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Dear John,
As we head into Labor Day Weekend, I want to take a moment to reflect on the history of this holiday and the unions and workers who we celebrate.
Today, as we continue to build back an economy that is more equal and equitable, we need to support our workers and ensure that every worker who wants to, has the right and ability to join a union.
The tremendous economic inequality in our country is due in large part to policies from anti-union politicians that have left workers without the freedom to organize and negotiate collectively for good wages, better benefits, and safer working conditions. Strong unions are essential to rebuilding the middle class and improving the lives of millions of Americans, which is why I am working with my colleagues to pass the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act.
The PRO Act would ensure that every worker has the freedom to decide for themselves, without retaliation, whether to form a union by strengthening safeguards to ensure workers can hold free and fair union elections. It would also impose penalties on companies and executives that violate workers' collective bargaining rights.
Passing the PRO Act will not only strengthen Rhode Island's workers' ability to join a union, it will help rebuild the middle class and create an economy where everyone can succeed.
Updates from Rhode Island
$1.1 Million to Support Survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
Far too many victims of domestic violence and sexual assault do not have access to the resources they need and deserve – for themselves and their families, which is why I’m proud to announce nearly $1.1 million in new federal funding to help victims and hold perpetrators accountable.
This funding, and the work and programs it will support at the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Rhode Island Department of Public Safety, will help countless Rhode Islanders get help and heal after experiencing trauma. These types of programs are exactly why we must continue to renew and reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act and prevent it from lapsing ever again.
The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence is receiving a $550,000 federal grant under the Justice for Families Program to help provide targeted services for families impacted by sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking, or in cases involving allegations of child sexual abuse.
The Rhode Island Department of Public Safety is receiving $546,294 through the Sexual Assault Services (SAS) Grant Program, which provides dedicated funding to support rape crisis centers and organizations that provide services, direct intervention, and related assistance to victims of sexual violence and non-offending family and household members of victims, and those collaterally affected by the sexual assault.
Both grants are administered by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) and were funded in the fiscal year 2022 appropriations law.
Updates from Washington, D.C.
Protecting Our Democracy
As President Biden spoke about last night, over the last two years, we have seen an alarming increase in anti-democratic language, language that tears at the fabric of our nation and has put lives in danger. Even after January 6, we still see leaders spreading misinformation about the 2020 election and our electoral system, willing their followers to distrust the most basic and important facet of our democracy - our vote.
I remain committed to ensuring free and fair elections for every American and fighting efforts that suppress the vote and that take away this fundamental right. We must make sure that every American who is eligible to vote has access to the polls and that local and state governments are not acting to impede this right. We should be working together to make voting easier, we should all want 100 percent voter participation.
I agree with President Biden, that "America is at an inflection point - one of those moments that determine the shape of everything that’s to come after." And I also agree that "[w]e can choose a better path. Forward, to the future. A future of possibility. A future to build and dream and hope."
I continue to work with my colleagues in Congress to pass legislation like H.R. 1, the For the People Act; H.R. 4, the John Lewis Voting Rights Act; and H.R.5314, the Protecting Our Democracy Act. Together, we can that more perfect union that we have been striving towards since our nation's founding.
Additional Information on President Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Program
The Biden Administration this week announced that the application for student loan forgiveness under the President’s new program will become available next month.
Those who would like to be notified once the application opens in early October can sign up for updates here. The Department of Education estimates that completed applications will be processed within 4-6 weeks. Approximately 8 million borrowers who are eligible for the program will receive this relief automatically since the Department already has the necessary and relevant income data. If you are unsure if the Department of Education has this information, you can fill out the application to be sure.
To ensure receipt of relief before the loan repayment pause ends at the end of the year, the Department of Education is advising all borrowers to apply for this relief before November 15, 2022.
You can read more about the program here.
As always, my office is available to help with all federal programs, including navigating this new program. If you have any questions or need help, you can send me and my staff an email here or give us a call at (401) 729-5600.
New COVID Booster
On Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approved a new COVID booster shot that will help target the Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants. These new shots will become available in the coming days and weeks. You can read more from the CDC here.
Uniting for Ukraine: Welcoming Refugees
On April 21, as part of fulfilling President Biden’s commitment to welcome up to 100,000 Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s invasion, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the United for Ukraine program.
This program will enable Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members who are outside the United States to come to the United States and stay temporarily in a two-year period of parole. To qualify for the program, Ukrainians must have a supporter in the United States. These supporters are responsible for providing their Ukrainian sponsors with financial support throughout their time in the United States.
You can learn more about the program, and becoming a sponsor, here.
Free Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests for Medicare Beneficiaries
More than 59 million Americans with Medicare Part B, including those enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, are eligible to receive Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved, authorized, or cleared over-the-counter COVID-19 tests at no cost. You can learn more about the program here and find participating pharmacies here.
Shields Up: Guidance from the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency
The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is advising all US organizations, of all sizes, to be prepared to respond to any disruptive cyber security. CISA is reporting that "[e]volving intelligence indicates that the Russian Government is exploring options for potential cyberattacks."
CISA has launched the Shields Up program to help organizations prepare for, respond to, and mitigate the impacts of any attack.
Any abnormal cyber activity or incidents should be reported to [email protected] or 888-282-0827.
You can learn more about Shields Up and the support CISA can provide here.
Important Passport & Travel Reminder
As more Rhode Islanders and people around the world get vaccinated and boosted, we are seeing an increase in both domestic and international travel. With travel resuming, many folks are looking to renew passports and this uptick in requests has led to a backlog at the State Department. Turnaround time for expedited processing is now at 5-7 weeks and regular processing is taking 8-11 weeks from submission to receipt.
Before booking international travel, please remember to check the expiration date on your passport and plan accordingly. Passports last for 5 or 10 years, depending on your age when the passport was issued. Some countries require that your passport be valid at least six months beyond the dates of your trip. Some airlines will not allow you to board if this requirement is not met.
You can learn more from the State Department here.
As always, I am here to serve you. If there is anything I can do, please call my office at 729-5600 or send me an email at [email protected].
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