Press Releases

U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) today urged Congress to make a strong investment in drug courts, the most effective solution for reducing crime and recidivism among non-violent drug-addicted offenders at a fraction of the cost of sending them to prison. Larsen was joined at the press conference by Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Acting-Director Edward H. Jurith,… Read more »

U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement today after attending a meeting at which Members of Congress heard an update on the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu, from Obama Administration Officials Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Rear Admiral Anne… Read more »

U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) today joined Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) to announce major, bipartisan legislation to dramatically strengthen our federal investment in ferry systems nationwide, including Washington State Ferries.  The Members of Congress were joined at the press conference by Washington State Ferries Director David Moseley who… Read more »

U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) today announced that the Obama Administration is awarding $100,000 to help complete the Skagit River General Investigation Study (GI), which is analyzing various flood control projects to protect citizens and infrastructure impacted from a 100-year flood of the Skagit River. “Every little bit helps,” Larsen said today.… Read more »

U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) delivered the following testimony today to the Highways and Transit Subcommittee regarding the major surface transportation bill the subcommittee is writing this spring. The last surface transportation bill, known as SAFETEA-LU, brought $4 billion to Washington state over five years, creating local jobs and improving public safety. “Mr.… Read more »

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) today asked Congress to provide federal funding for 2nd District priorities, selecting 51 of the 153 requests he received to pass on to the House Appropriations Committee. The earmarks Larsen asked Congress to fund reflect a range of local needs in all of the six counties he represents, including funding to invest in economic growth, local… Read more »

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) spoke on the House floor today in support of the Democratic budget resolution for the next fiscal year. Below are Larsen’s remarks as prepared for delivery. “Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to oppose the substitute budget before us and express my strong support for the resolution passed by the Budget Committee. Our budget puts President… Read more »

U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02), co-chair of the Congressional U.S.-China Working Group, released the following statement today following a meeting between President Barack Obama and President Hu Jintao of China at the G20 Financial Summit in London at which they announced points of agreement for U.S.-China engagement. “I applaud the agreement announced today by… Read more »

U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) praised the Obama Administration’s announcement today of $30 million in economic recovery funds to complete the Peace Arch construction project in Whatcom County. “President Obama’s recovery plan is putting people to work to make our common border with Canada more secure and efficient,” said Larsen, who visited the Peace… Read more »

Today the House passed bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Representatives Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Fred Upton (MI-06) to crack down on the bulk sale of dextromethorphan (DXM), an ingredient of cough syrup that taken in extremely large quantities produces a hallucinogenic high and can cause brain damage, seizures and death.  The bill passed the House today by a vote… Read more »