WASHINGTON, July 13 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report on how the Department of Defense implements acquisition-related National Defense Authorization Act provisions in the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement and communicates with stakeholders throughout that process. The report (GAO-19-489) is titled "Defense Acquisitions: DOD Needs to Improve How It Communicates the Status of Regulation Changes". The report was sent to Sen. James M. Inhofe, R-Oklahoma, ch  more

WASHINGTON, July 10 -- Rep. David Cicilline, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: While considering the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives adopted Antitrust Subcommittee Chair David N. Cicilline's (RI-01) bipartisan amendment today to protect servicemembers from being forced into arbitration, a practice that allows companies to settle disputes by choosing the arbiter and venue while denying servicemembers any right to repeal.  more

WASHINGTON, July 12 -- Rep. David Cicilline, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: The U.S. House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 this afternoon. The bill, which sets defense spending levels for the Department of Defense next year, included several items that Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01), a member of House Leadership, played a key role in crafting. "This bill gives our men and women in uniform the tools they need to c  more

WASHINGTON, July 11 -- Rep. Jim Langevin, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: Congressmen Jim Langevin (D-RI), Peter King (R-NY), Max Rose (D-NY), and Mike McCaul (R-TX) today introduced the Joint Task Force to Combat Opioid Trafficking Act, a bipartisan bill to establish a Joint Task Force at the Department of Homeland Security to stop the inflow of foreign fentanyl and other opioids into the United States. "Rhode Island continues to be among the states hardest hit by the opioi  more

WASHINGTON, July 11 -- Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: * * * - After Trump Administration proposes policy changes that would end protections against deportation of military spouses & families, Reed, Ducworth lead letter saying the move could threaten military readiness * * * Following reports that the Trump Administration is ending protections against the deportation of military families whose loved ones are deployed, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), M  more

WASHINGTON, July 10 -- Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: Today, as the United States Women's National Soccer Team (USWNT) was cheered by thousands of fans at the ticker tape parade in New York City, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse joined colleagues in introducing a bipartisan Senate resolution congratulating the team for winning the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup. The resolution also highlights the Senate's solidarity with the team as they fight for   more

WASHINGTON, July 1 -- Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: * * * - Incomplete count due to citizenship question could reduce RI's share of federal funds and Congressional Representation * * * U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) have joined U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) and 25 colleagues in calling on Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to move forward with printing 2020 Census materials that don't include a citizenship question, a  more

WASHINGTON, July 10 -- Rep. David Cicilline, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: The U.S. House of Representatives adopted an amendment authored by U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 today to require a report on the increased automation of the Defense manufacturing industry. Information from this report will be critical in protecting jobs in Rhode Island's defense manufacturing sector. "We've watched good-pa  more

WASHINGTON, July 9 -- Rep. David Cicilline, D-Rhode Island, chairman of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, issued the following statement calling for the resignation of Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta: "Secretary Acosta needs to step down immediately. "No one can give an incredibly generous plea deal to a remorseless child molester and still expect to hold the public's trust. "As U.S. Attorney, Secretary Acosta failed Jeffrey Epstein's victims. He failed the people of Sout  more

WASHINGTON, July 12 -- Rep. David Cicilline, D-Rhode Island, chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, issued the following statement on reports that Facebook has settled for $5 billion with the Federal Trade Commission: "The FTC just gave Facebook a Christmas present five months early. It's very disappointing that such an enormously powerful company that engaged in such serious misconduct is getting a slap on the wrist. "This fine is a fraction of Facebook's annual revenue.   more

WASHINGTON, July 11 -- Rep. David Cicilline, D-Rhode Island, issued the following statement after the Small Business Reorganization Act (H.R. 3311) that he introduced with Rep. Ben Cline, R-Virginia, passed the House Judiciary Committee: "The bankruptcy system should give people with unmanageable debt the chance for a fresh start. "It's supposed to work for everyone. "That's why I'm so proud to be leading the fight to pass this critical bipartisan bill to give small businesses and working m  more

WASHINGTON, July 10 -- Rep. David Cicilline, D-Rhode Island, chairman of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, issued the following statement on Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta's press conference: "Secretary Acosta had a chance to do right by Jeffrey Epstein's victims. "He failed. "Today's press conference doesn't change that. "The only appropriate thing for him to do now is to resign."  more

WASHINGTON, July 12 -- Rep. David Cicilline, D-Rhode Island, chairman of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, issued the following statement on Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta's resignation: "Secretary Acosta never should have been nominated or confirmed in the first place. "Sadly, this is what we've come to expect under the most corrupt administration in our history, and a Republican Senate that refuses to stand up to President Trump. "The American people deserve better."  more

WASHINGTON, July 11 -- Rep. David Cicilline, D-Rhode Island, chairman of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee, issued the following statement on President Trump's press conference on the Census citizenship question: "I'm pleased that President Trump has finally backed down from his ridiculous effort to weaponize the Census. "Apparently, the rule of law still means something in this country."  more

WASHINGTON, July 10 -- Rep. David Cicilline, D-Rhode Island, chairman of the House Judiciary subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial and Administrative Law, issued the following statement on the social media summit that President Trump is hosting for conservatives at the White House: "I've never seen evidence of tech firm bias against conservatives. "If someone wants to show me some empirical data, instead of some alt-right member's paranoid claims, I'd appreciate it. "In the meantime, it wou  more

PAWTUCKET, Rhode Island, July 8 -- Rep. David Cicilline, D-Rhode Island, issued the following statement: Last month, the U.S. House approved an amendment blocking funding for Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's so-called "Commission on Unalienable Rights" in the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. DPCC Chair David N. Cicilline (RI-01), who authored the House amendment, issued the following statement today after Pompeo unveiled his plans for the Commission: "After   more

WASHINGTON, July 11 -- Rep. David Cicilline, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) successfully included an amendment in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 under consideration in the U.S. House of Representatives today to end the U.S. arms embargo in Cyprus, which currently forces the nation to depend on other countries, including those that may pose challenges to U.S. national security interests around the world,  more

WASHINGTON, July 12 -- Rep. Jim Langevin, D-Rhode Island, chairman of the House Armed Services subcommittee on Intelligence, Emerging Threats and Capabilities, issued the following statement after voting in favor of the fiscal 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 2500), which passed the House by a 220-197 vote: Langevin voted to advance the bill out of the House Armed Services Committee in June. "This year's defense authorization provides funding for a strong national defense strategy  more

WASHINGTON, July 10 -- Rep. Jim Langevin, D-Rhode Island, co-founder and co-chair of the Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus and chairman of the House Armed Services subcommittee on Intelligence, Emerging Threats and Capabilities, issued the following statement on the Trump administration's refusal to provide members of Congress with copies of National Security presidential memoranda regarding Department of Defense cyberspace operations: Langevin, along with his Subcommittee's Ranking Member, El  more

WASHINGTON, July 2 -- Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nevada, issued the following news release: Today Representative Dina Titus of Nevada's First Congressional District joined Representative David Cicilline of Rhode Island's First Congressional District in introducing legislation to permanently ban the manufacture, possession, sale, or transport of bump stocks and acceleration devices like the one used to murder 58 people in Las Vegas on October 1, 2017. The High Speed Gunfire Prevention Act, supported b  more

WASHINGTON, July 11 -- Rep. Max Rose, D-New York, issued the following news release: * * * - Legislation establishes a new task force to stop the inflow of fentanyl and other opioids across the border * * * Congressman Max Rose introduced bipartisan legislation today with Representatives Jim Langevin of Rhode Island, Peter King of New York, and Mike McCaul of Texas, to establish a Joint Task Force at the Department of Homeland Security to stop the inflow of foreign fentanyl and other opioids  more

WASHINGTON, July 11 -- Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: In an effort to help ensure that Rhode Island's medical facilities and health care systems are prepared for natural disasters and public health emergencies, U.S. Senator Jack Reed announced that the Rhode Island Department of Health will receive $5,447,600 to continue improving preparedness and health outcomes for a wide range of public health threats. Rhode Island will receive $5 million through the Publi  more

WASHINGTON, July 11 -- Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following opening statement at a committee hearing on Gen. Mark Milley's nomination to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: "I also want to welcome General Mark Milley this morning, and to thank him for his outstanding service to this nation. I would also like to acknowledge his wife, Hollyanne, and to thank her for her sacrifice and support. "General Milley has had a   more

WASHINGTON, July 11 -- Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, issued the following statement after President Trump announced he is dropping efforts to include a citizenship question on the 2020 Census: "President Trump abandoned this failed effort because it was a dead end. But I'm concerned the damage has been done. He's poisoned the well to the point where many people may now be scared to participate in the Census. "It is our job to make sure people have the facts and know the importance of being c  more

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, July 12 -- Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-Rhode Island, issued the following statement on the resignation of Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta: "Alexander Acosta ultimately had no choice but to resign. "His sweetheart prosecution deal for a billionaire serial sex offender had failed even to unearth the full extent of the offenses. "Mr. Acosta now joins the sprawling parade of President Trump's chosen advisors who have left the administration under clouds of scandal and   more

WASHINGTON, July 12 -- Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Oklahoma, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following joint statement with Ranking Member Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Ranking Member Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, in response to news that Turkey began receiving the first shipment of the Russian S-400 surface-to-air-missile system: "By accepting delivery of the S-400 from Russia, President Erdogan h  more

WASHINGTON, July 12 -- Sen. Bob Menendez, D-New Jersey, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following joint statement with Chairman Jim Risch, R-Idaho, Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Oklahoma, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Ranking Member Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, in response to news that Turkey began receiving the first shipment of the Russian S-400 surface-to-air-missile system: "By accepting delivery of the S-400 from Russia, President E  more

WASHINGTON, July 12 -- Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following joint statement with Ranking Member Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, Sen. James M. Inhofe, R-Oklahoma, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Ranking Member Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, in response to news that Turkey began receiving the first shipment of the Russian S-400 surface-to-air-missile system: "By accepting delivery of the S-400 from Russia, President Erdo  more

WASHINGTON, July 11 -- Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: * * * - Major tech, telecom, and pharmaceutical companies revealed to be funding Competitive Enterprise Institute--Trump's climate denial brain trust * * * Today, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) called the attention of major institutional investors - including BlackRock, State Street, and Legal & General - to a report that telecom and tech giants are funding the Competitive Enterprise Institu  more

WASHINGTON, July 10 -- Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: * * * - Law firm response raises new questions about possibly illegal coordination by NRA, Trump campaign, and others * * * In a letter today, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD) called on the law firm representing the National Rifle Association (NRA) and its front groups to release documents related to potential violations of campaign finance law. The members   more

WASHINGTON, July 10 -- Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: * * * - Top-spending lobbyist in Washington refuses to disclose which of its members fund and direct its influence machine * * * Today, Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) called on the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House to investigate whether the nation's largest lobbying force, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is shirking its responsibly to disclose on   more

WASHINGTON, July 10 -- Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: * * * - Bipartisan STOIC Act would authorize funding for mental health and suicide prevention services geared toward law enforcement * * * The U.S. House of Representatives today overwhelmingly passed Senator Sheldon Whitehouse's (D-R.I.) bipartisan Supporting and Treating Officers in Crisis (STOIC) Act, which restores grant funding for law enforcement support services and allows grant recipien  more