In Northwest Washington, Earth Day is every day.
It is Earth Day.
Our district is one of the most scenic and diverse in the country. From rolling hills, stunning valleys, and beautiful landscapes along the Puget Sound and the Salish Sea to our diverse ecosystem that supports large migrations of shore birds, beloved salmon returns, and the iconic bald eagle. Northwest Washington is beloved by environmentalists and adventurers alike.
Beyond the stunning scenery, our landscapes and natural resources are a key component of our local economy.
The rivers throughout the district have deposited rich soils that contribute to some of the finest agricultural land in the country. Northwest Washington's fertile soil must be cared for and protected. Further, our district's proximity to the Pacific Ocean makes our coastal communities major economic centers, and we have a responsibility to protect ocean habitats and scenic shorelines through thoughtful policy-making and clean energy innovation.
Right now, some of our greatest progress on climate change, environmental justice, energy policy, public health, public land, and wildlife conservation is under attack. Their efforts to undermine our progress make days like today even more important to acknowledge.
I firmly believe that these issues must be a top priority. Here is some of the progress we have made in Congress in the past few years:
- I helped draft and pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which allocates $5.3 billion over five years to provide Washingtonians with more transportation options, ease congestion in local communities, and reduce carbon pollution across the state, in addition to allocating nearly $370 million this year to invest in the state's transit agencies and communities.
- I introduced and helped pass the Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act, a bipartisan bill to help protect diverse bird populations and their habitats in the Pacific Northwest and across the Western Hemisphere.
- I supported the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2022 because protecting our natural environment is especially critical to maintaining a healthy economy and community.
As we deal with warmer temperatures, rising sea levels, and climate-caused disasters, I will continue working to ensure our infrastructure can handle the changing climate and keep our communities safe.
Happy Earth Day.
More soon,
Rick
