Jobs & the Economy

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: Congress Must Do More Than Just Keep the Lights On, But We Should At Least Do That

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, issued the following statement today after voting against a Republican bill that would fully defund the Affordable Care Act and keep damaging across-the-board spending cuts known as sequestration in place. “This bill sends a dangerous message, telling Americans that unless they agree to bring back discriminatory health insurance, higher drug costs for…

Larsen Announces $2.75 Million Grant to Train Nurses in Northwest Washington

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A Bellingham nurse training program will receive $2.75 million in federal funds to expand nursing education for students across Northwest Washington, Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, said today. Bellingham Technical College will receive the funds from the U.S. Department of Labor and Department of Education. “My top priority is to invest in the foundation of long-term economic growth that…

Larsen Statement on Permanent Repair of I-5 Bridge

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, issued the following statement today following the installation of the permanent replacement span on the Skagit River Bridge. “Gov. Inslee's team led a terrific response that involved quick work on the local, state and federal levels. This repair is a sterling example of how government should work, and will serve as a model for communities around the…

Larsen Announces Major Federal Investments in Snohomish County Airports

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today announced nearly $2 million in total federal grants for Arlington Municipal Airport and Paine Field. The Federal Aviation Administration grants will fund safety and facility upgrades at both airfields. “We can’t have a big league economy with little league infrastructure,” Larsen said. “Smart investments in our transportation…

Larsen: Instead of Rushing Home for August Recess, Congress Should Invest in Aging Bridges

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today urged his colleagues to take up and pass the SAFE Bridges Act, a bill he introduced with Reps. Nick Rahall, W.Va-03, and Peter DeFazio, Ore.-04. The House of Representatives will recess Friday for five weeks without passing any legislation to invest in our transportation infrastructure. Larsen’s floor speech follows: Mr. Speaker, I rise to support…

Larsen Puts Forward TIGER CUBS Act so Small Cities Get Fair Share of Job-Creating Transportation Dollars

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Small- and medium-sized cities will get a fair share of federal transportation dollars under a bill introduced by Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today. The Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery for Cities Underfunded Because of Size (TIGER CUBS) Act of 2013 would set aside 20 percent of special transportation infrastructure funding specifically for smaller cities. “TIGER…

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 Announces Major Federal Investment in Bellingham Shipyard

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today announced nearly $1 million in federal funding for a small shipyard in Bellingham. The $999,100 federal grant to All American Marine is made possible by the U.S. Maritime Administration’s Small Shipyard Grant Program which Larsen has long championed. “Small shipyards in Northwest Washington are jobs powerhouses that help drive our economy,”…

Larsen: Transportation Funding Bill Fails to Invest in Our Bridges and other Transportation Infrastructure

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, submitted the following statement today to the House Rules Committee during its consideration of H.R. 2610, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2014. Thank you for the opportunity to offer testimony on H.R. 2610, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations bill for Fiscal Year…