WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced the introduction of legislation to protect child workers from the dangers of exposure to tobacco plants, including nicotine poisoning. The Children Don’t Belong on Tobacco Farms Act amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to prohibit children under the age of 18 from working in tobacco fields and coming into direct contact with tobacco plants or dried tobacco leaves by deeming this type of work as oppressive child labor.
“Kids don’t belong on tobacco farms,” said Cicilline. “The dangers of exposure to tobacco and nicotine are well-documented. The risks are magnified for children. I’m proud to be introducing this important bill with Senator Durbin.”
Press Releases
2021/06/14
2021/06/14
WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) spoke on the House floor today during debate on repealing the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (H.R. 256).
A video of Cicilline’s remarks can be viewed by clicking the image below. A transcript is embedded at the end of this email.
David N. Cicilline
Repealing AUMF for Iraq
June 14, 2021
Remarks As Delivered
Thank you, Madam Speaker.
2021/06/14
PAWTUCKET – U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (D-RI) announced today that Angel Norquist from Barrington Christian Academy was awarded the first-place prize in this year’s Congressional Art Competition. The annual contest seeks to spotlight local talent and promote arts education, fostering the next generation of Rhode Island artists. Cicilline, who has run the competition each year since coming to Congress, held a virtual award ceremony to recognize the high school artists who participated.
2021/06/14
2021/06/11
PROVIDENCE – U.S. Congressmen David N. Cicilline (RI-01) and James Langevin (RI-02) held a press conference this morning with Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee to underscore the importance of federal investments in child care for growing Rhode Island’s economy from the bottom up and the middle out. Cicilline and Langevin are working to pass President Biden’s American Families Plan, which would invest a historic amount in child care and universal pre-k.
2021/06/11
WASHINGTON – Led by Antitrust Subcommittee Chairman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) and Antitrust Subcommittee Ranking Member Ken Buck (CO-04), House lawmakers today announced their bipartisan legislative agenda to expand opportunities for consumers, workers, and small business owners by holding unregulated Big Tech monopolies accountable for anti-competitive conduct.
2021/05/21
PAWTUCKET – U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) and U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Friday reintroduced the 21st Century Buy American Act, legislation that will strengthen existing Buy American laws to eliminate loopholes and ensure government procurement prioritizes American-made goods. The legislation could help create up to 100,000 jobs, according to the non-partisan Economic Policy Institute.
2021/05/19
WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) spoke on the House floor today in support of the National Commission to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol Complex Act (H.R. 3233), legislation that forms a bipartisan, independent commission to investigate the attack and to recommend changes to protect the United States Capitol.
A video of Cicilline’s remarks can be viewed by clicking the image below. A transcript is embedded at the end of this email.
David N. Cicilline
January 6th Commission
May 19, 2021
Remarks As Delivered
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the rule, and the establishment of a National Commission to study the events of January 6, 2021.
2021/05/11
PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island’s Congressional Delegation held a press conference with the United Way this morning to encourage eligible Rhode Islanders to take advantage of the expanded, improved Child Tax Credit that Congress established through the American Rescue Plan earlier this year. Eligible Rhode Islanders can take advantage of the Child Tax Credit when filing their federal income taxes, which are due one week from today, May 17th.
2021/05/11
WASHINGTON – In order to address the growing threat that ghost guns present to public safety, U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) today announced the introduction of the Untraceable Firearms Act of 2021.
“Gun violence is a public health epidemic in our country. In recent years, the increased presence of ghost guns in our communities has made this problem even worse. These untraceable weapons make it harder for law enforcement to find and prosecute violent criminals,” said Cicilline. “This legislation will close the ghost gun loophole and make these weapons easier to trace. It’s just commonsense.”
2021/05/11
WASHINGTON – Members of Congress traditionally invite a guest to attend presidential speeches to Congress. This year, due to COVID-19 safety precautions, U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) will host a virtual guest for President Biden’s Address to the Joint Session of Congress.
Kristina Contreras Fox of Smithfield will watch Wednesday night’s address remotely as Congressman Cicilline’s virtual guest. As an employee of the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless, Kristina works as an advocate for a community that the President has made a priority during his first 100 Days. An AmeriCorps alum, Kristina is looking forward to President Biden’s first address to Congress.
Photo provided by Kristina Contreras Fox
2021/04/28
WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) issued the following statement after attending President Biden’s Address to a Joint Session of Congress:
“In his first 100 days, President Biden has taken bold action to address multiple crises facing our country. In the midst of a global pandemic, he has led the way as we delivered much-needed relief for families, small businesses, and communities that are struggling. Tonight, he made clear that his administration is committed to building on this progress and making a once-in-a-generation investment to good-paying create jobs.”
2021/04/22
WASHINGTON – The Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus applauded the U.S. Department for Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for withdrawing a rule proposed by the Trump Administration that would have allowed discrimination in access to emergency shelter.
“I thank Secretary Fudge for taking this action today. No person should ever be denied access to housing because of their sexual orientation or gender identity,” said Equality Caucus Chair David N. Cicilline (RI-01). “The Biden administration is doing everything it can under the law to ensure LGBTQ+ people have an equal opportunity to get ahead. I hope the Senate will soon follow their lead, and send the Equality Act, which the House approved earlier this year, to the President for his signature.”
2021/04/22
WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) released the following statement after the House voted to make Washington, D.C., the 51st State:
“I was proud to vote for legislation making Washington, D.C., our country’s 51st State today. More than 700,000 Americans call the District of Columbia home. Yet, they still do not have a voice in Congress. This isn’t just wrong, it’s un-American. America is the only democracy in the world that does not provide residents of its capital with voting representation in their national legislature. The Senate should bring this bill up for a vote as soon as possible.”
2021/04/22
WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) spoke on the House floor today during debate on the National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Nonimmigrants (NO BAN) Act (H.R. 1333), legislation that strengthens immigration law to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on religion.
A video of Cicilline’s remarks can be viewed by clicking the image below. A transcript is embedded at the end of this email.
David N. Cicilline
NO BAN Act
April 21, 2021
Remarks As Delivered
Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1333, the NO BAN Act.
2021/04/21
WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01), who introduced the bipartisan No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels (NOPEC) Act (H.R.2393) earlier this year along with Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (NY-10) and Republican Congressman Steve Chabot (OH-01), issued the following statement after the House Judiciary Committee voted to send his bill to the House floor:
2021/04/20
WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) issued the following statement this morning on the passing of former Vice President Walter Mondale:
“A true son of Minnesota, Walter “Fritz” Mondale rose from humble origins to serve our country as an Army Corporal, in the U.S. Senate, and as Vice President of the United States.”
“Born to a Methodist minister and a part-time school teacher in a rural community, Vice President Mondale never stopped fighting for those looking to get ahead. History will judge him as a kind and decent man who offered our country a path far different than Ronald Reagan’s. I was proud to vote for him in 1984, and I often wonder how much kinder and gentler our country would be today if he had been given the opportunity to serve.”
2021/04/16
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Congressman David Cicilline (RI-01) have introduced the bipartisan Advancing Mutual Interests and Growing Our Success (AMIGOS) Act, which would extend trade and investor visas to Portuguese citizens to increase international business between the United States and Portugal.
“Generations of hardworking Portuguese immigrants have made important cultural and economic contributions to Rhode Island,” said Senator Whitehouse. “Our bipartisan AMIGOS Act would deepen America’s ties to Portugal by boosting commerce between the two countries and encouraging more job-creating investments in the United States.”
2021/04/15
WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) spoke on the House floor today during debate on the Paycheck Fairness Act (H.R.7), legislation that strengthens and closes loopholes in the 1963 Equal Pay Act, including providing effective remedies for workers who are not being paid equal pay for equal work.
Cicilline’s remarks can be viewed by clicking the image below. A transcript is embedded at the end of this email.
David N. Cicilline
Paycheck Fairness Act
April 15, 2021
Remarks As Delivered
Mr. Speaker, this nation has made far too little progress in the fight for equal pay in the workplace.
2021/04/15
WASHINGTON – House Antitrust Subcommittee Chairman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) issued the following statement today after the House Judiciary Committee marked up and approved a report on the findings of the Subcommittee’s 16-month long investigation into the state of competition in the digital economy: