U.S. Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, who represents Washington’s 3rd district in Congress, recently used her social media platform to comment on ongoing issues affecting rural timber communities and federal grant funding.
On July 29, 2025, Gluesenkamp Perez posted, “We deserved a better deal.” Later that day, she addressed the impact of lapses in Secure Rural Schools (SRS) grants on local communities. In her post at 21:06 UTC, she stated, “With a lapse in SRS grants, our timber communities are losing vital funding and schools. I’m fighting for Congress to act – but we also need to steward our woods and sustainably harvest timber for rural communities to have long-term success.” She followed this with another message urging readers to learn more about the issue: “Read more:”
Gluesenkamp Perez has served as the representative for Washington’s 3rd District since 2023 after succeeding Jaime Herrera Beutler. She was born in Harris County, Texas in 1988 and currently resides in Washougal. Gluesenkamp Perez is an alumna of Reed College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2012.
The SRS program provides financial support to rural counties affected by declining revenue from federal forest lands. Its expiration has prompted concern among lawmakers and local officials regarding the sustainability of funding for schools and community services.
