eNewsletters
Finally, Good News on COVID-19 Relief (..and a Telephone Town Hall Tonight!)
Hello Folks- When this pandemic first started, I made a commitment that when anyone from our region contacted my office about losing a job, or a small business, or a loved one due to COVID-19, I would reach out personally to hear their story and see if I could lend a hand. Over the past nine months, I've spoken with folks from every corner of our region - and I've heard a lot of despair, and a lot of fear, from folks who have been worrying about whether they can keep the lights on, feed their … Continue Reading
December 07, 2020
Busy Weeks Ahead: An Update on Funding the Government, Supporting Our Troops, and Providing COVID-19 Relief
Hello Folks - Greetings from our nation's capital. I hope this note finds you safe and healthy amid these challenging times. In the remaining weeks of the year, there's a lot of work for Congress to do. It needs to pass a bill to keep the federal government open and fully funded. It needs to pass the annual defense bill to support our troops and their families. And it needs to get a COVID-19 relief bill that meets the needs of the American people signed into law. I've got a sense of urgency … Continue Reading
November 23, 2020
What I'm Thankful For in 2020
Hello Folks - Most years, I'm grateful to be able to spend Thanksgiving with my family - including my folks. Suffice it to say, this isn't "most years." Instead, we're doing things a little differently this year by staying home to ensure we're keeping everybody safe and healthy. (Having said that, we are hoping to share the things we are thankful for with my family over Zoom and pumpkin pie). This has been a tough year. We know that a lot of folks are hurting. This pandemic has … Continue Reading
November 09, 2020
How I'm Working for You
Hello Folks - I hope you are all keeping safe, staying well, and managing these challenging times. With COVID-19 cases on the rise nationwide, I want to remind folks to continue to do your part to help slow the spread of the coronavirus; by wearing a mask, washing our hands, and watching our distance when we can, we can all step-up for one another. It has been an exciting (and occasionally excruciating) week in our democracy. I know there are folks who are happy about the outcome - and there … Continue Reading
October 26, 2020
An Update on Bipartisan Collaboration - and My Work to Provide Quality, Affordable Health Care
Hello Folks - Over the past few weeks, our country has seen a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases. In fact, last Friday, Johns Hopkins University reported over 83,000 new cases and over 900 deaths - which is the highest number of new cases reported in a single day since this pandemic started. We also learned last week that over 100,000 Washingtonians have now tested positive for the coronavirus. These numbers are important reminders that we still have a long way to go before we crush this … Continue Reading
October 13, 2020
Supporting Our Local Heroes and Assisting Our Federal Workers
Hello Folks - As frequent readers of this newsletter know, for months now I've been pushing for the federal government to provide additional relief for families and for small business during this pandemic - and to deliver the resources needed on the frontlines to crush this virus. That's why, back in May - nearly 5 months ago - I proudly supported, and the House passed, the HEROES Act. This bill was a comprehensive coronavirus relief package to deliver more relief and new resources. But … Continue Reading
September 28, 2020
An Update on Fixing Congress and Investing in Green Economy Jobs
Hello Folks - Like so many of you, the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has been weighing heavily on my mind. She was a trailblazer - a true public servant. She was a champion for equality, and for justice, and her work to make life better for so many Americans has left an indelible mark on our country (though I'm sure you've read a lot about Justice Ginsburg this week, NPR's Nina Totenberg has a powerful report about her life and her lasting impact). As many news outlets … Continue Reading
September 15, 2020
Supporting Our Communities
Hello Folks - Over the last week, we've seen intense wildfires rage up and down the west coast, including in our own home state, leading to poor air quality and the destruction of hundreds of thousands of acres of forest. Tragically, we've witnessed both the loss of homes and the loss of life as a result of this crisis. I know that these past few weeks have brought on new challenges on the heels of an already unprecedented year. I hope that you and your loved ones have been staying safe … Continue Reading
August 31, 2020
Connecting Our Communities
Hello, Folks! It has been another challenging week in our country. Not only are folks continuing to deal with disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, America witnessed the shooting of Jacob Blake and the shooting of three protesters in Wisconsin. I've had a lot of folks reach out and ask me how I feel about the events of the week. I feel heartbroken to watch yet another video of a Black American being shot by police. I feel pain - and am horrified - for those kids who were in that … Continue Reading
August 17, 2020
Don't Mess With USPS
Hello Folks - I hope you all are staying safe and taking care of yourselves. While you get this e-newsletter in your e-mail inbox, I couldn't help but think that we should start the newsletter today by talking about the other way most Americans get their mail - through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). During this pandemic, USPS employees and mail carriers have stepped up and gone beyond their traditional duties to continue serving their communities. They've played a critical role on the … Continue Reading
August 03, 2020
We Can't Let Up the Fight for Unemployment Assistance
Hello Folks - I can't believe we've already hit August. It's been a really busy (and muggy) summer in Washington, D.C. Since late June, the House passed: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act to bring coverage to millions, lower costs, and end discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions; The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which represents a significant and comprehensive first step to address the systemic injustices in law enforcement and … Continue Reading
July 27, 2020
Protecting Public Lands, Supporting Our Veterans
Hello Folks - One of the best parts of my job is getting to hear from you. Your voices matter. In fact, I work for you, so I appreciate our continued conversations about how we can make progress together for our region. Each day, I receive thousands of phone calls, emails, and letters from folks across our region - and since the beginning of 2019, I've responded to over 208,000 messages! It's a huge priority for me. I also value the opportunity to have as many face-to-face interactions with … Continue Reading
July 20, 2020
Investing in Our Communities
Hello Folks - Over the weekend, our nation lost a titan of our civil rights movement - and one of my personal heroes - John Lewis. Earlier this summer, I was on a call with Mr. Lewis - a man who was beaten and tear gassed for advocating for the right to vote. He said he was sad because he had been reminded in recent months that we aren't as far on the path to justice as any of us want our country to be. But then he said, "But I'm hopeful. Because young people are standing up. They're working … Continue Reading
July 13, 2020
Restoring Puget Sound
Hello Folks - Before we dive right into the news - I want to take a moment to remind everyone to continue to observe recommendations by the CDC to social distance and wear a mask! We're seeing a lot of areas around the nation experience some serious upticks in COVID-19 cases - and that's true for some parts of Washington state as well. Luckily, everyone can do their part to help slow the spread! Wearing a mask that covers your nose and mouth helps protect others in case you're infected with … Continue Reading
July 07, 2020
Investing in Jobs
Hello Folks - This year, the celebration of Independence Day felt a little bit different. This was my first time in years without parades, pancake breakfasts, and other 4th of July revelry. Instead, I was home with Jen and my kiddos (and - yes - the grill was used and I did watch Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum defeat space aliens on the AMC Network). Despite the circumstances of the year, I hope you were able to spend time with your family. For those who - like me - were bummed that they … Continue Reading
June 29, 2020
Lowering Health Costs and Prescription Drug Prices
Hello Folks - I hope you all are staying safe and taking care of yourselves. As I write this, I'm in D.C. - and I'll tell you, I was happy to wear a mask on the five-hour flight across the country. Wearing a mask when you're out in public can help slow the spread of COVID-19 (one of my favorite reads this week: Top 10 Reasons to Wear a Mask)! While my wife, Jen, has been sewing masks, I haven't yet convinced her to participate in the Washington Mask Challenge run by the Lt. Governor, the … Continue Reading
June 23, 2020
Keeping Connected
Hello Folks - I hope all the dads out there had a great Father's Day yesterday. I felt lucky to have gotten a great gift - a little time with Sophie and Tess! We made some pizzas together (they were … mostly edible!) and had a family movie night. We watched one of my all-time favorites - The Princess Bride. I couldn't help but get a chuckle when Wesley said this line: I hope you're all staying safe, keeping well, and - if you're going out in public and being in close proximity to … Continue Reading
June 15, 2020
Working for You
Hello Folks - I hope this note finds you well. I've been asked a fair amount over the last few months whether I'm still meeting with constituents (even in the midst of social distancing). Well, through the wonders of technology, I'm actually spending about 10-14 hours each day meeting with folks from all over our region. A lot of the time has been focused on ensuring folks have information about resources that can help them through this challenging time. Sometimes it's focused on listening … Continue Reading
June 09, 2020
Building a Better Future
Hello Folks - I hope this finds you well and that you are keeping safe. Last week was a call to action - as thousands across our region, our nation, and our world marched to demand justice in response to the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless other Black Americans. I share this pain-and the desire for change in our country and justice for their families. Right here at home, we've felt the pain and anguish of the death of Manuel Ellis, a Tacoma resident … Continue Reading
June 01, 2020
Pursuing Justice & Accountability
Good Evening - There is a lot of pain and anger in communities across our region, our state, and our nation. On top of a public health crisis that has led to the death of over 100,000 Americans, which has disproportionately affected minority communities, last week we saw a Black American murdered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, by a uniformed police officer. It was a horrific act - it was heartbreaking - and it was not acceptable. George Floyd's murder was a violation of the social contract that … Continue Reading