Out and About in the 8th District

Dear Friend,

I wanted to give you a quick recap on what I have been up to recently while out and about in our district.

I was able to visit vaccination centers in Auburn and Wenatchee, where I got a firsthand look at the wonderful work our health care workers and National Guard are doing to keep all of us safe. I even got to put on the white doctor's coat again and give vaccines to very happy and grateful constituents. It is so great to be part of the effort to return to normalcy! Centers like the ones I visited will help us increase vaccination rates and keep our communities safe. It’s crucial that we get vaccines into arms as quickly as we can, and help reassure and address the concerns of people who still feel hesitant about getting vaccinated. Talk with your doctor if you are feeling worried.

Rep. Schrier administering vaccines in Wenatchee

I was even able to visit a FEMA mass vaccination site with Second Gentleman Emhoff and Governor Inslee, where we learned about how sites like this one across the country will each be able to vaccinate over 1,000 people a day. 

Later in the week, I had a chance to tour the Lakewood warehouse of the Emergency Food Network, to talk with their Executive Director, and to personally thank the staff and volunteers working to repackage food for distribution to food banks across Pierce County. We have seen a significant increase in families who don't have enough to eat during this pandemic, and our food banks have stepped up to help across the country. I’m very proud that the American Rescue Plan we passed in Congress expands eligibility for SNAP and increases the amount families receive for SNAP and WIC benefits until the end of September. Between the American Rescue Plan and the efforts of places like the Emergency Food Network and their partner food pantries, we can start to address food insecurity and make sure that families can put food on the table and ensure children can access nutritious food.

In Auburn, I visited a rapid COVID-19 testing site at Bowman Creek Elementary School. The Auburn School District is the first of 8 Washington school districts participating in a new rapid testing partnership that I worked with Seattle Children’s Hospital to create. We know that rapid testing, done regularly in addition to other public health measures like vaccines and masks, can make our schools some of the safest places in the country. It was gratifying to visit the testing site in Auburn to see staff get tested and know that it will provide more peace of mind for staff, children, and their families.

In Enumclaw, Sammamish, and Wenatchee, I had the pleasure of meeting with small business owners and employees to hear about their experiences during the pandemic and how recent PPP loans have helped them stay open. We also talked about how the expanded child tax credit and the cap on ACA health insurance premiums will help them and their employees. These important pieces of the American Rescue Plan will help make businesses stronger.

Rep. Schrier visiting Buds and Blooms in Enumclaw

Finally, I was fortunate to spend a beautiful morning visiting with an orchardist in Cashmere. We talked about the many challenges facing the tree fruit industry – like mounting costs, trade uncertainties, and the growing pressure to develop farmland. We also discussed some of the COVID relief measures available through the USDA. 

It’s been such a pleasure to travel across our beautiful district over the past few weeks. 

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Kim Schrier, M.D.
Member of Congress