Washington, D.C. – On Tuesday, the House Appropriations Committee advanced the fiscal year 2021 funding bill for the Department of Defense, which included a $20 million investment championed by Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) to fund the Navy Facility Sustainment, Modernization, and Restoration Program, which will invest in critical infrastructure upgrades at the nation’s four public shipyards – including Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton – to improve resiliency to fires, earthquakes, and other natural hazards.
“This bill includes critical investments to improve the quality of life of our service members, their families, and the civilian workforce that are the lifeblood of our defense communities,” said Rep. Kilmer. “This shipyard investments in this bill are about jobs and about having the backs of the brave women and men who serve our country.”
The legislation also included a $50 million investment Rep. Kilmer advocated for to the Defense Community Infrastructure Program, which funds projects that address commuter workforce issues, school construction, and other local infrastructure that support military instillations like Naval Base Kitsap and Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Kilmer has worked with the City of Bremerton and Kitsap County in hopes of securing federal funds to reduce congestion into the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.
Finally, the bill advanced by the Appropriations Committee also included a three percent pay increase for members of the armed forces as well as a provision championed by Rep. Kilmer to repeal three Executive Orders that have made it harder for shipyard workers and other federal employees to negotiate fair pay, benefits, and working conditions.
“I appreciate Representative Kilmer and his team supporting the civilian workers who come in day after day to keep our Navy operational and mission ready so they can help to keep our great nation safe,” said Eric Morse, President of the Bremerton Metal Trades Council.
Rep. Kilmer spoke in support of the legislation before the Committee yesterday. The Committee then passed the bill, which will likely be considered by the full House before the end of July.
WORLD NEWS HEADLINES
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FROM THE US MISSION TO THE UN
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BUSINESS & FINANCE HEADLINES:
FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION:
STATE NEWS HEADLINES:
OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson today announced a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s new rule vastly limiting anti-discrimination protections under the Affordable Care Act. Among many other changes, the rule removes explicit protections against discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sex stereotyping. This allows for discrimination against LGBTQ patients — particularly transgender patients.
OLYMPIA — Attorney General Bob Ferguson today issued the following statement after President Trump announced sweeping and unjustified revisions to longstanding environmental review processes under the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA — a move that undermines public health and the environment and conflicts with federal law. President Nixon signed NEPA into law in 1970 after it passed Congress with bipartisan support.
State board awards funding to support community and economic development and rural broadband infrastructure in Cowlitz, Douglas, Grays Harbor, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish and Walla Walla counties.
OLYMPIA – Unless Congress acts to extend or adjust it, the additional $600 per week in Federal Pandemic Unemployment Program (FPUC) benefits, available under the federal CARES Act, will stop after the week ending Sat., July 25, 2020. FPUC is entirely federally funded and available only at federal discretion.
ELLENSBURG – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will use herbicide treatments to control noxious weeds at Mattoon Lake in Kittitas County the week of July 20.
EDITORIALS & LOCAL MEETING AGENDAS
Local restaurant owner unsure how anyone will stay in business if restrictions remain---MY NORTHWEST
The closures were just supposed to be two months when everyone was told about it. At the start, there was even a lack of clarity about whether restaurants and businesses needed to close at all.
The governor urges young people, who are not getting infected the most, to curb their social habits.---Everett Herald
Tax Washington’s wealthy, don’t slash social services, for lasting economic recovery---Seattle Times
Over 140,000 Americans have died from COVID-19, more than any other nation by far. Our efforts to address COVID-19 are so poor that Americans are banned from visiting Canada and Europe.---The Olympian
LOCAL MEETINGS AGENDAS
CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS
Board of health meeting secluded for 7/21/20
at 1:30pm, no agenda was published.
JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS
He became the ultimate sacrifice
Weekly Scripture verse: I will praise You with uprightness of heart, When I learn Your righteous judgments.
Psalm 119:7 (New King James Version)
Weekly Bible Study: The Development of the New Testament Text---by Jim Snapp II
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