Press Releases

Larsen Votes For Trade Authority, Calls For Renewal of Worker Training Program

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Today, Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, voted for and the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to give the President authority to finalize trade agreements. Larsen backed the Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 (H.R. 2146) because trade supports jobs and a growing economy in the Second Congressional District and in Washington state. Larsen also voted last week to reauthorize a…

Larsen: Congress Can Do Better In Taking Intelligent Approach to National Security

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today called on Congress to support the vital work of the U.S. intelligence community with responsible, long-term budgeting. Larsen voted against the Fiscal Year 2016 Intelligence Authorization Act (H.R.2596), which circumvents sequester spending caps by using a war funding account that is not subject to the caps. The bill puts 40 percent more money in the war…

Larsen Calls Out Republicans For Defense Budget Chicanery

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today called on Congress to address the harmful effects of across-the-board spending caps in a responsible way. Larsen voted against the Fiscal Year 2016 Defense Department Appropriations bill (H.R.2685), which circumvents sequester spending caps for the military by transferring $38 billion in base spending to a war funding account that is not subject to the…

U.S.-China Working Group Commemorates 10-Year Anniversary

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Today, House U.S.-China Working Group co-founders Senator Mark Kirk (IL) and Representative Rick Larsen (WA), along with current co-chair Representative Charles Boustany (LA), commemorated 10 years of the Working Group’s successes educating Members of Congress and their staffs about the importance of U.S.-China relations. The U.S.-China Working Group continues to provide a forum for…

Larsen: Transportation Spending Bill Fails To Invest In Roads, Bridges, Rail Safety

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Spending Bill Also Cuts Vouchers For Veterans Experiencing Homelessness Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today announced he will not support a 2016 spending bill that severely underfunds transportation infrastructure. The FY2016 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill (H.R. 2577) fails to make needed investments in roads, bridges, highways and transit, hampering job…

Larsen Leads Bill To Reauthorize School Safety Program

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Tags: Education

Today, Reps. Rick Larsen, WA-02, Mike Coffman, CO-06, and Suzan DelBene, WA-01, introduced a bill to help pay for improved security measures in schools, such as training for staff and students, and deterrents like lighting and locks. The School Safety Act of 2015 would reauthorize the Secure Our Schools program, which provides matching grants to local, state and tribal governments to meet…

Larsen Applauds Senate Passage of USA Freedom Act

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today applauded Senate passage of the USA Freedom Act, a bill to end the government’s bulk collection of Americans’ phone record data. Larsen voted for and the House of Representatives passed the bill on May 13. The bipartisan bill (H.R. 2048) makes a number of needed reforms to government surveillance programs. Larsen has been a vocal advocate of…

Larsen Bill To Support Healthy Estuaries Passes House

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The U.S. House of Representatives today passed a bill that Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, introduced to fund estuary improvement projects in the Puget Sound region and nationwide. Larsen introduced the bipartisan bill with Rep. Frank LoBiondo, NJ-02, in February. H.R. 944 would reauthorize the National Estuary Program through 2020, funding local efforts to restore and protect sensitive…

Larsen: TPA Is Right For Pacific Northwest Economy

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Today, Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, announced his support for the 2015 Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) bill. Larsen said he intends to vote for the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 because of the critical role trade plays in creating jobs and growing the economy in the Second Congressional District and Washington state. “Over the last several…

Larsen, Reichert Introduce Bill to Help Small Businesses Overcome Exporting Hurdles

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Today, Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, and Rep. Dave Reichert, WA-08, introduced a bill to help small businesses in Washington state and across the country export their products overseas. The bipartisan State Trade and Export Promotion Utilization Program for American Small Businesses Act of 2015 would reauthorize funding for the State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) program that…