Dear Friends,

It is imperative that our small businesses have access to the tools they need to weather this economic downturn, as well as to keep and create jobs.  I was proud to vote for H.R. 3854, the Small Business Financing and Investment Act to continue Congress's efforts to increase access to capital for small businesses.  The bill does this by extending Recovery Act provisions that eliminated fees on SBA loans and guaranteeing these loans at 90 percent.  This gives local banks and credit unions the confidence to lend to small businesses.  This bill also raises the cap level on 7(a) loans from $2 million to $3 million, makes microloans more affordable for budding entrepreneurs, and streamlines the cumbersome loan application process.  This bill passed the House with my support on October 29th, and I will continue to work on other measures to help boost our local economy.

Langevin meets with Jerry Bucci of Warwick Ice Cream
to learn about his small business and its challenges.

Contact Congressman
Jim Langevin:

WASHINGTON, D.C.
109 Cannon Building
Washington, DC 20515
tel: 202 225.2735
fax: 202 225.5976

RHODE ISLAND
300 Centerville Road
Suite 200 South
Warwick, RI 02886
tel: 401 732.9400
fax: 401 737.2982
TTY: 401 738.6127

Comments & Inquiries

Website:
http://langevin.house.gov

Strengthening Defense
President Barack Obama recently invited me to the White House for the signing of H.R. 2647, the FY2010 National Defense Authorization Act. As member of the House Armed Services Committee and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, I proudly voted for this legislation, which will continue to support our men and women in uniform. In addition to funding our national security priorities, the bill also includes federal hate crimes legislation, which will allow law enforcement to more aggressively pursue individuals who commit violent crimes motivated by a person's religion, disability, or sexual orientation. Our state will benefit too, as the bill authorizes $3.8 billion in funding for current and advanced procurement for the Virginia class submarine, bringing as many as 500 new jobs to our state in the coming years. This funding is critical to jobs and economic development, and I am proud that Rhode Island will continue to play such a key role in keeping our nation secure. Click here for a detailed summary of the H.R. 2647 conference report.

Langevin joins President Obama and his colleagues on the
Armed Services Committee for the defense bill signing.

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Health Care Takes a Step Forward
This summer, I met with hundreds of constituents, visited hospitals, and met with business owners to discuss our health care crisis and the reforms needed to ensure all Rhode Islanders have access to affordable and quality health care.  Instituting fiscally sound, systemic health insurance reform that eliminates barriers on individuals with pre-existing conditions and allows you to keep your health care if you lose or change your job is critical to easing the burdens on our families and rebuilding our economy. The recently released revision of the health insurance reform bill brings us one step closer to achieving these two important goals. The Affordable Health Care for America Act combines the three House Committee bills into one and is the result of numerous hearings and public debate. It is estimated to cover 96 percent of all Americans, including 63,000 uninsured Rhode Islanders.  The bill is slated to come to the Floor for debate and vote as early as the first week in November. With the release of this latest version of the bill, the House of Representatives has again signaled that we are working to develop a solution that puts patients first, while reducing the burden of ballooning health care costs on Rhode Island families and businesses.

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Langevin and Laurie Tapozada of the Parent Support Network listen to
Corinne Calise Russo, Director, RI Department of Elderly Affairs at the Lifespan Respite Care grant announcement.

Giving Caregivers a Break
Many families are struggling to care for loved ones while balancing jobs and household duties because adequate home- and community-based supports remain difficult to find. Funding for respite care programs is a proactive step toward providing quality community-based care for millions of Americans with special needs, while preventing caregiver burnout. After years of perseverance, I recently announced $200,000 in funding for the Lifespan Respite Care program at the West Warwick Senior Center. This Lifespan Respite Care grant was awarded to the state Department of Elderly Affairs, which, in turn, will partner with the Parent Support Network in Johnston, the Diocese of Providence and The Point in Warwick. Nationally, a total of $2.3 million will be disbursed to 12 states to help establish programs to assist family caregivers in accessing affordable and high-quality respite care services.

Langevin talks with grandmothers at a Foster Care grant announcement.

Cost of Living
Since the Great Depression, Social Security has proven a vital safety-net program that has kept over half of our seniors from falling into poverty. Despite encouraging signs of economic stabilization, millions of vulnerable citizens continue to struggle in the wake of a recession that brought record housing foreclosures, job losses and bankruptcies.  Particularly hard hit are older Americans who have seen the value of their assets and savings wiped out, forcing them to postpone retirement or re-enter the workforce, if employment can be found. This month, I voiced support for the President's call to provide assistance to our nation's elderly, veteran and disabled citizens who will see no Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) in their 2010 Social Security payments for the first time in over 40 years.

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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.