Rick Larsen

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the christening of the USNS Billy Frank Jr. Billy Frank Jr. was a proud member of the Nisqually Tribe and a dedicated leader on tribal treaty rights and environmental stewardship. He served as chair of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission for over 30 years, paved the way for the Boldt decision and was honored with numerous prestigious awards. In 2015, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nation's highest civilian honor. I am grateful to have worked with Billy on habitat restoration for salmon and steelhead. Washington state's tribes and environment are stronger because of Billy's decades of advocacy and leadership. Billy was also a veteran of the Marine Corps and served during the Korean War. It is fitting that a Navy ship will now bear his name. The USNS Billy Frank Jr. will offer salvage, rescue, ocean-going towing and other support capabilities for U.S. Navy fleet operations, while also supporting missions such as oil spill response, humanitarian assistance, wide-area search and surveillance. On this momentous occasion I send my congratulations to the Frank family and the Nisqually Tribe. I look forward to once again honoring Billy later this year when his statue will be unveiled to represent the state of Washington in the U.S. Capitol's National Statuary Hall.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 1478, which would designate U.S. Highway 20 as the ``National Medal of Honor Highway.'' U.S. 20 is the longest road in the United States, passing through 12 States between Oregon and Massachusetts. Currently, all 12 of these States have designations at the State level deeming U.S. Route 20 the Medal of Honor Highway. This bill would overlay a Federal designation. Servicemembers are awarded the Medal of Honor for embodying the highest levels of bravery and valor. We owe a great debt of gratitude to every recipient of this award. This bill is a way to honor all current and future recipients and help to ensure we remember their acts of heroism. This legislation's House companion bill was already reported favorably by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee by unanimous consent. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I will note that recipients of the Medal of Honor have performed great acts of bravery in service to the United States. This bill is one way to honor the servicemembers. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 3475, legislation that is sponsored by Senator Peters. This bill would make technical corrections to the Commercial Driver's License Information System, or CDLIS, to ensure the system continues to function as intended. CDLIS is a nationwide database that allows States to share information about commercial driver records. The system assures commercial drivers are properly vetted with a single license and a complete record, which is critical for the safety of our roads. Absent this tool, commercial drivers could lose their license for safety violations in one State but then simply apply for a license in a different State. This legislation ensures the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration can continue to partner with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators to access the database and records. The Department of Transportation informed Congress that a technical revision to the law is needed to allow the system to continue to operate successfully. This legislation provides that correction and ensures that any fees collected go toward operating and maintaining the system. Mr. Speaker, the Commercial Driver's License Information System is the backbone of a safe commercial driving industry. This bill would ensure the continued operation of this critical tool and protect other safety priorities, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. 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 consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024, the sixth consecutive bipartisan bill approved by Congress to address local water resources across the country. Regular biennial consideration of WRDA, as we call it, is a proud bipartisan tradition of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. It provides predictability to local sponsors and the Army Corps of Engineers in carrying out projects to improve the Nation's ports, harbors, and inland navigation systems and to protect communities from flood and storm risks. These are locally driven projects that will create good-paying jobs for hardworking women and men by strengthening our global competitiveness and supply chains and ensuring the resilience of communities for decades to come. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chair Graves, Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Chair Rouzer, and their staff for their partnership, insight, and collaboration in developing this important legislation. Mr. Speaker, I also thank our Senate counterparts, Chair Carper and Ranking Member Capito, for their support in shepherding this bill over the finish line. I specifically recognize Ranking Member Napolitano for her leadership on this WRDA, as well as the four previous WRDA bills. She has left her mark on this committee with her decades of visionary work to address the future water supply and drought resiliency needs of communities throughout the United States. This final bill rightfully acknowledges her career as the ``Queen of Water'' by naming the section that encourages the corps to maximize opportunities for water supply, water conservation, and drought resiliency at its projects as the Grace F. Napolitano Priority for Water Supply, Water Conservation, and Drought Resiliency Act of 2024. WRDA 2024 authorizes the construction of projects in 21 pending reports of the chief of engineers. It also provides over $5 billion in new and modified environmental infrastructure authorities to address local water and wastewater needs. This bill also authorizes over 200 new feasibility studies for future water resources development projects, as well as modifies multiple existing projects to reflect current local needs. Mr. Speaker, WRDA 2024 makes the Corps of Engineers Tribal Partnership Program permanent and expands initiatives to assist Tribal partners while also making projects more financially accessible to all communities. It also provides communities with tools needed to face the threats posed by climate change, from enhancing drought resilience to combating harmful algal blooms and supporting flood control projects. WRDA 2024 supports economic growth by investing in projects that create jobs, grow local economies, boost economic competitiveness, and strengthen supply chains in the United States. Ships are getting bigger, and our ports need to get deeper to maintain America's competitive edge. Increased Federal investment in harbor-deepening projects will strengthen our supply chains and ensure that our ports and harbors can accommodate the world's largest ships. Further, the WRDA legislation we are considering also includes provisions related to economic development and public buildings. The bill authorizes activities for the Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration, or EDA, for the next 5 years. Congress is giving EDA clear direction about our priorities, which include clarifying EDA's responsibilities in disaster recovery efforts led by FEMA, adjusting the Federal and non-Federal cost-share levels, and prioritizing investments in critical infrastructure, workforce, innovation, entrepreneurship, economic recovery resiliency, and manufacturing. The bill also includes provisions designed to improve the efficacy and accountability of the General Services Administration, or GSA, by improving the process for disposing of underutilized Federal buildings and making GSA's process for updating design and engineering requirements transparent. This bill further gives States and local governments access to an additional $1.8 billion in contract authority that can be applied to critical transportation projects from amounts previously authorized under the TIFIA loan program. This bill equitably redistributes these funds according to the highway formula, including a 10 percent set- aside for transportation alternatives, ensuring communities of all sizes in every State are guaranteed access to this funding. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Napolitano).

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself a moment here to thank Grace Napolitano for her service to this country, to this House, and to the continual work on the Water Resources Development Act, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Titus).

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Sykes).

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. During this Congress, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has passed multiple comprehensive and bipartisan bills, including the FAA reauthorization. WRDA 2024 and other titles of this bill show we are finishing the Congress strong with a continued commitment from this committee to invest in our Nation's infrastructure and to grow our economy in regions across the country. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chair Graves, Chair Rouzer, Chair Perry, Ranking Member Napolitano, and Ranking Member Titus for their partnership and dedication to navigating this comprehensive bipartisan and bicameral bill to final passage. I also thank the Democratic staff, who worked very hard on this legislation: Ryan Seiger, Alexa Williams, Logan Ferree, Ann Jacobs, Jackie Schmitz, and Michael Bauman. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, 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. I rise in support of this bill, which will improve security for Federal employees and the members of the public who visit Federal buildings. Federal facilities face a wide range of threats, including active shooters, cyberattacks, hostile surveillance, and explosive devices. While the Federal Protective Service, or FPS, currently makes safety recommendations for Federal offices and buildings, the tenant agencies in those buildings often disregard FPS recommendations. The Government Accountability Office of the GAO reported that between fiscal years 2017 and 2021, tenant agencies ignored about 57 percent of these recommendations. S. 3613 will ensure Federal agencies are following the most up-to-date security recommendations to protect these facilities and the people in them. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, in closing, this bill will ensure that Federal agencies are following the most up-to-date security recommendations to protect their facilities and people in them. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, 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. I rise in support of S. 50, legislation sponsored by Senator Rubio of Florida. This bill adds Pensacola and Perdido Bays in Florida as priority considerations for the Administrator of the EPA to designate as part of the National Estuary Program. In the Pacific Northwest, we know that healthy estuaries like the Puget Sound support healthy fish, birds, and other wildlife, as well as important economic activities such as trade, fishing, tourism, and outdoor recreation. That is why I worked over multiple Congresses to authorize the National Estuary Program and was pleased to see that the bipartisan infrastructure law not only authorize that program but provided $132 million in investments for improving habitat and restoring estuaries. The legislation we consider today is the result of work of local organizations near these two critical Florida estuaries to add them to the National Estuary Program. It is further proof of the importance of this program. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Mr. Speaker, in closing, protecting healthy estuaries is good for the economic activities like outdoor recreation, as well as good for fish, birds, and other wildlife. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, 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 S. 310. This bill directs the Administrator of FEMA to convene an advisory group to improve debris removal contract processes and reduce costs. When disasters strike, resulting rubble and debris leave affected communities with an expensive cleanup. FEMA assistance is an essential resource for helping communities recover, but the disaster contracting process can be inefficient and costly. This bill brings stakeholders together to improve the disaster contracting process, maximizing the impact of Federal dollars and speeding disaster recovery. Mr. Speaker, clearing debris after a disaster is one of the first steps to a successful recovery. This bill would direct the Administrator of FEMA to convene a stakeholder group to improve the agency's disaster contracting processes. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, 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. 2892. The bill directs the GAO, or Government Accountability Office, to study the efficacy of local weather alerting systems. As the climate crisis worsens and extreme weather events strike our communities with increasing frequency and severity, frontline communities need time to prepare and react in the face of these dangers. Every wasted second endangers lives. That is why local weather alerting systems are an indispensable tool. They give communities the time needed to take decisive and lifesaving action. Understanding how best to leverage, develop, and improve this important tool will help ensure community preparedness. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, local weather alerting systems must work properly to save lives. This bill would direct the Government Accountability Office to identify and document any improvements that need to be made to such systems. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, 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. 2672, the legislation authored by Representatives Dunn and Soto from Florida. This bill clarifies that FEMA should reimburse local governments and electric co-ops for interest on disaster recovery loans. In the aftermath of a disaster, local communities are the first to mobilize costly recovery efforts, which they often fund with substantial loans. It is Congress' intent that FEMA's public assistance program eventually reimburses these loans. However, the process can be complex and time-consuming, and the reimbursement policy is often not applied to local governments and electric co-ops in the same way it is applied to States. When communities are working to recover, the last thing that they need is more uncertainty and additional financial burdens. This legislation provides much-needed relief by directing FEMA to reimburse all qualifying interest expenses equally. By doing so, communities on the front lines of disaster recovery can focus on what truly matters, rebuilding and restoring lives and homes. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, local governments and electrical co-ops should not be penalized for taking out loans to jump- start disaster recovery for their communities. This bill will direct the administrator of FEMA to reimburse qualifying interest accrued on such loans. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). On June 10, 1999, a pipeline leak caused a massive explosion in my district in Bellingham, Washington. The rupture released more than a quarter million gallons of gasoline into Whatcom Creek. The gasoline ignited, sending a fireball racing down the creek that killed two 10- year-old boys and an 18-year-old young man. The two boys, Stephen Tsiorvas and Wade King, were playing in a creek near their homes on an idyllic summer day, and the young man, Liam Wood, had just graduated from high school and was fly-fishing for trout. The American people, including my constituents in response to the tragic Bellingham incident, justifiably raised safety concerns that there was not enough federal oversight of pipelines and hazardous materials. In response, Congress created PHMSA within the Department of Transportation in 2004 to do just that, as part of the Norman Y. Mineta Research and Special Programs Improvement Act, which was signed into law on November 30, 2004. Twenty years after the 2004 creation of this new modal administration specifically focused on pipeline and hazardous materials transportation safety, PHMSA continues its work. This includes overseeing $1 billion in pipeline safety grants as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law so communities can repair or replace aging, leak-prone natural gas pipeline infrastructure while creating jobs, reducing methane emissions and keeping communities safe. Last December, the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee passed a bipartisan pipeline safety reauthorization bill to ensure PHMSA and state pipeline safety inspectors have the resources they need. This legislation increases transparency and accountability from pipeline operators and supports emerging technology in pipelines, including for carbon dioxide and hydrogen. I am grateful for PHMSA's two decades of work and the agency's ongoing commitment to protecting people and the environment by advancing the safe transportation of energy and other hazardous materials that are essential to daily life. In the 119th Congress, I look forward to a bipartisan effort to reauthorize the work of PHMSA's Office of Pipeline Safety, as we have for the past two decades. More work remains, including ensuring first responders have the training they need to address accidents and incidents where hazardous materials are released whether that is by pipeline, rail, or any other mode of transportation. Safety is a need in every community in every Congressional District and in my role in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I will continue to work to reach common ground to enhance safety for all Americans. I thank PHMSA for its ongoing work to do the same.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor and remember Lieutenant Commander Lyndsay Evans and Lieutenant Serena ``Dug'' Wileman, two naval aviators who died during a routine training flight near Mount Rainier on October 15. Lieutenant Commander Evans and Lieutenant Wileman were exemplary leaders who deeply believed in their country, their mission, and their fellow naval aviators. Both natives of California, Lieutenant Commander Evans and Lieutenant Wileman proudly served their country with the Electronic Attack Squadron, or VAQ-130, also known as the Zappers, which is based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in my district. Both recently returned from a 9-month deployment at sea, distinguishing themselves in combat operations to defend U.S. and coalition forces and ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Middle East. In a tribute to Lieutenant Commander Evans and Lieutenant Wileman, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island wrote that beyond their names and ranks, they were role models, trailblazers, and women who influenced and touched countless people on the flight deck and well beyond. My sympathies are with the families of Lieutenant Commander Evans and Lieutenant Wileman. On behalf of my constituents, I thank them for their service and sacrifice.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 468.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate and celebrate Jason Sodano, who has been honored with the prestigious 2024 William M. Usdane Award that recognizes outstanding achievement and exceptional character by an employee with a disability. SourceAmerica confers this award as part of its AbilityOne Program, which leverages federal procurement to create job opportunities for Americans with disabilities through the nonprofit organizations that employ them. Jason overcame his developmental disability and earned both his high school diploma and an associate's degree in office technology. His perseverance helped him land a job with New Leaf, a participating nonprofit in the AbilityOne Program that operates at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington. For the past 13 years, Jason has worked on the naval base as a janitor. Jason's supervisors, colleagues and family praise his commitment to excellence and his positive attitude that seems to brighten the workplace and inspire those around him. Along the way, Jason has earned awards for perfect attendance and exceeding quality standards by ensuring cleanliness for up to 1,700 military personnel at NAS Whidbey Island. Jason exemplifies the American spirit in overcoming adversity. His journey from struggling with standardized tests to becoming a valued employee at New Leaf is a testament to his resilience and determination. He has shown that regardless of the challenges one faces, it is possible to achieve great success through hard work and a positive attitude. Mr. Speaker, please join me in extending heartfelt congratulations to Jason Sodano for his well-deserved recognition with the 2024 William M. Usdane Award. Jason's dedication and achievements are an inspiration to us all. May he continue to excel and make profound impacts in his workplace and beyond.

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Beyer).

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. DeSaulnier).

Mr. LARSEN of Washington

Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to speak in support of H.R. 7659, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2024. This bipartisan legislation reauthorizes funding for the U.S. Coast Guard for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 and updates Coast Guard programs and policies. This bill is a result of bipartisan negotiations between Chair Graves, Chair Webster, myself, and Ranking Member Carbajal and includes numerous contributions from members on and off the committee. This bill is the latest example of bipartisanship thriving on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Coast Guard operational readiness is at risk due to years of underfunding. A lack of investment led to a $3 billion shoreside infrastructure backlog, a lack of ice-breaking capacity in the Arctic and Great Lakes, and reduced capacity across several essential missions such as marine safety and mariner credentialing. This bill begins to address the shortfall by authorizing $14.78 billion for the Coast Guard for fiscal year 2025 and $15.52 billion for fiscal year 2026. These increases over current funding levels will give the Coast Guard the resources needed to execute its missions and ensure a basic standard of living for servicemembers. In addition, this bill authorizes the Procurement, Construction, and Improvements account at $3.48 billion for fiscal year 2025 and $3.65 billion for fiscal year 2026--well above the President's budget request. This level of funding should enable the Coast Guard to maintain its ongoing recapitalization programs, including the Polar Security Cutter and the Offshore Patrol Cutters. Importantly, this bill also includes $180 million for waterfront improvements to Coast Guard Base Seattle which will ensure homeporting capacity for Polar Security 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. In 2022, the Aleutian Isle, a fishing vessel, began taking on water after running aground in Puget Sound off the coast of San Juan Island in my district. What should have been a salvaging-firefighting operation turned into an oil spill response operation. The salvager listed on the vessel response plan did not have the capacity to adequately respond and that led to the vessel sinking and discharging oil. This bill improves oil spill prevention by bolstering vessel response plans and ensuring timely, robust salvage firefighting responses when vessel incidents do occur. This bill also includes vital provisions to begin addressing the mariner shortage. The current mariner credentialing program, which the Coast Guard oversees, is outdated and relies on paper applications. Processing delays impact both existing and new mariners looking to enter the industry. I appreciate Chair Graves working with me to include an authorization of $11 million for a new electronic credentialing system. This, coupled with other provisions, will begin to address the mariner shortage. Finally, this bill includes the Coast Guard Protection and Accountability Act of 2024. This legislation was developed because the Coast Guard deliberately hid Operation Fouled Anchor and decades of sexual assault and harassment at the Coast Guard Academy. The commandant is working hard to repair the lost confidence that resulted from Operation Fouled Anchor, and this legislation provides the tools to do so while increasing congressional oversight. I thank Chair Graves, Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee Chair Webster, and Ranking Member Carbajal for their cooperation in crafting this important legislation. I look forward to our continued collaboration as the legislation moves forward. I urge all Members to support this bill.