||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN |||
August has been a busy month in Northwest Washington. I have spent time meeting with local leaders, visiting community organizations, listening to your concerns, and working to bring federal dollars home to the communities I represent.
This month, I helped bring home more than $7 million in federal funding for Washington State Ferries’ Anacortes – San Juan Islands and Port Townsend – Coupeville routes.
Rural communities I represent need more support and funding from the federal government. These dollars will help Washington State Ferries serve my constituents whose lives and livelihoods are tied to ferries.
As the top Democrat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I will keep fighting for federal investments that make Washington’s ferry system more reliable and create good-paying jobs.
I also announced $1.3 million in federal funding for Everett Ship Repair and Rozema’s Boat Works in Mount Vernon.
The maritime economy and the jobs that come with it are alive and well in the Puget Sound. Funding like this supports local small businesses, helps regional economies grow, improves shipyard facilities and equipment, and supports workforce training.
I visited Optum’s Stanwood Clinic and Safe Harbor Free Clinic to tour the facilities and hear from local health care providers about the challenges facing their patients and the impact of Medicaid cuts.
Access to affordable health care should be a right to families across Northwest Washington. Hearing from the people providing care in our communities helps guide my work in Congress as I fight to reduce health care costs and expand access to high-quality health care that fits families’ budgets.
This month also brought good news for service members who want to start families. After nearly a decade of advocacy, starting next month, service members will be eligible for the first federally funded program to help cover the cost of freezing eggs or sperm before hazardous missions.
No one should be forced to choose between serving their country and starting their family. This program is an important step toward making sure members of the military have the support they need to have children.
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