Growing Jobs in America – and in Our Region
Hello, Folks –
It’s been a busy few weeks in DC – so let’s dig right in!
Strengthening America’s Competitiveness and Creating Jobs
As many readers of this newsletter know, before running for Congress, I worked for over ten years professionally in economic development, working to keep and grow jobs in our region. When I worked in that role, I had a sign on my wall that said: “We’re competing with everyone, everywhere, every day, forever.” I admit that I often found that sign a bit intimidating. But it’s an important ethic – not just for folks working in local economic development but for our country too.
The reality is that the nations with whom we compete aren’t sitting on the sidelines – they want to eat our lunch. And we shouldn’t let them. There’s a reason that – going all the way back to the GI Bill and all the way back to America’s response to Sputnik - our nation recognized that our future – from an economic standpoint and a national security standpoint – depends on investments in science and research, innovating, and creating cutting-edge technologies.
We need to make things in America – not someplace else. We need jobs to be created in America – not someplace else. We need to raise our game to compete with China and other nations.
That’s why last week I was proud to vote in support of the America COMPETES Act – a legislative package that aims to build jobs and economic opportunity in America, reduce inflation, and strengthen American competitiveness. The package makes transformational new investments in research, innovation, and American manufacturing by accelerating U.S. production of critical semiconductor chips, strengthening the supply chain to make more goods in America (and lower costs), investing in research capacity to lead the technologies of the future, and advancing America’s competitiveness.
This bill also recognizes that America can’t be competitive if it leaves communities behind. I’m excited to report that the America COMPETES Act includes a pilot version of the RECOMPETE Act, bipartisan legislation I introduced to empower communities that have faced persistent economic challenges to develop, implement, and carry out economic development strategies and create jobs over the long-term. That way, people can have economic opportunity regardless of what zip code they live in. I spoke about my bill on the House floor, and you can watch my remarks here.
Introducing a bipartisan effort to grow “blue economy” jobs
In recent years, our state has led the way on the Blue Economy – technologies and economic development tied to our ocean and waterways. Our state is leading the charge in advancing renewable energy technologies that capitalize on water’s low-cost energy (also known as ‘blue energy’) and decarbonization potential, and developing new renewable energy technologies in marine environments.
And a lot of that exciting innovation is happening in Sequim at the Pacific Northwest National Lab which houses the only marine research facilities in the Department of Energy system. Last week, I hosted my colleague Rep. Dan Newhouse for a tour of the lab. While we were there we learned about their research to harness everything from ocean waves to algae in ways that can grow jobs, help us transition to cleaner energy, and provide underserved communities with reliable power at lower cost.
In an effort to catalyze that progress, Rep. Newhouse and I are leading the bipartisan introduction of the Blue Energy Innovation Act. This legislation aims to redouble America’s efforts to harness the blue economy and reassert the United States as the global leader in the research, development, and deployment of blue energy technologies. Our bill proposes establishing a national Blue Economy Center of Excellence, ideally situated at the Sequim Lab.
During our tour, we witnessed all of the unique DOE capabilities that only exist at the Sequim Lab – which would make it the ideal location to be the national hub for driving these innovative technologies. That means opportunity for jobs – not only at the lab but throughout our region. You can read more from the Peninsula Daily News about our bill – and our tour – here.
Making Government Work Better
For our government to serve “We the People,” it’s vital for elected officials to eliminate conflicts of interest and serve in an ethical manner. Decisions should always be made in the public interest – not in someone’s personal financial interest. That’s vital if we’re going to avoid the further erosion of faith in government.
Federal laws and regulations already lay out a number of restrictions and prohibitions related to conflicts of interest for elected officials and federal employees. In fact, current law prohibits federal office holders from engaging in government business when they stand to gain profit. The STOCK Act, which was signed into law by President Obama in 2012, was specifically designed to prevent insider trading by members of Congress and other government employees.
However – I think it’s worth strengthening the law to ensure transparency and adherence to the prohibition against insider trading. That’s why I support a prohibition on members of Congress owning and trading individual stocks to ensure there is never any conflict of interest. To that end, I have co-sponsored the TRUST in Congress Act which would ban members of Congress from trading individual stocks and require members of Congress, their spouses, and their dependent children to place any individual stocks in a blind trust until 180 days after the end of their tenure as a member of Congress.
Americans deserve to have confidence that their elected representatives are not using their positions for personal financial gain and are instead focused on championing the interests of the people they represent. I’ll keep working to get this bill signed into law!
Working for You
Honoring a Local Legend
Scooter Chapman is a Port Angeles legend. As he prepares to sign off from KONP Radio in PA and hang up his microphone, I spoke on the floor of the U.S. House to recognize the tremendous impact he has had on our community over the last seven decades. Thank you, Scooter!
Pushing for More Affordable Housing
I'm working to help communities in our region build more affordable housing for the folks that need it most. It was great to visit with Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity to see their Fern Hill development - and talk about how the federal government can be a better partner. You can read more about it here in The News Tribune. I'll keep at it!
Supporting Local Environmental Science Education
One of my favorite places on Bainbridge Island is Island Wood! They offer experiential environmental science programs in our region to help children, educators, and community members deepen their understanding of the world around them, explore environmental issues, and see the power they have to make a positive impact on their communities. It was great to connect with CEO Megan Karch and hear how they have fared during the pandemic - and what’s in store for the future!
OK that’s it for now folks. As always, I’m honored to represent you.
Sincerely,
Derek