Larsen secures key wins for NW Washington in fiscal year 2024 spending package

||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. RICK LARSEN |||

Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) supported House passage of a bipartisan spending package that funds the government through September 2024 and invests in Northwest Washington communities and working families. The spending package passed by a final vote of 286 to 134 and now heads to the Senate for consideration.

“My priority in shaping spending bills is to invest in Northwest Washington communities to create jobs, keep the economy moving and provide vital services working families rely on,” said Larsen. “This spending bill makes those investments while also giving servicemembers a raise, funding education, supporting local small businesses, and delivering critical funding local communities need to combat the opioid crisis and save lives.

“Congress has more work to do. I urge Speaker Johnson to bring the national security bill to the House floor to strengthen our national defense and ensure Ukraine can continue to protect its democracy from Putin’s unprovoked and illegal war of aggression.”

The spending package addresses several of Larsen’s priorities, including:

Creating Jobs

$10.4 billion for workforce and training initiatives, including $285 million for registered apprenticeships
$1.4 billion for Career and Technical education grants
$140 million for Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) like the Washington SBDC that has helped small businesses and entrepreneurs grow and thrive, creating jobs and driving long-term economic growth
$20 million for the State Trade Expansion Program to enable local businesses to expand into overseas markets

Supporting Servicemembers and Military Families

5.2 percent pay raise for all servicemembers
More than $1.6 billion in Impact Aid for school districts that serve large numbers of military families and Indian tribes, like Oak Harbor, Coupeville and La Conner
Reducing military jet noise by directing grants to communities impacted by noise

Improving Public Health

$4.2 billion for opioid prevention and treatment, recovery, and tribal-focused treatment efforts
$2.8 billion for mental health initiatives, including $520 million for the 988 crisis lifeline and Behavioral Health Crisis Services
$365 million for rural health initiatives

Boosting Education

$21 billion for early childhood education, including $12.3 billion for Head Start
$1.4 billion for Career and Technical education grants
$52 million for Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities like Northwest Indian College
$7,395 for the maximum Pell Grant award, which protects the historic $900 increase to the award secured in previous legislation