Press Releases

This week, Congressman Rick Larsen (WA-02) voted to pass three “Innovation Agenda” bills to invest in America’s small businesses and better equip our 21st century workforce to compete successfully in the global economy.  All three bills passed the House of Representatives with broad, bipartisan support. “Congress is investing today for a healthy economy… Read more »

   Congressman Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement tonight on his vote to approve the conference report on the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Health and Iraq Accountability Act (HR 1591 — H Rept 110-107): “This bill holds the president accountable for his policies in Iraq. It holds the Iraqi government accountable for the benchmarks the… Read more »

U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) will be honored tonight by Food Lifeline, Washington's largest hunger relief agency and an affiliate of America's Second Harvest, for his work to end hunger in our communities.  “It takes a lot of people working together to feed hungry people, and when you are fortunate enough to have an elected official like… Read more »

U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s investigation and hearing today into failures by the Coast Guard and its contractors to successfully retrofit 123-foot patrol boats as part of the $24 billion Deepwater Program: “Investigations by the House Transportation and Infrastructure… Read more »

U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) spoke on the House floor today in favor of his Wild Sky legislation to designate 106,577 acres of national forest in east Snohomish County as wilderness. The Wild Sky Wilderness Act of 2007 (H.R. 886) passed the House of Representatives today by a voice vote. Below are Larsen’s remarks as prepared for delivery: “I rise today in… Read more »

U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) voted today in favor of the Democratic budget for Fiscal Year 2008 (H. Con. Res. 99) which passed the House by a vote of 216 to 210. The Senate passed their budget (S. Con. Res. 21) last week and the next step is for the two bills to be reconciled in conference committee. Larsen issued the following statement today: "This budget is the… Read more »

U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) voted today in favor of the Wounded Warrior Assistance Act of 2007 (H.R.1538) which improves access to quality medical care for wounded service members at military facilities, cuts bureaucratic red tape and improves the transition of wounded service members from the Armed Forces to the Veterans Affairs system. This legislation passed the House… Read more »

   U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) voted today in favor of legislation closing the loophole in the Patriot Act that grants the Attorney General the authority to make indefinite appointments of U.S. Attorneys without Senate confirmation (H.R. 580). This bipartisan bill passed the House by a vote of 329 to 78. Similar bipartisan legislation passed the Senate last week by… Read more »

U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) issued the following statement congratulating Governor Gregoire for her leadership on a Washington state pilot project for a passport alternative: “I commend Governor Gregoire for her leadership finding long-term solutions to the challenges we face on our Northern border. The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative will have a big impact on… Read more »

U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) voted today in favor of the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Health, and Iraq Accountability Act (H.R.1591). Larsen issued the following statement:  “It’s time for a change in direction. Instead of focusing our military and diplomatic energy on fighting a sectarian civil war, the Iraq Accountability Act re-focuses our efforts… Read more »