This week, I introduced the Fair Pay for Federal Firefighters Act alongside Rep. Doug LaMalfa. August Recess Announcement With summer in full swing and Congress in recess for the month of August, I’ll be taking a break from sending out this newsletter for a few weeks while I focus my time working and meeting with the hardworking men and women who make up Washington’s Fourth Congressional District. It won’t be a total hiatus from your inboxes, I’ll still be sending out my Weekly Column, so keep an eye out for that! As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office for assistance with a federal agency, tour requests, or more. Sincerely, Dan Advocating for Central Washington Firefighters This week, I introduced the Fair Pay for Federal Firefighters Act alongside Rep. Doug LaMalfa. According to the USDA, the funding allocated to increase the base pay for wildland firefighters is scheduled to run out 3 years early. As a result, there will be immediate cuts in federal wildland firefighter pay in the middle of this year's fire season—this is unacceptable. The Fair Pay for Federal Firefighters Act will: Establish a new base pay rate scale, with the largest increases going to firefighters at the lowest end of the pay scale. Boost the pay rates so they are in line with pay rates for state and private firefighters. Increase deployment bonuses for firefighters responding to wildfires. Prevent the USDA's pay cuts. Our firefighters work tirelessly to keep Central Washington safe from wildfires, and we owe it to them to advocate for their best interests. Raising their pay and providing them with increased deployment bonuses will not only attract more talent, but it will also keep our current force motivated. Firefighters—thank you for all you do to keep Central Washington communities safe. We are forever grateful. Urging the Biden Administration to Crack Down on CCP Fentanyl Precursors and Human Rights Abuses This week, I led a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo alongside House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Chairman Mike Gallagher, House Indio-Pacific Subcommittee Chairwoman Young Kim, and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, expressing concerns that the CCP demanded the United States lift sanctions related to human rights abuses in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The CCP has stated that if the Biden Administration agrees to their terms, they will cooperate in countering their own narcotics operations—including the production and distribution of fentanyl precursor chemicals. This disingenuous tactic is not new for Beijing—the CCP has requested in the past that the United States cease denouncing their numerous human rights violations in exchange for their cooperation on unrelated issues as a reward for their perceived "good behavior." But given that most fentanyl precursor chemicals originate in China, the CCP has an obligation to cooperate with the United States on counternarcotics operations without preconditions. Central Washington is battling an illicit fentanyl crisis, and fighting back is a top priority of mine, but the CCP is using American lives as a bargaining chip to achieve sanctions relief for its vast human rights abuses, and I cannot support this. It is imperative that the Biden Administration does not turn a blind eye to the CCP's atrocities against the Uyghur People in exchange for empty promises. Read More in Fox News July Legislative Wrap-Up In addition to the above, this is what I've been up to in Congress this past month: Reintroduced the Farm Workforce Modernization Act to make meaningful reforms to the H-2A agricultural guestworker program and create a first-of-its-kind, merit-based visa program specifically designed for the nation's agricultural sector. Introduced the Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act which will improve hiring and increase retention for tribal law enforcement officers in order to better protect native communities and help address the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls (MMIW). Introduced legislation to prevent foreign adversaries from exploiting U.S. land near national security sites by giving the Committee on Foreign Investment jurisdiction over any potential land purchases by foreign adversaries. Launched an Endangered Species Working Group to examine how the ESA is being implemented by federal agencies, the practical impacts on the American people, how litigation is driving ESA decision-making, and how "success" is defined under the ESA. Introduced the American Confidence in Elections (ACE) Act to provide our states with the necessary tools to improve voter confidence, protect political speech, and restore government by the people, for the people. Introduced an amendment, which was adopted, to prohibit funds from being used to finalize the Bureau of Land Management's proposed "Landscape and Conservation Health" rule, which would hinder access to public lands for energy and critical mineral development, grazing, forest management, and recreation. Led a letter to the Secs. of Defense, Energy, and Interior calling for increased domestic critical mineral production amid the ongoing global shortage of semiconductors, reliance on foreign adversaries such as the CCP, and the recent ban against Micron by Chinese cyberspace regulators. Introduced the Fair Pay for Federal Firefighters Act to prevent pay cuts in the middle of wildfire season and ensure our firefighters get the pay they deserve. Looking for Paid Fall Interns Are you a currently an undergraduate student or recent college graduate interested in learning about the legislative process firsthand in the heart of our nation? If so, I am currently seeking paid congressional interns for the Fall 2023 term. The internships are in-person and will run from September to the end of November. Dates are flexible. Ideal candidates will have a positive attitude, strong work ethic, attention to detail, ability to conduct research, strong writing skills, and be able to work in a fast-paced work environment. District ties will be considered however are not required. Apply Now! Vista Field Art Walk Head over to Vista Field in Kennewick on August 4th from 4 - 8 PM to celebrate local artists, enjoy food trucks, and listen to music. Fun for the whole family, this is an excellent opportunity to enjoy some local talent. Read More in Visit Tri-Cities Moxee Hop Festival From August 3 - 5, join the East Valley Community Enhancement Association and City of Moxee for the annual Moxee Hop Festival! Enjoy live music, family-friendly entertainment, food vendors, and more. Read More on EVCEA's Website   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]