Rick Larsen

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today to thank the 3,360 emergency medical technicians and paramedics, 7,190 firefighters, and 9,670 police and sheriffs patrol officers who are on the front lines in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in Washington state. While most workers are under stay at home orders, these Washingtonians go out into the field, risking exposure to a contagious and deadly virus in order to protect the public. The lack of personal protective equipment for public safety offers is unacceptable. I have spoken with first responders from my district who have contracted COVID-19 or been forced to self-isolate because of potential exposure. Madam Speaker, I rise to express my gratitude for first responders and call on Congress to ensure firefighters, police officers, EMTs and paramedics have the personal protective equipment they need to do their dangerous jobs safely during the ongoing pandemic.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today to sincerely thank the teachers, paraeducators, food service workers, bus drivers, custodial staff and others keeping the education of kids on track in Washington state during the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools are always adapting to suit the needs of their students. When Washington state closed schools to prevent the spread of COVID-19, education professionals rapidly adjusted to on line education, ensuring students would not fall behind. Distance learning has forced schools to tackle serious student equity issues, including access to technology and broadband, and making sure thousands of students who rely on school meals do not go hungry. These educators need Congress to step up to help address these issues. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the sacrifices teachers and school employees of all kinds across Washington state are making to provide for their students amid this public health crisis. And I call on Congress to provide necessary tools for school districts to ensure equitable online learning and sufficient resources for students during this pandemic and beyond.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I was not present at votes on Thursday, March 5, as I was travelling back to Washington state to meet with coronavirus response leaders. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on Roll Call No. 87 (Cisneros Amendment), ``yea'' on Roll Call No. 88 (Mucarsel-Powell/Schrier Amendment), ``nay'' on Roll Call No. 89 (Motion to Recommit), and ``yea'' on Roll Call No. 90 (Final passage of H.R. 1140) because the bill strengthens workplace rights for Transportation Security Officers, improving job conditions, and enhancing the security of the traveling public. personal explanation

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 80.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4044, the Protect and Restore America's Estuaries Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation to reauthorize and improve the National Estuary Program, the NEP. I thank Representative Malinowski for his leadership on preserving our Nation's estuaries as well. Puget Sound, where I am from, is the largest estuary by water volume in the contiguous United States, and the waters and wildlife that call it home are one of the cornerstones of northwest Washington's environment, culture, and maritime economy. As co-chair of the Congressional Estuary Caucus, I strongly support efforts to ensure robust Federal investment in the National Estuary Program and its vital projects, which is why I am proud and very pleased to support the Protect and Restore America's Estuaries Act. This critical legislation reauthorizes the National Estuary Program through fiscal year 2026 and increases funding for this critical program to $50 million annually. H.R. 4044 also includes language I authored making clear that NEP competitive funds must be allocated for NEP-listed estuaries or projects that relate to these estuaries' coastal resiliency. This will help ensure that the Environmental Protection Agency follows congressional intent for NEP dollars to support local estuary restoration projects. I look forward to voting for H.R. 4044 to ensure local communities across the country can continue their work to protect and restore estuaries. On a related note, I also want to rise in support of the PUGET SOS Act, which will be considered later today. Introduced by my colleagues in the Washington delegation, Representatives Heck and Kilmer, this bill will improve and expand Federal engagement in Puget Sound recovery efforts. At a time when the impacts of climate change threaten coastal communities throughout the Pacific Northwest and the U.S., endanger iconic species such as the southern resident killer whale, and decimate critical habitats, federal engagement and investment in estuary restoration must be a priority.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to express my support for H.R. 4863, the United States Export Finance Agency Act, which reauthorizes the Ex-Im Bank's charter for 10 years. The Ex-Im Bank is a proven job-creating success story. For years, I have met with small- and medium-sized manufacturers in northwest Washington State who rely on the Ex-Im Bank to compete in the global marketplace. Since 2014, companies, suppliers, and other manufacturers in my district who rely on the Ex-Im Bank have generated nearly $24 billion in total export value. Vista Clara Inc. in Mukilteo is a small, veteran-owned business which used Ex-Im funds to develop and manufacture advanced nuclear magnetic resonance, NMR, geophysical instruments for groundwater, environmental, and energy resources investigations. The Ex-Im Bank levels the international playing field for U.S. exporters and workers, enabling them to respond to foreign competition when it is backed by export credit agency support. It also supports large manufacturers like Boeing, America's largest exporter. I represent nearly 18,000 current employees at Boeing's Everett plant, which depends upon the Ex-Im Bank to support millions of dollars in total insured shipments, guaranteed credit, or disbursed loans. The U.S. can be an attractive alternative to China by employing a strategic approach combining development assistance, ensuring protections for the environment and worker rights, and supporting good governance and the rule of law. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to voting for H.R. 4863 this week to provide much-needed certainty for the Nation's manufacturers, and I urge my colleagues' support.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise to commemorate a solemn anniversary. Five years ago, on October 24, 2014, the Marysville, Washington and Tulalip communities were violently ripped apart by a tragic shooting at Marysville-Pilchuck High School. The victims--Zoe Galasso (14), Shaylee Chuckulnaskit (14), Gia Soriano (14) and Andrew Fryberg (15)--were filled with ambition and excitement for life. Jaylen Fryberg (15), also died. Nate Hatch survived the shooting and spent months fighting for his life. As a father of two boys, my heart still hurts when I think of those parents who received the worst news imaginable. Today, five years later, I recognize the strength and resilience of the victims' families, the Tulalip tribes, the Marysville-Pilchuck High School community and the city of Marysville, Washington. When faced with unimaginable tragedy, the community came together to celebrate the young victims and give thanks for their lives which were cut short in a senseless act of violence.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on strengthening America's elections and the democratic process. The task we face is very simple: Congress should secure elections from foreign interference and break down barriers that prevent Americans from accessing the ballot. And the SHIELD Act, which Congress will vote on this week, protects elections from foreign meddling by increasing oversight of campaign contacts and online political advertising. U.S. citizens have a right to be fully informed of their ballot box choices without concerns of foreign interference. The 2016 election taught us in the United States many lessons as foreign governments sought to influence the outcome of our election. The SHIELD Act builds on lessons learned from the 2016 election by creating an obligation to report contacts between campaigns and foreign nationals. Additionally, the SHIELD Act presents modern-day solutions for the problems of manipulative online political advertisements by ensuring the same standards applied to other political ads will extend to these new advertisements. Mr. Speaker, the House will vote on the SHIELD Act this week, and I urge Members of the House to vote for the SHIELD Act to strengthen our country's democracy.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the life and distinguished athletic career of Mr. Jarred Rome of Marysville, Washington, who died on Saturday, September 21 , 2019. Mr. Rome attended Marysville Pilchuck High School, where he began his career as a discus thrower, graduating in 1995. He was a six-time All-American at Boise State University, a two-time national champion and a two-time Olympian in the discus. After finishing fourteenth at Nationals in 2003, Mr. Rome worked to improve, finishing first at the 2004 Olympic trials, qualifying for the U.S. Olympic Team. He spent 10 years at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California, where he trained and coached the next generation of Olympic. athletes. He was inducted into the Snohomish County Sports Hall of Fame on Wednesday, September 18, 2019. He is survived by his spouse, former U.S. National Women's Field Hockey Team midfielder Pamela Spuehler Rome, who he met while training in Southern California, his parents and two sisters. I would like to honor Mr. Rome for the legacy he created for his Washington state community, his lifelong commitment to athletic excellence and for his work to help others attain the same.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure be discharged from further consideration of the bill (S. 2249) to allow the Deputy Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration on the date of enactment of this Act to continue to serve as such Deputy Administrator, and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today with my colleague Representative LaHood to honor Wayne Morrison, Specialist in International Trade and Finance in the Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade Division of the Congressional Research Service (CRS). Wayne recently retired after 36 years of distinguished service at CRS as a leading expert on U.S.-China trade and economic relations. Wayne has always been helpful to our offices and willing to speak to groups, Members and policy staffers about trade and China. Before starting his career at CRS, Wayne worked in the office of Senator John Heinz, engaging directly with constituents on international trade issues. From there, Wayne has spent over three decades working in trade policy. Wayne has been involved in nearly every major trade bill and U.S. trade law, as well as U.S. trade relations and negotiations with key U.S. trading partners and at the World Trade Organization (WTO). As the Chairs of the US-China Working Group, we rise with appreciation for Wayne's work on China specifically. Wayne's knowledge of China's economy and its economic rise have been critical to Congress. One of Wayne's greatest strengths is his ability to explain the complexities of the bilateral relationship in an authoritative yet accessible manner, providing invaluable assistance to Members of Congress, as well as to the most experienced congressional staff and to those just starting to work on China. Wayne represents CRS at its finest in serving Congress. We will miss him and wish him the very best in his retirement.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, a few weeks ago, Democrats and Republicans engaged in the annual Congressional Soccer Match, and we are taking a very brief amount of time here to announce the outcome of that Congressional Soccer Match. In a few moments, I will recognize my Representative friend from Nebraska. This is an important timing of this particular recognition because tomorrow the U.S. Women's national team kicks off at 3 p.m. to defend their World Cup title. For those in the Pacific Northwest, that is noon. I am encouraging everyone to watch that game if it is possible. So we are here to recognize the Women's national team, but also to recognize the winners of this year's Congressional Soccer Match, the Republicans. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bacon).

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Castor), who is also on our team and the other co- chair.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the 2020 Census. Every decade, the Census shapes important local infrastructure and investment decisions like where to build new schools, establish workforce training sites, invest in road and public transportation projects, and fund health care and affordable housing. The Census also determines how many Members of Congress are allocated per state and informs decisions about Congressional district lines, ensuring fair representation. An accurate Census is vital to the well-being of Washington's communities. That is why I oppose adding a citizenship question to the Census. By enabling informed decisions, accurate Census data can create jobs, stimulate economic growth and increase employment opportunities for people in Washington's Second District. Adding an un-tested citizenship question will sow fear and lead people to not respond to the Census survey, negatively impacting local communities. Madam Speaker, I continue to support a well-researched and just 2020 Census to foster innovation, growth and prosperity for Washington state communities.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support H. Res. 1162 and voice my outrage at continued Russian violations of Ukrainian sovereignty. The list of Russian provocations is lengthy. Russia has fueled the war in the Donbas, first by providing material and mercenary support to armed separatists and later by sending in troops to fight directly. Russia also illegally invaded and occupied the Crimean Peninsula. Additionally, Russian-backed separatists using Russian-supplied weaponry shot down a passenger airliner, killing 298 innocent civilians. To this day, Russia refuses to accept responsibility despite overwhelming evidence. Most recently, Russian ships seized and boarded Ukrainian vessels sailing between two Ukrainian ports in the Kerch Strait, detaining Ukrainian sailors. This violation of international law cannot go unmet. What happens to Ukraine matters to the United States because violations of international borders and maritime law harm the United States. The United States benefits greatly from the rules-based order it set up with a coalition of countries after World War II. Any violation of these rules and norms must be responded to appropriately. Now that H. Res. 1162 has passed on voice vote, I call on my colleagues in Congress and the administration to explore further ways to hold Russia accountable for its blatant violations of Ukrainian sovereignty. Finally, as the Ukrainian government works to strengthen transparency and the rule of law, I urge my colleagues in Congress to be willing partners to secure the benefits of democracy and stability for the Ukrainian people.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise to voice my strong support for H. Res. 1149 and the alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea. Our two nations have forged an important military alliance and strong economic and diplomatic friendship built on shared support for democracy, free markets and human rights. I have long advocated for increasing the American commitment to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, with the important U.S.-Korean relationship central to that strategy. Both of our nations are threatened by North Korea's nuclear program. With nuclear talks at an apparent standstill, the current reduction in bilateral military exercises may be harming joint readiness with little to show for it. I will continue to urge the administration to conduct exercises when militarily necessary and separate our military cooperation with South Korea from ongoing negotiations about North Korea's nuclear program. The United States and the Republic of Korea share a desire to eliminate the threat posed by North Korea's nuclear and missile programs and secure a lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula. By working together as allies and friends we increase the likelihood of making these aspirations into reality.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018. Protecting the maritime jobs of the hardworking Washingtonians in the second district of my State, including at Dakota Creek Industries in Anacortes, is a priority of mine. The passage of this legislation supports U.S. maritime defense policy and sustains a strong domestic shipbuilding industry. It is a win as well for the hundreds of men and women at Dakota Creek Industries, which is a key contributor to our regional economy. I appreciate the coordination with Senator Cantwell, Senator Sullivan, and Representative Don Young as we have worked for a year and a half to find a path to save the hundreds of jobs at DCI. I also want to thank my friend, Frank LoBiondo. It is fitting that this bill is named for him, as he is a champion of all things transportation. He has worked tirelessly for the people of New Jersey, the people of his district, and for the people of this country to ensure that we have an infrastructure system in this country that works for all of them. It has been an honor to serve with him for nearly two decades, and I will miss the work of Representative Frank LoBiondo.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the distinguished life and distinguished career of 100-year-old Chief Erwin Roy Olney of Burlington, Washington. Chief Olney is a World War II and Korean War U.S. Navy veteran who served in Dutch Harbor, Alaska; Honolulu; and New York City. He enlisted at 17 on August 4, 1936. He was discharged in October 1941, but re-enlisted in December, 1941, after the attack on Pearl Harbor. While in Dutch Harbor, he shot down a Japanese Zero fighter plane. The recovered plane helped U.S. engineers understand their enemy and improve U.S. fighters at a critical time in the war. Chief Olney retired in 1956 with more than 20 years of service. His rank at retirement was Chief Aviation Machinist Mate. On October 11, 2018, Chief Olney turned 100 years old. He is a patriot and deserves to be honored not just for this milestone birthday but also for his commitment to this country. During the month of his 100th birthday, I rise to recognize and thank Chief Olney.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, thank you, Chairman Katko and Ranking Member Watson Coleman, for calling this important hearing to take a closer look at the new challenges that pose security threats to airports and carriers nationwide. As Ranking Member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure's Aviation Subcommittee, I am committed to ensuring the United States continues to have the safest airspace system in the history of flight. In light of recent events, it is clear there is more Congress can do to make the system safer. Less than two months ago, on August 10, 2018, an airline employee stole an aircraft at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) in my home state of Washington and engaged in unauthorized flight. If not for the rapid response teams, particularly Sea-Tac air traffic controllers and the Air National Guard, who remained calm throughout a very intense situation and worked diligently to contain the incident, this tragedy could have devastated communities in Northwest Washington. Sea-Tac is a major hub in the national airport network and has long been a leader in airport security. The airport conducts extensive security clearance measures and thorough employee background checks, and uses advanced technologies to ensure the safety of its passengers and employees. However, this incident demonstrates the need for the federal government and industry alike to consider new ways to ensure the safety and security of passengers and employees. For years, I worked with my colleagues on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to develop a long-term Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill to address, among other things, safety issues present in our airspace system, and I am pleased Congress has recently enacted a comprehensive measure that will raise the bar on aviation safety for years to come. This legislation will help lessen the likelihood of incidents similar to the August 10 event at Sea-Tac in the future by requiring the FAA and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to work with industry to evaluate security gaps in our aviation system and provide recommendations on industry improvements. Among its provisions, the legislation authorizes the FAA to carry out a pilot program to support non-federal acquisition and installation of surveillance systems for the non-movement areas of airports, such as airport cargo and maintenance areas. It also calls on the FAA to collaborate with stakeholders to advance a global standard for access to air carrier flight decks, and it directs the TSA to consult with the FAA to complete a detailed threat assessment to identify any safety or security risks associated with unauthorized access to flight decks on commercial aircraft. While this long-term reauthorization makes considerable progress in aviation safety and security, our work is not done. In addition, industry must work proactively to address these pressing issues. I commend Sea-Tac and aviation stakeholders for their collaboration following the August 10 incident on a new series of industry best practices to advance airport security. I look forward to working with this Subcommittee, industry, and other stakeholders to address these new threats and to ensure the United States continues to maintain the safest aviation system in the world. With that, I thank the Chairman and Ranking Member for their bipartisan leadership on this important issue.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Whatcom Community College (WCC) for its leadership in cybersecurity education. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2016 there were over 100,000 cybersecurity jobs in the U.S. Yet the cybersecurity workforce gap is projected to reach 1.8 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs in 2020. Congress needs to invest in the future of the cybersecurity workforce. WCC is one example of how academic institutions in the U.S. engage students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to excel in the cybersecurity field. As a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance, WCC leads the expansion of cybersecurity education nationwide. WCC through their leadership in CyberWatch West, works to improve existing cybersecurity resources to develop effective training and teaching modules to raise awareness and build partnerships among academia and industry. It is imperative for local communities to increase connections with industry around cybersecurity to better enable the U.S. to foster the growth and complexity Octobers education. In 2020, WCC is planning to apply to become a Center of Excellence in Cybersecurity. Designating WCC as the next Center of Excellence in Cybersecurity would provide valuable resources to community colleges seeking to improve their cybersecurity education programs and foster innovation and interest in cybersecurity education throughout the U.S. I thank WCC for its contribution to cybersecurity education in the U.S. and will continue to advocate for increased investment in STEM.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Lynn Fallows. Lynn was a passionate mother, wife, teacher and ovarian cancer research advocate. On August 16, 2018, Lynn lost her battle with ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecologic cancer and the fifth- leading cause of cancer deaths for women in the U.S. Despite advancement in medicine, no effective screening test exists for ovarian cancer. To complicate factors, symptoms are hard to catch in early stages, if not altogether absent. In February 2015, Lynn was diagnosed with Stage III ovarian cancer. Lynn did not have a family history of ovarian cancer and, like many women diagnosed, was completely blindsided by her diagnosis. Like the fighter she was, Lynn wasted no time educating herself and getting involved in the ovarian cancer community. The month she was diagnosed, Lynn started a blog to share her experiences and connect with other ovarian cancer patients and survivors. Within a year of her diagnosis, she began volunteering at the Rivkin Cancer Center in Seattle to help educate women and raise awareness about ovarian cancer. She later joined the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance's Advocate Leader program to advocate for ovarian cancer research and expanded access to care. Mr. Speaker, Lynn dedicated the last years of her life making a difference in the lives of others through her advocacy work. Her family and friends will greatly miss and always remember Lynn's dedication, resilience and tenacity.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bipartisan, long-term measure to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration. I want to thank Chairman Shuster, Chairman LoBiondo, and Ranking Member DeFazio for all of the work that they have put into this bill for nearly 5 years now. I am pleased that we have come to a bipartisan and bicameral agreement to raise the bar on aviation safety, improve the experience for the traveling public, better prepare and diversify the aviation workforce, increase the global competitiveness of U.S. aerospace manufacturers, and pave the way for advanced drone operations in U.S. airspace. Many reforms included in this bill have an immediate impact and benefits in Washington State where I am from. It is a leader in U.S. aviation and aerospace. General aviation contributes an estimated $3.6 billion to our economy and supports more than 30,000 jobs a year. Improving the FAA's certification processes for aircraft and other aviation and airspace products allows U.S. manufacturers like the smaller contractors and suppliers throughout my district to get newer and safer products to market faster. The bill's certification reforms will better enable U.S. aviation manufacturers to compete globally. H.R. 302 also recognizes the importance of recruiting, training, and developing the next generation of aviation workforce. The bill creates a task force to develop recommendations on encouraging young people to pursue careers in aviation maintenance, manufacturing, and engineering through apprenticeships, as well as two new grant programs to support pilot education and recruitment of aviation maintenance workers. In addition, the legislation includes strong consumer protections like establishing minimum seat dimensions, prohibiting airlines from involuntarily bumping passengers who have cleared the gate, and designating nursing rooms for mothers in each terminal. I have advocated, as well, to better address the needs of passengers with disabilities while traveling. This measure makes significant improvements by requiring the FAA to study lavatory access for passengers with disabilities and increases civil penalties for damaging passengers' wheelchairs or mobility aids. Importantly, the agreement also protects the safety of our flight attendants by mandating 10 hours of rest for flight attendants, a requirement that has not been updated in two decades and is long overdue. The bipartisan legislation lays the groundwork for the safe and swift integration of drones into the national airspace, and advanced drone operations like package delivery. If the U.S. cannot accommodate the growing drone industry, Congress has been told the innovation and economic benefits would move abroad. This long-term FAA reauthorization ensures these jobs stay in the United States. Further, the bill reauthorizes the TSA. This language is particularly important to me as, less than 2 months ago, an airline employee stole an aircraft and engaged in an unauthorized flight, which could have had devastating impacts in communities in northwest Washington State. To help ensure a similar incident does not happen again, the bill requires the TSA to work with industry to evaluate security gaps and how to make industry improvements. This moment has been a long time in the making. I am proud to have worked with the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee members and the staff on this milestone. I would like to give special thanks to my retiring colleagues, Chairman Bill Shuster and Chairman Frank LoBiondo for their years of service, dedication, and, most importantly, their friendship. The long-term FAA reauthorization bill is a strong, bipartisan effort that will propel the aviation industry, ensure the safety of the traveling public, and support economic growth.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.