The skyrocketing cost of health care is one of the greatest challenges we face as a country. It is critical that we bring down health care costs for families and businesses in Northwest Washington, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because our long-term economic growth depends on it.

The health care debate is heating up in Washington, DC and as a member of the Senate Finance Committee, I’m working to help Washingtonians get the coverage they deserve, and ensure this care is of the highest quality at the lowest cost.

Citing the adverse impacts to commuters and the working families of the San Juan Islands, Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-San Juan Islands, recently met with several members of Congress in Washington D.C. and followed-up with letters urging them to reconsider a Coast Guard directive that changes the way Washington State Ferries has operated the San Juan Route for years.

As we head into summer, congressional leaders have promised late nights here at the Capitol as we work to get our economy back on track, tackle comprehensive energy reform, and pass health care reform to expand coverage and bring down the cost of health care for families and businesses.

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell announced that Washington state will receive a share of nearly $24 million in funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for the improvement and maintenance of roads within National Forests, as well as ecosystem restoration for fish passage.