Jobs and the Economy

MOUNT VERNON — Skagit County business owners say they are seeing signs of recovery after experiencing up to 60 percent dips in sales during the Interstate 5 Skagit River Bridge closure.The bridge collapsed May 23, and the temporary span reopened June 19.U.S. Sen. Patty Murray and U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene toured three downtown shops Tuesday before sitting with business owners to… Read more »

The area’s congressional delegation has secured nearly $300,000 to allow work to continue on a Skagit River flood protection study through October.This will allow work on the Skagit River General Investigation Study to continue at a pace that could see a final report in about two years. U.S. Reps. Rick Larsen and Suzan DelBene announced the funds in a press release Tuesday. The… Read more »

Today, members of the Washington Congressional delegation urged the Small Business Administration (SBA) to approve Washington state’s request for Economic Injury Disaster Loans for businesses impacted by the Skagit River Bridge collapse.In a letter sent today to SBA Administrator Karen Mills, Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Patty Murray (D-WA), and U.S. Representatives Rick… Read more »

Rep. Suzan DelBene, WA-01, and Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today announced the Army Corps of Engineers has agreed to their request for full funding of the Skagit River General Investigation (G.I.) study for the remainder of the fiscal year. The Army Corps will spend $299,400 on the study, which will shape flood protection for communities throughout the Skagit Valley.“We need the Army… Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene introduced amendments to the Farm Bill that would save free school meals and update eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) while also reducing the federal deficit. Currently, H.R. 1947, the Farm Bill, cuts $20.5 billion from nutrition programs like SNAP, which would result in nearly two million people losing SNAP benefits… Read more »

Today, members of the Washington delegation announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) will make available $15.6 million in emergency funds to support repairs to the I-5 Skagit River Bridge.Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Patty Murray (D-WA), and U.S. Representatives Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Suzan DelBene (WA-01) announced that the USDOT Emergency Relief funds will be… Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene issued the following statement today to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act:“When the Equal Pay Act was signed into law 50 years ago, women on average made 59 cents for every dollar earned by men. Today women make 77 cents for every dollar men earn.  While we have made some progress, it’s clear that we are still nowhere near… Read more »

Washington’s food-stamp program has helped thousands find jobs and get off public assistance through a federally funded employment-training program. A bill in the U.S. House calls for replicating that program nationally.Dede O’Loughlin’s mother dropped out of high school and got by on food stamps. Then O’Loughlin herself became that mother to her three… Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene issued the following statement today regarding the House Appropriations Committee action to approve an amendment introduced by Congressman Bill Owens to the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill. The amendment bars the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from using any funding to study or implement border crossing fees for passenger vehicles… Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene released the following statement following the House Committee on Agriculture’s passage of the Farm Bill: Read more »