Weekly Columns and Op-Eds

I can share from firsthand experience that farmers typically have a lot to worry about in the best of times. I recently traveled across Central Washington to hear from farmers and ranchers from each county express their concerns. I heard about the importance of opening new markets, increased public education about farming and the source of our food, and the extent to which farmers facing uncertain times rely on reliable crop insurance.

In the U.S., 91 people die every day from an opioid overdose. Due to the rise in fatal overdoses, life expectancy in the U.S. has recently fallen. The problem affects our communities in Central Washington: According to the Washington Department of Health, from 2012 to 2016, opioid overdoses contributed to the deaths of 300 people in the 4th Congressional District.

You have heard the saying, "a penny saved is a penny earned." It is certainly true, and all the more so when the sum is $15 billion. On June 7th, the House or Representatives approved, and I supported, passage of H.R. 3, the Spending Cuts to Expired and Unnecessary Programs Act. H.R. 3 ‘rescinded' $15 billion in federal spending that is no longer needed for its intended purposes, or that has been sitting unused within agencies for years. The legislation also rescinds funding that agencies cannot spend, or have no plans to spend, to return it to the Federal Treasury.

What does ‘right to try' mean? It refers to the ability of terminally-ill patients, who after having exhausted all other options and who are unable to participate in a clinical trial involving certain drugs, to access experimental drugs or therapy. The Right to Try offers the freedom to access medicine that is still in the investigational phase.

This Memorial Day, we pause to reflect and remember the members of the Armed Services who have served and given their life for our country. For those who have lost a family member, loved one, or comrade, this day has added significance for remembrance, but as Americans, we all honor these heroes for their sacrifice, given to protect our freedom.

We also honor the flag under which these men and women died for the liberty it represents. The flag is flown in communities across the country as a symbol of the nation and values defended by servicemen and women who never returned home.

"Okanogan Strong" was the motto that aptly described the community's response during devastating wildfires that struck our region in 2014. That same saying applies again today as the Okanogan community grapples with a natural disaster – this time severe flooding that is potentially the worst since 1972. Emergency declarations have been issued by the state, county, and cities. With warmer weather bringing spring runoff, we have also been seeing floods in Grant County and the Tri-Cities area as well.

Last week, President Trump used his legal authority to withdraw the U.S. from President Obama's flawed 2015 deal with Iran, called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPA). I opposed Obama's Iran deal in 2015 because it did not do enough to keep Iran from a path to developing a nuclear weapon. One of my main concerns was that in exchange for economic sanctions relief for Iran, the JCPA failed to require that nation to dismantle its nuclear infrastructure, leaving it a dangerous state on the threshold of acquiring nuclear weapons.

"My brother is an addict. I am raising his daughter." That is one of the many responses I received when I asked constituents of the 4th Congressional District how opioids and heroin abuse have affected people in our community. The responses are eye-opening to the heartbreaking cost of the opioid crisis in Central Washington: "The opioid crisis is destroying my family's life," and "my adult child has battled addiction for 20 years after taking post-surgery opioids at 18" are two more responses that are truly a call to action.