In the 10th Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Marilyn Strickland represents urban, rural and suburban areas, not to mention a sprawling military base. Her constituents are diverse and have been served well by her presence in Washington, D.C. She deserves another term in Congress.
The Congress member represents about 100,000 active military service personnel and their family members attached to Joint Base Lewis-McChord military base. Serving on the House’s Armed Services Committee, she has put much of her focus on military operations and families.
Strickland sponsored the Fairness for Servicemembers and their Families Act, which assures survivors of military members killed while in service will receive fair compensation. For more than 20 years, the death benefit has lagged behind the cost-of-living index. Strickland’s successful bipartisan bill — now law — directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct insurance policy reviews every five years to make sure death benefits are in line with the cost of living.
In addition, Strickland has been among the most critical Congress members when it comes to the war in Iran.
“There’s no strategy. There’s no exit strategy,” she said. “The economic ramifications of this war are affecting our economy every day.
“I always hope that we will find a peaceful diplomatic resolution. But if we do, in order to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the United States is going to pay (Iran) a lot of money to do that, and that money will not just be used to reopen the strait. It will be used to arm and rearm terrorists.”
Should the Democrats take the majority of the House of Representatives this fall, Strickland said it’s important for them to “come out swinging” with a 100-day and 100-week agenda.
Though mindful that a Republican-controlled Senate may pose obstacles, Strickland said those House Democratic agendas would include restoring the long-term cuts made to Medicare and Medicaid last year under Trump’s spending bill; restoring tax credits that were removed from the Affordable Care Act that resulted in an increase in premiums for those on Obamacare; passing the John Lewis Voting Rights Act; passing the bipartisan Protecting the Right to Organize Act, which would help workers organize under union protection; and ending the war in Iran. In addition, Strickland said she would be open to considering the possible impeachment of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth for direction of the war, and his demotions and refusal to promote women and Black military officers.
Washington’s 10th Congressional District has seen positive results from Strickland’s service. Now, more than ever, a plain-spoken, fearless voice is needed in Congress. Strickland is that voice.
