Department of Justice Implements Larsens Proposed Government Surveillance Transparency Act

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The U.S. Department of Justice today implemented government data-collection reforms that were first proposed by Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, in his Government Surveillance Transparency Act. The Justice Department announced it will allow technology companies to disclose data about the volume and type of data they are required to turn over to the government. Larsen first proposed these reforms…

Larsen to Chemical Safety Board: "The Anacortes Community Deserves Better"

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“Exasperated” by the U.S. Chemical Safety Board’s actions, Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today called on the federal safety agency to quickly issue its report on the April 2010 explosion at the Tesoro refinery. “The Anacortes community deserves better after four years of waiting and countless delays from CSB,” Larsen wrote in a letter to board Chairman Rafael…

Larsen: Federal Government Must Act Quickly to Protect Communities Following Crude Oil Train Incidents

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, today called on the federal government to act quickly in response to recent incidents involving trains carrying crude oil. Larsen, a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, wrote to Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx urging quick adoption of new measures to improve rail safety. “I ask that you work quickly to implement…

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: U.S. is Eager to Secure Baes Return Home

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, issued the following statement today regarding Kenneth Bae, the Lynnwood man who has been detained in North Korea for more than a year. “The United States has repeatedly shown we are eager to work with North Korea and our international partners to secure Kenneth’s return home. A State Department special envoy agreed to visit North Korea in August to…

Bellingham Herald: Rick Larsen: Minimum wage should pay enough to keep families out of poverty

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BY RICK LARSEN Growing up in Arlington, a lot of my friends worked minimum-wage jobs. I worked at a bookbindery during high school, pulling in about $3.50 an hour during the summer break. That image of a high school student working a few hours a week for some extra cash is the idea that a lot of us get when we think about the minimum wage. Opponents of raising the minimum wage use that…

Larsen Statement on President Obamas Proposed Surveillance Reforms

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Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, issued the following statement in response to President Obama’s proposed reforms to government surveillance programs: “I am pleased the President has realized what I and many others have known for some time: the government’s dragnet collection and storage of telephone and electronic data breaches the basic privacy rights of the American…

Washington Democrats and Nancy Pelosi Announce Friendly Wager on NFC Championship

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The Democratic members of Washington state’s congressional delegation and Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi announced the details of a friendly wager over the NFC championship game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks. As passionate fans and competitive colleagues, the Members of Congress agreed to a battle for bragging rights and local delicacies. If the…

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…