Today, Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, and Rep. Dave Reichert, WA-08, introduced a bill to help small businesses in Washington state and across the country export their products overseas. The bipartisan State Trade and Export Promotion Utilization Program for American Small Businesses Act of 2015 would reauthorize funding for the State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) program that… Read more »

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today voted to keep funds flowing to states for job-creating transportation projects, while calling on Congress to take up a long-term surface transportation bill that would invest in repairs and upgrades to roads, bridges, highways and transit systems. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a two-month extension of the Highway Trust Fund, which is set to expire… Read more »

Students across Northwest Washington benefit from STEM education Today, Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, continued his commitment to increasing access to STEM education by calling for a hearing on his Youth Access to American Jobs Act of 2015. Larsen introduced the bill to help students succeed in manufacturing jobs, an important sector for the economy in Northwest Washington. Larsen also… Read more »

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, will hold a series of events with local businesses and organizations that export to countries worldwide during his time in Northwest Washington over the next week. Larsen also is hosting the administrator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to highlight the agency’s relationships with local businesses and the importance of trade… Read more »

Students would have better access to a STEM education pathway into manufacturing jobs because of a bill introduced today by Reps. Rick Larsen, WA-02, Jim McDermott, WA-07, and Paul Tonko, NY-20. The Youth Access to American Jobs Act of 2015 would create ten pilot pathways that engage students in STEM-related fields from their junior year in high school through community college and into… Read more »

Millions of workers in low-wage jobs would get a raise if Congress passes a bill that Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, helped introduce today. The Raise the Wage Act would raise the federal minimum wage to $12 an hour by 2020 and tie future increases to the median wage. The Act also would gradually eliminate the minimum wage for tipped workers, currently frozen at $2.13 per hour. “It is… Read more »

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today pressed leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives to allow a vote on a bill to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank. The Bank is set to expire on June 30. Larsen helped introduce a bill to reauthorize the Bank earlier this year, and today he signed a petition with other House members to force a vote on the bill. “Helping our businesses sell their… Read more »

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today voted to uphold the power of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to streamline the union organizing process. NLRB set new rules in December that are designed to update and ease organizing efforts in the private sector. However, the House of Representatives approved a resolution today to reverse these rules. Larsen voted against the resolution. “A… Read more »

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, will focus on local businesses and initiatives that are growing the local economy, as well as efforts that are creating opportunity, during his time in Northwest Washington over the next week. Larsen will tour local manufacturers to learn more about how they are growing and creating jobs, as well as what he can do to support these successful local initiatives. He… Read more »

Small distilleries will be better positioned to grow and create new jobs if Congress passes a bill introduced today by Reps. Rick Larsen, WA-02, and Steve Stivers, OH-15. The Small Distilleries Fairness Act would help small distilleries compete on a level playing field. “Innovative local businesses like our small distilleries in Washington state are working hard to make our state a… Read more »