JEFFRIES STATEMENT ON RETIREMENT ANNOUNCEMENT OF CONGRESSMAN DEREK KILMER

Brooklyn, NY  – Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries issued the following statement after Congressman Derek Kilmer announced he would not seek another term in the House of Representatives:

Whether as a Member of Congress, State Senator, State Representative or economic development expert, Derek Kilmer has spent his career bringing people together to make life better for Washington families.

In Congress, Derek has been a relentless champion for areas like his hometown of Port Angeles that are facing persistent economic challenges. A Member of the Appropriations Committee, Derek has consistently delivered for communities throughout the Puget Sound region. Derek authored the RECOMPETE grant assistance program, and has led the charge to address underfunding for infrastructure on tribal lands and our nation’s rural hospitals. Derek’s influence on and love for the People’s House will be felt long after his departure at the end of this term. In his four years as Chair of the Bipartisan Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress, Derek advanced meaningful reforms to make Congress more accessible, transparent and collaborative to the benefit of Members, staff and the people we are privileged to represent. 

The House Democratic Caucus will miss Derek at the conclusion of this Congress. I have been grateful to consider Derek a dear friend and colleague ever since we were both elected to the House in 2012. May the force be with him and his family in this next chapter.