Friends,

It's Marie Gluesenkamp Perez.

I've made it a priority to hear from you about the issues that matter most - so I've recently been getting out across Southwest Washington to listen to the needs of our law enforcement, linemen, and tradespeople.

As always, you can reach me at - and I hope you'll get in touch!

Working on Solutions to the Fentanyl Crisis

Reps. Gluesenkamp Perez holds a fentanyl response roundtable with first responders and care providers in Cowlitz County.

We have to end the deadly flow of fentanyl into our communities before it takes more of our loved ones and neighbors from us, and we need all of the local talent possible at the table.

I deeply appreciate the local first responders and care providers on the front lines who joined me to discuss how we can work hand-in-hand to fight this crisis, stop the spread of fentanyl, and build a brighter future for those suffering from addiction.

If you or a loved one is facing challenges with addiction, I've put together some resources on my website that can be a starting point for finding local treatment and support.

We've also got to make it easier to access treatment than to access these substances, which is why I'm fighting to secure our borders and cosponsored bipartisan bills which are now law to target fentanyl traffickers and fight smuggling at ports of entry. My bipartisan bill also made it through the House last year to support pregnant and postpartum women with substance use disorders.

I'll continue working to build support for my legislation to expand funding for multi-jurisdictional drug task forces and support our local law enforcement.

Honoring the Hard Work of Local Linemen

Linemen work around the clock to make sure our communities have reliable power - and I'm incredibly grateful to them for ensuring our communities stay safe and warm in times of fire and extreme weather. This year, I joined my bipartisan colleagues to designate a National Lineman Appreciation Day to honor their hard work.

I recently stopped by Skamania PUD to see how I can best support their efforts keeping our lights on for our rural communities - and my son might just have discovered a future career path.

I'm continuing to work to bring federal funding home for our public utilities to lower costs for ratepayers - and you can visit to view an interactive map of these community investments near you.

Expanding Savings Plans for Small Businesses in the Trades

Lastly, I just introduced the Fairness for the Trades Act to expand the scope of 529 education savings plans to support tradespeople beginning their careers and starting small businesses.

It will ensure these plans can support toolboxes, not only tuition, by expanding eligible uses to include equipment used in trades industries.

I've also introduced a bipartisan bill to help small businesses hire trade school graduates and support them in starting their own businesses.

By making it less difficult for our next generation to pursue these pathways, we get one step closer to restoring the prestige of the trades and addressing critical workforce shortages in our communities.

Also, a reminder that my Bigleaf Maple Big Leaf Contest is still open, and I'm accepting nominations for my inaugural Congressional Leadership Awards. I hope you'll take some time to get outside and hunt for a leaf - and to recognize someone who has demonstrated exemplary leadership, service, or heroism for your community.

For more updates about my work, you can follow me on Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, and YouTube.

Sincerely,