WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier, D-Wash., said growing visitor numbers, reduced federal staffing and rising health care costs are among the issues weighing on residents of Washington’s 8th Congressional District.
Speaking after a recent roundtable in Leavenworth about conditions in the Enchantments, Schrier said the popular alpine wilderness is becoming increasingly overcrowded.
FULL CONNECT TO CONGRESS INTERVIEW: REP. KIM SCHRIER
She said the Trump administration reduced U.S. Forest Service staffing in the area from 11 rangers to one, limiting the agency’s ability to keep visitors safe, monitor the wilderness, and maintain restroom facilities. Schrier said hiring has begun to increase again but called for urgent action to address overcrowding.
Schrier also expressed concern about the upcoming wildfire season, urging people to take precautions outdoors.
“Most of the catastrophic wildfires are started by humans,” she said, asking people not to light campfires and to use caution.
On public health, Schrier said she recently wrote to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about rising rates of parents refusing vitamin K injections for newborns.
Vitamin K shots have been standard care since 1961 and help prevent potentially fatal bleeding in infants, who are naturally deficient in vitamin K during their first months of life, Schrier said.
Misinformation has led some parents to confuse the injection with childhood immunizations, resulting in preventable cases of brain bleeding, deaths, and lifelong disabilities, Schrier said.
On health care, Schrier criticized Republicans’ “One Big Beautiful Bill,” saying it cut Medicaid funding and eliminated tax credits that help people afford Affordable Care Act premiums.
She said residents are struggling with higher grocery, fuel, and medical costs, adding that “the stock market is not the economy.”
Schrier also criticized President Donald Trump, accusing him of seeking to consolidate power by exerting influence over the media, judiciary, and education system.
She encouraged constituents experiencing problems with federal agencies to contact her congressional office for assistance.