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