We’re in this Together


Yesterday afternoon, I was officially sworn in as a United States Representative in the 115th Congress. It marked the ninth time I participated in this ceremony in the hallowed chamber of the U.S. House, but despite the familiarity of the occasion, it felt quite different. There have been many ups and downs over the past several years, but I cannot remember a time marked by more uncertainty. On our very first day back, House Republicans concocted a plan to undermine accountability and oversight by effectively eliminating the Office of Congressional Ethics. Only after swift and vociferous criticism from constituents and their fellow elected leaders – myself included – did they drop this misguided effort. And this is just on day one. People are scared of what the future holds, and I don’t blame them.

So as Congress resumes its business and as you begin your new year, I want to remind you of one important fact that brings me comfort: we’re in this together.

I’m not sure what the next two years will bring. None of us are. But I do know that your support has lifted me up, and it is what fuels me going forward. Regardless of what obstacles may come our way, you can trust that I will continue to be accessible and transparent, and I will do everything in my power to fight for what is right for Rhode Island, for our country and, most importantly, for you. Sound policy and true leadership starts with the individual, and I pledge to you that I will carry the torch for you in Washington.

The battle continues, and so does the conversation. In the days and weeks and months to come, I hope you will reach out to me whenever you have a question or concern. The 2016 election is behind us, but the real work lies ahead, and we’re going to need each other’s support, compassion, and counsel more than ever.

Happy New Year. Let’s get to work!

Sincerely,

Jim

Langevin Thanks Primary Voters for Support

I am honored and incredibly grateful to the Democratic voters of the Second District for their support. I cannot thank them enough. It’s their support that keeps me going and their experiences that inspire me to continue my journey in public service. I have long said that I do not see my position as a birthright – I am merely a steward of a seat that belongs to the people of Rhode Island, and I will keep working hard every single day to represent Rhode Islanders to the very best of my ability. I also want to thank my primary opponents, John Hamilton and Steve Archer. I am encouraged to see more people interested in getting involved in our democracy, and I congratulate them on their respective campaigns.

I am more passionate and enthusiastic about serving Rhode Island than ever before, and this victory will reinvigorate me as I work hard for every vote in the General Election. I take nothing for granted, and I will be campaigning vigorously over the next 56 days. I look forward to knocking on doors and meeting with more voters in the weeks to come to lay out my accomplishments and share my hopes for a brighter future for our state and our nation.

On the Rhode Again

Summer is my favorite time in Rhode Island. The heat and the sunshine, the food and the ocean views. Everything seems a little better in the summertime, and the campaign trail doesn’t feel remotely like work when you’re knocking on doors in beautiful weather and meeting Rhode Islanders with so many interesting stories and perspectives to share. Life is good.

All eyes have been trained on national politics, it seems, this season, but my primary election is fast approaching. The election season is already halfway gone, and November will be here before we know it. But before the leaves change and we bid summer farewell, I’m working hard to defend my seat in Congress. I’ve enjoyed attending events in support of my colleagues at the state and local levels, and also meeting with Democratic city and town committees to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing our state and our nation.

I have received endorsements from the Rhode Island Democratic Party State Committee; the Rhode Island Association of Democratic City and Town Chairs; the Young Democrats of Rhode Island; Democratic Town Committees in Burrillville, East Greenwich, Exeter, Johnston, North Kingstown, Providence, and Warwick; and from both the AFL-CIO and the Rhode Island Building and Construction Trades Council. I will continue to campaign on my record and on my vision for a stronger Rhode Island, and I hope to add more endorsements in the weeks to come.

I hope you’re enjoying the summer as much as I am. Take time to enjoy our beautiful state at this wonderful time of year, and I hope to see you on the campaign trail soon!

 

Sincerely,

Jim Langevin

Member of Congress

Spring Ahead to Fall

Spring has just begun, but I already have my mind on the fall.

The election is fast approaching, and I’m more enthusiastic than ever about reapplying for a job that I love. Because that’s what an election is: a job interview. Every two years, my constituents have the opportunity to evaluate the work that I am doing on their behalf, and decide whether or not I’ve earned the distinction of continuing to represent them in Congress.

So as you embark on your due diligence, researching the most qualified candidate, I would like to share some of the highlights from my resume.

Keeping the American people safe and protecting our way of life is a priority that I know we all agree upon. “Safety first,” as they say, and so it is with my work in Congress. I am a senior member of the House Armed Services and Homeland Security Committees, assignments that position me to advocate for what is best when it comes to national security at home and abroad. Supporting the men and women who serve our nation is a big piece of the national security puzzle, because we cannot defend our nation without a well-trained and cared for military. We also cannot sufficiently staff our armed forces if we do not keep our promise to support our veterans once they return home.

When we look at modern conflict, it is undeniable that cyber warfare is a real concern now and will continue to be for the foreseeable future.

Cybersecurity is also an issue of economic security and competitiveness for our nation. This is why I have dedicated so much of my time in Congress to this important issue. I co-founded and continue to co-chair the Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus and I am a national leader on this issue. I have been calling attention to the need for robust cyber defenses for nearly a decade, and I’m so proud that this work is paying off. More and more of my colleagues in Congress and across government have heeded my warnings, and momentum continues to build as I push for action on this critical cause.

Cybersecurity is a challenge that is not going away, and that poses an incredible opportunity for our workforce. Cybersecurity is an industry with tremendous growth potential, and I have advocated strongly for education and training programs that will ensure we have the right workforce to meet the growing demand. Bridging the gap between the classroom and the workplace is a priority for me across industry, as I co-chair the Congressional Career and Technical Education Caucus. I’ve introduced legislation that would better connect school counselors with the business community, so that students are making informed decisions about college or careers, based on current and future economic trends.

On top of these legislative priorities, I continue to be an advocate for people with disabilities, for a stronger middle class, and for equality and human rights for all. I share my positions constantly through social media, my website, and at public forums like my Lunch with Langevin program, and I will never stop working to be accessible and transparent to all of my constituents. My door is always open.

This is just a sampling of the issues I care deeply about. My concerns and my hopes for the future are as varied as the people I represent, and if you ever have a question about where I fall on a given issue, please do not hesitate to reach out. That’s what I’m here for.

Friend, the time to elect your representative in Congress will be here before you know it, so as you consider your options, I humbly ask for your support and your vote.

 

Sincerely,

Jim Langevin
Member of Congress

Langevin’s State of the Union

This evening, President Obama will deliver his State of the Union address to the nation. This will be the President’s final State of the Union as our Commander-in-Chief, and I am confident that, despite the incredible challenges we face as a nation, he will provide an inspirational and uplifting message as we embark on a new year with renewed hope, promise, and opportunity.

In a preview video on the White House website, the President confesses that, “since I took office seven years ago, in the midst of crisis, I don’t think I have ever been more optimistic about a year than I am right now.” I share his optimism, because no matter what obstacles we face, I know that the American spirit is resilient. And it is with that sense of optimism and enthusiasm that I humbly begin another year of serving you in Congress.

As my own State of the Union, so to speak, I want to let you know what my priorities will be for 2016. First, as a senior member of the House Armed Services and Homeland Security Committees, the safety of the American people is among my top priorities. I will continue to fight for policies that support our men and women in uniform, that care for our veterans, and that protect our national security at home and abroad. We live in a complex and ever-changing threat landscape, but we will not bow to terrorism or those who seek to dismantle our way of life.

Cybersecurity is a major component of not only national security, but of economic security, as well, and you can trust that I will remain a national leader in this area. As founder and co-chair of the Cybersecurity Caucus, I will push for more legislation that fortifies our cyber defenses, and for programs that better prepare a cyber workforce for our future. Strengthening information sharing and protecting critical infrastructure are at the top of this to-do list.

Closing the skills gap so we have qualified workers to grow jobs and our economy is an issue for cybersecurity and for so many other industries. I look forward to reaching across the aisle once again with my Career and Technical Education Caucus co-chair, Congressman ‘GT’ Thompson of Pennsylvania, to support policies that empower students and put them on a path to success. In particular, I hope we can pass my Counseling for Career Choice Act this year in order to ensure young people have all the information they need to make the right career choice.

The list goes on. I want to end gun violence by passing commonsense reforms that keep guns out of the wrong hands. I want to pass meaningful tax reform that supports a strong middle class. I want to fix our broken immigration system so we have stronger border security and provide a clear path to citizenship for those who seek the American dream. I want to improve upon the Affordable Care Act that has already reduced Rhode Island’s rate of uninsured residents by nearly 80 percent.

Friend, we can do all of these things, and I hope that 2016 is the time to do them. In his preview, President Obama said that what makes America great is “our capacity to change for the better.” Let’s change for the better this year and chart a brighter course for 2016 and beyond. I will be listening carefully to the President’s words tonight, but speeches aside, I can’t wait to take action to make 2016 a year for the record books.

 

Sincerely,

Jim Langevin
Member of Congress