Jobs & the Economy

GAO: U.S. Can Do Better on Arctic Policy

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The U.S. needs a better strategy to coordinate and prioritize its policies related to the Arctic region, according to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) study out today that was released by Reps. Rick Larsen (WA-02), Tim Bishop (NY-01), John Garamendi (CA-03) and Senator Lisa Murkowski (AK). The GAO study focused on U.S. participation in the Arctic Council, a voluntary body started…

Larsen Statement on R&D Tax Credit Proposal

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, issued the following statement today regarding his vote against H.R. 4438, the American Research and Competitiveness Act of 2014. The Act would make the research and development tax credit permanent without providing a way to pay the expected cost of $156 billion over 10 years. “Support for innovation has long been one of my top priorities. Research and…

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 Continues Efforts to Support Small Business Exports

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, continued his push this week to expand small businesses’ ability to export by submitting a request for FY2015 funding for the State Trade Export Promotion (STEP) program. The letter, co-authored with Rep. Dave Reichert, WA-08, asked for sufficient funding for the pilot program that began in 2010. Since its inception STEP has assisted more than 400 Washington…

Larsen Welcomes EPA Move to Halt Bristol Bay Pebble Mine Proposal

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today praised the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) move to stop the proposed Pebble Mine near Alaska’s Bristol Bay. Larsen opposes development of the Pebble Mine, which would hurt Washington fishers by damaging a critical salmon fishery. “Thousands of Washington fishers and processors depend on the vibrant sockeye salmon fishery in Bristol…

Larsen: 777X Investment in Everett Will Drive Long-Term Economic Growth

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, issued the following statement following Boeing’s announcement that it will construct its 777X composite wing center in Everett. “Boeing’s investment in Everett will drive long-term economic growth, creating jobs and opportunity for people throughout Northwest Washington,” Larsen said. “Everett workers will build a plane in our little…

Larsen: Finally the House Agrees: The United States Pays Its Bills

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, issued the following statement after the House of Representatives voted to suspend the debt ceiling through March 2015. “After too many years of brinkmanship, I am relieved the House of Representatives has now embraced a simple, but important principle: The United States pays its bills. “By passing a budget and raising the debt ceiling, the House has…

Larsen on KVI: Its Time to Raise the Minimum Wage

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, made the case for raising the minimum wage in an appearance today on KVI with host John Carlson. Larsen is cosponsor of a bill to raise the federal minimum wage to $10.10 an hour. Audio of the interview is available here. “It’s pretty clear that low-wage workers are older than they were 30 years ago, they’re often the sole breadwinners in their…

Larsen: Investment in Exporting Creates Jobs At Home

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, hailed new investments in export promotion included in the Omnibus Appropriations Act that the House of Representatives passed today. “When we export our products abroad, we create jobs here at home,” Larsen said. “Investments in export promotion are paid back many times over as American businesses find new markets for their products, expand…

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…