My Work to Protect Our Environment and Fight Back Against Cancer
Hello Folks –
Over the last few weeks, we’ve heard a lot about the nation’s debt ceiling and the Bipartisan Budget Agreement that resolved the crisis.
It’s not a perfect deal. But overall, the bipartisan agreement helped our country avoid economic catastrophe – and protected critical services like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, veterans’ benefits, health care, and funding for education.
Last week, I spoke with Joe Kernen of CNBC’s morning program, “Squawk Box,” to discuss the Bipartisan Budget Agreement and my support for - policies to grow our economy and strengthen access to housing that people can afford. You can watch the full interview here.
Preserving our History
Earlier this month, I announced that the National Park Service (NPS) awarded $613,150 to fund the completion of the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Visitor Center project. I’m proud to see the NPS taking important steps to preserve and illuminate the stories of Japanese Americans who were unjustly incarcerated during World War II, including those who called Bainbridge Island home.
A new visitor center will help future generations better understand the heartbreaking stories chronicled at the Bainbridge Island memorial, describing how families were forcibly removed from their homes. The memorial is a valuable reminder that we must always be vigilant in fighting prejudice and discrimination.
Protecting Our Environment
June 4 marked the start of Ocean Week 2023, which ran through June 10. As the representative for our region, I recognize all too well the dangers that climate change presents to our environment, health, and the vitality of our communities and bodies of water (including our oceans and estuaries like Puget Sound). It’s crucial that we work together, and that the federal government plays its part, to ensure the continued health and productivity of these vital ecosystems. They serve as the cornerstone of our economic security, supporting folks whose livelihoods are intricately tied to our thriving fisheries and shellfish industry.
Last Tuesday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration unveiled its $2.6 billion plan to help deliver critical funds from the Inflation Reduction Act to coastal communities in Washington state.
Their plan will support the health of Washington’s Pacific Coast fisheries, ensure folks in our neck of the woods can successfully adapt to a changing climate, and reflect the priorities of Tribes across our region.
But we’ve still got work to do …
In our region alone, four coastal Tribes are in the process of moving to higher ground due to rising sea levels and storm-induced flooding. The escalating global climate crisis has also contributed to devastating wildfires in recent years that have ravaged our home state as some areas become drier.
Last summer, Secretary Granholm joined me at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Sequim to see firsthand the work taking place here in our region related to tackling climate change and developing alternative energy sources.
We need to advance renewable energy technologies that fully harness the ocean's potential for low-cost energy and decarbonization. I’m working on this with the Blue Ocean Energy Innovation Act, my legislation to reassert the United States as the global leader in the research and development of blue energy technology that harnesses the energy generated from the ocean (including algae and tides).
Additionally, I was proud to join as an original co-sponsor of the bipartisan Ocean Regional Opportunity and Innovation Act. This legislation would establish “Ocean Innovation Clusters” to support research and job training in coastal communities, including here in Washington state.
I take pride in the fact that the region I represent has spearheaded the national drive for “blue energy” and water-based technologies that harness marine energy resources. In Congress, I’ll continue to champion the support we need to keep making progress on issues like these.
Combatting Cancer Drug Shortages
Recently, I hosted a briefing with the House Cancer Caucus, where we heard from experts with the Society of Gynecologic Oncology regarding oncology drug shortages in our country. The reality is, the ongoing shortage of chemotherapy drugs used in the treatment of multiple common cancers, especially cancers more common among women, is a very serious issue.
This shortage is impacting patient care nationwide, including right here in our neck of the woods. Just the other day, the staff of one of the local small, rural cancer centers here in Washington shared their experience of being down to a single day’s supply of chemotherapy drugs in a story from The Seattle Times. You can read the full article here.
Folks at Jefferson Healthcare had to transfer patients to another facility and scramble to secure additional doses from another hospital. Another clinic is making tough decisions to reduce chemotherapy doses for certain patients. Even major hospitals and cancer centers in Seattle are impacted.
The Society of Gynecologic Oncology estimates that chemotherapy drug shortages could impact as many as half a million patients. That’s why I co-led a bipartisan letter to the FDA commissioner, asking him to identify policy changes that would help them identify potential drug shortages and effectively respond to them as they arise.
Cancer touches nearly every person in this country. This year, the American Cancer Society projects that 1.9 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer and that over 600,000 cancer patients will die. I firmly believe that a patient in a rural community on the Olympic Peninsula should have the same shot at the best chemotherapy as a patient in the shadow of the Space Needle. I’ll keep fighting to make that a reality.
Working for You
Having the Backs of Postal Service Employees
Great to meet with folks from the Washington Rural Letter Carriers Association, talking about how crucial it is to support our postal service employees and retirees. Thanks to those who work tirelessly to deliver our mail.
Strengthening Our Supply Chains
Rail infrastructure is crucial for getting American products to ports so they can be shipped all around the world. That generates jobs throughout our region. I had a great meeting with the team from Tacoma Rail to talk about safety and making our supply chain stronger.
Supporting the Trades
As our country transitions to renewable energy sources, Washington state can reap the benefits in the form of good union jobs. Thanks to the folks at UA Local 598 for meeting with me in Washington, D.C.
OK – that’s it for now, folks. As always, I’m honored to represent you.
Sincerely,
Derek Kilmer