Derek Kilmer

My hope is, regardless of which party holds the gavels, that that Subcommittee continues, because the work of institutional improvement needs to continue.

I think we make a terrible mistake--and I am through--when Members get elected and there is a Democratic bus and there is a Republican bus right at beginning.

I strongly believe that this is a key ideal we should be striving for in how we craft rules packages.

First, it can help us promote bipartisanship and civility, which I believe is desperately needed in our polarized politics.

I was proud to introduce the BUDS Resolution along with Representative Young Kim, who, in an ideal world, would be listed as a lead sponsor as well.

These retreats will allow us to identify areas of mutual concern and agreement.

This retreat would provide a rare opportunity to engage with one another outside of the pressures of Washington, D.C.

I am hoping to leave my campsite better than I found it.

I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Congress has never awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to any group of Vietnam veterans. Today, we can change that by passing this legislation. I ask my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote…

You know, you mentioned the baseball field, you know, only because Leader Scalise was a Member of leadership was Capitol Police even present that day.

I am grateful to my colleague and friend, Congressman Brad Wenstrup, for serving on our first panel today.

The U.S. House of Representatives is not prepared.

One that certainly keeps me up at night is political violence and Congress' vulnerability to it.

Our role in this exercise is to ensure that the institution is capable of carrying out its constitutional obligations no matter the circumstances.

If we are looking at ways in which the Federal Election Commission can be more effective, Representative Fitzpatrick and I have a bipartisan bill called the Restoring Integrity to America's Elections Act.

I thank the lead sponsor of the bill, Mr. Carey, both for his leadership on this bill and for his partnership on the Modernization Subcommittee. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

I don't have any additional speakers. If the chairman is prepared to close, I yield back the balance of my time.

I don't have any additional speakers, and I yield back the balance of my time.

I think that is concerning, in part because it keeps our constituents informed and engaged, and I think it plays a very important role in maintaining a strong democracy.

Folks from Tribal Nations should not also be forced to pay poll tax to participate in democracy.

You can buy a photo ID in the State of Washington, but it now costs 54 bucks. That is a poll tax, right.

I think about some of these bits of legislation sort of through her perspective, right.

I would definitely advise your offices to take a look at both the report and the response that came from HHS because the tribal communities and the tribal epidemiology centers, we are asking for more.

If we fund the urban Indian health at the requested level, what does it mean for the communities you serve, and what does it mean if we don't?