OLYMPIA – For the first time in the Washington state Legislature’s history, a Senate committee will be led by two South Asian women. Sen. Yasmin Trudeau (D-Tacoma) has been selected vice chair of the Senate Law & Justice Committee following Sen. Manka Dhingra’s (D-Redmond) selection as committee chair.
“It’s an incredible honor to lead alongside Sen. Dhingra on a committee with which I’ve worked so closely over the years, ensuring that our justice system treats Washingtonians with dignity, equity and respect,” said Trudeau, who previously served as legislative director for the office of Attorney General Bob Ferguson.
During Trudeau’s tenure as legislative director, she helped champion legislation that protected victims of assault and domestic violence and improved law enforcement data-collection systems. She was one of the lead advocates during the 2021 legislative session when the Legislature passed a nation-leading package of police accountability bills.
“I’ve seen what our communities can do when they raise their voices about the gaps in our system, and now I’m excited to carry that momentum forward as vice chair of the Law & Justice Committee,” said Trudeau.
Trudeau was also appointed to the Senate Housing & Local Government Committee and the Senate Human Services, Reentry & Rehabilitation Committee. She will bring to the role her extensive experience as an attorney, legislative director and legislative aide, as well as her profound lived experience as a woman of color who has experienced the foster care system.
“What we need more of in policymaking are the voices of people who have lived through the social services – and the flaws in those services – that are meant to lift us up,” said Trudeau.
“I’m bringing the stories of my neighbors, the stories of my family and the story that I have lived into my role as state senator for the 27th District. I’ll be elevating those stories every step of the way: in my work on these three committees, in my advocacy for the equitable budget investments our community deserves and in my engagement with our neighbors.
“We can build an even better Washington that is more responsive to everyone’s needs, whether we’re investing in working families by strengthening our human services or keeping folks in the safe and stable housing they deserve or reforming our criminal justice system to ensure that we’re setting people up for success when they reintegrate with their communities.
“I am honored to have the trust of my colleagues to serve well on these committees, and I’m honored to have the trust of my neighbors to serve well in the Senate.”
Trudeau’s selection as vice chair of Law & Justice and as a member of the Housing & Local Government and Human Services, Reentry & Rehabilitation Committees will be formalized in a vote of the full Senate on the first day of the 2022 legislative session.
