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…

Larsen Statement on Machinists Vote to Reject Contract Extension Offer

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, issued the following statement after the International Association of Machinists District 751 voted to reject the contract extension offer from Boeing. “I believe Washington is still the best place to build the 777X, but the hill just got steeper,” Larsen said. “We now need to be prepared for an intense competition with other states and countries…

Larsen Supports Measure to Increase Benefits for Veterans

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Tags: Veterans

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today supported a bill to give a 1.5 percent increase in veterans benefits. The cost-of-living increase matches the projected 2014 increase in Social Security payments. “We can honor our veterans year-round, not just on Veterans Day, by making sure they receive the benefits they have earned,” Larsen said. “Many veterans in Northwest Washington…