Larsen Introduces Bill to Protect Bereaved Student Borrowers

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Tags: Education

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today introduced a bill to protect private student loan borrowers from “auto-defaults” when a loan cosigner, often a parent or grandparent, dies or files for bankruptcy. In its April 2014 “mid-year update on student loan complaints,” the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau identified significant issues facing private student loan…

Larsen: Budget Should Reflect Shared Value of Opportunity for All

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, released the following statement today after voting against the Republican budget. “Our country’s budget should reflect our shared value of opportunity for all. This value is nowhere to be found in the Republican spending plan. Rather than a blueprint for economic growth, the Republican budget would jeopardize health care for seniors, bankrupt…

Larsen Commends WWU on its Top Peace Corps Distinction

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Tags: Education

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today commended Western Washington University (WWU) for coming in as the leading college in its class as a source of Peace Corps volunteers. With 65 volunteers, WWU is for the second year in the row the top producer of Peace Corps volunteers among medium-sized colleges. “This distinction reinforces what we already know about Western,” Larsen said.…

Larsen Votes for Job-Creating Investments in Annual Government Funding Bill

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today voted to approve a government funding bill that includes several job-creating investments for which he has long advocated. The Omnibus Appropriations Act provides funding for all federal agencies through September 2014, in line with a bipartisan budget agreement that Congress passed last month. “My top priority in Congress is to invest in the…

Larsen Praises Legislatures Quick Action to Secure 777X, Invest in Workforce

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, issued the following statement today after Gov. Jay Inslee signed legislation that invests in workforce development and extends airplane manufacturing tax incentives. Inslee sought the measures as part of the effort to secure the Boeing 777X production in Washington state. “Washington is the aerospace capital of the world, and we need to work together to…

Larsen Votes to Extend Vital Schools, Transportation, and Public Safety Funds for Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish Counties

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today voted to approve funding for the Secure Rural Schools program that provides critical support for schools, transportation infrastructure and public safety in Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish counties. The Secure Rural Schools program compensates counties for their lost ability to develop or use federally managed lands. “Secure Rural Schools funding keeps…

Larsen Votes for Bipartisan Student Loan Fix

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today voted for a bipartisan compromise on student loan interest rates that will cut interest rates for students on federal loans in college and graduate school. Interest rates for undergraduate loans doubled on July 1. “America needs to be telling its young people that we will invest in them,” Larsen said. “This bipartisan compromise stops the…

Larsen, Young Put Forward Bipartisan VET Act to Help Veterans Use Their GI Bill Benefits

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Student veterans and their families will be able to better use their GI Bill educational benefits under the bipartisan Veterans Education Transparency (VET) Act introduced today by Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., and Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska. The VET Act will allow colleges to access information about veterans’ educational benefits so they can provide better counseling to…

Larsen, DelBene Announce $4.4 Million in Federal Money for Police, Firefighters and Schools in Northwest Washington

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, and Rep. Suzan DelBene, WA-01, today announced that counties in Northwest Washington will receive $4,373,452 in federal funds to support rural police, firefighters and schools. The Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) funding compensates county governments for nontaxable federal lands. “These dollars go directly into our classrooms and police and fire…

Larsen Leads Bipartisan Legislation to Help Students in Schools Serving Military Bases and Indian Tribes

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, is the lead cosponsor of a bipartisan bill introduced today that will provide critical funding to schools that serve military families and Indian tribes. The Local Taxpayer Relief Act of 2013, which Larsen cosponsored with Rep. Kristi Noem, a Republican from South Dakota, continues funding for Impact Aid, which provides payments to school districts that serve…