Jobs & the Economy

Rep. Larsen to Replace Gov. Inslee as Lead of State's Aerospace Delegation to International Air Show

| Posted in Press Releases

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…

Northwest Washington Delegation Announces $15.6 Million for Skagit River Bridge Repairs

| Posted in Press Releases

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…

Larsen, Reichert Put Forward Bill to Help Small Businesses Export Overseas and Create Jobs at Home

| Posted in Press Releases

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…

Larsen to Obama: Stop Development of Bristol Bay Mining Pebble Mine that Would Hurt Washington Fishers

| Posted in Press Releases

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…

Larsen Opposes Move to Cut Worker Pay

| Posted in Press Releases

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.…

Larsen Announces $300,000 Grant to Expand Aerospace Training Opportunities in Snohomish County

| Posted in Press Releases

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…

Larsen Introduces Jobs Bill to Help Washington Businesses Secure Government Contracts

| Posted in Press Releases

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…

Larsen, DelBene Highlight Northwest Washington Jobs Progress, Call on Congress to Take Bipartisan Action to Accelerate Job Gains

| Posted in Press Releases

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…

Larsen: Republicans Wasting Time on Stunt Votes When We Need to Work on Creating Jobs

| Posted in Press Releases

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, issued the following statement today regarding the 37th effort in the House of Representatives to repeal the Affordable Care Act. “The 37th time is not the charm. With these stunt votes to nowhere, Republicans have spent millions of taxpayer dollars and wasted far too much time that could have been used to pass job-creating legislation. “With more than…

Larsen Announces Major Navy Commitments to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island and Naval Station Everett

| Posted in Press Releases

The Navy plans to more than double its planned P-8A Poseidon basing at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island and will accelerate planned basing of destroyers at Naval Station Everett, Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, announced today. Larsen was briefed today on the Navy’s strategic laydown plan for 2013-2020 which outlines the changes. “If there was any lingering concern about the future…