Rick's Legislation

One of the most important aspects of Congress is developing, making and monitoring laws. New laws are created every week. As a Member of Congress, I am trying to be actively involved in sponsoring and drafting legislation about issues that are important to Northwest Washington.

Please contact my office to share your thoughts on current legislation that may affect you, your family and your community.

Here are quick links to:



Full list of my bills during the 115th Congress:

H.R.302 — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2018: This long-term bipartisan agreement will raise the bar on aviation safety, improve the experience for the traveling public, better prepare and diversify the aviation workforce, increase the global competitiveness of domestic aerospace manufacturers and pave the way for advanced drone operations in U.S. airspace.

S.3021 — The America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018: Washington state’s maritime industry contributes more than $21 billion in gross business income and directly employs more than 69,500 people. This comprehensive water resources and infrastructure bill makes robust investments in the nation’s ports, channels, waterways and other critical infrastructure to keep the U.S. maritime system competitive. It also includes my provision to significantly increase federal funding for the Puget Sound and Adjacent Waters Restoration program (PSAW).

H.R.966 — TIGER CUBS Act: In Washington state, transportation means jobs. Every $1 billion we invest in projects to improve our highways and roads creates more than 13,000 jobs in our communities. This bill would set aside 20 percent of special transportation infrastructure funding specifically for smaller cities like Oak Harbor, Anacortes and Mountlake Terrace.

H.R.1050 — Youth Access to American Jobs Act of 2017: With technology changing rapidly, we need to prepare students for high-demand jobs in high-growth manufacturing fields. This bill creates a 2-2-2 STEM apprenticeship pilot program, taking students from their junior year in high school through community college and into an apprenticeship, with a focus on manufacturing.

H.R. 5968 — Online Job Training Act of 2018: U.S. workers are no longer competing with folks from down the street, but with people around the world to develop and produce the best products and services at the best value. This bill complements existing workforce training options and will allow folks who may otherwise not have the opportunity to access in person training resources to re enter the workforce.

H.R.2854 — America Votes Act of 2017: State legislatures across the country continue to pass restrictive voting laws that disenfranchise citizens, including voter ID laws. This bill allows eligible voters who do not have identification documents required by their state to sign a sworn statement attesting to their identity, like we do in Washington state, to cast a standard ballot at the polls. This legislation does not preempt any other federal law on voting.

H.R.203 — Summer Meals Act of 2017: Making sure kids get regular, nutritious meals year-round is critical to their health and their ability to learn. This bill would provide children with year-round access to nutritious meals by expanding the eligibility requirements for federal summer meal programs, reducing red tape for local organizations, and making meals and snacks more readily available during weekends and after school hours. It would also support transportation needs in rural areas where access to summer meal programs is often more difficult.

H.R.2291 — Rural Veterans Travel Enhancement Act of 2017: Veterans need and deserve accessible medical care, no matter where they live. This bill reauthorizes a Department of Veterans Affairs program to drive veterans to medical appointments if they lack the ability to transport themselves.

H.R.1681 — Women Veterans and Families Health Services Act of 2017: Severely injured veterans have already sacrificed in service to our nation. They should not have to sacrifice their dreams of having a family. This bill will end the VA’s ban on in vitro fertilization, provide adoption assistance for severely injured veterans, facilitate reproduction and infertility research, expand child care programs, and expand the VA’s outreach to women veterans.

H.R.2320 — Samish Indian Nation Land Conveyance Act of 2017: The Samish Indian Nation has an important role in Skagit and San Juan counties, with about 1,500 member. The Samish Indian Nation Land Conveyance Act of 2015 would permanently put land owned by the Tribe into a federal trust, preserving their traditional way of life.

H.R.1636 — School Safety Act of 2017: The tragic shooting at Marysville-Pilchuck High School and similar incidents across the country have showcased the importance of preparedness for emergencies. This bill would reauthorize a school safety matching grant that funds physical deterrents, security assessments, security training and coordination with local law enforcement.

H.R. 793 — Ensuring Sound Military and Intelligence Advice Act of 2017: This bill requires the President to designate the Director of National Intelligence and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as regular attendees of the meetings of the National Security Council, if any individual whose responsibilities are primarily political is designated as a regular attendee of such meetings.

H.R. 3550 — Signing is Language Act: This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to include the definition of “English learner” as an individual whose native language is American Sign Language and to include these individuals in the number of English learners in a state to determine the amount of federal funds allotted to a state for English language programs.