eNewsletters
Honoring Our Heroes
Hello Friends - Yesterday, on Memorial Day, our nation paused to honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation. To me, Memorial Day is a chance to commemorate and honor those who have given so much to make our nation stronger. Because of the sacrifice and commitment of so many, my late grandmother was able to survive World War II, emigrate to the United States, and become a proud American citizen. Because of that sacrifice and commitment, my … Continue Reading
May 18, 2020
Supporting Frontline Workers & Families Impacted by Coronavirus
Hello Folks - I hope this finds you well. Over the last few months, the COVID-19 pandemic has become the biggest public health crisis of our lifetimes, and it is now proving to be the largest economic challenge since the Great Depression. Responding to a challenge of this magnitude requires swift and bold action. That's why on Friday, I voted in favor of the Heroes Act - the fifth coronavirus relief package passed by the House - to deliver support to our frontline workers, provide … Continue Reading
May 11, 2020
Telephone Town Hall Tonight
Hello Folks - I hope everyone was able to take a few moments yesterday to celebrate Mother's Day. While the Kilmer family usually goes out for brunch to celebrate Jen - this year, we stuck closer to home. (We had a great Mexican dinner and watched the Tom Hanks "Mr. Rogers" movie! Not a bad night!) I hope all the moms out there had a terrific day. And to my mom - thanks for being a great mom! OK - on to the news! Welcoming You to Tonight's Telephone Town Hall I work for you - and even … Continue Reading
May 05, 2020
Calling for a National Testing Plan and Supporting Local Employers
Hello Folks - I hope this finds you well. Together, by staying home and staying safe, we've all been making progress in the fight to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Given that that today is my favorite holiday (Star Wars Day), let me start by saying May the 4th be with you! I can't help but start by sharing this public health suggestion. In our state and region, we are starting to strategize about how we will continue to keep folks safe while moving toward economic recovery. Let me … Continue Reading
April 27, 2020
Providing Support for Our Small Businesses and Frontline Workers
Hello Folks - I hope you are all hanging in there. It's been a challenging week for our region, but Washington is making real progress in containing the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). While there is certainly more work ahead, the work folks are doing to stay home and stay healthy is making a difference. Now - the news! Fighting for Our Local Employers As I recently wrote in The Kitsap Sun, small businesses are the backbone of our economy - creating over 60 percent of new jobs in … Continue Reading
April 20, 2020
Having Your Back
Hello Folks - It's been another challenging week - but Washington State and our region are starting to make progress in containing the spread of COVID-19. While there is certainly more work to be done, the work folks are doing to stay home and stay healthy is making a difference. I hope you are all continuing to take care of yourselves - and each other. On to the news! Helping Washingtonians Who Have Lost Their Jobs Last week, we learned that a record number of Americans have filed for … Continue Reading
April 13, 2020
Helping Families Get By During COVID-19
Hello Folks - I hope everyone had joyous and peaceful Passover and Easter celebrations this past week. I spent some quality time with my family and got a good reminder from my church that sometimes, we can all be together - even when we're apart. These past few weeks have given us all time to reflect on the unprecedented challenges we are facing as a society and to give thanks to our health care, police and fire, food, postal, and other essential workers on the front lines combating the … Continue Reading
April 06, 2020
Lending a Hand
Hello Folks - I hope you are all keeping safe, staying well, and managing these challenging times. As your representative, hearing from you is critical to my job. Since this public health crisis began, I've been listening directly to folks in every corner of our region about how COVID-19 and efforts to contain its spread are impacting them - and to learn more about what resources are needed from the federal government. In response, I've worked with my colleagues in Congress to pass three … Continue Reading
April 03, 2020
Answering Your Questions about Rebate Checks to Americans During COVID-19
Friend - Last Friday, the House passed and the President signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide immediate relief to workers and families, while bolstering America's medical response to COVID-19. I fought for a number of provisions in this bill that will help ensure Washington's families, students, employers, health care providers, and communities have the resources and assistance they need during these difficult times. That includes … Continue Reading
March 30, 2020
House Acts to Provide Immediate Relief to Workers & Families, Bolster Medical Response
Hi Folks- Across our region and our entire country, the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is putting an extraordinary strain on our health care system, our economy, and on families. I hope you are all keeping safe, staying well, and managing these challenging times. Over the past week, I've had a phone attached to my ear from dawn until dusk - hearing from hospital leaders, local housing authorities, folks at the Naval Shipyard, disability advocates, veterans organizations, higher … Continue Reading
March 22, 2020
March 22 COVID-19 Update from Representative Kilmer
Friends - I hope this finds you well. It's been another challenging week for our region, our state, and our nation as we respond to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and take drastic steps to contain the spread. Just like you, my everyday life has changed quite a bit as well. Usually when I'm back home in our district, I'm travelling from pillar to post across our region, meeting with folks to learn how I can better advocate for our communities back in the other Washington. But in … Continue Reading
March 16, 2020
March 16 COVID-19 Update
Hi Folks -I hope this finds you well. I know it's been a challenging week for folks in our region. Washington state and the federal government are taking unprecedented action to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). It is undoubtedly causing disruption to everyday life. I know folks have a lot of questions. Tonight, Monday, March 16 at 6:30pm PT, I'll be hosting a telephone town hall to talk about the federal government's response to COVID-19. In addition to a discussion on … Continue Reading
March 09, 2020
March 9 COVID-19 Update from Rep. Kilmer
Hi Folks -I want to start by sharing my condolences with the families, friends, and loved ones of those who have lost their lives due to complications from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Please know that you are in my prayers.I also want to offer a heartfelt thank you to the first responders, health care professionals, state and local officials, and everyone in our communities working day-and-night to respond to COVID-19. You all are doing incredible, life-saving work.As the number of … Continue Reading
March 02, 2020
An Update on the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Friends - This weekend, we were saddened to learn of the first death from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) here in Washington, and that more cases have been confirmed in our region and across the country. Sadly, a second death was recently confirmed in King County, with additional hospitalizations. In addition to praying for those who have already been impacted by this, I am monitoring this situation closely and working with our local health departments and practitioners to ensure they have … Continue Reading
February 18, 2020
Sharing Some Love with Our Veterans
Hi Folks -I hope you all had a terrific Valentine's Day! For the Kilmers, it was pretty low key (a bite out and some Netflix… yes - I'm a romantic). But the highlight of Valentine's Day was getting to visit the Retsil Veterans Home and VFW Post 2669 in Kitsap County to deliver valentines on behalf of school kids from all over our region. When we put out the word that we wanted to show some love to local veterans, local kids responded - big time! We delivered literally thousands of cards … Continue Reading
February 04, 2020
Finding Common Ground and Making Progress
Hello Friends -Happy Super Monday! I hope you enjoyed the big game yesterday. It was an exciting game (and, as a Seahawks fan, I was happy to see the Niners lose). My favorite parts? The Groundhog Day commercial... and the food! I ate far too many chips, far too much dip, and way too many chicken wings. Actually, it was a pretty fun game (and my daughters have convinced me to become a fan of The Masked Singer).Tomorrow, I'll be heading back to DC, and the first order of business is the State … Continue Reading
January 21, 2020
Recognizing the Progress We've Made - and the Work We Still Need to Do
Friends -Yesterday, we took time as a nation and as a community to honor and celebrate the life and mission of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I was honored to participate in several events in our region where people came together to recognize the progress we've made - and the work we still need to do - to, as Dr. King said, "make America what it ought to be."We cannot simply honor Dr. King with our words. We need to honor him with our actions. We honor him when we work to address inequities in the … Continue Reading
January 06, 2020
Resolutions for the New Year
Hello Folks - Happy New Year! I hope your year is off to a great start so far. I'm feeling great about that Seahawks victory yesterday (and am excited to get some Philadelphia pretzels from my colleague Brendan Boyle from PA who lost a friendly bet to me!). The holiday season provided time to reflect on an eventful 2019, and to think about my resolutions for the new year ahead. There are always some that are personal. For example, last year, I challenged myself to be more active and … Continue Reading
December 23, 2019
I'm Honored to Represent You
Friend -We're quickly coming up on the holidays, and I'd love to write about presents and eggnog. But, let's be honest... it's been a challenging few weeks for our country - some of the most solemn and historic weeks that I've been part of as a public servant. I've always made it a priority to remain available, accessible, and accountable to the folks I represent. That's why I held a Facebook Live town hall last week and a telephone town hall the very night of the impeachment vote because I … Continue Reading
December 09, 2019
So, you may have missed this...
Hello Folks -My Christmas tree is up and decorated. My house is lit up like the Griswold Home in Christmas Vacation. And there is eggnog in my fridge! I can't believe we're already into the holiday season! While we're heading into the homestretch of 2019, Congress is hopefully also on the homestretch of getting some important things done. Lost in a lot of the noise on cable news is the fact that there's actually been quite a lot of activity in the House. In fact, since January, the House has … Continue Reading