Dear friend,

As Southwest Washington's representative in Congress, I want to keep you up-to-date on my work to improve life in our region. For timely updates, please be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Columbian: Herrera Beutler urges Biden to deny federal post for former state ESD head

KIRO: Tax forms - the latest unpleasant surprise in the mail for victims of unemployment impostor fraud

Reflector: Herrera Beutler joins legislative effort to prevent ‘packing’ of the Supreme Court

Columbian: Herrera Beutler writes SEC chair to urge probe of GameStop case

For some Washingtonians who had their identities stolen to collect benefits from Washington's Employment Security Division, they're being incorrectly told they owe taxes to the IRS on that money.

This is unacceptable and must be fixed, which is why I'm pressing ESD to take immediate action to save these fraud victims from additional hassle and financial headaches. Read more here.

Under the leadership of Suzi Levine, former Commissioner of the Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) taxpayers were defrauded of more than $600 million dollars when signs of criminal behavior were missed or ignored. This theft also forced thousands of Washingtonians to go weeks without unemployment assistance. These bogus tax bills are yet another unfortunate chapter in ESD's mistakes during the pandemic. 

With this absymal track record, it comes as a shock that the Biden administration would appoint Levine to a National Employment Post. That's why I'm strongly urging President Biden to reconsider Levine's appointment. Millions of Americans who are relying on unemployment benefits cannot risk being negatively affected by Levine's proven poor leadership. Read my full letter to the president here.

 Packing the U.S. Supreme Court is a dangerous idea, which is why I am helping lead legislation to prevent it. Given recent calls by hyper-partisans to expand the court, it is now more important now than ever to preserve its integrity. Read more here.

Recent reports of restrictions put on GameStop trading activity appeared to protect privileged Wall Street investors over small individual investors. This is not just unfair to these individual investors, but's it's an attack on our nation's free market principles.

That's why I joined a bi-partisan group of lawmakers demanding answers from the SEC demanding into restrictions of GameStop trading activity. Read more here.

I'm continuing to add information on small business resources, COVID testing and vaccine locations, local health departments, unemployment benefits, and more on my COVID dedicated webpage: JHB.house.gov/coronavirus

It's an honor to serve you in Congress. If you have a comment, question or idea for me, please send me a direct message here. As always, please let me know how I can assist you.