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Home My WebLink About102925 - Back in D_C_ Ready to NegotiateALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them. <https://iqconnect.house.gov/iqextranet/customers/WA06ER/NEWSLETTER.png> Friends, neighbors — It was a busy week back home in Washington’s 6th District, meeting with health care providers, early learning advocates, and food security partners from across our district who are continuing their vital work to the best of their ability during the ongoing government shutdown. These conversations inform the work I do in Congress, which has a real impact on families — from keeping clinics open to making sure kids don’t go hungry. As the shutdown drags into a fourth week, the urgency to reopen the government and protect essential services for Washingtonians grows every day. Here’s a look at what I’ve been up to last week: Supporting Families at the Bremerton Foodline I visited the Bremerton Foodline to join volunteers in supporting extended hours specifically for federal workers and members of the military who have missed paychecks during the shutdown. I’m so grateful for the community members stepping up to help our neighbors. No one who serves our country, either as an enlisted member of our military or civilian employee, should have to worry about feeding their family. Skokomish Head Start Visit I had the joy of visiting the Skokomish Head Start program, where kids are learning, growing, and getting a strong start in life thanks to dedicated teachers and staff. Educators shared their concerns that, if funding runs out on November 1 due to the shutdown, they may not be able to support staff or keep classrooms open for the children who depend on them. These early learning programs are critical for families — providing child care, nutrition, and education all in one. I’ll keep fighting to protect Head Start funding and ensure every child, no matter their ZIP code, has the opportunity to thrive. WIC Visits in Tacoma and Hoquiam During visits to WIC offices in Tacoma and Hoquiam, I met with staff and parents to hear how the shutdown and proposed funding cuts are threatening access to healthy food and formula for infants and toddlers. These frontline workers are doing everything they can to keep families supported, but they shouldn’t have to worry about losing federal funding for critical nutrition programs. While Washington has secured funds to keep WIC benefits flowing through mid-November, if the government does not reopen by then, those benefits could be cut off. Washington families deserve better — and I’ll keep fighting to safeguard these lifelines. Rural Health Care Visits Across the district, I had both challenging and inspiring conversations with our rural health care providers. In Elma, I toured the newly renovated Summit Pacific Medical Center and saw the thoughtful additions they’ve implemented to better support the community. During my tours of Mason General and Harbor Regional Health, staff shared their concerns about ongoing cuts to rural health care. Despite the Big Ugly Law’s cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, these communities remain deeply committed to building strong, healthy futures — and I’m committed to supporting them however I can at the federal level. Fire Department Visit I ended the week in Grays Harbor, learning about the challenges facing the Aberdeen Fire Department due to aging and inadequate facilities. Built in 1966, the station faces structural issues, limited space, and outdated safety features, including failing masonry, a lack of privacy for mixed-gender staff, and hazards like collapsing beams. Serving a 60-mile radius and acting as a regional hub for emergency response, the department’s needs — from staffing and equipment to facility upgrades — are critical. I’m committed to ensuring our first responders have the federal support they need to continue their lifesaving work. The Week Ahead This week, I’m back in D.C. to continue pushing for a bipartisan agreement to reopen the government and fully fund health care, education, and nutrition programs. I’ll be strategizing with my Democratic colleagues to protect working families and support federal employees across the region. Casework Reminder! Did you know our team is here to help you navigate federal agencies? Right now, federal agencies are working with limited staffing. However, our casework team is still here, working to get answers and solutions to your needs. If you need help with a federal agency, call our office or visit our website <https://iqconnect.house.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&cid=WA06ER&crop=1434 1.5803168.5241683.7707228&report_id=&redirect=https%3a%2f%2frandall.house.gov%2fservices%2fhelp-federal-agency&redir_log=204013618875381> for more information. 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Talk to you soon, Emily Resources for Federal Workers * You can review your employment rights under federal law here: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/employee-relations/employee-rights-appeals/#url=Appeals <https://iqconnect.house.gov/iqextran et/iqClickTrk.aspx?&cid=WA06ER&crop=14341.5803168.5241683.7707228&report_id=&redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.opm.gov%2fpolicy-data-oversight%2femployee-relations%2femployee-rights-appeals%2f%23url%3dAppea ls&redir_log=656483208721684> * Federal agencies are required by law to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified employees with disabilities. Learn more here: https://www.eeoc.gov/federal-sector/federal-employees-job-applica nts <https://iqconnect.house.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&cid=WA06ER&crop=14341.5803168.5241683.7707228&report_id=&redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.eeoc.gov%2ffederal-sector%2ffederal-employees-job-appl icants&redir_log=759256772424482> * To understand statutory whistleblower protections and accompanying resources, click here: https://whistleblower.house.gov/resources/resources-whistleblowers <https://iqconnect.house.gov/iqextranet/ iqClickTrk.aspx?&cid=WA06ER&crop=14341.5803168.5241683.7707228&report_id=&redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwhistleblower.house.gov%2fresources%2fresources-whistleblowers&redir_log=532584919374479> * To understand prohibited personnel practices, including the right to appeal, visit here: https://www.mspb.gov/ppp/ppp.htm#faq <https://iqconnect.house.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&cid=WA06ER&cro p=14341.5803168.5241683.7707228&report_id=&redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.mspb.gov%2fppp%2fppp.htm%23faq&redir_log=6960310775250> and here: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/employee-relations/e mployee-rights-appeals/ <https://iqconnect.house.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&cid=WA06ER&crop=14341.5803168.5241683.7707228&report_id=&redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.opm.gov%2fpolicy-data-oversight%2f employee-relations%2femployee-rights-appeals%2f&redir_log=963100031549602> * And for a basic primer on civil service law, click here: https://guides.loc.gov/federal-civil-service-employment-law <https://iqconnect.house.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&cid=WA06ER&crop=14341.5 803168.5241683.7707228&report_id=&redirect=https%3a%2f%2fguides.loc.gov%2ffederal-civil-service-employment-law&redir_log=097244084578419> Resources for Veterans and Service Member Families * A list of your rights and responsibilities as a VA Patient or resident of a community living center: https://www.va.gov/health/rights/patientrights.asp <https://iqconnect.house.gov/iqextranet/iqCli ckTrk.aspx?&cid=WA06ER&crop=14341.5803168.5241683.7707228&report_id=&redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.va.gov%2fhealth%2frights%2fpatientrights.asp&redir_log=879169551713357> * A list of your rights and responsibilities as a VA Patient�s family member: https://www.va.gov/health/rights/familyrights.asp <https://iqconnect.house.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&cid=WA06ER&cro p=14341.5803168.5241683.7707228&report_id=&redirect=https%3a%2f%2fwww.va.gov%2fhealth%2frights%2ffamilyrights.asp&redir_log=019285181516350> * A list of your rights and responsibilities as a Tricare eligible member: https://tricare.mil/PatientResources/RightsResponsibilities <https://iqconnect.house.gov/iqextranet/iqClickTrk.aspx?&cid=WA0 6ER&crop=14341.5803168.5241683.7707228&report_id=&redirect=https%3a%2f%2ftricare.mil%2fPatientResources%2fRightsResponsibilities&redir_log=06615412523427> Washington DC Office 1531 Longworth HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-5916 Tacoma District Office 1102 A Street Suite 326 Tacoma, WA Phone:(253) 272-3515 Bremerton District Office 345 6th Street Suite 500 Bremerton, WA Phone:(360) 373-9725 Unsubscribe <https://iqconnect.house.gov/iqextranet/EsurveyForm.aspx?__cid=WA06ER&__sid=100000&__crop=14341.5803168.5241683.7707228> <https://iqconnect.house.gov/iqextranet/Customers/WA06ER/iqtrk.gif?crop=14341.5803168.5241683.7707228> <https://iqconnect.house.gov/iqextranet/Customers/WA06ER/iqtrk.gif?crop=14341.5803168.5241683. 7707228>