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Dear Friends,

It is no secret that skyrocketing energy costs are eating up an ever larger portion of our household budgets.  The average U.S. household spends approximately $1,000 more per year on gasoline than it did five years ago.  Meanwhile, oil and gas companies are reaping record profits while doing nothing to lower prices for consumers.

I have strongly advocated a comprehensive energy plan to lower costs, create jobs and improve our environment.  As a short-term strategy, this Congress has suspended shipments to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to provide more oil to the market, cracked down on price gouging among energy companies and passed legislation to repeal massive tax breaks for oil and gas companies.  This past week I also supported a measure that requires oil companies to start developing their 68 million acres of federal oil and gas leases or risk losing their permits.

In the longer term, we must invest in conservation and domestic production of clean and renewable fuels.  This will reduce our reliance on foreign energy sources while creating new jobs in the green energy sector.  Unfortunately, the President's stubborn opposition to common-sense initiatives has blocked any real progress. I will keep fighting to move our nation toward a more responsible energy policy.

Langevin visited Modular Energy in Warwick to learn about their Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicle pictured here.

Here to Help

These are indeed challenging times, and I am working tirelessly in Washington, D.C., to try to ease the burdens on Rhode Island families however I can.  As always, if you or someone you know needs help, please do not hesitate to call my office.  We can point you in the right direction.  Many in our community – from our Community Action Programs and Rhode Island Housing to food pantries – are ready to help, especially during tough times like these.

Langevin joined with Rhode Island Housing and others to celebrate the recently renovated Harris House in Cranston.

Langevin recently met with students from Sophia Academy in Providence to discuss immigration policy.

Improving Access

As someone who has lived with the challenges of a disability both before and after the Americans with Disabilities Act's (ADA) enactment in 1990, I have experienced, first hand, the profound transformation that this law has created in our society.  It has broken down countless barriers and helped millions of Americans to flourish in their personal and professional lives.  It has also served as a vital tool against discrimination in the workplace and in public life.

Unfortunately, a number of court decisions over the years have diluted the definition of what constitutes a disability, effectively limiting the ADA's coverage and excluding from its protections people with diabetes, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, and various developmental disabilities.  Fortunately, the House recently took action to correct that by passing the ADA Amendments Act.  I was proud to work with Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and other colleagues to pass this legislation, which will restore the original goals and intent of the ADA to our national disability policies.

Langevin learned about the work Federal Electronics in Cranston is doing for the Talon Robot program, which helps disarm explosives on the battlefield.

No Veteran Left Behind

One of the key bipartisan achievements of the 110th Congress will be the enactment of the GI Bill for the 21st Century. This bill has been sent to the President, who has promised to sign it. The GI Bill will give returning troops the tools to succeed after military service, strengthen our economy in the face of increasing global competition, and make military service more attractive as we work to rebuild our armed forces. We owe our veterans a future that is equal to the first-class service they have given to our country.

The GI Bill for the 21st Century increases education benefits for all those who have served at least three months on active duty since 9/11. Under the bill, those who have served for three years or more would qualify for the full educational benefit, equivalent to the cost of a four-year education up to the level of the most expensive in-state public college. Those who have served between three months and three years of active duty would qualify for a proportion of that full benefit, among other benefits.

Langevin recently traveled to Jamestown to celebrate $916,000 in federal funding for the Bay Window Monitoring Program, which is a national model for research, data collection and assessment.

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,

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