From Rep. Rick Larsen's office: 

U.S. Representative Rick Larsen joined a majority in the House today to pass legislation to invest in Amtrak and help provide affordable and accessible transportation for Americans struggling with high fuel costs.

From Senator Patty Murray:

U.S. Senator Patty Murray today led a group of Senators from Washington, California, and Oregon in writing to Senate colleagues to urge them to block an attempt by the Bush Administration to eliminate $70 million in funding for West Coast salmon disaster assistance.

From Senator Maria Cantwell:

U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME) today urged the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to utilize their existing authority to bring transparency and safeguards to the oil and gas futures markets.

U.S. Senator Patty Murray rebuked Republican members of the Senate who blocked debate on the Consumer First-Energy Act of 2008.

The slowing real estate market, accompanied with the unseasonal weather creates an interesting environment to sell and buy in the Anacortes, La Conner, Guemes Island and San Juan Islands area.