Fighting for Working Families
- In an increasingly globalized world, we have to make sure we’re giving our workers the tools, resources, and training they need to stay competitive. That’s why Representative Kilmer fought for a strong reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act. Recently, Congress came together to overwhelmingly pass the bipartisan Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The workforce policy embraced by this law better reflects the needs of a 21st century workforce. Without question, the long-awaited reauthorization of our workforce investment programs is a win-win for employers and employees. WIOA promotes best practices in workforce development and the expansion of unique models that boost state and local economies.
- Recognizing the need to invest in our workforce, Representative Kilmer introduced the Skills Investment Act, which would help workers save for education and job training through the establishment of worker-owned, employer-matched savings plans called Lifelong Learning Accounts.
- Representative Kilmer is calling on House leadership to take up legislation to increase the national minimum wage. Today, someone who works 40 hours per week, 52 weeks a year, and earns the federal minimum wage would only get $15,000 per year. Too many hard-working families that play by the rules are struggling just to get by. That’s why Representative Kilmer cosponsored H.R. 1010, the Fair Minimum Wage Act, which would increase the federal minimum wage to $10.10. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, this bill would not only lift people out of poverty – it would grow American jobs and spur economic growth in our nation.
- While our economy has made progress since the depths of the recession, we still have too many people across this country struggling to find work. When the Emergency Unemployment Compensation program was set to expire in the end of December, Representative Kilmer called on Speaker Boehner to bring legislation to the floor immediately extending the program. Representative Kilmer cosponsored H.R. 3824, the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act, to immediately extend the program and help families in need.
- We need an immigration system that is reflective of both our needs and our values. Our nation’s immigration laws are outdated and broken—there are an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States. We need a modern immigration system that will safeguard America’s security and prosperity. The system of legal immigration needs to work better to make illegal immigration less attractive. That is why Representative Kilmer is an original cosponsor of H.R. 15, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act and is strongly pushing for comprehensive immigration reform.
More on Fighting for Working Families
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 released the following statement on today’s ruling by the Supreme Court that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional. One of the first bills sponsored by Representative Kilmer was a bill to recognize marriage equality at the Federal level.
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.
In an effort to ensure the federal government is treating tribal members fairly and equitably under the law, Representative Derek Kilmer introduced legislation today with 20 bipartisan cosponsors to end a disparity in the way special needs Native American children are treated. H.R. 2332, the Adoption Tax Credit Tribal Parity Act would ensure that parents who adopt Native American children with special needs get the tax relief that Congress intended for them to have.
Reflecting their commitment to preserving the health and beauty of the Puget Sound, Representatives Denny Heck and Derek Kilmer have co-founded the Congressional Puget Sound Recovery Caucus. The caucus is the only Congressional working group devoted exclusively to promoting Puget Sound cleanup efforts, and will build on the legacy left by former Congressman Norm Dicks, a longtime advocate for the health of the Puget Sound.
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.
Today, at General Plastics in Tacoma, Representative Derek Kilmer announced he will soon introduce the “Skills Investment Act of 2013”, a piece of federal legislation designed to help workers save money for education and job training through the establishment of worker-owned, employer-matched savings plans called Lifelong Learning Accounts. Kilmer was joined at his announcement by local workforce development leaders, local community and vocational college representatives, local workers, and the company leadership of General Plastics.
On Monday, April 29th at the University of Washington Tacoma, Representative Derek Kilmer will host a reception to promote the arts and recognize artwork by local high school students entered into the annual Congressional Art Competition.
The Congressional Art Competition is a nationwide high school visual art competition every year to recognize and support young artists in the nation and each congressional district. Students submit entries to their representative’s office and panels of judges in each district select the winning entries.
Representative Derek Kilmer today sent a letter in support of rural communities potentially impacted by the across-the-board cuts known as “sequestration.” The letter, led by Representative Kilmer and signed by 18 other Members of Congress, raises concerns about cuts to vital resources that help rural communities and rural schools.