I am working hard to invest in the foundation of long-term economic growth that creates jobs and opportunity for people in the Pacific Northwest. Here are some of the highlights from the 113th Congress.

PSRC Manufacturing Designation

Rick continues to fight to make sure the Puget Sound region remains the aerospace capital of the world. He supported the Puget Sound Regional Council’s successful application to become an Investing in Manufacturing Community Partnership, one of 12 named by the U.S. Department of Commerce. The designation will help the region continue to attract and expand investments in manufacturing to create jobs and grow the local economy.

Green Mountain Lookout

Rick led efforts to pass a bill that protects Green Mountain Lookout, an icon of Pacific Northwest outdoor heritage. Rick knows tourism and recreation are important to the local economy, and saving the lookout saved jobs.

San Juan National Monument

Rick listened to constituents asking for help protecting the lands and waters of the San Juan Islands and persisted over several years to get the San Juan National Monument designation. The monument protects diverse wildlife and pristine lands that are an economic engine for Northwest Washington by attracting thousands of tourists each year.

Illabot Creek

Rick successfully broke through partisan gridlock in the House of Representatives to designate Illabot Creek in Skagit County as a Wild and Scenic River. This legislation has the support of a wide range of stakeholders including environmentalists, fishermen and local elected officials.

Mukilteo Ferry Terminal

Rick worked for more than 10 years with local, state and federal stakeholders to transfer the property for the new Mukilteo Multimodal Ferry Terminal from the Air Force to the Port of Everett. Rick knows ferries are an extension of the highway system in Northwest Washington, so he has pushed since he was first elected to make sure Mukilteo gets a world-class facility.

Oil Train Safety

Rick is working hard to make sure communities near trains carrying crude oil are safe. He has met with first responders, industry leaders and officials at all levels of government to put in place better standards for tank cars and to make sure emergency responders and trained and prepared.

Skagit River Bridge

Rick worked closely with officials at all levels of government to get the Skagit River Bridge repaired as quickly as possible after it collapsed into the river below. He helped secure federal funds to fix the bridge and is pushing to pass the SAFE Bridges Act to invest $5.5 billion to repair deficient bridges across the country.

Student Loans

Rick was an early leader in fighting to make sure interest rates on student loans did not double. He also is pushing to pass a bill (the Bereaved Borrowers Bill of Rights Act) to protect private student loans borrowers from “auto-defaulting” if a cosigner dies or goes into bankruptcy. He believes American should invest in its young people, and that investment will pay off for them and for our economy.

State Trade and Export Promotion Program

Rick fought hard for legislation that makes it easier for businesses to export and created a District Export Promotion Program that works directly with local businesses to cut through red tape and start selling products overseas. Rick knows that when we export our goods, we create jobs here at home.

Naval Station Everett & Naval Air Station Whidbey Island

Rick’s position on the House Armed Services Committee makes him a leader in fighting to ensure a high quality of life for military families in the Pacific Northwest and to maintain our bases’ preeminent roles within the U.S. military. He has long advocated for Impact Aid to fund schools on federal lands like Navy bases. Rick made sure the Navy brought a new aircraft carrier to replace the USS Lincoln and followed through in its commitment to bring P-8As to Whidbey Island.

Chemical Safety Board

Rick has worked to hold the Chemical Safety Board accountable following the explosion at the Tesoro refinery in Anacortes. He is advocating to make sure the community gets the answer it needs and that improved safety prevents future accidents.

Skagit General Investigation Study

Rick persists in making sure the Skagit GI study receives the funds it needs to be completed. He has successfully pushed the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to invest in the project to protect communities throughout the Skagit Valley from flooding.

Agriculture

Rick is working to support our local farmers through investments in specialty crops and assistance expanding into new markets by exporting their crops overseas. Rick also fought to protect private forest owners and the environment by maintaining current Clean Water Act standards for forest roads.

Impact Aid

Rick fought to make sure school districts that serve military and Native American children receive Impact Aid funding in a timely manner to make up for lost property tax revenue. The funds are critical to communities like Marysville and Oak Harbor.

Bristol Bay

Rick continues to fight to protect the vibrant fishers in Bristol Bay, Alaska, from mining activities that could harm the delicate habitat. Thousands of Washington fishers and processors depend on these fisheries for their livelihoods.