Tonight, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) hosted a telephone town hall meeting with close to 6,500 constituents from the 2nd Congressional District of Washington state to discuss jobs, the economy and health care.

“I want to thank everyone who took time out of their evening to join tonight’s call. It was a great chance for me to have a conversation with folks back home about important local and national issues,” said Rep. Larsen. “Communicating with my constituents about the work I am doing to create jobs, grow our economy and make health care more affordable is one of my top priorities. Bringing local ideas to Congress helps me find solutions that work for families and small businesses in Washington state.”

Rep. Larsen hosted tonight’s call as part of an effort to increase opportunities for constituents to interact with him while Congress is in session. Close to 6,500 constituents called in to ask Larsen questions about jobs, the economy and his recent vote to pass health care reform legislation.

“It’s clear from listening to folks in Northwest Washington that the status quo is unacceptable. People are concerned about the state of the economy and how the new health care reform law will affect them,” said Rep. Larsen. “It was great to have the opportunity to help local small business owners, families and seniors understand how health care reform will immediately start working to lower the costs of health care and provide much-needed financial relief as we grow our way out of this recession.

“People also want to know what we are doing to change the underlying rules that helped to create this recession in the first place,” said Rep. Larsen. “I am working hard to make sure we end the Era of Big Bang Bailouts. My view is that if in the future a large bank wants to drive off a cliff, let them. But no longer will the American people be trapped in the car as the innocent passenger.”

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