Press Releases

U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) congratulated Skagit Valley College for recently receiving a $110,528 federal grant from the Public Telecommunications Facilities Program. Skagit Valley College will use the funds to establish a new public radio station, KSVU on 90.1 FM, bringing local communication and educational programs to currently under-served areas in the Skagit… Read more »

U.S. Representative Rick Larsen recently sent a letter to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) asking that they extend the public comment period for their proposed rules to restrict vessel activity near orca whales.  The rules, which were proposed in July, would prohibit vessels from approaching within 200 yards of orcas at all times, outlaw parking in the path of a moving… Read more »

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill (H.R. 1593) to designate Illabot Creek in Skagit County as a component of the Wild and Scenic River System.  The House legislation, sponsored by U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02), will permanently protect the free flowing nature of this tributary of the Skagit River.  This legislation was introduced in March of this… Read more »

U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) voted today in support of the conference report on H.R. 2647, the Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, which will provide a pay raise for service members, support military families and troops in the field and make responsible investments in our national defense to keep us safe.  The legislation also included provisions to strengthen… Read more »

U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) voted today in favor of the Conference Report on H.R. 2997 - the 2010 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.  The bill included provisions that would benefit farms in Washington state’s 2nd Congressional district.  The legislation passed the House of Representatives by… Read more »

U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) secured federal dollars for the Skagit River General Investigation Study in a final funding bill passed by the House of Representatives last week. The Energy and Water appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2010 includes $359,000 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to continue the Skagit Flood Control General Investigation Study.  The final bill… Read more »

U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) applauded the recent announcement by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that Farm Power Lynden will receive nearly $3 million - $500,000 in grants and $2.4 million in loans -  to construct an anaerobic digester in Whatcom County.  The federal funds will help Farm Power Lynden create an estimated 60 jobs in the… Read more »

U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) today applauded a bipartisan compromise reached by conferees on the Fiscal Year 2010 Agriculture Appropriations bill regarding the import of poultry products from China.  The agreement would allow the imports of processed poultry or poultry products from China only after passing USDA inspection and after the Secretary of Agriculture notifies… Read more »

U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement on the Air Force’s draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for the aerial refueling tanker program.  Larsen’s congressional district is home to Boeing’s Everett plan, assembly site for the 747, 767, 777 and 787. “The procurement process for the tanker program must be a fair, open and… Read more »

  U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) voted today to make the single largest investment in aid to help students and families pay for college in history – at no cost to taxpayers. The Student Aid & Fiscal Responsibility Act (SAFRA) (HR 3221) would shift all new federal student lending to the Direct Loan program starting July 1st 2010, generating funds that will be reinvested in… Read more »