Press Releases

WASHINGTON – Antitrust Subcommittee Chairman David Cicilline’s (RI-01) opening remarks for today’s hearing, Reviving Competition Part 2: Saving the Free and Diverse Press, are embedded below. David N. Cicilline Journalism Protection Hearing Opening Statement March 12, 2021 A free and diverse press is the backbone of a vibrant democracy. Indeed, our democracy is strongest when we have a free and diverse press that informs citizens, holds power to account, and exposes corruption and wrongdoing. But in recent years, the local news that is delivered through newspapers, online, and in local broadcasts has been in a state of economic freefall.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) issued the following statement today after voting to pass legislation that will require background checks on all gun sales in the United States: “Background checks work. In fact, more than 3.5 million times, our background check system has prevented a gun from ending up in the hands of someone who is legally prohibited from owning one. But right now 22 percent of guns are acquired without a background check – in large part because the gun lobby has spent whatever it takes to preserve these loopholes so they can sell more guns.”

WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) spoke on the House floor today on the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act (H.R. 842). A video of Cicilline’s remarks can be viewed by clicking the image below. The full text of his remarks, as delivered, is embedded at the end of this email. David N. Cicilline Floor Remarks on H.R. 842 March 9, 2021 Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the PRO Act. Union membership is at historic lows, while inequality is at historic highs. The tremendous income inequality in our country is due, in large part, to anti-union policies that have stripped workers of the freedom to negotiate collectively for higher wages, better benefits, and safer working conditions.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (RI-01) issued the following statement today: “The American Rescue Plan delivers immediate relief for the working people who need it most right now. This bill, which now heads to President Biden’s desk, will help crush the virus, get kids back to school, speed up vaccine delivery, put people back to work, and get middle class families the help they need.”

WASHINGTON – House Antitrust Subcommittee Chairman David N. Cicilline (RI-01), House Antitrust Subcommittee Ranking Member Ken Buck (CO-04), Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) and Chairwoman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Competition Policy, Antitrust, and Consumer Rights Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) today announced the introduction of the bipartisan Journalism Competition and Preservation Act, legislation that will allow small news outlets to band together to negotiate with large online platforms like Google and Facebook.

WASHINGTON. – The Congressional LGBT+ Equality Caucus released this statement in response to the Biden-Harris Administration’s recent Executive Orders. “We applaud the Biden-Harris Administration for recognizing International Women’s Day and using this moment to advance important policy steps that will protect all women, including those who face discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity,” said Congressional Equality Caucus Chair David N. Cicilline (RI-01). “While opponents of equality seek to further harm our community, in particular the transgender community, the Biden-Harris Administration is once again showing what true leadership looks like. We are grateful that they are standing up for all Americans. We look forward to working with this Council to achieve its important goals.”

WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline’s (RI-01) office is now accepting submissions for the 2021 Congressional Art Competition in Rhode Island’s First Congressional District. “I encourage all young artists in the First District to take part in this competition,” said Cicilline, a member of the Congressional Arts Caucus. “As I’ve said many times, our state’s arts community is second to none. This competition offers young Rhode Island artists the opportunity to display their skills and earn recognition for their hard work. I’m looking forward to seeing this year’s submissions.”

PROVIDENCE – Federal, state, and local leaders held a press conference at the Dunkin’ Donuts Arena today and outlined ways Rhode Island is slated to benefit from the COVID relief package that the U.S. House passed early Saturday morning. The legislation includes $1,400 survival checks to put money in the pockets of working people, expanded unemployment benefits, a pay raise for nearly 30 million people, and nearly $1.7 billion in relief for Rhode Island state and local government.

WASHINGTON – Today, Representative David Cicilline (D-RI) and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) led 197 colleagues in both houses of Congress in introducing the DISCLOSE Act to combat the flood of anonymous special interest spending in American politics. The bill would require organizations spending money in federal elections to disclose their donors, allowing the American people to see who is attempting to sway their elections and gain control over their government. “The only way we can fix what’s broken in Washington is if we first get secret corporate spending out of our elections,” said Cicilline. “The DISCLOSE Act will bring this money out of the shadows by requiring dark money groups to disclose their donors. I’m proud to once again join Senator Whitehouse in introducing this bill today.”