Budget and Fiscal Responsibility

Congress today voted to reopen the government and avoid a default on the nation’s debt. Congresswoman Suzan DelBene issued the following statement: “Thanks to a bipartisan vote that should have been allowed weeks ago, Congress is finally reopening the government and averting what could have been a disastrous default on our nation’s debt. “This shutdown never… Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene today announced that she signed a discharge petition to re-open the government. This discharge petition allows a majority of members to bypass House leadership and force an up or down vote on a clean continuing resolution, providing funding through November 15 at a compromise level. DelBene today issued the following statement: “The shutdown has been… Read more »

DARRINGTON -- Owners of a Darrington river-rafting business find themselves beached until the federal government is motoring at full throttle again. Brian Pernick and his sister, Sarah, were in the process of obtaining a new use permit from the U.S. Forest Service to provide whitewater rafting and scenic float trips on the Sauk River. But the agency shuttered its doors Oct. 1 when the… Read more »

Washington state’s six House Democrats have joined 194 of their colleagues to call on House Speaker John Boehner to end the Republican-led shutdown by allowing an up-or-down  vote on a clean budget bill that would open the government immediately. Reps. Suzan DelBene, WA-01, Rick Larsen, WA-02, Jim McDermott, WA-07, Adam Smith, WA-09, Denny Heck, WA-10, and Derek Kilmer,… Read more »

SEATTLE — Most crab fishermen from Washington are already in Alaska preparing for the start of the season in just ten days, but if the government shutdown drags on, they’ll be forced to stay docked. “The problem is the federal government is the one that actually issues the permits,” said Mark Gleason, who represents the industry. “The people in charge of… Read more »

OLYMPIA -- Five members of Washington state's 12-member congressional delegation have promised to give up their pay during the federal government shutdown that began Tuesday. Reps. Derek Kilmer and Suzan DelBene, both Democrats, and Republican Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Doc Hastings, have all confirmed that they will forgo their salary for the duration of the shutdown.… Read more »

SEATTLE — On the first full day of the government shutdown, the parties in Washington, D.C., don’t seem any closer to a solution to the standoff. Reps. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., and Dave Reichert, R-Wash., have been in the thick of things in Congress for the past several days.  Each has voted with their respective political parties throughout this ordeal, and at this point… Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene represents Washington's 1st Congressional District and gives her thoughts on the government shutdown to KIRO Radio's Dave Ross and Linda Thomas. To listen to the entire interview, click HERE. Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene issued the following statement today after the House Republicans’ refusal to consider a clean continuing resolution to fund the federal government. As a result of Congress’ inaction, the nation will experience a government shutdown for the first time in seventeen years: “House Republicans should be ashamed of themselves for playing politics… Read more »

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene issued the following statement today following House Republicans’ vote on a continuing resolution that includes a delay of the Affordable Care Act and repeals a medical device tax – provisions that increase the likelihood of a looming government shutdown: “I’m incredibly disappointed by the refusal of House leadership to back away from… Read more »