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A Message from Gabe:
Thank you for reading my inaugural newsletter for the First Congressional District!
Since being sworn-in, I have been at work representing you and your families in the U.S. House of Representatives. I continue to be grateful every single day for the opportunity to serve.
This holiday season, I hope you are spending time with friends and family and reflecting on the past year. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be spending my time thinking about the ways that we can all work together in the coming year to build stronger, more inclusive communities.
Happy holidays, Rhode Island!
What We’ve Been Working On:
Keeping Government Open and New Committee Assignments
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Congressman Amo and Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries after Amo’s ceremonial
swearing-in on November 11, 2023. |
Right away, I kept my promise to vote to keep our government open, pay our troops, continue Social Security operations, and support vital programs for low- income and working families.
Since then, I have been assigned to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Subcommittees on Europe and Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia. At a time of such instability around the globe, I am grateful to have the trust of Democratic leadership and my colleagues to be a steady voice and a champion for our allies on this vitally important committee.
Combatting Hate and Violence
Antisemitism, Islamophobia, and any other form of hate has absolutely no place in our discourse or communities. I take the threat of antisemitism very seriously. I have joined the House Bipartisan Task Force For Combating Antisemitism, signed onto a letter calling on Congress to fully fund President Biden’s National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism this fiscal year, and voiced my unwavering belief in Israel’s right to exist. Additionally, I have listened and learned from leaders in the Jewish community, and I commit to you that I will continue to do so.
Congress must not lose sight of the violence against our Palestinian neighbors. Hisham Awartani, a Brown University student, was shot in Burlington, VT last month. Congress cannot tolerate senseless acts of violence. My thoughts are with Hisham’s family in these incredibly difficult times. I will always denounce violence on the basis of religion or national origin.
Congressional Armenian Caucus and Supporting Security Assistance to Armenia
I proudly joined the bipartisan Congressional Armenian Caucus, which actively works in Congress to address the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues. I also signed a letter calling on Congress to provide Foreign Military Financing to support the 120,000 ethnic Armenians who were violently pushed from their homes in Artsakh. In Congress, I will continue to support the Armenian people.
Preventing Gun Violence
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| Congressman Amo with members of Newtown Action. |
I had the opportunity to meet with Rhode Islander Diana Garlington and the Newtown Action Alliance to discuss our efforts to combat gun violence and pledged my support for President Joe Biden’s new Office of Gun Violence Prevention. We discussed the importance of safe storage for guns and passing universal background checks. I will continue to lead on these important issues on behalf of Rhode Islanders in the Congress.
Learning From My Colleagues
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| Congressman Amo with Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi. |
Leaders know how to listen and learn. In my first month in Congress, I have had the opportunity to spend time learning from the wisdom of leaders like Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-11), Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY-08), Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV-04), and Ranking Member on House Foreign Affairs Rep. Gregory Meeks (D- NY-05).
Federal Program Spotlight:
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, is a federal program that “assists eligible low-income households with their heating and cooling energy costs, bill payment assistance, energy crisis assistance, weatherization and energy-related home repairs.”
Just last week, I signed a letter urging Congress to include $1.6 billion in funding for the LIHEAP program in the 2024 budget. As the days get colder, learn more about LIHEAP and check your eligibility at
www.benefits.gov/benefit/623.
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| Click the photo to watch our swearing-in floor speech. |
If you need help with personal casework:
Contact the district office in Pawtucket:
1070 Main Street, Suite 300
Pawtucket, RI 02860
Phone: (401) 729-5600
Fax: (401) 729-5608
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If you need help with legislative issues:
Contact the Washington, D.C. office:
2233 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-4911
Fax: (202) 225-3290 |
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