Dear Friends,

These are trying economic times, and making big purchases is out of the question for many of us. However, in June, I supported, and the Congress passed, a program to help consumers with one of life's bigger purchases - a new car. The Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) is up and running at a variety of car dealerships in Rhode Island and will provide consumers with vouchers worth between $3,500 to $4,500 when they trade in an older vehicle for one with higher fuel efficiency.

Local dealers tell me this program is working for their customers, but time is limited to take advantage of it. I am excited that this "Cash for Clunkers" program is helping to get more fuel efficient cars on the road, while creating and preserving local jobs and jumpstarting our lagging economy. To learn more about how to qualify for this program, please visit: www.cars.gov.

Langevin heads to a meeting at the open-air classroom in Riverside Park during a recent trip to Olneyville.

Paying as we go
The Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act, which I cosponsored and Congress passed earlier this month, will help to restore fiscal discipline by enacting into law the most basic principle of responsible accounting - every dollar spent must be offset by a dollar earned or saved. This is the way Rhode Island families balance their check books, and it is the way the federal government should balance the budget. This bill will give the "pay-as-you-go" principle the force of law and institute additional enforcement mechanisms similar to those that led us to budgetary surpluses in the 1990s.
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Langevin speaks with Maria Meza, the owner of El Rancho Grande, in Olneyville, during a lunch visit.

Checking the health care pulse
We are closer than we have been in decades to agreement on how to make our health care system work for all Americans. The growing cost of health care is an enormous threat to our economy. The proposal being crafted in the House is the first step in putting doctors and patients back in charge of care, protecting consumers and reining in costs. I firmly believe this reform is an absolutely crucial part of our long term plan to rebuild our economy and lower health care costs for families and businesses. To learn more, click here.
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Langevin announces student loan benefit changes during an event with the Rhode Island Student Loan Authority.

Langevin listens to constituent concerns while visiting the Glocester Senior Center.

A new assignment
It was an honor to be recently chosen by my colleagues to become the new Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces. As I undertake this new role, I look forward to addressing the critical national security issues facing the subcommittee, from nuclear non-proliferation efforts to our space and missile defense programs. I replaced former Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher, who was recently confirmed as the Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security. The Strategic Forces Subcommittee has jurisdiction over ballistic missile defense, including the National Missile Defense shield; the Department of Energy's defense capabilities and all nuclear weapons; space programs; and intelligence policy and national programs including the Defense Intelligence Agency.
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Thank you for your continued interest and support. Please do not hesitate to contact me about your priorities and concerns as the 111th Congress continues.