U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer of the 6th Congressional District hosted members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, which included Chair Betty McCollum of Minnesota, Ranking Member Ken Calvert and Cheri Bustos for a day-long tour Oct. 7 in Kitsap County.

The visit included a tour of the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS), a roundtable discussion with small businesses and a tour of Naval Base Kitsap.

The Defense Subcommittee has jurisdiction over federal funding for key agencies that impact the region, including the departments of the Navy, Air Force, Army, Office of Secretary of Defense, and defense agencies including activities related to military personnel; operation and maintenance; procurement; research and development; and the military health system.

Kilmer’s office said the congressman has worked to increase funding available for facilities improvements and upgrades at PSNS and has successfully secured increases in additional funding for the Navy’s public shipyards through the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program. It is a 20-year program intended to strengthen, maintain and modernize the nation’s public shipyards.

“A critical part of my job is to champion the issues important to our region,” Kilmer said in a news release. “It’s one thing to tell my colleagues about the vitally important work done at our region’s military installations by talented servicemembers and federal workers. It’s another for them to see that work first-hand.”

U.S. Navy photo U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer of the 6th Congressional District escorts fellow members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense during a tour of the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton on Oct. 7.