For more than two decades, I have made it a priority to hear directly from veterans in Northwest Washington. These conversations are invaluable to understanding both the progress we have made and the work that remains to ensure our nation fulfills its promises to those who served.

This fall, I hosted roundtables in Everett, Bellingham, Burlington, Oak Harbor, and Lummi Nation to hear from veterans about their experiences and needs. The feedback from those discussions shaped my new report, Listening to Veterans in Northwest Washington, which outlines the most pressing issues facing local veterans and provides policy recommendations for Congress and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Read the Report

Veterans in our community have made clear that our nation's commitment must go beyond words and ceremonies. We must guarantee access to quality health care, affordable housing, education, and good jobs for every veteran.

Unfortunately, VA leadership did not attend this year's roundtables, missing an important opportunity to hear directly from veterans. I have sent a letter to VA Secretary Doug Collins urging stronger engagement with our local veteran community.

Since the passage of the Honoring our PACT Act in 2022, 37% more veterans are receiving care through the VA. Yet instead of meeting this increased demand with more staff, the Trump administration has cut approximately 30,000 VA employees, including nurses, doctors, and social workers. These cuts threaten the quality and timeliness of care veterans deserve.

I will continue fighting in Congress to oppose these harmful cuts and to invest in the people and resources that serve veterans every day. Together, we can ensure that every veteran in Northwest Washington receives the care, benefits, and respect they have earned.

Thank you for your continued support.

More soon,

Rick