Press Releases
Kilmer Statement on House Passage of the Bipartisan Budget Agreement
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Bipartisan Budget Agreement: Here’s what we know: A default would raise borrowing costs for every American family and small business. Independent economic analysis suggests that a default would kill millions of American jobs and deliver a huge blow to folks in our neck of the woods. That's not something I'm willing to accept. This … Continue Reading
May 29, 2023
Kilmer Statement on Bipartisan Budget Agreement
BREMERTON, WA – Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) released the following statement after President Joe Biden and Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy reached a bipartisan budget agreement: This year, American families, workers, retirees, students, and others were held hostage by extreme D.C. Republicans who demanded drastic spending cuts in exchange for raising the nation’s debt limit – something which Democrats and Republicans accomplished three times under the … Continue Reading
May 25, 2023
Kilmer Spearheads Legislative Change with Introduction of Evidence-Based Policymaking Resolution
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06), William Timmons (SC-04), Joe Morelle (NY-25), and Dean Phillips (MN-03) introduced the Congressional Evidence-Based Policymaking Resolution, a bipartisan resolution to establish a bipartisan Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking to facilitate the integration of robust data in the legislative process. “We’ve got to get government working better for the folks I represent,” said Rep. Kilmer. … Continue Reading
May 23, 2023
Kilmer-Led Committee Wins Award for Conflict Resolution
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress (Modernization Committee), led by U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) from 2019 to 2023, has earned the Frank E.A. Sander Innovation in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Award. The award, given by the nation's leading legal professional organization, the American Bar Association (ABA), recognizes significant achievements in developing ways to resolve disputes outside the courtroom. “One of the … Continue Reading
May 22, 2023
Kilmer Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Enhance Public Transportation Accessibility for College Students
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Earlier this month, U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Frederica Wilson (FL-24), and Thomas Kean, Jr., (NJ-07) introduced the PATH to College Act, bipartisan legislation to facilitate partnerships between public transit providers and accredited higher education institutions to enhance public transportation accessibility for college students. “This bill is not just about ensuring students can reach their campuses – it's … Continue Reading
May 18, 2023
Kilmer, Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers Introduce YIMBY Act to Tackle Housing Crisis and Lower Costs
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Amid a growing housing crisis, U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Mike Flood (NE-01), Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-05), and Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) have introduced the Yes In My Backyard (YIMBY) Act, legislation to help overcome barriers to increasing home construction, including outdated zoning, slow permitting, and discriminatory land use policies. U.S. Senators Todd Young (IN) and Brian Schatz (HI) introduced identical legislation in the U.S. … Continue Reading
May 16, 2023
Kilmer, Bergman Call for Immediate Changes to Improve Transition Assistance Program for U.S. Servicemembers
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Jack Bergman (MI-01) called for urgent reform to the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), a key resource aiding servicemembers transitioning to civilian life, following troubling findings in a 2022 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report. “Servicemembers deserve our utmost support, not just when they're in uniform, but also when they're transitioning back to civilian life,” said Rep. … Continue Reading
May 15, 2023
Kilmer, Mace Introduce Bipartisan HAVENS Act to Address Veteran Homelessness
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Nancy Mace (SC-01) introduced the Housing America’s Veterans and Ensuring They Have Needed Services (HAVENS) Act, a bipartisan effort aimed at providing housing solutions for veterans experiencing homelessness. According to the 2022 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report to Congress, on a single night in 2022, more than 33,000 veterans were experiencing homelessness in the U.S., approximately seven percent of … Continue Reading
May 10, 2023
Kilmer, Strickland Join Puget Sound Recovery Advocates at U.S. Capitol
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, May 10, U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Co-Chairs of the Puget Sound Recovery Caucus, spoke with Puget Sound recovery advocates at the U.S. Capitol during the annual Puget Sound Day on the Hill. “Puget Sound is our region’s most iconic body of water. It’s a place on which generations of friends and neighbors have built their lives and made their livelihoods. But if future generations are going to have … Continue Reading
May 04, 2023
Kilmer, Strickland Help Launch Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Co-Chairs of the Puget Sound Recovery Caucus, helped launch the first meeting of the Puget Sound Federal Leadership Task Force. Reps. Kilmer and Strickland were instrumental in fighting for legislation creating the task force to be included in the FY2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and amending the Clean Water Act to create a Puget Sound Recovery National Program Office in … Continue Reading
May 02, 2023
Kilmer, Bipartisan Lawmakers Push for Airport Improvements to Enhance Resiliency and Emergency Response Capabilities
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), and Doug LaMalfa (CA-01) introduced the Resilient Airports Act, a bipartisan effort to improve emergency and disaster response capabilities at airports nationwide, including those located in rural communities. The bill would expand the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) eligibility criteria, enabling more airports to receive funding for crucial infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing … Continue Reading
April 28, 2023
Kilmer, Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers Lead Effort to Tackle Mental Health Issues Across U.S. Military
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Rob Wittman (VA-01), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), and Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14) introduced the Servicemembers Mental Health Improvement Act, legislation to develop and provide recommendations for a comprehensive strategy to tackle mental health issues across the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). The bill would establish a mental health task force within DoD, comprising both DoD and non-DoD mental health experts. “In … Continue Reading
April 27, 2023
Kilmer Receives National Award for Support of AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Wednesday, April 26, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) received the Distinguished Service Award at the 20th Annual Friends of National Service Awards. “National service matters. As communities have faced unprecedented challenges, national service fosters resilience and builds stronger communities. At a time when we are grappling with too much division, national service fosters the spirit of unity and cooperation,” said Rep. Kilmer. … Continue Reading
April 25, 2023
ICYMI: Kilmer, Murray Renew Push to Designate Wilderness, Protect Rivers on Olympic Peninsula
QUILCENE, WA – On Thursday, April 20, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Senator Patty Murray (WA) reintroduced the Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, legislation to permanently protect critical salmon habitat and sources of clean drinking water for local communities, while also protecting and expanding world-class outdoor recreation opportunities like hiking, camping, boating, hunting, and fishing without closing any roads. “As someone who grew up … Continue Reading
April 21, 2023
Kilmer Announces New Coastal Resiliency Funding for Olympic Peninsula
TACOMA, WA – Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) announced over $10 million of new federal funding for three projects on the Olympic Peninsula through the Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and its Climate Ready Coasts Initiative. The new funding, which aims to help restore habitat, increase fish passage, and clean up Washington’s coasts, comes from the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law … Continue Reading
April 13, 2023
Representatives Kilmer and Gallagher Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation with Senators Klobuchar and Graham to Bring Transparency and Accountability to Online Political Ads
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Mike Gallagher (WI-08) reintroduced the Honest Ads Act to prevent foreign interference in future elections and improve the transparency of online political advertisements. The bill would ensure online political advertisements are better monitored by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and would enable the FEC to enact rules for online advertisement like those in place for television, radio, and satellite ads, with the … Continue Reading
March 22, 2023
Kilmer Applauds $125,000 Federal Investment to Reduce Wildfire Risk in Clallam County
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack applauded an announcement from the U.S. Forest Service that it will commit $125,000 to create a new Clallam County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). The Community Wildfire Defense Grant program helps communities and others plan for and mitigate wildfire risks as the nation faces an ongoing wildfire crisis. Funds for the Program come from the Bipartisan Infrastructure … Continue Reading
March 02, 2023
Kilmer, Schatz Reintroduce Legislation to Protect Federal Workers, Contractors, Their Families From Losing Their Homes, Falling Behind on Bills During Shutdown, Debt Default
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (HI) reintroduced legislation to protect federal workers and their families from foreclosures, evictions, and loan defaults during a government shutdown. The Federal Employee Civil Relief Act would enable government employees and contractors to postpone payment obligations during a shutdown or debt default and for 30 days afterward. “No family should be left struggling to pay their … Continue Reading
March 01, 2023
Kilmer, Strickland Announce $2.9 Million for University of Washington Tacoma to Expand Broadband Access
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) announced $2.9 million in new federal funding for the University of Washington Tacoma’s Connect Across Tacoma project, which aims to address the digital divide in Tacoma, improve broadband access, and educate the community. “Every day, students in Tacoma are navigating the digital equity gap. In recent years, we’ve seen young people struggling to get online for a class or … Continue Reading
February 14, 2023
Kilmer, McMorris Rodgers Reintroduce Legislation to Honor Vietnam Veterans
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to award Dustoff crews of the Vietnam War with the Congressional Gold Medal. Dustoff crewmembers – helicopter air ambulance pilots, crew chiefs, and medics – performed aeromedical evacuation of over 900,000 U.S., Vietnamese, and allied forces from May 1962 to March 1973. “Years after the end of the Vietnam War, too many Vietnam … Continue Reading