Rick Larsen

• United States House Committee on Armed Services
  • Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
• Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
  • Subcommittee on Aviation (Chairman)

• U.S.-China Working Group
• Electronic Warfare Working Group
• School Safety Caucus
• Caucus to Fight and Control Methamphetamine
• Congressional Arts Caucus[3]
• Congressional Puget Sound Recovery Caucus[4]
• Congressional Cem
• Afterschool Caucuses[5]
• Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus[6]
• U.S.-Japan Caucus[7]
• Congressional Solar Caucus[8]
• New Democrat Coalition [9]

Planned Parenthood, National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association and NARAL Pro-Choice America have all highly rated his position on abortion.[14] In addition, he has voted against several bills that would restrict abortion rights.[15]

Rick Larsen voted for the 2009 American Clean Energy and Security Act[16] otherwise known as "cap and trade". Rick Larsen has cosponsored legislation that would create the Wild Sky Wilderness area in his home district[17] and is a member of the Congressional Wildlife Refuge Caucus.

On February 8, 2019, Larsen came out in opposition to the Green New Deal saying:[18]

I am not ready to support the Green New Deal resolution.
It is difficult to support the resolution right now when one of the lead sponsors says one of the intentions is to make air travel unnecessary.

In 2020, Fuse Washington in its Progressive Voters Guide noted that Larsen does not support the Green New Deal and accepted political contributions from corporations including Exxon Mobil “as recently as last year”.[19][20]

Larsen has supported the House Democratic proposal for the Affordable Care Act.[21] He voted for the reform bill in November 2009.[22] Rick Larsen does not support single-payer health insurance. He has been quoted on the subject saying: "no, he thought it was more appropriate to stick with defending Obamacare, not to change in the middle of the controversy." [23]

Larsen does not support Medicare for All and instead has stated he supports the Public Option Deficit Reduction Act[24] as a preferable alternative.[25] This proposal adds a public option to the Affordable Care Act using the same market-based exchanges while lowering premiums by only five to seven percent.[26]

In 2007, Rick Larsen opposed impeaching President George W. Bush saying, “I believe the American people elected a Democratic majority to make positive changes in their lives. If we took up impeachment, we would do nothing else for the next 2 years. I don't think that's what we were elected to do”.[27] However, Larsen came out in support of impeaching President Donald J. Trump on July 18, 2019.[28]

Although Larsen initially voted against a bill authorizing military force in Iraq in October 2002, Larsen also voted against an amendment that sought to have the United States work through the United Nations to resolve tensions instead of invading Iraq.[29] However later in 2006, Larsen voted against requiring Congressional authorization for use of force in Iran,[30] and again in 2011 for use of force in Libya.[31]

Since 2002, Larsen has voted yes on nearly every bill put forth in the House concerning the Iraq and Afghanistan.[32] In 2006, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer described Larsen as a “strong advocate for providing money to support the [Iraq War]”.[33]

Also in 2006, Larsen voted to endorse the War in Iraq and against a mandated withdrawal plan.[34] In 2008, Larsen said that troops will be in Iraq “well into the next administration” and likely remain “for another 10 years”.[35] Larsen supported President Obama's proposed exit strategy which promises to remove combat troops by summer of 2010.[36]

Representative Larsen has voted yes on the "S-Miner Act" and "Extending Federal Emergency Unemployment Benefits and Providing Business and Homebuyer Tax Credits" bill.[37] Rick Larsen has shown support for the interests of the Utility Workers Union of America, Service Employees International Union, American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees, and AFL – CIO.[38] He claims that he works to support the local Washington economy by investing in small to medium-sized businesses to help them succeed in the global economy.[37]

In January 2014, Larsen faced criticism from the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers for supporting Boeing's proposal to replace pensions with a 401(k)-style retirement plan.[39]

As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, he has voted yes on every transportation bill since being re-elected in 2008.[37] He believes that "sound investments in transportation keep our economy moving," and improve conditions in other areas.[37] Representative Larsen was one of 79 cosponsors for the SAFETEA-LU Bill to improve highways, increase funding for ferry systems, and expedite the flow of traffic and goods through border crossings.

Larsen defeated Republican Doug Roulstone, a retired Navy officer who was recruited by GOP strategists. Larsen received 65% of the vote to Roulstone's 34%.

Larsen was challenged in the Democratic primary during his 2008 reelection campaign by perennial candidate Glen Johnson. His Republican opponent for the House race was recently retired Snohomish County Sheriff Rick Bart.

For the 2008 election cycle, Rick Larsen's campaign's total income was $1,336,438.[40] His campaign spent $1,155,691.[40] The companies that contributed the most money were Boeing Co., Microsoft Corp., American Dental Assn., McBee Strategic Consulting, and Puget Energy.[40] The labor, finance/insurance/real estate, transportation, misc. business, and health sectors were the largest contributing sectors.[40] The major industry donations came from health professionals, transportation unions, building trade unions, retired, and sea transport.[40]

Larsen narrowly defeated Republican nominee John Koster to win a sixth term.

Larson was endorsed by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer on October 13, 2010.[41]

In 2012, Larsen won reelection by a comfortable margin, with 61% of the vote as compared to Republican Dan Matthews' 39%.[42]

Larsen was challenged by Republican Marc Hennemann. Hennemann decided to challenge Larsen after Marc received an answer he did not like to a question at a town hall meeting in Coupeville, WA.[43] In the general election, Larsen gathered 64% of the vote compared to Hennemann's 36%.[44]