Edmonds behaves at U.S. Rep Rick Larsen town hall

When U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen canceled two campaign events in June – in Bellingham and Everett – they followed three other disruptive events where pro-Palestinian supporters condemned his support of Israel.

This past weekend, Larsen – who handily won his reelection campaign in November – held his first two town halls since the election. During the first, Saturday in Ferndale, pro-Palestine supporters yelled “Larsen, Larsen, you can’t hide, you’re supporting genocide,” according to the Cascadia Daily News.

What would happen Sunday in Edmonds in the library’s plaza room?

Larsen admitted that some staff members advised him to cancel. (Before the meeting, Skagit County resident Sam Bull handed out a typed letter criticizing Larsen for supporting funding for “genocide in Gaza.” The man said he was not allowed into the event as he was known to disrupt previous town halls.)

It turns out there was no such drama in Edmonds, where an Edmonds police officer stood by and a “code of conduct” flyer reminded attendees that there should be “no behavior that is unruly, disruptive, or illegal in nature.”

As expected, Larsen – whose large 2nd Congressional District includes Edmonds – touched on his accomplishments during the past two years while discussing his priorities for the upcoming 119th Congress. 

Among those in attendance were state Rep. Cindy Ryu, Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin, Lynnwood City Councilmembers George Hurst and David Parsall, Port of Edmonds Commissioner Selena Killin, and Edmonds City Councilmembers Vivian Olson, Will Chen, and Susan Paine.

After an introduction from Mayor Mike Rosen – he urged the standing-room-only audience to “be respectful – Larsen began with the following: his office took more than 40,000 calls and emails, resolved 150,150 cases, secured more than $5 million in benefits for the district, introducing 17 bills and co-sponsored 299. That included legislation on health care, infrastructure, and environmental protection.

He also mentioned his continuing work on gun violence, the opioid epidemic, immigration reform, Social Security, and Medicare.

During a Q&A, one speaker questioned Larsen on his support last week for the National Defense Authorization Act, which the speaker said has a provision that bans coverage for gender-affirming care for trans youth 17 and under whose parents are serving as active duty military enrolled in TRICARE, the military’s health care program.

The Senate passed the bill Wednesday. It has been sent to President Biden for his signature.

Larsen admitted the annual defense bill did just that, but pointed out it also gave enlisted military 14.5% raises, increased housing allowances, and expanded child-care funds.

“It’s a tough decision,” Larsen said, referring to the transgender provision, saying the act didn’t just address one issue, but 12 or 13. “I looked at it, I talked to my staff about it, and determined it was better to vote yes and secure benefits for a larger number of people and fight like hell to change this one provision I don’t agree with and I think is wrong.”

After taking a question on gun violence, Larsen said one of the challenges Congress faces with the incoming administration would be to see what it would do regarding existing laws.

“In the past, the previous Trump administration made it more difficult for the ATF to do its work on background checks and security. We’re likely to see that again. We’re going to be climbing the hill with this administration on gun violence. I’m not happy about it, but keep in mind there’s an election in two years in the House of Representatives.” 

Another audience member questioned Larsen’s decision to leave a campaign event when protestors questioned his support for Israel and were removed from the event.

“I am a strong supporter of continuing to focus on the plight of the Palestinians, supporting humanitarian aid, a peaceful resolution, a ceasefire, and getting all hostages back home,” he said. 

He added he would not apologize for leaving an event where he felt his safety was threatened.

Earlier this year, Larsen voted to support the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, which provided $13 billion in emergency supplemental appropriations to provide military assistance to Israel and to fund costs incurred by the U.S. military for support in the region.

The bill, which passed the House but has not yet been voted on by the Senate, also included $9.15 billion for humanitarian assistance for Gaza and worldwide. 

“I voted in support of emergency funding to Israel and humanitarian aid for Gaza and other vulnerable people worldwide,” Larsen said in a statement in April. “Six months after Hamas’s unprovoked and horrific attack on Israel, I continue to stand with the Israeli people and support Israel’s right to defend itself.

“I continue to support the Biden administration’s ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire that will allow for the release of hostages held by Hamas and increase humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.”

This week, Rep. Larsen was selected to continue serving as the lead Democrat (or ranking member) on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for the 119th Congress.

“He will remain focused on building on important legislative wins like the FAA Reauthorization Act and the Water Resources Development Act, as well as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” said Larsen spokesperson Joseph Tutino.