Gluesenkamp Perez Highlights Mid-Year Progress for Southwest Washington

Today, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) marked her first year and a half in Congress, highlighting her progress on bipartisan legislation and constituent service work for Southwest Washington.

“Halfway through this year, I’m incredibly grateful for the folks I’ve had the opportunity to meet with and hear from, and I’m excited about the progress we’re making for Southwest Washington. I’ve passed bipartisan legislation to cut wasteful spending and support small businesses, brought our tax dollars home for community investments, and delivered results for constituents having trouble with federal agencies,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “As an independent voice for Southwest Washington, I look forward to working with Republicans to keep up this urgent momentum – including to lower costs for hardworking families, support our first responders and veterans, fight the flow of fentanyl, and strengthen our rural and agricultural communities.”

At the end of last year, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez released her 2023 Year-End Report to provide a comprehensive update on her first year in Congress.

Highlights of Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez’s First Half of 2024

Constituent Service Accomplishments:

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez holds a roundtable on broadband access in Lewis County in April.

Since taking office, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez:

• Recovered $1,818,217 for constituents owed to them by federal agencies.
• Assisted 1,320 residents with a federal agency – including the IRS, VA, State Department, and more.
• Sent 100,428 responses to calls, emails, and letters from residents.

• Had 583 meetings with Southwest Washington constituents, stakeholders, and community leaders – including 289 in Southwest Washington and 294 in Washington, D.C.
• Visited 10 career and technical education programs.
• Organized 19 roundtables with community members – including about access to childcare, rural broadband, manufacturing, and clean water.
• Hosted 6 sets of mobile office hours to assist residents of rural communities with federal agencies.
• Held a Small Business Resource Fair to connect small business owners and prospective business owners with local resources.

Legislative Achievements:

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez testifies in support of local priorities before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in January.

Since taking office, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez:

• Introduced 45 bipartisan bills – which made up 84% of all the bills Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez introduced.
• Cosponsored 22 bipartisan bills which passed the House.
• Authored 46 amendments considered on the House floor – 14 of which passed the House.
• Attended 52 committee hearings and markups.
• Cast more than 1,000 votes on the House floor – 74% of which were bipartisan.

This year, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez:

• Was ranked the most bipartisan member of Congress in Washington state and the 12th most in the country – as well as being recognized for fiscal responsibility.
• Introduced the House-passed bipartisan SPUR Act to help more small businesses access federal contracts.
• Introduced the House-passed bipartisan FULL Act to cut wasteful spending on government office space.
• Introduced House-passed provisions to reauthorize support for landslide preparedness and response efforts.

Federal Funding Wins:

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez visits career and technical education program at Lower Columbia College in April, after securing a $1 million grant for vocational equipment at the college.

This year, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez:

• Secured $21.4 million for 15 FY24 community projects – including to build infrastructure for farmers and fishermen, support rural public safety, and to strengthen clean water and wastewater infrastructure.
• Helped secure $1.499 billion for the I-5 Bridge replacement project from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
• Helped secure $17.4 million for new infrastructure in the Heights District from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
• Helped secure $200 million for the Hood River-White Salmon Bridge replacement from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
• Successfully fought to pass the bipartisan Fire Grants and Safety Act to extend federal grant programs for departments across Southwest Washington.
• Requested $35.6 million for 15 FY25 community projects – including to mitigate sea lion populations, support fire protection, and build housing for local veterans.

Other Accomplishments:

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez speaks with fishermen about growing sea lion populations on the Columbia River in April.

This year, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez:

• Delivered 16,000 signatures to the VA from veterans and community members in support of reopening a VA clinic in Lewis County.
• Nominated 7 outstanding students for a service academy who began training this summer.
• Helped get weather buoy 46029 repaired at the mouth of the Columbia River to help fishermen, bar pilots, and Coast Guardsmen stay safe on the water.
• Helped launch the Slow Fashion Caucus to support high-quality American-made clothing for working families.
• Fixed 1 car radio for her Republican colleague.