on this page: Stem Cell Fight Goes On |Reforming the System | Ensuring Food Safety | Relief for Working Families | Privacy Statement

Dear Friends,

I love Rhode Island at this time of year, with sun-filled beach days and family cookouts.  It is also a great time for me to get out and meet up with you.  While it's always a pleasure to see you at various community events, I especially hope you can join me as I host a series of community gatherings throughout the district in July and August.

From the war in Iraq to rising energy costs, there are many difficult issues facing our nation, and it is more important than ever that I be accessible for people to tell me their concerns and ask questions. Meeting with you and learning your views is the best way for me to serve you effectively.

I hope you will be able to join me when I visit your area. I will also be announcing more dates for August in the coming weeks.

Here is my schedule for the first week of July:

Thursday, July 5, in Charlestown
12:30 p.m. - The Cove, 3963 Old Post Road
2 p.m. to 3 p.m. - R.I. National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 50 Bend Road (Kettle Pond)

Monday, July 9, in Westerly
12 p.m. - 84 High Street Café
1:30 p.m. - Tour of downtown Westerly with Downtown Business Association Members
4 p.m. to 6 p.m. - Westerly Library - question and answer session with the community

Langevin meets with Cara Fonseca, a Cranston High School West senior serving in the Page Program in Washington, DC.

Stem Cell Fight Goes On

While the President's most recent veto of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act is a great disappointment, I am far from discouraged.  As I have said before, the promise of embryonic stem cell research is too great to give up on, and millions of Americans suffering with chronic conditions and diseases continue to look to Congress to keep their hopes for treatments and cures alive.  This veto does not stop embryonic stem cell research, but it certainly slows it down at a time when government-supported research in other countries is accelerating.  I look forward to keeping up the fight with renewed energy and determination.

Langevin joins Senate Majority Leader Reid, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and others at a mock stem cell bill signing prior to the legislation being stopped by the President for the second time.

Reforming the System

I believe our nation's immigration system is in dire need of reform.  I support a comprehensive immigration plan that enhances border security first and foremost but also offers a realistic solution that acknowledges the millions of undocumented workers here already.  Middle ground does exist on immigration reform, and I will continue to search for a solution that secures our borders and ensures fairness for those who seek to build a life in America.  To address these concerns, I am cosponsoring H.R. 1645, the bipartisan Security Through Regularized Immigration and a Vibrant Economy (STRIVE) Act.  This bill will protect our borders, require immigration status verification by employers and create a pathway to citizenship for undocumented workers, without penalizing those who are patiently waiting to enter the country legally.

Ensuring Food Safety

We must begin to take better care of our food supply to make sure our families and friends stay healthy.  I take food safety seriously, and as the chair of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity and Science and Technology, I am investigating ways to strengthen safety standards for both domestic and imported foods as well as develop a rigorous inspection process for all food products that come across our borders.  I plan to hold a hearing in July to explore these issues in order to ensure the safety of our food distribution networks.

Langevin offers remarks at the launch of the Small Business Administration Patriot Express program, which will help veterans obtain small business loans.

Relief for Working Families

On July 24, at long last, millions of Americans will receive their first pay raise in almost a decade when the federal minimum wage rises.  Increasing the minimum wage serves as a down payment on a broader American agenda to help working families.  I am proud to have supported this key accomplishment of the new Democratic Congress.

Thank you for your continued interest and support.  Please do not hesitate to contact me about your priorities and concerns as the 110th Congress continues.

Sincerely,

Privacy Statement

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