Sen. Maria Cantwell

During #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth we recognize how important mental health care is for overall well-being. We must keep working to expand access to mental health services.

Mifepristone is a safe and effective abortion medication that has been used by millions of people since the FDA approved it more than a quarter century ago. But this ruling will restrict access to this safe medication for women in every state – including those that have repeatedly affirmed abortion rights, like Washington. Make no mistake, this puts women’s lives and rights at risk. This is wrong, and I will keep fighting to protect and restore access to reproductive health care.

There is no place for violence in protest, and I condemn the alarming rise in attacks against the Jewish community here in Seattle and in Europe. Our Jewish neighbors must be free to hold political opinions, practice their religion, and walk our streets free from fear of violence or persecution. People of all faiths should be able to live and practice their religion in peace, and legitimate protests should be directed at governments, not ethnicities.

Game-changing flight options like these are why we worked to secure a Small Community Air Service Development Program grant for Pangborn to attract new service. This new daily flight at Pangborn Memorial Airport will help connect nearly 125,000 Chelan and Douglas County residents to more than 65 nonstop destinations from Portland International Airport. Thank you to Pangborn Memorial Airport and Alaska Airlines for their partnership in making this new connection a reality for the Apple Capital of the World. wenatcheeworld.com/news/local/pan…

Civil rights and civil liberties are under attack. I am disappointed that the Supreme Court decision has raised the standard on having to prove discrimination in a redistricting case and created an erosion of the Voting Rights Act. My colleagues should speak up. Either they believe in defending our Constitution on these civil liberties and defend our right to vote in free and fair elections, or they are going to continue to cower and create an erosion of those civil liberties.

Apprenticeships help train and skill the next generation. During National Apprenticeship Week, we recognize that earning a paycheck while learning skills on the job is a win-win for workers and employers.

Today is National Fentanyl Awareness Day. I've heard directly from parents who tragically lost their children to this lethal drug. I believe we need to do everything we can to stop fentanyl overdoses and help communities fight this crisis.

We should use AI to advance medical research in months instead of years. But we’ll have some real problems if we use AI to deny Medicare coverage and delay people’s healthcare.

I don’t want AI to restrict Medicare for any WA senior. Using AI as a tool to deny people health care should make us all anxious. seattletimes.com/business/wa-pa…

Statement from @senatorcantwell on the unprecedented firing of the members of the National Science Board, which oversees the National Science Foundation.

I’m relieved by the reporting that those attending the White House Correspondents’ dinner tonight are safe and thankful to the law enforcement and first responders.

If we put AI in charge of deciding health care instead of doctors, we’re going to have some real problems. spokesman.com/stories/2026/a…

Did FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford deliberately violate his ethics agreement so he could boost his airline stock payout by millions? @SenatorCantwell, @SenDuckworth & @SenMarkey are calling for a DOT Inspector General investigation now. commerce.senate.gov/wp-content/upl…

@SenatorCantwell: Urban Indian health programs don’t receive full federal Medicaid match—and a prior fix only lasted two years. She asked @SecKennedy if he'd work with them to address it. His response, “Absolutely and enthusiastically!”

Today on Earth Day we renew our commitment to protect our beautiful planet – its lands, its oceans, and its coasts. We have much to celebrate but much, much more to do.

ZAG nation in the NBA playoffs. Hachimura, Holmgren, Kispert, Olynyk, Strawther, Suggs, Timme. No wonder Mark Few in Basketball Hall of Fame.

This administration is tone-deaf on fuel prices.

Joel Connelly was a national political reporter who covered both national and northwest politics with unmatched wit and wisdom. Growing up in Bellingham, Washington, Joel always had a bigger view of the world and a true love for the environment. Joel was as integral to the Post-Intelligencer as the globe that topped the building. He will long be remembered as an icon of Northwest news politics. Future generations will read his columns covering the actions of at least seven presidents and will be thrilled to be reliving these key moments of history.

Former Seattle Post-Intelligencer columnist Joel Connelly was a respected political commentator and fierce defender of the Pacific Northwest's wilderness areas. ebx.sh/nrVEyw

Take it from the WA League of Women Voters: A person is more likely to be struck by lightning than commit voter fraud.