Message from Dave

Dear Friends,

This has been a week full of good news for local businesses and workers in our region and some of our hometown sports teams. Here are a few of the highlights from the past week!

Combat Flip Flops

I am so proud to say that a local business, Combat Flip Flops, won investors’ support on the most recent episode of ABC’s Shark Tank. The small company was founded in Issaquah by Matthew Griffin, Donald Lee, and Andy Sewrey who served several tours in Afghanistan and came home with a mission to create jobs for the hardworking people they met in the war-torn countries they visited.  What began as a flip flop company providing jobs for individuals looking for work in Bogota, Colombia has grown into a business that gives women in Afghanistan and artisans in Laos a chance at a better life. With the investment they earned from their participation on Shark Tank, they will now be able expand their company, create more quality products, and give those who have little more economic opportunities.

Support for Local Workers

In November of last year, the aluminum manufacturing company, Alcoa, announced its plans to idle its smelting operations in Ferndale and Malaga, Washington, resulting in the loss of 880 local jobs. Many of these employees had worked at the plant for years and depended on that employment to provide for their families.

I am pleased to say that the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) approved assistance for these workers in the form of Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) after several members of the Washington Delegation and I requested support for them.

Now these workers will have the opportunity to receive job training, assistance in finding new employment, and aid as they reenter the workforce.

Education for All Act

Today, millions of children, especially in conflict-affected states and sub-Saharan Africa, are desperate for an education but are denied that opportunity through no fault of their own. Helping these children receive a basic education is not only the right thing to do but will also give them skills to care for their families, improve their own health outcomes, contribute positively to their communities, and foster more stability in conflict-prone regions and the world.

This week Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY) and I re-introduced the bipartisan Education for All Act, so the United States can better coordinate our efforts with global partners to work toward reaching the 124 million children around the world who are not in school and improve the quality of education for those currently enrolled.

Signing of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)

This week, representatives from the U.S. and the other 11 Pacific Rim partner nations met in Auckland, New Zealand to sign a historic trade agreement years in the making. As one of the most trade-dependent states, a high-standard TPP agreement has the potential to offer businesses big and small throughout Washington and the country an opportunity to expand to new markets, creating good-paying American jobs in the process. That is why as Chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade, I look forward to working with the Administration and my colleagues in Congress to address Congressional concerns with the agreement so we can develop a path forward.

Mt. Si Goes to Nationals

Lastly, a major congratulation to Mt. Si’s cheer team for winning the state title for the second year in a row! Please wish them luck at the national competition today in Florida and have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Dave

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