Larsen takes first steps in Congress

By JOHN HUGHES

Associated Press

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep.-elect Rick Larsen has only been in the nation’s capital a few days, but he has already found something to reform: the bathrooms.

The former Snohomish County Council member has been meeting with legislative leaders, learning how to hire a staff, looking for a place to live and scoping out committees on which to serve during orientation week for new members of Congress.

His first real lesson on the complexity and bureaucracy of Congress came when he was wandering around the Capitol basement looking for a bathroom. An exasperated Larsen went to the Architect of the Capitol’s Office for help.

"I said, ‘You know, here it is folks, I’m a new member of Congress and I can’t find a bathroom — where is it?’ " Larsen said.

"They said, ‘Oh, it’s down the hall and to the right, but it’s not marked ‘Men’ … it’s HC-14,’ " Larsen continued. "It has to be marked with a bureaucratic, you know, number. But so it is, and maybe we can get that changed," he said with a laugh.

Larsen, 35, will be the only freshman from Washington and Oregon when the 107th Congress convenes in January. The Democrat beat Republican John Koster for the 2nd District seat vacated by Rep. Jack Metcalf, R-Wash.

On Thursday, Larsen sat in the last row of a cavernous National Transportation Safety Board room listening to engineers talk about improving pipeline safety through technology such as sonic effects, logic emulation and trainer simulators.

It was dry stuff, but Larsen wasn’t complaining. As the congressman who will represent Bellingham, where a 1999 pipeline accident left two boys and a young man dead, he said he wants to learn all he can about pipeline safety and will make passage of tough pipeline safety legislation one of his top priorities.

As he plodded through a series of nuts-and-bolts meetings this week on becoming a congressman, Larsen focused on trying to hire a chief of staff by the end of the month.

He also is seeking assignments on committees that he believes will most help his district: the Armed Services Committee and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

With the House narrowly divided between Democrats and Republicans, Larsen said he will make a special effort to work with Republicans. He hopes to reduce the size of the federal debt and eliminate the so-called marriage tax penalty.

"There’s at least an effort to start already reaching out across the aisle within the freshman class, (to) say what kinds of things can we work on together to show that this institution of the House can get things done," he said.

He doesn’t know yet whether he will rent or buy a home in Washington, D.C., but his wife and 1-year-old and 4-year-old boys will live in the capital with him. Larsen said he has found some nice neighborhoods — and is not thrown by the D.C. traffic jams.

"The Puget Sound region traffic is like third worst, and this is first worst, so I don’t think there’s that much difference between No. 1 and No. 3," he said.

Copyright ©2000 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Everett mayor candidates focus on affordability, city budget in costly race

As incumbent Cassie Franklin seeks a third term in office, three candidates are looking to unseat her.

Everett
Judge sentences man, 73, for intending to have sex with ‘teen’ in Everett

The Arizona man sent explicit images to an agent posing as a 13-year-old. Investigators found images of child sexual abuse on his phone.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

State’s draft of climate action plan open for public comment

Residents can submit public comments or climate-related stories online through Aug. 22.

The Edmonds School Board discusses budget cuts during a school board meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds school board approves 2025-26 budget

After facing an estimated $8.5 million shortfall earlier in the year, the board passed a balanced budget Tuesday.

A wall diagram shows the “journey of the ballot” at the new Elections Center on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County Auditor: No need for feds to meddle with state or local elections

Garth Fell’s comments were in response to a report of Justice Department mulling criminal charges against election officials.

Edmonds Police Chief Loi Dawkins speaks after the city council approved her appointment on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds City Council confirms new police chief

Assistant Chief Loi Dawkins will begin in the role Aug. 1. She has more than 23 years of law enforcement experience, including three years in Edmonds.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.