Shutdown Update. CONGRESSMAN DAVID CICILLINE.

January 22, 2018
Dear David, The past year has shown that Republicans are incapable of governing. Nothing demonstrates this fact more than the federal government shutdown. Operating a $4 trillion federal government without an annual budget, limping along month-to-month, wasting millions of taxpayer dollars, and hurting our military, is no way to lead. Over the last four months, President Trump and Republican leaders in Congress created this crisis. It’s been four months since Republicans allowed funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program to expire. It’s been four months since the President unilaterally ended protections for the Dreamers. It’s been four months since the last appropriations act expired. In those four months, President Trump and Republicans in Congress have failed to provide solutions for children’s health care, Dreamers, veterans, the opiate crisis, and relief for Americans impacted by hurricanes, floods, and wildfires in their communities. Today’s vote does nothing to change that. We should be staying here and working around the clock to get this work done, rather than kicking the can down the road again. I could not support a short-term bill that leaves so many critical priorities for Rhode Island unaddressed and just creates another crisis three weeks from now. The American people are sick of Washington’s dysfunction. You deserve better than a government that lurches from crisis to crisis every few weeks. Rest assured, I will continue fighting to address the issues important to Rhode Island, and to ensure that Washington’s dysfunction does not hurt our state. Warm regards, David N. Cicilline Member of Congress

Victims of slavery deserve support. FREEDOM UNITED.

Dear David,

Maya’s survivor story, having endured years of trafficking for sexual exploitation in England, shows the importance of adequate support to ensure effective rehabilitation. Maya’s experience was not easy, but if guaranteed long-term support was set out in law in England and Wales, then recovery would not be the lottery it is today.


... back the Modern Slavery (Victim Support) Bill.[1]

Lord McColl has introduced a Bill in the House of Lords which would ensure that victims like Maya will receive a support worker and a care plan for 12 months immediately following their formal recognition as a victim. This would help them make that journey to survivor and a life that is free for good.

The Bill will shortly be moving through the parliamentary system from the House of Lords to the House of Commons and there is a risk to the Bill if it does not have the support of government and MPs. That’s why we are working with the Free For Good coalition to show that this legislation is crucial if the UK is to be a leader in fighting modern slavery.

...the campaign for guaranteed victim care in the UK.

Maya says "nobody should ever become a victim of trafficking, I should never have been trafficked for those many years undetected. I was not only a child but I was a child in a school. A child with a GP, a child with foster parents and social workers, all which failed throughout seven years to identify that I was being tricked, controlled, tortured and sold every day."

"I spent years accepting that what my life had become couldn't and wouldn't ever change. It was impossible for me to speak out and nobody around me took any notice of the signs right in front of them."

Maya was fortunate to find The Snowdrop Project, who helped change her life drastically. This shouldn’t be about fortune. Victims should not be facing homelessness or destitution and risk being re-trafficked because of their experience of modern slavery.

...long-term support is crucial to prevent re-trafficking.

In solidarity,

Joanna, Miriam and all at Freedom United

Why we march. CONG. CAND. PAT RYAN.

David --

 

A year ago today, women took to the streets across New York State, the country, and the world to stand up and speak out to demand the dignity, respect, and rights that every person deserves.

 

The last year has illustrated powerfully that transformative social change is possible when women’s voices are heard, and when allies step up to support them.

 

That’s why I was proud to march in solidarity at the Hudson Women’s March yesterday. 

 

 

We have a lot of work ahead. But if we keep showing up and speaking out, as so many have in the last year, progress is within our reach.

 

-- Pat

A New Approach to Politics. CONG. CAND. JOSH WELLE.

Dear David,

Allow me to introduce myself: I'm Josh Welle, 12-year Navy veteran, New Jersey native, Congressional candidate. I’ve dedicated my life to serving my country and putting my community first. Now, at a time when our country is going backwards, I hope to continue that service in the House of Representatives.

Learn more about me here:

I'm tired of absentee politicians like Chris Smith taking us backwards and getting away with it. No matter where we're from or which party we support, we can all agree that a legislator who hasn't held a single town hall in the 21st century needs to be replaced. It's shameful, it's undemocratic, and it's time for a change.

But our campaign is about so much more than unseating a do-nothing congressman. It's about changing the way business gets done in Congress -- by bringing a pragmatic, results-driven approach to governing. It's about working hard every day to improve our schools and our hospitals, to expand access to professional training and career opportunities, and to build a brighter future for the next generation.

I'm committed to bringing integrity and accountability back to our politics.Most importantly, I'm committed to making sure the voices of the 4th District are heard loud and clear in Washington.  

Click here to watch our video -- it'll tell you more about me, why I'm running, and what I plan to do in Congress.

Thank you,

Josh Welle.