Focusing On Getting Stuff Done
Hi all,
As many of you may know, I’m a big movie buff. In fact, my first job was at Westside Video in Port Angeles (for my younger readers, we used to have these things called video stores...).
Because I’m such a fan, I’m often asked in the run-up to Academy Award season, “So what movie should win Best Picture?” During the past few years, since I’m usually super busy with work and kids, I confess that I often haven’t seen a lot of the Best Picture nominees. I’m usually able to read some reviews and get some minimal information, but come awards night, I admit that I can’t actually make an informed prediction.
I couldn’t help but think of that dynamic over these past couple of weeks. Specifically, when folks have asked me about the Mueller Report, I’ve told the truth - I haven’t seen it. I’ve seen the four-page summary from the Attorney General, but - like the rest of the American people - I don’t have a sense of what’s in the report beyond that.
Given the seriousness of protecting our democracy from foreign interference and maintaining the integrity of our political system, I’d be interested in understanding more fully what’s in the report. Toward that end, I’m pleased that the House unanimously passed legislation to make the findings of that report public. Members of Congress and the American public have a right to know the facts. Accountability and oversight are important.
But so is governing.
While the cable news channels seem obsessed with investigations, I’m pushing for Congress to focus on legislation that will make the lives of the American people better. I’m focused on getting stuff done.
I want to make sure folks have access to quality, affordable health care. I want to make sure that folks have the opportunity to earn a good living - regardless of what zip code they live in. I want to make sure that nobody in America faces discrimination.
I’m excited that there’s actually been some progress on these fronts in recent weeks. Read on for details!
Increasing Access To Quality, Affordable Healthcare
This past week, I joined several of my colleagues in introducing new legislation to lower health care costs and expand health care access.
That’s more important than ever since the Trump Administration made a filing in court last week pushing for the complete and total repeal of the Affordable Care Act.
I wasn’t in Congress when that law was passed, and I don’t think it’s a perfect law. But there are some components of it that are undeniably positive. It’s a good thing that people with pre-existing conditions can’t be discriminated against by insurance companies. It’s a good thing that young people can stay on their parents’ insurance until their 26th birthday. It’s a good thing that preventive care like mammograms and cancer screenings and even annual physicals can be covered without co-pay. It’s a good thing that there are millions of people in our country that now have health insurance for the first time. Unfortunately, all of those positive steps are put in jeopardy as a consequence of the Administration’s court filing.
Rather than unwinding the progress that’s been made, we’re proposing to build on the success of the existing law. For example, we’ve proposed an expansion of the tax credits available under the law, reducing costs for low-income families and enabling more middle-class families to be eligible for assistance to make health insurance affordable. In addition, we’re proposing a national re-insurance program to reduce risk in the system and pump the brakes on premium increases. And finally, we’re working to stop junk plans that don’t provide basic protections (like protections for people with pre-existing conditions) as well as enhancing outreach to encourage folks to enroll in a health care plan.
This is the beginning of the effort on health care - not the end. But I feel strongly that folks in DC should be working to make people’s lives better - not sabotaging the American health care system.
Ensuring Equal Pay for Equal Work
I’m excited to announce that last week, the House passed the Paycheck Fairness Act, legislation that addresses the discrepancy in pay between women and men.
Plain and simple: if folks are working the same job, they should be paid the same amount of money. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. On average, today women make only 80 cents for every dollar that men make. And that wage gap is even larger for women of color. This needs to change.
Passing this bill is an important first step toward leveling the workplace playing field. I was proud to cosponsor this bill, and I’m hopeful that it can find bipartisan support in the Senate.
Standing Up For Equality
Every American deserves to have access to the same basic civil rights - regardless of who they are or who they love. That’s why I was proud to sign on as an original cosponsor of H.R. 5, the bipartisan Equality Act.
Look, I’m honored to represent a state that provides protections to ensure our LGBTQ friends and neighbors don’t face discrimination. But Congress should pass this vital legislation to extend anti-discrimination protections to LGBTQ Americans in every state - whether we’re dealing with employment, education, credit, jury service, federal funding, housing, or public accommodations.
It’s a step in the right direction for Congress to introduce (and hopefully soon pass) this bill. But we know the fight for equality is far from over. Stay tuned as we continue the work for equal rights for all Americans.
Honoring Our Veterans
This past Friday was National Vietnam Veterans Day - and I took part in two different ceremonies to honor Vietnam veterans.
First, I participated in a commemoration event at the U.S. Naval Undersea Museum with historian John Sherwood and Naval Base Kitsap Commanding Officer Captain Alan Schrader. Later in the day, I hosted an event with Pierce County Councilmember Derek Young and Gig Harbor Mayor Kit Kuhn at Gig Harbor City Hall. The ceremonies included readings commemorating the war and the presentation of lapel pins to all Vietnam veterans in attendance.
It was my absolute honor and privilege to be at these events to present our veterans with a small token to represent our sincere gratitude, on behalf of a grateful community and nation. Future generations need to know of their sacrifice. Their service to our country should never be forgotten.
Two weeks ago, I was grateful to have a whole week away from D.C. so that I could spend time crisscrossing the region - speaking with small business owners on the Peninsula, meeting with local regional leaders in Port Angeles and Grays Harbor, and reconnecting with students in Tacoma. Here are some of things I was up to in the better Washington:
Working For You
Boosting Our Local Economy
I met with small businesses and federal contractors in Kitsap County to talk about upcoming investments at Naval Base Kitsap - and their potential to be a boon for our regional economy! Thanks to the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance and Washington Procurement Technical Assistance Center for putting together a great event.
Creating More Opportunities
I had a great time attending the graduation ceremony of YouthBuild Tacoma - an awesome construction pre-apprenticeship program housed at Goodwill. It was great talking with Raheem, who’s got four job interviews lined up! I’ll keep fighting to not only preserve, but increase, our nation’s investments in programs like this.
Supporting Small Businesses
Thank you to everyone that came out for our Hilltop Small Business Summit. I was energized by the entrepreneurial spirit!
Building Healthier Communities
I was honored to join the Kitsap Community and Agriculture Alliance at their annual meeting to talk about the importance of local agriculture. It’s vital that as a community, we continue to talk about supporting local farmers and creating a local food supply. It was also exciting to learn about the KCAA’s upcoming projects in 2019 and beyond! Thanks for having me.
Employing People And Keeping Us Safe
I was honored to visit SAFE Boats in Bremerton. These folks are building the vessels that keep our local and national waterways safe. I appreciated the awesome questions during our town hall meeting! Keep up the great work!
Supporting Our Kids
Did you know that 84% of kids who attend a Boys & Girls Club regularly report that they believe that they can make a difference in their community? That gives me hope! That’s why I attended a dinner in Bremerton to support the amazing work to ensure that all kids have a great future!
Paying Homage To Oma
Finally... Let me end on a personal note. As some of you may know, my extraordinary grandmother - Bertel van Eek (aka “Oma!”) - passed away on March 18, just 13 days from her 109th birthday.
Over the years, I’ve spoken about her so much, written about her so much, communicated about the significant degree to which she inspired me, that I’m asked on a nearly daily basis how she’s doing. It’s hard for me to fathom that after all these years, she’s gone. But perhaps, more than anything, I’m struck that she was a testament to the greatness of this nation.
She survived two world wars and was liberated by Allied soldiers at the end of WWII.
She came to this country from Holland in 1948 with a small bag of clothes and just $10.
She was accepted here. She built a life here.
She became an American citizen years later. A person born 10 years before women’s suffrage - she was such a proud voter.
Jennifer and I want to thank the entire community from the bottom of our hearts for your kind words and for being there for our family... the blessings on social media, the heartfelt calls to our office, and the prayers and sentiments shared by friends, neighbors, and even folks we don’t know all that well, have meant so much to our entire family. I am enormously grateful for your kindness.
It makes me all the more inspired to keep in touch with you and go to work every day on your behalf.
Don’t be afraid to reach out if I can ever be of assistance. As always, I’m honored to represent you.
Derek