Writing to Congress

Me, in January: "I will blog about all the awful things Trump is doing. Keeping up on it will keep me informed!"

Me, now: "OH MY GOD THERE IS SO MUCH NEWS ALL THE TIME, CAN'T IT JUST STOP?" (Also, me: "Oh yeah. If I want to blog I have to keep this POS laptop charged.")

I've been making lots of calls to my Congressman. I have form letters spread around the house and in my email. It's so nice when the letters (don't) address your specific concerns. But they come out quickly, so I guess I can compliment him on his efficient staff.

A couple of weeks ago, Congressman Dan Newhouse was invited to a town hall. He declined to attend, but the community held one anyway and submitted written questions along with video recorded questions for him. They've all been delivered to his office and within a couple of days of the written questions being delivered, I got the following responses.

To the question: "I see you are a cosponsor of the BRIDGE act. I would like to know more about what you are doing to support Dreamers." (I did not ask about DACA)

Thank you for contacting my office regarding your thoughts on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. I sincerely appreciate you reaching out and sharing your views on this important issue.

On January 12, 2017, Representative Mike Coffman (R-CO) introduced H.R. 496, the Bar Removal of Individuals who Dream and Grow our Economy (BRIDGE) Act, and I was proud to cosponsor this important legislation. H.R. 496 provides young students and veterans, who were brought to the U.S. as children and grew up in the United States, with work authorization and temporary protection from removal for three years. By providing temporary protection for these individuals the bill ensures they can continue to work and study in the U.S., while Congress debates broader legislation to fix our broken immigration system.

Since our country’s founding, America has been a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws. Our communities in Central Washington are a testament to the contributions of immigrants to the fabric of American society, and it is important that we remember our history and heritage as we address this important issue. President Obama’s unconstitutional Executive Orders on DACA left individuals and families across the country in legal limbo, after the courts struck down the President’s unilateral actions. Congress has the sole authority to write laws that provide a humane solution to our broken immigration system, which is a responsibility that I do not take lightly. I was proud to join my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support H.R. 496 and protect children brought to the U.S. through no fault of their own. These children and young adults deserve certainty and stability while Congress works together to provide for long-term immigration reform, a permanent solution for DACA individuals, increased border security, and a reasonable and accessible immigration system going forward.

Thank you for contacting me on this critically-important matter and I encourage you to stay engaged with my office as Congress debates solutions to the many immigration issues currently facing our country.

I hope you will continue to be in contact as Congress debates the many issues of importance to the country. I also encourage you to connect with me on Facebook and Twitter and to sign up for my e-newsletter for the latest updates on my work to represent Central Washington’s views in our nation’s capital.

Thank you again for taking the time to share your concerns with me—I am always glad to hear from constituents of the 4th District. It is an honor and privilege to serve you in Congress.

To the question, "Do you support HR 610?" (It ... sounds like he does not? Given that the letter suggests I might know that the bill I asked about exists, it's safe to say the question is not really answered).I DID express concern about cuts to the school lunch program and nutritional changes.

Thank you for contacting my office regarding your concerns about eliminating federal involvement in education decisions. It is important to hear from constituents as I work in Congress representing the people of Washington’s 4th District. I sincerely appreciate you reaching out and sharing your views on this important issue.

As you may know, Representative Steve King (R-IA) introduced H.R. 610, the Choices in Education Act of 2017. This legislation would repeal the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and would create an education voucher program in its place and limit the power of the Secretary of Education. The Secretary of Education would have no authority to impose further requirements on elementary and secondary education outside of issuing block grants to states that are complying with the voucher programs, and school choice requirements set under this legislation. Effectively, this would transfer all education decisions to the state. To meet the school choice requirements, states must allow parents of an eligible child to elect to enroll their child in any public or private elementary or secondary school in the state, or homeschool their child. Additionally, H.R. 610 would repeal the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) standards on school nutrition, and establish new nutritional standards for the national school lunch and breakfast programs.

H.R. 610 has been referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. You will be pleased to know no committee action on the bill has occurred nor has been scheduled on this legislation.

Additionally, last Congress, I was proud to support the Every Student Succeeds Act. I voted to support this legislation because I believe our students will receive the best formal education possible when local stakeholders such as parents, teachers and administrators are able to assist children in reaching their potential. While the bill did not contain every provision I would have preferred, it accomplishes several important reforms to the federal role in K-12 education. The legislation gave states wide discretion in setting goals for public schools, as well as the authority to identify and intervene in low-performing schools.

I hope you will continue to be in contact as Congress debates the many issues of importance to the country. I also encourage you to connect with me on Facebook and Twitter and to sign up for my e-newsletter for the latest updates on my work to represent Central Washington’s views in our nation’s capital.

Thank you again for taking the time to share your concerns with me—I am always glad to hear from constituents of the 4th District. It is an honor and privilege to serve you in Congress.