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News

RI leaders update plans for new veterans home

10/20/2014

BRISTOL, R.I. (WPRI) - Nearly two years after Rhode Island voters approved funding for a new veterans home, state leaders say the planning phase of the project has reached a milestone.

Governor Lincoln Chafee, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, and Congressman David Cicilline were among those on-hand for Monday's status report on the New Veterans Home Project. At the event, new renderings of what the state-of-the-art facility will look like were revealed.

"We're making progress on what we knew is going to be the best home for veterans in the country," said Governor Chafee.

Edward Fitzpatrick: In case you missed it, R.I. congressional races are in progress

10/19/2014

Between the visits by Mitt and Hillary and the national attention focused on Buddy, many Rhode Islanders might not realize that both of our U.S. House representatives are seeking reelection.

As the governor's race and the Providence mayoral race devour the political oxygen, Democratic U.S. Rep. David N. Cicilline is facing a challenge from Republican Cormick B. Lynch in the 1st Congressional District. And Democratic U.S. Rep. James R. Langevin is facing a challenge by Republican Rhue R. Reis in the 2nd Congressional District.

Candidates clash on military, minimum wage

10/15/2014

PROVIDENCE - As Cormick Lynch criticized U.S. Rep. David Cicilline during a debate Tuesday for what he described as a lack of congressional progress, Cicilline maintained that many problems facing Rhode Islanders have already been solved but Republican leadership in Washington, D.C., has stymied improvements and refused to cooperate.

Cicilline counted bills on immigration, emergency unemployment benefits and transportation among those that have been passed with bipartisan support in the U.S. Senate but have not been taken up by the House under the current leadership.

These congressmen went to Liberia a month before the first Ebola death in West Africa

10/11/2014

In November 2013, a month before the first Ebola death was recorded in West Africa, two U.S. congressmen stepped off a plane in Monrovia, Liberia, to visit a nation that would be ravaged by the disease within a year.

The lawmakers, Republican Adam Kinzinger of Illinois and Democrat David Cicilline of Rhode Island, were in West Africa as part of a weeklong "Peacekeeping Learning Trip" funded by the United Nations Foundation to show them the U.N. mission and the impact of foreign aid in the region.

New Legislation Targets Afterschool Programs

10/07/2014

A new bill from Rhode Island Congressman David Cicilline would require public schools to collaborate more closely with community groups and nonprofits to increase afterschool programs for students.

In Providence, the Providence After School Alliance serves roughly 2,000 students, most of them from the city's middle schools. Executive Director Hillary Salmons says there's a long waiting list.

"There's a huge demand," Salmons said. "Middle schoolers love the Afterschool Zone. We have a lot more demand than supply."

Cicilline unveils bill to strengthen after-school programs

10/06/2014

PAWTUCKET, R.I. - Congressman David N. Cicilline will unveil new legislation to strengthen after-school programs, alongside advocates, teachers and students at Nathan Bishop Middle School in Providence on Monday.

The legislation will help children and families by investing in high-quality after-school programs nationwide, according to Cicilline.

Studies show that children who regularly attend quality after-school programs perform better in school; have lower incidences of drug use, violence and pregnancy; and are less likely to enter the "school-to-prison pipeline."

Dem calls on State Dept. to help jailed Marine

10/03/2014

Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) urged Secretary of State John Kerry to assist Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi, who has been jailed in Mexico for more than six months.

Mexican authorities arrested Tahmooressi in March 2014 after he crossed the U.S.-Mexico border with weapons and ammunition in his car.

Dems urge Labor Department to prevent tobacco farms from using child workers

09/24/2014

Reps. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) and Matt Cartwright (D-Pa.) on Wednesday urged the Labor Department to implement rules so that young children cannot work on tobacco farms.

In a letter to the Labor Secretary Thomas Perez, Cicilline and Cartwright called on the department to issue a regulation to address the issue.

"We urge you to issue a proposed rule dealing solely with child labor on tobacco farms which would prevent children from working in the cultivation or curing of tobacco," the lawmakers wrote.

David Cicilline and Joe Kennedy III: Congress can boost U.S. manufacturing

09/18/2014

Across the United States, industry experts and economists are increasingly optimistic about a resurgence in American manufacturing. Of course, in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, where the Industrial Revolution was born, we know manufacturing never really left. Just last year Rhode Island gained over 1,000 manufacturing jobs and ranked ninth in the country for job growth in this sector. In Massachusetts, 100,000 jobs in advanced manufacturing are expected to open up in the next decade.

Congressman Cicilline thanks voters

09/10/2014

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - After two-term U.S. Rep. David N. Cicilline easily won the Democratic primary in the 1st Congressional District Tuesday, he issued the following statement:

"I am grateful to the voters of the 1st Congressional District for their continued support of my work to bring jobs back to Rhode Island, raise the minimum wage, ensure equal pay for equal work, make college more affordable and strengthen the middle class," his statement read. "I look forward to continuing to fight for Rhode Islanders and the values we share."

Bread-and-butter issues at heart of Democratic primary in 1st Congressional District

08/26/2014

In a recent forum at Laurelmead retirement home, political newcomer Matt Fecteau had one pointed question for U.S. Rep. David Cicilline: “When are we going to debate?”

Never mind that the two had already been sitting next to each other for more than an hour answering questions when this exchange occurred; Fecteau was adamant that the two should debate one-on-one.

1st District candidates air views at Laurelmead

08/20/2014

PROVIDENCE — Given the chance to ask a question of any of his three opponents in a debate Wednesday for the 1st Congressional District seat, U.S. Rep. David ‍Cicilline skipped over his Democratic primary opponent Matt Fecteau and pointed a question at Republican political newcomer Cormick Lynch.

Cicilline urges caution on Iraq

08/09/2014

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — U.S. Rep. David Cicilline said Saturday that while he respects President Obama’s “decision to provide humanitarian assistance” in Iraq, he is concerned that military involvement there “will ultimately lead to a re-engagement in a long and deadly sectarian war.”

Bill would halt child labor on tobacco farms

08/06/2014

Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) has introduced legislation to prohibit children from working on tobacco farms.

Cicilline said he was inspired to address the issue after a Human Rights Watch report earlier this year documented how children working in tobacco fields were exposed to health risks, such as tobacco poisoning.

The report found that the children often work long hours in tobacco fields without appropriate protective gear. Consequently, many of the children exhibited symptoms of nicotine poisoning, including nausea, vomiting, dizziness and headaches.

Cicilline says U.S. must repair infrastructure to compete

07/28/2014

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Repair the “crumbling infrastructure.” Do things that keep and foster the companies and jobs that depend on trade with other countries. Remove incentives that let companies pull up stakes and exit the country.

Those were among the topics, much of them with a focus on the economy, U.S. Rep. David N. Cicilline spoke of during a breakfast address Monday to a regional business organization.

Rep. Cicilline meets with Central American ambassadors on child immigration issue

07/24/2014

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — As the United States continues to grapple with the influx of unattended children crossing the nation’s borders, federal lawmakers, including U.S. Rep. David Cicilline, met with ambassadors of the Central American countries from where the children are fleeing.

John D. Harris II: R.I. jobs depend on robust defense industry

07/17/2014

The defense industry already plays a vital role in the Rhode Island economy. This sector supports some 12,000 local jobs. Over 400 firms throughout the state have contracts with the Department of Homeland Security or the Department of Defense. And the economic activity in Rhode Island resulting from defense work totals more than $1.7 billion a year — or about 2 percent of state GDP.

New bill would require House members to learn right from wrong

07/16/2014

Senators, and congressional staff from both chambers, are required to attend ethics training. House members are not.

Two House members from different parties want to change that, and they’ve introduced a bill this week that might as well be called the “No Member Can Reasonably Vote Against This Act.”

Reps. David N. Cicilline (D-R.I.) and Scott Rigell (R-Va.) simply want their House colleagues to be held to the same standards as everyone else by requiring that they attend annual ethics training classes to keep themselves in check.

David Cicilline: Congress agrees to modernize job training system

07/14/2014

By David Cicilline

These days it’s a challenge getting Congress to agree on just about anything. And, too often when there is common ground, ideological differences block progress that could otherwise provide meaningful outcomes for middle-class American families. This is no way to run a democracy and Congress needs to do a better job reaching compromises that promote economic growth, support job creation and move our country forward.

Cicilline Rally Against Gun Violence

06/04/2014

PROVIDENCE, RI- 22–year–old Elliott Roger legally purchased three 9mm handguns and had more than 400 rounds of ammunition when he went on a killing spree at UC Santa Barbra and surrounding areas. His parents and health officials were aware of his mental health issues.

Outraged over the killings, Congressman David Cicilline is seeking bi–partisan support for his "End the Purchase of Firearms by Dangerous Individuals Act".

06/04/2014

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Six students at the University of California Santa Barbara were killed and many others were injured after a fellow student went on a rampage last week.

Dozens of activists in Rhode Island rallied to keep guns out of the hands of those with serious mental illnesses, in the wake of the recent gun violence. The crowd, which included Representative David Cicilline, gathered at the Rochambeau Library in Providence on Saturday.

06/04/2014

Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) has introduced a bill to help prevent the mentally ill from buying guns.

"Too many victims and their families have suffered from gun violence at the hands of dangerously mentally-ill people who were not prevented from purchasing a firearm," Cicilline said. "We cannot even begin to tackle the problem of gun violence in this country without addressing this particular issue."

05/29/2014

Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) has introduced a bill to enhance requirements for federal agencies to purchase American-made products.Instead of purchasing foreign-made products that create jobs overseas, the federal government should spend American taxpayer dollars on American-made goods to support American workers," Cicilline said.

Providence VA Medical Center Completes Reviews

05/29/2014

House OKs $495.8B for 2015 Base Budget; Orders Army Structure Commission

05/29/2014

Washington--TheHouse on Thursday approved a measure that would authorize just over $600 billion in 2015 US defense spending, while blocking A-10 retirement plans and ordering an independent group to study the Army’s future.

Facebook Comes to Providence for Small-Business Training Workshop

05/29/2014

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – The Providence VA Medical Center has received a clean bill of health after two audits of the facility’s procedures in the wake of a national scandal involving the Veterans Administration. Leslie Pierson, spokesperson for the Providence VA Medical Center on Chalkstone Avenue, told WPRI.com that a VA team from outside New England conducted extensive interviews with staff on Friday.

Rep. Cicilline Condemns Kessab Attacks

04/02/2014

WASHINGTON—Congressman David N. Cicilline (D-R.I.) condemned the “brutal assault” on Kessab that harks back to “the early days of the Armenian Genocide under Ottoman rule nearly 100 years ago,” in a statement received by the Armenian Weekly.

“I will work with my colleagues on the House Foreign Affairs Committee to help find a diplomatic solution to this crisis and ensure that Armenians of Kessab and Aleppo can return to their peaceful lives.”

04/01/2014

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — U.S. Representatives James R. Langevin and David N. Cicilline announced on Tuesday that Rhode Island will receive more than $1.47 million to help protect drivers on the state’s roadways.

The money was awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to support the state’s highway safety and data programs, the Rhode Island Democrats said in a news release from Washington.

R.I. lawmakers promise careful review of Hagel’s proposal to cut defense budget

02/25/2014

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Three members of Rhode Island’s congressional delegation said Monday that they plan to carefully review Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s proposal to trim the defense budget by shrinking the Army to its smallest size since 1940.

FEMA to contribute $1 million-plus for 2013 R.I. snow cleanup costs

02/24/2014

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The state will receive more than $1 million in federal reimbursement for snowstorm cleanup operations following a storm in February 2013, it was announced Monday by the Rhode Island Congressional delegation.

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