In Central Washington, we are aware of the important role Hanford played in bringing an end to World War II and winning the Cold War. The federal government now has a legal and moral obligation to clean up the legacy of nuclear waste.

Ensuring that Hanford has the resources and oversight required to continue cleanup progress and meet the federal government's legal cleanup commitments is my top priority. I have had the opportunity to get a first-hand look at the critical cleanup activities being accomplished at Hanford and this work must continue as safely, quickly, and efficiently as possible. I am a co-chair of the House Nuclear Cleanup Caucus, and meet regularly with Hanford officials and Tri City leaders to ensure Hanford's cleanup needs are being met. I am continually communicating with my colleagues in Congress and with the highest levels of the Administration to advocate for proper funding and federal policies that will allow us to meet the many cleanup challenges at Hanford.

Success at Hanford depends on other factors as well, such as the availability for storing spent nuclear fuel at the Yucca Mountain Repository. I am focused on continuing to develop Yucca Mountain, which has already been identified as scientifically safe and remains the legal, Congressionally-mandated repository where much of Hanford's nuclear waste will eventually be sent for long-term storage. Wasting decades of work and billions of taxpayer dollars by disregarding this legal repository makes no sense and does nothing to get Hanford's nuclear waste out of our state sooner.