An Update on My Work to Support Rural Airports and Championing Our Tribal Communities
Hello Folks –
Yesterday, on Memorial Day, we paused to honor and remember brave Americans who gave their lives in service to our nation. The day wasn’t about cookouts or appliance sales – it was about recognizing and honoring the sacrifices of more than a million Americans who have died in military service since the Civil War. Their sacrifices should never be forgotten.
There’s a lot for me to discuss and share this week. So, let’s dive into the news and explore what’s happening around our region.
Championing Support for Rural Airports
We all appreciate the importance of our local airports in times of crisis, particularly for the folks in rural communities. Out on the Olympic Peninsula, airports are the backbone of our emergency response systems – yet they’re not invulnerable to natural disasters or the impacts of climate change. That’s why, earlier this month, I was thrilled that the House passed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act, which extended the authority and funding of the FAA for five more years.
The FAA Reauthorization Act included my bipartisan legislation, the Resilient Airports Act, which will improve emergency and disaster response capabilities at airports nationwide, including those located in rural communities. This bill will expand the Airport Improvement Program’s (AIP) eligibility criteria, enabling more airports to receive funding for crucial infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing resilience against earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, wildfires, and other natural disasters.
Additionally, my legislation will help ensure that general aviation airports designated as federal staging areas by the Federal Emergency Management Agency are eligible for AIP funds. That’s a big deal for folks in rural communities, who rely on their small local airports for support during emergencies. I’m proud to see this important legislation pass and will continue to champion efforts to get rural airports the resources they need to be resilient moving forward. Because when our airports are resilient, our communities are too.
In addition to supporting rural airports, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 addresses several key areas to improve our aviation system. It ensures the U.S. aviation system remains the world’s gold standard in safety by addressing various safety issues. The act also invests in workforce development and training to address the shortage of qualified aviation workers, ensuring we have enough pilots, mechanics, and air traffic controllers for the future. Additionally, the bill implements reforms to enhance the travel experience for passengers, making flying more convenient and enjoyable for everyone.
Standing Up for Indian Country
As the representative for 12 Tribes across our region, I know just how important it is for the federal government to step up and do its part to support Tribal communities. From building more homes that people can afford to expanding broadband access to ensuring no family is left behind, I’ve committed myself to championing the needs of Tribal partners since the day I was first elected. To that end, I have a few exciting developments to share that I know will have a huge impact on our region’s Tribes:
Funding for Affordable Housing
Just last week, I was excited to announce that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development had awarded a total of more than $21.5 million in federal funds through the Indian Housing Block Grant Program to Tribes in our neck of the woods to support critical Tribal housing projects. That’s a huge win for our region’s Tribal communities.
Across our region, we need more housing people can afford – especially in Indian Country. For too long, the federal government has failed to live up to its treaty and trust responsibilities to Tribal nations. As a result, many Native communities lack adequate housing.
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Back in 2022, I met with Suquamish Tribe Chairman Leonard Forsman to learn more about the Tribe’s efforts to create more affordable housing on the Port Madison Indian Reservation.
That’s why this most recent announcement from HUD is such a big deal. Congress and the federal government have a moral and legal obligation to fulfill the promises made to Indian Country. These critical investments will not only help more Tribal citizens live in their ancestral homelands but also ease housing challenges for those living nearby. These investments are a win-win for our region.
Ensuring Equal Access to Tax Benefits
Tribes are a part of our communities, and that means they deserve equal access to the same tax benefits that other Americans have. That’s why, in May, I introduced the Tribal Adoption Parity Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at establishing parity between state and Tribal governments in determining whether an adoption qualifies as “special needs” and is thus eligible for the full adoption tax credit.
Currently, taxpayers can receive an adoption tax credit of up to $14,300 to help offset the costs of adopting a child. If a child is considered to have “special needs,” meaning they are difficult to place in a home for various reasons (such as being older, having a disability or health condition, or being part of a sibling group), adoptive parents are automatically eligible for the full tax credit. However, only state governments can currently determine if a child has special needs, excluding Tribal governments and making it more challenging for parents who adopt through Tribal courts to receive the full tax credit.
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Last November, I met with the new Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe Chairwoman Amber Caldera to welcome her and offer my partnership to her and the Tribe.
My legislation is a common sense, bipartisan measure that aims to ensure that a family adopting a child through Tribal courts receives equal access to the adoption tax credit. Simply put, it’s about fairness to Tribal communities and it’s about providing critical support for children with special needs. Congress should get this done!
Fighting Back Against Discriminatory Requirements
Requiring Native Americans to prove their blood quantum to exercise their treaty-protected rights is ridiculous and discriminatory.
This past March, I introduced bipartisan legislation to fight back against this discrimination toward Tribes. The Tribal Border Crossing Parity Act aims to redouble our efforts to end a half-century-old U.S. immigration policy that requires Native Americans to carry proof of their blood quantum, documents showing that they are at least 50 percent Native American, when exercising their treaty-protected right to freely cross between the U.S. and Canada.
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Earlier this year, I met with the Hoh Tribal Council to learn about their upcoming projects and programs, including the horse trail tsunami evacuation route in Olympic National Park.
The federal government must respect the sovereignty of each federally recognized Tribe to determine who is eligible to exercise their treaty rights. My legislation will ensure this, and I’ll keep working here in D.C. to get this bill to President Biden’s desk.
Working for You
Leading the Way in Blue Energy
Earlier this month, I met with former Vice President Al Gore. We discussed the climate movement and my legislation to reassert the U.S. as the global leader in blue energy technologies. I’m fighting to ensure that work continues to happen on the Olympic Peninsula!
Fighting Back Against the Epidemic of Loneliness
Recently, members of the centrist New Democrat Coalition welcomed Surgeon General Vivek Murthy to discuss the state of health care and mental health in the U.S. His insights on healing divides and loneliness in our country are especially important today. My Building Civic Bridges Act aims to provide federal support to address these issues.
Checking In with Our Ports
It’s important for me, as the representative for a district practically surrounded by water, to ensure I’m checking in with our ports and their partners. That’s why I recently met with the team from the Northwest Seaport Alliance, who are helping to power our economy and grow jobs in the South Sound. We visited with Commissioner Dan Maffei of the Federal Maritime Commission and discussed efforts to get the federal government to invest in our region’s ports. I’m always proud to support efforts to build cleaner and greener infrastructure that keeps our economy moving forward!
OK – that’s it for now, folks. As always, I’m honored to represent you.
Sincerely,
Derek Kilmer