Larsen: Transportation Spending Bill Fails To Invest In Roads, Bridges, Rail Safety

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Spending Bill Also Cuts Vouchers For Veterans Experiencing Homelessness Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today announced he will not support a 2016 spending bill that severely underfunds transportation infrastructure. The FY2016 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill (H.R. 2577) fails to make needed investments in roads, bridges, highways and transit, hampering job…

Larsen: Time To Get Serious About Job-Creating Investments in Roads, Bridges, Highways

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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…

Larsen: ND Derailment Another Reminder Work Is Not Done on Crude-by-Rail Safety

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, released the following statement about the derailment today in North Dakota of a train carrying crude oil. “Another crude oil train derailment, another call for better safety. I do not need another reminder that we must act to improve safety, but we got one this morning with the derailment in North Dakota.  “We have new rules about crude oil…

Larsen Applauds FAAs Continued Progress On Small UAS

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, released the following statement today after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced a new initiative to research expanded uses of small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for commercial purposes. The FAA will partner with three companies to look at the safety of extended UAS operations beyond the line of sight of the operator. The initiative builds on…

Larsen: DOT Rules on Crude By Rail An Important Milestone, More Work To Do On Safety

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, applauded the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for releasing final safety rules today about crude oil trains, and stressed there is more work to do to make sure communities are as safe as possible. “I have been pushing the administration for the last 18 months to put out strong rules governing the safe transport of crude oil by rail. Today is an…

Larsen Leads Efforts To Protect Daily Flights Between Seattle and Tokyo

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Seattle will keep its daily flight to Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan, as a result of efforts by Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02. Larsen led the Washington state delegation in pushing the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) earlier this year to protect Seattle’s daily service to Haneda. DOT announced today that it is rejecting petitions by competing airlines to move service out of…

Larsen Calls for Budget That Reflects Constituents Priorities

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today voted against the Republican budget that fails to invest in the priorities of his constituents by neglecting infrastructure, cutting funding for students trying to access higher education, and repealing the Affordable Care Act. The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.Con.Res. 27, the Republican FY2016 Budget Resolution, by a vote of 228-199. Larsen voted…

Larsen Opening Statement: Aviation Subcommittee Hearing on Options for FAA Air Traffic Control Reform

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, the Ranking Member of the Aviation Subcommittee, delivered the following statement at the House Transportation and Infrastructure Aviation Subcommittee’s hearing, “Options for FAA Air Traffic Control Reform.” The remarks are as prepared for delivery. Mr. Chairman, thank you for calling this hearing to explore alternatives to FAA air traffic…

Larsen: Passenger Rail Bill Will Help with Rail Crossing Investments

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 Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, voted for and the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill this week to invest in Amtrak and other rail infrastructure to improve the safety and capacity of the country’s passenger rail system. The Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act of 2015, or PRRIA (H.R. 749), authorizes $7.2 billion for passenger rail over the next four years, including…

Larsen: Cybersecurity Must Play Fundamental Role in FAA Safety Operations

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, released the following statement today about a Government Accountability Office report indicating weaknesses with the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) security systems, putting the agency at risk for cyber threats. “Our airspace is a worldwide leader in safety. But to maintain this standard, we need to protect our airspace from threats to…