National Security

DelBenes Fix for National Guard Healthcare Clears House in Must-Pass Legislation

| Posted in Press Releases

The House today passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2017, which included Congresswoman Suzan DelBene’s (WA-01) National Guard Family Protection Act (H.R. 4554) to ensure National Guard members retain health coverage when responding to state emergencies, such as landslides or earthquakes. The bill also included a DelBene measure easing the burden of relocation…

DelBene Honors Burlington Victims in House Floor Speech

| Posted in Press Releases

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today delivered remarks on the House floor to honor the victims of last week’s shooting at the Cascade Mall in Burlington, Wash., that left five people dead: “Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a very heavy heart. On Friday night, there was a tragic shooting at the Cascade Mall in Burlington, where five people died. “The victims…

DelBene Statement on Cascade Mall Shooting

| Posted in Press Releases

BOTHELL – Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) issued the following statement after a shooting at the Cascade Mall in Burlington, Wash., that killed five people: “I’m heartbroken and deeply saddened by the news of last night’s shooting in Burlington. As our community comes together during this difficult time, our region grieves for the victims, their…

Bear Creek students receive commissions to West Point

| Posted in In the News

The Bear Creek School's Sam Humphries and John Lee both received commissions to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. They received their commissions in person on June 10 from Marion Thorkildsen, West Point admissions office representative, who attended Bear Creek's annual Upper School Honors Assembly. Click here for the full story.

Privacy Advocates Aim to Use Defense Spending Bill to Protect Encryption

| Posted in In the News

A bipartisan effort is underway in the House to use the Defense appropriations bill to protect the use of encryption in electronic devices. Eighteen House lawmakers, both Democrats and Republicans, are backing an amendment to the Pentagon’s fiscal year 2017 spending measure that would prohibit any agent of the National Security Agency or Central Intelligence Agency from…

DelBenes Fix for National Guard Healthcare Clears Committee, Heads to Floor

| Posted in Press Releases

The House Armed Services Committee today added Congresswoman Suzan DelBene’s (WA-01) bill to the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), ensuring National Guard members retain health coverage when responding to state emergencies, such as landslides or earthquakes. “We should not be forcing our National Guard members to choose between helping our communities and…

DelBene Praises Senate Action to Hold Army Corps Accountable

| Posted in Press Releases

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today lauded Senate passage of an amendment requiring military agencies – including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) – to purchase anchor and mooring chain from American manufacturers. DelBene secured passage of the amendment in last year’s omnibus, and is now fighting alongside Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) to protect the…

DelBene to Army Corps: Follow the Law, Support U.S. Manufacturers

| Posted in Press Releases

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today blasted the Army Corps of Engineers for rejecting her call to comply with federal regulations and support American manufacturers. “For more than half a century, Congress has been clear that taxpayer dollars should be spent on products manufactured here at home, not overseas. Doing so not only protects American jobs, but also reinforces our…

DelBene: Weakening Encryption is Irresponsible Approach

| Posted in Press Releases

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today defended the use of encryption to protect Americans’ privacy ahead of a House Judiciary Committee hearing on the topic. “Our first priority must always be keeping Americans safe and I believe we can find a balance between preserving one’s right to privacy and protecting our national security,” DelBene said. “As a…

DelBene Calls for Commission to Weigh Privacy, Digital Security

| Posted in Press Releases

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today helped introduce a bill to create a Digital Security Commission bringing stakeholders together to develop recommendations for maintaining privacy and digital security. “All sides – including lawmakers, industry leaders, privacy advocates, security experts and law enforcement – need to come together to ensure we’re doing…