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A Message from Gabe:
Greetings Rhode Islanders,
Approximately 7,000 small business owners in Rhode Island obtain their health insurance through Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans that they purchase through HealthSourceRI. That is why I joined Senator Jack Reed and small business owners this week in Warren to discuss how the policies of President Trump and Congressional Republicans are threatening their health care.
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Trump and Congressional Republicans did not propose legislation to extend premium tax credits that make it possible for countless Rhode Islanders to afford health insurance. As a result, this policy will directly harm our community, including small business owners. Without these credits, costs will skyrocket, forcing some individuals to forgo health insurance altogether. However, combined with the impacts of the Big, Ugly Law, we will all experience the impact of a significant number of our neighbors going without coverage, from emergency room wait times to pressure on doctors and hospitals. Rhode Island’s economy and health system can't withstand this hit — that's why I'm fighting in Washington to lower costs, stop the cuts, and save our health care.
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Congressman Amo and Senator Reed speak with small business owners in Warren about how Republicans' health care policies are hurting small businesses.
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If Republicans do not act, 22 million Americans, including 40,000 Rhode Islanders, will see their health care premiums soar. Some Rhode Islanders affected by the Republicans' health care policy choices could see their premiums increase by over 200%. According to HealthSourceRI and the House Budget Committee, without an extension of the ACA tax credits:
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- A 25-year-old Rhode Islander with diabetes earning $26,355 a year would see annual health care costs rise by 389%, a yearly added cost of over $1,000; and
- A 60-year-old Rhode Island couple earning $82,800 a year would see annual health care costs rise by $14,609; and
- A family of four earning $64,000 a year would see annual health care costs rise by $2,571 — that’s over $200 a month, which is equivalent to paying a second energy bill.
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Your health and your health care are important, personal, and an essential priority for us to address in Congress. That’s why I’m laser-focused on avoiding a health care crisis. Share your health care story with us at my website here.
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| But I’ve stayed on the job because Rhode Islanders deserve no less. I've been in Washington each week during this shutdown— telling the story of Rhode Islanders who won't be able to afford their health care if Congress doesn't act. Meanwhile, as I hit send on this newsletter, Speaker Mike Johnson has not called the House into session for 28 days. |
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| CLICK HERE TO WATCH: On Tuesday, Congressman Amo details his efforts to stop the cuts, lower costs, and save health care as he returns to Washington to fight for Rhode Islanders. |
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| As we go through this shutdown, we’re here to help. To learn more about how the shutdown may impact you, click here. If you need assistance, please visit our website or contact our office at 401-729-5600. Our office remains open and ready to assist you. |
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| No matter what, I will remain focused on lowering costs for Rhode Islanders and ensuring that we reopen the federal government to serve the American people. |
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| Sincerely, |
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| Gabe Amo |
| Member of Congress |
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| Should Republicans work with Democrats to reopen the government and lower health care costs? |
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| Service Academy Nominations |
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Calling all high school seniors from Rhode Island's First Congressional District interested in attending our nation’s service academies!
Apply before November 1 to be considered for a nomination for the Class of 2029.
Attending a service academy is a great opportunity to serve our country and receive a world-class education.
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| Congressional Internships |
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Applications are now OPEN for spring internships in my Rhode Island and Washington offices.
If you are a student or post-grad interested in public service and supporting Rhode Island, this is the opportunity for you!
Learn more and apply as soon as possible on our website.
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During a shutdown, the Capitol is closed to tours — unless given by a Member of Congress!
Gave a tour to students from Rogers High School during their college pathways program trip to Washington offered by Salve Regina University.
It was a privilege to show our next generation of leaders around the People's House.
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I was glad to meet with future leaders from Rhode Island College to discuss what is happening in Washington and hear their perspectives and hopes for the future.
Despite the current challenges we face, their commitment to public service is just the inspiration we need.
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House Democrats are here and ready to do the work to:
✅ Stop the cuts
✅ Lower costs
✅ Save health care
✅ Reopen the government
After 28 days away, where are conservatives?
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Joined a Rhode Island College class of nursing students to discuss a public health approach to addressing gun violence and my work in Congress, like my bill to stop old police guns from ending up on our streets.
Grateful for the next generation of health care leaders and their commitment to ending gun violence.
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Met with Ambassador Elita Kuzma and Deputy Secretary of Parliament Jānis Grasbergs from Latvia to discuss Baltic security.
Together, we will continue to support Ukraine and stand up to Russian aggression.
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| Elevating Rhode Island Voices in Response to the Health Care Crisis |
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| CLICK HERE TO WATCH: Congressman Amo speaks about the importance of ending the shutdown and extending ACA credits. |
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| While conservatives are nowhere to be found, House Democrats held a hearing to highlight the impact of rising health care costs where I elevated Rhode Island voices showing how Republicans' policies will hurt Rhode Islanders. |
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| The federal government shut down because President Donald Trump and Republicans did not propose legislation that would both keep the government open and lower your health care costs — and we are fighting back. |
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| I have had enough. It is long past time to end this shutdown and prevent health care cost hikes. |
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| Hearing From Behavioral Health Providers |
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Congressman Amo speaks with Rhode Island behavioral health leaders at Butler Hospital to highlight how the health care crisis is hurting behavioral health care services in Rhode Island.
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| I heard from behavioral health leaders at Butler Hospital who shared deep concerns about how Trump's policies cutting behavioral health funding are threatening care across Rhode Island. |
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| They told me about how Trump and Congressional Republicans' $1 trillion health care cut in the Big, Ugly Law is straining mental health resources and making it more difficult for Rhode Islanders to get mental health care. |
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| These health care leaders also shared that if Republicans do not agree to extend ACA tax credits, Rhode Island's health system could backslide to a time when fewer people were insured, reducing access to preventive care and increasing the burden on emergency health providers. |
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| Republicans' policies are making us sicker and poorer. I am fighting to reverse their harmful cuts, protect affordable coverage, and ensure that every Rhode Islander can get the mental and behavioral health care they need and deserve. |
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| Countering Trump's Policies in the Courts |
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| The Trump administration's policies are being challenged and overturned in court. Americans have filed over 457 lawsuits against the administration, and judges have partially or fully blocked over 139 of Trump's executive actions. |
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| Recent Courtroom Wins: |
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| ✅ TRUMP'S DEPLOYMENT OF NATIONAL GUARD IN ILLINOIS BLOCKED — An appeals court blocked President Trump from deploying the National Guard to Chicago. This follows a district court judge making a similar ruling. |
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| ✅ FEDERAL WORKERS REDUCTION IN FORCE BLOCKED — A federal district court judge granted a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration's firing of federal workers. |
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| Working to Lower Your Energy Costs |
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| High energy costs continue to squeeze families across our state. Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans passed their Big, Ugly Law, which will jack up our energy bills in Rhode Island by an extra $178 per year. |
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| If you are having difficulty paying your rising energy bills, especially if you are a furloughed government employee, give my Rhode Island office a call at (401) 729-5600 to learn about debt forgiveness, grant programs, or discounted rates that may be available. You can also contact us via our website. |
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If you need help with personal casework:
Contact our Providence office:
10 Charles Street, Suite 200
Providence, RI 02904
Phone: (401) 729-5600
Fax: (401) 729-5608
Monday through Friday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
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If you need help with legislative issues:
Contact our Washington, D.C. office:
1119 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-4911
Fax: (202) 225-3290
Monday through Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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