Keeping Our Kids Safe From Gun Violence and Addressing the Baby Formula Shortage
Hello, Folks –
Yesterday, on Memorial Day, our nation paused to remember and honor the brave Americans who gave their lives in service to our country. The day wasn’t about cook-outs or appliance sales - it was about recognizing and honoring the sacrifices of so many Americans. I was grateful to join folks in Mason County to remember and appreciate all those who died in service to our country. Their sacrifices should never be forgotten.
Ending the Epidemic of Gun Violence in America
Over the last two weeks, our nation has experienced two senseless, terrible tragedies – in Buffalo, New York, and Uvalde, Texas – that have rocked our nation to its core. I offer my prayers to the families affected and to the communities that have been devastated by these tragedies. As your representative and as a dad – I am heartbroken. But I know that beyond offering prayers, what so many in our nation want is action. And I’m determined to see that happen.
Over the years that I’ve been honored to serve as your representative, I’ve gotten calls and emails on gun violence more than perhaps any other issue. I’ve heard from responsible, law-abiding folks who follow the laws and own guns for sport, hunting, hobby, or home protection. And I’ve heard from folks who are heartbroken after a tragedy has occurred or who have been personally affected by a shooting. I respect all of those perspectives.
But the reality is that in recent years, our nation has experienced far too many senseless tragedies. We simply cannot accept such tragedies as the norm. None of us should ever get used to seeing images of kids funneling out of schools with their hands raised after a shooting in their school. We should never grow accustomed to hearing a mom speak about having to plan her child’s funeral. We shouldn’t have to fear for the safety of those we love when we drop them off at school or go the mall or church.
Time and again, while legislation has passed the House, it’s been difficult to see Mitch McConnell block meaningful and responsible reforms to our nation’s gun laws from even getting a vote in the Senate. I recognize that in a time marked by partisanship and division, this issue is perhaps one of the most divisive, but there are common-sense steps we can take right now to prevent gun violence.
We know that the vast majority of Americans, including gun owners, have embraced the notion that weapons don’t belong in the hands of convicted felons, domestic abusers, and fugitives from justice. That is why in March of 2021, I voted for the Bipartisan Background Checks Act (H.R. 8) and the Enhanced Background Checks Act (H.R.1446), two bills I co-sponsored. The Bipartisan Background Checks Act would require a background check for all firearm sales. Furthermore, the Enhanced Background Checks Act would address what’s known as the “Charleston loophole” by ensuring that a background check is fully completed before the firearm is transferred to the purchaser. This loophole received national attention following the tragic 2015 mass shooting at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina that resulted in the murders of nine innocent people. New polling, just last week, showed that 88% of Americans support requiring background checks on all gun sales. Unfortunately, Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans have blocked these bills from even receiving a vote so far. I continue to hope that will change in the weeks ahead.
Beyond these efforts, I know there is even more we can and should do. That is why I co-sponsored and plan to support the Extreme Risk Protection Order Act when it is considered in the House in early June. This legislation (known as a “red flag law”) would allow law enforcement to prevent those reported by a mental health provider as a threat to themselves or those around them from obtaining a firearm. A similar law has been passed in our state – and others – and the data suggest that such laws can save lives. It matters to me that folks exhibiting violence or experiencing persistent mental health issues can receive the help and safeguards they need to protect themselves and others.
There is other legislation that may be considered by the Judiciary Committee in the coming weeks dealing with safe storage and banning the manufacture and sale of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. I am hopeful for some progress on common sense steps to keep our communities safe.
In addition, in the House, as we begin this year’s appropriations process, I will be pushing for funding to for the STOP School Violence Act program. In 2018, I worked in collaboration with the parents of Sandy Hook Elementary to introduce and pass the STOP School Violence Act, which provides resources to schools to implement proven methods of combating gun violence. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I’ve secured ongoing funding for this law over the last two appropriations cycles to support students, teachers, and others in efforts to spot and report warning signs of gun violence before a tragedy occurs. Clearly, more is required, and this funding will be a priority for me this year too.
We can’t let obstruction from Mitch McConnell or others stop the progress needed to keep our families safe. I’ll keep pushing.
Improving Families’ Access to Baby Formula
As a dad, I know how important it is to ensure your kids have what they need to live healthy lives. Simply put – the baby formula shortage that we’ve witnessed over the past few weeks in our country is unacceptable.
Many folks are rightly asking: how did we get here? And while there are a certainly a couple of factors at play – the main issue revolves around an Abbott Nutrition manufacturing facility that recalled several infant formula products (including Similac, Alimentum and EleCare).
In response, Congress and the federal government took action over the past few weeks to try to get things back on track.
First, I voted to support, and the House passed, a funding bill that provides the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with the immediate resources needed to address the current shortage – and prevent it from ever happening again. This legislation will help ensure the FDA can increase the number of FDA inspection staff, provide resources for personnel working on formula issues, help the agency stop fraudulent baby formula from entering the marketplace, and improve data collection on the formula market.
Second, we know that the infant formula shortage has taken an especially dangerous toll on vulnerable women and children who use Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits to purchase baby formula. In fact, nearly half of all infant formula is purchased using WIC benefits and 89 percent of WIC participants purchased formula from Abbott Nutrition—the manufacturing plant that closed and spurred the shortage crisis. In response, I sponsored and voted to support the Access to Baby Formula Act to provide more flexibility so that low-income families can continue purchasing safe infant formula with their WIC benefits during a crisis, such as a supply chain disruption. President Biden has already signed this bipartisan bill into law.
In addition, President Biden invoked the Defense Production Act (DPA) to help ensure that manufacturers have the necessary ingredients to make safe, healthy infant formula here at home. The DPA empowers the federal government to require suppliers to direct needed resources to infant formula manufacturers. The President also announced Operation Fly Formula to speed up the import of infant formula and start getting more formula to stores as soon as possible. Already, Operation Fly Formula has produced deliveries that have landed the equivalent of 1.5 million 8 oz. bottles of baby formula in the United States. It’s a step in the right direction.
I’ll keep working to cut red tape, get shelves restocked, and ensure parents and caretakers can access the nutrition resources they need to care of their kiddos.
Bringing Down the Cost of Housing
We know that our region had challenges with affordable housing and homelessness before the COVID-19 pandemic – and those challenges have only been exacerbated by it. The federal government needs to be a strong partner as we work to address those challenges. That’s why I worked to secure new federal funding, which has been signed into law, to advance two important projects to increase affordable housing and create more jobs on the Hilltop in Tacoma.
These projects are a big deal – but we know that more has to be done to bring down the costs of housing. That’s why I was glad to see the Administration announce a “Housing Supply Action Plan” to ease the costs of housing over time, by boosting the supply of quality housing in every community. When aligned with other policies to reduce housing costs and ensure affordability, such as rental assistance and down-payment assistance, closing the gap will mean more affordable rents and more attainable homeownership for Americans in every community. Under the plan, the Administration will:
- Work with the private sector to address supply chain challenges and improve building techniques to finish construction in 2022 on the most new homes in any year since 2006.
- Ensure that more housing goes to owners who will live in them – or non-profits who will rehab them – not large institutional investors.
- Deploy new financing mechanisms to build and preserve more housing where financing gaps currently exist.
- Expand and improve existing forms of federal financing, including for affordable multifamily development and preservation.
In addition, the Plan will reward jurisdictions that have reformed zoning and land-use policies with higher scores in certain federal grant processes. That’s right in line with bipartisan legislation that I’ve introduced, the Yes In My Backyard Act, to help communities in our region and across the country reduce barriers to affordable housing construction.
Taken together, these actions are important steps forward to cut down on the costs of housing for families. I’ll keep at it!
Working for You
Supporting Workers at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard
In our region, we know how important it is to have the backs of the brave men and women who serve our country – and the backs of the civilian workforce that supports them. Great to be at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard to meet with workers and hear your ideas, thoughts, and concerns.
Celebrating Our Communities
I had a great time taking part in Bremerton’s Armed Forces Day Parade! We had an awesome showing and the Bremerton Chamber of Commerce did an outstanding job organizing the parade. Thanks to everyone who took part and showed support for our servicemembers and their families!
Addressing the Threat of Wildfires
Over the past few years, we have seen historically bad wildfires rage up and down the West coast, including here in Washington. As Co-Chair of the Working Forest Caucus, I met with U.S. Forest Service Chief Randy Moore & National Fire Director Jerry Perez to discuss the 2022 wildfire season, ongoing preparedness efforts, and how to increase the resiliency of our forests. As a member of House Appropriations Committee, I've been pushing to secure federal funding to help us not only effectively respond to wildfires – but to prevent them. This approach is vital to protecting the health of our forests and our local economies. I'll keep at it!
Being Available to You
Finally, before I wrap up, I want to invite you to yet another town hall meeting! As you know, it’s important for me to be available, accessible, and accountable to you. With that in mind, please attend my town hall on Monday, June 6 at 5:30pm at the Norm Dicks Government Center in Bremerton (doors open at 5:00pm). I hope to see you there!
OK – that’s it for now folks. As always, I’m honored to represent you.
Sincerely,
Derek