Press Releases
Kilmer Encourages Continued Development of National AP Engineering Course
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Larry Bucshon (IN-08) encouraged continued development of the framework for a national Advanced Placement (AP) Engineering course. In a bipartisan letter to the National Science Foundation (NSF), the members encouraged the NSF to make investments in engineering similar to the AP Computer Science Principles course, set to launch in the fall of 2016. Kilmer and Bucshon were joined by 53 other members of Congress in sending the lette… Continue Reading
10.21.14
Kilmer Discusses Ebola Preparedness with Region’s Hospital Officials and Organizations
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) led a conference call with health officials from the 6th District to discuss ongoing planning and preparations to handle any possible Ebola cases. Kilmer was joined on the call by representatives from Olympic Medical Center, MultiCare, CHI Franciscan Health (Harrison Hospital), Jefferson Healthcare, Summit Pacific, Grays Harbor Community Hospital, Forks Community Hospital, and Mason General Hospital. “Ebola is both a public health… Continue Reading
10.16.14
Kilmer, WA Senators Urge Agencies to Release Overdue Report Essential to Reauthorizing Shipyard Worker Overtime
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representative Derek Kilmer urged government agencies to release an overdue report essential to reauthorizing overtime that expired in September for civilian shipyard workers overseas. In a letter - signed by Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) - to the Defense Secretary and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Kilmer noted further delays in overtime for shipyard workers on overseas missions could increase costs and make it harder to attr… Continue Reading
10.09.14
Kilmer Leads Bipartisan Effort to Stop DOD from Enacting Policy That Would Reduce Compensation for Workers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) led a bipartisan effort to prevent civilian defense workers from facing extra out-of-pocket expenses for required travel supporting the nation’s military. Kilmer was joined by more than twenty-five members in sending a letter to Paige Hinkle-Bowles, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Civilian Personnel Policy, questioning a proposal to reduce per diem rates for employees because it would unfairly increase lodging costs when workers ar… Continue Reading
10.01.14
Kilmer Statement on One-Year Anniversary of Government Shutdown
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) released the following statement on the one-year anniversary of the government shutdown. According to the private ratings firm Standard and Poor’s the 16-day shutdown cost the United States economy $24 billion. “The unnecessary government shutdown last year hurt families and workers in our region,” said Kilmer. “Our economy suffered when shipyard workers and park rangers went without pay. I didn’t think it was right to collect a paycheck … Continue Reading
10.01.14
Kilmer, Heck Call for Key Committee to Consider Their Bill to Create First National Heritage Site on the West Coast
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Denny Heck (WA-10) called for the leaders of the House Committee on Natural Resources to consider their legislation to create a Maritime Heritage Area in Washington state. The members noted in the letter to Chairman Doc Hastings and Ranking Member Peter DeFazio the Maritime Heritage Act (H.R. 5038) was referred to the committee and should be moved forward. “We are writing to request a hearing on H.R. 5038, the Maritime Heritage Area … Continue Reading
09.26.14
Kilmer Bill Signed Into Law by President Obama
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) applauded President Obama for signing into law his bill to officially recognize a new name for the Bainbridge Island memorial to Japanese Americans forced from their homes during World War II. The bill was approved by the House and Senate before going to President Obama’s desk for his signature. It ensures the site is properly recognized as the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial. Kilmer is one of only seven House Fresh… Continue Reading
09.26.14
Kilmer Urges U.S. Forest Service to Reconsider Proposal That Could Hinder Video and Photography in Wilderness Areas
WASHINGTON, DC - Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) called on the U.S. Forest Service to reconsider a proposed rule that could limit video and photography in wilderness areas. In a letter sent Thursday to Tom Tidwell, Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, Kilmer cautioned that the proposal could curtail First Amendment rights and media access to public lands overseen by his agency. The proposed directive from the U.S. Forest Service could require special-use permits that run as high as $1,500 f… Continue Reading
09.18.14
Kilmer Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Fully Protect Copyright Access for all Married Couples
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06), IIena Ros-Lehtinen (FL-27), and Jared Polis (CO-02) introduced bipartisan legislation to ensure same-sex couples have equal rights under the Copyright Act. The Copyright and Marriage Equality Act would update the Copyright Act to ensure that when a copyright holder in a same-sex marriage dies, their rights to original works are passed along to the surviving spouse along with other kin. “When a spouse loses the person they love, the… Continue Reading
09.18.14
Kilmer Introduces Resolution Recognizing Navy on Completion of 4,000 Nuclear Deterrent Patrols
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) introduced a resolution honoring the sailors of the United States Submarine Force for successfully completing their 4,000th nuclear deterrence patrol. These missions were undertaken by the ballistic missile submarine deterrent patrols. A ceremony marking the completed patrols will take place this Friday at Naval Base Kitsap. The first deterrent patrol was completed in January 1960 by the ballistic-missile submarine USS George Wash… Continue Reading
09.18.14
Kilmer Bill Headed to White House
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representative Derek Kilmer’s (WA-06) bill to officially recognize a new name for the Bainbridge Island memorial to Japanese Americans forced from their homes during World War II passed the Senate last night. The legislation was approved by the House last week and now heads to President Obama’s desk for his signature. It ensures the site is properly recognized as the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial. Bainbridge groups - including the Bainbridge Island … Continue Reading
09.17.14
Kilmer Statement on Amendment to Train Moderate Syrian Rebels
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) released the following statement after voting to approve an amendment to grant President Obama limited authority to equip and train moderate Syrian rebels fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). The amendment was part of a Continuing Resolution that will continue government operations into November. “Whether it’s by threatening the stability of the Iraqi government, genocidal action against religious minorities,… Continue Reading
09.16.14
Kilmer Prize-Linked Savings Bill Passes the U.S. House of Representatives
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, a bill introduced by Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) that seeks to reverse a decline in Americans’ personal savings rates passed the U.S. House of Representatives. Last October, Rep. Kilmer and Rep. Tom Cotton (AR-04), introduced the bipartisan American Savings Promotion Act (H.R. 3374), which would allow more financial institutions to offer prize-linked savings accounts. Prize-linked savings accounts are typical savings products that offer participants the chanc… Continue Reading
09.12.14
Kilmer Announces Bill to Address Issues in Veterans Health Administration Scandal
TACOMA, WA - Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) joined representatives from local veterans’ organizations to discuss the systematic management issues within the Veterans Health Administration and to announce his new legislation to address them. The bill, the Veterans Health Administration Management Improvement Act, will be introduced in Congress next week. “We have an obligation to care for veterans who sacrificed so much to fight for our freedom. It is evident that the VA system nee… Continue Reading
09.10.14
Kilmer Bill to Properly Recognize Memorial to Japanese Americans on Bainbridge Island Passed Unanimously by the House of Representatives
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, a bill that Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) introduced to officially recognize a new name for the Bainbridge Island memorial to Japanese Americans forced from their homes during World War II was passed unanimously by the House of Representatives. The legislation ensures the site is properly recognized as the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial. Bainbridge groups - including the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Community and the Japanese Amer… Continue Reading
09.05.14
Kilmer Leads Discussion at UW-Tacoma with Key Stakeholders on Innovative Wood Building Materials
TACOMA, WA - Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) led a panel discussion at the University of Washington-Tacoma on the benefits of Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) and other mass timber products for Washington state. The discussion brought together academic, environmental, and industry leaders to look at how CLT products can become more widely adopted at building sites in Washington state and across the country. “Construction sites across the country could soon use sturdy, innovative, renewable wo… Continue Reading
08.13.14
EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy Tours Commencement Bay, Discusses Importance of Protecting Puget Sound
Puget Sound Recovery Caucus co-founders Derek Kilmer and Denny Heck bring EPA Administrator to Puget Sound to raise national attention on need for restoration in region During visit, Caucus releases new white paper to detail next steps in cleanup efforts Tacoma, WA - Today, the co-founders of the Puget Sound Recovery Caucus, Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-6) and Denny Heck (WA-10) hosted Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy in Tacoma to detail the importance of re… Continue Reading
08.11.14
Kilmer Marks 100th Kilmer at Your Company at DaVita Kidney Care in Tacoma
Tacoma, WA - Representative Derek Kilmer held his 100th Kilmer at Your Company event today where he visited DaVita Kidney Care in Tacoma. At Kilmer at Your Company events, Representative Kilmer is accessible to a business’ workforce and discusses opportunities to help employers stay, grow, and succeed in our region. Since being in office, Representative Kilmer has made it a priority to solicit input from local families, businesses and community leaders around the region. “Elected officials n… Continue Reading
08.04.14
Kilmer Meets with Local Japanese American Survivors of Internment Camps at Bainbridge Island Memorial
Bainbridge Island, WA - Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) met with local Japanese American survivors of World War II internment camps at the Bainbridge Island memorial. Kilmer was joined at the site by Johnpaul Jones, the architect who designed the memorial and recently received a National Humanities Medal from President Obama. “I was honored to meet today with proud American citizens who lived through a troubling moment in our nation’s history,” said Kilmer. “Starting in 1942, under the c… Continue Reading
07.25.14
Kilmer Urges Senate Majority Leader Reid & House Speaker Boehner to Forego August Recess until Compromise is Reached on Critical Veterans’ Healthcare Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) joined many of his colleagues in calling on Congress to stay in session, and forego the August district work period, until the passage of compromise legislation to help our nation’s veterans get access to the timely and quality healthcare they have earned and deserve. Both the House and Senate passed bills to address the crisis within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and have been in negotiations for over five weeks while veter… Continue Reading