Weekly Columns and Op-Eds
Native American history is engrained in the culture of the Pacific Northwest. Throughout our region, we are reminded of Tribal culture and heritage which greatly influence our way of life. November is Native American Heritage Month, and in Central Washington, we have a rich, storied Tribal history that should be recognized.
The federal government has a unique relationship with Native American tribes as we work in tandem to respect their culture, traditions, and treaty rights.
From turkey and mashed potatoes to parades and football games, there are a number of family traditions that signify Thanksgiving, but none are as important as the opportunity to reflect on all we have to be grateful for and give thanks.
In Central Washington, we understand all-too-well the frustrations that come from feeling like rural communities are being ignored. Large cities and urban areas seem to suck all the air out of the room, leaving those of us in rural America feeling we do not have a voice.
This is especially true in our nation's capital and why I take my responsibility as the voice for Central Washington very seriously. As one of 435 Members in the House of Representatives, I work every day to educate my peers about the priorities and issues facing our district.
Over the past few months, catastrophic wildfires raged – once again – throughout Central Washington and across the West. Smoke blanketed the Pacific Northwest, and whole towns were essentially wiped off the map.
Unfortunately, we are not strangers to the devastation of catastrophic wildfires. This year, in the midst of a global pandemic that already put strain on our local economy and agriculture industry, the damages seem even greater. While the fires may no longer be burning here at home, the impacts on our communities remain.
I have often said that small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and that could not be truer in Central Washington's rural communities. The owners and employees of Main Street businesses are integral to the well-being of our communities, and the support for small businesses I have witnessed during my travels throughout our district is inspiring.
It is no secret that, in recent years, politics have become increasingly divisive. What Americans across the country see on television is arguing, partisan attacks, and politicized accounts of votes on specific pieces of legislation.
What they don't see is the behind-the-scenes conversations, the bipartisan collaboration, or the hundreds of bills we unanimously pass out of the House. These things are happening all the time, but one of my priorities in Congress has been to make these occurrences more frequent and to bring these collaborative efforts into the limelight.
The Endangered Species Act was signed into law to help protect and recover animals and wildlife facing critical threats or risk of extinction. As Americans, we share the common goal of protecting our environment, creating healthy ecosystems, and ensuring that our growing human populations can live in tandem with the plants and animals around us.
On Friday, October 2, we celebrated National Manufacturing Day, a day to applaud the millions of American manufacturers who are working to produce the finest, high-quality products in the world.
I have had the opportunity to visit with manufacturers throughout Central Washington, and I am grateful for their contributions to not only our local economies, but to our national security and economic independence as well.
Many of us are familiar with how our school districts are funded. Construction costs, maintenance updates, teacher salaries, and more are funded by local taxpayers. With local property taxes, levies, and bonds, superintendents and school district administrators work to ensure our students receive the high-quality education they deserve. Over the past several years, many of our school districts have expanded to accommodate growing numbers of students. But what happens when a school district is on or surrounded by federal land?