Press Releases

U.S. Representatives Fred Upton (R-MI) and Rick Larsen (D-WA) have re-introduced legislation to crack down on the bulk sale of dextromethorphan (DXM). The Dextromethorphan Distribution Act of 2007 (H.R. 970) makes it illegal to distribute unfinished DXM to a person or company not registered with the FDA and will help prevent the abuse of this drug, which has resulted in deaths across… Read more »

U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) spoke before the House Budget Committee today and urged them to disregard the President’s proposed cuts for Fiscal Year 2008 and fully fund programs to help local law enforcement combat methamphetamine. Below are Congressman Larsen’s remarks as prepared for delivery: “Thank you, Chairman Spratt.  I appreciate the… Read more »

U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) spoke on the House Floor today in favor of the Iraq resolution that expresses support for our troops and opposition to the President's proposal to escalate the war in Iraq.  Below are his remarks as prepared for delivery: “Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of a strong U.S. military, a military that is ready to combat… Read more »

   U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Congressman Rick Larsen (D-WA 2nd) today announced that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has selected Everett, WA for a new Vet Center. VA Vet Centers provide readjustment counseling and outreach services to combat veterans. The Everett Vet Center is scheduled to open in 2008. "I am pleased that the VA has recognized the needs of… Read more »

   U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA) today praised the passage of the Methamphetamine Remediation Act of 2007 by the U.S. House of Representatives: “In the process of cooking a batch of methamphetamine, hazardous chemicals seep into the interior of a home.  Often, innocent families move into former meth labs, completely unaware that their new home was once used to cook… Read more »

Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) introduced companion legislation in the House and Senate today to create the first new Wilderness area in Washington state in over twenty years. After more than five years of preparation, Murray and Larsen are hopeful that their Wild Sky legislation will become law in 2007. "We have a great tradition of preserving the… Read more »

U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement today on President Bush’s budget request for 2008: “The President’s irresponsible budget proposal raises co-pays and enrollment fees for veterans, cuts funding to combat methamphetamine, cuts funding for programs that help small businesses get off the ground and fails to balance the budget by… Read more »

   Today U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash) and Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA 2nd) announced that the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will open a new VA health clinic in Northwest Washington to serve veterans in a five county area.  The VA aims to open a community-based outpatient clinic (CBOC) in Northwest Washington within 12 months.  It will serve veterans in San… Read more »

   Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (D-WA) voted in favor of the Revised Continuing Appropriations Resolution for 2007 (H.J.Res.20) that passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 286 to 140. Larsen released the following statement: “This legislation is the next step in restoring fiscal responsibility to Congress.  Democrats pledged a new direction… Read more »

Today, in a House Transportation and Infrastructure Coast Guard and Maritime Subcommittee hearing on the Coast Guard Integrated Deepwater System (Deepwater), U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) called for answers on how the Coast Guard is going to fix procurement and oversight problems with the Deepwater program. In a report released on Monday, the Inspector General of the… Read more »