What we accomplished this September
September has been another busy month working on the issues that matter to people across Northwest Washington.
Here are a few highlights from the month:
Supporting Washington's maritime economy: I joined maritime leaders at the Port of Everett for a discussion about funding needs, workforce development, domestic shipbuilding, and supporting maritime jobs across our region.
Investing in Northwest Washington infrastructure: The House passed my bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2026, which includes priorities for ports, waterways, flood management and ecosystem restoration in Northwest Washington. Whatcom County also finalized a $25 million federal grant agreement to replace the aging Whatcom Chief and upgrade Lummi Island ferry terminals.
Keeping energy costs down: I voted to prevent large data centers from shifting the costs of new electricity infrastructure onto families and small businesses. Data centers must pay their fair share to connect to and use the grid.
Protecting salmon and the Salish Sea: NOAA awarded $4.2 million to support Similk Estuary Chinook salmon restoration. I will keep working with local leaders and Tribes to bring home federal dollars to protect salmon habitats and Northwest Washington's environment. I will also continue working with federal agencies on oil spill prevention and response plans as Canada considers a new pipeline that could increase tanker traffic in the Salish Sea.
Defending Washington's vote-by-mail system: I joined 260 House and Senate colleagues in challenging new restrictions on mail-in voting. Local election officials know how to administer free and fair elections. I will keep supporting efforts to defend Washington's secure vote-by-mail system and protect the right of every eligible citizen to cast a ballot and have that ballot counted.
I will keep focusing on lowering costs, creating good-paying jobs, protecting Northwest Washington's environment, and delivering results for the people I represent.
Before we close the books on September and reach our end-of-quarter deadline, will you donate to my reelection campaign so I can continue fighting for our community? Every donation makes a difference as we put in the work to win back the House in 2026.
More soon,
Rick
