As chair of the House Aviation Subcommittee, I recognize that aviation and aerospace mean well-paying jobs in the Pacific Northwest and across the U.S. More than 130,000 women and men are employed by over 1,300 aerospace-related companies in my home state of Washington. But, as the world celebrates the 51st Earth Day, I also recognize aviation’s contributions to climate change. The aviation and aerospace industry are responsible for 9 percent of carbon emissions in U.S. transportation, and up to 3 percent of total emissions globally. Clearly, Congress and the industry must act to reduce the sector’s environmental footprint. Read more »

Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Chair of the Subcommittee on Aviation Rick Larsen (D-WA) led 15 of their colleagues on introduction of the Healthy Flights Act of 2021. This legislation would issue a set of commonsense, uniform requirements during pandemics to help keep passengers and airline and airport workers healthy by minimizing transmission of viruses through our aviation system. In addition, the Healthy Flights Act would help prepare U.S. aviation stakeholders for future pandemics and epidemics through the development of a national preparedness plan to define the aviation system’s response to outbreaks and by advancing scientific research Read more »

Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has begun accepting applications for funeral assistance for Washingtonians who have lost loved ones to COVID-19. Larsen helped pass the funeral assistance program as part of the American Rescue Plan, comprehensive pandemic relief legislation President Biden signed into law last month. Read more »

Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) released a comprehensive report highlighting local transportation infrastructure needs in Washington’s Second Congressional District and calling for aggressive and progressive federal investment in the nation’s transportation network. A senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Larsen released the report in advance of Thursday’s full Committee hearing with DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Read more »

Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) voted for two commonsense, bipartisan bills to secure permanent protections and a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, including Dreamers and guestworkers. More than 16,000 Dreamers call Washington state home and contribute over $1 billion annually to the state’s economy. Read more »

The American Rescue Plan includes bipartisan language Larsen championed that will save aviation and aerospace jobs in Washington state and across the country. The provision helps cover pay and benefits for aerospace supply chain employees at risk of being furloughed or who were furloughed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more »

Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) voted for a pair of commonsense, bipartisan bills to require universal background checks for all commercial sales with limited exceptions and close the Charleston Loophole. Read more »

Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) voted to deliver further relief to Washingtonians struggling with the economic and public health impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The final version of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 passed the House of Representatives by a final vote of 220 to 211. Read more »

Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) voted for critical legislation to protect workers’ right to organize, hold employers accountable for violating workers’ rights and secure free and fair union elections – the most serious upgrade to workers’ collective bargaining rights since the 1930s. Read more »

Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) is inviting high school-aged students who live or attend school in Washington state’s Second Congressional District to showcase their artistic talents in the 2021 Congressional Art Competition. Art submissions and forms are due to Larsen’s office by Friday, April 30 at 4:00 p.m. PDT. Read more »