Dear Friends,

As your Representative in Congress, I am committed to keeping you informed about matters of national interest and the business of Congress.  I also do a better job when I hear your concerns and receive your ideas, and communicating with you via email and my website is a great way to foster this dialogue.  In order to do that, I am sending periodic e-newsletters, such as this one, that will highlight issues and upcoming events.

If you have not received this email directly, I invite you to join other Rhode Islanders in the Second Congressional District in signing up for my email updates by clicking here.  Please know that because I respect your privacy, your information will never be shared or sold.  Also, updates will not overwhelm your email inbox.

Workers Deserve to Earn More

Did you know that since 1968, the real value of the minimum wage in inflation-adjusted dollars has declined by almost 40 percent?  The value has declined by 15 percent just since the minimum wage was last increased in 1997.  Rhode Island's working families have waited too long for a higher minimum wage.  An increase would not only enable families to better support themselves, but would also generate increased economic activity.

I am a proud original cosponsor of H.R. 2429, the Fair Minimum Wage Act, which would raise the federal minimum wage from $5.15 per hour to $7.25 per hour over two years.  Republican leadership refused to schedule H.R. 2429 for a vote, but I have been trying at every opportunity to force this measure to the House floor.

I have also repeatedly sought to block the annual salary increase for Members of Congress.  It is irresponsible and unfair for Congress to give itself a pay raise while ignoring those who need one the most.

Heating Up

I am keenly aware that in Rhode Island, where a significant portion of the population lives along our 400 miles of coastline, the rising sea-level caused by global warming poses a serious threat.  Beach erosion exposes our communities to flooding and endangers our tourism-based economy, while the destruction of wetlands threatens wildlife habitat and the natural buffer against storm surges.

The National Academy of Sciences recently concluded that "the last few decades of the 20th century were warmer than any comparable period in the last 400 years."  We can no longer ignore the fact that human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, have increased carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases and contributed to changes in the earth's climate.

Unfortunately, the Republican leadership has refused to take this issue seriously.  I will continue to fight for environmentally responsible policies that will allow us to address the looming crisis posed by global warming.

Taming the Wind, Reducing Energy Dependence

Our nation needs a commitment to developing a comprehensive energy policy on the scale of our dedication decades ago to put a man on the moon.  As part of that commitment, I have strongly supported development of clean and renewable energy sources, such as wind power.

Most recently, I fought against a provision in H.R. 889, the Coast Guard Authorization Act, that would have altered the existing evaluation and approval process for the proposed Cape Wind project, a 420 megawatt offshore wind farm in Massachusetts.  By working together, government officials and constituents like you were able to remove the anti-wind provision and get this project a fair evaluation.  Cape Wind is currently undergoing a thorough review of its potential impacts to the environment, navigation and other areas of concern.

Wind power will help diversify our nation's energy supply by providing a clean and renewable source to millions of Americans.  At a time when our nation's economy is endangered by our dependence on foreign oil, we should be encouraging clean and renewable energy development, not blocking it.

Working Toward Cures, Renewing the Fight

I vowed in July to continue the fight for stem cell research despite President Bush's veto.  Recently, on behalf of the millions of Americans who wait for cures for devastating diseases, I announced the creation of the RI Study Commission Task Force on Stem Cell Research.

The Task Force, spearheaded by Rhode Island State Representatives Eileen Naughton and Ray Sullivan, will study best practices in other states regarding stem cell research as well other public and private research practices.  The group's goal is to develop state legislation that will support and encourage stem cell research.

I firmly believe that we will someday in the near future pass comprehensive stem cell legislation in Congress.  In the meantime, Rhode Island must begin its work on this issue to be ready to take a leading role when that day comes.

“Safer, But Not Yet safe”

Despite the 9/11 Commission's urgent recommendations, our borders and ports remain dangerously unsecured.  One of the worst-case scenarios experts fear is that terrorists would be able to smuggle nuclear materials into our ports.  As the lead Democrat on the Subcommittee for the Prevention of Nuclear and Biological Attack, I have called for the installation of radiation portal monitors at designated ports of entry to screen all inbound cargo for radiological or nuclear materials.

We need to significantly strengthen our radiation detection technology, and we need to do it now.  I will continue to urge my colleagues to refocus our efforts on improving security at points of entry and implementing the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.

Sincerely,

Privacy Statement

This is an official email from Congressman Jim Langevin.  You have received this email by signing up on Congressman Langevin's Web site for periodic updates to your email account.  We are committed to protecting your privacy, so your email address will never be sold or exchanged.

If you have not received this email directly, I invite you to join other Rhode Islanders in the Second Congressional District in signing up for my email updates by clicking here.  Please know that because I respect your privacy, your information will never be shared or sold.  Also, updates will not overwhelm your email inbox.

If you no longer wish to receive these updates, click here to unsubscribe.