Press Releases
Kilmer Statement on Passing of Former Speaker Tom Foley
Representative Derek Kilmer released the following statement on the passing of former Speaker Tom Foley. "Tom Foley was a great statesman and a strong leader for our country and our state. He will be missed but the legacy of his accomplishments, his civility, and his dedication to public service will continue to be an inspiration to our region."… Continue Reading
10.17.13
Kilmer Statement on Vote to Reopen Government
Representative Derek Kilmer released the following statement after voting for the bipartisan agreement to end the government shutdown and ensure America pays its bills. "The good news is we made it out of surgery. The bad news is we're still really sick. There's a lot we need to do to get healthy again. First, Congress needs to pass a commonsense budget that deals with our long-term fiscal health. Second, Congress needs to focus on jobs and getting the American people back to work. And third… Continue Reading
10.05.13
Kilmer Statement on Recall of DOD Civilian Employees
Representative Derek Kilmer released the following statement in response to today's news that Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel announced that he was recalling most Department of Defense civilian employees. While the government shutdown remains in place due to the failure of Congress to pass funding bills for the fiscal year which began October 1st, Congress passed and the President signed into law bipartisan legislation ensuring that troops and the civilian employees who support them will contin… Continue Reading
10.01.13
Kilmer Announces Extended Office Hours in Tacoma and Bremerton
Due to the negative impacts of the government shutdown on residents in the 6th Congressional District, Representative Derek Kilmer's offices in Tacoma and Bremerton will hold extended constituent office hours. The largest employer in the 6th District is the federal government. "I'm dead set against this shutdown. It's an example of what happens when Congress doesn't get its job done. But because we're in an area where the federal government is the largest employer and we could see many negativ… Continue Reading
10.01.13
Kilmer Statement on Government Shutdown
Representative Derek Kilmer released the following statement after the news that the House and Senate did not reach a compromise by October 1st on legislation to keep federal agencies funded. Yesterday, Representative Derek Kilmer announced he will give up his pay for the duration of a government shutdown. A government shutdown will cause roughly half of the government's civilian workforce, about 1.2 million employees to face furloughs. Additionally, national parks will close, veterans' disabi… Continue Reading
09.30.13
Kilmer to Give Up Pay During Government Shutdown
In the event that the House and Senate don't reach a compromise by October 1st on legislation to keep federal agencies funded, Representative Derek Kilmer announced today that he will give up his pay for the duration of a government shutdown. "I am dead set against a government shutdown because it will have serious effects on our economy and because many people rely on services provided by federal agencies," said Representative Derek Kilmer. "I believe in leading by example - if Congress can't … Continue Reading
09.26.13
Kilmer to Hold 3rd Telephone Town Hall Next Wednesday
In order to connect with constituents while in Washington DC, Representative Derek Kilmer will hold his third telephone town hall with constituents on Wednesday, October 2nd at 6pm PT. Participants will have the opportunity to ask Representative Kilmer a question or leave a message with their questions or comments."There's a lot of uncertainty regarding budget issues in our nation's capital right now and I want to make sure my constituents have an opportunity to speak with me about these import… Continue Reading
09.20.13
Kilmer Statement on Continuing Resolution Vote and Government Shutdown
Representative Derek Kilmer released the following statement after voting against H.J. Res 59, the Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014. This Continuing Resolution is not expected to be considered in the Senate.Earlier today, Representative Kilmer spoke on the House floor to urge his colleagues to avoid a government shutdown."As someone who spent the last ten years working in economic development I know that the main things employers want from government are trust and predictability. And… Continue Reading
09.10.13
Kilmer Poses Questions Regarding Syria to Defense Secretary Hagel and General Dempsey at HASC Hearing
After receiving thousands of responses from constituents on the potential US involvement in the Syrian conflict, Representative Derek Kilmer today posed questions asked by his constituents to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey during a House Armed Services Committee Meeting. [[{"fid":"246","view_mode":"teaser","type":"media","attributes":{"style":"width: 200px; height: 260px;","class":"media-element file-teaser"},"link_text":null}]]An e… Continue Reading
08.29.13
Kilmer Departs from Meeting Military Leaders and Troops in Afghanistan
Representative Derek Kilmer left Afghanistan today after a three-day Congressional Delegation (CODEL). A Member of the House Armed Services Committee, Representative Kilmer met with leadership of the United States and Afghan militaries. Kilmer also met with American service members including constituents from Washington's 6th District. "Our troops, our veterans, and their families continue to inspire me by their dedication and service to our nation," said Representative Derek Kilmer. "I went … Continue Reading
08.27.13
Kilmer Facebook Cover Photo Contest
Representative Derek Kilmer today announced his first Facebook Cover Photo contest for residents of Washington's 6th District. All residents are encouraged to enter an original, high-quality photograph of the region for an opportunity for it to appear as the cover photo on Representative Kilmer's Facebook page."Our region features some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, and I'm excited to give all of my constituents an opportunity to help me share it," said Representative Derek Kilmer.… Continue Reading
08.14.13
Kilmer Available for One-on-One Discussions during “Conversations with Kilmer” Tour
Representative Kilmer today announced a tour of the region with a series of public events and office hours where he will be available to meet one-on-one with constituents. Called the Conversations with Kilmer Tour, the tour is part of Representative Kilmer's ongoing effort to hear directly from the people he represents. The Conversations with Kilmer Tour follows a listening tour in January, a series of community town halls in May, two telephone town halls, a Twitter town hall, as well as numero… Continue Reading
08.02.13
Kilmer Introduces Bill to Turn Ideas into Commercial Success and Grow the Economy
A bipartisan group including Representative Derek Kilmer introduced a bill today that would spur economic growth by helping innovators and entrepreneurs commercialize their ideas. Representative Kilmer, a member of the Science, Space and Technology Committee, is the lead Democratic co-sponsor of the TRANSFER Act.This bipartisan bill builds upon a current program and specifically awards grants to innovative technology transfer programs at universities, research institutes, and national laborator… Continue Reading
07.25.13
Provisions by Kilmer to Address Problems Caused by Across-the-Board Cuts and Furloughs Included in Defense Bill
Three provisions authored by Representative Derek Kilmer were included in the 2014 Defense Department Appropriations bill, which sets funding for the Department of Defense. The bill passed in the House of Representatives today. Kilmer, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, successfully fought for provisions to help address problems caused by sequestration and the resulting furloughs.Representative Kilmer said, "This bill addresses some of the local impacts of these mindless across-the-… Continue Reading
07.24.13
Kilmer to Hold Telephone Town Hall
In order to stay connected with the people he represents while in Washington DC, Representative Derek Kilmer will hold an hour-long telephone town hall with constituents on Wednesday, July 31st at 6pm PT. After a brief update on his work in Congress, participants will have the opportunity to ask Representative Kilmer a question or leave a message with their questions or comments."I've always said democracy works best when elected officials are accessible and accountable to the people they repre… Continue Reading
07.11.13
Kilmer Bill Aims to Prohibit Discrimination Against Veterans and Servicemembers
After hearing from servicemembers and veterans who have experienced discrimination when seeking employment and housing opportunities, today Representative Derek Kilmer introduced H.R. 2654 the Veterans and Servicemembers Employment Rights and Housing Act of 2013, a bill that would prohibit discrimination against veterans and servicemembers seeking employment or housing opportunities. This bipartisan legislation - co-sponsored by Representatives Jim Renacci of Ohio and Tammy Duckworth of Illinoi… Continue Reading
07.08.13
Statement on Beginning of Furloughs
Representative Derek Kilmer released the following statement on the beginning of unpaid furloughs for thousands of civilian employees of the Department of Defense across the region. Workers at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, throughout Naval Base Kitsap, and at Naval Magazine Indian Island in Jefferson County will be affected."Every day that Congress doesn't work on a balanced, long-term budget plan to stop the across-the-board cuts is another day that folks around the country - like the thousands of … Continue Reading
06.26.13
Kilmer Statement on Supreme Court Ruling on Defense of Marriage Act
Representative Derek Kilmer released the following statement on today's ruling by the Supreme Court that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional. One of the first bills sponsored by Representative Kilmer was a bill to recognize marriage equality at the Federal level."I'm proud to hail from a state that stood up and said yes to marriage equality. I don't believe the pursuit of happiness or the ability to start a family with the person you love should end at our state's borders. I'm glad … Continue Reading
06.24.13
Kilmer to Hold Twitter Town Hall
After holding six town halls throughout his Congressional District at the end of May, a telephone town hall in March, and dozens of Kilmer at Your Company events around the region, Representative Derek Kilmer will hold an online Twitter Town Hall tomorrow to answer questions from his constituents. Representative Kilmer said, "This is part of my ongoing effort to hear directly from the people I represent and to use a variety of communication channels so I can be a highly accessible and responsive… Continue Reading
06.14.13
Provisions by Kilmer Included in National Defense Authorization Act
Representative Derek Kilmer, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, successfully fought for projects and priorities included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that passed in the US House today on a bipartisan vote of 315-108. The NDAA sets funding levels, expenditures, and other provisions for the Department of Defense. Projects spearheaded by Representative Kilmer include upgrades to local military installations."I am proud to have supported and helped pass this bill f… Continue Reading