Statements and posts
39 press releases and posts, newest first.
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Cantwell Celebrates Pinehurst Light Rail Opening
Celebrated opening of Pinehurst light rail station in north Seattle.
“This new station gives more north Seattle riders access to fast and affordable public transportation, with service every few minutes to UW, SeaTac Airport, and beyond.”
Public TransportationAI-read
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Joined delegation letter urging President approve disaster declaration for Washington wildfires.
“As members of the Washington state delegation, we write in support of Washington state’s September 28th request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance due to devastating wildfire damages incurred from July 23 through August 31. We implore you to approve the request for assistance as quickly as…”
Eastern Washington Wildfires RecoveryDisaster ResponseAI-read
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Senate Passes Protect College Sports Act 77-22
Celebrated Senate passage of the Protect College Sports Act with 77-22 vote.
“There are several things in this bill that are really important to enshrine into federal law at this time. First and foremost, the federal right to NIL [Name, Image, and Likeness].”
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Senate unanimously passed bill restoring tribal lands to Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe.
“Today, Congress took a historic step to strengthen salmon and habitat recovery and help fulfill a decades-old vision to restore the Elwha River and the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe’s connection to lands that have sustained them since time immemorial. I’m thrilled we got this bill across the finish line and look forward to…”
Native AmericansAI-read
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Cantwell Statement on Her Vote Directing Trump to End His War in Iran
Voted for resolution directing Trump to end military hostilities against Iran.
“The costs of President Trump’s unnecessary war with Iran continue to mount, and the American people want it to end. We have lost valuable lives, and the conflict is compounding the burden of high gas and grocery prices at home.”
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Introduced bill to establish memorial at Arlington National Cemetery for six servicemembers killed in Operation Epic Fury crash.
“Captain Savino and the five heroes of ZEUS 95 gave everything in service to our country. A memorial at Arlington National Cemetery will ensure their courage and sacrifice are never forgotten.”
Zeus 95 Memorial ActArmed Forces and National SecurityAI-read
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Cantwell Celebrates New Amtrak Trains for the Pacific Northwest
Celebrated debut of new Amtrak Airo trains on Pacific Northwest Cascades route funded by Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
“The state-of-the-art Airo trainsets replace much older cars, making travel on Amtrak’s Cascades route more convenient, accessible, and reliable for riders across the Pacific Northwest. The Airos also have nearly twice as many seats, helping to meet growing demand on this routinely sold-out route.”
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Introduced bill to prohibit firearms at polling places nationwide to protect voters and election workers from intimidation.
“It is deeply troubling that now more than half of local elections officials worry about the safety of their colleagues, and a third have experienced threats or abuse. The officials and volunteers who run our free and fair elections deserve to be and feel safe at work – and voters need to be able to visit their…”
Election SecurityAI-read
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Cantwell & Colleagues Push Trump To Negotiate AI Guardrails With Xi Jinping
Urged President Trump to negotiate AI development guardrails and standards with China.
“AI technology is too powerful, and its risks too many, for the U.S. and China to forgo discussions on parameters around its development and use. What our two countries develop as guardrails will serve as a standard for how the technology is used worldwide. Given how quickly AI technology is developing and how…”
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Led bipartisan letter to HHS defending organ procurement organization threatened with decertification.
“Decertification would create unnecessary risk for our region - jeopardizing timely access to organ transplants and undermining support for donor families”
Organ Transplant AccessAI-read
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Cantwell Hails Final Approval of $25M Federal Grant for New Lummi Island Ferry and Dock Upgrades
Announced $25 million federal grant for Lummi Island ferry and dock upgrades.
“This federal investment will allow construction to begin to replace a 64-year-old ferry used by over 175,000 passengers each year as the only link between Lummi Island and mainland Whatcom County.”
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Cantwell Joins Colleagues in Demanding Answers From Hegseth on Cost of Iran War
Joined colleagues demanding Pentagon provide full accounting of Iran war costs to Congress.
“Meanwhile, at home, American taxpayers have already paid an extra $100 billion out of their pockets for higher gas and diesel prices alone and at least another $60 billion in higher costs for things like groceries, mortgages, and plane tickets as a result of the war.”
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Cantwell Hails Historic Opportunity to Codify Athletes’ Rights in Protect College Sports Act
Praised Senate advancement of Protect College Sports Act establishing federal athlete rights.
“We can recognize [these rights], enshrine them today, and make sure that these athletes are protected forever, including the rights to not have their contracts screwed with, their rights to not have their school override them, the rights to have any amount of money that some business wants to pay them, as long as it is…”
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Senate Votes 74-24 To Advance Cantwell’s Bipartisan Protect College Sports Act
Senate advanced Cantwell's bipartisan bill to regulate college sports spending and protect student athletes.
“This bill brings order to [college sports]. It helps women and Olympic sports, and it sets up a commission to look at the real future, which I think should include collective bargaining [...] Let's bring some sanity. Recognize that athletes do deserve revenue sharing, and that this bill will put that into law for the…”
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Cantwell released report showing 94% of Division I athletic programs spending more than revenue.
“This report demonstrates how the unsustainable growth in spending on college sports is amplifying the broader financial pressures on colleges and universities.”
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Cantwell praised Supreme Court ruling blocking USPS interference with vote-by-mail.
“This close to the election we need stability, not disenfranchisement and confusion. I’m glad a majority of the Supreme Court Justices rejected Trump’s mail-in ballot scheme that would have created chaos and denied many Americans the right to vote. I still encourage Washingtonians to stay vigilant, vote early, and use…”
Voting AccessAI-read
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Cantwell Statement On Trump Plan To Eliminate EPA Limits on Power Plant Pollution
Cantwell Statement On Trump Plan To Eliminate EPA Limits on Power Plant Pollution WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Trump administration officials announced a plan to remove the existing pollution caps placed on power plants in the United States,…
“Rolling back carbon pollution limits from power plants is a step in the wrong direction. Rather than abandoning public health standards and the fight against climate change, the way to keep electricity prices down is to invest in cleaner, more efficient energy technologies.”
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Cantwell Joins Gonzaga’s Mark Few, Current College Athletes & Other Coaches Speaking in Support of Protect College Sports Act CANTWELL: “I'm asking my colleagues to join us in fixing what's wrong with college sports today.”; FEW: "We…
“[The Protect College Sports Act] is a first-time federal statute on the rights of students to earn NIL and revenue sharing. So, a historic recognition of both of those rights.”
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Lopez Island Food Center Breaks Ground With $1M Cantwell-Supported Federal Investment
Lopez Island Food Center Breaks Ground With $1M Cantwell-Supported Federal Investment The 6,000-square-foot facility will help local farmers connect directly with food-insecure families & workers, & provide needed infrastructure; Cantwell &…
“Too many families on Lopez Island struggle with food insecurity while San Juan County farms need access to markets, employees, and infrastructure which are all harder to find on the islands than on the mainland. This 6,000-square-foot community space will connect families in need, local farmers, and community…”
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Cantwell Statement on the Eve of the 25th Anniversary of the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks
We remember the victims as well as the heroism of first responders, the service members who continue to protect us, and the incredible unity we felt as a nation in the aftermath of the attacks.
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Cantwell Statement After Attending Unveiling of Mariners’ Tribute to 2001 Statue
Cantwell Statement After Attending Unveiling of Mariners’ Tribute to 2001 Statue SEATTLE, WA – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) attended a ceremony at T-Mobile Park for the opening of Legacy Plaza, which includes a Tribute to 2001…
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Cantwell Leads Bicameral Letter Urging Trump Administration Not to Axe Protections for America’s Remaining Wild Public Forests Popular Roadless Rule conservation measure protects 44 million acres of pristine U.S. Forest Service lands from…
“Since its adoption in 2001, the Roadless Rule has served as a cornerstone of public lands conservation, now protecting approximately 44 million acres of National Forest System lands across 37 states.”
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Sen. Cantwell and Secretary Hobbs released a new snapshot report showing that late-postmark rejection rates have more than doubled in 19 counties compared to the 2024 primaries – with rural counties worst affected -- following a new Trump…
“Washingtonians need to know: The Post Office is taking your ballot as a piece of mail but not stamping it that day.”
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With Costs Skyrocketing, Cantwell & Colleagues Move To End Trump’s Tariff Taxes and Trade Wars
With Costs Skyrocketing, Cantwell & Colleagues Move To End Trump’s Tariff Taxes and Trade Wars Trump’s 50% tariff on Canadian goods disproportionately harms WA businesses & customers - last year, WA imported $15.2B in Canadian goods…
“It’s time to stop taxing Americans at the border and provide working families relief from President Trump’s destructive tariffs. Repealing the outdated trade laws this Administration is abusing is the best way to end these senseless trade wars before they cause irreparable damage to our economy and alliances.”
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Amid Attacks by Israeli Settlers in West Bank, Cantwell & Colleagues Urge Netanyahu to Stop the Violence In September 2024, UW grad Aysenur Ezgi Eygi was shot to death while she was peacefully protesting in the West Bank WASHINGTON, D.C. –…
“Incidents of fatal violence by settlers have reportedly already surpassed 2025 levels and continue to increase.”
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Cantwell Statement on SCOTUS Decision Enabling Trump Admin to Restrict Mail-In Ballots
Cantwell Statement on SCOTUS Decision Enabling Trump Admin to Restrict Mail-In Ballots EDMONDS, WA – Today, the United States Supreme Court ruled that President Donald Trump could proceed to restrict mail-in voting, allowing implementation…
“Today’s Supreme Court decision gets the Trump Administration one step closer to implementing its voter suppression order and forcing states to hand over personal voter data to the federal government. This is wrong. The Constitution clearly says the States should administer elections. The federal government should not…”
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6 WA Shipyards Win Shipyard Infrastructure Grants
6 WA Shipyards Win Shipyard Infrastructure Grants Shipyards in Bremerton, Everett, Mount Vernon, Port Angeles, & Seattle receive Small Shipyard Grant Program awards totaling $5.2M WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA),…
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Cantwell to Trump Administration: Don’t Repeal Critical Protection for Last Remaining Wild Forests
Don’t Repeal Critical Protection for Last Remaining Wild Forests For over 25 years, the Roadless Rule has blocked logging and development in pristine national forest land, including over 2 million acres in WA; Data suggests wildfires are…
“At a moment when climate change is intensifying wildfire risks, this administration is moving to strip protections from some of America’s last remaining wild forests.”
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Cantwell Joins Interior Sec. Burgum in Spokane For Fire Briefing
Burgum in Spokane For Fire Briefing SPOKANE, WA – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), senior member of the Senate Finance Committee and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, joined U.S.…
“At today’s briefing with Sec. Burgum, U.S. Wildland Fire Service Chief Brian Fennessy, and local fire chiefs, we discussed the next steps in responding to the fires and collecting information for a federal disaster declaration.”
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Cantwell Joins Gov. Ferguson, Yakima Leaders To Celebrate Affordable Housing Complex Grand Opening
Cantwell Joins Gov. Ferguson, Yakima Leaders To Celebrate Affordable Housing Complex Grand Opening Casa De La Mora offers 73 units for low-income households, people with disabilities, and young adults exiting foster care; Project financing…
“It is the transformative element that might get somebody from just existing to thriving again.”
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Cantwell Joins Senate Democrats in Demanding Trump Administration Stop Illegal Voter Roll Purges Before Election Day Federal law Cantwell cosponsored protects voter rolls from mass purges close in time to an election WASHINGTON, D.C. – With…
“Under the NVRA, election officials are supposed to complete any program for ‘systematically’ removing ineligible voters 90 days before Election Day. This statutory protection was included to protect eligible voters who may be (and in many cases have been) removed as part of state voter list maintenance activities.”
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Cantwell, Colleagues Condemn Illegal IRS-ICE Data Sharing
ICE Data Sharing Amicus brief urges Appeals Court to protect taxpayer privacy against ICE and IRS Overreach WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation…
“The district court’s preliminary injunction preserves Congress’s unambiguous command that taxpayer information remain confidential unless and until an agency lawfully satisfies the conditions set forth by Congress and longstanding IRS policy and we urge it be upheld.”
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Cantwell Bill to Restore Quinault Indian Nation Lands Advances to Full Senate
Cantwell Bill to Restore Quinault Indian Nation Lands Advances to Full Senate The Quinault Indian Nation Land Transfer Act protects 72 acres Tribe’s benefit, preserves old growth forest WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on…
“Returning 72 acres of the Quinault Indian Nation’s original reservation will restore the Tribe’s ancestral lands and help preserve one of the area’s last remnants of old growth forest as a living museum for future generations.”
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Cantwell & Colleagues Call on Administration to Delay Red Tape Requirements in Medicaid
In the letter sent to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz, the senators make clear that attempts to implement these requirements will result in high costs and harm to eligible people.
“Implementing this rule will worsen Americans’ overall quality of health, waste millions of dollars”
Mentions H.R. 1 · voted Nay Jul 1, 2025, roll 372
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Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, received a briefing on Pacific Northwest wildfires from Secretary…
“The Northwest will continue to benefit from air assets, and I hope that more of them can be deployed.”
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Cantwell Calls Out Critical Gaps in Fatal Accident Data Involving Large Trucks and Buses
Cantwell Calls Out Critical Gaps in Fatal Accident Data Involving Large Trucks and Buses ProPublica/WBUR investigation found FMCSA undercounting bus and large truck crashes, injuries, and fatalities; FMCSA enforcement actions against…
“According to the most recent data available, nearly 5,000 people were killed in crashes involving large trucks and buses in 2024.”
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Amid Devastating Wildfires, Cantwell Calls for Better Wildfire Preparedness in Roundtable with Fire Chief, Other Experts Cantwell at Senate roundtable forum on extreme weather: “We just have to move faster”; Bob Roper, Western Fire Chiefs…
“My heart goes out to the people of Washington who are dealing with this across our state, particularly in Spokane, and in the Lake Chelan area as well.”
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Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, joined Washington state’s entire congressional delegation in a…
“Thousands of people had to leave their homes as fires exploded in the Spokane area over the weekend. More than 700 structures have burned, many of them homes, while thousands of people are still not allowed back in their neighborhoods.”
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At Briefing, Cantwell Discusses Federal Resources Helping Spokane Fight Fires
There are some that have lost their homes.
“Today, it is the top fire in our nation. That means [the federal government is] going to give us the resources that we need here on the ground.”