Press Releases
Kilmer to Hold Telephone Town Hall Wednesday, March 14, 2018
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In order to hear from constituents about the issues that matter to them, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) will hold a telephone town hall on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. PT. Participants will have the opportunity to ask Derek a question or leave a message with their comments. "Our region is directly affected by what does and doesn't happen in Washington, DC. From important decisions about how Congress can best invest to grow jobs in our region, to legislation secu… Continue Reading
03.08.18
Kilmer Statement on Culture of Harassment and Retaliation at US Forest Service, Resignation of Forest Service Chief Tony Tooke
WASHINGTON, DC-Last night, the Chief of the US Forest Service, Tony Tooke, resigned. Tooke's resignation came after a large group of women employed by the US Forest Service came forward to PBS's Newshour detailing a workplace culture that systemically tolerates sexual harassment and retaliation against the people who bravely reported it. Rep. Derek Kilmer (WA-06) made the following statement: "I'm disheartened and disgusted by reports of sexual harassment and retaliation against people who repo… Continue Reading
02.23.18
Kilmer Named to Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform
TACOMA, Wash.-Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) was named to Congress's new Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform. The bipartisan committee was created to propose long-term changes to Congress's budgeting process and, ultimately, end the dysfunction that has produced government shutdowns and temporary spending plans. "I've long said Congress is a fixer-upper. The budget process is in the most urgent need of repair," Rep. Derek Kilmer said. "I am committed t… Continue Reading
02.16.18
Kilmer on Russian Indictments: Protect the 2018 Elections, Pass Honest Ads Act Now
WASHINGTON, DC-Today, a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia indicted 13 Russian nationals and three Russian entities for interfering in US elections. According to the indictment, the Russians "had a strategic goal to sow discord in the US political system" and "made various expenditures to carry out those activities including buying political advertisements on social media." Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA) made the following statement: "The American people deserve to know who is paying for … Continue Reading
02.14.18
Kilmer, Buck Lead Bipartisan Call to President Trump: Fill Vacant Seats on Federal Election Commission Immediately
WASHINGTON, DC-Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) and Representative Ken Buck (R-CO) led a bipartisan group of lawmakers in calling on President Donald Trump to fully staff the Federal Election Commission. "It is important to make sure that political candidates play by the rules," Rep. Derek Kilmer said. "A functioning Federal Election Commission that enforces those rules will help the American people have a voice again in Washington, DC. The President should appoint a Republican and Dem… Continue Reading
02.13.18
President Trump’s EPA budget for 2019 would eliminate federal role and investments in Puget Sound recovery
Washington D.C. - Today, U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Denny Heck (WA-10), cofounders of the Puget Sound Recovery Caucus, reacted to the proposed budget from the Trump Administration to cut the entire federal investment in Puget Sound cleanup within the Environmental Protection Agency's budget. "President Trump tried to drastically cut Puget Sound's funding last year, and it didn't work," Rep. Heck said. "We've told him and shown him that there is bipartisan support for federal… Continue Reading
02.09.18
Kilmer to Hold Telephone Town Hall Thursday, February 15, 2018
TACOMA, Wash. - In order to hear from constituents about the issues that matter to them, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) will hold a telephone town hall on Thursday, February 15, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. PT. Participants will have the opportunity to ask Representative Kilmer a question or leave a message with their comments. "One of Congress's biggest problems is people forget about the impact that the decisions they make have on our community. I work for you, so it is important to me that I hear d… Continue Reading
02.09.18
Kilmer, Herrera Beutler, Murray, Cantwell and Local Leaders Applaud Inclusion of Fisheries Disaster Funds in Congress’s Spending Plan
WASHINGTON, DC-Today, Representatives Derek Kilmer and Jaime Herrera Beutler and Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell joined together to announce the passage of $200 million in supplemental funding to support multiple commercial and tribal fishery disaster declarations in Washington, Alaska and California as part of the government funding plan passed by the Senate and House. "Part of what's wrong with Washington, DC is that too many people forget about the impact of what Congress does on pe… Continue Reading
02.09.18
Kilmer Supports Bipartisan Plan to End Government Shutdown, Calls for Action for Dreamers
WASHINGTON, DC-This morning, following the House's passage of a bipartisan, two-year budget and spending plan Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) made the following statement: "No compromise is ever perfect, but I voted for this bipartisan, long-term budget deal because our country has to stop lurching from crisis to crisis," Rep. Derek Kilmer said. "Part of what's wrong with Washington is that too many people forget about the impact of what Congress does on people in the rest of the country. Th… Continue Reading
02.06.18
Kilmer, Culberson, Senators and Bill Nye Announce New Bipartisan, Bicameral Planetary Science Caucus
WASHINGTON, DC-Today Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA-6) and Representative John Culberson (R-TX-7) announced they plan to launch a new bipartisan Planetary Science Caucus in the United States House of Representatives. The Planetary Science caucus will unite members of both parties who are passionate about the scientific exploration of space, and promote efforts to: Raise awareness of the benefits of federal investment in space science, technology, exploration, and STEM education which grow… Continue Reading
01.31.18
Kilmer Statement Following the State of the Union
WASHINGTON, D.C. -This evening, following President Donald Trump's first State of the Union, Representative Derek Kilmer made the following statement: "While America has seen some economic progress over the past several years, the recovery hasn't been felt everywhere. In my view, the government needs to get focused on creating more economic opportunity for more people in more places," Rep. Derek Kilmer said. "Tonight, the president promised a couple of things that I've long supported, such as … Continue Reading
01.26.18
Kilmer, Martinez Teaming Up to Advocate for Investments in Region’s Infrastructure, Workforce at Trump State of the Union
WASHINGTON, DC -Today, Rep. Derek Kilmer announced he will bring the President of the Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council, Mark Martinez, to advocate for infrastructure investments and the jobs that come with them at President Donald Trump's first State of the Union. The president will deliver the speech on Tuesday, January 30, 2018. "Investments in infrastructure in our region mean great jobs," Rep. Derek Kilmer said. "We're losing ground to other countries, but we can be… Continue Reading
01.18.18
Kilmer Pushes for Long-Term Funding Plan
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) pushed for a long-term, bipartisan government funding plan and opposed the plan to temporarily fund the government for an additional four weeks. This is fourth time Congress has chosen to kick the can in as many months. Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) made the following statement: "Governing by manufactured crisis, over and over again, isn't governing at all," Rep. Derek Kilmer said. "I supported the first temporary spending plan so t… Continue Reading
01.18.18
Kilmer, Heck, Murray and Cantwell Question Federal Railroad Administration on Positive Train Control Implementation
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Washington Representatives Derek Kilmer and Denny Heck and Washington's Senators, Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, led the Democratic members of Washington's Congressional Delegation in asking the Acting Administrator of Federal Railroad Administration, Heath Hall, for a comprehensive update on the current status of Positive Train Control's implementation. They also asked the Acting Administrator for the FRA's plan for completing nationwide implementation by the December … Continue Reading
01.16.18
Kilmer Joins Bipartisan Immigration Reform Plan Which Would Create Path to Citizenship for Dreamers, Could Avert Potential Government Shutdown
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) joined with a group of the country's leading Democrats and Republicans to co-sponsor a comprehensive, bipartisan plan to reform the nation's immigration system and better secure the border, the main sticking points between the parties as they negotiate a plan to avert a government shutdown at the end of the week. If implemented, The USA Act would provide immigrants brought to the US illegally as children, commonly called DREAMers, a path… Continue Reading
01.12.18
Kilmer to Hold Telephone Town Hall Thursday, January 18, 2018
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In order to hear from constituents about the issues that matter to them, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) will hold a telephone town hall on Thursday, January 18, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. PT. Participants will have the opportunity to ask Representative Kilmer a question or leave a message with their comments. "As we start the new year, there is a lot of work that Congress needs to get done," Rep. Derek Kilmer said. "It is vital to me to remain accessible and accountable, and it al… Continue Reading
01.11.18
Kilmer Statement on Exclusion of Florida in President’s Offshore Drilling Plan
WASHINGTON, DC - Yesterday, the United States Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced that Florida will be the only state in the nation exempted from President Trump's plan to open nearly all federal waters to oil drilling. The exclusion of Florida, where the President owns a seaside hotel, drew widespread, bipartisan opposition. The Administration cited the impact a major disaster would have on tourism as the reason Florida's costal federal waters should be exempt from deepwater drilling… Continue Reading
01.11.18
Kilmer, Washington Democrats and Top Transportation Democrats Introduce Legislation to Better Fund Positive Train Control Implementation, Prevent Further PTC Extensions
WASHINGTON, DC -Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) joined the Democratic members of Washington state's Congressional Delegation and leading Democrats on the House's Transportation and Infrastructure to introduce legislation that would provide $2.5 billion in grants for intercity and commuter passenger railroads to implement Positive Train Control. "Positive Train Control saves lives, and the deadline to implement it matters," Representative Derek Kilmer said. "In the coming weeks, I will… Continue Reading
01.09.18
Kilmer Seeking Veteran for Fellowship in Washington, DC Office
WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Derek Kilmer (WA-06) is seeking a wounded warrior or medically retired veteran for a fellowship position in his Washington, DC office. The fellow will manage a policy portfolio, work with the military and veteran constituents to handle veterans-related casework, and act as a facilitator between constituents and government agencies at the federal, state and local level. "Veterans bring a unique and valuable perspective to the workplace," Rep. Kilmer said. "Working o… Continue Reading
01.05.18
Kilmer Statement on Trump Administration Decision to Open Nearly All Offshore Waters to Drilling
TACOMA, Wash. - Yesterday, the Trump Administration announced it will open nearly all offshore federal waters to oil drilling. Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) voiced his opposition to the plan. "For decades, Democrats and Republicans have agreed that opening our waters up to drilling would be shortsighted and wrong. Doing so could threaten our fisheries, shellfish growers, tourism, and jobs in other key sectors of our economy. Rather than doubling down on fossil fuels and policies that put… Continue Reading