After almost 20 years in public office, Derek Kilmer is stepping down from his role as U.S. Representative for WA's 6th district. 

The Representative was chair of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress - sometimes called the “Fix Congress Committee” - from 2019 to 2023. 

He’s also the former chair of the New Democrat Coalition - a caucus of centrist democrats with a pro-businesses, moderate approach to fiscal issues.

In other words - he’s a guy who spent a lot of time trying to figure out ways to make things work in the House, and how to get members to work across the aisle.

Now, Kilmer is moving on to the Rockefeller Foundation in the new year as Senior Vice President for the organizations newly created U.S. Program & Policy team.

But, how does he feel about the congress he’s leaving behind? How do you fix a body that seems to be getting more broken by the day?

Guest:

• Derek Kilmer, outgoing US Representative for Washington's 6th district

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.