eNewsletters
So, what’s the debt ceiling about?
Hello Folks –May has arrived. The Seahawks drafted some great new players. The Kraken won their first playoff series ever. And we finally broke 70 degrees. On top of that, it’s been quite a busy few weeks with plenty of news to share, so let's get right to it!America’s Fiscal HouseRecently, there’s been significant press attention surrounding the nation’s debt ceiling (also known as the debt limit). In January of this year, the federal government reached its debt … Continue Reading
April 17, 2023
An Update on Investing in Our Communities, Protecting Our Environment, and Ensuring Access to Health Care for Our Military
Hello Folks –This week we’re certainly feeling the April showers... Here’s hoping that there are warmer days ahead (and more wins by our Mariners!).Let's dive into what's been happening these past few weeks.Investing in Community SafetyFolks in local law enforcement have tough jobs, and it’s important that they have the training and resources that they require to keep us safe.As your representative, I've been working to support the important work they do by providing … Continue Reading
April 03, 2023
A Day in the Life in D.C. and Updates on Rural Health Care
Hello Folks –I hope this finds you I hope this finds you well. It’s been a busy few weeks – so let’s dive right in!OK – on to the news.Showing Up in D.C.Members of Congress spend a lot of time running from pillar to post across their districts, meeting with folks to hear their concerns and answer their questions. But what about when we’re in D.C.? I’m frequently asked, “what does the average day look like for you?”So, I thought I’d … Continue Reading
March 20, 2023
An Update on Rebuilding Local Economies, the 2023 Congressional Arts Competition, and the Return of the “Fix Congress” Committee
Hello Folks –I hope this finds you well as we press onwards into March Madness (Go Zags!) and warmer, sunnier weather! It’s been a busy few weeks in DC and across our region – so let’s jump right in!Rebuilding Local EconomiesAs many readers of this newsletter know, I grew up on the Olympic Peninsula in the district I now have the honor of representing. I was in high school when the timber industry took it on the chin, and I saw a lot of my friends’ parents … Continue Reading
March 06, 2023
Serving You, Lowering Prescription Drug Costs for Seniors, and Standing with Ukraine
Hello Folks –As we move into the month of March (and kick off March Madness), I’ve had a busy few weeks across our region. So, let’s dive right in!Serving YouI work for the people I represent, and it’s important that I get opportunities to hear directly from you. To the folks who attended my recent town hall meetings in Shelton and Tacoma, I appreciated the opportunity to give you an update on my work and to answer some of your questions. We talked about my efforts to … Continue Reading
February 20, 2023
In-Person Town Hall Meetings Happening This Week
Hello Folks –Happy President’s Day! February is well underway, and I’m knee-deep in a two-week district work period, meeting with folks from across our region to hear their concerns and answer their questions. This time of the year is always jam-packed with town halls, constituent meetings, local business visits, and more. I pride myself on keeping busy on behalf of the folks I represent. With that, let’s jump into the news.Happening This Week: In-Person Town Hall … Continue Reading
February 06, 2023
Upcoming Town Halls, Protecting Our Coast, Standing up for Our Region, and More
Hello Folks –February is here! That means new committee assignments, Super Bowl Sunday next weekend, and a whole lot of travel back and forth between the two Washingtons. All the while, I’m working hard for folks like you back home.OK – on to the news.Providing Valentines for VetsValentine’s Day is right around the corner and that means my “Valentines for Vets” program is back once again! We can’t ever thank our veterans enough, which is why I’m … Continue Reading
January 23, 2023
Housing, the Arts, and Getting America’s Fiscal House in Order
Hello Folks –I hope this finds you and yours doing well in the new year. January is well underway, and it’s all systems go in D.C. I’m up to my ears in constituent meetings and House votes, all while finding time to make it back to the district as much as possible, making myself available and accountable to you. Let’s jump right into the news.Getting America’s Fiscal House in OrderRecently, there’s been a fair amount of press attention around the … Continue Reading
January 09, 2023
Reflecting on Big Wins for Our Region
Hello Folks –Happy New Year!Hopefully you’re as excited as I am about the Seahawks making the playoffs after a drama-filled season.Speaking of drama… As we kicked off 2023, the 118th Congress witnessed a historic level of chaos.Let me explain: House Republicans, who now have a majority in the chamber, were split on who they want to be Speaker of the House. After 15 attempts to elect a speaker, Rep. Kevin McCarthy was finally elected Speaker of the House.For a little context, … Continue Reading
December 26, 2022
Investing in Our Communities + A BIG Win for Puget Sound
Hello Folks – I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend! It was great to spend time with my family, share some presents and eggnog, and binge-watch Hallmark holiday movies. As we move into the New Year, I hope folks have a happy and healthy 2023, filled with prosperity and new opportunities! I’m also looking forward to another year as your representative. I’m honored to work for you! OK – on to the news. Puget SOS Act As folks may recall, the representative … Continue Reading
December 12, 2022
Updates on Honoring Promises to Native Nations, Defending Marriage Equality, and Supporting Our Servicemembers
Hello Folks – December is in full swing and that means it’s my favorite time of the year! From festive lights to holiday songs to time with friends and family, I’m not sure it gets much better than this. While everyone (including me) is celebrating their favorite things this time of the year, you can find me still fighting to make Congress work better for people in our region. From committee meetings in the Capitol to time with constituents in our communities, for me, the … Continue Reading
November 28, 2022
What I’m Thankful For – And Updates on Efforts to Fix Congress & Create Jobs
Hello Folks - I hope you all had a terrific weekend celebrating Thanksgiving with your loved ones. My family and I spent a lot of time at home eating (I think I crushed the pumpkin pie: see below!), watching the Apple Cup (way to go, Huskies!!), playing a few board games, and counting our blessings. I'm thankful for many things. For my family and friends. For the roof over my head. But that's not all. In addition, I'm thankful for the opportunity to represent you. As most of you know, I … Continue Reading
November 14, 2022
Honoring Our Veterans - and A Big Win for Rural Health Care in Our Region
Hello Folks - I hope you had a terrific Veterans' Day weekend! Our community is stronger because we have so many people who served this nation who have chosen to call our region their home. As your representative, I'm committed to the notion that - if you serve our country, we should have your back. As we approach Thanksgiving next week, we should all be thankful for our nation's veterans. Speaking of veterans, let's dive right into some news! Honoring Our Veterans Between 1956 and 1975, … Continue Reading
October 31, 2022
Big Wins for Local Economies... and for Taxpayers!
Hello Folks - Happy Halloween! The Kilmer family is well-prepared for a lot of Trick-or-Treaters... though I'm hoping to have some leftover candy when the night is over! I'm all in on Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (but I'll happily take some Twix and Kit-Kats... or any of it, really). Speaking of treats - let me kick this newsletter off with some big news! Our region got some amazing treats announced late last week by the U.S. Maritime Administration. Senator Patty Murray, Senator Maria … Continue Reading
October 17, 2022
Strengthening Social Security & Medicare and Investing in Restoring Puget Sound
Hello Folks - I hope folks are enjoying all the falling leaves, pumpkin patches, hayrides, corn mazes, and a continuation of summer weather! October is in the full swing of things - the kiddos are back in school, the Huskies and Seahawks both had great wins over the weekend, and - as for our Mariners - I'm already ready for next year (though admittedly barely recovered from those 18 innings). OK - on to the news. Investing in Restoring Puget Sound As frequent readers of this newsletter … Continue Reading
October 03, 2022
Updates on Building Safer Communities, Protecting Our Democracy, and Standing Up for Mental Health
Hello Folks - Hope you all enjoyed the beautiful sunshine this weekend! Believe it or not, October has officially arrived and that means our days are numbered until the Pacific Northwest's autumn weather returns in its usual rainy fashion. However, fall is also bringing something coveted back to our region - Mariners playoff baseball! Go M's!!! (And if you haven't seen the amazing call from Dave Sims, you should take a couple of minutes and check it out here!) OK - on to the news. Building … Continue Reading
September 19, 2022
Updates on Building a More Perfect Union, Protecting Our Environment, and Supporting Those Who Served
Hello Folks - It's hard to believe that September is already in full swing and football season is back! Great wins for the Huskies and the Cougs this weekend (I would prefer not to discuss the 'hawks this morning). The last few weeks across the district and back in DC have been jam-packed. Importantly, I took time earlier this month to host a telephone town hall so I could hear from folks across the district about how things are going and answer a lot of important questions. We covered a … Continue Reading
September 06, 2022
Join My Town Hall Tomorrow! Plus: An Update on My Work to Protect Our Democracy - And a Glimpse Into a Day in the Life!
Hello Folks - I hope you had a terrific Labor Day weekend! As regular readers of this newsletter know, it's been a busy few months in Congress. I've helped pass a number of important new laws that are going to make a difference to folks across our region. Just to name a few, we've passed: The Inflation Reduction Act - to lower health care and prescription drug costs, to lower energy costs and combat the climate crisis, and to reduce our deficit and inflation. The PACT Act - to ensure … Continue Reading
August 22, 2022
Big News on a New Law to Reduce Prices for American Families
Hello Folks - As August marches on, there is a lot happening! For the past couple of weeks - and for a few more weeks to come - I'll be running around our region and working to be available, accessible, and accountable to you. While the Seahawks were lining up against the Steelers and Bears (and making me a little worried about the season ahead), I was able to make it to the annual Jefferson County, Clallam County, and Grays Harbor County Fairs and the Key Peninsula Logging Show! I had the … Continue Reading
August 08, 2022
Two Big Wins to Help Our Economy and Our Veterans
Hello Folks - Summer is here and we are finally seeing some sunshine in the Pacific Northwest. For much of this month, you'll see me running from pillar to post around our region - visiting with constituents, touring economic development projects, and working to be accountable and available to you! A main area of focus for me is on reducing costs for the folks I represent. We know that our country - and nearly every developed country - is grappling with inflation. I'm pleased to report that, … Continue Reading