My top 5 this quarter
Since the start of the year, I have been working to protect jobs, strengthen infrastructure, help communities recover from recent flooding, and push for greater transparency and accountability in government. Before we close the books on the first quarter of the Election Year, I want to share a few of the ways I have been working to deliver results since January:
1. Addressing Affordability, Lowering Costs, and Protecting the Regional Economy
What people in Northwest Washington are facing:
- Higher prices tied to tariffs and economic instability
- Dependence on major regional employers (especially aerospace)
- Supply chain and trade disruptions that affect workers and businesses
What I am doing:
- Supporting efforts to end tariffs that raise costs for consumers and businesses, and increasing prices on groceries, energy, and health care.
- Advocating for job growth in aerospace, including the upcoming Boeing production expansion that creates jobs for regional workers.
- Passing federal funding packages that invest in jobs, education, and infrastructure.
2. Infrastructure, Transportation, and Local Project Funding
What people in Northwest Washington are facing:
- Aging transportation infrastructure
- Need for transit and port investments
- Regional economic growth tied to mobility and logistics
What I am doing:
- Securing federal infrastructure funding for projects across Northwest Washington.
- Opening applications for Community Project Funding that directs federal dollars to local governments and nonprofits.
- Bringing money home to WA-02 to support investments that strengthen infrastructure, community facilities, and economic development.
3. Disaster Recovery and Climate Resilience
What people in Northwest Washington are facing:
- Recent flooding has made disaster recovery and climate resilience an immediate concern.
- Damaged infrastructure, homes, and businesses.
- Increasing frequency and severity of climate-related disasters.
What I am doing:
- Supporting federal disaster assistance and pushing for a major disaster declaration to repair damaged infrastructure.
- Connecting communities with resources like the new SBA loans to help businesses rebuild after floods.
- Raising the alarm about the real-world impacts of climate change on Northwest Washington communities.
4. Public Safety and the Opioid Crisis
What people in Northwest Washington are facing:
- The opioid epidemic continues to affect communities across Northwest Washington
- Need for treatment, prevention, and law enforcement resources
What I am doing:
- Securing federal funding for addiction recovery programs, public safety initiatives, and law enforcement efforts to disrupt trafficking.
- Framing the opioid crisis as a community-wide challenge requiring federal support and coordination.
5. Accountability, Democracy, Oversight, and Supporting Our Servicepeople
What people in Northwest Washington are facing:
- Impacts of dark money in elections
- A reckless approach to immigration enforcement
- An undermining of Congressional authority on war powers
What I am doing:
- Reintroducing the DISCLOSE Act to end dark money in elections and increase transparency in political spending.
- Opposing DHS funding proposals that lack accountability for ICE enforcement actions.
- Voting to require congressional authorization for military hostilities involving Iran.
- Supporting Coast Guard investments and maritime safety infrastructure.
- Launching community initiatives recognizing veterans and servicemembers.
All of this work reflects what I believe government should do: deliver practical results and make life better for the people it serves.
But continuing that work will require building a strong campaign this election year. Republicans are already preparing to defend their House majority, and taking back the House will be critical to restoring stability in Washington and making progress on the issues that matter most to Northwest Washington.
Preparing for the next election starts early. With your help, we can continue building a campaign that stands up for the values of Northwest Washington and works to deliver real results for our communities.
More soon,
Rick
