In February, I joined Senator Patty Murray in welcoming Veterans Affairs Secretary James Peake at the Jonathan M. Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center in Walla Walla. I thanked him for making it a priority to visit Walla Walla to see first-hand the remarkable work being done there.

During our visit, Secretary Peake announced the VA will build a $6.7 million, in-patient, residential rehabilitation facility that will focus on mental health needs. Construction on the 22,000 square foot, 36-bed facility, should start in 2009.

I urged the Secretary to move a $91 million dollar outpatient health clinic to the fast track. The project is currently scheduled for 2012. I told the Secretary we need the money by 2010 because the 65,000 veterans who use the facility need a better place to get the care they deserve.

I also told the Secretary I’d continue my work to provide veterans increased access to affordable, quality healthcare as well as support important legislation to ensure benefits and funding meet the needs of all veterans.

Veterans Affairs Secretary James Peake and Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers participating in roundtable discussion at Walla Walla VA Hospital.

February 19, 2008

On February 28th, 2008, the House of Representatives passed the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 236-182. This bill contains good energy efficiency and alternative energy incentives that I support, like:

However, I voted against the bill because it also contained an $18 billion tax increase on American energy producers. Without a doubt, you’ll pay for this tax increase every time you fill up your gas tank. We’ve already seen gas prices increase by 40% in the past year. We can, and we must, meet American energy needs with American energy sources.

Last month, I had the opportunity to participate in the first of a series of bipartisan Congressional debates. Four Democrats and four Republicans held a reasoned, comprehensive debate in front of the American people about issues that affect us all. Each side had a chance to present their view for how America can foster economic growth and opportunity.

My colleagues on the other side of the aisle will argue that the government has the answers and that America’s problems are solved by spending more money and growing the role of federal government. I disagree.

I believe the answers will be found across America. We believe in unleashing the ingenuity, creativity, and hard work found among the entrepreneurs, small businesses, innovators, research and development labs found right here in Eastern Washington. Click here to read more about the debate.

On March 20, 2008, I will hold my third annual federal funding and grant workshop in Spokane at Washington State University's Riverpoint Campus. I am excited to invite you to join me for a time of informative and resourceful presentations that will help you further the mission of your organization.

Last year, over 200 people attended my funding workshop and received vital tools and insights into the grant process. If you are new to the grant application and research process, a great place to start is by registering with www.grants.gov. I encourage you to sign up with grants.gov before the funding workshop in March.

More details, along with the registration form, are available by clicking here. This workshop is FREE but pre-registration by March 10, 2008 is required.

	Garfield-Palouse High School Engineering Students in Washington, D.C. They received second place in the2008 JETS National Engineering Design Challenge for a designing a machine that can lift a driver with a disability into the cab of a combine. (Click for larger picture)
	Veterans Advisory Committee Meeting in Spokane (Click for more pictures)
	Visit to West Valley School District's City School in Spokane Valley (Click for more pictures)