Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, successfully attached several key provisions to a defense bill the House of Representatives passed today. Larsen’s provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2014 will support the Northwest economy and improve the national defense. Larsen is a member of the House Armed Services Committee which wrote the bill. “This defense bill meets the needs of our sailors a... Read more »
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 departments, providing ru... Read more »
OLYMPIA – The legislative budget stalemate has led Gov. Jay Inslee to cancel his participation in an upcoming aerospace trade mission. Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, will lead the state's delegation in the governor's place. The governor was due to leave Friday to lead a delegation of 52 aerospace executives, educators and economic development professionals to the 50th International Paris Air Show. There... Read more »
Murray, Cantwell, Larsen, DelBene applaud USDOT emergency funding to support an I-5 Bridge replacement Today, members of the Washington delegation announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) will make available $15.6 million in emergency funds to support repairs to the I-5 Skagit River Bridge. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Patty Murray (D-WA), and U.S. Representatives Rick Larse... Read more »
Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, and Rep. Dave Reichert, WA-08, today introduced a bill to help small businesses in Washington state, and across the country, export their products overseas. The bipartisan Next STEP Act of 2013 would permanently authorize the State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) program, which helps small businesses trying to overcome hurdles to exporting. “When our small businesses exp... Read more »
Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today urged President Obama to prevent the development of mining projects in Bristol Bay, Alaska, that would threaten the Washington state fishing industry. “I urge you to prevent development of any mining project that would have detrimental impacts on the jobs the Alaska fishing industry provides to small businesses in my district in Northwest Washington state and through... Read more »
Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, issued the following statement today opposing an amendment that would cut worker pay on federally-funded public works projects. Larsen will vote against the amendment that undermines the Davis-Bacon Act requirement that federal contractors pay local prevailing wages. “Workers in Northwest Washington deserve to be paid fair wages,” Larsen said. “I will oppose this effort to... Read more »
Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today announced a $303,827 federal grant for Everett Community College to help students pursue training in aerospace and advanced manufacturing. The National Science Foundation grant will support the college’s Aerospace and Advanced Manufacturing program. “Aerospace manufacturing is a real bright spot in the Pacific Northwest’s economy, providing thousands of good, high-pa... Read more »
Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today introduced a jobs bill that will help small- and medium-sized businesses grow by equipping them with tools to compete for federal, state and local government contracts. Larsen’s bill would lower costs and increase funding for Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs) which help businesses meet requirements for government contracts. “My top priority is to inves... Read more »
Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, and Rep. Suzan DelBene, WA-01, today highlighted new economic data showing jobs progress in Northwest Washington and called for Congressional action to accelerate the jobs recovery. The latest unemployment numbers for April 2013 show unemployment at the lowest rates for the same month in the last four years in Island, King, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom counties.... Read more »
