In Pullman keynote, Schweitzer encourages political engagement

Ed Schweitzer, founder of Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, called on U. S. citizens to engage more actively in democracy during his keynote at the Pullman Chamber of Commerce. He pointed out that only 422 out of 1,905 bills passed in the 2025 Washington state legislative session, highlighting a concerning gap between legislative actions and public involvement. Schweitzer criticized the swift passage of an aviation luxury tax, which he argued lacked sufficient public discourse and participation.

He shared insights from a conversation with former Vice President Mike Pence, who emphasized that democracy requires civility and constructive communication. Additionally, Schweitzer cited a local food drive coordinated by city council candidates as a positive example of civic collaboration. He condemned the excessive use of executive orders, stating, “This is not a monarchy; this is a republic. ” Schweitzer urged citizens to hold their legislators accountable to their constitutional responsibilities. He asserted that returning to the foundational ideas of economic and political freedom will strengthen democracy.