What Rick Larsen said, and what was done

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Paul Roberts, a dedicated public servant, environmental advocate, policy expert, musician and proud resident of Everett, Washington.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 2860, the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act. The Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative started as a bipartisan, homegrown idea.”

“Mr. Speaker, I missed votes on Friday, May 15, 2026, for an important family commitment. I will be present and voting when the House returns to session this week.”

“I wish we were taking time today to discuss those lower costs for my constituents. Instead, we are interjecting Congress into an international land dispute. Now, I want to be really clear.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Allison Larsen, a dedicated educator and principal of Edmonds-Woodway High School in Edmonds, Washington, whose impact on her school and community will be felt for generations.”

“Mr. Speaker, I appreciate this opportunity to speak on the ROTOR Act and on the ALERT Act. I really appreciate the bipartisan work and joint committee work done here in the U.S.”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate Colonel Margarethe ``Grethe'' Cammermeyer's contributions to LGBTQ rights and neuroscience nursing in the United States. Born in Oslo, Norway, Grethe became a citizen in 1960 and joined the Army Nurse Corps in 1961 when she was just 19 years old.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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, 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. 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. 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. 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.”

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”