News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area
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We are now in the sixth week of the federal government shutdown, and Senate Democrats still refuse to vote to reopen the government. The latest victims of what will ultimately be the longest shutdown in history are recipients of benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. On November 1 funding for SNAP expired, meaning that nearly 42 million Americans — and over 900,000 here in Washington state — will not receive their full benefits. In response to a federal court order, the Trump Administration announced it would fun...
Last week, rumors of a proposal by the Trump Administration to import large quantities of beef from Argentina took the agriculture industry by surprise. The alleged plan suggests the United States will quadruple the amount of beef imported from the South American nation as a means of lowering beef prices for American consumers. While it is no secret beef prices are higher than years past, a decision to import beef from Argentina would be disastrous for American producers. The U.S. is already at a trade imbalance for beef with Argentina. In the...
The Pacific Northwest is blessed with strong hydroelectric infrastructure that makes it a prime region to establish a national system for hydrogen production. With over 150 hydroelectric projects producing affordable, reliable, and clean energy, at times we are left with excess hydropower that can be readily available to supply hydrogen projects, which in turn, can fuel heavy transportation and manufacturing projects. In April of this year, I wrote about the importance of the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub and how it will help boost energy and...
As we barrel towards a government shutdown due to Senate Democrats’ refusal to pass a clean continuing resolution (CR), essential programs and services here in Central Washington are now at risk. Congress has the responsibility under our Constitution to fund the federal government, and allowing a shutdown is a disservice to the American people. If the government shuts down, farmers and ranchers in the Methow and Yakima Valleys will lose access to Farm Service Agency employees due to furlough. Farm operating loans, conservation and crop d...
We are just one month away from the start of hot commissioning at the Waste Treatment Plant (WTP) at Hanford, a milestone in the cleanup effort more than 20 years in the making. Throughout my time in Congress, I have supported the Hanford mission and helped deliver resources to the project through my role on the House Appropriations Committee. While federal spending levels and policies change over the years, one thing remains true: Hanford will make history with the vitrification of radioactive waste this fall. Last week, reporting on the U.S....
In July, Congress passed an unprecedented Working Families Tax Cut, delivering tax relief for families and small businesses while making reforms to Medicaid to ensure the program’s long-term sustainability. Two months prior, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson signed the biennial state budget which included over $780 million in cuts to Medicaid over the next two years. In fact, the Governor held a performative press conference in Kennewick calling my position on H.R. 1 “morally bankrupt,” even though his signature on the state budget reduc...
The strength of the United States’ economy is rooted in the power of our workforce. As Congress works to deliver policies that bring jobs back to our shores, the need for a strong, reliable workforce has never been greater. Nearly 20,000 young Americans utilize the U.S. Job Corps program, a proven initiative that helps equip our nation’s young, disadvantaged adults with the skills they need to succeed. Amidst the Trump administration’s plans to pause Job Corps operations at the end of June, I joined 200 of my colleagues in sending a lette...
Every May we honor our law enforcement during National Police Week and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring they have the resources and authority needed to keep our communities safe. We are lucky here in Central Washington to have some of the best-trained local and tribal officers, and they deserve recognition for their work to keep us and our families safe. This National Police Week, my colleagues and I in Congress are passing common-sense legislation that sends a clear message: we stand with our local law enforcement. When a situation...
The Pacific Northwest stands at a pivotal crossroads when it comes to the future of energy. Blessed with an abundance of hydropower resources, the region has an unparalleled opportunity to lead the nation in developing a hydrogen economy. By leveraging both its hydroelectric resources and heavy industry sectors, the PNW can create a new wave of economic prosperity and develop a regional energy hub that will benefit local industry and consumers. Hydrogen is a critical component of our energy future. Clean hydrogen made from hydropower provides...
The growing number of instances of biological men, who identify as women, competing in women’s sports over the last several years has led to states and the federal government taking action to protect women’s sports. Earlier this year, President Trump signed an Executive Order that would revoke federal funding for any schools that allow biological men to compete against women in athletic competitions. The House of Representatives passed, with my support, the “Protecting of Women and Girls in Sports Act” to preserve a level playing field for gir...
The national debt continues to grow at an exponential rate, and with unified Republican control of the federal government, we have an opportunity to rethink how we manage taxpayer dollars. Spending more than we take in has become the status quo in Washington D.C., and regardless of which party is in power, reforms to this unsustainable practice have continuously been punted in favor of bloating the national debt. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), backed by the authority of an executive order, has been tasked with finding areas in...
In the fight against hunger, the United States has been the global leader in delivering much needed aid for decades. For nearly 70 years the Food for Peace program within the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has successfully fed over four billion people in more than 150 countries with American agriculture products. With the recent decision by the Trump administration to freeze all funds for USAID to examine and identify waste, fraud, and abuse, my colleagues and I introduced legislation to move the Food for Peace...
As fentanyl continues to ravage communities across the United States, the Trump Administration has taken measures to ensure Canada, Mexico, and China are doing their due diligence to address this crisis. With illicit drugs flowing over the southern border from Mexican cartels, serious security gaps at our northern border, and China manufacturing fentanyl precursors, the tariffs announced by the administration serve as a reminder of the responsibility these nations have in mitigating the crisis. While the tariffs on Canada and Mexico are on...
The last four years of inaction at the southern border resulted in over 10 million illegal immigrant encounters nationwide and a record-high number of violent, illegal criminals encountered throughout the United States. By terminating catch-and-release policies, ending the ‘Remain in Mexico’ program and a full stop on construction of the border wall, President Biden and Vice President Harris have created a crisis that now permeates through the entire country. Last week, to address the ongoing crisis caused by an unmanaged border, the House of R...
This week marks the beginning of the 119th Congress and just the third time in the last 70 years that Republicans have controlled both chambers of Congress and the White House. Over the past four years, we have had an administration that sidestepped Congress and wielded the executive branch to tighten the federal government’s grip on taxpayers, small businesses, farmers and ranchers, and countless other industries while pushing inflation to record levels. I am optimistic about the opportunities that this Congress will provide. As a t...
During the previous administration, illegal border crossings were at an all-time high. Border security is national security, and as we transition to a new administration, it is crucial the federal government focuses on common-sense solutions to address our border crisis. Over the last four years, we have seen over 10 million illegal migrant encounters nationwide and numerous executive orders aimed at weakening our border security. With the termination of catch-and-release policies and the ‘Remain in Mexico’ program, coupled with the rise in...
Every year, on Veterans Day, we pause to honor the men and women who have worn the uniform of our country and served in defense of our freedom. It is a time to reflect on the sacrifices made by those who stood guard over our nation’s ideals, from the founding of America to today. As a proud representative of Central Washington, I have the privilege of meeting veterans who have devoted their lives to preserving the freedoms we hold dear. From their courageous service on battlefields around the world to their ongoing efforts to support the local...
Over the past two years, as a member of the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, we have uncovered the malign influence the CCP has in American institutions. With these revelations, we have committed to finding real, actionable solutions to prevent the CCP from tightening their grip on our nation’s security and way of life. The Select Committee has exposed numerous CCP schemes aimed at undermining our national security. From increased land purchases near sensitive sites to di...
Throughout my time in Congress, I have been fortunate to be part of numerous committees and caucuses that allow me to directly impact the constituents of Central Washington. One of these caucuses, the Western Caucus, has allowed me to advocate for issues that all of rural America struggles with, and as Chairman, I have been able to ensure the priorities of Central Washington are not forgotten. The Western Caucus is a bipartisan caucus with over a hundred members from across the United States, which advocates for rural policy issues throughout...
It has been nearly a year since the horrific October 7th attacks by the terrorist organization, Hamas, and it is crucial to reflect on what has happened since. On that tragic day, over 1,000 innocent civilians were brutally murdered in one of the deadliest events for Jewish people since the Holocaust. These unprovoked and highly coordinated attacks were carried out with the sole intention of killing as many people as possible. In the aftermath, Israel has fought valiantly to defend itself against terrorist cells throughout the region, and it is...
The new school year is beginning for many, but before the bell rings, I want to address the increasing dangers we see from opioids in our schools. Fentanyl is sadly the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-45, and it only takes a 2-milligram dose—the size of a grain of rice—to cause an overdose. As it becomes increasingly available, it is crucial for parents to understand the risks that their children are facing. According to the Washington State Department of Health, over 300,000 people have died due to drug overdose deaths nat...
As the summer comes to a close and the new school year is looming, excited children are buying backpacks, going over their class schedules, and anticipating all the new things they are going to learn. But with the year beginning, I would be remiss if I did not discuss the elephant in the room —Washington’s education report card. In yWashington state, children ages K-12 are failing to meet the basic math and reading proficiency requirements, test scores are still far below where they were before the COVID-19 pandemic, enrollment is down 4%, and...
Throughout the nation and right here in Central Washington, our Native American communities are disproportionately impacted by lower rates of positive healthcare outcomes and violent crime. Throughout my time in Congress, I have built strong relationships with tribal partners and have worked on comprehensive legislation to address some of these challenges. In rural communities, healthcare continues to be a challenge, and given the health disparities that exist in tribal nations, recruitment of quality health personnel should be a priority. The...
States across the western United States are being ravaged by intense wildfires, especially here in Washington. Every day, our wildland firefighters, pilots, and emergency response teams are on the front lines trying to suppress damaging fires while protecting communities across the state. This year, wildfires have already burned over 230,000 acres in Washington, and as summer temperatures stay hot and winds pick up, they have the potential to destroy even more of our forests, ranches, and communities. Our area has unfortunately suffered extreme...
Since the beginning of American history, the responsibility of preserving our freedoms has befallen the brave men and women who dedicate their lives to serving this country. In Washington State, there are over 509,700 veterans, and it is imperative they have the support of a grateful nation and the care promised to them by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). We are forever indebted to our veterans, and part of this debt includes ensuring that their healthcare benefits work for them, and currently, they do not. During my time meeting with...