We are in the midst of hard times, and as I continue to hear from families in Eastern Washington struggling to pay their bills, I find myself thinking about the future of our nation – a future full of possibility, but burdened by economic stagnation.  Yesterday, the Commerce Department announced that the U.S. economy shrank by a staggering 2.9 percent in the first quarter of the year, the worst fall we’ve seen since early 2009 – and that was five years ago, when we were in the midst of a recession.

Since January, fewer Americans have been purchasing goods, and that has hurt our economy – but more than that, it has hurts our families. Because when American families have less take-home pay, priorities change. Families are fighting to make ends meet, fighting to buy groceries and pay rent. Those are the priorities, and when families struggle, our nation struggles.

Statistics and numbers like these are upsetting, and as your Member of Congress, my commitment is getting Eastern Washington back on track. This week the House voted on numerous energy bills that will create good-paying jobs for communities like ours. We have passed legislation like the bipartisan America’s Small Business Tax Relief Act of 2014, which provides the thousands of people who work on farms and in small businesses an opportunity to create jobs and invest in new advancements. I am committed to policies like these – policies that will increase opportunities for those at home in Eastern Washington. Yesterday’s economic report motivates me to work harder for our community, to ensure that you can bring home higher paychecks, and to get Eastern Washington back to work.