Press Releases

Today the US House of Representatives passed by a vote of 221-201 legislation to extend the nation’s borrowing authority for one year, through March 15, 2015. The measure will allow the government to fully finance government operations until that time, averting an economic catastrophe that many economists predicted if the debt ceiling limit was not raised. Congresswoman Suzan… Read more »

The House of Representatives today approved HR 2954, a controversial package of public lands bills, by a vote of 220-194. The legislation includes a number of proposals that would bypass numerous environmental laws and practices that have been in place for years and help protect our nation’s lands and natural resources. Wrapped into the controversial package of bills is bipartisan… Read more »

The Obama Administration today announced it supports legislation to preserve the Green Mountain Lookout authored by Reps. Suzan DelBene and Rick Larsen. The Green Mountain Lookout Heritage Protection Act would protect the lookout in Glacier Peak Wilderness that a U.S. District Court ordered removed following a lawsuit. In a Statement of Administration Policy, the White House wrote,… Read more »

The US Senate today passed a five-year Farm Bill by a vote of 68-32. The bill includes a number of reforms that will reduce the deficit by over $16 billion, with much of the savings coming from reforms to agricultural subsidies, such as the elimination of direct payments. It also includes two initiatives led by Congresswoman Suzan DelBene: 1) An Employment & Training (E&T) pilot… Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene released the following statement reacting to the President’s 2014 State of the Union address to the nation: “One of the greatest challenges facing us as a nation is how we grow our economy, create jobs and expand opportunity for all. This evening, the President made a strong case for policies that will help us build the foundation for long-term… Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene gave the following remarks today on the floor of the House of Representatives to voice her opposition to HR 7, which would make sweeping restrictions on women’s health options across the country. The full text of DelBene’s speech, as prepared for delivery, is below: “I rise to urge my colleagues to oppose this sweeping anti-choice bill, which… Read more »

Today a majority of the members on the joint House-Senate Conference Committee to negotiate the Farm Bill approved a conference report on a final five-year Farm Bill. The compromise agreement includes a number of reforms that will reduce the deficit by over $20 billion, with the majority of savings coming from reforms to agricultural subsidies, such as the elimination of direct… Read more »

Today, President Obama announced a series of reforms to the National Security Agency’s surveillance programs following a comprehensive, government-wide review of these programs. Rep. DelBene issued the following statement: “I welcome the President’s recognition that action is needed to ensure that Americans’ right to privacy is preserved in the digital age. While… Read more »

The Democratic members of Washington state’s congressional delegation and Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi announced the details of a friendly wager over the NFC championship game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks. As passionate fans and competitive colleagues, the Members of Congress agreed to a battle for bragging rights and local delicacies. If the… Read more »

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and Congressman Ron Kind (D-WI) introduced legislation to ensure low-income seniors living in rural areas across the country can continue to get rides to and from their doctor’s appointments. The bill, called the Recruiting Individuals to Drive Our Elders (RIDE) Act, would help bolster volunteer driver… Read more »