In October, representatives from NATO member countries, including the United States, gathered in Copenhagen, Denmark, for the 69th annual session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. The primary focus of this year’s session was NATO allies’ and partners’ unwavering support for Ukraine. As a member of the Assembly’s Defence and Security Committee, I presented my second report on Ukraine’s ongoing fi... Read More »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), the lead Democrat on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, announced the introduction of a bipartisan bill to improve pipeline safety in the Pacific Northwest and across the United States. The bipartisan Promoting Innovation in Pipeline Efficiency and Safety (PIPES) Act of 2023 reauthorizes the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Adm... Read More »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded $4.8 million to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to refurbish aging passenger spaces on six Issaquah-class ferries. The funding comes from FTA’s Urbanized Area Passenger Ferry grant program, which was reauthorized in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. WSDOT plans to use the federal funding to help address ... Read More »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Monday, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed H.R. 786, bipartisan legislation introduced by Representatives Rick Larsen (WA-02), Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Tony Gonzales (TX-23) that would add Mount Vernon as a court location in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington by voice vote. This change would make it easier for Skagit, Snohomish a... Read More »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the below statement in response to House Republicans’ extreme health spending bill (H.R. 5894), which includes several anti-choice provisions: “MAGA Republicans are more concerned about restricting reproductive health care than protecting families,” said Larsen. “Instead of working toward a harmful national abortion ban, Congress must protect an... Read More »
During the month of November, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) will host a series of five in-person Veterans Forums and one Veterans Telephone Town Hall. The forums and telephone town hall are opportunities for veterans to receive updates on legislation benefiting them and their families and to get answers to questions about the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), health care, job training, housing and m... Read More »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) recently joined the bipartisan Rural Health Caucus to improve understanding and coordinate policies that address rural health issues in Northwest Washington. The Rural Health Caucus, which relaunched on September 20, is led by Reps. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN) and Jill Tokuda (D-HI). “Ensuring access to high quality, affordable health care is essential for ... Read More »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced it is awarding $1.08 billion in formula funding to the Washington State Department of Transportation to build and repair highways, bridges and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure statewide. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) applauded the announcement and what it means for Northwest Washington. “Thanks to the Biparti... Read More »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) introduced the Protecting America from Seasonal and Pandemic Influenza Act (“The Influenza Act”) to bolster the federal response to seasonal and pandemic influenza. Reps. Deborah Ross (NC-02), Ami Bera (CA-07), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), Ritchie Torres (NY- 15) and Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.-At-Large) signed on as orig... Read More »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), the lead Democrat on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, delivered the below statement during a hearing with U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg on oversight of DOT’s policies and programs, including ongoing implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. For video of Larsen’s opening statement, click ... Read More »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the first 10 prescription drugs covered under Medicare Part D selected for price negotiation. In August 2022, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) supported the Inflation Reduction Act, which, for the first time, authorizes HHS to directly negotiate the price of prescription drugs with participating drug companies. ... Read More »
EVERETT, WA – Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) led seven members of the Washington congressional delegation calling for the State to provide answers about its long-term plan to reduce critical Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) funding for regional drug task forces that help local communities fight the opioid epidemic. In a bipartisan letter to Governor Jay Inslee, the lawmakers emphasized the imp... Read More »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) released an updated China White Paper outlining a comprehensive China strategy to boost U.S. competitiveness and enhance American global leadership. “Congress and Biden administration must continue to think more broadly about its China agenda,” said Larsen, a co-founder and co-chair of the bipartisan U.S. China Working Group. “Instead of thinking ... Read More »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the below statement after voting “no” on the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act: “I voted ‘no’ because this bill reflects an extreme GOP shift to take reproductive health care away from women who serve and want to serve in uniform,” said Larsen, who served for 22 years on the Armed Services Committee. “It is my hope the f... Read More »
MUKILTEO, WA – On Thursday, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), the lead Democrat on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, welcomed U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg to Northwest Washington to highlight how Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding is helping to build a cleaner and greener ferry system in Washington state. Larsen and Buttigieg joined Governor Jay Inslee, Senator Pat... Read More »
