Larsen Statement on Supreme Courts Decision to Uphold the Affordable Care Act

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, issued the following statement today after the Supreme Court decided to uphold the Affordable Care Act.“With regards to health care, there’s no going back to 2009 or 1789,” Larsen said. “Improvements to our health care are taking root right now, and that progress will continue for Northwest Washington and the rest of America. The Supreme…

Larsen: Holder Contempt Vote is a Political Sideshow

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, issued the following statement today about the House of Representatives’ planned vote on the contempt resolution for U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.“This vote is nothing but a politically-motivated attack on the Obama administration under false pretenses,” Larsen said. “Republicans should drop their transparent politicking and let…

Larsen: Protect U.S. Maritime Jobs by Enforcing the Jones Act

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today urged Congress and the Administration to support American maritime jobs by fully enforcing the Jones Act. At a hearing of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, on which Larsen serves as the ranking Democratic member, Larsen made the case that any oil released from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve should be carried on U.S.-flagged…

Larsen Introduces Bill to Protect Green Mountain Lookout in Glacier Peak Wilderness

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today introduced legislation to save the Green Mountain Forest Fire Lookout in the Glacier Peak Wilderness. “The Green Mountain Lookout adds to the Glacier Peak Wilderness,” Larsen said. “The lookout is an integral part of Glacier Peak Wilderness, important for both recreation and the region’s history. The message of this bill is simple:…

Larsen: Supreme Court Decision Gives More Urgency to Effort to Overturn Citizens United

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, released the following statement today following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to reject the state of Montana’s campaign contribution spending restrictions.“The Supreme Court today compounded the problem it created with its Citizens United decision by preventing states from making their own decisions about how to finance their own elections.…

Larsen Statement on Supreme Courts Decision on Arizona Immigration Law

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, issued the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down major portions of Arizona’s controversial immigration law (SB 1070).“The Supreme Court today reaffirmed the Constitutional authority of the federal government to write and enforce immigration laws. One country cannot have 50 different sets of immigration laws. Federal law must be…

Larsen Legislation Would Provide Permanent Protection to Samish Land in Skagit & San Juan Counties

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, has introduced legislation that will provide permanent protection to more than 95 acres of Samish Tribal lands in Skagit and San Juan counties. The Samish Indian Nation Homelands Act of 2012 (H.R. 5992) would put the land, currently owned by the Samish Tribe, into federal trust for the tribe. “This bill will help the Samish continue to build a solid…

Larsen Announces $2.5 Million Grant to Help Unemployed Lummi Nation Fishermen Find Jobs

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today announced more than $2.5 million in funding to help laid-off Lummi Nation fishing industry workers get jobs. The Department of Labor National Emergency Grant will provide training and employment services for 443 eligible workers who were laid off because of weakness in the sockeye salmon industry.“This grant will help hundreds of Lummi Nation fisherman…

Larsen Applauds Decision to Stop Deportations of Young Immigrants Who Want to Contribute to Americas Success

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, issued the following statement after the Department of Homeland Security announced it will stop deporting some young illegal immigrants who were brought to the United States as children and who have completed high school or served in the military. Larsen is a cosponsor of the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, which would provide a…

Larsen Praises $3 Million in Federal Support for Public Safety, Housing and Other Vital Services in Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom Counties

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today praised the announcement of more than $3 million of federal funds for public safety, housing and other vital services in Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom counties. The funds, through the Department of Interior’s Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program, are used to compensate for losses in property taxes due to nontaxable federal lands in the…