Meeting With Senator Cantwell’s Legislative Aide - January 28, 2021

Senator Murray’s aide, Christine Nhan, was not available to meet with us today. Typically, we meet with both senators’ legislative aides jointly.

Senator Cantwell’s aide, Casey Duff, reviewed for us the committees that Senator Cantwell sits on. She is Chair of the Commerce Committee and is on the State, Local, and Tribal Governments Committee. Being Chair of the Commerce Committee is a boon to Washington State, as many of the issues overseen by this committee affect the state, such as NOAA, fisheries, port regulation, and aviation. 

Of high priority to Senator Cantwell is increasing access to Rural Broadband, which falls under the auspices of the Commerce Committee. It is extremely important during the pandemic as we increasingly rely on internet communications for work and school. 

Impeachment of Donald Trump: We thanked Senator Cantwell for her vote to impeach.

Covid relief – Cantwell’s priorities:

• We asked that she support Biden’s relief plan.
• Cantwell is focused on getting relief for state, local and tribal governments, her priority since the beginning of the pandemic.
• Small Business Relief: Looking to get more support for actually small businesses (i.e., better safeguards against money going to larger businesses that don’t merit assistance.) Also wants to get more PPE for frontline workers.
• Unemployment checks: wants it to continue at high levels, to get funds to those who really need it.
• No clear answer on vaccine rollout – we were directed to ask Senator Murray, who is a better source of information on this issue.

The Filibuster:

• We asked that the filibuster be eliminated, and short of that, that it be reformed.
• Senator Cantwell has not taken a public position on this issue, but does support Majority Leader Schumer’s positions. “Everything is on the table.”

Accountability:

• We asked for a strong impeachment trial with all evidence presented to the public, that there be investigations into corruption in the past administration, and called for specific legislation to address emoluments violations.
• Cantwell’s position is that accountability will come from the rule-making side, not the legislative side. Certain norms can be given teeth. The Senate can hold hearings, but the Department of Justice needs to investigate. Investigations will be pursued on the state level as well. 

Infrastructure:

• We asked for support for the Green New Deal as a means for job creation. We expressed appreciation for President Biden’s connection between infrastructure and climate, and suggested that if we go big in the next two years, we would get good returns on investment. We added that Senator Warren’s proposed wealth tax on 75,000 families would generate $2.75 billion, some of which could fund infrastructure projects. 
• Senator Cantwell agrees, but doesn’t support the GND per se. She does support massive investment in a green economy. She especially wants to pay attention to people who feel left behind in today’s economy, especially those impacted by the pandemic, for example, the residents of Grays Harbor County.

Medicare:

• We asked that the age to begin receiving Medicare be reduced to age 60, optimally, via legislation. 
• Cantwell supports Comprehensive Health Care reform. She is of the opinion that lowering the Medicare entitlement age will have to be done by executive order. She views health reform as a huge topic, one which will come up in Congress soon, but not before March.

Minimum Wage:

• We asked for a $15 minimum wage, with some relief for small businesses, such as tax credits. We also expressed support legislation that enhances unionization, especially for gig and big warehouse workers.
• Cantwell supports raising the minimum wage, perhaps executed incrementally. She says there will be pushback from conservatives. Washington is a good, convincing example of incremental raises in the minimum wage not hurting businesses.

Comprehensive Immigration Reform:

• We had a few minutes to squeeze in this topic, and asked where Senator Cantwell stands on protecting immigrants and treating them fairly.
• Senator Cantwell supports Comprehensive Immigration Reform. She has been writing to Seattle ICE offices to inquire on the negative impacts of their policies, especially regarding child separations. She believes this will be a difficult issue to address because of Trump-appointed judges, and will try to address the problems legislatively. She will work with Senator Murray on this issue, who she feels is a better source of information on this topic.  Senator Cantwell also supports the DREAM Act and believes there will be movement on this sooner than broad comprehensive immigration reform.​