News from Congressman Dan Newhouse

Requesting Emergency Status for Yakima-Tieton Canal

On Monday, I sent a letter alongside Rep. Kim Schrier (D-WA), Sens. Patty Murray (D-WA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) to Andrea Travnicek, Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Water and Science, requesting the Bureau of Reclamation designate a state of emergency and at risk of imminent failure for the Yakima-Tieton Irrigation District’s Main Canal.

Language was included in the conference report of H.R. 6938, the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026 requiring the Bureau of Reclamation to determine whether the state of the Yakima-Tieton Canal is an emergency within 30 days of enactment of the law.

If the Bureau designates the state of the canal is an emergency, the agency will have 30 days to issue emergency funding for rehabilitation.

Read the full letter here.

Advancing Latest Government Funding Package

On Tuesday, the House passed the Senate amended H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026, and a Continuing Resolution for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

While I preferred the Senate send these final government funding bills to President Trump’s desk, the responsibility fell on the House to finish the job.

My colleagues and I on the Appropriations Committee, as well as House Leadership, worked hard to get us to this point, and passing all twelve funding bills remains the top priority.

Shutting down the Department of Homeland Security makes us vulnerable to the threats in front of us and prevents FEMA from responding to natural disasters and severe weather events.

I encourage swift and good faith negotiations on the path forward for on one of our most important national security agencies.

Supporting New Organic Producers

On Thursday, I introduced the Meeting Demand for Organic Produce Act to allow for a test-out alternative to the three-year transition period for new organic producers who prove no prohibited substances are present in the growing space.

Farmers looking to move to organic production are often strained by the regulatory burden of the three-year transition rule, this practice is outdated, and allowing producers to test out of the transition period allows high quality, certified organic products to hit store shelves faster while upholding the standard consumers expect.

This will also help meet the growing demand for organics, provide stability for farm operations, and lower the costs of these products for those who enjoy them.

Read more here.

Talking Agriculture Trade with USTR

This week, I had a productive conversation with Ambassador Julie Callahan, who is the Chief Agricultural Negotiator for the Office of the United States Trade Representative.

We had a thorough discussion about President's trade agenda, the impacts of tariffs on Washington producers, and how we can work together to increase market access for farmers who rely on foreign markets for their products.

I thank her for her time and look forward to working closely together going forward.

Sunnyside High Goes to Washington

On Thursday I had the pleasure of visiting with students and faculty from Sunnyside High School during their D.C. trip!

As a Sunnyside High alumnus, it is always a treat to hear from students advocating for issues important to them, and in this case, it was drug abuse prevention.

I hope they enjoyed the rest of their visit and Go Grizzlies!

Highlighting Washington's Energy Portfolio

I joined my colleagues and the Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions for a forum on how our regions of the country contribute to U.S. energy capabilities.

Washington stands as one of the most energy diverse states in the country, with hydropower leading the way as a reliable form of baseload power.

As the U.S. faces unprecedented energy demands spurred by the growth of AI, data centers and domestic manufacturing, I spoke at length about the role nuclear energy will play in meeting the demand.

Update from Washington Veterans Affairs

Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs Director, David Puente, visited this week to provide an update on everything they are doing for veterans in our state.

We discussed the end of year report for 2025, their goals and priorities for this year, and how I can be helpful in making sure our veterans have the resources they need.

Services My Office Provides

Having trouble navigating the bureaucratic red tape of a federal agency? Need assistance with VA benefits? Looking to book a tour of our nation's capital? My office has you covered.

Also, visit my website to view my Central Washington Opioid Overdose and Fentanyl Resource Tool Kit, as well as my Central Washington Wildfire Resource Kit for additional resources.

Are you interested in interning with my office?

I am currently accepting paid internship applications for my Washington, D.C. office.

Internships are an excellent opportunity for undergraduate students and college graduates to get experience working in policy, communications, or government in the heart of our nation.

Click here to learn more and apply.

Rep. Dan Newhouse | 460 Cannon House Office Bldg. | Washington, DC 20515 US

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