Press Releases

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-CA) and Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA) today announced the formation of a bipartisan Defense Business Panel.  The Chairman and Ranking Member tapped Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA) and Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA) to lead the panel.  They will examine the current defense business environment, to identify… Read more »

Today, Representative Rick Larsen released the  following statement regarding the expected vote within the United Nations on Palestinian statehood.“Finding a peaceful resolution to matters in the Middle East continues to be a complex process.  The difficulty of finding common ground lies not solely with the establishment of geographic borders, but is steeped in religion,… Read more »

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) issued this statement in response to Kimberly-Clark's announcement:"The announcement today that Kimberly-Clark has notified employees that it may shut down its facility is difficult news but not the final word."I am committed to doing what I can to protect these jobs. "I am certain that Kimberly-Clark will continue its efforts to find a buyer… Read more »

Today, U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) urged the President to include his proposal to protect the Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) program in any jobs package the White House submits to Congress. The HUBZone program helps small businesses in urban and rural communities gain preferential access to federal procurement opportunities.  Skagit County is considered a… Read more »

Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen congratulated Friday Harbor for winning a federal grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration.  Friday Harbor received $240,790 for pedestrian access safety improvements at the ferry terminal.  This grant will improve pedestrian safety and circulation, ferry loading and offloading efficiency… Read more »

U.S. Representative Rick Larsen today congratulated Nichols Brothers Boat Builders, located in Freeland, for winning a federal grant under the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) Assistance to Small Shipyards program. Nichols Brothers received $519,761 for the purchase of a 25-ton and a 40-ton mobile crane. Larsen is the Ranking Member of the Coast… Read more »

Today, U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement in support of the Budget Control Act of 2011.  “Today I voted to avert a default crisis.  The impact of default on the low-income, middle class, and seniors would have been far worse than any of the cuts that are found in this bill. “The people I represent asked me to protect Social Security… Read more »

 Today, U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), Co-Chair of the bipartisan US-China Working Group, released the following statement after former Washington state Governor and US Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke was unanimously confirmed by the US Senate for the position of the new Ambassador to China.  “I applaud the Senate for confirming Gary Locke as the new Ambassador to China.… Read more »

 U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), co-chair of the Friends of Norway Caucus in Congress, issued this statement in response to today’s terrorist attack in Oslo, Norway: “My thoughts and prayers are with all the Norwegian people, especially those injured and the families of those killed in what authorities are describing as a terrorist attack. “Just as Norway has… Read more »

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement today after President Obama certified the repeal of “Don’t ask, Don’t Tell” with the support of the Secretary of Defense and all four service chiefs. President Obama signed a certification that will end the ban on gays serving openly in the military on September 20, 2011. “We should not prohibit… Read more »