Press Releases

A provision secured by U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) to return the waterfront portion of the Whatcom Creek Waterway from federal to local control – an essential step in the City of Bellingham’s Waterfront Redevelopment Project – passed the House late last night over the… Read more »

{Late last night, The House passed a House-Senate agreement on health, education, labor and veterans funding which includes appropriations for Skagit and Whatcom counties secured by U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02). The bill passed the House last night by a vote of 269 to 142.  The Senate is scheduled to consider the bill today, and the President has threatened a veto. To… Read more »

Earlier today, international news agencies reported U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates is expected to announce a formal agreement to establish a military hotline, or Defense Telephone Link, between the U.S. and China during his visit this week to the People’s Republic of China. In response, U.S. Reps. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) and Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), the co-chairs of the… Read more »

U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) has called for a hearing in the House Homeland Security Committee on problems with the NEXUS program that have made efficient cross-border travel difficult for many of his constituents in Northwest Washington. The NEXUS program allows pre-screened, low-risk travelers to be processed more rapidly at the U.S.-Canadian border. In letters… Read more »

U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement on the announcement today by Whidbey-Island based Nichols Brothers Boat Builders, Inc. that they are ending operations at their Freeland and Langley facilities: “This announcement is a great surprise.  Matt and all the workers have consistently developed quality boats that are used all over the… Read more »

At a ceremony at the Pentagon today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) congratulated First Lieutenant Walter B. Jackson of Oak Harbor, Washington on receiving the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in combat operations in Iraq.  “I thank First Lieutenant Jackson for his extraordinary service to his comrade and his country,” said Larsen.… Read more »

U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) voted today with a majority of his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to pass the bipartisan Trade and Globalization Act of 2007 (H.R. 3920), legislation to update and expand the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program to include more American workers and improve training opportunities and health care benefits for those who lose… Read more »

Washington, D.C. — Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass significantly revised children’s health care legislation that fulfills the goal of providing health care coverage to 10 million American children -- including thousands in Northwest Washington – and responds to concerns about an earlier version of the bill vetoed by the President.  … Read more »

U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) joined a bipartisan majority in the U.S. House of Representatives to pass legislation to help prevent suicide and ensure that every veteran gets the care they need.  The Joshua Omvig Suicide Prevention Act (H.R. 327) directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to create a comprehensive program to address the growing rate of suicide among… Read more »

Washington, D.C. — As the U.S. House of Representatives prepares to vote on an override of President Bush’s veto of legislation to preserve health care coverage for millions of children currently insured by the Children’s Health Insurance Program and extend coverage to millions more who are currently uninsured, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen released the… Read more »