Year in Review: Washington’s 1st Congressional District

I appreciate the opportunity to serve as your representative in Congress. Last year, we held town halls throughout the region, including Blaine and Point Roberts, and attended over 500 constituent meetings. I serve on the Ways and Means committee, which focuses on taxes, trade, retirement security and health care. I’m working to provide economic opportunities for students, workers, small businesses and farmers.

In 2019, I introduced the Faster Access for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Act, which will make filling out the FAFSA application easier and more secure for nearly 20 million students. I also introduced legislation that will strengthen and expand the affordable housing tax credit to increase the supply of affordable housing. We secured $1.5 billion in State Opioid Response Grants, $40 million for Supportive Housing for Homeless Veterans and $3.4 billion for Community Development Block Grants.

Recently, the House passed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which includes important provisions for our farmers, workers and the environment. The USMCA will expand market access for local farmers and small businesses and improve our region’s ability to trade with our neighbors.

In Whatcom County, I have strongly supported expanding transit options throughout the county and helped Blaine and Ferndale pursue infrastructure grants. I also toured the border with Blaine officials to assist with traffic issues caused by new rail screening. I will work with my colleagues to address this issue as we debate reauthorizing transportation funding in 2020.

Despite these accomplishments, there is much I want to achieve. We must give people control over their personal data, expand rural broadband, reduce the cost of prescription drugs and open the door for medical innovation so patients can receive high quality care. I promise to keep fighting for Washington’s 1st Congressional District in 2020.