Press Releases
Kilmer Announces Investments in Rural Health Care, Nutrition on Olympic Peninsula
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is awarding $129 million in Emergency Rural Health Care Grants to improve health care facilities in rural towns across the nation, including three grants totaling $256,000 that will help expand critical services on the Olympic Peninsula. “This announcement is a testament to the power of investment in rural communities,” said Rep. Kilmer. “With … Continue Reading
July 25, 2023
Kilmer Invites Vietnam War Period Veterans and Community Members to Ceremony in Mason County
SHELTON, WA – Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) invited veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time during the period of November 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975, regardless of location, to receive a Vietnam veteran lapel pin at a ceremony in Shelton on Friday, August 4. At the pinning ceremony, Rep. Kilmer will present veterans with Vietnam veteran lapel pins, provided by the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration, as a lasting … Continue Reading
July 20, 2023
Kilmer Legislation to Enhance Resiliency and Emergency Response Capabilities Passes House
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) announced that the Resilient Airports Act, a bipartisan effort to improve emergency and disaster response capabilities at airports nationwide, including those located in rural communities, passed the U.S. House of Representatives as part of the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act. “I can’t emphasize enough the importance of our airports in times of crisis, particularly for the folks … Continue Reading
July 19, 2023
Kilmer Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Protect and Strengthen Rural Hospitals
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Ronny Jackson (TX-13) announced the introduction of the bipartisan Rural Hospital Technical Assistance Program Act, legislation to protect and strengthen rural hospitals. The Rural Hospital Technical Assistance Program Act makes permanent an existing program at the U.S. Department of Agriculture that provides technical assistance for rural hospitals to help prevent closures, strengthen essential healthcare services … Continue Reading
July 14, 2023
Kilmer Effort to Tackle Mental Health Issues Across U.S. Military Included in Annual Defense Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) announced the inclusion of his legislation, the Servicemembers Mental Health Improvement Act, in the U.S. House of Representatives-passed National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, marking a milestone in the effort to develop and provide recommendations for a comprehensive strategy to tackle mental health issues across the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). “In one of my meetings with a military … Continue Reading
July 14, 2023
Kilmer Invites Vietnam War Period Veterans and Community Members to Ceremony in Grays Harbor County
ABERDEEN, WA – Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) invited veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time during the period of November 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975, regardless of location, to receive a Vietnam veteran lapel pin at a ceremony in Aberdeen on Monday, July 24. At the pinning ceremony, Rep. Kilmer will present veterans with Vietnam veteran lapel pins, provided by the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration, as a lasting … Continue Reading
July 10, 2023
Kilmer Announces Legislation to Support Tribal Law Enforcement, Protect Native Communities
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) announced the reintroduction of the Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act, legislation to improve hiring and increase retention for Tribal law enforcement officers to better protect native communities and help address the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls. Rep. Kilmer co-leads the legislation alongside U.S. Representatives Dan Newhouse (WA-04) and Sharice Davids (KS-03). “It’s … Continue Reading
July 07, 2023
ICYMI: Kilmer, Buttigieg Celebrate $9.4 Million Federal Grant to Replace Port of Bremerton Breakwater
PORT ORCHARD, WA – On July 6, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg joined U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) at a press conference on the Port Orchard waterfront to celebrate a recently-awarded $9.4 million federal grant to help replace public breakwater at the Port of Bremerton. In February, Rep. Kilmer expressed support for the Port Orchard breakwater replacement proposal in a letter to Sec. Buttigieg. “Let me talk about why federal funding for this breakwater … Continue Reading
July 03, 2023
Kilmer Announces $25 Million for Jamestown S’Klallam Bridge Replacement
SEQUIM, WA – Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) announced that the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe has been awarded a $25 million RAISE Discretionary Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. This grant will be used to replace the Big Quilcene River bridge on Linger Longer Road. The new bridge will have pedestrian infrastructure and will also replace flood-prone segments of Linger Longer Road. “Climate change and rising sea levels are threatening communities … Continue Reading
June 27, 2023
Kilmer Announces Critical Federal Funding for Grays Harbor Transit Upgrades
GRAYS HARBOR COUNTY, WA – Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) announced that the Washington State Department of Transportation will receive funding from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to purchase transit vehicles and a bus washing system for Grays Harbor Transit Authority to replace aging buses. “Seeing the federal government support rural transit systems has long been a focus for me – and for folks across Grays Harbor … Continue Reading
June 26, 2023
Kilmer, Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers Propose VALID Act to Help Veterans Attain Homeownership
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Harriet Hageman (WY-At-Large), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Jack Bergman (MI-01), and John Rutherford (FL-05) announced the reintroduction of the VALID Act, bipartisan legislation to help ensure veterans have the tools and resources they need to access home loans and attain homeownership. “Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to those who put their lives on the line to defend our freedom. That means that every … Continue Reading
June 22, 2023
Kilmer Announces $16.13 Million Federal Grant for Puget Sound to Pacific Trail
PORT ANGELES, WA – Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) announced that the City of Port Angeles has been awarded a $16.13 million RAISE Discretionary Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. This grant will be used to plan and design approximately 34 active transportation components, addressing approximately 100 miles of gaps, community connections, and safety improvements for multi-use trails connecting Bainbridge Island on Puget Sound to the Pacific … Continue Reading
June 22, 2023
Kilmer Announces $9.4 Million Federal Grant to Replace Port of Bremerton Breakwater in Port Orchard
PORT ORCHARD, WA – Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) announced that the Port of Bremerton has been awarded a $9.4 million RAISE Discretionary Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. This grant will be used to replace a 48-year-old public breakwater, which spans approximately 1,500 feet, along the Port Orchard waterfront. “I’ve been advocating for the federal government to invest in ports – like the Port of Bremerton – because these are … Continue Reading
June 21, 2023
Kilmer Applauds Historic Launch of $575 Million Coastal and Tribal Climate Resilience Challenge
TACOMA, WA – Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) applauded the launch of the U.S. Department of Commerce's first Climate Resilience Regional Challenge. This initiative will allocate $575 million in funding to boost resilience to extreme weather and other climate crisis impacts in coastal, Great Lakes, and Tribal communities. The funding is part of President Biden’s Investing in America plan. The Challenge is the initial and largest funding opportunity under the $2.6 … Continue Reading
June 15, 2023
Kilmer Stands Firm as Supreme Court Upholds ICWA, Protecting Native American Adoptees and Tribal Traditions
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), a 1978 law aimed at keeping Native American adoptees with their Tribes and traditions: Today, the Supreme Court upheld a 45-year-old law that helps keep adopted Native American children with their Tribes and traditions. That’s a big deal for folks across the nation, including members of the 12 Tribal nations … Continue Reading
June 13, 2023
Olympic Peninsula Communities Eligible for Federal Economic Revitalization Grants
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Commerce released a map detailing which communities in the State of Washington and nationwide will be eligible to compete for $200 million in Recompete Pilot Program funds, a new five-year federal program secured by U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (WA) that aims to revitalize economic activity in distressed communities. Several regions in Washington state –including the entire Olympic Peninsula, … Continue Reading
June 12, 2023
Kilmer Announces New Federal Funding for Jefferson County Public Utility District No. 1
PORT TOWNSEND, WA – Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) announced a $13.8 million award for Jefferson County Public Utility Service No. 1 (PUD). The award, including an approximately $9.2 million grant and $4.6 million loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture ReConnect Loan and Grant Program, will support Jefferson County's plan to bring high-speed internet to rural electric customers without access. “We know that access to the internet isn’t just about … Continue Reading
June 09, 2023
Kilmer, Fitzpatrick Introduce Legislation to Close Digital Equity Gap, Expand Access to Information Technology Jobs
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) introduced the IT Service Corps Act, bipartisan legislation to support local digital equity initiatives while ensuring more people can gain experience to access jobs in the information technology (IT) sector. The IT Service Corps Act will establish IT Service Corps members focused on digital equity projects within AmeriCorps’ existing volunteer programming opportunities – … Continue Reading
June 06, 2023
Kilmer Applauds Inflation Reduction Act Implementation Plan Announcement
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) applauded the announcement of a $2.6 billion framework to invest in coastal climate resilience through the Inflation Reduction Act, legislation Rep. Kilmer supported in August 2022. This initiative will support communities and people on the frontlines of climate change, dedicating nearly $400 million specifically for Tribal priorities and benefiting coastal communities on the Olympic Peninsula. “Folks in … Continue Reading
June 05, 2023
Kilmer Announces New Federal Funding for Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and U.S. Senators Patty Murray (WA) and Maria Cantwell (WA) announced new federal grants, including one for the completion of the Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Visitor Center. The Japanese American Confinement Sites grants are awarded by the National Park Service (NPS) to preserve and interpret incarceration sites where Japanese Americans were detained during World War II. A total of 14 … Continue Reading