One hundred years ago this week, President Woodrow Wilson signed the Merchant Marine Act into law. Named for the primary sponsor, Senator Wesley Jones from my home state of Washington, the Jones Act, as it is more commonly known, sustains and protects a strong domestic maritime and shipbuilding industry. The Jones Act requires the use of American-owned and operated vessels to move all waterborne c... Read More »
EVERETT, WA – Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after the Navy announced it will temporarily homeport the crew of the USS Cape St. George, a Ticonderoga-class cruiser, at Naval Station Everett (NSE): “I look forward to welcoming the USS Cape St. George, her sailors and their families to Everett,” said Larsen. “Everett ... Read More »
EVERETT, WA – Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), Chair of the House Aviation Subcommittee, released the below statement in response to Boeing’s decision to lay off nearly 10,000 employees in Washington state and more than 12,000 employees nationwide: “Boeing’s decision to lay off nearly 10,000 dedicated, highly-skilled women and men in Washington state is difficult news for the workers and communities I re... Read More »
EVERETT, WA - Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) will host a live telephone town hall to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic with Second District residents. Larsen and Washington State Employment Security Department staff will hear residents’ concerns and answer questions about benefits available to Washingtonians suffering from the virus’ impacts. Last month, Larsen hosted a COVID-19 telephone town hall w... Read More »
As islanders continue social distancing to help slow the spread of COVID-19, you are probably wondering how to help your community from home. One easy, impactful way to help? Fill out and return your 2020 Census. By now, Washingtonians should have received an invitation to participate in the Census. Article 1, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution mandates a Census counting everyone who lives in the ... Read More »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) voted for critical emergency COVID-19 relief funding for Washington state’s small businesses, hospitals and testing. The bipartisan Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 388-5. “I understand the impact COVID-19 and essential social distancing measures continue to have on Washin... Read More »
EVERETT, WA – Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), chair of the House Aviation Subcommittee, released the below statement after Boeing announced the restart of limited Puget Sound production operations for 737, 747, 767 and 777 aircraft. “It is encouraging that Boeing announced it will restart limited production operations in the Puget Sound region while taking precautions to keep its workforce safe a... Read More »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced Washington state airports will receive more than $310 million in critical COVID-19 relief funding provided under the CARES Act. The CARES Act, which the president signed into law on March 27, included $10 billion in federal grants to support commercial and general aviation airports across the United States. “Aviation m... Read More »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) honored Washingtonians on the front lines in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this week, Larsen submitted four statements to the Congressional Record thanking Washington state’s public health workers, first responders, grocery workers and educators for their continued service to keep residents healthy and safe and meet communities’ needs ... Read More »
EVERETT, WA - On Tuesday, April 7, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) will host a live telephone town hall to discuss the COVID-19 outbreak with Second District residents. Suzan “Suzi” LeVine, Commissioner of the Washington Employment Security Department, and Duane Fladland, Director of the Washington Small Business Development Center, will join Larsen to hear residents’ concerns and help answer questions ... Read More »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) voted for critical emergency relief for Washington state’s workers, families and small businesses suffering from the impacts of COVID-19. The bipartisan Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security, or CARES Act passed the House of Representatives by voice vote. The president signed the bill into law this afternoon. “I understand the impact COVI... Read More »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Rep. Mike Quigley (IL-05) urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to overturn the FDA’s outdated and discriminatory guidance on blood donation by men who have sex with men. In a letter to FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn, Larsen and Quigley outlined the critical need for blood donations from all healthy donors, regardless of sexual orientation.... Read More »
EVERETT, WA - Today, President Donald Trump approved a major disaster declaration for Washington state, enabling Washington residents and communities to access critical federal relief from COVID-19. In a letter Friday, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Washington’s congressional delegation joined Governor Jay Inslee to urge President Trump to declare a major disaster for the state. “A major disaster de... Read More »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced it is offering low-interest federal disaster loans to Washington state’s small businesses suffering economic injury as a result of COVID-19. SBA assistance is available to small businesses in 32 counties in Washington, including Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom, Island and San Juan counties in the Second Congressional Distr... Read More »
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night PST, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) voted to boost the federal government’s response to COVID-19 and deliver relief for families suffering disruption from the virus’ outbreak. The bipartisan Families First Coronavirus Act passed the House by a vote of 363 to 40. “My top priority is the health and well-being of all Washingtonians. This bipartisan bill helps to mitigate the e... Read More »
