, Lead for America, Partnership for American Democracy, Service Year Alliance, Voices for National Service, and the YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties – just to name a few.
In addition, it earned the support over the weekend from the Seattle Times! Check out their editorial here:
Working for You
Honoring a Local Hero
Our region is filled with the stories of so many incredible, brave folks who served our country – including John Henry Turpin, a distinguished U.S. Navy sailor who was a lifelong resident of Bremerton.
John Henry Turpin’s thirty-year career in the Navy included his service during the Spanish-American War, the Boxer Rebellion, and World War I. Not only is he believed to be the first Black American to qualify as a Master Diver, he was also one of the first Black Americans to achieve the rank of Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy. His outstanding legacy of service to our country is made even more significant by the era of prejudice and discrimination during which he served.
I was proud to join the community to celebrate the renaming of the Bremerton Post Office, in recognition of John Henry Turpin and his achievements and service. Thank you to Karen and Tom Vargas, Alicia Charles, and Judge Flood for working with my office to put this celebration together - and thank you also to the folks at the Postal Service who helped make this incredible event possible!
Supporting Our Servicemembers
It was a pleasure to meet with Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro to talk about making progress on shared priorities for our service members and their families—and to discuss the tremendous work being done by folks in our region to maintain and modernize the Navy’s fleet and support the Navy’s mission!
Protecting Our Environment
We know that toxic stormwater runoff is one of the biggest threats facing Puget Sound salmon recovery. That’s why Rep. Marilyn Strickland and I are working to secure federal support for critical research that will help scientists and researchers understand the link between tire debris and the health of our Sound –as well as the species that depend on it. I am grateful for the incredible partners we met with who are working to address this issue in our region – and for Rep. Strickland’s partnership as we work to advance this urgent priority.
OK – that’s it for now folks. As always, I’m honored to represent you.
Sincerely,
Derek