Mark your calendars, Central Washington!

Next week, I will be hosting two tele-town halls, where you can call me and discuss issues that are important to you.

The first session will be on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 from 5:00-6:00 PM for Benton, Klickitat, Franklin, and Adams counties.

The second session will be on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 from 5:00 - 6:00 PM for Okanogan, Douglas, Grant, and Yakima counties.

If you are interested in attending, please RSVP below.

I am looking forward to speaking with you!

Veterans Day is tomorrow, and it is important we take time to honor those who have served.

As part of my duty in Congress, I remain committed to advocating for Central Washington veterans. This Congress, I introduced the VA Electronic Health Record Modernization Improvement Act to help improve VA healthcare. The rollout of the Oracle Cerner Electronic Health Record (EHR) system has been disastrous from the start and has put the health and safety of veterans at risk. I have seen the impacts firsthand at the Walla Walla medical center and the Richland clinic, and they are unacceptable.

This bill aims to fix VA’s handling of the Oracle Cerner HER system and ultimately ensure that VA Medical Centers (VAMCs) are well-equipped to implement and use the new system, without hindering the delivery of care to veterans and hurting VA provider productivity levels.

The House also recently passed the Wounded Warrior Access Act which would modernize the VA by simplifying the process for veterans to access their claims files electronically, and I am proud to have voted YES on this legislation. We also passed H.R. 502 which eliminates outdated rules and allows new access to GI Bill reimbursements.

Continuing to advocate for veterans of Central Washington is of the utmost importance, and I encourage any veteran who needs assistance with receiving VA benefits, lost service records, hard-earned war medals, or any other veterans-related issues to please reach out to one of my District offices.

This Veterans Day, let us remember the significance of the day and reaffirm our commitment to bettering the lives of those who served going forward. For it is their dedication and sacrifice that has, and will continue, to protect our way of life. The United States remains the land of the free, because of the brave. 

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” –President Ronald Reagan.

This week, I joined On Balance with Leland Vittert to discuss the Biden Administration's ill-conceived grizzly introduction plan.

As you know, the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been seeking public comment on a proposed rule under section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) concerning the potential introduction of grizzly bears to the North Cascades ecosystem.

Recently, I attended the first in-person public comment session in Okanogan, where I expressed my firm opposition to the establishment of a nonessential experimental population of grizzlies in our area that would effectively threaten farmland, livestock, and human lives. I was proud to join hundreds of my fellow Washingtonians in demanding we be heard on this out-of-touch proposal.

With the overwhelming majority of comments being in opposition to both the 10(j) proposal and EIS, it is clear that our folks not only care about the livelihoods of their future generations, but also understand that this is another case of federal agencies bending to the will of out-of-state activists.

The question in front of us today and the one made so abundantly clear at the session is not how we manage these bears once they’re here, it’s whether or not to introduce grizzly bears to our region at all. The response from our community proves the answer is an unequivocal “No!”

Time is running out to ensure your opinions are heard. The public comment period on the Draft EIS runs from September 28 - November 13, 2023. You can find more information on how to participate in public comment meetings or leave a public comment here.

Are you a currently an undergraduate student or recent college graduate interested in learning about the legislative process firsthand in the heart of our nation?

If so, I am currently seeking paid congressional interns for the Spring 2024 term. The internships are in-person and will run from January to the end of March. Dates are flexible.

Ideal candidates will have a positive attitude, strong work ethic, attention to detail, ability to conduct research, strong writing skills, and be able to work in a fast-paced work environment. District ties will be considered however are not required.