Press Releases
Bipartisan Working Group Announces Kilmer will serve as New Co-Chair
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the Bipartisan Working Group announced that Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) will serve as a new co-chairman of the organization along with current Co-Chair Jim Renacci (R-OH). The Bipartisan Working Group was founded in 2011 and includes an even number of Democrat and Republican members. They meet once a week to discuss legislation and how they can work together on issues to make Congress more effective for the American people. "I'm honored to serve as co-chair with R… Continue Reading
01.06.17
Renacci Introduces Fiscal State of the Nation Resolution
Washington, D.C. - Today, Reps. Jim Renacci (R-OH), Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Larry Bucshon (R-IN), Kathleen Rice (D-NY), and 31 additional members of the House of Representatives introduced the Fiscal State of the Nation Resolution - a bipartisan initiative to address the fiscal condition of the federal government - through their Bipartisan Working Group (BPWG). BPWG is an ongoing group of members interested in bipartisanship legislative initiatives that meets on a weekly basis. The United States h… Continue Reading
01.03.17
Kilmer Statement on Reversal of Proposal to Gut Congressional Ethics Office
Washington, D.C. - Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) released the following statement after the majority withdrew a plan to approve a change to House Rules that would severely limit the ability of the Office of Congressional Ethics to investigate allegations of corruption. "Congress needs to get back on track," said Kilmer. "It can't do that without having transparency and accountability when it comes to ethics. More than ever, a strong Office of Congressional Ethics is needed to ensure… Continue Reading
12.08.16
Kilmer Statement on Bill to Fund the Government
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) released the following statement after voting for a short-term bill to fund the government. "This makes some smart investments that will support local communities and keep our country safe," said Kilmer. "Importantly, it avoids a shutdown that would have damaged our economy. But there's more work to do. Congress needs to stop kicking the can when it comes to making decisions about funding the government. No family and no busi… Continue Reading
12.08.16
Kilmer Applauds Passage of Bill to Increase Investments in National Parks
Washington, D.C. - Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) applauded House passage of a bill to increase investments in our national park system. The bipartisan National Park Service Centennial Act would allow critical projects to move forward that can enhance the experience of visitors to the national park system. The legislation now moves to the Senate for passage before heading to the President's desk. The year 2016 marked the National Park Service's centennial. The Olympic National Park … Continue Reading
12.08.16
Kilmer, Herrera Beutler & Murphy Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Mental Health Patients in Crisis
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (D-WA), Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), and Tim Murphy (R-PA) introduced legislation today that would help people suffering from a behavioral health or substance abuse crisis get more immediate help. The Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment Accessibility Act of 2016 would allow the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide loans and loan guarantees to local entities with plans to build psychiatric and substance abuse facili… Continue Reading
11.30.16
Kilmer & Newhouse Introduce Bill to Fix Veterans Healthcare System Mismanagement Issues
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (D-WA) and Dan Newhouse (R-WA) introduced legislation to force the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to move forward on fixes to its mismanagement issues. Their bill, the VA Management Alignment Act of 2016, would direct the head of the VA to issue a report to Congress detailing the steps they will take to reorganize and effectively improve veterans' access to quality care. The legislation follows the release of the first in a series of… Continue Reading
11.29.16
Kilmer, Over Thirty Members of Congress Urge Administration to Robustly Fund Earthquake Early Warning System
Washington, D.C. - This week, Reps. Adam Schiff (D-CA), Derek Kilmer (D-WA), and Peter DeFazio (D-OR), along with 29 other Members of Congress, urged the White House's Office of Management and Budget to work with federal agencies to continue supporting the development and operation of an earthquake early warning system along the West Coast, called ShakeAlert, in Fiscal Year 2018. The letter specifically requests that ShakeAlert receives $16.1 million in federal funding. The system was developed… Continue Reading
10.27.16
Findings of Veterans Healthcare System Review Called for by Kilmer Released to the Public
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) noted the release of the first of a series of comprehensive studies that uncovered management problems at the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). In a new report, originally called for by Kilmer, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that following scandals related to manipulated wait times and management failures the VA did not follow through on internal and Congressional recommendations to fix the problems. In 201… Continue Reading
10.24.16
Kilmer Receives U.S. Navy Distinguished Public Service Award
Bremerton, WA - U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) has been awarded the U.S. Navy's Distinguished Public Service Award, the highest honor a civilian not employed by the Navy can receive from the Secretary of the Navy. The distinction is given to individuals with an exceptional record of public service to the Navy, Marine Corps, or Department of the Navy. Secretary of the Navy Ray Maybus presented Kilmer with the award during an address to local leaders and military personnel in Bremerton l… Continue Reading
10.24.16
Kilmer Receives U.S. Navy Distinguished Public Service Award
Bremerton, WA - U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) has been awarded the U.S. Navy's Distinguished Public Service Award, the highest honor a civilian not employed by the Navy can receive from the Secretary of the Navy. The distinction is given to individuals with an exceptional record of public service to the Navy, Marine Corps, or Department of the Navy. Secretary of the Navy Ray Maybus presented Kilmer with the award during an address to local leaders and military personnel in Bremerton l… Continue Reading
10.06.16
Kilmer Announces New Department of Agriculture Grants to Help Revitalize Rural Communities in Washington state
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) announced that the United States Department of Agriculture will award $20 million to Craft3 to boost rural communities in Washington state. Craft3 is the recipient of this investment through the Community Facilities relending program. Craft3 and other participants in the program will use the funds to provide long-term, low-interest financing to be "re-lent" to local entities that will then build, acquire, or improve key community … Continue Reading
09.29.16
Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Boost Access to Quality Health Care in Rural Areas
WASHINGTON, DC - Representatives Derek Kilmer (D-WA-06) and Lynn Jenkins (R-KS-02) introduced bipartisan legislation this week that would boost Medicare Accountable Care Organizations (ACO's) for patients and health care providers in rural areas. The ACO Assignment Improvement Act of 2016 would create new options within the Medicare Shared Savings Program to increase patient access to quality care while reducing costs in underserved areas. Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by Se… Continue Reading
09.29.16
Kilmer Statement on House Passage of Key Water Projects Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) noted passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2016. The bill supports investments in projects that help enhance ports and other waterways infrastructure and assist in ecosystem restorations. Companion legislation passed the Senate and a Conference Committee is expected to reconcile the two bills. "This bill boosts our economy by investing in essential projects on our waterways," said Kilmer. "Moving goods quickl… Continue Reading
09.28.16
To Better Counter Hackers, Kilmer Calls on Department of Homeland Security to Update Cybersecurity Hiring Practices
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) called on the Department of Homeland Security to update its cybersecurity hiring practices and make it easier to hire qualified applicants for open positions. Kilmer wrote a letter to the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson noting that cyber professionals with unique skills but without a college degree should still have opportunities to be hired. He asked Secretary Johnson to look into whether the Department c… Continue Reading
09.27.16
Kilmer Joins Call on Congressional Leaders to Renew a Program Critical to Rural Communities
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) called on Congressional leaders to renew a program critical to rural communities. In a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Kilmer and other representatives urged the continuation of funding for Secure Rural Schools (SRS) in fiscal year 2016 and future years to help counties with national forests. Since national forest land cannot be taxed by counties or states, for more than 100 years the Forest… Continue Reading
09.22.16
Hoyer, House Democrats Discuss Renewing Faith in Government Agenda
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) joined with Reps. John Sarbanes (MD-03), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Derek Kilmer (WA-06), and Tony Cárdenas (CA-29) to discuss ways in which Congress can work to restore the American people's faith in government. In July, Whip Hoyer spoke at the Georgetown University Law Center to unveil the "Renewing Faith in Government" agenda. It includes proposals on campaign finance reform, r… Continue Reading
09.22.16
Kilmer Announces Grant for Point Defiance Park
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) announced that Point Defiance Park won a grant through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). The investments totaling more than $500,000 will help develop new trails and a pedestrian bridge and help install new park furniture on the Loop Trail. Point Defiance Park draws more than 3.1 million people each year and includes forests, saltwater beaches, and hiking trails. "This investment will help Point Defiance Park continue to … Continue Reading
09.22.16
House Approves Hanna Cyber Bill to Protect Small Businesses
WASHINGTON - The House of Representatives last night passed U.S. Representative Richard Hanna's bill, the Improving Small Business Cyber Security Act of 2016, to help small businesses protect themselves from cyberattacks. American small businesses are under cyberattack like never before. By one estimate, 71 percent of cyberattacks occurred in businesses with fewer than 100 employees. With America's 28 million small businesses making up 54 percent of annual sales in the U.S., the frequency of su… Continue Reading
09.15.16
Kilmer Statement on Local Canadian Government Approval of Site for Wastewater Treatment Plant
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) released the following statement after the Capital Regional District in British Columbia approved a plan to build a sewage treatment plant at McLoughlin Point in Esquimalt and commit to additional wastewater management solutions. The Victoria area, home to 300,000 people, has pumped effluent into the Strait of Juan de Fuca for years. "This week was a positive step toward Canada cleaning up its mess," said Kilmer. "Now we need to make … Continue Reading