Washington voters weigh federal races, carbon tax, gun law

In this Thursday, Oct. 4, 2018, photo, staff members for the Yes on I-1639 campaign, a gun safety initiative, prepare campaign materials at their headquarters in Seattle. Voters will decide the fate of I-1639, which would toughen background checks for people buying semi-automatic rifles, increase the age limit to 21 for buyers of those guns and require secured firearm storage in the Nov. 6, election.

In Our View: Candidates and I-5 Bridge

Although it has been among the region's most pressing issues for as long as anybody can remember, efforts to solve problems with the Interstate 5 Bridge are about as congested as the bridge itself. "I'm absolutely in favor of replacing the bridge," said Democrat Carolyn Long, the challenger to Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground, for congressional representative from Washington's 3rd District.

Officials applaud land trust’s work

Washington's congressional delegates, land management agency officials and local political leaders celebrated the Columbia Land Trust's decade of work to conserve 20,000 acres of forestland near Mount St. Helens. Several speakers at Monday's event described the Mount St. Helens Forest Conservation project as an example of successful collaboration by different groups around a large and challenging goal.

Bill allowing more sea lions to be killed clears key hurdle

A bill that would make it easier to kill sea lions that gobble endangered salmon in the Columbia River has cleared a key committee in the U.S. Senate. The measure allows the federal government to issue permits to Washington, Idaho and Oregon, and several Pacific Northwest tribes, allowing up to 100 sea lions to be killed a year.

Vancouver Port Celebrates Completion of Freight Rail Project

A tugboat maneuvers through waiting freighters on the Columbia River near the Port of Vancouver in Vancouver, Wash. Port of Vancouver administrators, along with political and industry leaders, stood atop a small stage in a largely vacant marine terminal the morning of July 31 to celebrate the completion of the $251 million West Vancouver Freight Access project.

Lawmakers battle over bill to prevent breaching of dams

In this Oct. 19, 2016 file photo, a man fishes for salmon in the Snake River above the Lower Granite Dam in Washington state. Three Republican U.S. House members from Washington state are criticizing Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., for opposing their legislation that would prevent the breaching of four dams on the Snake River to help improve endangered salmon runs.

House passes federal spending plan

A federal spending bill with an amendment aimed at preventing tolling on Interstate 5 and Interstate 205 has passed the U.S. House and is moving on to the U.S. Senate. The amendment was proposed by Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground, earlier this month.

Three pursue Pike’s seat in 18th Legislative District

When state Rep. Liz Pike, R-Camas, announced her bid for Clark County council chair last month, it set off a round of political musical chairs for the seat she'll vacate. So far, three individuals have announced bids for Pike's seat representing the 18th Legislative District.

Schools fear impact of proposed Medicaid cuts

Medicaid cuts included in House and Senate Republicans' proposed Affordable Care Act replacement bills could disproportionately harm children from low-income families, according to Vancouver Public Schools. As the U.S. Senate appears poised to vote on its version of the health care bill Thursday, school officials are letting Washington's congressional delegation know about the direct impact Medicaid rollbacks could have on students.

Centrists balk at GOP ObamaCare bill

GOP centrists in the House are fleeing from their party's ObamaCare repeal-and-replace legislation, complicating White House efforts to win passage in a vote scheduled for Thursday. Centrist defections in the last 24 hours include Rep. Charlie Dent , the co-chairman of the moderate Tuesday Group, which has roughly 50 members.

Trump, Ryan still short on votes to pass Obamacare repeal

With time running short, President Trump and House GOP leaders are desperately scrambling to find enough votes to pass their Obamacare repeal plan. Republicans have promised a Thursday vote on their bill to coincide with the 7th anniversary of Obamacare becoming law.

How do medicines affect breast-feeding? Congress passes bill requiring study

A bill that would require the federal government to conduct more research into health risks faced by women who use medications while breast-feeding is headed to President Barack Obama for his signature. The Senate passed the bill on Wednesday, marking a win for its chief author, Washington state Republican Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler .

This mom in Congress wants to help breast-feeding moms. Shea ll get a vote Wednesday.

Dalvery Blackwell, co-founder of the African American Breastfeeding Network, talks with young mothers as she holds a baby from an attendee at a monthly gathering that promotes breast-feeding at a YMCA in Milwaukee. On Wednesday, the U.S. House will vote on a bill that would require the federal government to conduct more research into health risks faced by women who use medications while breast-feeding.

Kilmer’s Podcast Connects Constituents and Colleagues

Washington Rep. Derek Kilmer interviews Minnesota Rep. Betty McCollum for his podcast last Thursday before Congress left for the October recess. Washington Democratic Rep. Derek Kilmer broke the news of the Brad Pitt-Angelina Jolie breakup on his podcast - at least to Republican Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler.