Dear Friend, As your representative in Congress, one of the most important aspects of my job is to stay informed of the thoughts and opinions of my constituents, and I appreciate the time you take to share them with me. That’s why I’m hosting a series of community forums in Skagit County on Saturday, November 18. I will be in Concrete, Lyman and Big Lake. I hope to see you there! As always, my office is here to serve you. If you have questions or comments about the topics that matter most to you...
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Dear Friend, Right now, too many veterans are struggling to find jobs. As workers face significant challenges adapting to a rapidly changing economy, it is essential we improve 21st century employment opportunities for those transitioning back into civilian life. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 370,000 unemployed veterans are currently struggling to find work, including 139,000 veterans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan since 9/11. That’s why I recently reintroduced ...
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Open Enrollment begins today, giving you and your family the opportunity to sign up for the healthcare plan that best meets your needs. This year, Open Enrollment is shorter than before, so it is important to sign up before the January 15 deadline to ensure you’ll be covered in 2018. You can apply either online, by phone or in person so don’t delay and get covered now. Find the information you need to get started HERE. In Congress, I’m working to ensure every American is able to get affordable, ...
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Dear Friend, Recently, the House Democratic Caucus announced the creation of the Jobs for America Task Forces to help craft a legislative agenda that will benefit hardworking Americans and middle-class families. I was named co-chair of the New Economy Task Force, which is one of five Task Forces aimed at identifying opportunities and solutions for American workers across the country. With a rapidly changing economy and new challenges facing American workers, the New Economy Task Force will take ...
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Dear Friend, With more than 200,000 veterans in Washington state who served during the Vietnam War, I’m working in conjunction with the Vietnam War Commemoration as part of a nationwide effort to thank and honor all Vietnam-era veterans and their families at Vietnam War 50th Commemoration pinning ceremonies to publicly recognize their service and sacrifice for our country. If you or a family member are an eligible participant and would like a Vietnam Veteran lapel pin, I’d love for you to join m...
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Dear Friend, As someone who worked in the technology sector before coming to Congress, I know firsthand innovation requires creative, entrepreneurial leaders. The future of our nation and its economy depend on the next generations being able to think outside of the box. That’s why I’m pleased to announce the return of the Congressional App Challenge! This competition is a great opportunity for high school students in our region to compete by designing a creative app. And the winning app will be ...
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Dear Friend, As students return to campus, the rising cost of higher education in America continues to pose serious challenges to millions of middle-class families, who are being forced to take out higher loan amounts to pay for tuition, fees, textbooks and housing. In Washington state alone, 56 percent of graduates leave their four-year university with student debt averaging $23,000. I remain committed to bringing down college costs and ensuring everyone has access to a quality college educatio...
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Dear Friend, This past week, the President decided to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. This action is cruel, heartless and does nothing to secure our borders or fix our immigration system. Nearly 800,000 children brought to this country by their parents have known no other home than the United States, including more than 17,800 right here in Washington state who are studying, working and contributing to our economy. Rescinding DACA puts these young people at risk of...
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Dear Friend, It was a busy August back in the beautiful First Congressional District! I had the opportunity to travel throughout the district talking to folks about ways Congress can update our laws to ensure all Americans succeed in the rapidly changing economy. Nowhere in the country is the economic impact of innovation and entrepreneurship more visible than in Washington’s First District, where our local industries — ranging from aerospace, manufacturing, and high-tech to agriculture, clean e...
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Dear Friend, Assisting my constituents is one of the best parts of my job as the U.S. Representative for Washington’s First Congressional District. Take John, for instance. John, an Air Force veteran from Duvall, kept getting stonewalled for the past six years while trying to get the compensation he was owed from the Veterans Administration (VA). My office worked with him, and was able to secure the $239,000 in back pay and monthly increase in his benefits the VA owed him. John was even able to ...
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