Larsen Cheers Investments In Jobs, Education In President's Budget

Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, issued the following statement after the President released his budget proposal for FY2017. Larsen said the President's budget contains many positive investments that will create more good-paying jobs, access to skills training, financial security and opportunity for communities in Northwest Washington.

"The budget the President announced today makes forward-thinking investments in a strong economic foundation that puts jobs and opportunity first.

"The administration's commitment to creating jobs by supporting our small businesses through the State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) program is great news. Small manufacturers in the Pacific Northwest and across the country are working hard every day to expand into to new markets and get their products into the hands of consumers worldwide. STEP gives them the tools to grow and expand abroad, creating jobs here at home.

"I want our students to have a clear path to good-paying jobs through access to more skills training. I am pleased that President Obama shares my vision and has included $2 billion in his 2017 budget proposal for an Apprenticeship Training Fund that would double the number of U.S. apprenticeships.

"People should be able to get skills training without burdensome student debt so they can focus on their futures. Pell Grants help make education affordable for thousands of students in my district, and I am glad to see the President's budget expanding these grants so students can use them for summer classes.

"Our national budget is a statement of our values and what matters to our communities, and the President's proposal moves our country in the right direction," Larsen said.

Earlier today, Larsen praised the administration's inclusion in the budget of $4.6 million for a new fisheries research station in Mukilteo.

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