Press Releases
At Opening of Innovative Point Defiance Stormwater Facility, Kilmer and Heck Announce New Bills Aimed at Reducing Toxic Runoff into Puget Sound
TACOMA, WA - U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Denny Heck (WA-10) joined the opening of an innovative new stormwater facility at Point Defiance Park yesterday to announce new legislation to help reduce toxic runoff in Puget Sound and other key waterways. The members and other local leaders toured the Point Defiance Regional Stormwater Facility to learn how the 5,500-square-foot-bio-retention facility will capture the worst pollutants before they flow into the Sound. Afterward, Kilme… Continue Reading
05.25.16
Bipartisan Data Transparency Bill Clears Key Senate Committee
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, a key Senate committee cleared bipartisan, bicameral legislation to open up government data to improve services and support new discoveries in the private sector. It was originally introduced in the House by Representatives Derek Kilmer (D-WA-06) and Blake Farenthold (R-TX-27). Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Ben Sasse (R-NE) introduced companion legislation in the Senate. The Open, Public, Electronic and Necessary (OPEN) Government Data Act requires that public data be… Continue Reading
05.24.16
Kilmer-Backed Provisions Included in Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the House Appropriations Committee passed a bill that includes several provisions authored by Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA), a member of the committee. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 Commerce, Justice, & Science Appropriations Bill contains measures from Kilmer that encourage innovation and advancement in ocean acidification research, boost efforts to recover endangered salmon populations in Washington state, and increase trade enforcement. The appropriations bil… Continue Reading
05.23.16
Kilmer Announces Rural Community Grant for Grays Harbor to Help Create More Affordable Housing Options
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) announced that Grays Harbor County received a grant to help create more affordable housing options in the area. The Grays Harbor County Public Health and Social Services will utilize the investment to further a plan to provide stable housing for homeless families and individuals. The funding comes from the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Community Development Grant program. With the grant the county will be able to cre… Continue Reading
05.17.16
Kilmer Amendment to Stop Policy that Lowers Compensation for Defense Workers Included in House Defense Appropriations Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, language drafted by Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA), a member of the House Committee on Appropriations, was successfully added to the defense appropriations bill to stop a policy that lowers compensation for defense workers and members of the military. The 2017 Defense Appropriations bill funds critical national security needs, including military operations and readiness programs, as well as health and quality-of-life programs for our troops and military families. … Continue Reading
05.12.16
Members from Areas Hard Hit by Drug Crisis Introduce Bill to Provide More Than $1 Billion to Combat Epidemic
Washington, D.C. - Members from communities that have been hardest hit by the growing opioid crisis joined together today to introduce legislation calling for more than $1 billion in funding to combat the epidemic. Led by Representatives Ben Ray Luján (NM-3), Elijah E. Cummings (MD-7), Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40), Joe Kennedy III (MA-4), Derek Kilmer (WA-6), and Anne McLane Kuster (NH-2), the Opioid and Heroin Abuse Crisis Investment Act has the support of 90 House Democrats and reflects Pres… Continue Reading
05.11.16
Kilmer Announces Grants for New Art Projects in Tacoma, Port Townsend
TACOMA, WA - Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA), a member of the House Committee on Appropriations, announced new grants from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for projects in Tacoma and Port Townsend. The investments follow NEA Chair Jane Chu's February visit with Kilmer to art organizations in Tacoma, Port Townsend, and Bainbridge Island. In Tacoma, the grants will further the development of Tacoma's Theater District and support a new exhibit at the Tacoma Art Museum on Chine… Continue Reading
04.26.16
Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Data Transparency Legislation
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Representatives Derek Kilmer (D-WA-06), Blake Farenthold (R-TX-27) and Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Ben Sasse (R-NE) jointly introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to open up government data to improve services and support new discoveries in the private sector. The Open, Public, Electronic and Necessary (OPEN) Government Data Act requires that public data be accessible at Data.gov so individuals, organizations and other government offices can utilize it. "By … Continue Reading
04.26.16
Kilmer, Hanna Bill Aims to Curb Cyberattacks on Small Businesses
WASHINGTON - American small businesses increasingly are the victims of cyberattacks and often are not prepared to prevent attacks or recover from successful intrusions. That's why today U.S. Representatives Richard Hanna (R-NY) and Derek Kilmer (D-WA) introduced the Small Business Cyber Security Act to help American entrepreneurs protect themselves from cybercrimes and create cybersecurity plans that meet their business' needs. Original cosponsors of the bill include: Small Business Commit… Continue Reading
04.13.16
Kilmer-Backed Bipartisan ‘TSA Fairness Act’ to Help Bring Commercial Air Service Back to Port Angeles Passes House
Today, Representative Derek Kilmer's (D-WA) bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would help clear a hurdle to restoring scheduled commercial service to William R. Fairchild International Airport in Port Angeles passed the House of Representatives. It now moves to the Senate for consideration. The Treating Small Airports with Fairness Act would require the TSA to restore screening services to any airport that lost service after January 1, 2013 and has commitment of return from a commercial airl… Continue Reading
04.12.16
Kilmer on Ransomware: ‘Hackers are Increasingly Using this Tactic to Hold Data Hostage’
Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) warned that ransomware is increasingly being used to attack families, businesses, and local governments. Kilmer urged the Department of Homeland Security to continue developing coordination between agencies investigating ransomware attacks and support to those who have their data stolen. Hackers have taken data from hospitals, city governments, small businesses, and others and asked to be paid before the personal information is returned. In his let… Continue Reading
04.11.16
White House Holds Meeting at Kilmer’s Request to Promote the Hiring of Local Workers on Federal Construction Projects
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) joined U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez and Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council Celia Munoz at the White House with a local labor leader, members of Congress, and other officials for a meeting on growing opportunities for local workers that can make it easier to complete large, complex construction projects on time and under budget. The discussion focused on the benefits of increasing the number of Project Labor… Continue Reading
03.17.16
Kilmer Announces Assistance for Workers Impacted by Allen Logging Company Mill Closing
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) announced that workers impacted by the closing of Allen Logging Company's mill in Jefferson County are eligible for opportunities to acquire new skills. The 45 mill workers who lost their job because of the closure can now apply for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA). TAA provides support and training for workers who have lost their jobs due to increased imports from other countries. "Our neck of the woods has been hit hard by mill clo… Continue Reading
03.16.16
Kilmer Statement on President Obama’s Supreme Court Nomination
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) released the following statement after President Obama announced his nomination of Merrick Garland, chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, to the Supreme Court. "When I talk to folks in our region, they tell me they want Congress to put aside the partisanship and get to work. Now that President Obama has picked a highly qualified nominee to sit on the Supreme Court, it's up to the Senate to giv… Continue Reading
03.15.16
Kilmer to Hold 12th Telephone Town Hall
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In order to hear from constituents about the issues that matter to them, Representative Derek Kilmer will hold his 12th telephone town hall on Tuesday, March 22 at 6 p.m. PT. Participants will have the opportunity to ask Representative Kilmer a question or leave a message with their comments. "I'm looking forward to folks joining my next telephone town hall," said Kilmer. "I work for you and it's important that I continue to be accessible and accountable." Residents of t… Continue Reading
03.11.16
Kilmer Applauds Grants for Bremerton, Tacoma Community Health Centers to Provide Expanded Services for Opioid Treatment
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) applauded the news that community health centers in Bremerton and Tacoma received grants to provide additional services to patients suffering from opioid addiction. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded $325,000 to Peninsula Community Health Services in Bremerton and $406,250 for Community Health Care in Tacoma through the Affordable Care Act. According to HHS, from 1999 to 2013 the number of fatal overdoses c… Continue Reading
03.11.16
Kilmer One of Seven House Members to Meet Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) urged Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to find a solution to the dumping of raw sewage into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. His comments came during a meeting between the Prime Minister and seven members of the House of Representatives. Kilmer also asked Prime Minister Trudeau to move forward on negotiations over the Columbia River Treaty. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Canada's Minister of Justice, the Minister of Trade, and th… Continue Reading
03.11.16
Kilmer Statement on the Retirement of State Senator Jim Hargrove
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) released the following statement after Senator Jim Hargrove (D-Hoquiam) announced his retirement from the Washington State Legislature. "Jim Hargrove has been an amazing difference maker and a good friend. Whether fighting to strengthen our safety net, reduce recidivism in our criminal justice system, or create jobs in rural Washington, Jim has always had a strong ethic as a servant leader. As a legislator and as a dad, I've appre… Continue Reading
03.08.16
Kilmer Statement on Federal Election Commission Stalemate over Super PAC Disclosures
TACOMA, WA - Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) released the following statement after the Federal Election Commission (FEC) deadlocked over whether to investigate reports that limited-liability corporations hid the source of donations to Super PACs during the 2012 election. The FEC stalemate makes it easier for Super PAC donors to mask contributions in the upcoming election. "Gridlock at the Federal Election Commission is further poisoning our political system," said Kilmer "This lat… Continue Reading
03.08.16
Kilmer Announces Grant for Regional Coastal Resiliency Efforts
TACOMA, WA - Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) announced that Washington Sea Grant has received a grant to work with the city of Tacoma and other communities to better prepare for rising sea levels. The award from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will help develop and implement new approaches to enhancing coastal resilience to storm surges and shoreline erosion. The award comes through NOAA's Regional Coastal Resilience Grants program that provides investment… Continue Reading