Press Releases
House Appropriations Committee Advances New Federal Funding to Expand Asia Pacific Cultural Center in Tacoma
Washington, DC - Today, the House Appropriations Committee advanced new funding that has been championed by U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) to assist with the expansion of the Asia Pacific Cultural Center (APCC) in Tacoma. The expansion of the APCC aims to ensure they can meet the rising demand for their programs, including cultural, business, community outreach and youth programs to the Asian Pacific Islanders community and broader population in the South Sound. "For over 20 years, … Continue Reading
June 30, 2022
House Appropriations Committee Advances Federal Funding to Help Build New Affordable Housing for Tribal Communities
Washington, DC - Today, the House Appropriations Committee advanced new funding that has been championed by U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) to support two affordable housing projects for Tribes in Western Washington. The Enetai Project will receive more than $1.6 million in funding to help create new affordable housing townhomes on the Suquamish Tribe's Port Madison Indian Reservation. The project aims to help remedy the local housing crisis. The T3ba'das Infrastructure Project will … Continue Reading
June 30, 2022
House Appropriations Committee Advances Additional New Federal Funding to Help Expand & Modernize Port of Grays Harbor, Support Local Fishermen
Washington, DC - Today, the House Appropriations Committee advanced new funding that has been championed by U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) to support the Port of Grays Harbor's Westport Marina modernization project. The funding will support the Phase 1 improvements - including final design, permitting, and bid ready status - for the modernization and reconfiguration of the Marina's floating docks so it can adequately support the needs of the region's robust fishing fleet. "Our … Continue Reading
June 30, 2022
House Appropriations Committee Advances Additional New Federal Funding to Expand Services for People Experiencing Homelessness in Tacoma
Washington, DC - Today, the House Appropriations Committee advanced new funding that has been championed by U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) to enable the City of Tacoma to begin the permitting and design work necessary to expand the Tacoma Rescue Mission. The expansion will increase permanent shelter capacity, inclement weather shelter capacity, addiction recovery services, and day-use space to provide critical wellness services such as workforce development, mental health services, … Continue Reading
June 30, 2022
House Appropriations Committee Advances New Federal Funding to Help Revitalize Downtown Port Orchard
Washington, DC - Today, the House Appropriations Committee advanced new funding that has been championed by U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) to support the reconstruction of the SR 166 / Bay Street Corridor in downtown Port Orchard. The funding will help advance the design phase of the project, which will reconstruct a segment of the City's main street in downtown Port Orchard at a raised elevation to account for persistent flooding and rising sea levels. "This project is important … Continue Reading
June 29, 2022
House Appropriations Committee Advances New Federal Funding to Support Jefferson County Infrastructure Projects
Washington, DC - Today, the House Appropriations Committee advanced new funding that has been championed by U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) to support two infrastructure projects in Jefferson County. Rep. Kilmer secured $2.5 million to help assist the City of Port Townsend with installing a new sewer pump station that services the Evans Vista neighborhood, which will support the community-based development of 100-150 mixed income affordable and workforce housing units. In addition, … Continue Reading
June 28, 2022
House Appropriations Committee Advances New Federal Funding to Improve Electrical Infrastructure, Create Economic Growth in Mason County
Washington, DC - Today, the House Appropriations Committee advanced new federal funding that has been championed by U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) to support the Belfair Electrical Capacity Infrastructure Project - which aims to provide electrical capacity to enable economic development in Mason County and assist Belfair's ability to recover from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. "As we work to recover from this pandemic, we've got to ensure that communities have the … Continue Reading
June 24, 2022
Kilmer Votes to Protect America’s Children, Keep Schools Safe, and Reduce the Threat of Gun Violence
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) voted to support the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act - a package of bipartisan proposals aimed at reducing gun violence across the country, investing in mental health and providing support services for children and families, and providing new resources to support schools in their efforts to keep kids safe. The legislation, which passed the House exactly one month after the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, marks the first … Continue Reading
June 24, 2022
Kilmer Statement on Supreme Court Decision to Overturn Roe v. Wade
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) released the following statement regarding the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which ends the constitutional right to abortion: "Today's decision by the Supreme Court is outrageous - and tragically, a threat to reproductive rights and abortion rights everywhere. We know that at least 25 states are expected to severely limit or ban abortion in the wake of this ruling - and Republicans in … Continue Reading
June 24, 2022
House Appropriations Committee Advances New Public Safety Funding for Emergency Services and Public Safety Facility on the Olympic Peninsula
Washington, DC - Today, the House Appropriations Committee advanced new federal funding that has been championed by U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) to support Clallam County and the City of Port Angeles' construction of a Joint Public Safety Facility. The new facility will house the County's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and the City's 911 emergency telephone answering system and public safety dispatching facility, known as Peninsula Communications (PenCom). The $2,965,800 will … Continue Reading
June 24, 2022
House Appropriations Committee Advances Additional New Federal Funding to Protect Grays Harbor and Reduce Flood Insurance Expenses for Grays Harbor Families
Washington, DC - Today, the House Appropriations Committee advanced new funding that has been championed by U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) to support the Aberdeen-Hoquiam Flood Protection Project, which aims to provide coastal flood protection, improve the storm drainage systems in the cities of Aberdeen and Hoquiam, and reduce flood insurance costs for local homeowners. The $4.943 million included for the project in the Fiscal Year 2023 bill would be added to the nearly $10 million … Continue Reading
June 16, 2022
Kilmer Votes to Lower Food and Fuel Costs for Washingtonians
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) voted to support the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act - a bipartisan legislative package aimed at lowering prices for Washington families in the grocery aisle and at the gas pump. "As the economy makes strides to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic - we're facing rising inflation across the globe, including here in America. I know folks are sitting at their kitchen tables trying to figure out how to make ends meet. That's why it's … Continue Reading
June 16, 2022
Kilmer, U.S. Department of Energy Announce New Support for Makah Tribe and Bainbridge Island to Ensure Affordable, Reliable, and Clean Energy
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that the DOE will work the Makah Tribe and Bainbridge Island to help strengthen local energy infrastructure, reduce the risk of outages, and improve their future energy and economic outlook. Through the Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project (ETIPP), the DOE and its national and regional partners will support projects in communities that, due to their geographic … Continue Reading
June 15, 2022
Kilmer Announces Funding Opportunities for Restoration of Fish Passage Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) joined the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in announcing two new funding opportunities for fish passage projects that will remove in-stream barriers, including one funding opportunity focused on Indian tribes. This funding was made available under the bipartisan infrastructure law (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) that Rep. Kilmer voted to support in 2021. "Across our region, deteriorating … Continue Reading
June 14, 2022
Kilmer Votes to Protect Wildlife, Provide Resources to Fight Invasive European Green Crab
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) voted to support the Recovering America's Wildlife Act (RAWA) - bipartisan legislation to provide new funding to assist in restoring and protecting wildlife and wildlife habitat in Washington state and across the nation. In passing RAWA, Rep. Kilmer voted to secure over $21 million for Washington to help manage fish and wildlife species of greatest conservation need. In addition, RAWA will help Washington Tribes, along with … Continue Reading
June 14, 2022
Kilmer Votes to Ease the Burden of Rising Costs on Washingtonians, Boost American Exports
Washington, DC - On Monday, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) voted in favor of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act - bipartisan legislation that aims to ease the burden of rising costs on families and small businesses, while also boosting American exporters' ability to deliver products to the global marketplace efficiently. The legislation takes action to reduce exorbitant fees being charged by international shipping companies and prevent American-made goods from being left on the dock. … Continue Reading
June 09, 2022
Kilmer Votes to Pass ‘Red Flag’ Legislation
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) voted to support the Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act/Extreme Risk Protection Order Act, legislation he co-sponsored to help end the epidemic of gun violence in America. Extreme risk laws - also known as "red flag laws" - aim to empower family members, loved ones, and law enforcement to intervene and temporarily prevent someone in crisis from accessing firearms. The legislation passed the House with bipartisan … Continue Reading
June 08, 2022
Kilmer and New Democrat Coalition Announce Action Plan to Fight Inflation and Cut Costs for Americans
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) joined the New Democrat Coalition (NDC) in releasing a comprehensive action plan to fight inflation, lower the cost of living for Americans, and secure the long-term fiscal future of the nation. The NDC action plan examines the actions President Biden and Congressional Democrats have already taken to cut costs and outlines tangible steps federal policymakers can take to reduce prices on essential goods and services and provide … Continue Reading
June 08, 2022
Kilmer Votes to Help Keep Kids Safe from Gun Violence
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) voted to support the Protecting Our Kids Act - a comprehensive package of gun violence prevention proposals that aims to help stop the spread of gun-related crimes and help prevent future mass casualty shootings. The legislation, which Rep. Kilmer co-sponsored, will raise the purchasing age for certain semi-automatic weapons from 18 to 21 years old, crack down on gun trafficking and straw purchases to get illegal guns off our … Continue Reading
June 03, 2022
Kilmer Urges Department of Veterans Affairs to Improve VA Mortgage Loan Process
Tacoma, WA - On Thursday, U.S. Representatives?Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Guy Reschenthaler?(PA-14) led a?bipartisan letter signed by more than 60 of their colleagues to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough, urging the VA to improve its mortgage loan to make homeownership more attainable for America's veterans. Specifically, the lawmakers asked the Secretary to explore how VA mortgage loans can compete in today's marketplace and ensure veterans have negotiating … Continue Reading