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Dear John,
Across our country, we are sadly still losing far too many veterans to suicide after they return from service. And, unfortunately, the past two years of the COVID pandemic have only further exacerbated the mental health crisis here at home and around the world. Data from the World Health Organization shows that the COVID pandemic alone has created a 25 percent increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide.
We also know that 90 percent of people who die by suicide have an underlying and potentially treatable mental health condition. That is why it is critical that we make robust investments to increase access to mental health care and finally end the stigma that exists around getting that help.
This week, I joined with Senators Reed and Whitehouse, Congressman Langevin, Governor McKee, Rhode Island Office of Veteran’s Affairs Director Kasim Yarn, VA Providence Healthcare System Director Larry Connell and other local leaders to officially open the new Providence VA mental health building. This facility will deliver quality care to those who have so honorably served our country, ensuring our veterans can begin the process of healing from their invisible wounds.
I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the 25 VA employees that will be caring for our veterans here and helping facilitate community-based employment services, peer support programs, and transactional work therapy.
If you are a veteran in need of immediate support, you can visit the Veterans Crisis Line website to chat online, call 988 then press 1, or text 838255.
Updates from Rhode Island
Rhode Island to Receive Two Save America's Treasures Grants
This year, two Rhode Island institutions have been awarded Save America’s Treasures grants from the National Park Service.
The Herreshoff Marine Museum will receive $413,709 for preservation of the General Burnside Building, which was once a factory for rifles during the Civil War and later became a machine shop for torpedo boats and luxury sailing vessels. This funding will help the museum complete the third and final phase of this preservation project in Bristol.
The Naval War College Foundation has been awarded $137,833 for the conservation and digitization of the Naval War College and Naval War College Foundation Collections. This collection showcases the United States’ rich military history through more than 350 manuscript collections; 500 oral history interviews; 4,000 volumes in the rare books collection dating from the sixteenth century to the present; and 600 letters, journals, letterpress volumes, certificates, and commissions.
$1.15M to Support RI Survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) recently announced $1.15 million in grants for Rhode Island organizations fighting domestic violence and supporting survivors across Rhode Island.
Day One Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence were awarded $177,127 and $90,342, respectively, through the State and Territory Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Program. These grants support the critical work of state and territory domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions as they work to end domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The Rhode Island Department of Public Safety will receive more than $900,000 through the STOP (Services, Training, Officers, Prosecutors) Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program.
This grant will go towards creating partnerships between law enforcement, prosecution, courts, and victim services organizations to enhance victim safety and hold offenders accountable in cases of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
These programs are key in ensuring survivors get the resources they need to not only recover but also are supported as they seek justice.
$82.5 Million to Upgrade Iconic Pell Bridge
I’m thrilled to report that Rhode Island will receive $82.5 million through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s INFRA Grant Program to upgrade the iconic Pell Bridge that connects Newport and Jamestown. These funds will enable the state to make improvements to the deck, suspension system, and towers, extending the life of New England’s longest suspension bridge by an additional 75 years.
The Pell Bridge isn’t just critical infrastructure for Rhode Islanders, it’s an icon that has earned its place on the National Register of Historic Places. To ensure that this resource is available to Rhode Islanders and visitors for years to come, we need to invest in and modernize the bridge now so that we can return it to a state of good repair while reducing long-term costs and improving safety. The Pell Bridge is a prime example of the types of projects that the bipartisan infrastructure law was designed to support and fund. I’m looking forward to an extended, long life for this Rhode Island icon.
Two RI-01 Schools Named as National Blue Schools
Two schools in Rhode Island’s First Congressional District, Barrington High School and Fort Barton, have been named as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2022. Both schools were recognized as Exemplary High Performing Schools. Thank you to the teachers, administrators, and all the school staff for all you do for our students.
You can read more about the awards and the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program here.
Updates from Washington, D.C.
Push for Additional Home Energy Assistance Funding
No Rhode Islander should worry about keeping their family safe and warm this winter and I am working to ensure that those who need financial assistance get the support they need.
This week, I joined with a coalition of representatives from the New England Congressional Delegations in urging the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to include additional funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in the upcoming government funding package. As winter approaches, funding for LIHEAP is important for Rhode Islanders who typically face higher energy costs during the colder months.
You can read our letter to the Committees here.
Celebrating the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act at the White House
This summer, Congress and the Biden Administration delivered yet another major victory for the American people through the Inflation Reduction Act. This week, the White House held an event celebrating this landmark law in our pursuit of climate justice, reforming our tax system, and lowering healthcare costs for hardworking Americans. Thank you to all the countless advocates who made this critical piece of legislation possible.
Dominican Republic President Abinader Visits Congress
This Thursday, I had the opportunity to meet with Dominican Republic President Abinader to discuss our countries' relationship and key issues facing the Dominican people. I thank the President for his time and candor.
New Legislation to Incentivize Safe Gun Storage
Across the country, too many children are being harmed and killed by ‘family fire’ when guns are left unlocked or unsupervised in their homes. But, this is preventable with safe storage. This week, I joined Congresswoman Nikema Williams in introducing the Securing All Firearms Effectively and Safely (SAFES) Act, bipartisan legislation that incentivizes safe gun storage by making gun safes more affordable.
The bill creates a 90 percent refundable tax credit up to $500 for individuals or $1,000 for couples to purchase a gun safe to safely store their firearms. I hope that by providing these financial incentives, we can enable more gun owners to safely store their firearms and prevent these tragedies.
White House United We Stand Summit
Yesterday, the White House hosted the United We Stand Summit, an event dedicated to addressing and preventing hate-motivated violence and fostering unity in our democracy. A vast majority of Americans agree that there is no place for hate-fueled violence in our country, and that we must renew civic bonds, heal divides, and prevent acts of hate and violence.
The Biden Administration has taken steps to do this through expanding federal agency resources, creating a bipartisan Citizens’ Initiative to Address Hate-Fueled Violence in America, and mobilizing with several other organizations to build bridges and stop hate.
I was honored join with the Biden Administration in recognizing the important work of 21 ‘Uniters’ – leaders who are working every day in our communities across the country to bring us together. You can read more about these inspiring individuals and their work here.
Scam Alert: Student Loan Forgiveness
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a Consumer Alert warning Americans against potential scams related to President Biden’s student loan forgiveness executive order.
The student loan forgiveness program is free.
As the FTC has stated, “[a]nyone claiming to be able to sign people up for the program, get them in early, or guarantee eligibility is a scammer. Never pay someone who promises early or special access, or guaranteed eligibility for the program. Those are scams and should be reported at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.”
More information is available 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 4-6 weeks and regular processing is taking 7-10 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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