Larsen, Rick RSS Articles

Larsen Urges Supreme Court to Protect LGBTQ+ Students from Discrimination

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

This week, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) joined more than 180 House and Senate Democrats in filing an amicus brief at the Supreme Court in the case of St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy. In this case, religious preschools are seeking an exemption from the nondiscrimination provision in Colorado’s universal preschool program so they can refuse to admit LGBTQ+ children or the children of LGBTQ+ people while still receiving public funding.

“It’s not complicated: organizations accepting taxpayer dollars should not be allowed to discriminate against LGBTQ+ children or parents,” said Rep. Larsen. “I urge the Supreme Court to protect LGBTQ+ families from discrimination, and Icontinue to stand with the LGBTQ+ community in Northwest Washington and across the United States.”

This upcoming term, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy, where the court will consider granting religious exemptions from nondiscrimination laws. In 2020, Colorado voters passed a ballot proposition to establish state funding for preschool. In response, the Colorado legislature passed legislation to codify a universal preschool program, which included nondiscrimination protections for students, requiring preschools to give equal enrollment opportunities to all students, regardless of their or their parents sexual orientation or gender identity. Two Catholic parishes that operate preschools sued, claiming that this nondiscrimination policy violates their First Amendment rights and requesting that the court grant a religious exemption to receive public funds while discriminating against LGBTQ+ students and children of LGBTQ+ parents.

The members’ brief urges the Supreme Court to uphold the nondiscrimination provision and not grant a religious exemption. The brief argues that:

The Supreme Court defers to legislatures and the political process when assessing exemptions from neutral, generally applicable laws;
Petitioners’ rule would endanger numerous federal nondiscrimination laws that Congress has carefully crafted over decades; and
The Court should be mindful not to destabilize or undermine that legislative role by effectively legislating ad hoc exemptions to nondiscrimination laws.

The amicus brief is available to read here.

Rep. Larsen is a member of the Congressional Equality Caucus and is a longtime champion of LGBTQ+ rights and codifying protections against discrimination into federal law.

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Larsen Slams Trump Administration's Threat to Demolish the Kennedy Center

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement:

“Yes, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts needs structural renovations. No, the administration cannot use that need to strong arm the board into putting the president’s name on the facade; the courts already ruled against that.

“No one is going to be allowed to demolish the Kennedy Center. I’m focused on making sure the Kennedy Center gets the renovations needed to safely entertain its guests.

“We should leave the Kennedy Center theatrics to the performers.”

Today, the Trump administration threatened to demolish the Kennedy Center if the courts block renovations to the Center, which include adding President Donald Trump’s name to the front of the building. Rep. Larsen is the top Democrat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which has oversight authority over the Kennedy Center.

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Larsen Releases Statement on Collapse of U.S.-Canada Talks to Prevent Trump’s Pointless New Tariffs

Sat, 22 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement:

"These new tariffs aren't leverage over Canada. They're yet another way that the Trump administration is raising your prices and sabotaging the American economy.

“Across over a hundred meetings and conversations with people I represent in Northwest Washington, I heard how a stable economic relationship with Canada and Mexico is critical to keeping local businesses afloat, lowering prices and creating good-paying jobs. The U.S. must renegotiate the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement (USMCA) and end these pointless, reckless tariffs.

“It's not complicated: trade good, tariffs bad. I will keep fighting to end these tariffs, bring down costs and make the U.S.-Canada relationship boring again.”

At midnight, new 50% tariffs on many Canadian goods went into effect after trade talks between the U.S. and Canada collapsed late last night. The 50% tariffs include goods that had previously been protected from import taxes by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement (USMCA).

Larsen Fights Against Trump’s Tariffs; Advocates for USMCA

Last month, Rep. Larsen sent a report to U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Jamieson Greer urging the continuation of USMCA. The report summarizes over a hundred meetings and conversations that Rep. Larsen’s office has had with farmers, businesses, municipalities, ports and other stakeholders across Northwest Washington over the past year.

Rep. Larsen is a leader in opposing the Trump administration’s tariffs and a member of the New Democrat Coalition Trade and Tariffs Task Force. Last month, the Task Force sent a letter to Ambassador Greer calling on him to renew and strengthen USMCA.

Rep. Larsen is also the top Democrat on the U.S.-Canada Interparliamentary Group, an organization that connects American and Canadian legislators to promote information sharing and better understanding on shared issues of concern. Born and raised in Arlington, Washington, Rep. Larsen has a deep personal history with British Columbia and the U.S.-Canada relationship.

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Larsen and Jacobs Applaud Start of Pilot Program Covering Cost of Freezing Eggs or Sperm for Servicemembers

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, U.S. Representatives Rick Larsen (D, WA-02) and Sara Jacobs (D, CA-51) released the following statement on the news that their pilot program to cover the cost of servicemembers freezing their sperm or eggs will start in September. This is the first federally funded program to cover sperm and egg freezing costs.

“After nearly a decade of advocacy, starting next month servicemembers will be eligible to freeze their eggs or sperm before hazardous missions,” said the Members. “No one should be forced to choose between serving their country and starting their family. This program’s launch is an important step toward guaranteeing that members of the military have the support they need to have children.”

Last week, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) announced that a three-year gamete cryopreservation pilot program will begin on September 14, 2026. The program will reimburse up to $500 annually for sperm cryopreservation and $10,000 for egg freezing. Servicemembers eligible for the program include those who have received orders for duty in a hazardous location, are likely to receive such orders in the next 120 days or will be geographically separated from their partner for 180 days or more.

Rep. Larsen initially proposed this program in 2017. In 2024, Rep. Larsen worked with Rep. Jacobs to secure language in the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (FY25 NDAA) requiring DoD to begin the gamete cryopreservation pilot program.

Larsen and Jacobs Fight for Reproductive Health Care for Servicemembers

Last August, Reps. Larsen and Jacobs reintroduced their Veteran Families Health Services Act of 2025 with Sens. Patty Murray (D-WA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY), which is included in the Right to IVF Act. This comprehensive legislation would expand the fertility treatments and family-building services that are covered under servicemembers’ and veterans’ health care to include—among other things—in vitro fertilization (IVF) and adoption assistance, for servicemembers and veterans who are unable to conceive without assistance, and the option for individuals to freeze their eggs or sperm ahead of deployment to a combat zone.

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Larsen Announces $7 Million for Ferries in Island & San Juan Counties

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement:

“Rural communities I represent need more support and funding from the federal government,” said Rep. Larsen. “These dollars will help Washington State Ferries serve my constituents whose lives and livelihoods are tied to ferries, and I am glad to have helped bring this funding home. As the top Democrat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I will keep fighting for federal investments that make Washington’s ferry system more reliable and create good-paying jobs.”

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is awarding the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) $7.2 million for Washington State Ferries’ (WSF) Anacortes - San Juan Islands and Port Townsend - Coupeville routes. This funding will cover fuel costs to operate vessels.

The FTA is also awarding King County Metro Transit $22.1 million for its Seattle passenger-only ferry facility expansion project.

Rep. Larsen is a strong advocate for investing federal dollars in Washington state’s ferry system. His BUILD America 250 Act provides $1.7 billion in dedicated funding to construct and repair ferries:

The bill boosts the Federal Highway Administration’s Ferry Boat program to $932 million (up from $570 million in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law).

The bill provides the FTA’s ferry programs with $625 million in funding for urban areas and an additional $125 million in funding for rural and insular areas.

The bill allows WSF more flexibility to apply for funding for ferries that serve urban and rural communities, which will help WSF invest in and maintain ferries to ensure residents of San Juan and Island counties have reliable transportation.

In May, the BUILD America 250 Act passed out of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee by a vote of 62-2.

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New York Times: Larsen, Warren Accuse Trump Administration of Stonewalling Major Transit Projects

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02), top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), top Democrat on the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, joined 39 congressional Democrats in demanding that the Trump administration stop delaying the advancement of public transportation projects funded by the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program.

As reported in the New York Times: "'It smacks of blue state-red state politics,' said Representative Rick Larsen of Washington, the lead Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, who organized the letter with Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. 'What they’re doing is they’re punishing blue states, they’re delaying jobs, and they’re increasing project costs,' Mr. Larsen said. 'That will be the outcome of these delays.' Other projects in red states, he said, may be collateral damage in the administration’s hostility toward the program.

Currently, the Federal Transit Authority (FTA) has access to more than $1.9 billion in unobligated and unallocated funds ready to be spent. However, the Trump administration continues to hold up significant projects instead of spending its infrastructure dollars.

“We have watched for months as the FTA and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) have stonewalled the progress of worthy transit projects while President Trump and Department of Transportation Secretary Duffy are proclaiming a commitment to a 'golden age of transportation,'” the congressional Democrats wrote in a letter to FTA Acting Deputy Administrator Matthew Cahill and OMB Director Russell Vought.

“Every $1 invested in transit generates $5 in long-term economic value. Conversely, failing to deliver on long-promised transit investment carries serious economic consequences,” the members continued.

The members concluded by reminding the Trump administration officials of the historically bipartisan nature of CIG-funded projects and demanded that their agencies immediately advance the stalled projects – regardless of a state’s 2024 election results.

You can read the full letter HERE and below.

Dear Director Vought and Acting Deputy Administrator Cahill,

We write to express deep concern regarding reports that your agencies are delaying the advancement of public transportation projects within the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) pipeline. As members of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs and House Transportation and Infrastructure Committees and as members of the House and Senate representing affected projects, we have an obligation to ensure that the CIG program is carried out in accordance with statutory requirements that have been enacted to ensure that taxpayer resources are not wasted as a result of delay by the federal government. We have watched for months as the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) have stonewalled the progress of worthy transit projects while President Trump and Department of Transportation Secretary Duffy are proclaiming a commitment to a “golden age of transportation.” We would like to remind you that such a vision is woefully incomplete if it does not include delivering CIG projects that will provide fast, frequent and reliable transit service across the nation.

The growing backlog of projects in limbo due to FTA and OMB inaction is unacceptable. Since last fall, your agencies have neglected to advance the Boston Green Line Transformation project, the Los Angeles Southeast Gateway Line and the Salt Lake City region’s Frontrunner 2X project into the CIG Engineering phase—without justification for the delay. Last week, FTA moved the Utah project into Engineering, a welcome development, but the two other projects remain stalled.

This delay is occurring despite the fact that FTA currently has access to more than $1.9 billion in unobligated and unallocated funds that are available to support CIG projects, and Congress has consistently appropriated new funds each year to the CIG program. The Frontrunner 2X project has already been allocated $594 million of CIG funding, and based on FTA’s commitment at Engineering entry last week, the project will need only $693 million of additional CIG program funds.

We wish to remind you that the projects in Boston, Los Angeles and Salt Lake City have all completed a comprehensive rating process pursuant to the CIG program guidance that was most recently updated by FTA in November of 2025, under President Trump’s administration. Each of the three projects received an overall project rating that qualified them to enter the Engineering phase and later receive a Full Funding Grant Agreement. In fact, the projects in Boston and Los Angeles received an overall higher rating of “medium-high,” compared to the “medium” overall rating of the Utah project.

FTA and OMB should advance all projects that meet statutory criteria, and your agencies should not impose any further delays. Under the most recently enacted appropriations law and prior appropriations laws, FTA, OMB and the Administration are prohibited from using any federal funds to “impede or hinder project advancement or approval for any project seeking a Federal contribution from the capital investment grants program of greater than 40 percent of project costs,” which includes the delayed projects. We are very concerned that delaying the CIG project pipeline, while advancing only the Utah project, is potentially rooted in partisan political considerations, which could further violate statutory requirements.

We are frustrated by reports that OMB is partially responsible for these avoidable and costly delays. As a result of these stalling tactics, there has not been a single new CIG grant agreement signed since this Administration took office. Should this egregious trend continue, 11 projects in 10 states (California, Florida, Maryland, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin) that anticipate signing a CIG grant agreement this year could be subjected to senseless delay. No Administration since 1993 has failed to sign a single CIG grant agreement in the first year: we urge you not to set a new record by failing to sign CIG grant agreements for two years in a row.

Unnecessary delays are not only frustrating; they are economically short-sighted. Transit is an excellent investment. Every $1 invested in transit generates $5 in long-term economic value. Conversely, failing to deliver on long-promised transit investment carries serious economic consequences. Project sponsors and taxpayers will end up footing the bill for delay-induced cost increases. The construction workforce and the broader transportation supply chain are left waiting for critical job-creating investments. In the interim, people have fewer choices to get around their community. The impact of trips not taken to work, to school, or to the doctor undermines economic growth.

Transportation policy is generally bipartisan, and we are proud of this reputation. Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Congress re-committed to a multimodal federal transportation program. Every year, Congress reiterates a bipartisan commitment to CIG through the annual appropriations process. We stand ready and willing to continue making robust federal investments in infrastructure on the scale that our country desperately needs. However, any effort to impede or hinder CIG projects does serious harm to the bipartisan coalition that supports federal infrastructure investment. Congress must be confident that the CIG program will be executed in accordance with the law. Any delay or hinderance in delivering CIG projects further undermines our confidence that this Administration will faithfully execute the law.

Many of us represent communities with CIG projects that are currently impacted or could soon be impacted by your agencies’ actions. We request that you immediately advance the two stalled projects in California and Massachusetts into Engineering and prevent further program obstruction or delays. Please respond in writing, not later than August 18, 2026, with your timeline to advance the two projects into the next phase of CIG. Going forward, we request that you expeditiously approve projects that are eligible for a Full Funding or Small Starts Grant Agreement, including the 11 projects seeking grant agreements later this year. Investing in transit projects through the CIG program is essential to building a transportation system that works for everyone.

Sincerely,

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Larsen Presses ICE for Answers about Ferndale Facility

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) wrote to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director David Venturella regarding Larsen’s visit to ICE’s suboffice in Ferndale on July 31:

“As part of my oversight responsibilities, I am working to get answers for my constituents about the facility's operations and policies,” said Rep. Larsen. “While the officers present during my visit were able to answer some of my questions, I am writing to get additional clarification and data.”

Rep. Larsen has also contacted Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) about their facility in the Ferndale area and intends to visit it. HSI has been responsible for the operations that detained nearly 50 people in Lynden in recent months.

“The President’s immigration enforcement agenda is hurting the local economy and making our communities less safe,” said Rep. Larsen. “My office stands ready to help family members locate their loved ones in ICE custody and access legal services – call 425-252-3188 or go to larsen.house.gov/helping-you/visas-and-immigration.htm.”

Rep. Larsen’s full letter to Secretary Mullin and Acting Director Venturella is available here and below.

August 11, 2026

Dear Secretary Mullin and Acting Director Venturella:

Thank you for the opportunity to visit the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Ferndale Suboffice/Hold Facility (“Ferndale Suboffice”) in Ferndale, Washington on July 31, 2026.

I toured this facility because I have heard from constituents whose family members and friends have been detained at the Ferndale Suboffice. As part of my oversight responsibilities, I am working to get answers for my constituents about the facility's operations and policies. While the officers present during my visit were able to answer some of my questions, I am writing to get additional clarification and data.

To better understand the purpose and use of ICE’s Ferndale Suboffice, please provide answers to the following questions no later than Friday, August 21, 2026:

1. When did ICE ERO begin operating at the Ferndale Suboffice?

2. How many people have been detained at the Ferndale Suboffice in the last 30, 90 and 365 days?
a. What was the average length of stay during each period?
b. What was the longest length of stay during each period?

3. How many total individuals were held at the Ferndale Suboffice in each of the following years: 2023, 2024 and 2025?
a. What was the average length of stay during each period?
b. What was the longest length of stay during each period?

4. Since ICE ERO began operating the Ferndale Suboffice, how many individuals have been held overnight in this facility?

5. Since ICE ERO began operating the Ferndale Suboffice, how many children have been detained at the facility?

6. What policy limits stays in this facility to 12 hours? Please identify the specific directive establishing this limit, including the date it was issued.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I look forward to your response.

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Larsen Announces $1.3 Million to Local Shipyards

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) announced Everett Ship Repair LLC and Rozema’s Boat Works, Inc. received $1.3 million in federal funding:

“The maritime economy and the jobs that come with it are alive and well in the Puget Sound,” said Rep. Larsen. “As the top Democrat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I have been a strong advocate for the Small Shipyards Grants Program because funding like this supports local small businesses and helps regional economies grow. I am glad to see these dollars come home and I look forward to seeing them in action in Snohomish and Skagit counties the years to come.”

Everett Ship Repair and Rozema’s Boat Works received the funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD).

“We greatly appreciate the award from MARAD, as well as the Congressman and the Senators’ support in receiving this grant,” said Gavin Higgins, CEO of Everett Ship Repair. “We think the Small Shipyard Grant Program is one of the best programs for supporting our shipyards that's out there. This grant will allow us to greatly improve the cost efficiency of our new drydock and expand the opportunity for the vessels that we will be servicing on it. The grant will also support electrical training, a much underserviced trade in the marine industry, and will help to expand the resource pool accordingly.”

In total, MARAD awarded $5.2 million to six shipyards in Washington state:

$456,216 for Everett Ship Repair LLC for electrical upgrades in support of a new 35,000 ton floating drydock, as well as support training in shipyard processes;
$938,176 for Rozema's Boat Works, Inc. for new shipyard equipment including a MultiCam 5-410-R-H CNC Router Table and a 230-Ton CNC Press Brake;
$321,474 for Safe Boats International LLC for an aluminum welding/fabrication training program and 17 welding machines;
$750,000 for Arrow Launch Service, Inc. for 75-ton travelift;
$1,259,190 for BRIX Marine Inc. for four 10-ton remote overhead cranes with hoists and runways; and
$1,508,596 for Delta Marine Industries, Inc. for a 620-ton travelift.

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Larsen Joins Entire WA Delegation in Requesting Expedited Emergency Declaration for Devastating Wildfires in Spokane

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) joined Washington state’s entire Congressional delegation in a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to approve Washington state Governor Bob Ferguson’s request last night for an expedited Emergency Declaration for the devastating wildfires sweeping through Central and Eastern Washington state.

On Saturday, Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide wildfire emergency and issued a statewide burn ban through September 30, 2026. The National Weather Service upgraded the Red Flag Warning on Saturday, to a Particularly Dangerous Situation, which is very rare and typically reserved for extreme fire weather conditions. The Spokane Area Fires consist of the Old Trails Fire burning in northwest Spokane, the Autumn Lane Fire burning near Nine Mile Falls, and the Fairview Fire burning in Mead. Over 700 structures have been lost in the fires so far and over 14,000 structures are threatened, 67,000 people have been evacuated, the three fires have burned over 8,000 acres combined and are still 0% contained, nearly 1,000 firefighters battling fires in the Spokane area, and thousands of more people remain under a Level 3 (Go Now!) evacuation.

“Large and fast-moving wildfires are burning in Central and Eastern Washington. Dangerous conditions, including strong winds, low humidity, and extremely high temperatures, intensified existing fires and ignited new fires, the worst of which started in Spokane and Stevens Counties on Saturday, August 1. According to the Northwest Coordination Center (NWCC), the Pacific Northwest is experiencing wildfire activity not normally seen until much later in the fire season. Between record-setting drought and record low snowpack, the state and Central and Eastern Washington were left vulnerable to fires that burn longer, spread faster, and are increasingly resistant to control,” wrote Larsen and the members of the delegation.

Rep. Larsen joined Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and U.S. Representatives Michael Baumgartner (R, WA-05), Suzan DelBene (D, WA-01), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D, WA-03), Dan Newhouse (R, WA-04), Emily Randall (D, WA-06), Pramila Jayapal (D, WA-07), Kim Schrier (D, WA-08), Adam Smith (D, WA-09) and Marilyn Strickland (D, WA-10) in the letter to President Trump.

“These fires spread rapidly, jumping roads and rivers, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate quickly, with many escaping with little more than they could carry. So far, roughly 700 structures have been destroyed in Spokane, including entire neighborhoods, while many remain threatened. As the fires continue to burn, this number is expected to climb. Hundreds of people have completely lost their homes and farms, and many are prohibited from returning to their homes or neighborhoods as crews continue to extinguish smoldering embers,” the lawmakers continued. “Firefighting crews from around the country, as well as international firefighting forces, have deployed to Washington state and are working overtime to suppress these fires, while National Guard members are assisting local first responders with evacuations and firefighting. Expedited federal assistance will help continue these efforts and ensure that state and local agencies have the resources they need.”

“While local, state, and federal resources deployed quickly to respond to the wildfires, federal assistance is needed as firefighting, evacuations, and emergency shelter operations are ongoing. Expedited federal assistance is critical and will help firefighting crews continue to suppress these persistent wildfires and protect the businesses, farms, schools, healthcare facilities, and residential homes from devastation, all while ensuring those displaced by the fires have the support and resources they need,” the lawmakers concluded.

The full letter is available below and HERE.

Dear Mr. President,

As members of the Washington state delegation, we write in support of Washington state’s August 2nd request for an expedited Emergency Declaration due to the devastating wildfires raging in Chelan, Ferry, Okanogan, Spokane, Stevens, and Yakima Counties. In addition to the counties, the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, and Spokane Tribe of Indians are also listed in Washington’s expedited Emergency Declaration request. We implore you to approve the request for assistance as quickly as possible.

Large and fast-moving wildfires are burning in Central and Eastern Washington. Dangerous conditions, including strong winds, low humidity, and extremely high temperatures, intensified existing fires and ignited new fires, the worst of which started in Spokane and Stevens Counties on Saturday, August 1. According to the Northwest Coordination Center (NWCC), the Pacific Northwest is experiencing wildfire activity not normally seen until much later in the fire season. Between record-setting drought and record low snowpack, the state and Central and Eastern Washington were left vulnerable to fires that burn longer, spread faster, and are increasingly resistant to control.

These fires spread rapidly, jumping roads and rivers, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate quickly, with many escaping with little more than they could carry. So far, roughly 700 structures have been destroyed in Spokane, including entire neighborhoods, while many remain threatened. As the fires continue to burn, this number is expected to climb. Hundreds of people have completely lost their homes and farms, and many are prohibited from returning to their homes or neighborhoods as crews continue to extinguish smoldering embers.

Firefighting crews from around the country, as well as international firefighting forces, have deployed to Washington state and are working overtime to suppress these fires, while National Guard members are assisting local first responders with evacuations and firefighting. Expedited federal assistance will help continue these efforts and ensure that state and local agencies have the resources they need.

While local, state, and federal resources deployed quickly to respond to the wildfires, federal assistance is needed as firefighting, evacuations, and emergency shelter operations are ongoing. Expedited federal assistance is critical and will help firefighting crews continue to suppress these persistent wildfires and protect the businesses, farms, schools, healthcare facilities, and residential homes from devastation, all while ensuring those displaced by the fires have the support and resources they need. We appreciate your prompt attention to the state’s request.

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Larsen Seeks Answers at Ferndale ICE Facility

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement:

“The President’s cruel immigration agenda has angered many of my constituents and struck fear in families around the region. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has been at the top of this agenda. I came to the Ferndale ICE holding facility today to get answers about this facility for my community.

“Where I was not able to get complete answers, I will be sending a follow-up oversight letter. I expect to get additional details about ICE’s recent policy changes for this kind of facility and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) operations locally.

“I was able to get answers to the following questions community members have about the facility’s operations:

“1. The facility has two holding cells that have room for eight people each. The average time a detained person stays in the facility is 4-5 hours. Since July 1, ICE has had a policy that no one can be detained in this type of facility for longer than 12 hours. People held by ICE here are first processed and then transferred to the privately-run detention center in Tacoma.

“2. People detained in the facility have access to a toilet and a sink. There are no kitchen or shower facilities, or medical personnel on staff, because of the short detainment periods. However, there is a process for non-emergent or emergent care.

“3. There are two private rooms with telephones where detained people can call an attorney if they have one.

“4. HSI has been responsible for the operations that detained nearly 50 people in Lynden in recent months. I intend to follow up with the Department of Homeland Security, HSI and ICE about HSI’s role in immigration enforcement and removal operations locally.

“As a service to my constituents, my office is going to work with this local ICE facility in Ferndale to establish a process where people who are detained here can get the necessary paperwork to request support from my staff.

“The President’s immigration enforcement agenda is hurting the local economy and making our communities less safe. My office stands ready to help family members locate their loved ones in ICE custody and access legal services – call 425-252-3188 or go to larsen.house.gov/helping-you/visas-and-immigration.htm.”

Larsen Fights to Hold ICE Accountable

In June 2025, Rep. Larsen toured the privately-run ICE detention facility in Tacoma and met with Lelo Juarez, a Skagit County union leader and activist whom ICE detained in March 2025.

Earlier this month, Rep. Larsen joined nearly 200 House Democrats in calling for independent investigations into Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and Johan Sebastian Guerrero’s deaths and demanding that ICE halt removal proceedings against the witnesses. He also demanded independent investigations into the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis in January 2026.

In Congress, Rep. Larsen has refused to vote for legislation that would fund ICE without placing additional guardrails on the agency and requiring that ICE follow the same rules as every other local, state and federal law enforcement agency.

Rep. Larsen supports strengthening accountability and oversight of ICE operations and DHS detention facilities, including:

Prohibiting ICE officers from wearing masks during arrests;

Requiring ICE officers to be trained in de-escalation;

Prohibiting masked ICE officers from using restricted equipment, such as tear gas;

Ending family and child detention;

Ending DHS’s use of private detention facilities;

Providing individuals in immigration detention with unlimited communication with legal counsel;

Repealing the Alien Enemies Act, which President Trump has used to deport immigrants from Venezuela with no due process by accusing them of “invading” the United States; and

A complete and independent investigation into the killings of unarmed civilians.

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Larsen to Host Third COVID-19 Telephone Town Hall

Wed, 20 May 2020 20:00:00 GMT

EVERETT, WA - Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) will host a live telephone town hall to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic with Second District residents. Suzan “Suzi” LeVine, Commissioner of the Washington Employment Security Department, will join Larsen to hear residents’ concerns and help answer questions about benefits available to Washingtonians suffering from the virus’ impacts.

Last month, Larsen hosted a COVID-19 telephone town hall with LeVine and Duane Fladland, Director of the Washington Small Business Development Center. This year, Larsen has held public forums in Mountlake Terrace, Sedro-Woolley, Bow, Clinton, Stanwood, Brier, Eastsound, Oak Harbor and Anacortes. In 2019, Larsen held twenty community forums across the Second District, including ten Community Coffees, six Veterans Forums and four Town Talks.

This telephone town hall is open to the public and the press. Please RSVP to Joseph Tutino at Joseph.Tutino@mail.house.gov.

Wednesday, May 20

Larsen will host live telephone town hall

Begins at 4:00 p.m. PDT

Dial in: 855.962.0954

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