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Dear John,
For the first time in 100 years, the House of Representatives is stuck in limbo – and unable to officially organize and swear in Members because the Republican Conference cannot come together to elect a Speaker and devise a plan to govern. Rhode Islanders, and the American people, deserve so much better. Rather than this endless chaos and confusion you deserve a government that puts people over politics and that fights for each and every American by lowering costs, creating better paying jobs, and making our communities safer.
We had an incredibly productive 117th Congress, and I am proud of the work we did to revive our economy in the wake of a deadly pandemic, make unprecedented investments in infrastructure, pass the first gun safety legislation in nearly three decades, bring manufacturing jobs back home, combat the climate crisis, and reduce the cost of life-saving prescription drugs. I, and my colleagues in the House Democratic Caucus, are ready to get to work to build on these achievements.
The inability of House Republicans to govern is detrimental to our national security, our democracy, and the lives of every American. House Republicans need to come up with a real plan to govern so that we can get to work on behalf of the American people.
Remembering January 6, 2021
Today marks two years since insurrectionists violently attacked the U.S. Capitol and democracy itself. We honor the law enforcement officers who risked their lives to keep us safe and defend our democracy from those who sought to interfere with the peaceful transfer of power. Their heroic efforts helped preserve the great experiment that is our democracy. Today, we also remember the five officers who died in the days and weeks after the attack and honor their service.
January 6, 2021 showed us all how fragile our democracy is and serves as an important reminder that it is up to all of us to protect it and participate actively in it. Today, we also acknowledge the resilience of our democracy as a result of the resolve and character of the American people. Today, and always, I remain committed to ensuring that every single American not only has the right to vote but that their vote is counted. I remain steadfast in my commitment to preserve and defend the Constitution of the United States. And I remain humbled by the honor of serving in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Updates from Rhode Island
Mourning the Loss of Governor Lincoln Almond
Lincoln Almond was a dedicated public servant and principled leader at the federal, state, and local levels.
As Governor, his focus on the needs of the working class led to expanded child health benefits, key economic development – particularly of Quonset Point, and job creation to help all Rhode Islanders get ahead. Today, we mourn the loss of a true public servant and thank him for his contributions to our state. My thoughts and prayers are will all his loved ones as they grieve his loss.
Updates from Washington, D.C.
Protecting Workers from Noncompete Clauses
This week, the Federal Trade Commission released its proposed rule to ban noncompete clauses in employment contacts.
Noncompete clauses imposed on employees are a fundamental threat to workers’ economic freedom and mobility and stifle innovation and competition. Some of these agreements even prevent workers from finding new employment after being fired without cause. These clauses drive down wages and prevent workers from moving onto better, and sometimes more lucrative, job opportunities and, in some cases, can hinder an employee’s ability from leaving a hostile work environment. The end of noncompete clauses is a win for workers and competition.
Free COVID Tests Via the Postal Service
The Biden Administration announced yesterday that households can once again order free at-home COVID-19 tests though the Postal Service this winter. You can order your tests at CovidTests.gov or by calling 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
Help with Winter Heating and Utility Costs
As winter approaches, it’s predicted that we are going to see a higher-than-usual increase in home heating costs. To help keep these and other utility costs down, I want to share with you some resources and programs that are available through our federal, local, and state government.
- The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps eligible low-income households pay their heating bills through federal grants to the household. There are two components to this program: Heating Assistance and Crisis Assistance.
- The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) helps income-eligible households reduce heating bills by providing whole house energy efficiency services to households that qualify for LIHEAP. Some services available include installing insulation and providing health and safety measures including: installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, reducing drafts, and providing proper ventilation.
- The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, is available for eligible low-income households through September 30, 2023, or until funds are exhausted. LIHWAP helps eligible low-income households afford and maintain access to drinking water and wastewater services through federal grants. One-time payments are made directly to the household’s utility company.
- The Heating System Repair and Replacement Program (HSRRP) provides a one-time service to eligible homeowners to increase the efficiency of their heating system, or replace it if necessary. Households that qualify for LIHEAP may be eligible.
As always, if you need help navigating or accesses these resources, or have questions about other resources that may be available to you, my staff and I are here to help. You can call us at (401) 729-5600 or email me at [email protected].
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, according to the State Department, for expedited processing is now at 3-5 weeks and regular processing is taking 6-9 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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