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Washington Republican leaders decry House rule change limiting debate, outline childcare, budget and education priorities
Summary
House and Senate Republican leaders held a press availability in Olympia to criticize a recent House rule change that they say curtails minority debate, and to outline policy priorities including childcare regulatory reform, K‑12 funding, and concerns about state budget figures and possible federal grant pauses.
OLYMPIA — House and Senate Republican leaders held a media availability in Olympia Tuesday to call out a recent change in House rules that they said shortens end‑of‑day debate and to sketch the caucuses’ priorities for the legislative session.
Representative Drew Stokesberry, House Republican leader from the 31st District, said the Democratic majority had "upended 132 years of tradition" by adopting the rule change and described it as a move that "deprive[s] elected representatives of their ability to speak on a bill." "That is not a filibuster," Stokesberry said, adding the existing practice allows members to speak up to three minutes on a bill before cutoff.
Senator John Braun, the Senate Republican leader (20th District), echoed the criticism and used the availability to emphasize public safety, oppose rent control and flag K‑12 financing challenges. "We're focused on public safety," Braun said, pointing to a bill he said would add law enforcement funding; he also framed rent control as a short‑term political response that could reduce housing supply over time.
The leaders laid out several policy ideas the House Republican caucus plans to pursue on childcare: they said they support reframing regulatory structures to make it easier to become a childcare provider and cited a package of House bills discussed by caucus members. Stokesberry and Braun referenced "House Bill 10 33," which would allow local licensing outside DCYF; "House Bill 13 63," which would reduce regulatory burdens; and "House Bill 15 64," which would provide a 100% B&O tax credit for employers who offer childcare assistance. "We can pay at market rate in more locations and get more bang for the buck," Braun said of proposed payment‑formula changes.
Reporters also raised a bill heard in committee this week that would stop the Department of Children, Youth, and Families from claiming foster children's Social Security benefits. Shauna Salisbury said DCYF is "asking for 12,000,000 just for fiscal year 2025 to 27 to backfill the revenue loss," and leaders said the proposal has appeal but that its ultimate support depends on budget tradeoffs and priorities.
On education, Braun said he expects caucus support for SB 5,080 — making financial education a graduation requirement — while noting any new requirement would have cost implications that could prompt a budget review. House Republicans pointed to a similar House measure they favor and said studies show financial education can especially benefit low‑income and underrepresented students.
Reporters pressed leaders on budget arithmetic and on reports of a possible White House freeze on federal grants and loans. Braun disputed media reports that put the state's shortfall at $12 billion and cited a nonpartisan senate staff estimate of about $6.7 billion, calling for a line‑by‑line accounting of the higher figure. On a potential federal funding pause, leaders said they had not seen formal guidance and that the effect would depend on whether the action paused existing awards or only new applications; they flagged possible impacts on Medicaid reimbursement rates.
When asked whether they would back a lawsuit by the attorney general challenging a federal pause on grants, leaders said they could not assess without seeing the executive action and pointed to the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 as among the federal statutes relevant to any legal challenge.
On a separate bill that would make clergy mandated reporters, leaders said they previously supported an amended version that accommodated some religious‑confidentiality concerns but warned that the bill’s original form could raise constitutional questions under Article I, Section 11 of the state constitution.
The availability closed with Stokesberry reiterating Republican priorities — making Washington more affordable and safe and improving outcomes in education — and saying the caucus would continue to press those themes through the session. The leaders said they plan to hold another media availability next Tuesday.
