Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, issued the following statement today after the U.S. Postal Service announced that it is moving forward with its plan to close up to 140 distribution facilities, including the Everett Area Mail Processing Facility which serves residents in Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom, Island and San Juan counties.“Outrageous. I oppose the Postal Service’s misguided… Read more »
Today, the full, bipartisan Washington state Congressional delegation urged U.S. Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley to select Fairchild Air Force Base as a home for the KC-46A aerial refueling program. Following the Air Force’s release of its basing criteria on Monday, today’s letter is the latest effort by the delegation to lay out the exceptional assets Fairchild Air… Read more »
Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today urged his colleagues to strengthen the Violence Against Women Act. The House of Representatives today voted on a Republican bill to extend the Act, which was opposed by women’s advocacy groups, religious leaders, civic organizations and the White House because it weakens certain protections of current law and fails to extend protections to LGBT and… Read more »
Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today announced new education and training opportunities for veterans, made possible through the VOW to Hire Heroes Act for which Larsen voted. The Veteran Retraining Assistance Program (VRAP), a joint initiative between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Labor, will help train 99,000 unemployed veterans between the ages of 35 and 60 for new… Read more »
Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today urged his colleagues to support legislation to enhance civil liberties and eliminate indefinite military detention. Larsen, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, called for a vote on an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act authored by Reps. Adam Smith, WA-09, and Justin Amash, MI-03.“The civil rights enshrined in our… Read more »
Votes against Republican Sequester Replacement Reconciliation ActRep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today voted to preserve food aid for low-income families and protect senior services in a budget debate today. Larsen voted against a Republican bill that seeks to eliminate automatic cuts to defense spending and replace them with greater cuts to domestic spending. The bill, which passed the House on… Read more »
Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today issued the following statement on marriage equality following President Obama’s statement that he supports same-sex marriage.“President Obama today arrived at a belief that millions of Americans, including myself, share. Marriage is a civil right that all Americans—gay or straight—should be able to enjoy,” Larsen said. “I… Read more »
Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today helped lead passage of a bill to reauthorize and expand the Export-Import Bank. Larsen introduced a bipartisan bill (HR 4302) to reauthorize the bank earlier this year, and has worked to persuade his colleagues to support reauthorization. The bank’s charter is currently set to expire on May 31. Larsen today spoke on the floor in support of HR 2072, the… Read more »
EVERETT--Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, issued the following statement after Leaders Cantor and Hoyer announced a deal to extend and expand the Export-Import Bank:"I'm encouraged to see the Republican and Democratic leaders of the House have come to an agreement to extend and expand the Export-Import Bank,"Larsen said. "The deal they reached is largely in line with the bipartisan… Read more »
Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, and Rep. Charles Boustany, LA-07, the bipartisan leaders of the U.S.-China Working Group, sent a letter in support of Chen Guangcheng and his family’s application to travel to the United States to Chinese Ambassador Zhang Yesui. The text of the letter is as follows:His Excellency Zhang YesuiAmbassador of the People’s Republic of… Read more »
