This National Police Week, it's important to recognize the remarkable courage of our men and women in blue who are on the frontlines.   Supporting our Men and Women in Blue this National Police Week Crime rates in the United States have been exponentially increasing in recent years, and our law enforcement officers are on the frontlines of this battle. This National Police Week, it's important to recognize the remarkable courage of our men and women in blue who are on the frontlines standing between lawlessness and order on our streets. National Police Week serves as a tribute to our officers, and an opportunity to extend our unwavering support to them, while also recognizing the sacrifices they make each day to ensure our communities are safe. Despite the uncertainty that accompanies each shift, they remain committed to their duty of safeguarding us, and they wear their badges with pride. For far too long, “defund the police” movements and anti-police legislation have resulted in skyrocketing crime across the country and against our brave law enforcement. We must show our law enforcement officers our appreciation and respect. This week, I cosponsored H. Res. 363, a resolution memorializing law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty and expressing steadfast support and appreciation for law enforcement. I am constantly in awe of the work our law enforcement agencies do to keep our families safe. These dedicated men and women wake up every day and work on the frontlines to make our Central Washington communities a better, safer place to live and work, and for that, I am grateful. Please join me in praying for the safety of our men and women in blue and thanking them for their service to our country.   Continuing to Advocate for Our Veterans The freedoms we enjoy each and every day did not come free. They exist thanks to the selfless dedication of our active military and our veterans. These men and women have fulfilled their pledge to defend our nation, and it is time for us to show our appreciation. This week, myself along with House Republicans on the Appropriations Committee made clear that we can and will prioritize veteran spending during markups. We have repeatedly stated that there will be no cuts to the care and benefits our veterans deserve, and the Fiscal Year 2024 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs bill delivers on that promise. This bill fully funds veterans' healthcare programs, benefits, and other vital VA programs. Meanwhile, Subcommittee Democrats rallied against this legislation which ensures our veterans are properly cared for. My office is committed to continuing this important work for our veterans, but providing benefits is not the only way we can assist. If you or a loved one are a veteran who needs assistance with the Department of Veterans Affairs, please do not hesitate to contact my office. We are here to serve you as you have served our nation.   Introducing the Western Caucus Farm Bill Priorities Every few years, Congress is tasked with putting forth a new Farm Bill. It's vital we support our agricultural producers, and this legislation is meant to reflect their interests. As Chairman of the Western Caucus, I'm proud to share our priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill, which include: Supporting production agriculture. Improving voluntary conservation. Enhancing forest health and active management. Strengthening rural communities through development. American farms, ranches, and forests produce the food, fiber, and fuel that provide for the world. The Congressional Western Caucus recognizes a healthy farm economy in America is vital for food security, both at home and abroad, and we will work to ensure rural voices are heard through the development of the 2023 Farm Bill. These priorities will do much to assist our rural communities, and we look forward to continuing to engage with our famers, ranchers, industry stakeholders, and members of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees as they work to draft this crucial legislation. Read More in the Washington Examiner       Announcing the Winner of the 2023 Congressional Art Competition I am pleased to announce that Washington's 4th Congressional District has a winner for the 2023 Congressional Art Competition. I extend my congratulations to Amelia Dufault of A.C. Davis High School on her winning entry, and my sincere thanks to all of the very talented Central Washington students who submitted artwork for consideration in this year’s Congressional Art Competition. Her piece will be hung in the U.S. Capitol alongside winning entries from congressional districts across the country for one year. Amelia’s vibrant landscape of Mt. Rainier demonstrates artistic mastery and will be a great representation of our beautiful state in the Capitol. I look forward to seeing the beauty of Central Washington every time I walk through the Capitol. I have also invited the second and third place winners, Lucy Korzh (Poem to my grandparents) of Sterling Junior High and Marlene Martinez (Gift of Industry) of A.C. Davis High School, to hang their art in the Tri-Cities and Yakima District Offices, respectively. Thank you to all who participated! View the 2023 Submissions   Minimizing Food Waste and Saving American Families Money Other than infant formula, the U.S. has zero federal standards for food expiration dates, leading to tons of food waste. We need to do better, especially in these high inflationary times when food prices are skyrocketing. To combat this issue, I re-introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Food Date Labeling Act. This legislation would standardize the dates on food labels at the federal level to minimize confusion at the grocery store. As it stands now, states have a series of conflicting laws which leads to food producers using whatever verbiage they desire on their products. This is at the detriment of American families. We need to mandate food expiration dates at the federal level to cut down on food waste, and I am proud to co-sponsor this legisaltion.   Read More in the Washington Post Asparagus Festival This Saturday, the Sunnyside Museaum & Historical Association will be hosting its 2023 Asparagus Festival. Come out for the food competition, where competitors will submit their best asparagus-themed dishes! Read More in the Yakima Herald-Republic Grandview Nights Tonight is game night in downtown Grandview! From 5:00 - 9:00 PM, bring the family out and enjoy games from bingo to Connect 4. There will also be specials run by our local businesses, food trucks, live music, and other vendors. Read More in the Yakima Herald-Republic   It is an honor and a privilege to serve you in Congress. To stay up to date on how I am working to represent Central Washington, I encourage you to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can also find regular updates on my website. Sincerely, Dan Newhouse Contact Me     Rep. Newhouse | 504 Cannon House Office Bldg., Washington, DC 20515 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected]