Issues

It is an honor to represent the 2nd District. Our shared values – working hard, caring for each other, and serving the community – guide my work in Congress to serve the people of Northwest Washington.

I am committed to protecting reproductive freedom, combatting fentanyl in our communities, building an economy that works for everyone, increasing access to health care, and supporting our veterans.

Reproductive Freedom

I am outraged by the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. This backwards ruling strikes a blow to our basic constitutional rights of liberty, privacy, and equality – which is why the American people overwhelmingly oppose the decision. As a member of Congress with a 100% voting record on choice, endorsed many times by Planned Parenthood, I will fight hard to codify abortion rights nationwide in federal law. Last fall, I joined a majority in the House to pass the Women's Health Protection Act, which would codify Roe v. Wade - but Republicans blocked the bill. When Democrats take back Congress, we will make Roe v. Wade the law of the land.

Fentanyl

Fentanyl is a growing threat in our communities. I believe that addiction is a disease, and I am working to bring funding to local prevention and recovery services. I am also working to strengthen law enforcement’s ability to hold accountable those who bring these drugs into our communities. This year, my office released a report: The Opioid Crisis in Washington’s Second Congressional District and a Comprehensive Solution (PDF). Congress and the Biden administration can and must do more to coordinate with local governments, Tribal communities, law enforcement, health care providers and community partners to tackle the opioid epidemic and help individuals suffering from opioid addiction – and I will lead that work.

Economy

Our economy should work for everyone, but right now, too many hard-working people are struggling to make ends meet. My top priority is to bring economic investments to the 2nd District that create good-paying jobs that support families. I am proud to have brought $146 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to the 2nd District to revitalize our community and create jobs.

For many in Northwest Washington, our jobs are not just an occupation – they are a source of dignity. That is why, in addition to supporting our local sectors, we must also directly support our local workers, which includes raising the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour, guaranteeing equal pay for equal work, providing skills training across sectors and especially for our youth, and growing the strength of organized labor.

Health Care

I believe health care is a right, and I support universal, affordable coverage. That is why I am working to expand access to high-quality health care that fits families’ budgets. I voted to reduce prescription drug costs: by letting Medicare negotiate drug prices; by imposing a tax penalty if drug companies increase their prices faster than inflation; and by capping the price of insulin at $35 per month. I also voted to reduce premiums for 9 million Americans who buy insurance through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace.

I have long been committed to supporting care for our seniors and to strengthening Social Security and Medicare. I voted to close a longstanding coverage gap in Medicaid that locks out 4 million people nationwide, to expand Medicare to cover hearing benefits, and to lower out-of-pockets costs for Medicare Part D beneficiaries. I oppose the privatization of Medicare and have called for stricter accountability for private Medicare Advantage plans. I also oppose the privatization of Social Security and sponsored “Scrap the Cap” legislation which would no longer exempt income earned above $147,000 from Social Security taxes to strengthen the Social Security fund.

Veterans

The 2nd District is home to nearly 57,000 veterans, including many veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. I am committed to ensuring that the women and men who have served our country in uniform get the resources and services they need – whether it be healthcare, housing, or career training. I worked to successfully pass a bipartisan measure that extends a popular transportation program to help veterans travel to see their doctors. I have also fought for bills to provide all veterans with job-skills training, to provide business owners a tax credit to hire veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and to get more homeless veterans into permanent housing.

Voting Rights

Our democracy is at stake in this election. I am committed to protecting the right to vote and defending our democratic institutions, values, and norms. I have proudly voted for landmark legislation to end partisan gerrymandering, require disclosure of dark money, expand opportunities to vote, and restore voting rights protections.

Environment

A healthy environment is vital to Washingtonians’ way of life and the regional economy – and that is why mitigating climate change must be a top priority. 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. I also introduced and helped pass the Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act, a bipartisan bill that will help protect these diverse bird populations and their habitats in the Pacific Northwest and provide a significant boost to the outdoor economy. I supported the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2022 and will continue to push for the full passage of the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act.

Transportation and Infrastructure

In Washington state, transportation means jobs. You cannot have a big league economy with a little league infrastructure. As the top Democrat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I have worked hard to bring home federal money for critical transportation projects, like earthquake safety upgrades for roads and bridges in Skagit County and Lynnwood; safe routes to school for Lynden; and road improvements that will make possible a green technology center in Everett.

It is no coincidence that the implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) has happened simultaneously with the longest stretch of sub-4% unemployment in the last 50 years – men and women are hard at work, building cleaner, greener, and safer infrastructure for the 21st century. I am proud to have brought $146 million from the BIL to the 2nd District to revitalize our community and create jobs.