Blog: It's an Honor to Serve You

Statement

As we celebrate the arrival of 2015, I am more grateful than ever to serve as your representative in Congress and for the trust you've instilled in me to create new opportunities for the people of Eastern Washington. Last night joined by my husband and our three kids to take my sixth oath of office as your representative in Congress. I continue to be deeply humbled by the trust you've bestowed upon me to create new opportunities for people across Eastern Washington.

The past year has been an exciting and productive one, and I wanted to take this opportunity to update you on some of the highlights:

Putting Eastern Washington First:

My Commitment to Our Veterans:

Our veterans have made countless sacrifices for our nation, and I am committed to ensuring they receive the care, support, and benefits they were promised and have earned. It is unacceptable to see our American heroes put on a backburner with delayed appointments, and it is unacceptable to expect veterans who live miles and miles from a VA facility to travel every time they need care. That's why I voted to put our veterans first by making it easier for them to access quality care. I'm working every day to bring much-needed change to a broken VA system, and have assembled a team on my staff who shares this commitment.

Speaking about the challenges facing military families at the Military Family Summit at Fairchild Air Force Base this past August.

Supporting Eastern Washington's Military Community:

The men and women serving at Fairchild Air Force Base have made tremendous personal sacrifices to keep our country safe. That's why I recently voted ensure our servicemen and women have access to the training and equipment that they need to successfully complete their missions -- and that includes funding for critical military programs like the Air Force's KC-46A refueling tanker. I also voted to secure pay increases for the members of our military. As Co-Chair of the Congressional Military Family Caucus, I was proud my bipartisan amendment looking at military spouse employment passed through the House and Senate, and was signed into law. It is critical we provide the members of our military and their families the tools they need to succeed, and I continue to work every day to represent the brave men and women at Fairchild.

Protecting Your Health Care:

I believe that when it comes to health care, a one-size-fits-all approach does not work, and I will continue to advocate for quality care in Eastern Washington. I am dedicated to protecting Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, and other services our seniors rely on, such as home health. And as a member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, I'm working to advance the CURES Initiative-- which will advance the discovery, development, and delivery of breakthroughs in medical innovation.

Empowering the Disability Community:

After many years of advocacy and collaboration, I am proud the Stephen Beck, Jr. Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act of 2014 was signed into law just before Christmas, marking a new chapter for millions of Americans with disabilities -- one of opportunity, independence and empowerment. It will empower individuals in Eastern Washington and all across America -- through tax-free savings accounts -- to save for college, retirement, and other future expenses. It's a huge victory -- and just the beginning -- for millions of people across the country.

Advocating for Rural Health:

As the Co-Chair of the Congressional Rural Health Caucus, I am working to make sure communities like ours have access to effective treatment and care. I'm proud that last month bipartisan legislation helping Eastern Washington patients receive care in critical access and small rural hospitals was signed into law, ensuring patients in our community will continue to receive quality treatment without interruption.

Making Government Work for You:

I am working to hold the federal government accountable to you. By cutting unnecessary programs, reducing wasteful spending, and preventing government overreach, I've voted to hold numerous agencies -- including the EPA and the IRS -- accountable. This year I voted to protect waters across Eastern Washington from increased federal oversight and regulation, because our local economy relies on these waters in order to succeed and grow. The IRS will see a budget cut of $345.6 million from last year, and funding for the EPA will be reduced by 21% -- the lowest level since 1989. I also voted to prohibit the regulation of farm ponds and irrigation ditches and to fund the Army Corps of Engineers and to prioritize funding for navigation and flood control to advance public safety, boost US export ability, create jobs, and help ensure our waterways stay open for business.

Fostering a Healthy Forest:

I'm proud to work with local stakeholders and the Forest Service on an innovative public-private partnership to restore the Colville National Forest. The "A to Z" MillCreek Pilot Project establishes a public-private partnership to better manage our forest, reduce risk of future fires, and bring new jobs to our community -- because it is critical we improve its health and create new opportunities.I'm hopeful this project will serve as a model for forest management for communities across the country!

Fixing A Broken Immigration System:

We need to fix our broken immigration system not by circumventing the law, but by working together through the democratic process to advance effective, permanent solutions. President Obama's executive action is an overreach of power -- but it is more than that. It is a direct disregard for the will of the American people, who expect their elected leaders to work together on common-sense solutions. That's why last month I supported the Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act, which holds the President accountable for his unilateral executive overreach on immigration. It marks a pivotal step toward ensuring that the Administration work with Congress to get things done -- because we need an effective, long-term solution to our broken system.

Thank you again for your trust in me -- it is truly an honor to serve you. As we look to the next Congress, I will continue to advance real solutions to create new opportunities for you. Please don't hesitate to reach out and give me a call if you have any questions about the work I'm doing to represent you in Congress!

May 2015 be filled with happiness, health and prosperity for you and those you love.

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