‘No Child Left Behind’ Overhaul Will Benefit Washington
State Students and Schools

This week, I worked hard to pass a major education bill
through committee that addresses the concerns that I have heard over and over
from parents and schools across Washington state This bipartisan legislation is
a strong step in the right direction for Washington state students. Although
it’s not perfect, it is the result of true bipartisan compromise. This
legislation builds on what is working in our schools, and it gives districts
and schools across our state the tools and flexibility they need to offer every
student the opportunity to get the education and skills they need to fill the
jobs of the 21 ^st century.

I am going to keep working to pass this bill into law and
improve education for students and schools in Washington state and across the
country. I worked closely with my colleagues on the HELP committee as this
legislation was written, and a few key pieces are based on bills I have
introduced, including a comprehensive literacy section based on my LEARN Act and a high school reform program that
focuses on career pathways based on legislation I introduced earlier this year.

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Bringing Our Soldiers Home from Iraq

On Friday, the President announced a full troop withdrawal
from Iraq after nine years of war there. The announcement marks a bittersweet
milestone in a war that has cost our nation dearly but has also repeatedly
reminded us of the courage, sacrifice, and selflessness of our nation’s men and
women in uniform. Our troops and their families have done everything we’ve
asked of them and more. Now, more than ever, it’s time to ensure that we are
keeping up our end of the promise to provide the health care, benefits, and
opportunities our service members deserve as they return from the battlefields
of Iraq to communities across Washington state and the nation.

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WA Seniors, Veterans to Benefit from Cost of Living
Adjustment

Last week, it was announced that there will be an automatic
cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) of 3.6 percent for Social Security benefits
beginning next year. This is the first COLA since 2009. This is long-awaited
good news for Washington state seniors who, for the past few years, have been struggling
to make ends meet without an increase. Social Security has provided millions of
seniors with a foundation of economic security and lifted millions more out of
poverty. This announcement shows our seniors that this vital program is working
for them at a time when they need it the most.

Veterans Sharing in Cost of Living Increase

Last week I also helped pass a bill to provide a COLA
adjustment for America’s veterans. The Veterans COLA legislation, which I
sponsored, will affect several important benefits, including veterans’
disability compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving
spouses and children. It is projected that over 3.9 million veterans and
survivors will receive compensation benefits in Fiscal Year 2012. A cost-of-living
increase for our veterans is long overdue and well deserved. Particularly in
this difficult economy, our veterans deserve a boost in their benefits. This is
an important step for our veterans, especially on the heels of the news that a
COLA will be provided for the first time since 2009.

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President Obama’s Jobs Bill

The Washington state families that are living this jobs
crisis can’t afford politics as usual. When I talk to those who are searching
every day for a paycheck to support their families, it’s clear that they don’t
care who gets credit for job creation efforts or whose election chances it
might bolster. Their only questions are: ‘Will it work?’ ‘Will it impact my
life?’ and ‘When will I begin to see relief?’

Two weeks ago, President Obama introduced his plan for
fixing America’s jobs crisis. Unfortunately, the plan was voted down by
Republicans in Congress. Despite this setback we will not allow partisan
politics to get in the way of helping those who need it most. That is why I am
continuing to fight for the plan the President has put forward – piece by piece
if need be. I’m going to continue to work to ensure we push job-creating
measures, including investing in repairing and rebuilding our crumbling and
congested infrastructure, hiring our nation’s veterans, and retraining those
workers who were left behind by a recession they didn’t cause but are still
reeling from.

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Calling on VA to Provide Critical Answers about Military Sexual Trauma Data

Last week, I joined my colleague U.S. Senator Jon Tester in sending a letter to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Under Secretary for Benefits Allison Hickey about the critical need to clarify VA’s disability claims process related to Military Sexual Trauma (MST). Far too many servicemembers, both men and women, are returning home from service carrying the devastating wounds that result from MST. After sacrificing so much to serve their county, they often face tremendous challenges in obtaining the services and benefits they desperately need. That is why we urged VA to take further action to ensure that veterans who suffer disabilities related to MST will have their claims properly decided. Our letter requests explicit guarantees that concerns about the ability to correctly identify and adjudicate claims for disabilities based on MST are immediately addressed by Veterans Benefits Administration.

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Speaking Out Against Bullying

On Thursday, October 20  ^th, my staff and I wore purple  in recognition of Spirit Day and to speak out against the bullying of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth.

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