Congressman Jim Langevin (LAN'-jih-vin) is a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, on which he chairs the Cyber, Innovative Technologies, and Information Systems Subcommittee and serves on the Subcommittees on Seapower and Projection Forces and Strategic Forces. He is a senior member of the Committee on Homeland Security and serves on its Subcommittees on Intelligence & Counterterrorism and Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, & Innovation.
Langevin was one of four legislators appointed to serve on the Cyberspace Solarium Commission
, and he co-founded the Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus, which he still co-chairs, to increase awareness around the need for stronger cybersecurity. A national leader on securing our nation’s technology infrastructure against cyber threats, Langevin has authored or co-authored dozens of pieces of cybersecurity legislation, including most recently the National Cyber Director Act.
As a member of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus and a proud recipient of the Humane Society of the United States’ Humane Champion Award for my leadership on animal protection legislation, I have been working in Congress to prevent animal cruelty and abuse and protect rare wildlife species from extinction.
In the wild, great apes such as the chimpanzee, bonobo, gorilla and orangutan establish lifelong friendships, hold strong family devotion, display emotional and social expression and travel miles every day. They are highly intelligent animals with complex social and psychological needs. I have been moved by the sophisticated social and emotional capacity chimpanzees exhibit and believe we have an obligation to do all we can to protect their welfare. Unfortunately, great apes used in research are deprived of the interactions they require for their psychological well-being. This is particularly heart-wrenching because experts agree that chimps and their relatives are not needed for the development of human therapies. I was delighted that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) agreed to retire most of their research chimps and greatly strengthen the criteria it will use in funding future investigations. I look forward to working with NIH to facilitate the transfer of chimps into the sanctuary system, and I will continue to explore the impact these new public regulations have on the private sector throughout the 114th Congress (2015-16).
I have long championed legislation that would bar transport, possession, purchase or sale of horses that are slaughtered each year for human food. These horses can endure pain, fear and suffering before being slaughtered, often unbeknownst to their owners. Although for many years, Congress had forbidden the Agriculture Department from inspecting U.S. horse slaughterhouses, effectively banning domestic horse slaughter, FY2013 and FY2014 Agriculture Appropriations bills did not include this provision. Fortunately, the omnibus appropriations legislation passed at the close of last Congress restored the ban on federal funding for inspections. I have long supported a permanent statutory ban on horse slaughter and the export of horses for slaughter, and I look forward to continuing the effort this session.
I am a firm supporter of Rhode Island’s burgeoning organic farming community. I believe that a move towards sustainable, environmentally friendly farming benefits both Americans and farm animals. For instance, traditional factory farming practice sees egg-laying hens confined in battery cages, which afford each hen on average 67 square inches – less than the size of a piece of paper – of floor space. Last Congress, I cosponsored Rep. Kurt Schrader’s Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments of 2013, which would have set a standard for the minimum amount of space that must be afforded chickens, allowing them to better engage in their natural behaviors. The amendments would also have benefited consumers by standardizing labeling so that Rhode Islanders know exactly what kind of environment the chickens that laid their eggs lived in.
I also have supported Rep. Louise Slaughter’s Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act (PAMTA). Currently, many farms use antibiotics prophylactically to speed growth and prevent farm animals from being infected. Unfortunately, this has the potential to cause major public health problems. First, over-prescription can perpetuate unsanitary and unsafe living environments for farm animals by masking disease. Even more disturbingly, scientists have shown that unfettered antibiotic use greatly increases the prevalence of dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria in farm animals. And in 2012, for the first time, a study conclusively linked the spread of human-borne Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) to resistant strains in food animals. PAMTA would phase out the practice of feeding massive quantities of antibiotics to food animals within two years of enactment.
During debate on the Farm Bill last year, Rep. Steve King offered an amendment that would prevent states from placing production standards on agricultural products sold intrastate. While offered under the guise of “leveling the playing field” for producers trying to enter another state’s markets, it would in actuality lead to a race to the bottom where the state with the lowest welfare standards dominated. While the House-passed bill contained the language, the provision was stripped in conference, thanks in part to a letter I joined, and was not included in the final legislation that President Obama signed into law.
Animal fighting is a despicable practice in which people urge two or more animals to fight for the purpose of human entertainment. Animal fights are not only cruel to the baited or losing animals; the training that the animals go through is exceedingly traumatic. Losing animals are often killed on the spot. Animal fighting has also been tied to other serious crimes including drug trafficking, gambling, weapons offenses, and money laundering.
All fifty states have banned dogfighting and cockfighting. In Rhode Island, it is a felony to possess an animal for fighting purposes and to attend either a cockfight or dogfight. In an effort to further curb animal fighting, I was proud to cosponsor the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act, which made it a federal crime to fight animals that had been involved in interstate commerce. President Bush signed this bill into law in 2007. Unfortunately, these inhumane activities still take place. Thankfully, a bill that I cosponsored to make it a federal misdemeanor to knowingly attend an animal fight was included in the 2014 farm bill, marking major progress on this important issue.
I support legislation that would crack down on abusive “puppy mills,”restrict the use of “Class B” pet dealers selling animals for research, strengthen federal laws against horrific horse “soring,” and crack down on the often abusive use of great cats as pets. In addition, I joined my colleagues in sending a letter to the House Appropriations Committee seeking full funding for the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act, Horse Protection Act, Humane Methods of Slaughter Act, and other important federal animal rights legislation.
As a member of the the House Armed Services Committee, where I am proud to serve as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Intelligence, Emerging Threats and Capabilities and as a member of the Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, I believe a strong national defense is critically important both to protect our citizens from harm and to preserve the liberties we cherish. Our brave men and women in uniform are the backbone of our armed forces, and I have consistently worked in Congress to provide them with the necessary resources to continue their record of excellent service. I have also fought to promote responsible national security policies that will keep our country safe and protect the rights we enjoy as Americans.
For our military to be effective, it must have up-to-date equipment and state-of-the-art technology. I have fought to support the development of advanced technologies and capabilities that will provide U.S. military superiority now and in the future, and many of these advancements are being developed right here in Rhode Island. This includes the Ohio Replacement Program, our nation’s next-generation ballistic missile submarine, which will ensure the security and stability of a reliable and survivable sea-based nuclear deterrent for our country through 2070. With the requirement to build 12 of these mighty warships over the coming decades, hard-working Rhode Islanders will see job growth and federal investment dollars materialize at General Dynamics Electric Boat’s Quonset Point site, which is already seeing additional investment as a direct result. Additionally, I have ardently and successfully advocated for continued construction of the remarkable Virginia-class submarines, which offer the capability and flexibility needed to protect our nation from a wide array of threats and also play an increasingly important role in the future of the United States Navy. Quonset Point is also a critical production facility for Virginia-class subs, and the production process has become a model for efficiency and cost-savings. I will continue working to ensure Congressional approval of procurement plans that will not only create jobs in Rhode Island, but also strengthen our nation's defense. As co-chair of both the Congressional Submarine Caucus and the Directed Energy Caucus, I am a strong believer in the value of collaboration among industry, academia, and government, and I believe that close collaboration is the best way to support the key advanced technologies and concepts that will ensure military superiority now and in the future.
We must prepare for future conflicts by ensuring that the U.S. military can operate effectively across all domains, including cyberspace. As the President highlighted in his State of the Union address, cyberattacks are an ever-increasing threat to not just our national security, but our economic security as well. I am proud to have authored the first comprehensive cybersecurity legislation to pass either chamber of Congress, and I will continue to be a vocal advocate for protecting our national and economic security from cyber threats and for strong and effective oversight of our cyber defense efforts.
I believe it is essential for Congress to have full awareness of the scope of United States activities overseas in order to conduct the oversight that the American people expect. As Ranking Member of the Armed Services Subcommittee on Intelligence and Emerging Threats and Capabilities, I was proud to co-sponsor the Oversight of Sensitive Military Operations Act, which for the first time requires notification to the House and Senate national security committees of any overseas lethal or capture operation outside of Afghanistan, including those conducted with unmanned aerial vehicles. The provisions of this legislation are now enacted into law, and Congress is already benefitting from the increased transparency it provides.
The scourge of sexual assault has no place within our nation’s military. I remain committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our men and women in uniform through the strongest possible sexual assault prevention measures. I was proud to support bi-partisan reforms contained within the Fiscal Year 2014 National Defense Authorization Act that address this crime, such as:
While important, these reforms are only a starting point and much more remains to be done. As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I will continue to work hard to ensure that those men and women who choose to defend our nation can do so without fear of their fellow servicemembers.
Our servicemembers in uniform demonstrate great commitment, and we must ensure that they and their families do not encounter financial hardship as a result of their service to our nation. I was privileged to witness firsthand their professionalism on the front lines during my visits to Iraq and Afghanistan, and meeting with soldiers from Rhode Island served to remind me of the uncommon courage and dedication that can come from communities all across America. Consequently, I have consistently supported pay increases and other important benefits for our nation's service men and women. I fought successfully against proposed reductions in combat pay and family separation allowances for those serving abroad. I have also advocated for improved health care benefits for National Guard and Reservists and their families.
I proudly supported the repeal of the discriminatory and misguided “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy of our nation’s military. This policy undermined our national security and resulted in the discharge of more than 13,000 trained and qualified men and women from our armed forces based solely on their sexual orientation while discouraging thousands more from entering service or re-enlisting. I am pleased that, thanks to Congressional pressure and President Obama’s decisive leadership, young men and women who wish nothing more than to defend their fellow citizens are no longer forced to lie about who they are.
In that vein, I am also proud to be an original cosponsor of the Restore Honor to Service Members Act, which would ensure members of the armed forces who served honorably, but were given a punitive discharge classification solely because of their sexual orientation, have their records corrected to reflect their honorable service. Our nation is founded on the principles of human dignity and equality. All who wish to serve our country should be allowed to do so regardless of race, creed, or orientation.
Today’s women in the military are serving their nation ably in capacities like never before. I am proud to have supported the DoD’s review of jobs within the military to determine which new roles could be opened to women. I also support the DoD’s use of gender-neutral standards as a means of entrance to individual military specialties. I will continue to advocate for an inclusive policy that ensures missions are met with fully qualified and capable personnel, regardless of gender.
As a former member of the House Budget Committee, I am keenly aware that we cannot keep borrowing our way to a better future. We must continue to take decisive action to reduce our federal deficit. However, I also believe there is a role for government in making investments to create growth and ensure economic security. We are still feeling the lingering effects of the Great Recession, and Rhode Islanders are looking for a government that lives within its means while investing in its people. I pledge to continue to work towards both of those goals.
The two-year budget deal reached in December 2015 (Bipartisan Budget Act) was a breakthrough in a difficult fiscal and political environment. The agreement provided the budget framework to roll back some of the most harmful cuts imposed by sequestration. Specifically, it provided $80 billion in sequestration relief over two years - $50 billion in Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 and $30 billion in FY2017, divided equally between defense and non-defense discretionary spending.
Unfortunately, the budgeting process has become increasingly acrimonious. Last year, House Republicans declined to even hold a hearing on President Obama's Fiscal Year 2017 budget request – the first time such a hearing has not been held since 1975. The path to a Fiscal Year 2018 budget has been similarly rocky. Congress received a proposed budget from President Trump in May 2017, but has not passed a budget resolution before tackling appropriations bills – once again putting our agencies in jeopardy of sequestration. We must put politics aside and address our fiscal challenges.
We must also honor the debts we have previously incurred, decisions which impact the nation’s statutory debt limit. I do not believe in playing political games with the full faith and credit of the United States. The impacts of defaulting on our sovereign debt – or even suggesting we might – could have a disastrous impact on the underlying trust that holds our economy together. While I believe that we must address government debt, the time to do so is before we spend money, not when the bill comes due.
The Fiscal Year 2018 budget blueprint proposed by President Trump is deeply troubling. In the name of short-term spending cuts, his budget proposal cynically attacks numerous federal agencies. At a time when too many Americans are still unemployed or underemployed, the President is seeking to eviscerate job training and workforce development initiatives. His budget eliminates funding that helps people heat their homes and find affordable housing – literally leaving them out in the cold. These are not mere luxuries, but programs that make meaningful differences in the lives of Rhode Islanders.
Our budgets reflect our values and our priorities. We must continue to prioritize immediate investments in education, infrastructure, biomedical research and clean energy that will strengthen our country while seeking a balanced approach to deficit reduction over the long term . As we work in a bipartisan fashion to create a fiscal framework for our country, we must be sure we do not turn our back on these priorities. While I review the annual funding bills to attempt to weed out excessive spending and waste, I will oppose cuts to the services we rely on to keep our country afloat.
The United States has not had comprehensive tax reform since 1986. We are long overdue for a simplification of our tax code and for comprehensive reform that ensures our tax incentives align with America’s priorities. Unfortunately, the proposal most recently put forward by Republicans primarily benefits the wealthy and large corporations, while providing mere crumbs to the middle-class and small businesses. What’s more, it does so by creating a massive hole in the federal budget, which will add an estimated $1.7 trillion to our national debt. I remain conscious of any legislative activity that would increase our federal deficit, and I strongly believe that any tax reform must not increase our debt or overly burden middle- and lower-income Rhode Islanders. Congress has a responsibility to create an equitable tax system that responsibly funds vital government programs and contributes to the economic growth of all Americans. It is also imperative that tax reform be bipartisan if it is to be successful. I look forward to working with leaders from both parties to reach a compromise that will make our tax code far less complicated and incentivize investment in American families and businesses.
Our most vulnerable citizens are disproportionately affected by job cuts, higher food prices, turmoil in the housing market and other economic challenges that can have a devastating impact. The U.S. Census Bureau reported that our country’s poverty rate in 2019 was 10.5 percent. That same year, our child poverty rate was 14.4 percent. We must raise the living standards of America’s working families so that all children have the same opportunities to thrive.
As the co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth and someone who had foster siblings growing up, protecting the more than 400,000 children in foster care in the United States is an issue close to my heart. We have an obligation to provide for them the way we would our own children, ensuring they have all the same opportunities and support.
A 2013 Reuters investigation exposed an alarming trend of adopted children being “re-homed” into the custody of strangers without any oversight, putting the children at risk for neglect and abuse. To combat re-homing, I have introduced several pieces of legislation to ban unregulated custody transfers and to address the root causes: a lack of preparation and support for adoptive parents navigating the challenges that may arise after bringing their child home. I support increased pre-adoption training and post-adoption support services, including mental health treatment for children who may have faced trauma, loss, and abuse prior to their adoptions. I am committed to fighting for the resources necessary to place every child in a safe and loving home.
More than 20,000 young people age out of the foster care system every year. They often end up with no support network to lean on as they navigate the transition to adulthood. To assist these young adults, I have been a longtime supporter of the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood, a program that provides career counseling, mental health services, and life transition counseling to young adults who are aging out of the foster care system. The Chafee program can also provide up to $5,000 for foster youth to attend college.
While these services are always important, they have become all the more critical during the COVID-19 pandemic. Navigating the transition to adulthood during a global pandemic is difficult for anyone, even with a strong support network of friends and family. Youth aging out of foster care should not have to face these uncertain times alone. That is why I introduced legislation to more than double Chafee funding for the duration of the pandemic – because we are all in this together.
The cost of childcare in the United States is alarmingly high. No parent should have to worry about choosing between keeping their children safe and putting food on the table. I strongly support the Child Care and Development Fund, a program that helps low-income families cover the cost of childcare. I also believe that no parent should have to risk losing their job in order to care for a sick child, which is why I support giving workers the opportunity to earn paid sick days to care for themselves and their families.
Early childhood is one of the most formative stages of life, and education is especially important. It is during this period that many children living in poverty fall behind their peers, leaving them at a disadvantage before they’ve even started kindergarten. I have advocated for investments in programs like Head Start, which connect low-income children and families to resources that even the playing field, helping them to develop the social and academic skills they’ll need to succeed in kindergarten.
More than 5 million children live in food-insecure households in the United States. No child should ever have to wonder where their next meal will come from, and I strongly support expanding eligibility for free and reduced-cost meals in our school systems.
I have also long supported increased funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP helps families put food on the table while providing quick and effective stimulus for our economy. You can learn more about applying for SNAP benefits in Rhode Island from the Department of Human Services. I am also proud to support the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), which provides nutritious food, counseling on healthy eating, and health care referrals for low-income women and young children. In Rhode Island, WIC collaborates with local farmers markets to provide cooking demonstrations, information on healthy eating habits, and activities for children. The Department of Health has more information about applying for WIC benefits in Rhode Island.
Approximately 61 million Americans – one in four adults – live with a disability. The passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the subsequent Supreme Court decision in Olmstead v. LC, and the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act made the United States an international leader in disability rights by recognizing that people of all abilities deserve to live, learn, and work in their communities. However, thirty years after the passage of the ADA, we must continue to tear down barriers to inclusion and work towards true community living.
As a founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus (BDC), I have the opportunity to educate other lawmakers and their staffs about disability rights. Under my leadership, the BDC has hosted briefings on some of the topics most critical to people with disabilities - employment, direct service provider shortages, education, transportation, and disaster preparedness.
I remain committed to creating laws that uphold the rights of every American – and especially those living with disabilities – to attain social and economic independence.
Home and community-based (HCBS) waivers for Medicaid services provide greater flexibility and independence for individuals with disabilities by allowing them to receive the care they need without leaving their communities for a restrictive hospital setting. Supporting these community-based programs is vital to improving the overall quality of care for individuals with disabilities.
Additionally, over 43 million people a year provide unpaid support to the people they care about, and reports estimate that the annual economic value of uncompensated family caregiving is about $470 billion. Respite care provides temporary relief for those engaged in the full-time task of caring for their aging or disabled loved ones, allowing caregivers to attend to their own needs.That is why I am proud to have worked to establish the Lifespan Respite Care program, the only federal program that provides respite care for family caregivers regardless of age or disability, and introduced the Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act, which the House of Representatives passed in July 2019. This program provides necessary support to families who need it while also decreasing the number of patients who require professional long-term care.
Health care is a major barrier that has limited employment options and wealth accumulation for people with disabilities. Families with a disabled individual are nearly twice as likely to live below the federal poverty line than families without a disabled individual. Many Americans with disabilities rely on healthcare programs like Medicare and Medicaid, but those programs are only available to those earning an income below the poverty line. Individuals who are employed – even if only at a part-time job – can lose critical health benefits, a risk that many people with disabilities cannot afford to take. I support adjusting asset and income limits of public programs so that people can pursue employment without fear of losing the life-saving medical coverage they rely on.
Employers must also do their part to ensure workplaces are accessible. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy offers resources to help employers use accessible technology and make reasonable accommodations that open doors for employees with disabilities. Most reasonable accommodations are free to implement, while the rest often cost less than $500. I am proud to cosponsor legislation that would make it easier for small businesses to comply with the ADA and become accessible for people with disabilities. Adding a single ramp or offering voice-recognition software can make all the difference. ​
The mass conversion from office work to telework during the COVID-19 pandemic shows us that accommodations are possible and can be quickly implemented. I believe passionately that people with disabilities are our country’s greatest untapped resource, and, with the help of employers, we can remove the barriers that hinder people with disabilities from pursuing their own dreams.
As someone who uses a wheelchair, I know that public transportation can be difficult to navigate. But until people with disabilities can easily and reliably travel for work, errands, or social engagements, true community living is impossible.
I am proud to have sponsored legislation to make commercial air travel and ​local transit systems more accessible. I fought to get major disability rights provisions included in the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2018, including a bill of rights for passengers with disabilities, an advisory committee to amplify voices in the community, and a review of the assistance that airline and airport staff must provide to passengers with disabilities.
Additionally, I was proud to introduce the Disability Access to Transportation Act, which will modernize the transportation process for Americans living with a disability. Among the initiatives included are the establishment of a one-stop paratransit pilot program to allow paratransit riders more flexibility in completing activities of daily living, a requirement to streamline and make more transparent the Department of Transportation’s accessibility complaint process, and an increase in funding for initiatives that meet the transportation needs of older adults and people with disabilities.
I am committed to improving access to transportation because no matter where we are going, all people with disabilities deserve to travel with dignity.
In 2018, a report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office found that local and state governments and nonprofit organizations that partner with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) struggle to provide aid to older Americans and people with disabilities before, during, and following a natural disaster.
In response, I introduced legislation to support the development of disaster preparedness plans that address the unique needs of individuals with disabilities and older Americans. I am proud that the bill guarantees that seniors and Americans with disabilities have a voice in creating the preparedness plans that directly affect them. I also joined my colleagues in sponsoring legislation that would ensure that Medicaid-eligible Americans who are displaced due to natural disasters may continue to receive healthcare services if they are relocated to other states.
When disaster strikes, comprehensive preparedness plans can be the difference between life and death. I remain committed to ensuring that older Americans and people with disabilities are included and their local governments are equipped to care for them.
Our public education system is one of the foundations of our democracy. Investing in our children’s education not only has long-term benefits for our economy, but it also delivers on our nation’s promise that all individuals have an equal opportunity to succeed. I am deeply committed to improving our nation’s schools so that all children, regardless of the neighborhood in which they grow up, have the chance to achieve their full potential. It is imperative that we invest in education to promote new employment and ensure that students can adapt to the jobs that will grow our 21st century economy.
I believe we must invest in our students at every level, from early childhood education to postsecondary education. In late 2015, Congress reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, via the Every Student Succeeds Act. As we move through implementation, I will work to ensure there is flexibility at the local level, a focus on rewarding schools instead of punishing them, and encouraging great leadership from both administrators and teachers. Finally, as the cost of higher education has soared in recent years, I continue my strong support of policies and programs, like Pell Grants, to ensure that all Americans, regardless of their background or economic status, have access to higher education.
As a co-chair of the Congressional Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucus with my colleague, Representative Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (R-PA), I am working in Rhode Island and at the national level to highlight the importance of career and technical education in creating jobs, retraining workers, and ensuring that students of all ages are career- and college-ready. CTE programs play a vital role in developing skilled workers who are capable of remaining competitive in high-wage, high-skill, and high-demand career fields. These fields include STEM disciplines, nursing, allied health, construction, information technology, energy, cybersecurity, sustainability, and other areas that keep our nation competitive in the global economy.
In June 2017, I was proud to help champion House passage of the bipartisan Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, which would reauthorize and modernize the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act through 2023. The bill makes several important improvements to Perkins, including aligning CTE programs with local industry needs, improving collaboration among community stakeholders, and promoting apprenticeships all while increasing federal investment in CTE by nine percent over five years. It encourages partnerships between business leaders and educators to ensure CTE programs meet local needs, requires states to offer high-quality CTE for all students, integrates employability skills into career pathways, and promotes the development of innovative and evidence-based CTE programs. I am particularly proud of the emphasis the bill places on both work-based learning and the role of school counselors in career exploration.
In addition to reauthorizing Perkins, Congressman Thompson and I annually lead the fight for strong Perkins funding. In 2017, we were pleased to be joined by a bipartisan group of 130 of our fellow representatives on a letter to the House Appropriations Committee urging them to provide robust funding in fiscal year 2018. CTE programs will only be successful if we ensure they are fully-funded and able to meet growing demand.
To help match workers with the skills they need, last Congress I introduced the Counseling for Career Choice Act.This bipartisan bill would provide funds to help local educational agencies offer comprehensive counseling services to students so that they can make informed decisions about their future, whether they choose a four-year degree, a career and technical education program, a private-sector apprenticeship or another option.
Student loan debt is becoming an ever-increasing burden on our students, graduates and their families. Over 40 million Americans owe more than $1.4 trillion in student debt, and the average graduate from the class of 2015 has more than $30,000 in debt. At a time when a post-secondary education is becoming ever more important, it is imperative that we make college affordable and remove the crushing weight of student debt.
On July 1, 2013, the interest rate for federal student loans doubled from 3.4% to 6.8% with the expiration of the previously-extended College Cost Reduction Act. That same month, Congress passed a compromise to tie student loan interest rates to the 10-year Treasury Note.While I supported that effort as a way to provide immediate relief to student borrowers, I remain concerned that rising interest rates may put college out of reach for students. For that reason, I’m a cosponsor of the Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act, which would allow students to refinance their student loans to a 3.76% interest rate, the rate for Stafford Loans issued before July 1, 2017. I will continue to monitor student loan rates and work with my colleagues to ensure the government does not profit off of college students.
I also strongly support student loan forgiveness, particularly in the case of a student becoming permanently disabled. Currently, students can have their loans forgiven if they become totally and permanently disabled, but parents who take out loans on their behalf cannot. To close this loophole, I introduced the PLUS Loan Disability Forgiveness Act, a bipartisan bill that would extend loan forgiveness to parents whose children become totally and permanently disabled.
Art and design programs are an essential component of a well-rounded educational curriculum and play an integral role in improving student achievement and advancing the understanding of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). I am always looking for new ways to promote the exciting new STEM fields, and in 2013, I was a founding member of the Congressional STEM to STEAM Caucus, which promotes the integration of art and design into STEM, turning it to STEAM. I’ve been proud to work with the Rhode Island School of Design, which has been a pioneer of the STEAM movement, in this mission.
This Congress, I introduced the bipartisan STEM to STEAM Act, which promotes the integration of art and design into the National Science Foundation’s (NSF’s) Advancing Informal STEM Learning program. By supporting the design and testing of extra-curricular STEAM programs, students will have more opportunities to improve educational outcomes and promote creativity and innovation.
I am also very proud that the Every Student Succeeds Act recognized the importance of Art and Design in shaping a well-rounded education. It specifically notes the ways that STEM is complemented by STEAM and offers federal funding to blend the two into the overall curriculum.
I firmly believe we must invest fully in our public education system to ensure that every child in Rhode Island and across the country has access to a world-class education. We must devote our resources to improving teacher training, decreasing class sizes, rebuilding school infrastructure, and engaging parents so that each child has the opportunity to achieve their potential. School vouchers, which provide federal tax dollars to pay private school tuition, are a misuse of taxpayer funds, and I will maintain strong opposition to any program that undermines our public education system in this way.
Russian cyber operations during the 2016 Presidential elections revealed vulnerabilities in our election infrastructure, and I believe it is of the utmost importance that the federal government take steps to assist states and municipalities in securing voting systems before 2018. I was encouraged that the Department of Homeland Security designated our election systems as “critical infrastructure” and is taking steps to increase awareness of the threat. I am also a member of the Congressional Task Force on Election Security, which is investigating additional measures Congress can take to protect against future meddling.
To combat this threat, which experts acknowledge will be present in the next election cycle, we must protect the security of the entire electoral ecosystem, not just voting machines. As demonstrated by Russia’s actions, interference does not just involve flipping voters, and we must ensure that each step of the process, from registration to vote tallying, is secure.
Perhaps even more important, though, is rebuilding public confidence in our electoral system. The perception of mass hacking, which sows doubt in our elections and threatens the legitimacy of our elected officials, is arguably the most dangerous outcome of the Russian information operation. One way to restore confidence and to mitigate risk is to conduct risk-limiting audits on paper ballots, recommendations that were included in the PAPER Act, which I introduced with Representative Mark Meadows (R-NC). Restoring confidence will continue to be a focus of my work both through the Task Force and through my work as co-chair of the Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus.
The right to vote is the bedrock of our democracy, and we must take effective action to ensure free and fair elections. Unfortunately, far too many voters become disenfranchised due the challenges they face in registering and accessing the polls. During the 2016 election, thousands of Americans waited in unacceptably long lines. Some of these lines were caused by insufficient funding while others were due to equipment failures, inadequately trained poll workers, difficulties registering to vote and problems securing provisional ballots when registrations were challenged.
As a former Secretary of State, I find it indefensible that these issues continue to plague our elections in the 21st Century. They present distressing barriers to participation in our democratic process, particularly among minority voters, members of our Armed Services, people with disabilities, and seniors.
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA) is one of the seminal pieces of American civil rights legislation. Following the end of the Civil War, segregation flourished in the south. So-called “Jim Crow” laws prevented African Americans from having a say in the local political process, and the federal government refused to intervene. The VRA changed this policy for good: no longer would Congress stand by as citizens were denied their most fundamental rights.
Unfortunately, in June 2013, the Supreme Court, in Shelby County v. Holder, dealt a major blow to the landmark 1965 Voting Rights Act. The 5-4 decision invalidated the coverage formula used for Section 5 of the Act, which required certain states with a history of racial discrimination to “pre-clear” any changes to election laws or voting procedures with the Justice Department.
I vehemently disagree with the Court’s decision in Shelby County v. Holder. This decision has already had negative impacts on state and local jurisdictions, disenfranchising many low-income and minority voters. Controversial policies that have resulted from this decision include “racial gerrymandering” and oppressive voter identification laws. For example, following Shelby, Texas quickly implemented a strict voter ID law that had been previously blocked by DOJ.
Congress is currently exploring ways to develop new criteria that aims to meet the Court’s unelucidated standard. I am proud to be a cosponsor of H.R.3239, the Voting Rights Amendment Act, a bill that restores the safeguards of the 1965 Voting Rights Act in a manner consistent with the Shelby decision. I am also a cosponsor of H.R. 2978, the Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would reinstitute pre-clearance requirements for 13 states, establish a new geographic coverage formula based on current conditions and a 25 year “look back” provision, and institute greater transparency in federal elections to ensure voters are made aware of last-minute changes to voting procedures.
Finally, I am a cosponsor of H.R. 2876, the Automatic Voter Registration Act, which would require states to automatically register all drivers’ license recipients as voters. This would tear down one of the major barriers to participation in our election process, making it easier for millions of citizens to cast their ballot.
I am firmly committed to removing the influence of money from elections.
The rising cost of political campaigns is a serious cause for concern in the United States, as some qualified candidates are discouraged from running for office because they do not have the financial means to do so. Furthermore, the exorbitant cost of campaigns has increased the role of political action committees, interest groups, and political parties through unregulated soft money donations.
In its controversial Citizens United decision, the Supreme Court overturned long-standing legal precedents, effectively allowing virtually unlimited corporate and special interest spending in elections. The eventual result of this and subsequent Supreme Court rulings was the emergence of Super PACs – political action committees permitted to accept unlimited contributions and make unlimited expenditures aimed at electing or defeating federal candidates.
I am proud to be a cosponsor of the DISCLOSE Act, which would require timely disclosure by Super PACs that spend money on campaign advertisements and would require lobbyists to disclose their expenditures to these groups. It would also force corporations to disclose campaign expenditures to their shareholders and would obligate Super PACs to disclose their top five donors in each ad. To further enhance oversight of corporate spending in elections, I am also a cosponsor of H.J. Res. 88, which proposes a Constitutional amendment clarifying that corporations are not entities entitled to the personal rights enshrined in the Constitution.
Finally, in an effort to curb the influence of money given directly to candidates, I am an original cosponsor of the Government by the People Act. This sensible, overdue legislation would provide citizens with a $25 Voice Tax Credit for campaign contributions to Congressional candidates, provide a 6-to-1 match for small dollar campaign contributions, and allow citizen-funded candidates to earn additional public matching funds within 60 days of an election.
Changing the way we conduct business in Washington and making our government more transparent and accountable to the public is one of my highest priorities. We must ensure that national policy decisions are based on the power of ideas and not the power of money.
I have worked diligently in Congress to promote comprehensive policies promoting sound environmental stewardship, along with programs to enhance our energy security, ensure all Rhode Islanders have access to affordable power, and encourage energy conservation. I believe we must harness Americans’ ingenuity and creativity to make the United States a world leader in renewable energy technology and move our nation toward energy independence.
I am a founding member of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), the leading policy incubator for green innovation in the House of Representatives. As the Energy Task Force Chair on SEEC, I have sought solutions to the tradeoffs between reliable energy sources and the carbon-free future that we owe our children and grandchildren. Rhode Island has also been a leader in solar installations, and I continue to advocate for renewables to be properly counted as part of the region’s grid, and for the development of climate friendly price modeling.
I have been proud to see the Block Island Wind Farm go from development to operation. While I am excited for Rhode Island to host the first American offshore wind farm, I don’t want it to be the last. That’s why I introduced the Offshore WIND Act in the House, which will extend the investment tax credit for offshore wind. Unlike land-based wind power, which has become increasingly easier to build, offshore wind requires extensive siting and planning processes. With this extension, we will ensure that offshore wind power remains a growing part of the American renewables portfolio.
I also realize that Rhode Islanders have paid some of the highest electricity bills in the country. Thanks to the development of upgraded transmission and other cost-sharing measures, these bills have come down somewhat in recent years, but the challenges are far from over. Our homes and offices, warehouses and factories, all rely on energy infrastructure to keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer, and to keep Rhode Island open for business. With more plants permanently retiring from the New England grid, I have worked to ensure that we have the energy we need to prevent capacity issues and prevent additional price hikes.
We have the tools to make our buildings more energy efficient, but they are often viewed by developers as not being cost-effective. In turn, high energy costs are often incurred by property owners or renters, creating a significant disconnect between developers and users. To address this, I have introduced the Building Efficiently Act, which provides incentives for energy efficient construction and renovations. This bill will not only help bridge the disconnect between developers and end-users, it will create jobs in Rhode Island’s construction sector and decrease energy use and pollution for our consumers and businesses. If we empower Americans to make energy efficient choices, we can take a critical step towards energy independence.
I continue to advocate for strong federal funding of the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and the State Energy Program (SEP), and I have voted in support of the continued authorization of both programs. Over the past 34 years, WAP has provided weatherization services to more than 7.3 million low-income households, significantly reducing their annual energy bills. (To apply for this weatherization assistance in Rhode Island, please see these guidelines, and contact your local community action agency.) The State Energy Program assists with innovation and the development of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.
Climate change is a very real threat, and its effects are already being felt across the globe. Our glaciers are in retreat, calving ice into the sea on a daily basis. Climate patterns have become less predictable than ever, with spikes in storm strength and temperatures. That’s something we’re all too familiar with in the Ocean State, where rising sea levels and storm surges affect our citizens directly, and changing temperatures impact the state of our fisheries. This is why we need a carbon-free future as soon as possible, and that requires promoting the development and deployment of new energy technologies. I am a proud supporter of President Obama’s Clean Power Plan, and the regional commitment our Northeast states have made to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Through these avenues, we are working on a comprehnesive American energy plan that is both reliable and sustainable.
I was proud to author and champion the law instructing the National Park Service to study the Wood-Pawcatuck River system in southern Rhode Island and eastern Connecticut for special preservation and protection. These pristine, natural waters are a treasure among the landmarks of New England, and they deserve inclusion in the list of Wild and Scenic Rivers organized by the Department of the Interior. The work of this designation is ongoing, and I look forward to continuing my collaboration with our local and federal partners to make this recognition a reality.
As part of my dedication to conservation, I have worked to keep offshore drilling out of the Atlantic Ocean – for good. The risks are too great to chance a spill that could be disruptive to marine life, and humans, for years into the future. I have also strongly advocated to keep harmful practices away from marine life, such as seismic airgun blasting, an unnecessary and cruel practice.
In Rhode Island, our oceans are our way of life. From commercial fishermen to recreational anglers, from boaters to beachgoers, we are all vested in the sustainability of our waters. I have continued to support ocean planning as a solution to mixed use of our offshore waters, by bringing all interested parties to the table to discuss their concerns and plan for the future.
I am a strong advocate for a bipartisan reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the benchmark law regulating fisheries management. Unfortunately, the last proposed MSA reauthorization was explicitly partisan, and would have done real damage to our fisheries. Additionally, through my “Rhode Island Fishermen’s Fairness Act,” I hope to bring increased equity for Rhode Island fishermen by granting them voting rights on the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. It only makes sense that our state should have a voice in regulating the species we regularly catch.
I have been proud to cosponsor the BREATHE Act and the FRESHER Act, bills that will tighten environmental safeguards on fracking, keeping the industry accountable for its impact on our nation’s water supply and air quality. I am also a cosponsor of the CLEANER Act, which will close exemptions on hazardous waste that the fossil fuels industry currently enjoys.
As a delegation, we also secured $18.2 million in new federal funding for clean water infrastructure in Rhode Island. I strongly support the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank, and I have cosponsored legislation to provide increased federal coordination and financing for green banks such as ours. Improvements from such programs will save Rhode Island taxpayers money, while upgrading the resilience of our energy and water infrastructure.
I was just 16 years old when a bullet severed my spinal cord. What happened to me was nothing more than a tragic accident, a misfired weapon in a police station locker room. I was not targeted because of my race, religion, gender or sexuality. I was not the victim of a mass shooting. I was just a kid standing in the wrong place at the wrong time. Even so, my accident is a reminder of the devastating damage guns can cause, even when the damage is not intentional. I am committed to protecting our communities from future gun violence by implementing meaningful gun safety reform.
Supporting the Second Amendment and passing sensible gun reform measures are not mutually exclusive. I support reinstating a national ban on assault weapons, which have been used in recent mass shootings. These military-grade weapons have no place in our communities. Stricter background check laws are necessary to close the loophole that allows the transfer of a firearm to take place if a background check is not completed in three days. I support strengthening the resources of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System database. These are reasonable changes that protect our communities without infringing on the rights of gun owners to arm themselves for self-defense and hunting. Many of my constituents are responsible gun owners, and I believe Congress can protect their rights without allowing senseless gun violence to continue every day across America.
After winning the majority of seats in the House of Representatives in 2018, Democrats made gun safety a top priority. One of the first bills to pass the House during the 116th Congress was the Bipartisan Backgrounds Check Act. The bill would make it illegal to transfer a firearm to another individual unless a licensed gun dealer or manufacturer conduct a background check first. 97 percent of Americans think we need expanded background checks, and I was pleased to support action on this pressing issue.
The Brady Campaign to End Gun Violence found that nearly 90 percent of guns used in crimes come from just 5 percent of gun dealers. I am proud to have authored and introduced the Keeping Gun Dealers Honest Act, which would help put an end to illegal gun sales and reduce gun violence by strengthening accountability measures for irresponsible gun dealers and providing the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives with additional resources for enforcement. We must close the loopholes that allow dealers to illegally sell lethal weapons to criminals.
I am also proud to be an original cosponsor of several major gun safety bills, including the Disarm Hate Act, the Firearm Safety Act, the Firearms Dealer Code of Conduct Act, and the Stop Online Ammunition Sales Act.
Unfortunately, Congress has not passed gun safety legislation in more than a decade. Despite the rise of mass shootings in America, the GOP has worked hard to block our attempts at meaningful change. The attacks at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Pulse night club in Orlando, Virginia Tech, Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, and the small Baptist church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, represent just a few of the deadliest shootings in our nation’s history.
It was after the shooting at Pulse in Orlando, after we lost 49 more lives to senseless violence, that my colleagues and I staged a historic sit-in on the House Floor to demand Speaker Paul Ryan allow a vote on proposals to expand background checks and prohibit individuals on the No-Fly List from being able to purchase firearms. It is not enough to honor these innocent victims with thoughts and prayers. It is time for Congress to act.
Despite the fact that we spend more on health care than any other industrialized nation, too many of our citizens still face challenges in accessing the very medical care that America has long been a leader in providing. On March 21, 2010, I was proud to join my Congressional colleagues in taking an historic vote to pass comprehensive health reform legislation. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has already started instituting the changes we need to provide more security and stability to Americans who have health insurance, guarantee insurance to the millions who don’t, and lower health care costs for our families, businesses and the government.
These goals were ultimately reaffirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court in a June 28, 2012, decision to uphold the law. The consumer protections at the heart of the law will prevent families from being denied coverage because they are sick, abolish annual and lifetime insurance limits, allow young adults to remain on their parents’ coverage and close the Medicare prescription drug doughnut hole for seniors.
Passage of the Affordable Care Act was by no means a silver bullet, but a critical first step in the fight to reform health coverage and delivery. We must now focus our efforts on strengthening and improving the law so businesses, consumers, and health care providers can reap the benefits of a health care system befitting the greatest country in the world.
To learn how the Affordable Care Act affects you, or to find a Rhode Island insurance plan that best meets your needs, please visit HealthSource RI, or call their assistance center at 1-855-840-HSRI (4774). My staff also stands ready to address any questions or concerns you may have. For assistance, please call my Warwick office at (401) 732-9400 to speak to one of my caseworkers.
My office regularly works with constituents from the Second District who are struggling with the immigration process themselves or on behalf of a loved one, friend, or employee. If you have any questions or need help navigating the process, please contact us at (401) 732-9400.
President Trump has consistently supported policies that degrade and devalue the important contributions of immigrants to our society. On just his seventh day in office, the President issued an Executive Order freezing travel from seven predominantly Muslim countries and suspending refugee admissions. I strongly condemned this action – which was not based on any credible threat or intelligence gathering – both at the time of its issuance and during testimony before the Committee on Homeland Security. I am also a cosponsor of legislation that would rescind both the original Executive Order and its successor, issued after courts declared the original travel ban unconstitutional. Immigration policy cannot be dictated by speculative fearmongering, and I will continue to fight for equal treatment of immigrants from across the globe and for the admittance of vetted refugees fleeing dire situations.
The same day he issued the “travel ban,” the President issued two other Executive Orders: one focused on changing domestic enforcement priorities and calling for punishment for “sanctuary cities” while the other began the process of building a wall on the US-Mexico border. All of these developments are deeply disturbing. Although I firmly believe in the need for strong border security to protect the nation, a wall spanning the entire 2,000 mile border is unnecessary and ineffective, and I have opposed legislation that would fund its construction. President Obama focused enforcement on undocumented immigrants who had committed serious crimes, and changing that emphasis only serves to instill fear in immigrant communities while allowing violent offenders to slip away. Fear of law enforcement is also a fundamental problem with forcing city and state police to implement federal immigration law, which is why I have opposed legislation that would prevent grant dollars from going to so-called “sanctuary jurisdictions.”
President Trump has broken with a seventy year tradition of welcoming immigrants to our shores where they contribute economically and culturally to vibrant communities, including in Rhode Island. I look forward to continuing my work to welcome newcomers to the state and to oppose the President’s regressive policies.
Many unauthorized immigrants were brought to the United States as children, even babies. These immigrants, often known as “dreamers,” have grown up in the U.S. and often have deep cultural and lingual ties to their communities. Recognizing the unique situation these youth often found themselves in, President Obama issued the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy in 2012. DACA provides for renewable temporary work authorizations for dreamers, and over 787,000 young people have been helped thanks to the program. Unfortunately, on September 5, the Trump Administration issued a memorandum rescinding the DACA program upending dreamers’ lives and placing them at risk for deportation. I am a cosponsor of the DREAM Act, which would provide a legislative fix allowing dreamers to achieve conditional permanent resident status and, eventually, citizenship.
I am convinced that the only way to effectively deal with the immigration challenges facing our country is through comprehensive immigration reform. Comprehensive immigration reform relies on three components: strengthening border security, providing a path to citizenship for those undocumented immigrants already in country, and reforming our visa system. Unfortunately, the House has not taken a single vote on a comprehensive bill since Republicans took the majority in 2011. This is despite the fact the Senate passed a bipartisan bill in 2013 with the backing of over two thirds of the body.
It is important to note that immigration reform is not amnesty. It simply provides a mechanism for bringing undocumented immigrants into our system so we know who is here and can ensure they are following the rules. Undocumented immigrants would still face significant hurdles before earning citizenship, and, just as importantly, they would not take the place of anyone who has followed the proper steps to enter our country.
As I work to support a process for immigrants to follow legal channels toward citizenship, I am also committed to strengthening our borders, which saw 408,870 people apprehended trying to cross the southern border country illegally in Fiscal Year 2016. We need to improve border security and implement meaningful employment verification while humanizing our immigration policies through visa reform and earned legalization and integration for new immigrants. Efforts on both counts are necessary to deal with the reality and enormous scope of our broken immigration policies.
Over the past few years, we have seen the greatest economic downturn since the Great Depression. That is why my top priority has been fighting to put Rhode Islanders back to work — standing up for small businesses and taxpayers, and building a strong new foundation for the American economy.
In addition to the work I am doing in Washington, a critical component of my job is to ensure that our state takes full advantage of available resources and to connect Rhode Island stakeholders, like businesses and universities, to collaborate on shared priorities. The skills gap has been a particularly significant drag on Rhode Island’s economy, contributing to the state’s persistently high unemployment. In visits to businesses, I repeatedly hear they are struggling to fill openings because applicants lack necessary skills. Addressing this problem requires better cooperation between the businesses doing the hiring and the educators preparing the students.
Rhode Island’s unemployment rate remains stubbornly and unacceptably high at 9.1%. Making matters worse, on December 28, 2013, long-term unemployment benefits expired for all Americans. Despite bipartisan support, House Republicans have been unwilling to bring an extension to the House floor. I have cosponsored numerousbills to extend these benefits, and I have co-signedletters urging House leadership to bring these bills to the floor. I hope that the House will act swiftly to extend these benefits.
That is why I launched the Rhode Island Skilled Economy (RISE) Tour to advocate for initiatives and create partnerships that will help employers to find skilled workers that fit the needs of expanding industries. Rhode Island has the unique ability to take on small-scale, cutting-edge initiatives that serve as national models for putting innovative ideas into action, and that is why I have hosted forums and symposiums on topics that include Small Business Innovation Research, women-owned small businesses and cybersecurity workforce development.
In the summer of 2013, as a continuation the RISE tour, I started the Classroom to Career Tour, focused on job training programs across the district that help youth develop the skills they need to succeed in in-demand careers. Be sure to check my Classroom to Career blog for more details.
I am committed to ensuring that Congress focuses on common-sense legislation to address job creation and tax cuts that help all Americans, not just the wealthiest. I will continue my efforts to craft policies that promote American prosperity by growing the economy with long-term fiscal discipline in mind. I am supportive of an economic growth and job creation package that includes:
As a member of the Congressional Equality Caucus, I am proud to fight for full equality for LGBT Americans in Congress. We must rid the law of all forms of discrimination, and while there have been great strides in this regard, more must be done. I’m cosponsoring several anti-discrimination bills this Congress, including the Equality Act, which would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in public spaces.
I was proud to watch Rhode Island, in the spring of 2013, pass legislation that legalized same-sex marriage. It was an affirmation for so many loving couples who had previously been denied the same rights as their heterosexual counterparts. Just two months after Rhode Island’s enactment of marriage equality, I applauded the Supreme Court’s groundbreaking decision in United States v. Windsor to strike down a portion of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) that denied federal benefits to legally married same-sex couples. I was proud to support this decision by cosigning a brief filed with the Court in favor of repealing DOMA. I was then thrilled when the Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015 that the Constitution guarantees same-sex couples the right to marry, requiring all states to recognize and license same-sex marriages. These victories represent major steps in the right direction, but more must be done to ensure full equality.
Transgender Americans have faced discrimination on many fronts, drawing media attention to the struggle for equality and respect. On July 26, 2017, President Trump sent out a series of tweets announcing a ban on transgender Americans serving in the military. I was appalled by this declaration, which would reverse an inclusive policy put in place by the Obama Administration in 2016. The individuals who wear our country’s uniform serve with honor, and to disrespect them is not only reprehensible, but also a threat to our national security. The President’s hateful speech was abhorrent, and his reasoning – supposed high medical costs – is unfounded. I will continue to support all of our servicemembers, who demonstrate a love for their country that every one of us should admire.
Love for my home state is one of the things that motivated me to run for office. As a State Representative and later as Secretary of State, I became intimately familiar with the issues that are most important to Rhode Islanders. Since being elected to Congress, my constituents have continued to voice their concerns and priorities with strong conviction, and my goal is always to represent those interests the best I can in Washington. I rely on your feedback, and hope you will consider me a resource on the challenges we face as a state and as a nation.
Rhode Island was hit hard by the nation’s economic downturn, and the recovery remains slow. It is a frustrating time for many Rhode Islanders who continue to face unemployment, high housing costs and bills that keep stacking up. In 2010, I convened the Rhode Island Summit on the Economy to discuss strategies for closing the skills gap and strengthening the state’s workforce. That forum gave way to the Rhode Island Skilled Economy (RISE) tour and the Classroom to Career tour, both of which allowed me to identify best practices in the state’s skills and job training programs. I continue to share those approaches with employers and, most importantly Rhode Islanders in need of work. If we provide local applicants with the necessary training in high-demand skill sets, new and existing companies will be incentivized to set up shop or grow in the Ocean State, knowing that we have the right workforce to meet their demand. I was proud to garner the support of the Rhode Island School Counselor Association on legislation I introduced, the Counseling for Career Choice Act, which would ensure that students are aware of all of their options before graduation.
As we endeavor to strengthen the workforce, we must also decide, as a state, where we want to focus in the coming years. What industries have high growth potential? What will it take to attract them to our state? How can we provide the best opportunities for our residents? We must invest in growing industries, like information technology, engineering and advanced medical research, much of which is driving Providence’s Knowledge District. Developing a reputation for the state as a center for biotech, for example, will let companies in that industry know that we are open for business. So much emphasis has been put on how Rhode Island compares to other states in business friendliness. Let’s buck the rankings and put the state back on the right track. Let’s once again become a beacon of commerce that drives our national and global economy.
While development offers opportunity for economic growth, we must always grow responsibly and with the surrounding environment in mind. Tourism is one of the state’s biggest industries, and our beautiful beaches, scenic walking and bike paths and other natural attractions are among the many draws for visitors. I introduced the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Protection Act, which passed the House in June, to determine sections of the Beaver, Chipuxet, Queen, Wood and Pawcatuck Rivers that would be eligible for certain protections and federal funding as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
With 384 miles of tidal shoreline and 35 islands within its territorial waters, Rhode Island has a unique set of environmental concerns. The impacts of climate change, including more frequent and intense storms and rising sea levels, are potentially disastrous for our state, threatening the homes and businesses of so many in our coastal communities. The storms eventually wash out, but we are left with a constant reminder when visiting our beautiful beaches. Our coastline is eroding, and we cannot wait any longer to take action. In addition to the legislation I have supported to mitigate the effects of climate change, I am proud to be part of a concerted effort by the entire RI Congressional Delegation to bring in federal funds for such projects locally. I pushed for full relief for those impacted by Superstorm Sandy and am proud to have helped deliver millions of dollars for Sandy recovery, mitigation, restoration and planning.
Rhode Island is a leader in efforts to fight climate change, and I hope we will likewise be considered a leader in clean, renewable energy. Such energy projects, however, must be pursued with careful consideration to the communities they directly affect. Offshore wind, for example, offers enormous potential for producing domestic clean energy, putting Rhode Island at the forefront of an emerging sector in the renewable energy industry. Investing in clean energy will not only move us away from dependence on foreign oil, but will also create jobs in an industry with high growth potential. At the same time, our coastline and beaches are a precious resource and a boon for local economies, and they must be protected and preserved. I understand the concerns of residents in these potential host communities, and I am confident that an outcome can be reached that satisfies all interested parties.
The fishing and marine trades industries are very significant to the Ocean State’s economy. In 2011, Rhode Island fishermen landed more than 77 million pounds of fish, translating to more than $76 million in revenue; in total, the Rhode Island seafood industry generated almost $1 billion in sales impacts. But as climate change wreaks havoc on the ecosystem, those jobs are threatened. The temperature of Narragansett Bay has risen more than two degrees Farenheit, leading to dramatic changes in the fisheries population. When we talk about climate change, it isn’t just a theory – it has a real economic impact, especially on people whose livelihoods depend on a clean, stable environment. That’s why I have supported legislation that would require 20 percent of our nation’s electricity to come from renewable sources by 2020, and I advocate for policies that reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.
I understand the importance of the fishing community in our state, and I have introduced legislation to ensure its interests are better represented. The Rhode Island Fishermen’s Fairness Act would create two new spots for Rhode Island on the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council (MAFMC), which develops long-term fishery management plans designed to improve conditions of the fishery, and opportunities for the industry.
There is no overstating the power of infrastructure in fueling our economy. If we invest in our roads, bridges and transit, Rhode Island will become more attractive to new business. Rhode Islanders can, in turn, travel to and from work with ease, and reductions in traffic delays will make for happy commuters and more efficient business. We want residents and visitors to know that Rhode Island cares about the infrastructure that sustains our quality of life and commerce. High-quality, safe and sustainable infrastructure requires investment, and it should be a priority.
Our state took a big step forward in infrastructure improvements when I helped bring in a $10 million federal TIGER grant to replace the aging Providence Viaduct. Every day, 220,000 vehicles cross the Viaduct, one of the most heavily trafficked stretches of interstate on the East Coast. This grant will help replace the failing roadway, with reconstruction expected to be complete by November 2018. A reconstructed Providence Viaduct will improve access to state offices, tourist attractions and retail businesses. It will also put people to work. Approximately 530 jobs will be created or sustained through the Viaduct Replacement Project, many in the construction industry that continues to battle high unemployment.
As T.F. Green Airport continues to grow, more than $10million in federal funds has flowed to our state since 2012 to support the Rhode Island Airport Corporation. Runway expansion and environmental mitigation have gone hand in hand, expanding capacity for the state’s major airport while reducing the impact on surrounding homes and businesses. In order for Rhode Island to stay competitive, we must make it easy to visit and do business here. T.F. Green often offers travelers a less expensive alternative, and with the completed InterLink hub that connects the airport to rental car facilities and MBTA commuter rail service, we’re on the right track.
Just as Green Airport, MBTA service and well-maintained roadways help to bring people into our state, our ports help to bring the products that contribute to a vibrant economy. ProvPort is the second busiest port in New England after Boston, and the Port at Quonset Davisville is likewise bustling as a foreign trade zone and epicenter for automobile imports. TIGER grants that I helped to secure directed $10.5 million to Port of Providence for new harbor cranes and another $22.3 million to Quonset Business Park for infrastructure upgrades. Both awards will increase port efficiency, and ultimately capacity.
Small businesses are the backbone of America, and they are especially important to Rhode Island’s economy. In Rhode Island, small business owners employ a majority of the state’s private sector workers and account for the greater part of newly created jobs. Further, they bring new and innovative services and products to the marketplace and offer professional opportunities to diverse and traditionally underrepresented groups. Now more than ever, Congress must support the growth of America’s small businesses and help stimulate the engine of this nation’s economy.
To highlight one of Rhode Island’s growing industries, I launched a series of Food Weeks in 2014. In the Spring and Fall, we got to see the many products and jobs produced right here in the Ocean State. From farms to small breweries, restaurants to food trucks, classrooms to farmers markets, the food and food service industry is alive and well. There is great room for growth in the food economy – both for customers and for workers. Many of the employment opportunities require on-the-job skills training, and the companies offer room for quick advancement.
I will continue to support the many businesses in our food economy, and help workers to gain the skills needed for a career in these jobs. We’re going to need people with such diverse skills as restaurant management, agricultural science, culinary arts, and everything in between.
Although many small employers would like to offer health insurance to their employees, the increasing cost of coverage has made this a growing challenge for Rhode Island businesses.. That is one of the many reasons I supported the Affordable Care Act, which helps level the playing field by increasing their bargaining power. At the same time, small business owners will have the flexibility to make the right choices for their business and their employees. The law has already made tax credits available to thousands of Rhode Island businesses to ease the burden of providing coverage. This Small Business Health Care Tax Credit can cover up to 35 percent of the premiums a small business pays to cover its workers. In 2014, the rate increased to 50 percent. Additionally, firms with 100 or fewer workers can now pool their buying power and reduce administrative costs by purchasing insurance through HealthSource RI.
Social Security and individual savings are both important pillars of our system to ensure financial security throughout our retirement years. As our aging population continues to grow, it becomes more and more important that each pillar be as strong and robust as possible. I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress to ensure the solvency of Social Security and to encourage personal savings.
Social Security is more than just retirement income, it is an essential safety net protecting our seniors, disabled workers, and their families. In 2017, over 62 million Americans will receive approximately $955 billion in Social Security benefits. Rhode Island ranks ninth in the nation for the percentage of residents over 65 and fourth in the nation in terms of residents over age 75. In the Second Congressional District alone, over 105,000 people collect their Social Security benefits, which they and their families earned throughout their working lives. The Social Security checks our senior citizens receive have nearly eradicated senior poverty, and without them, half of the nation’s elderly would fall below the poverty level.
By 2035, the assets saved up in the Social Security trust funds are projected to be exhausted and only incoming payroll tax revenues will be available to pay benefits, resulting in lower average benefits per person.
Social Security will have to be reformed in order to make it fiscally sustainable. To that end, I am a cosponsor of H.R.3302, the Protecting and Preserving Social Security Act, which would phase out the Social Security payroll tax cap that benefits wealthier individuals and would restore the fund to 75-year solvency. Under this proposal, future Social Security Cost of Living Adjustments, or COLAs, would be based on the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), which more accurately gauges the cost of living for seniors by placing a greater weight on the goods and services that seniors utilize, like housing and health care.
All seniors should be treated fairly when it comes to retirement benefits, regardless of whether they have performed government service during their careers. I support the elimination of both the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) to ensure that retirees are not penalized simply because they may also be eligible for a government pension in addition to Social Security. Social Security is a commitment to all Americans, and the government must meet its obligations to everyone.
Transportation and infrastructure are essential priorities for a densely populated state like Rhode Island. Our roads, bridges, and transit networks affect how we get to work and school, and allow us to spend time with our loved ones. Our pipelines, waterways, and freight corridors provide access to critical needs for our local businesses. And efficient local air service and Amtrak can take us virtually anywhere we need to go.
As someone who lives with a disability, I understand the particular needs the disabilities community faces when it comes to transportation. That’s why I was proud to include additional funding in the bipartisan 2015 surface transportation bill (or “FAST Act”) to allow transit agencies, such as RIPTA, to access a larger percentage of federal funds for paratransit. All too often, people with disabilities face uncertainty surrounding basic transit services they need for daily appointments and errands. To truly live an independent life, every citizen needs transportation services that are fully responsive to the needs of our community.
The FAST Act will provide increased certainty to state Departments of Transportation, including RIDOT. Our state has an ongoing challenge to upgrade our highway infrastructure, particularly our bridges. Federal funds, in combination with state revenues, will allow for long-term growth and investment in our state. This legislation was enacted without raising the federal gas tax, which has not increased since 1993.
As a Rhode Island delegation, we were also able to secure a $31 million grant for the redevelopment of the Pawtucket/Central Falls MBTA station, which has been underutilized due to deterioration. The building out of this station is another step in our progress towards regional passenger rail that better serves all Rhode Islanders. I continue to advocate for expanded Amtrak service to Rhode Island, including the infrastructure needed to allow Amtrak to service the T.F. Green Airport station. Additionally, any future redevelopment of the Northeast Corridor must include reliable service to Rhode Island.
On aviation, efforts are underway to develop a long-term FAA reauthorization, which will include needed reforms to keep our airports safe and efficient. Along with Senator Whitehouse, I was proud to introduce legislation to keep drones away from aircraft taking off or landing at airports. Civilian drone use is an exciting technology, one that can provide us with great opportunities for mobile photography and other uses. But we must ensure that this recreational use does not compromise safety and security.
Additionally, in 2016, I was happy to cosponsor a successful bill, included in the bipartisan short-term FAA extension, which reformed the Air Traffic Controller hiring process. Our ATC personnel are facing a generational change in mandatory retirements, and we need to do everything we can to ensure that our towers are sufficiently staffed.
In addition to these priorities, I was pleased to see a bipartisan coalition come together to pass the Water Resources Development Act of 2016. This bill will fund projects by the Army Corps of Engineers to help with flood mitigation and other projects in Rhode Island and throughout the country.
As a delegation, we also secured $18.2 million in new federal funding for clean water infrastructure in Rhode Island. I strongly support the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank, and I have cosponsored legislation to provide increased federal coordination and financing for green banks such as ours. Improvements from such programs will save Rhode Island taxpayers money, while upgrading the resilience of our energy and water infrastructure.
I look forward to continuing to improve and expand our transportation and infrastructure, and I am glad that these issues have received increased focus and scrutiny in Congress. Our highways and other transportation systems are the lifeblood of our economy, and with responsible investment we can be sure these services work for all Americans.
It is Congress’s responsibility to provide access to quality benefits, assistance programs, and medical treatment upon separation from the Armed Forces, and I am working to ensure that all of our veterans receive the benefits they were promised and the recognition they deserve.
Over the last several years, I have supported historic increases in funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs. These important increases not only reflect Congress’s recognition of our responsibility to care for our veterans, but also the need to honor our commitments to a new generation of veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. I will continue to support full funding for the VA and continue working to improve its efficiency.
In these difficult economic times, access to safe and affordable housing is serious concern. This is particularly true for disabled veterans, who often experience additional challenges in their transition back to civilian life. To help address this problem, I introduced the Veterans Homebuyer Accessibility Act, which will make it easier for disabled veterans, who have served with distinction, to perform the necessary adaptive modifications to their homes so they are able to move around comfortably and live independently. It will also help veterans purchase a home as they move back to our communities. While this is no substitute for the disability benefits owed though the VA, it is concrete action we can take now to make our veterans’ transition eminently easier.
Mental Health: Between September 11, 2001, and December 31, 2010, 2.15 million service members were deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and/or Operation Iraqi Freedom. After spending extended periods of time away from their families in hostile environments, returning servicemembers have been particularly vulnerable to the effects of mental illnesses, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While many of these veterans have accessed mental health care through the VA health care system, too many veterans have been forced to seek care outside the VA system or have simply forgone treatment altogether due to the stigma of mental illness. I was proud to support the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act, which passed in 2015 and takes additional steps to address mental health and prevent suicide among veterans. For more information or help, you may visit the Veterans CrisisLine site, or call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1 for veterans.
Spinal Cord and Traumatic Brain Injuries: Between 2000 and 2014, over 300,000 cases of Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) were recorded among service members. It is estimated that at least 20 percent of U.S. troops who were wounded in our most recent conflicts have been affected by a TBI. Advancing research into regenerating and repairing nervous system damage has shown real promise, giving hope to our military service members and veterans who have sustained these injuries in combat. I have been proud to introduce and support measures that have greatly increased the level and scope of research into TBI and spinal cord injuries, as well as other combat-related conditions, and I will continue to fight for research until we are able to repair these debilitating injuries that affect so many of our veterans.
Just as Congress passed the GI Bill of Rights in 1944 to extend educational resources to veterans returning home after serving in World War II, Congress has acted to extend educational support to these brave men and women who have honorably served our country in Iraq and Afghanistan. I was proud to cosponsor and support the passage of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act, which allows servicemembers returning from Iraq or Afghanistan to qualify for educational assistance based on the amount of time served. Those serving at least three years on active duty are now receiving benefits covering the costs of a four-year education, based on the costs of the most expensive in-state public school.
Many wounded, injured and disabled military service members and veterans rely on family members and friends for their day-to-day care. These family caregivers devote a substantial amount of time and effort caring for their loved ones at great personal sacrifice. They are often unprepared for these new responsibilities, and the challenges they face are daunting – from employment difficulties and financial challenges to depression and family stress. To address these urgent challenges, I have introduced the Military and Veteran Caregiver Services Improvement Act, which makes veterans of all eras eligible for caregiver support services; extends eligibility to include a wider array of needs that may require caregiving; and expands services available to caregivers, such as child care, financial advice and legal counseling. Among other provisions, the bill also creates a national interagency working group to coordinate caregiver policy and services, and it reauthorizes the Lifespan Respite Care Act, which provides grants to states to coordinate federal, state and local resources and streamline the delivery of planned and emergency respite services for family caregivers.
As Chairman of the House Antitrust Subcommittee, Congressman Cicilline is fighting for working families by working to hold giant companies and monopolies accountable for price gouging.
The Congressman is a lead cosponsor of The Oil and Gas Industry Antitrust Act, the Price Gouging Prevention Act, and the COVID-19 Price Gouging Prevention Act.
As Chairman of the Antitrust Subcommittee, the Congressman has held hearings on this issue, shedding light on how corporate consolidation has led to skyrocketing prices and supply chain issues, including in the food, oil and gas, and baby formula industries.
Congressman Cicilline is a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and believes in a diplomacy-first approach to international affairs. He is a founder and co-chair of the House Diplomacy Caucus and a member of the Subcommittees on Europe, Eurasia, Energy, and the Environment; Middle East, North Africa, and International Terrorism; and Africa, Global Health, and Global Human Rights.
There is a significant housing shortage in Rhode Island and across the country and the Congressman is working hard to ensure that every Rhode Islander has a clean, safe roof over their head. He is dedicated to ensuring local public housing authorities receive the federal funding they need and that every Rhode Islander who needs one has access to housing vouchers and affordable housing options. This also means ensuring affordable housing is accessible to all – regardless of physical ability or disability.
Congressman Cicilline is dedicated to bringing home federal funding for Rhode Island – our infrastructure, neighborhood centers, public safety, and local programs and services rely on federal support for their success. These funds are key investments in Rhode Island’s people, economy, and future.
As Chairman of the House Subcommittee of Antitrust, Commercial and Administrative Law, Congressman Cicilline has been leading the fight to hold Big Tech accountable.
In the 116th Congress, he oversaw the Subcommittee’s 16-month, top-to-bottom investigation into the state of competition in the digital marketplace, which included seven hearings, the production of nearly 1.3 million internal documents and communications, submissions from 38 antitrust experts, and interviews with more than 240 market participants.
In the 117th Congress, the Congressman led the introduction of six bipartisan bills to build a stronger online economy. All six bills have been approved by the House Judiciary Committee.
The Congressman is committed to ensuring that our seniors can spend their later years living in dignity and with the support they earned and deserve. The Congressman is committed to providing for the strength and longevity of Social Security and Medicare, and ensuring that individuals get the benefits they have earned through their years of hard work and contributions to these programs. He is also the sponsor of a House resolution to establish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging.
Congressman Cicilline is committed to ensuring that every American citizen has the ability and access to exercise their right to vote. He is working to limit the influence of special interests in our elections and restore public trust in Congress and our election system.
The Congressman is a strong advocate for gender equality and is a supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment to enshrine gender equality in the U.S. Constitution. He believes in a woman’s right to make her own reproductive health decisions and is a supporter of the Women’s Health Protection Act.