In the News

The Senate health care plan is a disaster for gig economy workers

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The gig economy owes a lot to Obamacare. In the wake of the financial crisis, as smartphones were just becoming the norm, millions of Americans were out of work. Then, Uber hit the market one year before Obamacare was passed, and suddenly, the “gig economy” seemed feasible. Startups could launch without providing costly healthcare, and their workers—excuse me,…

Dems on tax reform outreach: Talk is cheap

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Democrats say they have little reason to believe that Republicans are serious about doing tax reform on a bipartisan basis, saying they have yet to put meaningful action behind their words. While Republicans have expressed an interest in bipartisanship on the issue and held a few meetings with Democratic lawmakers, they are also planning to pass tax-reform legislation through a process…

House GOP Tax Plan Would Allow Small Business Interest Deductions

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The House Ways and Means Tax Policy Subcommittee is “actively working” on provisions to allow small businesses to deduct the interest they pay on debt, Chairman Peter Roskam (R-Ill.) said. The provision would be a change to the House GOP tax reform plan, which would eliminate the ability of companies to deduct the interest on their loans but allow them to write off all…

Congresswoman DelBene Visit Turns Spotlight on Role of NIH, Medicare/Medicaid Funding

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Tags: Health

“Across the country, Americans are suffering from heartbreaking medical conditions. If we are serious about breaking new ground in our understanding of complex diseases like Alzheimer’s, it’s absolutely essential we boost investments in medical research,” said Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) in a statement for the Alzheimer's Association International…

Surveillance reform dj vu

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Congressional surveillance reform advocates are attempting to use the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to rein in post-9/11 warrantless mass surveillance programs. If the recent past is any guide, the House GOP leadership will do everything it can to ensure their amendments never get a vote on the House floor. Click here for the whole story.

I need this treatment: Recovering addicts tell Murray, DelBene importance ofMedicaid

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Tags: Health

If Medicaid is taken away, I don’t know if I can still get help. That’s the message Sen. Patty Murray and Rep. Suzan DelBene heard from recovering opioid addicts Friday in Seattle. “I had a physical and mental addiction to heroin, which led me to my first treatment program,” recovering addict Angelina Martain said. “The thought that I could get into a…

Rep. DelBene visits Northshore Senior Center to listen to seniors

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Tags: Seniors

Rep. Suzan DelBene recently visited two senior centers and heard concerns about the health care repeal bill being considered in the senate that would increase the seniors’ health care costs and cut the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Senate Republicans delayed a vote on the repeal bill this week due to a lack of votes and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has vowed to try…

Seniors worried about cuts to health care

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Carole Hood is battling both bone cancer and breast cancer. Right now, Medicare pays for her treatment, but she fears the burden will fall on her if the Affordable Care Act is repealed. “[Medicare] has always done the best and if they cut that, I don’t know what I would do,” Hood said. The Virginia woman moved to Monroe’s Brookdale assisted living facility to be…

Lawmakers resolution marks LGBT Equality Day

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U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (D-WA) reintroduced their resolution to designate June 26, as “LGBT Equality Day,” honoring the anniversary of three significant victories won at the U.S. Supreme Court for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans. Click here for the whole story.