Over the next few months, the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction will need to find a balanced approach to addressing our debt and deficit, growing our economy, and putting Americans back to work. As Co-Chair of this bipartisan commission, I am working hard to bring members together around a bipartisan plan that works for families in Washington state. But I also know that we have a difficult challenge in front of us and that we need to marshal every idea and resource we can to complete this difficult task. That’s why I want to hear from you.
Please go to my comment form where you can submit your new, innovative, and most importantly – practical – approaches that could be implemented by the Joint Select Committee to help move our country in the right direction. At this critical time for our country your involvement is important to ensuring that we can find common ground solutions that work for real families. I look forward to hearing your ideas.
Helping Employers Hire Our Nation’s Heroes
Right now, veterans across our state and nation can’t find work and unfortunately some employers also can’t find veterans to hire. That is why I sent a letter to Secretary Hilda Solis at the Department of Labor last week urging the Department to reach out to employers who want to hire separating servicemembers. The letter asks the Department to outline the ways it partners with prospective employers committed to hiring veterans and shares such information with veterans. It is so important in these difficult economic times that such employers are connected to the right resources, and that veterans have the information they need to be competitive for these employment opportunities.
Improving Seattle’s VA Medical Center
Last week, I helped pass the Veterans Health Care Facilities Capital Improvement Act of 2011. This bipartisan legislation will allow for new construction projects, including upgrades at the VA Medical Center in Seattle. This bill also contains critical extensions to many of VA’s programs to end homelessness among veterans.
Department of Labor Investment in Spokane Community College
This week, the U.S. Department of Labor announced Spokane Community College will receive critical investments under the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) program, which aims to support partnerships between community colleges and employers to develop programs that provide pathways to good jobs.
This is fantastic news for workers and aerospace companies in Spokane and across Washington state. Washington state has the best aerospace workers in the world, and this investment is going to give Spokane Community College the resources it needs to help make sure we stay at the front of the pack. We have companies in Washington state that want to hire, and we have workers that want to work—and we need to keep fighting to close the skills gap that too often keeps jobs from being filled.
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Finally History
On September 20, we finally marked the end of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” a shameful and counterproductive policy that needlessly destroyed careers and harmed our military readiness. For far too long, men and women with the courage and commitment to serve our nation have been asked to hide the truth about who they are. This was shameful, it was bad policy, and it needed to end. Our Armed Forces will be stronger because now our military commanders and our nation can be sure we will have the best and brightest servicemembers on the job, regardless of ethnicity, creed, or sexual orientation.
“Spokane woman plays major role in Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell repeal” –NWCN.com
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