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Dear Friends, These are exciting times to be a Rhode sland voter! All too often we hear media reports about "low voter turnout." But in recent weeks we have learned that on Tuesday, November 4th, Rhode Island is set to break voter turnout records for a Presidential race. I have long been a leader on election reform, from my time as Secretary of State to my work on the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) in Congress in 2002. HAVA has been called the most significant civil rights legislation since the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The bill's funding helped replace outdated voting equipment, train poll workers and educate voters. I also successfully advocated for requirements that states make polling places accessible and provide at least one voting machine in each precinct that allows a disabled voter to cast a vote in a private and independent manner.

There is still work to be done to maintain public confidence in our democracy. Election reform will always remain one of my highest priorities, and I will continue to work for a fair and just electoral system all across America. Langevin recently visited the Block Island School and spoke with students in the library about his job as their Congressman. Langevin, Patrick Kennedy and House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank appeared at Brown University recently to talk about the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. Making Tough Decisions During this difficult economic crisis, I am pleased Congress came together at a crucial moment to reach a bipartisan compromise to rescue our financial markets in order to stabilize our entire economy. However, no one is celebrating the tough decisions that were made over the last month. Our economy is in dire shape and drastic action is needed to keep small businesses operating, protect jobs and keep families in their homes. The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 will: Reinvest in the troubled financial markets Reimburse taxpayers and make sure they share in any profits resulting from the government's help Reform how business is done on Wall Street with strong independent oversight and transparency Limit excessive executive compensation Take action to prevent the foreclosures that are continuing to drive down home values (Back to top) Langevin recently visited Better Shred in Cranston which is a business enterprise of the Cranston Arc. Getting Back to Work As Rhode Island's jobless rate, currently the highest in the nation, continues to grow, I have been advocating for a new stimulus measure to extend unemployment benefits and spur job creation. I recently sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reiterating my strong support for this measure and urging her to help Rhode Island's families during this critical time. This month the House passed the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act (H.R. 6867), which would have provided an additional seven weeks of extended unemployment benefits for orkers across the country who have exhausted regular unemployment compensation. In Rhode Island and other states with unemployment rates above 6 percent, workers would have received an additional 13 weeks of benefits on top of that. Unfortunately, the Senate failed to take action on the bill, but I am hopeful that we will have another chance to extend these benefits in November. I will work with my colleagues to support bipartisan legislation that can be passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate in order to deliver immediate relief to unemployed workers in our state. (Back to top) Langevin along with Peter Bancroft, president and CEO of Northwest Community Health Care at the opening of the new health center in Foster. Increasing Access to Health Care On a recent Sunday, I traveled to Foster to celebrate the opening of a new health care center. For almost 100 years, Northwest Community Health Care has played an important role in providing health care to the uninsured and underserved of our communities. I can't think of a more appropriate time to expand the reach of these critical services in our state. I am proud to have worked with Northwest Community Health Care to secure over $430,000 in federal funding to help them expand their services in Foster. For too many Rhode Islanders, health care has become a luxury item that they simply can't afford. The cost of coverage has skyrocketed, causing businesses to cut benefits to employees and forcing our families to forego the most basic standards of care. It is crucial now more than ever that we reaffirm our commitment to providing everyone with access to quality and affordable health care. (Back to top) Here to Help These are indeed challenging times and I am working tirelessly in Congress to try to ease the burdens on Rhode Island families. 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 to Rhode Island Housing to food pantries - are ready to help. (Back to top) 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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