Fighting for our Farmers

Our nation's farmers and producers feed America, and without them, families would not be able to put food on their tables. Over the past year, farmers and producers have been struggling to harvest, produce, find labor, and transport their products due to labor and supply chain disruptions.

I held a roundtable with some of Central Washington's agricultural leaders this week to hear directly from them about their concerns.

A lack of labor, inflation, and the supply chain crisis are major issues every single one of them has been struggling with.

We discussed proposals to fix these crises, such as my legislation, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which would secure a legal, reliable workforce for all of agriculture. By securing a stable labor supply, we can lower the costs of production and food at the grocery store. I am committed to fighting for Central Washington's farmers and producers.

Strengthening Our Agricultural Industry with the SMART Act

Exports are crucial to Central Washington's economy. In 2021, $7.7 billion worth of Washington-grown or processed food was exported across the country and the world.

Farmers and producers across Central Washington rely heavily on programs like the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program to help expand their customer base and market their products abroad. By investing more in these programs, we can support our agricultural industry, which has been struggling with rising costs, supply chain issues, and an unreliable workforce, to create more well-paying jobs while providing nutritious food across the globe.

I introduced legislation this week to boost these export programs and support Central Washington farmers.

Learn More About the Bill Here

Our Food Security is at Risk

It is past time Congress passes common-sense labor reform. My legislation, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, has now passed through the House twice and awaits action in the Senate.

By delaying this legislation, our food production system is at risk of collapsing, which would leave American families unable to provide food for their families. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act will secure a legal and reliable agricultural workforce, boosting our labor and food supply chain.

This week, Central Washington farmers and producers joined me in a press conference to call on my Senate colleagues to take immediate action and pass the Farm Workforce Modernization Act.

WATCH on KIMA TV

Central Washington Continues to Pave the Way Toward a Clean Energy Future

Douglas County Public Utility District (PUD)'s mission is to provide the best possible utility services at the lowest cost possible to communities in Central Washington.

I toured their facility this week to learn about some of the new cutting-edge technologies they are working on. Central Washington continues to lead the way by championing an all-of-the-above energy portfolio. By investing in research and technologies, as Douglas County PUD is, we can continue to move towards a clean-energy future.

Mobile Congressional Office Hours

Mobile Office Hours are happening now! Hosted on a weekly basis by my staff, these hours are an excellent opportunity for constituents throughout Central Washington to get personal assistance with questions or issues related to federal agencies. Mobile Office Hours are open to the public, and no appointment is necessary.

Every Tuesday

Twisp

The Cove Food Bank, 206 S Glover St, Twisp

2:30 PM to 4:30 PM PST

Every Other Wednesday

Brewster

Brewster American Legion, 102 E Main, Brewster

10:00 AM to 1:00 PM PST

Grand Coulee

Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber Of Commerce, 17 Midway Ave, Grand Coulee

10:00 AM to 1:00 PM PST

Every Thursday

East Wenatchee

Chelan-Douglas Regional Port Authority, One Columbia Parkway, Suite A, East Wenatchee

12:00 PM to 3:00 PM PST

Okanogan

Okanogan USDA Service Building, 1251 2nd Ave S, Okanogan

10:00 AM to 1:00 PM PST

Tonasket

Tonasket City Hall Council Chambers, 209 S Whitcomb Ave, Tonasket

2:00 PM to 4:30 PM PST

Click Here To Find A Full Schedule for Mobile Office Hours

The Nation’s Report Card: Students Are Being Left Behind

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is an annual federal exam administered across the country to assess student’s knowledge and help our education system evaluate progress. Last week, the 2022 report was released and the results are alarming. Math scores saw the biggest decline ever recorded on the NAEP—eighth graders' math scores fell in nearly every state by 8 points with only 26 percent of students proficient, and fourth graders' scores declined in 41 states with only 36 percent of students proficient. That means that only one third of students can do “okay” in math.

Families should be able to provide their children with the best education possible, and it is clear today that allowing school choice for families is the best way to prevent politically motivated decisions, like school shutdowns, from impacting their children’s futures. In the meantime, we cannot accept this as the new status quo. We must work together to get our students back to where they need to be before any more damage is done.

I will continue to fight for our children's education and ensure every student can succeed.

Read My Weekly Column

'A no-win for everyone:' Restaurants struggle to keep customers, employees as prices rise

Local restaurant owners are balancing increased supply costs, keeping essential employees and ensuring their menus are reasonable for their customers. Many think it will get worse before it gets better.

'US Farmers Are Really Hurting': New Bill Could Help Hire More Workers and Reduce Food Prices

As Americans struggle with rising food prices, Congress is debating a bill that would tackle the farm worker labor shortage and potentially help reduce food costs. It could also help the US avoid becoming a net importer of food, a trend that threatens national security.

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