This week, I reintroduced the Northwest Energy Security Act to ensure the Lower Snake River dams remain operational and continue to support the region’s energy needs.

This legislation upholds the Lower Snake River dams as vital pieces of infrastructure for Central Washington and the Pacific Northwest. I am proud to have Senator Jim Risch of Idaho introduce the companion bill in the Senate and have the support of my colleagues in Congress on this important effort.

Today, the House Committee on Agriculture announced my appointment to two subcommittees that will play a huge roll in crafting a strong Farm Bill. 

This Congress, I will serve on the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture and the Subcommittee on Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology. As a third-generation farmer, I am well positioned to bring firsthand experience to the table as we get to work in the 119th Congress. 

On Thursday, the House passed the Fix Our Forests Act, a critical piece of legislation delivers a much-needed revitalization to the way we approach forest health.

It enhances our abilities to prevent catastrophic wildfires, loosens the grip of the federal government on forest managers, all while cutting costs for projects and upholding common-sense conservation standards.

This week the WA delegation gathered for the passing of the “The Chick” portrait to our two new Members, Reps. Michael Baumgartner and Emily Randall!

“The Chick” was first presented to former Rep. Joel Pritchard (WA-01) in 1972, purchased for him by a friend at a charity auction as a gift for his office, because he was a new Congressman. Rep. Pritchard didn’t like the painting, but he still hung it up in his office and wanted an honorable way to get rid of it since it was a gift.

Because it was a painting of a chick hatching, Rep. Pritchard thought it should go to the newest member of the Washington Delegation. It was re-gifted to former Rep. Norm Dicks (WA-06) in 1976, who re-gifted it to former Rep. Mike Lowry (WA-07) in 1979, and the tradition has been carried on since.