Dear Friend,

This week our country faced tragic loss after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Pain, tragedy and suffering like this is impossible to comprehend. It was a direct attack on the heart and soul of America. As we come together as a country to support the community of Parkland, we must focus on how we can put an end to such violence and hate and better identify and respond to individuals known to harbor these feelings.

A New Year a New Budget

At the beginning of every new year, the President has the opportunity to submit a budget proposal for how they believe Congress should appropriate funds for the upcoming fiscal year. On Monday, President Trump released his Fiscal Year 2019 budget proposal. I am pleased that the President’s budget request highlights the need to strengthen our military, meet our nation’s infrastructure needs, address our national parks’ maintenance backlog, conduct life-saving medical research at the National Institutes of Health, and fight the opioid crisis. But there is so much more that I believe is important for us to prioritize, including state and local law enforcement, community development, land and water conservation, education, and public broadcasting.

With the release of the President’s budget request, it is now the responsibility of Congress to determine how we can best meet the needs of our constituents through the budget and appropriations process. This is a responsibility I take very seriously. As my colleagues and I work through this process, I will continue to champion programs that strengthen our communities, support vulnerable populations, ensure good stewardship of our public lands, and maintain our arts and humanities that protect our national heritage.

Understanding the Details

Following the introduction of this budget proposal, my colleagues and I on the House Ways and Means Committee met with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Alex Azar, and the Secretary of the United States Treasury, Steven Mnuchin, to discuss the various aspects of the budget in depth.

During our hearing with HHS Secretary Azar, I was very pleased he agreed to work with me and my colleagues to close the Medicare coverage gap and finally give lymphedema patients access to the treatment items needed to manage their chronic condition. I will continue to be a voice for patients in Congress and will not rest until we get those with lymphedema access to the care they need to maintain their health and live their fullest lives possible.

The following day, we met with Secretary Mnuchin from the Treasury. With the historic passage of tax reform this past year, we must make sure it is implemented correctly and that taxpayers receive the information they need. That is why I asked Secretary Mnuchin how this new plan is being put into action. In the coming months and years, I know that Americans will see significant benefits from the new tax code and its implementation. Now, we must build on this work and continue to boost the competitiveness of U.S. companies through a successful update of NAFTA and a fully operational Export-Import Bank. I look forward to working with the Administration on these priorities.

Defending the Disabled

This week, I voted against the ADA Education and Reform Act because I strongly believed it was the wrong approach to ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA).

We must ensure that our friends and loved ones who face life-altering disabilities have access to the places we all enjoy and that our businesses know how to provide this access. I voted against this legislation because it was not the right way to achieve this goal and support disabled Americans. Educating businesses and local governments on the best practices for providing greater accessibility and promoting compliance is key, so that access is guaranteed and businesses know their responsibilities. Throughout my time in Congress, I have worked with those who face these difficulties and I could not support this bill that did not put those with disabilities first.

I Can’t Do it Without Your Support

One of the greatest joys of my job is meeting with constituents from my district and the State of Washington. Throughout my time in Congress, it has been a pleasure working with RESULTS to improve global health and education. I have greatly appreciated their support and look forward to our continued partnership in my final year.

Furthering Washington’s Education

Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting with the presidents of several Washington colleges and universities that are a part of Independent Colleges of Washington. We discussed the importance of ensuring our higher education system continues to be a source of upward mobility for students and an engine of economic growth for Washington.

A Beautiful Land of Diversity

I also had a great meeting with El Salvador’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Hugo Martinez. I was honored to be able to share with him my views on immigration reform and my advocacy on behalf of dreamers. We must address DACA as soon as possible.

Trade with Our Friends

My colleague, Rep. George Holding, and I had the chance to meet with Members from the United Kingdom’s House of Commons International Trade Committee. We discussed the importance of our relationship and what trade means to both of our economies. Always a pleasure meeting with our friends from across the pond.

Hope you all have a safe and wonderful President’s Day Weekend.