Taking Action to Protect Reproductive Freedom
Hello, Folks –
It’s been a busy few weeks in DC – so let’s dive right in!
Protecting Reproductive Freedom
Earlier this summer, the Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion. That decision, made by a conservative-led Supreme Court, threatens reproductive freedom everywhere. Already, in the immediate aftermath of the Dobbs decision, at least nine states have put abortion bans in effect, and half of all states are expected to ban or severely limit reproductive freedom in the days and weeks to come. Many Congressional Republicans, along with former Vice President Mike Pence, are calling for a national abortion ban that would criminalize abortion “in every state in the land.”
I know this is an issue that sparks passion on all sides. Having said that, I feel strongly that decisions about reproductive health care are best made by people in consultation with their doctors. These deeply personal decisions should not be interfered with or replaced by the judgment of politicians.
That’s why over the last two weeks, the House has passed legislation to defend reproductive freedom.
First, I voted to support the Women’s Health Protection Act – legislation that would codify the rights that existed for the last fifty years under Roe v. Wade. The bill, which I co-sponsored, would restore choice nationwide and prevent restrictions that block care and undermine a person’s ability to make their own health care decisions.
Second, since the Supreme Court’s decision, Republican legislators across the country have proposed legislation aimed at blocking a woman from crossing state lines to obtain a legal abortion. With that in mind, I voted to support the Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act of 2022, which would protect a woman traveling across state lines for the purpose of obtaining a legal abortion.
And finally, in his concurring opinion, Justice Clarence Thomas suggested that the Supreme Court should revisit prior decisions that protected the right to contraception. In response to this, the House passed – and I voted to support – the Right to Contraception Act. This bill establishes a statutory right to obtain contraceptives and to engage in contraception, and for health care providers to provide contraceptives, contraception, and information related to contraception.
I’ll work to get these bills across the finish line and to protect people’s rights.
Protecting Marriage Equality
Based on Justice Thomas’s concurrence, marriage equality could also be under attack. That’s why, last week, I voted to support the Respect for Marriage Act – legislation I co-sponsored to enshrine the marriage equality for same-sex and interracial couples guaranteed by Obergefell and Loving. Essentially, the bill requires that an individual be considered married under federal law if the marriage was valid in the state where it was performed. This gives same-sex and interracial couples additional security that they will continue to enjoy equal treatment under federal law as all other married couples – as the Constitution requires.
I’m hopeful that this bill will get the bipartisan support it deserves in the Senate to become law – and I’ll keep pushing to defend the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
Lowering Costs for Families
Far too many people in our region are feeling squeezed by inflation. Folks are sitting at their kitchen tables trying to figure out how to make ends meet in the face of rising prices. It’s a problem for all families if the costs of the things we depend upon continue to rise to the point where we cannot afford them.
Last week, in The Daily World in Aberdeen, I wrote about steps that can be taken to reduce costs for Washingtonians. You can read it here and below.
Lower Gas Prices
The disruption caused by the pandemic and the Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine has led to increased gas prices around the globe.
Appropriately, the Biden Administration has released oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and has temporarily waived regulations on higher ethanol-gasoline. The President has also authorized the use of the Defense Production Act to speed up domestic production of clean energy technologies in hopes of lowering energy consumption and reducing America’s dependence on fossil fuels. But more can be done.
For example, the House has passed legislation to crack down on price gouging by oil companies. In recent months, even when we’ve seen the price per barrel decline, prices at the pump have not followed suit. It’s no surprise that the big oil companies have seen record profits, with the top five oil companies alone seeing more than 200 percent more in profits in the first quarter of this year in comparison to the same period last year. I don’t think corporations should be allowed to levy excessive price increases and squeeze consumers simply to maximize their own profits.
Beyond that, consumers would save some money at the pump if Congress passed a gas tax holiday with provisions to ensure the oil companies don’t simply pocket the savings. In addition, over the long haul, we need to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Building out a national network of electric vehicle charging stations (which is in the works already thanks to the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) – and providing tax incentives for the purchase of electric vehicles (which has already passed the House) would lower demand for gas and lower prices.
Improve Supply Chains and Address Shortages
The House has already passed an innovation bill which includes provisions to improve our nation’s supply chains, prevent shortages of critical goods, and ensure that more of those goods are made here in America.
Let’s talk about just one area where that legislation could make a huge difference. The bill includes provisions to encourage semiconductor (chip) fabrication. Why does that matter? Well, a lot of the products that we purchase – including automobiles, computers, and appliances – use chips.
Unfortunately, though our nation invented the microchip, the United States now produces just 10 percent of them. Consequently, when there are global shortages and – as we’ve seen from the pandemic – supply chain disruptions, we are less able to manufacture things like automobiles. With new car production down, the demand for used cars has soared, and that has led to significant prices increases for used cars. That’s one of the big drivers of inflation, and that’s something that can be fixed if we pass this innovation bill which includes provisions to promote the production of more chips in the United States.
It's looking likely that the House will vote on this this legislation in the next week. Getting this bill across the finish line would be a big step towards strengthening supply chains and lowering costs for Americans.
Get More People into the Workforce
It is good news that, as the economy continues to recover from the pandemic, more Americans have been brought into the workforce. However, the U.S. now has two job openings for every one unemployed person. This worker shortage is hurting our local employers and contributing to inflation.
With that in mind, Congress should take steps to strengthen and grow our workforce. Bolstering workforce development programs, providing more accessible and affordable childcare so parents can get into the workforce, and advancing immigration reforms could all address worker shortages.
There are policies that would lower the cost of everyday necessities for families. I know folks are hurting, and I’ll keep pushing to get these policies across the finish line.
Restoring Puget Sound
As frequent readers of this newsletter know, it’s a major priority of mine to secure more federal support for the recovery and restoration of Puget Sound - our region’s most iconic body of water. Puget Sound is a place on which generations of friends and neighbors have built their lives and made their livelihoods. It’s a critical part of our environment and economy, and home to culturally iconic species like salmon, orca, and Dungeness crab. But we know that if future generations – including my own kids – are going to have those same opportunities to build their lives here, we've got to take action now to protect and restore the Sound.
Last week, we made progress toward that end when the House passed key tenets of important legislation I introduced with Rep. Marilyn Strickland that will ensure the federal government lives up to its responsibility to help – the Promoting United Government Efforts to Save Our Sound Act (or the PUGET SOS Act, for short!).
This bill will ensure the federal government is the strong partner that our region needs to make real progress – and will assist efforts to restore salmon and orca populations, ensure future generations can dig for clams, and uphold tribal treaty rights. I’ll keep working to get this bill across the finish line!
Working for You
Celebrating Tribal Communities
It was great to join the festivities at Quileute Days in La Push—a terrific celebration of Quileute Tribal Cultural Heritage!
Supporting Our Military Instillations
I had a terrific visit to Keyport earlier this month. I appreciated the update on the work they are doing to support sustainability at the shipyard and to support unmanned undersea vehicles. Thanks to the whole team for the work they do!
Pushing for a Brighter Future
It was great to meet with young people from our region who are engaged in their local Boys & Girls Clubs of America! We talked about the impact of BCGA programming on their lives- including college readiness, mental health, and building community. Our future is in good hands!
OK – that’s it for now folks. As always, I’m honored to represent you.
Sincerely,
Derek