Press Releases

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today voted for a patent reform bill in the House Judiciary Committee. The Innovation Act passed out of the committee by a vote of 24 to 8. After voting for the bill in the markup, DelBene issued the following statement:   “America needs a robust patent system in order to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in today’s… Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today opposed passage of the Transportation-Housing and Urban Development (T-HUD) Appropriations bill. “I voted against the T-HUD (lack of) funding bill because it slashes critical investments in our roads, rail and ports. It also hurts American families by cutting public housing programs that are critical for low-income families,”… Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today said it is long overdue for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to announce that Washington First District workers will receive pay for the overtime hours they worked supporting recovery efforts after the devastating landslide last March. “I was deeply concerned to hear that several of my constituents employed by FEMA were still… Read more »

SNOQUALMIE – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today helped the Washington Trails Association restore trails near Alpine Lakes. “National Trails Day is a perfect time to celebrate and preserve outdoor recreation opportunities that make living in the Pacific Northwest so special,” DelBene said. “The Alpine Lakes Wilderness is particularly important because of its… Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today helped introduce the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act to protect pregnant women from job discrimination. “No one should have to choose between their job and their pregnancy,” DelBene said. “It is clear we need to strengthen existing protections for pregnant workers, which is why I’m honored to join so many of my colleagues… Read more »

Today, Reps. Rick Larsen, WA-02, Mike Coffman, CO-06, and Suzan DelBene, WA-01, introduced a bill to help pay for improved security measures in schools, such as training for staff and students, and deterrents like lighting and locks. The School Safety Act of 2015 would reauthorize the Secure Our Schools program, which provides matching grants to local, state and tribal governments to meet… Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today led members in sending a letter to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey demanding explanations to recent reports that the Bureau used aircraft for secret surveillance missions over several U.S. cities. “Some of these aircraft were reported to be equipped with advanced surveillance devices that can pick up data from… Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) applauded Senate-passage of sweeping reforms to rein in government surveillance programs, but said more should be done. “Bulk collection of American communications records is a gross violation of our civil liberties. I’m glad Congress has finally taken action to meaningfully rein in the government’s surveillance programs. But this is just the first… Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and 135 House Democrats wrote a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson urging an end to family detention. “We are troubled by the Department of Homeland Security’s continued detention of mothers and children in secure, jail-like facilities,” the letter stated. “The only solution to this problem is… Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today praised a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule that will allow work permits for spouses of immigrants inside the United States holding H-1B visas. “Spouses of high-skilled workers are often just as skilled and educated as their husbands or wives,” DelBene said. “The previous ban disproportionately harmed women who simply… Read more »