Press Releases
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
06.13.13
Kilmer Sponsors Bill to Provide Equal Treatment for Special Needs Native American Children
In an effort to ensure the federal government is treating tribal members fairly and equitably under the law, Representative Derek Kilmer introduced legislation today with 20 bipartisan cosponsors to end a disparity in the way special needs Native American children are treated. H.R. 2332, the Adoption Tax Credit Tribal Parity Act would ensure that parents who adopt Native American children with special needs get the tax relief that Congress intended for them to have."This is about helping Native… Continue Reading
06.03.13
Heck and Kilmer Announce Launch of Congressional Puget Sound Recovery Caucus
Reflecting their commitment to preserving the health and beauty of the Puget Sound, Representatives Denny Heck and Derek Kilmer have co-founded the Congressional Puget Sound Recovery Caucus. The caucus is the only Congressional working group devoted exclusively to promoting Puget Sound cleanup efforts, and will build on the legacy left by former Congressman Norm Dicks, a longtime advocate for the health of the Puget Sound.Representative Derek Kilmer said, "The Pacific Northwest is a special plac… Continue Reading
05.22.13
Kilmer Bill Supports Sharing of Information Technology Knowledge Between Department of Defense and Private Industry
Representative Derek Kilmer introduced legislation today that will help both the Department of Defense and private industry by strengthening lines of communication. The Information Technology Exchange Program Act of 2013, a bipartisan bill sponsored with Republican Representative Jim Bridenstine (R-OK), would continue a program that allows employees from the private sector or academia to temporarily work for the Department of Defense and Department of Defense employees to work in the private sec… Continue Reading
05.17.13
Kilmer Announces Six Upcoming Town Hall Meetings
In an effort to hear directly from the people he represents, Representative Derek Kilmer has announced that he will be holding six town halls around the region during the week of May 27th. Town halls are open to the public and all are encouraged to attend. Doors open a half hour before the start of each town hall. The schedule for Representative Kilmer's town halls follows:Port Angeles Town HallTuesday, May 28, 201312:00pm - 1:30pmPeninsula College, The Little Theater (In Building J, the Pirate… Continue Reading
05.14.13
Kilmer Statement on Furlough Announcement
Representative Derek Kilmer today released the following statement after Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced the Pentagon will furlough about 800,000 civilian employees for 11 days due to the across-the-board cuts known as "sequestration." Employees in Navy shipyards will be exempted from furloughs however employees throughout Naval Base Kitsap including at Bremerton, Bangor, Naval Hospital Bremerton, Manchester Fuel Depot, and NUWC Keyport will be affected. In addition, these impacts will … Continue Reading
04.30.13
Kilmer Introduces Proposal to Invest in Workers
Today, at General Plastics in Tacoma, Representative Derek Kilmer announced he will soon introduce the "Skills Investment Act of 2013", a piece of federal legislation designed to help workers save money for education and job training through the establishment of worker-owned, employer-matched savings plans called Lifelong Learning Accounts. Kilmer was joined at his announcement by local workforce development leaders, local community and vocational college representatives, local workers, and the… Continue Reading
04.26.13
Monday: 2013 Congressional Arts Reception in Tacoma
On Monday, April 29th at the University of Washington Tacoma, Representative Derek Kilmer will host a reception to promote the arts and recognize artwork by local high school students entered into the annual Congressional Art Competition. The Congressional Art Competition is a nationwide high school visual art competition every year to recognize and support young artists in the nation and each congressional district. Students submit entries to their representative's office and panels of judges … Continue Reading
04.19.13
Kilmer Statement on State Farm Expansion into Tacoma
Representative Derek Kilmer today released the following statement regarding the news that State Farm is expanding into downtown Tacoma and will bring new jobs to downtown Tacoma by the end of this year."This is great news for folks in Tacoma. This is a really big deal for the people who are going to be able to get great-paying jobs for years to come, for Tacoma's downtown - including local retailers who are getting a shot in the arm - and for everyone who was involved in making this happen. Suc… Continue Reading
04.17.13
First Kilmer Amendment to Improve Cybersecurity Education Passes House
Yesterday, a bill containing the first amendment offered by Representative Derek Kilmer passed in the House of Representatives. The bill, the "Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2013," addresses efforts to research and address the United States' cybersecurity. The "Cybersecurity Enhancement Act" would also seek to increase the capacity of the higher education system to produce an information technology workforce with skills that can enhance the United States' communications and information infrast… Continue Reading
04.12.13
Kilmer Releases Report on 100 First Days
Representative Derek Kilmer today released the following report on his first 100 days in office. Since his swearing in on January 3rd, one of Representative Kilmer's priorities was soliciting input from local families, businesses, and community leaders and setting up offices across the region to give assistance to residents who need help.To that end, in his first 100 days in office, Representative Kilmer has:Helped constituents receive the benefits they've earned from agencies like Medicare - a… Continue Reading
04.11.13
Kilmer Congratulates Local Resident Honored for Being White House ‘Champion of Change’
Representative Derek Kilmer congratulated Ed Johnstone of Taholah, Washington today as he was honored by the White House for being a community leader in raising climate change awareness. Mr. Johnstone was one of twelve citizens honored by the White House, which commended business and community leaders today who are working to prepare their communities for the consequences of climate change.Mr. Johnstone is a member of the Quinault Indian Nation and has helped raise awareness of climate change im… Continue Reading
04.08.13
Kilmer Statement on Holocaust Remembrance Day
Representative Derek Kilmer released the following statement in recognition of Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day."As the grandson of a Holocaust survivor, this is a day that demands we consider the nature of evil, but we also must remember and honor the determination and courageous efforts of ordinary people everywhere who struggle to triumph over it. My 103-year old grandmother is still alive today. Her remarkable story and those like it continue to be a source of inspiration and hope, as … Continue Reading
04.05.13
Kilmer Statement on March Jobs Report
Congressman Derek Kilmer released the following statement after the Department of Labor released its jobs report for March. The Department of Labor announced that the economy gained 88,000 jobs and the unemployment rate fell to 7.6 percent in March. This is the 37th consecutive month of private sector growth."While I'm glad the private sector continues to add jobs, our rate of growth is far off the mark of where we need it to be. As someone with a professional background in economic development… Continue Reading
04.02.13
Kilmer Focuses on Jobs and Soliciting Input from Community While Travelling through District
During the current two week District Work Period, Representative Derek Kilmer is travelling throughout the region making stops with local business leaders, attending roundtables discussions with local community leaders, and soliciting input from his constituents. Representative Kilmer continued to hold "Kilmer at Your Company" events where he meets with employers and the workforce of businesses around our region.Last week, Representative Kilmer held a roundtable on mental health issues, spoke at… Continue Reading
04.01.13
Kilmer Applauds Military Investment in Governor Inslee’s Budget Priorities
Representative Derek Kilmer, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, today released the following statement on provisions included in Governor Jay Inslee's budget priorities that would help solidify the presence of the Department of Defense in Washington State into the future. The Department of Defense is one of Washington State's largest employers and has continuous demand for ongoing construction, goods, and services.Earlier this year, Representative Kilmer joined with defense communi… Continue Reading
04.01.13
Kilmer to Host Open House at Port Angeles District Office
On Tuesday, April 2nd, Representative Derek Kilmer will attend an Open House and Grand Opening at his Port Angeles District Office located at 332 E. 5th St. Representative Kilmer will greet constituents and make brief remarks.WHO: Representative Derek Kilmer, Staff, ConstituentsWHAT: Open House at Representative Kilmer's Port Angeles District OfficeWHERE: 332 E. 5th StGround FloorPort Angeles, WA 98362(360) 797-3623WHEN: Tomorrow, Tuesday, April 2nd, 9:15am … Continue Reading