Press Releases
Kilmer, House Democrats Introduce SHIELD Act to Combat Foreign Interference in American Elections
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and leading House Democrats introduced legislation to combat foreign interference in American elections. The Stopping Harmful Interference in Elections for a Lasting Democracy (SHIELD) Act will close loopholes that allow foreign spending in our elections, boost disclosure and transparency requirements with the inclusion of Kilmer's Honest Ads Act, and create a duty to report illicit offers of campaign assistance from foreign nations or … Continue Reading
10.04.19
Kilmer, Brooks Introduce Legislation to Give Students in Need Access to More Financial Aid
Tacoma, Wash. - Today, Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Susan W. Brooks (IN-05) introduced the Pell Plus Act of 2019, new legislation to promote college completion by establishing partnerships between colleges and universities to provide a Pell Grant bonus to low-income students in their third and fourth years on a path to on-time graduation. "Education is the door to economic opportunity, and for a lot of families, financial aid programs are the key to that door. Pell Grants are partic… Continue Reading
09.25.19
Key Committee Advances Kilmer Bill to Help Coastal Tribes Facing Severe Weather Threats
Washington D.C. - Today, the House Natural Resources Committee unanimously approved a bill authored by Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) to provide dedicated resources to Native American tribes living in coastal areas to support their efforts to mitigate threats caused by climate change and sea level rise. The legislation, entitled the Tribal Coastal Resiliency Act (H.R. 729), would expand the Coastal Zone Management Act to provide the necessary tools tribes need to protect their people and la… Continue Reading
09.24.19
Sarbanes, Kilmer Call on POTUS to Fill Federal Election Commission Posts
Washington, D.C. - Today, Representatives John Sarbanes (MD-03) and Derek Kilmer (WA-06) called on President Donald J. Trump to immediately nominate commissioners to fill vacancies at the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and restore its ability to enforce campaign finance law. With only three commissioners out of a possible six commissioners, the FEC lacks a quorum and cannot complete its most basic regulatory and oversight responsibilities. Sarbanes and Kilmer wrote in the letter: "Put simpl… Continue Reading
09.19.19
Kilmer, New Democrat Coalition Releases Priorities for U.S. Climate Policy
Washington, DC - The New Democrat Coalition (NDC), led by Chair Derek Kilmer and the NDC Climate Change Task Force Co-Chairs, released policy principles and endorsed legislation yesterday to combat climate change. In doing so, the NDC seeks to address the climate challenge with the urgency the crisis demands and to embrace the notion that the United States, through its powerful economy and culture of innovation, can be best positioned to be the global leader developing and producing the next gen… Continue Reading
09.18.19
Kilmer Applauds Court Decision – Commits to Continuing Effort to Support Rural Hospitals
Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer applauded the decision of a federal judge on Tuesday to overturn a policy from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) known as "site neutral reimbursement." The policy would have the effect of cutting Medicare reimbursements by up to 60% for multi-campus regional hospitals, like Olympic Medical Center in Port Angeles, that provide services via a network of clinics that are intended to make health care more accessible to patie… Continue Reading
09.05.19
Rep. Kilmer, Sen. Murray, Sen. Cantwell Release Joint Statement on Diversion of Funds from Local Military Construction Project to Build a Wall at the Southern Border
Bremerton, WA - Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA), along with U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06), released the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Defense releasing a list of military construction projects, including one in Washington state, that will be cut to fund construction of a border wall. The project at Naval Base Kitsap includes the construction of a pier that supports the Maritime Force Protection Unit, which protects submari… Continue Reading
09.04.19
Rep. Kilmer Hosts Appropriations Interior & Environment Subcommittee Chairwoman and Ranking Member to Highlight Funding Needs in the Region
Tacoma, WA - Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) hosted Representatives Betty McCollum (MN-04) and Dave Joyce (OH-14), the Chairwoman and Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior and Environment, for a multi-day visit across the region. The Interior Subcommittee has jurisdiction over federal funding for key agencies that impact the region including the National Park Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Indian Health Service, and the Forest Service, amo… Continue Reading
08.19.19
Rep. Kilmer to Hold Series of Town Halls
Tacoma, WA - In order to hear from constituents about the issues that matter to them, Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) will hold a series of town halls throughout the region, as well as a telephone town hall for folks who cannot attend an in-person town hall. The meetings will be open to the public. "I work for the people I represent and it's important to me that I get opportunities to hear directly from you," said Rep. Kilmer. "I hope folks will be able to join one of my upcoming town halls… Continue Reading
07.28.19
Statement from Representative Derek Kilmer On Supporting an Impeachment Inquiry
I came to Congress with two goals in mind: to see the economy work better for people in my region and to see government work better for them. I don't want to see a government that is dysfunctional, corrupt, and unable to make progress on delivering health care, jobs, and education for the folks I represent. That's why I chose to seek this job. It's why I get on a plane each week and spend time away from my wife and daughters. In the past few years, it has often been disheartening to see our g… Continue Reading
07.25.19
Rep. Kilmer Leads Effort to Rename Bremerton Post Office After Distinguished U.S. Navy Sailor
Washington, DC - Today, Representative Derek Kilmer introduced a bill, co-sponsored by the entire Washington congressional delegation, to rename the Bremerton Post Office to honor John Henry Turpin, a distinguished U.S. Navy sailor who is believed to be the first African-American to qualify as a Master Diver (1915) and was one of the first African-Americans to achieve the rank of Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy. His thirty-year career in the U.S. Navy included service during the Spanish-Ame… Continue Reading
07.22.19
Reps. Kilmer, Moolenaar Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Economic Mobility Corps Act
Washington, D.C. - Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and John Moolenaar (MI-04) introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would strengthen and expand the direct services of certified nonprofit Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) by placing national service members from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) at CDFIs. The legislation was introduced in the Senate by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA). "The Economic Mobility Corps Act… Continue Reading
07.18.19
Rep. Kilmer Votes to Pass the Raise the Wage Act
Washington, D.C. - Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) voted to pass the Raise the Wage Act, which will gradually increase the federal minimum wage to $15 over six years. Rep. Kilmer serves as an original co-sponsor of the bill, which according to independent economic analysis, will increase pay for up to 33 million American workers. "I work every day to create more economic opportunity and make life better for the folks I represent," said Rep. Kilmer. "I'm proud to support raising the f… Continue Reading
07.17.19
Reps. Kilmer, Reed Introduce the Teacher Education for Computer Science Act
Washington, D.C. - Today, Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Tom Reed (NY-23) introduced the bipartisan Teacher Education for Computer Science Act (the "Teach CS Act") to help build a robust pipeline for computer science education to ensure today's students can be successful and innovative in the workforce. The bill would establish "Centers of Excellence" for teacher education programs in computer science at graduate schools for higher education. "Education is the doorway to economic oppo… Continue Reading
07.12.19
Kilmer Votes to Support 9/11 Victims and Heroes and Pass a Permanent Reauthorization of September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act
Washington, D.C - Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) voted to pass H.R. 1327, the "Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alverez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act," which takes long-overdue action to provide the financial security and support that 9/11 first responders, survivors and families deserve. "On September 11, 2001, our nation suffered an unthinkable tragedy - and witnessed the incredible bravery of hundreds of fi… Continue Reading
07.12.19
Kilmer Backs Defense Authorization Bill
Washington, D.C. - Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) voted to support the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (NDAA). The bill authorizes $733 billion for the Department of Defense and the defense-related activities of the Department of Energy, as well as Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO). The legislation passed the House of Representatives 220-197. Key provisions in the bill focus on improving the lives of military families, including a 3.1 percent pay raise fo… Continue Reading
06.28.19
Reps. Kilmer, King, Murphy, Hurd Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Assess & Address Rising Threat of Deepfakes
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (D-WA) and Peter King (R-NY), along with Stephanie Murphy (D-FL) and Will Hurd (R-TX), introduced the Deepfakes Report Act of 2019. The bipartisan legislation would require the Secretary of Homeland Security to publish an annual report on the state of digital content forgery or "deepfake" technology. Deepfakes are realistic, digital manipulations of real content that depict events that did not actually occur. These fake audios and vide… Continue Reading
06.26.19
Kilmer, Bishop Statement on Committee Passage of the Restore Our Parks And Public Lands Act
WASHINGTON - Today, the House Committee on Natural Resources passed H.R. 1225, the Restore Our Parks and Public Lands Act, legislation sponsored by Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA) and House Natural Resources Ranking Member Rob Bishop (R-UT) and garnering more than 290 bipartisan cosponsors. The bipartisan legislation would direct federal funds each year for five years to help address deferred maintenance within our national parks and public lands. The bill passed Committee by a vote of 36-2. "Our nati… Continue Reading
06.25.19
Kilmer-Backed Priorities Included in Second Appropriations Package
Washington, D.C. - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3055, the second Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 appropriations package which funds the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Justice, Agriculture, Interior, Veterans Affairs, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development. The legislation passed the House 227-194. "The passage of the spending package today is a big win for Northwest Washington and I'm proud to support it," said Rep. Kilmer. "This bill continues to make progress on impor… Continue Reading
06.19.19
House Passes First Appropriations Package with Key Kilmer-Backed Priorities Included
Washington, D.C. - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2740, the first "minibus" appropriations package for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020. H.R. 2740 consists of four FY 2020 appropriations bills that fund federal agencies including the departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Defense, State, and Energy. The legislation passed the House of Representatives 226-203. "Today, I was proud to support an appropriations package that makes progress on important priorities for… Continue Reading