Thursday - March 28, 2024
U.S. Congressional Tipoffs Involving Rhode Island Newsletter for Sunday September 29, 2019 ( 26 items )  

Cicilline Bill to Create New Economic Opportunities for Rhode Island Becomes Law
WASHINGTON, Sept. 23 -- Rep. David Cicilline, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline's (RI-01) bill, the Reviving America's Scenic Byways Act (H.R. 831), was signed into law yesterday. Introduced with Republican Congressman Garrett Graves (LA-06), Cicilline's bill directs the U.S. Department of Transportation to revive the National Scenic Byways Program. The bill passed the Senate unanimously earlier this month. "From Paradise Avenue on Aquidneck  more

Energy & Natural Resources Committee Approves Whitehouse-Capito Proposal to Reduce Industrial Emissions
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: * * * - Bipartisan, bicameral Clean Industrial Technology Act backed by industry and environmental groups * * * U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) today applauded passage of the Clean Industrial Technology Act (CITA) by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. CITA would support research to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from industrial source  more

GAO Issues Report on DOD Oversight of Foreign Military Sales Transportation Account
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report on the Defense Security Cooperation Agency's management of the Foreign Military Sales fees. The report (GAO-19-678) is titled "Foreign Military Sales: DOD Should Strengthen Oversight of Its Growing Transportation Account Balances". The report was sent to GrijalvaSen. James M. Inhofe, R-Oklahoma, chairman, Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Sen. James Risch, R-Idah  more

GAO Issues Report on NNSA Use of Support Service Contracts
WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report on the National Nuclear Security Administration's use of support service contracts. The report (GAO-19-608) is titled "Support Service Contracts: NNSA Could Better Manage Potential Risks of Contractors Performing Inherently Governmental Functions". The report was sent to Sen. James M. Inhofe, R-Oklahoma, chairman, Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Rep. Adam Smith  more

GAO Issues Report on Small Business Research Programs
WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report on the timeliness of agencies' Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer proposal review and award issuance. The report (GAO-19-620) is titled "Small Business Research Programs: Many Agencies Took Longer to Issue Small Business Awards than Recommended". The report was sent to Sen. James M. Inhofe, R-Oklahoma, chairman, Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, ranking member of the Senate Arme  more

GAO Issues Report on Use of Lowest Price Technically Acceptable Process
WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report on the status of regulatory changes governing the use of the lowest price technically acceptable process. The report (GAO-19-691) is titled "Federal Contracting: Information on Agencies' Use of the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable Process". The report was sent to Sen. James M. Inhofe, R-Oklahoma, chairman, Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-  more

House Passes Langevin's Bipartisan Legislation to Prevent Fentanyl Trafficking
WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 -- Rep. Jim Langevin, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: Today, the House of Representatives passed the Joint Task Force to Combat Opioid Trafficking Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) that would create a task force within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to prevent foreign fentanyl and other opioids from entering the United States. The bill, which Langevin introduced with Congressmen Peter King (R-NY), Max Ros  more

Reed & Inhofe Seek to Hold Chinese Government Accountable for Religious Persecution
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: U.S. Sens. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and Jack Reed (D-RI), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urging the Trump Administration to continue to hold the Chinese Communist Party accountable for religious persecution and human rights violations perpetrated against the people of China. The Senators write: "Despite the widespread consensus  more

Reed & Whitehouse Seek to Enlist USDA in Effort to Combat Brain-Infecting EEE in RI
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, Sept. 26 -- Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: Sometimes the best defense is a good offense - at least when it comes to arboviruses (a scientific term used to describe a group of viral infections transmitted to humans from a group of infected insects). U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse are urging the federal government to be more proactive in helping Rhode Island and other states impacted by this year's outbreak of Eastern   more

Reed Delivers $8.4 Million to Help RIHousing Redouble Lead Cleanup Efforts
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, Sept. 24 -- Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: * * * - Federal funds from grant program created by Sen. Reed will help reduce lead exposure in Central Falls, Pawtucket, & At-Risk Neighborhoods * * * Childhood lead poisoning is considered the most preventable environmental disease of young children and lead dust particles and chips of lead paint are the biggest sources of lead poisoning for children in many homes across the state. Now,  more

Reed Votes Again to Overturn Trump's Phony Emergency Border Declaration
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: The U.S. Senate today voted 54-41 to overturn President Trump's national emergency declaration on the southern border. U.S. Senator Jack Reed, the Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee, voted to end the emergency declaration, which the Trump Administration has used as an excuse to divert $3.6 billion in funds appropriated for military construction projects to an ineffective border wall. Eleven R  more

Rep. Cicilline Introduces Bill to Incentivize Apprenticeships for Rhode Island Workers
WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 -- Rep. David Cicilline, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) introduced the Promoting Apprenticeships in Public Service Act today to incentivize valuable apprenticeships that help workers develop the critical skills they need to compete in the 21st Century economy and earn higher wages. "We have an obligation to ensure that America's workers have every opportunity to get ahead. Apprenticeships are a great way for h  more

Rep. Cicilline Issues Statement on House Vote to End Forced Arbitration
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 -- Rep. David Cicilline, D-Rhode Island, chairman of the House Judiciary subcommittee on Antitrust, issued the following statement on House passage of Forced Arbitration Injustice Repeal Act (H.R. 1423): "Forced arbitration is a shameful, humiliating, and corrupt system that does nothing more than rob victims of harassment or corporate misconduct of their day in court. "Buried deep within the fine print of everyday contracts, this harmful practice has tilted the scales of  more

Rep. Langevin: RI Delegation Announces $3.4 Million to Increase Medicaid Providers' Capacity for Addiction Treatment
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- Rep. Jim Langevin, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline today announced that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has awarded Rhode Island a $3,482,368 planning grant to increase the treatment capacity of Medicaid providers for substance use disorder treatment and recovery services. "Rhode Island continues to make strides in combatting the opioid e  more

Sen. Reed Issues Statement on Trump-Zelensky Phone Call
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, issued the following statement: * * * - Whistleblower's complaint has been delivered to the Senate Intelligence Committee and Sen. Reed will read it * * * Today, after the White House released a summary memo of President Trump's July 25 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), an ex officio member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, issued the following statement: "It's beyond troubling t  more

Sen. Reed Urges Trump Not to Cut Refugee Admissions to an All-Time Low
WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 -- Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: Citing America's longstanding commitment to protecting vulnerable people from around the world, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today joined with 15 of his Senate colleagues in urging President Trump not to drastically lower refugee admissions. This week, the Trump Administration announced plans to drastically reduce the number of refugees allowed to resettle in the U.S. in the coming year to just 18,000,   more

Sen. Reed: $4 Million Grant to Aid Woonsocket in Removing Lead-Based Paint Threat
WOONSOCKET, Rhode Island, Sept. 26 -- Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: In an effort to promote healthier communities and protect families and children from lead-based paint, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressman David Cicilline joined with Woonsocket Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt in announcing $4 million in federal lead-abatement funds. Woonsocket will receive a $4 million Lead Based Paint Hazard Control (LBPHC) grant to partner with local  more

Sen. Reed: Celebrate National Lobster Day Today
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: * * * - Fifth annual National Lobster Day celebration today - September 25 - in honor of fresh, locally-caught lobster and seafood * * * In recognition of the economic, cultural, and historic importance of the lobster industry to Rhode Island and other coastal states, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today joined Americans in celebrating National Lobster Day and the contributions of lobstermen and women a  more

Sen. Reed: Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell Scheduled to Visit RI This Fall
WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 -- Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: * * * - Fed Chair will deliver speech to Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce on Nov. 25 at their 2019 Annual Meeting * * * U.S. Senator Jack Reed, a senior member of the Banking Committee, today joined with Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce officials to announce that Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome H. Powell is scheduled to visit Rhode Island on Monday, November 25. The Fed Chairman will  more

Sen. Reed: Senate Votes for Trump to Release Whistleblower Complaint
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: Today, the U.S. Senate voted unanimously for a resolution urging the Trump Administration to release to the Senate and House Intelligence Committees a whistleblower complaint that allegedly involves President Trump and Ukraine. The resolution states: "the whistleblower complaint received on August 12, 2019, by the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community shall be transmitted immediately to the Se  more

Sen. Whitehouse, RI Delegation Announces $3.4 Million to Increase Medicaid Providers' Capacity for Addiction Treatment
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline today announced that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has awarded Rhode Island a $3,482,368 planning grant to increase the treatment capacity of Medicaid providers for substance use disorder treatment and recovery services. "Rhode Island continues to make strides in combatting the op  more

Sen. Whitehouse: GAO Report Shows Ways to Improve U.S. Response to Marine Debris Crisis
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: * * * - Whitehouse leads bipartisan group of senators in releasing government watchdog's findings on the federal response to the plastic and other waste threatening our oceans * * * Today, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) led 13 senators in releasing findings of the Government Accountability Office that show the federal government could be doing more to confront the global marine debris crisi  more

Senate Committees Approve Whitehouse-Sullivan-Menendez Marine Debris Bill
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 -- Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: * * * - Save Our Seas 2.0 addresses plastic debris washing up on American shores * * * U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) today applauded passage of two parts of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act (introduced in whole as S. 1982) by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. A third piece of the bill a  more

Sens. Reed, Whitehouse Seek to Enlist USDA in Effort to Combat Brain-Infecting EEE in RI
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, Sept. 26 -- Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: Sometimes the best defense is a good offense -- at least when it comes to arboviruses (a scientific term used to describe a group of viral infections transmitted to humans from a group of infected insects). U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse are urging the federal government to be more proactive in helping Rhode Island and other states impacted by this year's outbreak o  more

U.S. Senate Sends Trump Seven-Week Stopgap Spending Bill to Avoid Shutdown
WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 -- Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: * * * - Sen. Reed urges White House to drop partisan demand for ineffective border wall and help direct federal funding to areas of need * * * With a new fiscal year set to begin next week, the U.S. Senate voted 82-15 to approve a seven week stopgap appropriations bill to fund federal agencies through November 21. The short-term appropriations bill gives lawmakers and the White House more time to reach  more

Whitehouse & Reed Ask CDC for Increased Assistance to Help RI Combat EEE
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, Sept. 21 -- Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: Citing a significant uptick in the number of human cases of the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in New England this year, U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse and Jack Reed are urging the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to increase federal assistance for Rhode Island to help contain and combat the deadly virus. The Senators are also urging Rhode Islanders to take  more