Working to Maintain Our National Security
Representative Derek Kilmer is committed to ensuring the security of the United States and its allies, promoting America’s military and economic leadership around the world, supporting our servicemembers and civilian workforce, and enhancing regional economic opportunities through technological innovation. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Representative Kilmer is keenly aware of our nation’s security challenges and opportunities for progress.
- Representing one of the nation’s largest naval bases, Representative Kilmer is focused on supporting the nation’s rebalance of resources to better respond to America’s Pacific interests. When the House Armed Service Committee considered the FY15 National Defense Authorization Act, Representative Kilmer successfully pushed for funding key priorities to ensure the long-term presence of these essential assets. This includes supporting a fleet of eleven aircraft carriers, fully funding the Ohio Replacement Program, and continued construction of a second explosives handling wharf at Subbase Bangor.
- Additionally, Representative Kilmer fought to include in the FY15 NDAA several policy changes to support our local servicemen and women and our national force’s readiness writ large. He has worked to advance provisions that would protect jobs at the Bremerton Military Treatment Facility, improve the process for National Guard veterans to access their records, expand 21st century information technology systems such as cloud computing, and improve the DOD’s regulatory processes.
- Serving on the House Subcommittee on Intelligence, Emerging Threats, and Capabilities Subcommittee, Representative Kilmer is taking a leadership role to ensure our military has the capabilities needed to effectively promote our national interests in cyberspace. Representative Kilmer was a leading voice when the House considered legislation to facilitate cyber threat information-sharing among local, state, and federal actors.
- Representative Kilmer introduced legislation that would improve our nation’s use of cyber ranges to improve training, development, and security of our cyber forces. Aspects of this legislation were included in the House-passed version of the FY15 NDAA. Representative Kilmer will continue pushing for Congress to take meaningful action on cybersecurity while addressing privacy concerns.
- Representative Kilmer is a Co-Chair of the New Democrat Coalition’s National Security Taskforce and is actively working as a part of a bipartisan effort to improve the Department of Defense’s acquisition system. Our nation’s military is currently forced to work with an antiquated and cumbersome acquisition process that rewards short-term solutions to long-term problems. Representative Kilmer has already begun talking to key industry leaders to learn proven methods of incenting acquisition professionals to make prudent decisions and ensure that each acquisition obtains the best value for each penny spent.
More on Working to Maintain Our National Security
After receiving thousands of responses from constituents on the potential US involvement in the Syrian conflict, Representative Derek Kilmer today posed questions asked by his constituents to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey during a House Armed Services Committee Meeting.
Representative Derek Kilmer left Afghanistan today after a three-day Congressional Delegation (CODEL). A Member of the House Armed Services Committee, Representative Kilmer met with leadership of the United States and Afghan militaries. Kilmer also met with American service members including constituents from Washington’s 6th District.
Three provisions authored by Representative Derek Kilmer were included in the 2014 Defense Department Appropriations bill, which sets funding for the Department of Defense. The bill passed in the House of Representatives today. Kilmer, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, successfully fought for provisions to help address problems caused by sequestration and the resulting furloughs.
Representative Derek Kilmer released the following statement on the beginning of unpaid furloughs for thousands of civilian employees of the Department of Defense across the region. Workers at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, throughout Naval Base Kitsap, and at Naval Magazine Indian Island in Jefferson County will be affected.
Representative Derek Kilmer, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, successfully fought for projects and priorities included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that passed in the US House today on a bipartisan vote of 315-108. The NDAA sets funding levels, expenditures, and other provisions for the Department of Defense. Projects spearheaded by Representative Kilmer include upgrades to local military installations.
Representative Derek Kilmer introduced legislation today that will help both the Department of Defense and private industry by strengthening lines of communication. The Information Technology Exchange Program Act of 2013, a bipartisan bill sponsored with Republican Representative Jim Bridenstine (R-OK), would continue a program that allows employees from the private sector or academia to temporarily work for the Department of Defense and Department of Defense employees to work in the private sector.
Representative Derek Kilmer, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, today released the following statement on provisions included in Governor Jay Inslee’s budget priorities that would help solidify the presence of the Department of Defense in Washington State into the future. The Department of Defense is one of Washington State’s largest employers and has continuous demand for ongoing construction, goods, and services.
Representative Derek Kilmer released the following statement on the 10th anniversary of the Iraq War.
Congressman Derek Kilmer is calling on House Speaker John Boehner to replace what he calls "mindless across the board cuts to military spending in Washington state.