Rick Larsen

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate Lisa Janicki's service as a County Commissioner for Skagit County, Washington. Commissioner Janicki was first elected to the Skagit County Board of County Commissioners in November 2014, following a career of more than thirty years as the Chief Financial Officer for Janicki family businesses. During her eleven years in office, Commissioner Janicki has been a tireless leader in fighting the opioid epidemic across our communities and Washington state, advocating for policy solutions, programs, and investments to end this scourge and repair the incredible damage it has caused. She has worked collaboratively with the county's partner jurisdictions to increase services available for community members in need of urgent crisis support. She was a founding member of North Star, a partnership between the county commissioners and government, the mayors of the four largest cities in Skagit County, and service organizations to end homelessness and enhance effective delivery of crisis response, recovery, and support services countywide. Commissioner Janicki also oversaw the development of the STAR Center providing acute behavioral health care services to Skagit County, in addition to the county's first permanent supportive housing development, Martha's Place, and the Skagit First Steps Shelter. Commissioner Janicki's heartfelt leadership, strategic foresight, and compassion are an inspiration to leaders and community members in Skagit County and across northwest Washington. She has been a transformational advocate for the people of Skagit County. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to commend Commissioner Janicki for her outstanding leadership and vision, dedication to serving her community, and the enduring legacy she has helped to cultivate. I ask my colleagues to join me in expressing our deepest gratitude for her service.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today along with my colleague, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene, to congratulate the Archbishop Murphy High School football team on their first state title since 2016. The team earned the opportunity to play Tumwater in the 2A state championship game at Husky Stadium on December 6, 2025, led by their head coach Joe Cronin. We would also like to extend our congratulations to Archbishop Murphy senior receiver Henry Gabalis for signing to the University of Arizona, offensive lineman Hakiem Smalls for signing to Boise State University, and tight end Jack Sievers for signing to the University of Wisconsin-- Madison. These students, as well as their entire team, should be proud of their performance this season. Mr. Speaker, we ask our colleagues to join us in celebrating the achievements of the Archbishop Murphy High School football team for their hard work and championship win. Go Wildcats.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Chair, I thank Representative Scholten for yielding time. Mr. Chair, I rise today to oppose the dirty water act. This bill will make it more difficult to keep our water clean and will, ironically, add more uncertainty to the permitting process, just the opposite of what we need to have happen. This bill guts Federal, State, Tribal, and local authority and resources to attain clean water and protect locally important water bodies. First, this bill significantly restricts Federal oversight and regulatory authorities under the Clean Water Act. The current administration has already acted to slash Federal funding for clean water and eliminate agency staff. This bill compounds those efforts and will leave Federal agencies powerless to fulfill their responsibilities under the Clean Water Act. Second, the bill undermines the partnership that the Federal Government has with States and Tribes to prevent pollution, weakening States' and Tribes' ability to better protect their own water. The result will be more pollution in our Nation's rivers, streams, and lakes, thanks to loopholes, legal shields, and limited oversight of polluters. Third, this bill will end up slowing projects by increasing regulatory uncertainty and delay. Democrats want to pass bills that invest in infrastructure and get projects done faster. That is why we passed the bipartisan infrastructure law. It invested in all types of infrastructure for communities nationwide. Fully funding projects and the Federal agencies charged with approving them is the quickest way to get this infrastructure built. Instead, this bill, when paired with efforts to cut funding, as well as other Federal water infrastructure programs, will slow down investments in cleaner, greener, safer, and more accessible State and local projects. Under this bill, communities of all sizes will end up with dirtier water and be left with the cost of cleanup. This will hurt rural communities and minority communities. It will hurt them especially hard, as well as other communities struggling financially under the policies of the current administration. This bill shifts the cost of pollution from polluters to American families who will have to spend more for safe drinking water and access to water-related recreational areas if such resources are even still available. Members of this committee on a bipartisan basis have supported predictability in regulating clean water, and there is another way. We don't have to choose between clean water and a robust economy. We can have both. My State is a great example. It is defined by its clean water, including the Puget Sound and hundreds of lakes and thousands of miles of rivers and streams throughout Washington. We all know that rivers, streams, and wetlands are intrinsically connected. The health of the waters in my State and its water-related economy depend upon a strong partnership with the Federal Government and a level playing field among its upstream users and downstream neighbors, including local Tribal communities. During the consideration of this bill in the committee, my Democratic colleagues offered several amendments to fix the loopholes, liability shields, and limited oversight for polluters contained in this bill. These amendments targeted the most egregious provisions of this bill, not every provision of the bill. It targeted provisions that eviscerated Federal and State clean water agencies; provisions that made it easier for polluters to put more toxic and cancer-causing chemicals in waters such as PFAS, arsenic, and pesticides; and provisions that endanger not only our own health but the health of local, regional, and State economies. These were all defeated on party-line votes, unfortunately. Honestly, I do look forward to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee returning to its bipartisan work and creating effective legislation that will upgrade our infrastructure, that will build our economy and create jobs, all while protecting our waters. Mr. Chair, unfortunately, the outcome of this bill, if enacted, will be increasing pollution and contamination of our waters. I oppose this bill, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate Bryan Sakuma's service as Chair of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC). Born and raised on the Sakuma family farm in Washington State, Bryan proudly represents the third generation of his family in the agriculture industry. From an early age, Bryan demonstrated a deep devotion to agriculture, spending weekends during his college years working the fields alongside his father and uncles while earning a degree in Agricultural Economics from Washington State University. He went on to earn a master's degree from WSU in 1980 and is a distinguished alumnus of the Washington Agriculture & Forestry Leadership Program, Class 12. Following graduation, Bryan joined the family business full-time, operating a nursery. By 1998, he became President of Sakuma Bros. Processing, Inc., where he led fresh and IQF processing operations and expanded the company's Japanese export program. Since 2016, he has served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing, continuing to lead with the same dedication, integrity, and strategic vision. Throughout his professional life, Bryan has exemplified leadership and service. In addition to his recent tenure as Chair of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, he has served as Chair of both the Washington Blueberry Commission and the Washington Red Raspberry Commission. He has also contributed his expertise as a member of the Washington State Commission on Pesticide Registration and the Washington State Strawberry Commission, among numerous other roles. Bryan Sakuma's work has had a profound and lasting impact not only on the Pacific Northwest but on berry growers and agricultural communities nationwide. He has been a tireless advocate for growers, working to strengthen markets, support research, and promote the health and sustainability of the industry. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Mr. Sakuma's greatest pride is his family. He is a devoted husband to his wife, Barbara, and a loving father and grandfather. Two of his sons, Nathan and Noel, have continued the Sakuma tradition of stewardship, innovation, and service to the community. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to commend Bryan Sakuma for his outstanding leadership, his dedication to American agriculture, and the enduring legacy he has helped to cultivate. I ask my colleagues to join me in expressing our deepest gratitude for his service.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Michael Scott Schuerlein, who passed away on June 12, 2025, at the age of 81. Michael was born in Berea, Ohio, and was the only child of Frederick and Adah Schuerlein. He graduated from Baldwin Wallace College, where he was a proud member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. After moving west in 1967, Michael and his first wife built a home on Lake Sammamish and raised their children in Washington state. Over the course of more than 50 years as a homebuilder, Michael's creativity and commitment to craftsmanship shaped communities across the region. His work was showcased in the ``Street of Dreams'' homes of the 1990's, and his passion was evident in his Whidbey Island home, which he filled with antiques and personal treasures. Michael's life was also defined by service to others. He relentlessly dedicated his time and talents to advancing affordable housing on Whidbey Island, including his work with the Tiny Houses in the Name of Christ (THINC) project and as a member of the Island Roots Housing board. His belief that affordable housing is critical to the well-being of the Langley community continues to guide local efforts today. Beyond his professional work, Michael was an avid sailor and a generous friend. He was known for his weekly reflections and encouragement to those around him, often sharing the motto he lived by: ``Thoughts become things . . . Choose the good ones.'' Michael is survived by his daughters, stepdaughters, granddaughter, companion and a wide circle of friends and colleagues. He will be deeply missed by his family, his fraternity brothers, his sailing community, his fellow Langley Coffee Curmudgeons and all who benefited from his generosity and wisdom. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life and legacy of Michael Scott Schuerlein, whose creativity, generosity and service strengthened communities across Northwest Washington and beyond.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to speak in support of H.R. 4275, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025. This bipartisan legislation reauthorizes funding for the U.S. Coast Guard through 2029, updates and restructures Coast Guard programs and policies, and supports the commercial maritime industry. It is the result of good faith, bipartisan negotiations between Chair Graves and Chair Ezell, myself, and Ranking Member Carbajal, and it includes important contributions from members on and off the committee. This bill is the latest example of bipartisanship on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and I am very proud to support it. Coast Guard operational readiness is at risk due to years of underfunding. A lack of investment has led to a $3 billion shoreside infrastructure backlog, a lack of icebreaking capacity in the Arctic and Great Lakes, and reduced capacity across several essential missions, such as mariner safety and mariner credentialing. The committee recognized this need, and H.R. 4275 begins to address the shortfall by authorizing the Coast Guard far beyond the administration's request. It increases Coast Guard funding levels to $21 billion by 2029, ensuring that the Coast Guard remains ``always ready''; ``semper paratus.'' These funding levels will give the Coast Guard the resources needed to execute its missions and deliver a basic standard of living for its servicemembers. In addition, the bill increases procurement, construction, and improvements funding by 100 percent over current funding levels. These new resources should enable the Coast Guard to maintain its ongoing recapitalization programs, including Polar Security Cutters and Offshore Patrol Cutters. Last Congress, we enacted substantial improvements to safety for mariners and passengers aboard vessels. This legislation builds upon that work by addressing additional safety risks on vessels and increasing the penalties for bad actors. This bill fights oil spill pollution by bolstering vessel response plans and ensuring timely, robust firefighting responses when vessel incidents do occur. It also requires the Coast Guard to evaluate international oil spill coordination and ensures robust protections and response capacity in environmentally sensitive locations like the Puget Sound. Maritime commerce cannot come at the expense of the environment. This bill includes provisions that begin addressing the mariner shortage by updating mariner requirements, updating the merchant mariner credentialing exam, and expanding the pool of eligible mariners. Finally and importantly, the bill includes numerous provisions to address sexual assault and sexual harassment within the Coast Guard. These new requirements, directives, and oversight were developed because the Coast Guard deliberately hid Operation Fouled Anchor and decades of sexual misconduct within the Coast Guard. Former Commandant Admiral Fagan worked hard to repair that lost confidence that resulted from Operation Fouled Anchor, and this legislation builds on her work. Again, I thank Chair Graves, Chair Ezell, Ranking Member Carbajal and others for their cooperation in crafting this critical legislation. I look forward to our continued collaboration as this legislation moves forward, and I urge all Members to support this bill.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, on July 21, 2025, I was unable to attend votes due to a travel issue. Had I been present, I would have voted: NAY on Roll Call 213, and YEA on Roll Call No. 214.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, during the week of June 2, 2025, I was unable to attend several votes due to a family medical issue. Had I been present, I would have voted: YEA on Roll Call No. 146; YEA on Roll Call No. 147; YEA on Roll Call No. 150; YEA on Roll Call No. 151; YEA on Roll Call No. 152; NAY on Roll Call No. 153; YEA on Roll Call No. 154; and NAY on Roll Call No. 155.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 137, as amended, which designates rooms H-315, H-316, H-317, H-318, H-319 in the U.S. Capitol as the Frederick Douglass Press Gallery. We honor Frederick Douglass for his extraordinary contributions to this country. Born an enslaved person, he grew to be a prominent abolitionist, public intellectual, journalist, world-renowned orator, businessman, and statesman. Frederick Douglass was a courageous advocate for equal rights who used his journalistic and oratorical skills to advance civil liberties for all his life. It is fitting that we name the House Press Gallery after the first Black reporter allowed into the Capitol press galleries. Mr. Speaker, I support passage of the resolution, as amended, and urge my colleagues to do the same. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time, and I am prepared to close.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I will also take this time to recognize Republican Staff Director of T&I, Jack Ruddy, who is leaving at the end of the week, after more than 6\1/2\ years of work on the committee and, of course, an additional 9 years directly with the chair. During Jack's 3 years as staff director, 2\1/2\ of which I have been the ranking member of the committee, the T&I Committee has passed impactful, bipartisan bills that have moved the ball on a number of issues. From our work on the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 to the WRDA Act in 2024, which included the first reauthorization of the Economic Development Administration in more than 15 years, Jack has proven to be a trusted partner and effective negotiator. Just to show you how much work he does do, one of the issues we had to settle on the FAA Reauthorization Act occurred when I was in my district on Whidbey Island, while Sam was on Midway Island in the middle of the Pacific--I don't even know which day it was on Midway at the time--but Jack helped facilitate the phone call that helped the chair and me resolve a sticky wicket issue that we had to get done to get the bill done. I appreciated Jack's help in making that happen. Even when we disagreed, Jack was never disagreeable, and he worked to find common ground. We are actually sad to see Jack go. I know Jack will do well and we wish him great luck in his future endeavors. Mr. Speaker, I support the resolution and encourage my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support the Baby Changing on Board Act. This bill requires Amtrak to install baby changing stations in accessible bathrooms on new passenger rail cars and include clear signage indicating the availability of changing stations. This will ensure that parents with young children on Amtrak trains can use accessible, safe, and comfortable changing facilities. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support this legislation to create a safer, cleaner, and more accessible experience for parents and caregivers traveling with young children. I urge my colleagues to support the Baby Changing on Board Act, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, at this time I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Underwood), the prime sponsor of the bill.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support the Baby Changing on Board Act, and I encourage my colleagues to do the same. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1182, the Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety and Oversight Improvements Act. The bill requires the Secretary of Transportation to advance a rulemaking to make the standards for foreign manufacturers of compressed gas cylinders sold in the U.S. the same as standards for the domestic makers of these same cylinders. Compressed gas cylinders are used every day in life for medical, auto, defense, oil and gas, residential, firefighting, and other purposes. In January, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration issued a safety advisory notice regarding unsafe cylinders being sold online to consumers, shippers, and heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning folks. These were not manufactured to American or even United Nations standards and lacked certification markings. Using these unsafe compressed gas cylinders could cause significant damage to property, physical injury, or even death. PHMSA determined that the unmarked empty cylinders being sold in the United States on major commercial websites are primarily manufactured by non-U.S. companies. This bill requires a consistent standard for both domestic and foreign manufacturers of compressed gas cylinders. Mr. Speaker, I support this bipartisan bill and urge my colleagues to do the same. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I will close by saying that I support the Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety and Oversight Improvements Act. I encourage my colleagues to do the same, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1373, as amended, bipartisan legislation to promote additional transparency of board meetings of the Tennessee Valley Authority. I thank Representatives Cohen and Burchett of Tennessee for their leadership on this bill and their tireless work to improve the TVA. TVA is the Nation's largest government-owned wholesale power producer, supplying power to 10 million people across the States of Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, and Kentucky. This legislation requires TVA's board meetings to be open to the public when possible, which will increase transparency for the communities impacted by TVA's decisions. Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 1373, as amended, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, in closing, Congress must ensure that TVA's operations are transparent. I support H.R. 1373, as amended, and urge my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1948, as amended, bipartisan legislation to assist the U.S. section of the International Boundary and Water Commission, or IBWC, in carrying out its critical water- related missions. This bill allows IBWC to accept contributed funds from other Federal and State agencies, giving the Commission the authority other Federal infrastructure agencies already have. This authority will allow the IBWC to partner with other Federal agencies and non-Federal interests to carry out critical water-related projects, including projects for wastewater treatment, water conservation, and flood control. I support H.R. 1948, as amended, and urge my colleagues to do the same. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Peters).

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, the IBWC plays a crucial role in addressing water needs across the U.S.-Mexico border. I support H.R. 1948, as amended, to ensure the IBWC has the authority necessary to carry out its critical work and urge my colleagues to support this bill, as well. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark Building Safety Month 2025 and to recognize the more than 60,000 members of the International Code Council (ICC) who have dedicated their livelihoods to ensuring public safety throughout the built environment. Building Safety Month is sponsored by the International Code Council and its partners to remind the public of the professionals who ensure buildings are safe, resilient, affordable, efficient, and livable. The Code Council brings together local, state, and federal government stakeholders, as well as those from the private sector to develop model codes and standards that protect the occupants of the buildings in which we live, work, and play. Those standards are then implemented year-round by building safety officials, the fire services, architects, engineers, builders, and other skilled tradespeople to ensure the safe construction and maintenance of buildings. Building Safety Month is an annual celebration to remind the public of the critical role of local code officials--who ensure the safe, sustainable, and affordable buildings essential to prosperity. In late 2020, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released its ``Building Codes Saves'' report, which found that implementing modern building codes could prevent $600 billion in disaster-related spending by 2060. FEMA further confirmed a prior report by the National Institute of Building Sciences that found that adopting modern codes provides $11 dollars in mitigation savings for every $1 dollar invested. As the Ranking Member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee--responsible for oversight and authorization of FEMA--I have heard repeated testimony from expert witnesses on the increase in both the frequency and severity of natural disasters. Building codes and standards are critical to protecting the public from these disasters, including wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, snow and ice storms, and earthquakes. As Americans rebuild after disasters, we recognize and thank those who implement and enforce building codes for protecting lives, property, and businesses, and ultimately ensuring our communities are resilient to future events. Mr. Speaker, please join me in thanking International Code Council Board President David Spencer--a fellow Washingtonian--as well as ICC's Chief Executive Officer John Belcik, the International Code Council leadership, and ICC's Members and staff as they recognize Building Safety Month 2025.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 751 on the opening of the new Everett Union Hall. The new union hall replaces a previous hall that was dedicated in 1996 and provided space for meetings, town halls, solidarity barbecues, celebrations and other union business. While the old hall served IAM for nearly 30 years, the building was not suitable to meet the needs of the nearly 16,000 IAM members working at Boeing's Everett facility. In particular, the old hall did not have the capacity to support training for new and future aerospace workers. The new Everett Union Hall will house business representatives, support staff, classrooms, shops, labs and a full training area that will allow IAM to offer certification programs and training in conjunction with Boeing and other organizations. One of the hardest things in high tech industries is finding a workforce that has the skills and training required to do the work. This new hall will allow the union to provide hands-on training for generations of aerospace workers, allowing current workers to learn new skills and providing an opportunity for future aerospace workers to get the training they need to find family-wage aerospace manufacturing jobs. This new union hall is not just a building--it is an investment that will benefit the entire region by building the workforce in Washington state and incentivizing aerospace businesses to keep their work in the region. Congratulations to IAM, and I look forward to visiting the new hall.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Democrats are for bills that invest in job- creating infrastructure. We are against jamming through fiscally reckless bills that rip healthcare away from 13 million Americans and take food assistance away from millions of families so that we can hand out tax breaks to billionaires. Democrats want to continue historic funding for transportation infrastructure and stronger and healthier communities. Unfortunately, this reconciliation package leaves very little room for those investments--to make the needed safety investments for the entire air traffic control system, the safety investments that we need to tackle the highway safety crisis, and the investments that we need to meet the Coast Guard members' healthcare, housing, and childcare needs. This bill causes immediate harm by yanking money from locally selected projects that our constituents in Republican and Democratic districts alike are counting on. For what? To help pay for the tax cuts for the richest Americans and largest corporations. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to a future where the Members of this body work together on priorities for transportation infrastructure, but this big, ugly bill ain't it.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Linda McCarthy on her retirement from Mt. Baker Planned Parenthood and thank her for her many decades of service and dedication to the people of Northwest Washington. Since 1977, Linda McCarthy has been an advocate for women's health at Mt. Baker Planned Parenthood, starting as a secretary and eventually rising to become the CEO for 21 years. Under Linda McCarthy's leadership, Mt. Baker Planned Parenthood expanded access to exceptional and essential health and social services to many people in Whatcom, Skagit and San Juan counties. It has been an honor and a privilege working with Linda, and I will continue to honor her work by supporting women's health care, reproductive rights and family planning services in Northwest Washington.