Weekly Columns and Op-Eds

Last week, the West Point Treatment Plant in Seattle dumped 11 million gallons of raw sewage into Puget Sound. This wastewater is dangerous to families and communities, and it is also harmful to our species that inhabit the Puget Sound, including native salmon species and southern resident orcas.

Last week, Americans witnessed a violent storming of the of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Capitol Police – the agency charged with protecting the hallowed halls of the People's House – were on the frontlines, and they were quickly overwhelmed. That did not stop them from standing strong against these rioters.

Originally published in the Tri-City Herald on January 6, 2021

This week, we convened the 117^th Congress, and it is my sincere honor to begin a fourth term as the Representative for Washington's 4^th Congressional District.

Throughout the past year, I have written a lot about how I have witnessed Central Washington come together in times of crisis. The challenges of a global pandemic are certainly unprecedented, but individuals, families, healthcare providers, and local businesses have stepped up to the plate to provide support for our communities.

As we enter the 10^th month of the COVID-19 crisis, I find myself looking forward to this Christmas season. Festivities and celebrations will undoubtedly look different, and some traditions and customary gatherings may not be feasible this year – but holiday spirit is just as important as ever.

Originally published in the Yakima Herald-Republic on December 20, 2020

Without the systems and infrastructure we have built to harness the power of the mighty Columbia River, the Pacific Northwest as we know it would cease to exist. Dams along the Columbia provide countless benefits to our communities – from reliable, affordable electricity and flood control to irrigation, navigable waterways, and a clean energy grid second to none in the country.