Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, released the following statement today after negotiators from 12 countries, including the U.S., announced they had reached a final agreement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement. “Today negotiators from the U.S. and 11 other countries announced they have reached a comprehensive and ambitious agreement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). While… Read more »

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today voted against a bill that busts defense spending caps by more than $38 billion, giving the Department of Defense (DOD) a temporary free pass on spending while continuing with harmful cuts to domestic priorities like infrastructure and education. The conference report for the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed the House by a… Read more »

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today issued the following statement after he voted for and the U.S. House of Representatives passed a 10-week spending bill to keep the federal government open through December 11. The federal government’s fiscal year ends today at midnight.  “While it is good news for the American people that the government will be open for business… Read more »

Veterans who rely on transportation through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to reach their health care appointments no longer have to fear losing their rides at the end of the year, Reps. Rick Larsen, WA-02, and Mac Thornberry, TX-13, said today. The House passed a bill that contained a provision championed by Larsen and Thornberry to extend the Veterans Transportation Service… Read more »

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, the lead Democrat on the Aviation Subcommittee, delivered a speech on the House floor today about a six-month extension of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Larsen lauded the many bipartisan achievements the Subcommittee has agreed on for a long-term FAA extension thus far, while lamenting that an unnecessary proposal to privatize air traffic control is… Read more »

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today praised the joint announcement from President Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping to expand the efforts of both countries to limit greenhouse gas emissions. Larsen has pointed to the two countries’ joint efforts to combat climate change as a critical precursor to a successful U.N. climate agreement in Paris in December. During Xi’s first… Read more »

Larsen’s call to action comes as Pope Francis addresses Congress The United States has the capacity to take in more Syrian refugees, and it should play a leadership role in helping alleviate the global refugee crisis, Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, said today. Larsen’s call to action comes as Pope Francis addressed Congress and included a message about the need for people around the… Read more »

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today applauded federal grants for two Pacific Northwest organizations in support of their work to prevent homelessness among veterans. Catholic Community Services of Western Washington received $776,000 and the Opportunity Council received $704,000 through the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program. Both… Read more »

Larsen family story exposes lies that Planned Parenthood opponents continue to spread despite the facts. Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today voted against a bill that would defund Planned Parenthood, a move that would take away preventive health care for millions of women and men across the country. Larsen shared his family’s story about the way Planned Parenthood helped them, and he… Read more »

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today announced $887,000 in federal funding for the Skagit Regional Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investment will fund safety upgrades for the airport’s runway. “We cannot have a big league economy with little league infrastructure,” Larsen said. “As a hub for business and general aviation, Skagit Regional Airport is a… Read more »