Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02 cosponsored a bill today that would prevent companies from denying workers basic health care, including contraceptive coverage, based on religious beliefs. The Protect Women’s Health from Corporate Interference Act responds to the Supreme Court’s recent Burwell v. Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood v. Burwell decision. This decision exempted some… Read more »
Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, continued his efforts today to improve safety at refineries and chemical facilities following the April 2010 explosion at the Tesoro refinery in Anacortes that killed seven workers. Larsen sent a letter to President Obama asking him to take action to strengthen safety standards and culture at these facilities. The letter follows the release of a report from the… Read more »
Major upgrades to the Mukilteo Ferry Terminal, a project Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, has worked on for more than a decade, is expected to get an additional $12 million from the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC). The council’s Transportation Policy Board recommended $12 million for the project during its meeting today. Final approval for the funds will come later this year, following… Read more »
Better opportunities for job training and adult education will prepare more people to succeed in today’s economy because of a bill that Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, supported and the House of Representatives passed by a vote of 415-6. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act improves workforce development and job training programs by updating them to align with the needs of… Read more »
A veterans health care issue that an Island County service member asked Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, for help changing last year is moving forward in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
The VA announced it will update the Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) based on current medical standards, with rules set to be finalized by the fall of 2016. Larsen successfully… Read more »
Reps. Rick Larsen, WA-02, and John Garamendi, CA-03, today asked the Coast Guard to reactivate the Polar Sea icebreaker in a letter to Commandant Paul Zukunft. The U.S. currently does not have the icebreakers it needs to meet its responsibilities in the Arctic. Putting the Polar Sea back into service would better enable the U.S. to secure its national security, environmental and economic… Read more »
Today Representatives Rick Larsen, WA-02, and Don Young, AK, announced they will introduce bipartisan legislation to fight child hunger by expanding access to summer meal programs for kids.
The Summer Meals Act of 2014 works to improve communities’ ability to serve nutritious meals to kids in need by expanding eligibility requirements for federal summer meal programs, cutting down… Read more »
Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today cosponsored a bill to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank, continuing his leadership to make sure companies have access to critical financing through the bank to sell their goods overseas.
The Protect American Jobs and Exports Act of 2014 reauthorizes the bank for 7 years and raises its lending cap by $5 billion each year, to a total of $175 billion. The… Read more »
Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, continued his leadership on the Export-Import Bank today by announcing he will be an original cosponsor and leading advocate for a bill to reauthorize the bank, which is a critical tool to finance U.S. companies’ exports.
Larsen introduced and successfully advocated for passage of a bill to reauthorize and expand the Export-Import Bank in 2012.
In… Read more »
Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today voted for and the House of Representatives passed the FY2015 defense funding bill that contains provisions to strengthen the Northwest economy and improve national defense.
The bill includes full funding for a number of programs Larsen has advocated for, including the KC-46A tanker.
“Northwest Washington is home to some of the country’s… Read more »
