Congressman Rick Larsen's Online Office

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) led the Wild Sky Wilderness bill to its fourth victory in the Senate, clearing an important hurdle for the legislation to become law.  U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) must now lead the legislation through the U.S. House of Representatives one final time before it can be sent to the President, who is expected to sign it into law.

“Turning the dream of Wild Sky into reality has been a long, hard climb, but with Senate approval today, we are just steps away from our goal,” Senator Murray said.  “Wild Sky will give more than 2.4 million people from Snohomish, King, and Skagit counties easy access to hiking and camping in pristine wilderness for generations to come.  It will preserve a unique environment, and it will give nearby towns an economic boost.  So many people in Washington state are excited about Wild Sky – I’m thrilled we’re so close to victory.”

Wild Sky is the result of almost nine years of work by Larsen, Murray, and advocates across Washington state.  Murray and Larsen first introduced the bill in 2002. Last year, it finally made it through the House for the first time.  To become law, the bill must clear the House once more and receive the President’s signature.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better partner on this long hike than Senator Patty Murray,” said Larsen, who will work with House leadership to schedule a final vote in the U.S. House of Representatives as soon as possible. “Chairman Rahall of the House Natural Resources Committee has made passing Wild Sky a priority, and I look forward to working with him to get this bill through the U.S. House of Representatives one final time.”