{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2549", "Larsen Shapes House Defense Bill to Support WA\u2019s Servicemembers, Military Families, Protect Marine Mammals, Advance Emerging Tech, Ensure Global Security", "2021-09-23", "2021", "2021-09", "Democrat", "House", "WA", "Rick Larsen", "L000560", "larsen.house.gov", "larsen", "https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) supported House-passage of the bipartisan Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Larsen, a senior member of the Armed Services Committee (HASC), helped shape the final bill, securing provisions to support Northwest Washington\u2019s servicemembers and military families, protect marine mammals, advance new and emerging technologies, ensure global security and invest in the future of work. The NDAA passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 316 to 113.\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) supported House-passage of the bipartisan Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Larsen, a senior member of the Armed Services Committee (HASC), helped shape the final bill, securing provisions to support Northwest Washington\u2019s servicemembers and military families, protect marine mammals, advance new and emerging technologies, ensure global security and invest in the future of work. The NDAA passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 316 to 113.\n\n\u201cThis year\u2019s National Defense Authorization Act makes the critical investments needed to support Washington\u2019s servicemembers and their families, keep our region and our nation safe, protect the environment and maintain U.S. leadership in global security,\u201d said Larsen. \u201cI am thankful to my colleagues for including Washington\u2019s Second District priorities in this year\u2019s bill and look forward to bringing this important legislation over the finish line.\u201d\n\nEarlier this month, Larsen shepherded HASC-passage of the NDAA, which included necessary investments in Northwest Washington\u2019s servicemembers, military families and local communities, as well as in initiatives to foster U.S. leadership in new and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI).\n\nLarsen secured or supported several key provisions in the NDAA:\n\nSupporting Northwest Washington\u2019s Military Families, Communities\n\nProvides a 2.7% pay raise for all servicemembers\n\nAuthorizes a total of $70 million in Impact Aid to schools that serve military students, like Oak Harbor Public Schools\n\nMakes historic changes in military code to combat sexual assault in the military\n\nIncludes several provisions to mitigate the impact of jet noise on local communities, including $4 million for jet noise reduction research\n\nEstablishes a $15 minimum wage for covered Department of Defense (DoD) service and construction contracts\n\nProtecting Marine Mammals, Southern Resident Killer Whales\n\nThe Navy and Coast Guard recently convened a working group to enhance protection for marine mammals, including Southern Resident Killer Whales.\n\nLarsen successfully included his amendment to expand protections for marine mammals to include vessel speed mitigation measures, monitoring of underwater soundscapes and grants to support research and development into marine mammal monitoring technologies.\n\nThe amendment is supported by Natural Resources Defense Council, Oceana, Conservation Law Foundation, Ocean Conservation Research, International Fund for Animal Welfare, International Marine Mammal Project, Earth Island Institute, Oceanic Preservation Society, Seattle Aquarium, Benioff Ocean Initiative, Center for Biological Diversity, Sanctuary Education Advisory Specialists, Friends of the Earth, Animal Welfare Institute, Inland Ocean Coalition, Cetacean Society International, NY4WHALES, Earthjustice, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, Marine Mammal Alliance Nantucket, Environmental Investigation Agency, Shedd Aquarium, Mystic Aquarium, National Aquarium, Environmental Defense Center, Humane Society Legislative Fund and The Humane Society of the United States.\n\nAdvancing New and Emerging Technologies\n\nLarsen supported Rep. Chrissy Houlahan\u2019s amendment to implement several key recommendations from the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI) to \u201cadvance the development of [AI], machine learning, and associated technologies to comprehensively address the national security and defense needs of the United States.\u201d[1]\n\nEnsuring Global Security\n\nLarsen, a member of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and a leading voice of assurance to NATO allies and international partners, supported Rep. Gerry Connolly\u2019s bipartisan amendment affirming the United States\u2019 commitment to promoting global health security and combatting the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.\n\nLarsen also supported several Rep. Linda S\u00e1nchez\u2019s amendments to combat misinformation and disinformation, including funding the NATO Strategic Center of Excellence, and a briefing and report on how the DoD is working with the Center to improve NATO\u2019s ability to counter misinformation.\n\nThe NDAA provides critical Congressional oversight of the ongoing situation in Afghanistan and authorizes $500 million to support relocation for Afghans who supported the U.S. military and their families.\n\nInvesting in the Future of Work\n\nLarsen successfully included his amendment to enable DoD to continue hiring highly qualified candidates for domestic defense industrial base facilities and Major Range and Test Facilities, especially at remote and isolated installations.\n\nFor a summary of the House-passed FY22 NDAA, click here.\n\n###\n\n[1] https://www.nscai.gov/\n\nRelated News\n\nLarsen Demands Trump Admin Mobilize All Options to Prepare for Upcoming Wildfire Season\n\nMarch 26, 2026 | Posted in Press Releases\n\nLarsen Announces $17.5 Million Investment in Skagit Transit\n\nMarch 12, 2026 | Posted in Press Releases\n\nLarsen Announces Washington Selected as Testing Partner for Next-Generation Aircraft\n\nMarch 11, 2026 | Posted in Press Releases\n\nLarsen Rejects Trump\u2019s Reckless War; Supports U.S. Military\n\nMarch 5, 2026 | Posted in Press Releases\n\nLarsen Reintroduces Bill to End Dark Money in Elections\n\nMarch 5, 2026 | Posted in Press Releases", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:17:01Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://larsen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2549"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.8214327283203602, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}