Press Releases

Today, U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) voted to repeal the 3% withholding tax on transactions between the government and private sector businesses (H.R. 674).Set to take effect on January 1, 2013, all bills paid by the federal or state government for goods and services would be subject to a 3 percent income tax withholding. Larsen, a cosponsor of H.R. 674, voted to repeal the 3% withholding… Read more »

Today, the House of Representatives is expected to pass Rep. Larsen’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Travel Cards Act of 2011 (H.R. 2042).  The bill will help level the playing field for American business men and women traveling overseas. The APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) is designed to facilitate commerce by promoting fast and efficient travel for eligible… Read more »

U.S. Representative Rick Larsen congratulated Dakota Creek Industries today for winning the contract to build the Navy’s new Auxiliary General Oceanographic Research Vessel (AGOR). “The announcement made by the Navy awarding the $74.1 million contract to Dakota Creek Industries is good news for the community of Anacortes, and more importantly, it means jobs” Larsen… Read more »

Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen congratulated Island Transit for winning a federal grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration.  Island Transit received $17.92 million to replace their current transit facility with a new main base to include a maintenance facility, bus washing and fueling facilities, and administration and… Read more »

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA – 02) released the following statement in advance of the House vote on free trade agreements for Colombia, Panama, and Korea: “After carefully reviewing the Korea, Panama and Columbia free trade agreements and hearing concerns from a wide-range of folks, I’ve decided to vote in support of all three agreements.  “In Washington State,… Read more »

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) commended the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) for voting today to initiate a study on the diversion of U.S.-bound cargo through Canadian ports.  Larsen led a letter with six other Washington state Members of Congress requesting that the FMC conduct an analysis of the impact the Harbor Maintenance Tax (HMT) and other U.S. government policies may be… Read more »

Today, U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) released a statement following the announcement that Kimberly-Clark Mills has entered into serious negotiations with Atlas Holdings LLC for the purchase of the pulp and paper mill:“The announcement that Kimberly-Clark has entered into exclusive talks with Atlas Holdings is good news for Everett and for Kimberly-Clark workers.  As… Read more »

Today, U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2587, a bill that limits the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) enforcement powers.  The bill would curb the labor board’s legal authority by prohibiting it from ordering a company to relocate its workers. Larsen voted against the bill and entered the following remarks into the Congressional Record:Mr. Speaker, I rise… Read more »

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-CA) and Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA) today announced the formation of a bipartisan Defense Business Panel.  The Chairman and Ranking Member tapped Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA) and Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA) to lead the panel.  They will examine the current defense business environment, to identify… Read more »

Today, Representative Rick Larsen released the  following statement regarding the expected vote within the United Nations on Palestinian statehood.“Finding a peaceful resolution to matters in the Middle East continues to be a complex process.  The difficulty of finding common ground lies not solely with the establishment of geographic borders, but is steeped in religion,… Read more »