Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) voted today to reopen key federal agencies to support local small businesses. Larsen voted in support of the Fiscal Year 2019 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill.

“Congress’ number one priority right now must be reopening the government, putting people back to work and giving federal workers and contractors the back pay to which they are entitled,” said Larsen.

The Fiscal Year 2019 Financial Services appropriations bill would reopen the Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Small Business Administration (SBA), among other key agencies.

“The more than 146,000 small businesses that call Northwest Washington home are critical to local jobs and the local economy. Reopening the Treasury Department, the Internal Revenue Service and the Small Business Administration will ensure Washington’s small businesses can continue operations and support the local economy.”

Potential Impacts to Washington’s Second District Residents

• Provide Funding for Small Business Administration Loans: The bill would provide funding for SBA loans. Local banks across the Second District are not currently able to execute loans without SBA approval. Additionally, Western Washington University Small Business Development Center predicts the shutdown will create a backlog in SBA loan processing and the longer the shutdown continues the larger this impact will be. Reopening the government and providing funding for SBA is critical to lessening those impacts.

• Open the National Taxpayer Advocate Seattle Office: The bill would reopen IRS taxpayer services offices across the country. The National Taxpayer Advocate Office in Seattle is closed during the shutdown. The office offers free help to people through the tax filing process and with the IRS. In 2017, 313 residents from Washington’s Second District received assistance from the Taxpayer Advocates Service.  

• Ensure Taxpayers Receive Tax Refund in Full and On Time: The bill would reopen the IRS and ensure Washingtonians receive their tax refund in full and on time. Last year 2.7 million Washingtonians were issued tax refunds. The average tax refund in Washington state was $2,661.

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