Press Office of Heather James (D–WA)

Hannah · February 29

Spin zone appearances:

Special:

Edited Wednesday at 11:42 PM by Hannah

Hannah · February 29

James supports TPP as "vital" for West Coast interests

Senator Heather James has welcomed forward momentum on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a far-reaching trade deal encompassing 12 Pacific Rim countries. "Opening up new markets for US exports and ensuring the free flow of goods in our supply chain base, TPP is a good deal for Washington and a good deal for the United States." Senator James praised the agreement's strong intellectual property enforcement provisions, of particular importance to Washington's technology industry. Serving on the Finance Committee, Senator James voted for fast-track authority to ensure the deal passed smoothly.

She also explained her opposition to designating China as a "currency manipulator". "While we have all watched the fluctuations of the yuan with interest for its impact on global markets, forcing the Treasury to take this kind of action against China would be counterproductive to the long term goal of opening up China's markets to compete fairly on an equal footing," she said. "I do not believe that some of the proposed actions being floated in Congress and further afield are responsible reactions, and I support as a better course of action constructive engagement with Beijing to ensure compliance with WTO rules." Senator James said the 21st century should be "outward looking, not inward looking", and that embracing a pro-trade agenda was "absolutely key to capitalizing on the immense human resources" of the US.

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Hannah · March 2

James writes to DNC chair urging party loyalty pledge

Senator Heather James has written to DNC Chair Debbie Wassermann-Schultz, urging her to encourage candidates for the forthcoming Democratic nomination for President to sign a loyalty pledge, committing to a) support the eventual Democratic nominee and b) run and serve as a Democrat if nominated themselves. "It is vital that Democrats unify this November to elect a Democratic successor to President Obama's eight years of opportunity and achievement in the White House," said James. In 2013, James indicated she intended to support Secretary Clinton as the nominee in 2016, but with the former Secretary of State having yet to declare her candidacy, James has thus far not backed any other candidate. "Regardless of who the nominee is, they must run and serve as a Democrat, and anyone seeking the Democratic nomination must commit in writing that they will suspend their campaign if they fail to win the nomination," said James. "Anything less is an existential to the Democratic party."

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Hannah · March 3

Washington Senator: Flint crisis reflects a national problem

Senator Heather James says the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, reflects a "nationwide failing" in water infrastructure delivery. Senator James welcomed President Obama's response to the crisis, which has seen elevated levels of lead contaminating the water supply, and said that Congress must follow suit with a robust legislative initiative. "This isn't just a problem in Michigan: a recent EPA study found that 34 water systems in Washington have unsafe levels of lead," says James. "By failing to maintain and update the basics of water infrastructure, America is now allowing poison to seep into homes, communities, and schools." James cited studies that show that for every $1 invested in water infrastructure, there is a net return of $6. "This is a large scale problem and will require serious investment, but only by meeting that challenge now can we head off even worse outcomes in the future if we allow unsafe pipes and substandard treatment facilities to persist."

James says that Congress should invest in new water technologies alongside any new commitment to water infrastructure. "A lot of the current environmental standards date back decades, and as our understanding of how harmful lead is, particularly to children, we need to update our laws accordingly. Therefore, I would support mandatory, nationwide standard for elevated lead levels in children's blood and mandatory testing of lead in water systems." James also called attention to the need to improve HUD's authority to tackle lead contamination in public housing and, representing Washington state, said she was particularly aware of the issue of water contamination in Indian country. "Any legislative response needs to give school districts, tribal governments, and individual homeowners financial support," says James.

"I will of course be interested in the stances that contenders for the Democratic nomination take," says James. "But I don't think this is something that can or should wait until after the 2016 election. The country needs action now and Congress should work towards getting something that can be signed and put into place by this President, not the next one."

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Hannah · March 12

James endorses de la Cruz ahead of Super Tuesday

Senator Heather James has endorsed Xiomara de la Cruz, Mayor of Houston, for the Democratic nomination for President in 2016. In 2013, Senator James expressed the hope that Secretary Hillary Clinton would be the nominee, but with Secretary Clinton's campaign never materializing, Senator James has broken her silence. "When choosing a candidate to support, I was looking for: someone who recognized the importance of international trade to the US economy and who would push back against the nativist moment accumulating momentum at the darker edges of both the right and left; someone who would proudly defend President Obama's legacy of 8 year of success; and someone who would unite the whole Democratic party and put together a strong challenge to the Republicans this fall. On those criteria, I judge Mayor de la Cruz to be our best option in November." Senator James recognized that coming relatively late in the cycle, her endorsement would have little impact, and also joked that "when Mayor de la Cruz rails against Washington insiders, I'm pretty sure it's people like me she's talking about."

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Hannah · March 18

James campaigns for candidates ahead of primaries

Senator Heather James spoke in Tampa, FL, and St. Louis, MO, in support of Democratic primary candidates for this year's elections, as well as joining in New Democrat messaging across the country with a message focused on economy and jobs, immigration reform, terrorism and foreign policy, and veterans affairs. In Florida, she supported Kathy Castor, Congresswoman for Florida's 14th district, who is running in the Senate primary, touting Rep. Castor's support for comprehensive immigration reform, hard work to improve VA services in Central Florida, and advocacy on issues including the Zika virus response and solar manufacturing. "In the Senate, Kathy will be able to push for a comprehensive approach to immigration reform that will be good for Florida's communities, businesses, and families," Sen. James said in her remarks. "She will bring more clean energy manufacturing to Florida, empower Florida's communities to bring down energy prices, and protect Florida's most precious natural heritage from the damaging impacts of climate change and environmentally unsustainable practices."

In Missouri, Sen. James supported Jason Kander, currently the Secretary of State and one of the youngest statewide elected officials anywhere in the country, in his race for the Senate seat currently held by Roy Blunt. Sen. James praised his support for economic support for Main Street over Wall Street, and the particular attention he, himself a veteran of the Afghanistan War, has given to veterans' issues. "He supports a robust approach to defeating ISIS and is going to push for the policies to keep Missouri and America free and secure, without compromising on our national values," said Sen. James. She and the New Democratic Coalition are supporting a slate of candidates across the Senate and Gubernatorial primaries, putting forward raising the minimum wage and securing good jobs, rebuilding American infrastructure, expanding health care through a public option, fighting terrorism and defeating ISIS, and defending Social Security against any cuts or privatization, targeting states including Illinois, Ohio, and North Carolina.

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Hannah · April 1

Senator James introduces bills to protect West Coast

Washington Senator Heather James has introduced two bills to protect the West Coast as the 115th Congress opens. The West Coast Ocean Protection Act would permanently prohibit offshore drilling on the outer continental shelf off the coast of California, Oregon, and Washington. Although the Department of the Interior currently does not allow such drilling, that is subject to renewal with every five-year plan; this legislation would make the prohibition permanent. "Senator Feinstein championed this legislation since its introduction in 2010 and hers is a great loss to advocacy for the cause," said Senator James, "But I will continue to defend coastal communities in Washington and all down the West Coast from the impact that opening up the OCS to drilling leases would have." The West Coast's coastal economy is worth $44bn and supports 650,000 jobs across the three jobs, all of which would be "at great risk" if drilling were allowed, says James. "We have seen the devastating impact of oil leaks elsewhere and must protect coastal communities and ecosystems, jobs in tourism, fishing, and recreation, from risk, while investing in truly clean energy solution to America's energy needs."

Senator James has also introduced the Tsunami Warning, Education, and Research Act. "Last November's tsunami in Fukushima, though less devastating than the 2011 one, and the December tsunami in Chile, were potent reminders that tsunamis continue to pose risks to the West Coast that will only be exacerbated by the impact of global heating," said Senator James. "For that reason, I am introducing this legislation to update and improve our capacity to address, understand, and withstand tsunamis." Senator James has led on tsunami issues in the past and sponsored the 2006 Tsunami Warning and Education Act. "120 million people live on or near coastlines in America," says Senator James. "Washington's coastal communities support thousands of jobs and billions in economic activity." The legislation would promote new research in tsunami detection and response, update NOAA and Coast Guard preparedness plans, conduct readiness assessments on at-risk areas, and ensure tsunami warning centers work with local weather forecasting offices to ensure timely warnings.

"I look forward to working with members of both parties on protecting coastal jobs, communities, and ecosystems in the coming Congress," says Senator James. "While I will always be an advocate for Washington state, many of these issues affect states across the Western and Eastern seaboards alike, and supply chains that will affect the whole country."

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Hannah · April 2

Senate Democrats lead with an agenda of reducing drug prices

Senate Democrats have opened the 115th Congress with a clear agenda of tackling sky-high drug prices, says DNC Chairwoman Senator Heather James. Senator Andrew Clarke's "Preserve Access to Affordable Generics and Biosimilars Act" was placed on the first docket of the new session by Senate Majority Leader Alex Fakhouri, and will be closely followed by the "Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act". "The ACA made laudable progress in reducing health care expenses for Americans and now we need to build on that to tackle continuing issues around drug prices," says Senator James. "During the 2016 campaign, across the country, we heard again and again that drug prices were a serious issue for too many Americans, and we're showing in this new Congress that we're taking immediate action to address that."

The Preserve Access to Affordable Generics and Biosimilars Act tackles anticompetitive practices that keep drug prices artificially high, specifically through reverse payment patent settlements -- better known as "pay-for-delay" deals. "This is where a drug company pays a brand name company to delay or prevent the introduction of a cheap generic substitute for a high-cost prescription drug," says Senator James. "It's been an issue since the 1980s, and while states like California have started to press litigation against drug companies for antitrust violations, the federal government has not done enough. It's time to address that."

The second bill, the Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act, would overturn the noninterference rule of the Medicare Modernization Act, thereby allowing the CMS to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices under Medicare Part D. "Polling consistently shows big majorities of both Democratic and Republican voters support allowing the CMS to negotiate for lower drug prices under Medicare,"[1] says Senator James. "Drug price negotiation will allow Medicare to offer prescriptions at lower prices for seniors and to save the federal government money."

Senator James is optimistic about the bills' chance of passage in the Senate, but admitted they may have a tougher time in the House. "The Republicans have just re-elected a Speaker who attempted to privatize Medicare, but for all his supposed free market ideology Paul Ryan has remained steadfastly opposed to drug price negotiation, perhaps linked to the fact that PhRMA donated more than twice as much to Republicans as Democrats in recent election cycles. The challenge for Republicans will be, if they won't get behind the Democratic plan to lower drug prices, to demonstrate they have one of their own." Nonetheless, Senator James says Democrats are determined to show they are acting on the issues that matter to Americans at the start of the new Congress.

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1. https://www.kff.org/health-costs/press-release/large-majorities-favor-wide-range-of-policy-changes-to-curb-prescription-drug-costs-including-those-that-give-government-a-greater-role-in-negotiating-or-limiting-prices/

Hannah · April 7

James introduces legislation to expand medical services to underserved communities

Senator Heather James introduced the Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act, a bill to allow Medicare to cover pharmacists providing certain medical services to seniors in underserved communities. Supported by the American Pharmacists Association, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, the National Community Pharmacists Alliance, and the National Rural Health Alliance, the bipartisan legislation will help older Americans who lack easy access to doctors to obtain medical care more easily. "No one should be left behind because of their ZIP code," says Senator James. "Too many seniors are going without medical care like diabetes check-ups or immunizations because they live in rural communities with limited access to doctors, yet pharmacists right there are licensed to perform those same services. We can help by having Medicare step in and cover those services."

Senator James says her own state reflects the need for action. In 16 of Washington state's 39 counties*, there are fewer than 10 doctors per 10,000 residents. "Rural health disparities aren't a new issue in America," says James. Of the five leading causes of death in the United States (heart attack, cancer, accidental death e.g. vehicle injury or opioid overdose, COPD, and stroke) all five are higher in rural areas than urban, as well as higher rates of cancer related to modifiable risk -- including a lack of screenings. "Rural residents in Washington have access to few doctors, have long travel times to reach them, and long wait times to get appointments," says James. "While I applaud work being done by medical schools to improve rural medicine programs, those will take a long time to take effect and action is needed now, by providing support through pharmacists licensed to perform medical services."

Earlier, Senator Clarke's bill to provide access to lower cost prescription drugs by taking on "pay to delay" deals in the pharmaceutical sector passed the Senate by unanimous consent, with Senator James listed as a co-sponsor, while Senator James's bill to allow Medicare to negotiate for lower prices has received bipartisan support. "Passing the ACA was a momentous achievement and it's important that we continue to defend and build on it," says Senator James, "But there's more we can on health care, particularly for seniors, and I'm keen to work with Democrats -- and Republicans, who have seemingly abandoned their opposition to Obamacare now and recently even co-opted Democratic bills to provide it with extra funding -- to work towards universal coverage for all Americans, be they rural or urban, seniors or veterans, women or children."

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* As of January 2017.

Edited April 7 by Hannah

Hannah · April 9

James introduces bill to permanently reauthorize funding for the LWCF

Senator Heather James (D-WA) raised alarms last year in the wake of Republican blocking of a vote on reauthorizing funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which works to conserve and protect some of the most important wildlife habitats in the country. "Hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts in the Pacific Northwest depend on the lands maintained by the LWCF," says Senator James. "Blocking a funding vote risks pushing more and more of our most cherished public hands into the hands of private developers, closing them off to the American public and risking destruction of vital biodiversity sites." As such, she has now introduced the Land and Water Conservation Authorization and Funding Act to make reauthorization of funding for the program permanent.

The bill would ensure the revenue stream for the LWCF runs outside the requirements of an appropriations process. It also contains a clause requiring a "sporting 1.5%". Senator James explains: "This means that at least 1.5% of the funds for this vital program have to be used for improving recreational public access to these lands, such as for hunting, fishing, or hiking." Senator James says that public access to the lands preserved by the LWCF is a "national birthright" that should remain open to "all Americans".

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Hannah · April 23

James: time to raise the minimum wage

Senator Heather James issued a statement on her continued support of the Raise the Wage Act, after self-proclaimed champion of the workers Senator David Stewart's attempt to kill the bill off in committee was beaten back on the Senate floor by Senate Democrats. "You know what would really impress the Teamsters? Passing the Raise the Wage Act!" says James, who pointed out that the Teamsters have repeatedly endorsed the Raise the Wage Act and called on Congress to raise the minimum wage. "Let's measure the two parties' respective commitment to workers' rights by their action on raising the wage: voting for it, or playing silly parliamentary games to try and obstruct it?"

The Raise the Wage Act would raise the minimum wage to $15 over seven years, and thereafter tie further increases to inflation; it would also eliminate subminimum wages for tipped workers, young workers, and persons with disabilities, thereby ensuring every American worker earns a fair wage. According to the Economic Policy Institute, the policy would raise wages for 40 million American workers (30% of the workforce) with an average pay increase of $3,500 p.a.. Sen. James says the minimum wage is particularly consequential to women: "Two-thirds of minimum wage workers are women, so raising the minimum wage is one of the most effective means of improving pay conditions for women in the workforce." 40% of Black and 33% of Hispanic workers would also get a pay raise under the bill.

James says she will oppose Republican efforts to water down the bill by cutting the increase to just $11, and calls on Congress to come together and pass the legislation. "We can work out a deal to support small businesses," she says, saying they would be the hardest hit by any damaging trade war resulting from "reckless suggestions" on trade policy, "But we are not going to gut the core wage aspect of the bill."

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Hannah · April 28

James introduces bill to address tribal Social Security equity

"Tribal council leaders deserve to access Social Security," says Senator Heather James, who today introduced the Tribal Social Security Fairness Act. The bill allows tribal government leaders to opt-in to Social Security and receive benefits, correcting a longstanding defect of the administration of retirement benefits that came to light following a 2006 ruling by the IRS.

"When Social Security was amended in 1951 to give state and local officials access to Social Security, no provision was made for tribal officials. When the IRS then ruled against tribal officers accessing benefits, it came as a shock," says James. "This is something that can be fixed simply and swiftly by the federal government."

The bill allows the Social Security Administration to reach agreements with tribes to provide coverage, including retroactive coverage for periods when FICA payments have been made. James says that the bill follows on from a bipartisan push by Washington state House members in 2015, but that that inquiry clarified that the SSA would need new authorizing legislation to enter into an agreement with a tribe. "I'm hopeful we can act to rectify this injustice and provide seniors who've worked to represent their people retirement benefits they're entitled to," says James.

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Edited April 28 by Hannah

Hannah · May 1

James bill to promote apprenticeships considered by Senate

The Apprenticeship and Jobs Training Act of 2017, introduced by Senator Heather James, is being considered by the Senate. Introducing the bill, Senator James spoke on the Senate floor:

At a time when Americans are rightly worried about the burden of student debt on school leavers, apprenticeships offer an alternative to a traditional college education that allow young people to start learning and earning on the job.

The bill contains a tax credit to incentivize employers to work with federal or state recognized apprenticeship programs, a pensions draw down option for older workers who undertake mentoring work to train new workers, and licensing reforms to allow veterans leaving the military with job training to convert that training into approved credits for apprenticeship schemes.

"According to the National Association of Manufacturers, two-thirds of manufacturers report a shortage of available, qualified workers," says Senator James. "There is a skills gap in this country: 53% of jobs are at least 'middle skill', meaning they require post-secondary training, but only 43% of workers are trained to this level: yet college is not the right option for everyone. Apprenticeships provide an excellent alternative that offers training and advancement." Senator James said the Department of Labor has found that workers who finish apprenticeships earn nearly $250,000 more over a lifetime compared to job seekers with similar work experience.

"This bill would be the first national apprenticeship incentive program," says Senator James. "A pragmatic and sensible approach to improving US skills and addressing shortages in the manufacturing sector."

The bill will be considered by the Senate.

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Hannah · Saturday at 10:58 PM

James to weigh options on her own bill

Senator Heather James has admitted she is "unsure" how she will vote on her own bill, the Apprenticeships and Jobs Training Act of 2017, after wrecking amendments by conservative Democrat Senators have "added significant and burdensome complications". Although the Senate rejected pork barrel amendments for Florida and Iowa, and Vice President Ford cast a tie-breaking vote to prevent what called James "a deeply damaging move that would have hurt Washington state farmers, who would face higher tariffs at a time when Canada and Mexico buy nearly 50% of Washington's agricultural produce", they did incorporate amendments on private teacher tax credits and SBA direct loans.

"It is not really clear to me what private school tax credits have to do with apprenticeships," said Senator James, "But in any case this entire scheme is highly likely to be ruled unconstitutional. Chief Justice Rehnquist's opinion in Zelman v. Simmons-Harris followed the precedent set in Mueller v. Allen that tax credits cannot go directly to religious schools. If the ACLU, FFRF, or similar groups were to challenge this program, I would certainly sign on with an amicus."

More damaging, according to Senator James, is the SBA direct loan program tacked on in Title III. "The SBA has never given direct loans except in cases of disaster assistance, so this completely changes the mandate of a long running, successful government program," says James. "The SBA's entire budget last year was a little over a billion dollars, so the appropriations for this bill are going to punch a hole in the budget process and there's no indication how that's going to be filled. And the SBA already has numerous loan guarantee schemes, including ones for women and minority small business owners."

James speculated the purpose of the amendments was "probably more about trying to sink the bill with a poison pill than actual legislative achievements" but that for now she would not be supporting a motion to end debate "until these problems are ironed out".

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Hannah · Wednesday at 11:30 PM

James introduces bill to update landslide preparedness

Senator Heather James has introduced legislation to improve the response to landslides and help local communities prepare to mitigate their impact. Senator James said a recent mudslide in La Push and Forks was "evidence of the incredible damage these events can do to local communities". Senator James has been working on landslide issues since the 2014 Oso incident.

The USGS estimates landslides cause up to 50 deaths and ~$2.5bn of damage a year in the United States, and Senator James says current USGS capabilities are not fit for purpose. "The advent of 3-D computer mapping technology, insights from geospatial imaging, and new technologies such as ifsar and lidar, need to be incorporated into a national response plan to address landslide risk," says James.

Earlier this week, Senator James's Tsunami Warning, Education and Research Act was signed into law by President Murphy, and she says that landslides are "next on the agenda". "There is obviously a great deal of partisan division in Congress at the moment but I can assure you landslides don't care about red states or blue states. This is a problem that's obviously affected Washington recently, such as in Oso and now in La Push, but it' s truly a national problem and one on which Congress should be able to come together and give the USGS the resources they need."

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Press Office of Heather James (D–WA)

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