By Rick Larsen THERE’S a race across the Arctic, and the United States is losing. A half-century after racing the Russians to the moon, the U.S. is barely suiting up in the international race to secure interests in the Arctic. Russia, Canada and other nations are investing heavily. We are behind and falling further back. A lot of people in Washington, D.C., still think about the… Read more »

Lawmakers Seek to Ensure FAA Conducts Open Rulemaking Process, Not Arbitrary Dictation of New Standards for Pilots Affected by Sleep Disorders House Subcommittee on Aviation Chairman Frank LoBiondo (NJ-02) and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (WA-02) today applauded committee passage of their bipartisan legislation (H.R. 3578) to ensure the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) conducts an open… Read more »

Hi, I’m Congressman Rick Larsen. Here in Congress, a lot of folks still want to stop the Affordable Care Act. Republicans tell us that because a website isn’t working, the law never will. Republicans tell us that this law will cost billions, when the nonpartisan scorekeepers tell us that simply isn’t true. Republicans tell us this law is so distasteful that they would… Read more »

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, issued the following statement following Gary Locke’s announcement that he will step down as ambassador to China in 2014. “Gary has served our state and nation with resolve for three decades,” Larsen said. “As ambassador, commerce secretary and governor, Gary opened new markets for Washington businesses and helped our economy… Read more »

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, issued the following statement today after voting against legislation that would allow cancelled health insurance plans to be sold through 2014. “Washington state’s early success in implementing the Affordable Care Act is a model for the rest of the country. More than 77,000 people have already enrolled in quality health care coverage, making… Read more »

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, issued the following statement after the International Association of Machinists District 751 voted to reject the contract extension offer from Boeing. “I believe Washington is still the best place to build the 777X, but the hill just got steeper,” Larsen said. “We now need to be prepared for an intense competition with other states and countries… Read more »

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today supported a bill to give a 1.5 percent increase in veterans benefits. The cost-of-living increase matches the projected 2014 increase in Social Security payments. “We can honor our veterans year-round, not just on Veterans Day, by making sure they receive the benefits they have earned,” Larsen said. “Many veterans in Northwest Washington… Read more »

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, issued the following statement today after Gov. Jay Inslee signed legislation that invests in workforce development and extends airplane manufacturing tax incentives. Inslee sought the measures as part of the effort to secure the Boeing 777X production in Washington state. “Washington is the aerospace capital of the world, and we need to work together to… Read more »

Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers Warns the Energy Department that Decisions Affecting Northwest Energy Supplies Must be Made in the Northwest Every lawmaker representing Oregon, Washington and Idaho urged the U.S. Energy Department to maintain an independent Bonneville Power Administration that puts Northwest power users first, in a bipartisan letter to Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz sent… Read more »

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, issued the following statement regarding the negotiations between Boeing, the International Association of Machinists and Washington state to bring production of the 777X and the 777X wing to Washington. “The proposal to bring the 777X to Washington is a recognition that our aerospace workers are the best in the world,” Larsen said. “This deal… Read more »