Washington's DelBene joins Pelosi on Indo-Pacific trip

Washington Congresswoman Suzan DelBene is among the delegation joining Speaker Nancy Pelosi on her trip through Asia, specifically the Indo-Pacific region.

DelBene's office says the region is vital, not only to the national economy, but to Washington's as well.

“I’m honored to join Speaker Pelosi and represent Washington state on this delegation," DelBene said in a statement. "Asia is a critically important region to America’s economic and national security interests. It is also vital to Washington state’s economy where roughly 40% of jobs are tied to international trade."

DelBene represents Washington’s 1st Congressional District, which covers northeast King County up through Snohomish, Skagit, and Whatcom counties. She is vice chair of the Ways and Means Committee, which, she notes, "shapes trade policy in the House of Representatives."

"I look forward to helping strengthen existing relationships with our allies and trading partners, open new markets for American companies, and level the playing field for American workers," DelBene said. "Forging more resilient and reliable supply chains with trusted partners in Asia is a top priority for me so we can lower costs for consumers and manufacturers here at home.”

RELATED: Pelosi begins Asia tour in Singapore

Pelosi's delegation to the Indo-Pacific region includes travel to Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea. According to a statement from Pelosi's office, the trip is aimed at "mutual security, economic partnership and democratic governance in the Indo-Pacific region."

Top issues include trade, the Covid-19 pandemic, human rights, climate change, and democratic governance. In a statement, Pelosi said that "a free and flourishing Indo-Pacific is crucial to prosperity in our nation and around the globe.”