WASHINGTON, March 18 -- Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release on March 17: During a one-on-one phone conversation with Vice President Mike Pence last night, U.S. Senator Jack Reed, who serves as the Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee and a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, urged the Trump Administration to expand the availability of personal protective equipment and medical supplies for frontline medical staff and first responders in Rhode Is  more

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report on Working Capital Fund. The report (GAO-20-263) is entitled "HUD Could Improve Management to Better Achieve Efficiencies and Help Ensure Customer Satisfaction". The report was sent to Sen. Susan M. Collins, R-Maine, chairman, Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, ranking member of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies, Rep. David Price, D-North Caro  more

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Rep. Karen Bass, D-California, issued the following news release on March 19: Co-chairs of the bipartisan Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth Karen Bass (D-Calif.), Jim Langevin (D-Rhode Island), and Don Bacon (R-Neb.) sent a letter yesterday urging House leadership to prioritize supports for current and former foster youth in novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response packages. "Foster youth may be particularly vulnerable to financial hardship and food and housing insecuri  more

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Rep. David Cicilline, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) is calling on the Trump administration to halt evictions and foreclosures on federally-backed mortgages. The request includes any properties owned, insured, or overseen by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and the Department of A  more

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Rep. David Cicilline, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) is calling on Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian to immediately stop reporting negative ratings during the coronavirus pandemic. "The health risks of the virus will pass but medical bills, missed rent, car notes as well as late credit card and mortgage payments threaten the economic well-being of hundreds of families in the communities we represent, especi  more

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Rep. David Cicilline, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: Democratic Policy and Communications Committee Chair David N. Cicilline (RI-01) introduced the Allied Health Personnel Shortage Act to address the growing shortage of clinical lab professionals and other associated health care workers nationwide. The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the urgent need for a strong allied health care workforce made up of clinical lab technicians, respiratory therapi  more

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Rep. David Cicilline, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: Democratic Policy and Communications Committee Chair David N. Cicilline (RI-01) is fighting to protect students during the COVID-19 crisis. The Rhode Island Congressman asked House negotiators to defer or forbear all federal student loans in the next stimulus package. "As negotiations continue on a recovery package for those affected by the coronavirus pandemic, we ask that you take steps provide r  more

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Rep. David Cicilline, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release on March 18: U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) is pushing for substantial relief for the tourism industry as Congress grapples with the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic. "One of every ten jobs in this country is tied to the travel and tourism industry. We look forward to working with you on a long-term recovery package that keeps these workers in mind," Cicilline wrote to Speak  more

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Rep. David Cicilline, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline joined with 76 House members in pushing for the country's largest mortgage lenders to immediately suspend foreclosures for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic. As the largest home mortgage lenders in the United States, you have a shared responsibility to help our country mitigate and avert the financial crisis that the COVID-19 pandemic may trigger," the mem  more

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Rep. David Cicilline, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC) Chair David N. Cicilline (RI-01) led 37 of his colleagues in a request for stronger unemployment insurance in the next coronavirus supplement package to help affected workers make ends meet. "As states continue to respond to this crisis, they require additional federal support to alleviate pressure on their already strained resources," the membe  more

WASHINGTON, March 16 -- Rep. Jim Langevin, D-Rhode Island, issued the following statement: Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) voted in support of H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. The bill, the product of bipartisan negotiations between House Democrats and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, guarantees free testing for coronavirus and will extend important family and medical leave benefits to workers who are under quarantine or who have to care for a sick family member or a ch  more

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Rep. Jim Langevin, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release on March 19: Co-chairs of the Bipartisan Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth Jim Langevin (D-RI), Karen Bass (D-CA), and Don Bacon (R-NE) sent a letter yesterday urging House leadership to prioritize supports for current and former foster youth in novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response packages. "Foster youth may be particularly vulnerable to financial hardship and food and housing insecurity during th  more

WASHINGTON, March 17 -- Rep. Jim Langevin, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release on March 16: Rhode Island's Congressional delegation urged the Trump Administration to quickly grant Rhode Island's request for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to issue an economic disaster declaration covering the state due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline say the designatio  more

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Rep. David Cicilline, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: Congressman David N. Cicilline, Chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial and Administrative Law led a bipartisan letter alongside Congressman Joe Neguse, Congressman Jerrold Nadler, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner, Ranking Member for the Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial and Administrative Law; to the U.S. Department of Ju  more

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Rep. David Cicilline, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: U.S. Congressmen David N. Cicilline (RI-01) and Mark Pocan (WI-02) led a group of 82 members of Congress in demanding that Secretary of Defense Mark Esper provide an urgent report on what is being done to protect our nation's servicemembers around the world from exposure to the coronavirus. "While we understand that this crisis continues to evolve rapidly, it is essential that the proper actions be  more

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Rep. David Cicilline, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: U.S. Congressmen David N. Cicilline (RI-01) and Mark Pocan (WI-02) sent a letter to the Speaker of the House of the Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, requesting direct and immediate financial assistance to small businesses, independent contractors, sole proprietors, and gig economy workers in the House's next legislative package to combat the effects of the coronavirus outbreak. "Small businesses and   more

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Rep. David Cicilline, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: Democratic Policy and Communications Committee Chair David N. Cicilline (RI-01) and Congressman Don Young (AK-AL), co-chair of the House Afterschool Caucus, led a bipartisan request with 48 members to House leaders crafting the next round of emergency funding asking for an immediate increase of $500 million for 21st Century Community Learning Centers to provide necessary relief to families and educa  more

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Rep. Jim Langevin, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: Representatives Jim Langevin (D-RI), John Katko (R-NY), and Dina Titus (D-NV), have introduced the Disability Access to Transportation Act, bipartisan legislation to expand transportation access for individuals with disabilities. The bill provides $375,000,00 over five years for the launch of a one-stop paratransit pilot program. The legislation also increases funding for grants to meet transportation   more

WASHINGTON, March 17 -- Rep. David Cicilline, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: Rhode Island's Congressional delegation urged the Trump Administration to quickly grant Rhode Island's request for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to issue an economic disaster declaration covering the state due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline say the designation will he  more

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: * * * - New legislation will ensure that if taxpayers are asked to take financial risks for companies, taxpayers also share in potential rewards when the businesses recover * * * If taxpayers are forced to help companies and industries impacted by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) wants to protect and reimburse taxpayers and ensure accountability. Under Reed's proposed leg  more

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: * * * - Sen. Reed & 15 colleagues are urging the FCC to let schools use emergency E-Rate funds to help students who lack Internet connectivity during coronavirus shutdown * * * As schools are forced to shut down because of coronavirus and students are being asked to learn online, U.S. Senator Jack Reed is urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to free up funds to ensure schools can provide   more

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release on March 20: U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) is among the select group of U.S. Senators tasked with negotiating key elements of an emergency $1 trillion-plus economic rescue and stimulus package amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Senator Reed, who serves on three key committees - Appropriations; Armed Services; and Banking - helped negotiate critical portions of the economic rescue package in t  more

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release on March 19: In an effort to help states hit hardest by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, enhance response efforts, and relieve burdens on stage budgets, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee, is urging the Trump Administration to place the state's National Guard on federally funded, state-controlled status under Title 32, Untied States Code. All fifty   more

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: * * * - Senators seek to help protect seniors who are at high risk as pandemic threat grows * * * In an effort to help nursing homes and assisted living facilities protect seniors and prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), along with more than 30 of his Senate colleagues, is pressing the Coronavirus Task Force on its preparedness and response plans for se  more

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release on March 18: * * * - Bipartisan Families First Coronavirus Response Act will provide free testing, paid emergency leave for workers, & unemployment insurance for those impacted by coronavirus * * * Five days after the U.S. House of Representatives voted 363-40 to approve the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, the U.S. Senate finally voted 90-8 to approve the measure and are sending it to President  more

WASHINGTON, March 17 -- Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release on March 16: Rhode Island's Congressional delegation urged the Trump Administration to quickly grant Rhode Island's request for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to issue an economic disaster declaration covering the state due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline say the designation w  more

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release on March 18: U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee, who publicly urged President Trump to invoke the Defense Production Act (DPA), says he strongly supports the president's decision to invoke DPA in order to strengthen America's domestic manufacturing capacity to meet the nation's urgent pandemic safety equipment needs. Senator Reed says that a national shortage   more

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse this afternoon voted to approve a deal negotiated by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that will put supports immediately in place for Rhode Island workers affected by the economic fallout from COVID-19. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act will also make coronavirus testing free. The legislation passed the Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support and awaits the  more

WASHINGTON, March 16 -- Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse applauded the bipartisan deal passed by the U.S. House of Representatives last night to put supports in place for American workers and make coronavirus testing free. The measure would mandate paid medical and family leave, expand food security programs, and inject funding into state Medicaid programs. By one estimate, the legislation could direct $150 million to   more

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: * * * - Shrewd action to address current economic crisis may help prevent a future economic crisis caused by climate change * * * As Congress considers a massive bailout for industries affected by the coronavirus outbreak, U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN),  more

WASHINGTON, March 17 -- Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-Rhode Island, issued the following news release: Rhode Island's Congressional delegation urged the Trump Administration to quickly grant Rhode Island's request for the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to issue an economic disaster declaration covering the state due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressmen Jim Langevin and David Cicilline say the designation will  more