Press Releases

Federal Delegation to Boeing: Washington is the Best Place for the 777X

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Citing “miles wide and miles deep” support for aerospace manufacturing, Washington’s federal delegation today made their case in a letter to The Boeing Company to base 777X production in Washington state. The state’s delegation of two senators and 10 representatives told Boeing that when it comes to aerospace, “no state’s federal delegation can compare…

Larsen: Columbia River Treaty Should Be Renewed, Protect Northwest Washington Electricity Consumers

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, told a Congressional committee today that the renewal of the Columbia River Treaty should benefit Northwest Washington residents. In statement submitted to the House Natural Resources Committee for their field hearing on the treaty in Pasco, Larsen wrote, “The Columbia River does not reach my district, but it has far-reaching effects on my constituents. It…

Larsen Reiterates Call for Kenneth Baes Release from North Korea

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, issued the following statement following the news that North Korea released Merrill Newman, one of two American citizens it was detaining. The second, Lynnwood-resident Kenneth Bae, has been held in the country for more than a year. “I share in the happiness of Mr. Newman’s family over North Korea’s decision to release him,” Larsen said.…

Larsen Votes to Protect Small Businesses Job-Creating Innovation

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today voted to pass the Innovation Act, a bill that would crack down on entities that abuse the patent system to make money from other people’s innovations. These patent assertion entities—often referred to as patent trolls—cost American businesses an estimated $29 billion a year. “Small businesses are a key engine of job growth and…

Northwest Washington Residents Call Affordable Care Act a Life Saver, Share Their Stories of Getting Covered

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Calling it “a life saver,” residents across Northwest Washington are finding quality affordable health care coverage through the Affordable Care Act. With more than 175,000 people already signed up for new coverage through Washington Healthplanfinder, many residents are finding they qualify for quality health care for the first time in years. Constituents have sent messages to…

Seattle Times Op-Ed: U.S. will lose race across the Arctic Sea without more icebreakers

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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…

LoBiondo, Larsen Applaud Committee Passage of Their Sleep Apnea Legislation to Ensure Safety of the Skies

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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…

A Message from Rick: Getting Covered in Northwest Washington

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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…

Larsen Thanks Locke for Service as Ambassador to China

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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…

Larsen: Time to Move Forward, Not Backward, on Health Care Reform

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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…