Larsen Priorities for the 112th Congress: Economic Recovery and Job Growth Solutions that Work in the Pacific Northwest

Washington, DC, January 5, 2011
Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement, outlining his priorities for the 112th Congress. Today, Larsen will be sworn in for his sixth term in the U.S. House of Representatives. 
 
“My number one issue in the 112th Congress is getting the economy back on track and finding solutions that work in the Pacific Northwest. 

“Mainstream economists on both sides of the aisle agree that our actions during the last session of Congress helped to rescue the economy and create jobs. But, too many people are still out of work and more needs to be done to reduce unemployment and grow the economy. 

“Getting the economy moving in Northwest Washington means landing the tanker to create thousands of jobs for folks at Boeing, helping our small and medium sized manufacturers export their products so they can hire folks back home, and getting credit to the women and men who own businesses in Northwest Washington. 

“As a member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I am working to make key investments in our roads, bridges and highways that will improve our infrastructure and create jobs in our communities. These investments will be critical in the Pacific Northwest where our vibrant water ports, railroads, highways and airports keep our economy moving and support good jobs in the region. 

“Along with getting our economy moving again, Congress needs to prioritize controlling the nation’s debt and deficit. The statutory “pay-as-you-go” law that holds Congress accountable by requiring any spending increases to be offset with savings elsewhere in the budget is a critical tool to help control the debt and deficit. Any effort to undermine PAYGO is going to jeopardize our ability manage the debt and shrink the deficit. 

“As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I am committed to making sure our men and women in uniform have the tools they need to protect our country and their families are taken care of.

“Congress needs to enact meaningful campaign finance reform that will stop the flow of secret, unlimited, undisclosed money into campaigns. I am working to restore transparency and accountability to our electoral process so voters can follow the money and know who is behind political advertisements.

“I will defend the good we have done over the last two years: the job growth policies that are helping hardworking families pay their bills, holding Wall Street accountable to protect middle class families and small businesses, health care reform that helps seniors afford the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs and the New START Treaty that will make the world a safer place.” 
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