Had the opportunity to discuss issues and concerns with some of Spokane’s restauranteurs sitting down for coffee at local favorite Kalico Kitchen. The success of our hospitality industry is driven by some of the most hardworking folks in our area, from small family business owners, to the managers, chefs, servers and staff. We chatted about the impact policies, from federal down to local level, have on businesses with very tight margins. Thanks to Derek Baziotis, with the Washington Hospitality Association, for facilitating this get-together.

Joined local business and community leaders at the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce Annual Breakfast, an event highlighting the spirit of collaboration that drives the region forward. Former Senator Mike Padden was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award, and former Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers delivered an inspirational keynote address emphasizing community strength and continued partnership

I met with twenty-five members of Inland Empire for Israel in Spokane. We talked about my recent Congressional Delegation visit to Israel, middle east policy, and the importance of the US staying engaged in this part of the world to achieve and ensure lasting peace and prosperity for all the people of middle east. I really enjoyed getting to catch up with old friends and hear about their worries and hopes for a part of the world that is very dear to them. Thank you Juliette and everyone involved in making this happen.

The Pomeroy Marker was built in the years following WWI as a memorial to servicemembers from the Spokane area who died in The Great War. Local chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution led the effort to fund the rehabilitation of the stone and marble work for the memorial in some cases cleaning the marble, and in others, replacing granite blocks entirely. They also worked to add it to the US Register of Historic Places as noted in the new adjoining pole-mounted plaque. I had the opportunity to offer some remarks to mark the completion of the project, and spent time afterwards talking with members of the DAR and veterans who participated in the ceremony.d out lots of challenge coins at this event, which were quite the hit.

Mr. John Gilman of Airway Heights is a Vietnam Veteran Infantry Soldier who served in the Americal Division [‘Americal’ isn’t a typo] in 1969. It was only after he out-processed from the Army that approval for his Silver Star Medal (SSM) was granted. In May of 2025, Mr. Gilman requested help from our office in and Sarah in our office consulted with Army Personnel Command who confirmed that indeed, he was eligible for an un-awarded SSM, which he was presented after over 50 years by BG Paul Sellars, Commanding General of the Washington Army National Guard. The SSM is the Army’s third highest award for gallantry in combat after the Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Service Cross. Congratulations John, and well done. We are grateful for all you did for the Soldiers of your unit, for the Army, and the nation. Thank you to all of our Veterans as we approached our nation’s 250th year.

I met with Commissioner Chuck Whitman and members of VFW Post 1443 for a presentation of Quilts of Valor to three distinguished veterans in the Clarkston area. Thank you vets for your service, and for the efforts of the ladies who crafted these beautiful quilts to appropriately honor the service of these and all of our veterans.

I met with executives and board members of Tri-State Health to take a look at their expanded family practice clinic (which was a recipient of a federal appropriation) and talk about the rural health transformation program. Tri-State Health has a unique healthcare delivery model that speaks highly of the thoughtful, long-term approach healthcare professionals take to delivering services to residents of Asotin County and all of our rural counties in the district.

I got to spend time with the executive teams at Renaissance Marine Group and Jetco Machine and Fabrication to talk about cross-border trade challenges and opportunities, and what these great Clarkston manufacturers are doing to expand market reach and add new product lines. It was great to hear that their companies are successfully navigating the economic headwinds, and that their outlook is bullish.

I was delighted to see local wildlife relaxing and grazing on the Courthouse lawns: Mule deer and wild turkeys. Local constituents explained that this is commonplace during winter months when snow forces them from the mountains to lower ground. These wild animals have even developed habits of using crosswalks! What a beautiful and fantastic way of life: coexistence in this mountain community.

I had the honor of speaking at an event hosted by No One Left Behind, dedicated advocates for our Afghan allies and the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program

I was pleased to join the City of Spokane Valley in celebrating a major milestone in the Rail Bridges Project, a vital partnership with BNSF Railway

I met with new UW President Robert J. Jones and talked about issues in higher education, and his friendship with former WSU President Elson S. Floyd.

I had the pleasure of meeting with some of our community’s finest in the hospitality industry, along with local small business owners from Spokane, to share a great conversation over a “cup of joe” at the local favorite, Kalico Kitchen

I was very glad to be asked to welcome participants to AEMA’s 2026 Summer Summit in downtown Spokane and spent a few minutes discussing the amazing renaissance that our domestic mining industry is currently undergoing.

I toured four outstanding manufacturing companies in Spokane and Spokane Valley where I had the chance to see America’s industrial renaissance up close. Itron, DEA Inc, Novelis Technology, and Lite Check Inc. are key players in the electrical distribution, mining, aluminum, and transportation sectors, and all are expanding their workforce in Spokane and elsewhere in the country.

I had the opportunity to address a sizable group of Ag West employees on federal farm policy issues I’ve been focusing on including passage of the first Farm Bill out of the house in eight years.

I caught up with City of Airway Heights administrators, elected officials, and Police and Fire to take a look at the progress they’re making to grow municipal services in this rapidly growing portion of Spokane County.

I attended the change of command recognizing the outgoing Commander of the 92nd Air Refueling Wing Commander, Col. Chad Cisiewski and Fairchild’s new commander, Col. Brian Epperson.

I caught up with Egan Johnson at Skyfest and got to congratulate him on his appointment to the US Air Force Academy where he will join Katie DeWitt in their ‘Doolie’ (that’s what first year cadets at the AFA are called) year at the Academy.

I met with Mayor Palmer, City Clerk Mary DeGon and members of Council. Mayor Palmer and I walked next store to take a look at Oakesdale’s amazing collection of artefacts and memorabilia from Oakesdale veterans down through the generations, farm equipment used on the Palouse, and a collection of old time clothing

We made a visit to National Institutes of Occupational Safety and Health Spokane Research Lab (NIOSH-SRL)

It was great to meet with community members in Davenport for our town hall and hear directly about the issues that matter most to families and businesses across Lincoln County

I had a meeting with the Pacific Northwest Defense Coalition. Denise Ryser, Kelly Allen and members of PNDC talked about how the defense and aerospace industry are re-tooling and orienting their companies to supply products that counter emerging threats. They highlighted workforce development challenges but sounded a very positive note about receiving support from Congress and the executive branch that makes a difference for member companies.

I was proud to recognize Spokane-area young people who have obtained slots at Officer Candidate Schools, Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Scholarships, and appointments to Service Academiesy, followed by an exhibition with representatives of regional officer commissioning programs in the region, including Army, Navy, and Air Force ROTC programs; Army, Navy, and Marine Corps Officer Candidate Schools; and the Military, Naval and Air Force Academies.

I had a great time meeting with the mayors of Ione and Metaline.

May 1, 2026

I had the privilege of attending a remarkable presentation of some of our nation’s highest military honors to a group of KC-135 aircrew members from Fairchild who exemplified outstanding airmanship in the conduct of the mission to destroy Iran’s nuclear weapons program, Operation Midnight Hammer

I was very proud to be invited to visit the WSU campus in Pullman to take part in a special town hall with Prakash Gupta, consul general of India in Seattle, focused on the recently initiated India–USA COMPACT (Catalyzing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) and its significance in strengthening the strategic partnership between the United States and India in the 21st century.

One of our region’s most notable homegrown high tech success stories, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) boasts an amazing production facility for power system circuit boards and other products used in power grid control systems in Pullman.

Olivia’s Barbershop

Great visit to this unique nonprofit private school that provides students opportunities to utilize cutting edge technology to design their own curriculum, as well as participate in a range of athletic endeavors.

It was a privilege to spend time at Whitworth University, engaging with some of our region’s future leaders. I was incredibly impressed by how astute and well-researched the students were; they came prepared with thoughtful questions on complex topics like our policy toward Iran and the importance of bipartisanship in a divided Congress.

I recently spent time at the SCC Colville touring their training facility and meeting with Chancellor Kevin Brockbank, SCC President Jenni Martin, and Dean of Extended Learning Jeff Williams.

I had a great time dropping by the Hub Senior Center luncheon in Colville for an afternoon of food and conversation. It was a wonderful opportunity to catch up with our local seniors and connect with several of our regional partners who support the community.

I had the opportunity to visit with the leadership team at NEW Health to see firsthand the incredible work they are doing for our community. We spent time reviewing their current programs and discussing their vision for the future, and it’s clear that their commitment to providing high-quality, accessible care is stronger than ever. To help turn those expansion plans into a reality, I’m proud to have sponsored a $2 million federal appropriation for their upcoming projects. This investment is about more than just infrastructure; it’s about ensuring that every family in our region has reliable access to the medical services they deserve, right here at home.

I recently had the opportunity to sit down for a productive meeting with the leadership of the Spokane Police Guild to discuss the critical intersection of federal public safety legislation and the day-to-day realities of modern police work.

I recently had a fantastic visit to Premier Manufacturing in Liberty Lake, where I met with CEO Britt La Chance to see firsthand the incredible work being done by this world-class, local company.

I had the opportunity to visit Chesterton Academy of Notre Dame High School and spend time with students learning more about the school and its programs. It was great to connect with students and hear their thoughtful questions about leadership, civic engagement, and their future goals. I appreciated the warm welcome and always enjoy seeing the enthusiasm and dedication students across Eastern Washington bring to their education.

Sat down with Liberty Lake Mayor Cristella Kaminskas and City Administrator Mark McAvoy. Discussed the benefits and challenges of being one of the fastest growing communities in our area. Looking forward to new movie theater, new Top Golf facility and more retail and commercial development. This will be Liberty Lake’s 25th anniversary since incorporation in 2001

I paid a visit to the headquarters of the Grand Coulee Dam to receive a briefing on the status of ongoing and future operations of the dam, and its critical role in our region’s hydropower, flood mitigation, and irrigation infrastructure.

I visited Nespelem on the Colville Reservation to spend some time with members of the Colville Business Council, the governing body of the Colville Confederated Tribes, to discuss the concerns of the communities on the reservation. High on their list was the need for more law enforcement resources to deal with the influx of fentanyl and other narcotics from Canada.

I had a great time visiting Riverside High School, and met some amazing students. Its always encouraging for me to meet with the next generation of young leaders, share with them about my story, and how they can, and should, be active and engaged in the political process. I also enjoyed visiting the Career and Technical Education class where I met a few students building their skills in welding to prepare for great paying jobs out of high school. I look forward to visiting more classes and meeting more students from across my district

I visited the Spokane Chinese Association and Spokane Chinese Christian Church for their wonderful Lunar New Year celebration with oustanding dance performances and musicians.

The Junior Livestock Show of Spokane held its annual benefit auction at the Spokane County Fair & Expo Center. Hundreds of supporters of the Junior Livestock Show travelled from across the district to raise funds for the main event on April 29 – May 2nd where our region’s future ranchers will gather to showcase the wide array of livestock that are raised in the district.

I sat down with military recruiters from across the district to discuss the state of recruiting and barriers facing today’s applicants. Topics included school access restrictions, ASVAB score timelines, and the need to ensure young men and women are educationally prepared to answer the call to serve.

Paid a visit to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Washington Farm Service Agency in Spokane Valley to get an update from newly-appointed State Executive Director Patrick Bell. Director Bell and his team stand ready to assist farmers and ranchers with a range of services, from loans and financial assistance, to conservation project support, to disaster recovery and emergency relief. Congrats to Pat on the new position and thank you and your team for all you do to help keep Eastern Washington farms growing!

I joined a meeting of the Forward Fairchild committee of Greater Spokane Incorporated. The committee received a briefing on Fairchild’s SkyFest airshow, scheduled for June 6-7th. It will include an awesome lineup of aerial and static demonstrations, including an historic reenactment of the D-Day landings in Normandy, whose anniversary coincides with the Skyfest date.

I had the chance to speak to farmers and members of the McGregor Company to discuss how agriculture policy in the One Big Beautiful Bill benefits farmers and agriculture businesses

I thoroughly enjoyed my tour of DeSales Catholic School in Walla Walla. I met with students and faculty including Walla Walla Catholic Schools President, Fr. Curtis Seidel. I had a chance to speak to a couple of classes while I was there and talked about making the most of education in the years following HS. As a Catholic School kid myself, I was honored to be present at DeSales on the very last day of National Catholic Schools Week

I had the chance to sit down with the Spokane Business Association for a roundtable discussion. It was great to hear directly from this group about what’s working, what’s challenging, and where collaboration can make a difference. A big thank you to The Tin Roof for hosting the conversation

I traveled through Lincoln County and out to the western boundary of the district. Starting in Davenport to speak at WSU Ag Extension’s annual meeting at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds.

I headed west to Almira for the HighLine Grain Growers Association’s eastern regional meeting. Farmers at both meetings talked about the exorbitant costs of inputs like fuel and fertilizer.

I stopped in Odessa for a delicious seniors’ lunch at the old town hall, where we chatted with Odessa’s Chief of Police, Chief Rose, and other Lincoln County law enforcement officers. I also had the chance to meet Odessa’s town clerk and treasurer, Jamie Nelson.

I met with Mayor Joe Armand of Harrington and Mr. Peter Davenport, also of Harrington, at their great local coffee shop, The Post & Office.

It was a pleasure to sit down with local broadcasters from throughout the district to talk about the challenges facing our communities and the value of local news. These conversations are important for ensuring residents stay informed and connected to what’s happening close to home.

I recently visited West Valley High School to spend time with a social studies class and discuss the role of civic engagement and public service. It was great to hear students’ thoughtful questions and see their interest in how government impacts their lives and communities.

I recently visited the McKay Manufacturing facility in Spokane Valley to see firsthand the precision machining and advanced manufacturing work happening in our region. It was great to meet the team, learn about their capabilities, and see how their craftsmanship supports local jobs and contributes to the broader manufacturing ecosystem here in Eastern Washington.

I met with local leaders in Deer Park, including Mayor Tim Verzak, members of the Deer Park City Council, Superintendent Dr. Alexa Allman, and Spokane Fire District No.4 Chief Mike Nokes. I appreciated the opportunity to celebrate Deer Park’s recent accomplishments and hear about projects they are planning for the future. During my time in the state Senate, I worked to better connect Highway 395 and Interstate 90 to increase access to local businesses and make life easier for residents, and I remain committed to seeing that effort through. I also met with city staff and administrative teams to learn more about how we can continue partnering to support the community.

I attended a Veterans’ Advisory Committee convened by my staff to hear directly from local veterans organizations and stakeholders about the challenges facing veterans in our region. The discussion focused on improving access to services, supporting military families, and identifying priorities to strengthen the future of our armed forces.

One of our region’s most notable homegrown high tech success stories, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) boasts an amazing production facility for power system circuit boards and other products used in power grid control systems in Pullman. Following our town hall on the WSU campus, CG Gupta and I visited SEL for a tour and further discussions on the collaborative opportunities between Indian and American corporations in high tech research and development.

I met with local farmers in Dayton for a roundtable discussion focused on the challenges and opportunities facing agriculture in our region.

I had the pleasure of meeting with Dr. Betsy Cantwell, the new president of Washington State University. I appreciate her clear focus on strengthening WSU’s core academic mission.

I had the opportunity to meet with the team at Inland Northwest Behavioral Health, a vital provider of mental health services in our region

I hosted a veterans roundtable in Pend Oreille County to hear directly from those who have served our country.

I had the pleasure of visiting the 49 Degrees North ski area in Colville. I heard some exciting plans for expanding into new terrain.

I sat down with PAC‑12 Commissioner Teresa Gould to talk about the future of the Conference of Champions.

I had the privilege of meeting with the Washington State Future Farmers of America

I was honored to connect with local business leaders and discuss the impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill for businesses, both nationwide and here in Eastern Washington

I visited Wildfire Defense Systems, a team working across the Pacific Northwest that combines high-tech engineering with boots-on-the-ground efforts to help protect our communities from wildfires.

My team and I recently visited the Jubilant HollisterStier (JHS) facility, where we got to see where they’ve broken ground on Line 4 and are scheduling time on the newest Line 3.

My team and I visited Pacific Steel and Recycling to discuss the benefits of being an employee-owned company.

My team and I visited Pacific Steel and Recycling to discuss the benefits of being an employee-owned company.

I spoke at the Port of Whitman County Economic Development Information Meeting in Colfax whereI addressed tax and regulatory improvements in the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) and outlined upcoming policy priorities in the House.

I toured Whitman Hospital & Medical Center with CEO Hank Hannigan, and staff. We discussed rural healthcare challenges, workforce shortages, and the critical role of local care in meeting the unique needs of Whitman County residents

I sat down with Gonzaga Head Basketball Coach Mark Few to discuss Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) reform. We explored needed legislative changes

I had the privilege of meeting with a group of farmers and agribusiness leaders in Lincoln County to hear their concerns and policy priorities.

I was honored to speak at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand opening of Metaline Falls Portage Park.

My team and I visited the site of the Western Pines II Fire in Lincoln County. It has burned over 5,700 acres since it started on July 9 northeast of Davenport. Sadly, the fire has destroyed 21 homes and 30 other structures like sheds and outbuildings.

I had a great meeting with Big Bend Electric Cooperative, based out of Ritzville, WA. They serve over 11,000 customers across our region, and we discussed the real-world impact of recent energy tax change.

I met with members of the Quincy-Columbia Basin Irrigation District and the South Columbia Basin Irrigation District to discuss the critical work of restarting construction of the Upper East High Canal

I had the honor of speaking at an event hosted by No One Left Behind, dedicated advocates for our Afghan allies and the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program.

It was an honor to spend a wonderful morning in Pullman speaking with student government leaders from colleges and universities all across Washington.

I appreciated the opportunity to join Spokane area business and community leaders in the morning for the GSI annual economic forecast, hosted in partnership with the Journal of Business.

I met with farmers and McGregor Company employees to discuss how agriculture policy in the OBBB supports farmers and ag businesses across the district.