Jobs & the Economy

Larsen to Serve as Ranking Member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee in 118th Congress

| Posted in Press Releases

Larsen becomes the first Member of Congress from Washington state to be elected as a party’s leader on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. Larsen has served on the Committee since arriving in the House in 2001 and as the top Democrat on the Aviation Subcommittee since 2013. In the 117th Congress, Larsen serves as Chair of the Aviation Subcommittee and as a senior member of the Coast Guard & Maritime Transportation Subcommittee.

DelBene, Larsen, Cantwell Welcome Pentagon Report Urging Action to Protect American Aluminum Production

| Posted in Press Releases

Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Washington Senator Maria Cantwell issued the following statement in response to a Congressionally mandated Defense Department report that highlights the need to bolster domestic aluminum production as a matter of national security. The report concludes that high-purity aluminum is critical to our national defense and that, without federal action, U.S. industry will not be able to meet our national security needs.

Larsen Introduces Bill to Boost Federal Response to Flu

| Posted in Press Releases

Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) introduced the Protecting America from Seasonal and Pandemic Influenza Act (“The Influenza Act”) to bolster the federal response to seasonal and pandemic influenza as seasonal flu rates continue to rise in the Pacific Northwest and across the country. CDC estimates there have been at least 8.7 million illnesses, 78,000 hospitalizations and 4,500 deaths from flu this season.

Larsen’s Bipartisan Bill to Protect Southern Resident Killer Whales, Marine Mammals Passes House

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The Protecting Our Marine Mammals (POMM) Act expands federal protections for marine mammals to include near-real time monitoring of whales, monitoring of underwater soundscapes to reduce noise impacts on marine mammals and grants for seaports to make investments to reduce vessel collisions. The bill also invests in the study of vessel quieting measures and establishes a position within the Coast Guard Puget Sound Vessel Traffic Center to better coordinate protection efforts between the Coast Guard, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the marine industry.

Larsen and DelBene: Investment in Global Digital Infrastructure Boosts U.S. Competitiveness

| Posted in Press Releases

Reps. Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Suzan DelBene (WA-01) introduced the Prioritizing Digital Infrastructure Financing Act, legislation to enhance U.S. leadership in global digital infrastructure financing to counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative and enhance data security around the world.

House Unanimously Passes DelBene-Larsen Bill to Add Mount Vernon Court Location to Western District of Washington

| Posted in Press Releases

The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed H.R. 3034, legislation introduced by Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Rick Larsen (WA-02) that would add Mount Vernon as a court location in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington by voice vote.

House Passes Larsen, Beyer Bill to Prepare U.S. Aviation for Future Public Health Emergencies

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The U.S. House of Representatives passed the National Aviation Preparedness Plan Act, legislation introduced by Reps. Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Don Beyer (VA-08) to require the development of a national aviation preparedness plan for future public health emergencies. The bipartisan bill, which passed the House by a final vote of 293 to 133, now heads to the Senate for consideration.