eNewsletters

Dear Friend,

Two years ago, Washington experienced one of its worst disasters to date. In just a matter of seconds, the tragic 530 Slide in Oso killed 43 people and devastated the lives of their friends and families.

We learned many lessons from the aftermath of that disaster, and it’s my hope that we continue working together because while the Pacific Northwest is one of the most beautiful places to live, its landscape also presents unique challenges.

During the next few months, I am holding forums throughout the First District that will help us plan for a safer tomorrow, ensuring a coordinated response in the case of another landslide, earthquake, flood, volcano or wildfire. The community of Oso and the people who live there will always have a special place in my heart, which is why I held the first forum there on March 8. These forums bring together local leaders and geological experts to ensure communities have an emergency response plan to help mitigate the tragedies from natural disasters threatening our region.

I am also committed to addressing this issue through my work in Congress. Just last week, I introduced legislation aimed at enhancing our knowledge of and preparedness for landslides. The bill would establish a “National Landslide Information System” to better assess, map and understand landslide impacts. This legislation is a needed step to help communities lessen their vulnerability and ensure they are protected when landslides do occur.

I have also led a letter asking for increased funding for an earthquake early warning system and cosponsored a bill that would ensure funding to fight wildfires doesn’t come at the expense of other critical forest management practices. Without a doubt, natural disasters are a serious threat, and Congress can and must do more.

As always, my office is here to serve you. If you have questions or comments about the topics that matter most to you, I encourage you to contact me through my website. You may also stay up-to-date on what I’m doing by signing up for my e-newsletter, or following me on social media. If you need assistance dealing with a federal agency, such as the IRS or the VA, please do not hesitate to contact my Bothell office at (425) 485-0085.

Sincerely,

Suzan