PROMOTING QUALITY, AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE

Every Rhode Islander deserves high-quality, affordable health care.  The Affordable Care Act brought health insurance to millions of Americans, but there is still work to be done to lower costs and improve results.  We need to build on the ACA and protect and strengthen Medicare and Medicaid to ensure that Rhode Islanders are healthy and financially secure.

The Affordable Care Act is Working for Rhode Island:

Passage of the Affordable Care Act was a watershed moment for improving access to health care.  I will continue to oppose cynical attempts to repeal or weaken the law.  Here are some of the ways that the Affordable Care Act is working for Rhode Island:

• Since 2012, the uninsured rate in Rhode Island has dropped from 11 percent to below 5 percent, a record low.
• Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, insurance companies can no longer deny coverage because of preexisting conditions, limit the amount of care patients receive in a year, or charge women higher premiums than men for the same coverage.
• Rhode Island's state-based health insurance exchange, HealthSource RI, allows Rhode Islanders to shop for affordable health insurance coverage that meets their needs.  You can find more information about enrolling in coverage through HealthSource RI here.
• To strengthen the Affordable Care Act, I introduced the CHOICE Act to add a government-administered option to the health care market, guaranteeing Americans in every zip code access to affordable, high-quality health insurance.

Strengthening Medicare:

Generations of American workers have counted on Medicare to help pay for health care in retirement.  Workers pay into the system knowing it will be there for them when they need it.  To protect this promise, I am fighting for reforms to Medicare that would bring down costs and improve care, while protecting benefits for seniors.

• I helped lead the successful fight to close the dreaded Medicare Part D prescription drug "doughnut hole," which left seniors without coverage for a large share of their prescription drug costs.  As a result, Rhode Islanders have saved more than $76 million since 2010. 
•  We have to do more to lower prescription drug prices, especially for seniors.  I support allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices through the Empowering Medicare Seniors to Negotiate Drug Prices Act, which could cut costs for nearly 43 million seniors.
• Seniors on Medicare who suffer from advanced illnesses need the best care possible.  My Removing Barriers to Person- and Family-Centered Care Act would test a new payment model that promotes better coordination between health care providers, and prioritizes the needs and preferences of Medicare beneficiaries with advanced illnesses.

Addressing Mental Health and the Opioid Crisis:

Millions of Americans suffer from mental illness and substance abuse, and too many lack access to treatment.  I am working to ensure that patients have mental health care coverage, and to combat the opioid drug epidemic that has gripped Rhode Island families from all walks of life.

• I worked across the aisle to write and pass the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, which addresses addiction for what it is: a disease in need of treatment.  The law gives those on the front lines of the ongoing opioid abuse epidemic better tools to prevent drug abuse, treat addiction, reduce overdose deaths, and support those on the long, noble path to recovery.
• I helped secure almost $40 million in funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to fight opioid addiction in Rhode Island.  That substantial boost in funding resulted from changes I fought for that ensure states hardest hit by the epidemic get more support.  
• To build our pediatric mental health workforce, I successfully advocated for changes that allow children's hospitals to receive funding to train the next generation of doctors.  Bradley Hospital in East Providence qualified for new federal funding thanks to these reforms.
• I authored and passed legislation to encourage behavioral health providers, like psychologists and psychiatric hospitals, to adopt technology that will better coordinate patient care.
• To help end discrimination against people suffering from mental illness, I advocated for the landmark Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, which requires insurance plans to cover mental health and substance abuse treatment, just as they cover physical health care.

Investing in Research:

Federal investments in medical research benefit Rhode Island's first-rate academic and research institutions, bolster local economies, and advance life-saving treatments.

• To ensure that medical research keeps pace with demand, I support the National Biomedical Research Act to create a research trust fund to sustain investments in the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other federal agencies that conduct medical research.

• I drafted the Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act to improve the National Institutes of Health's strategic planning to address the deadliest cancers, like pancreatic cancer, for which little progress has been made in detection and treatment.  President Obama signed my bill into law in 2012.

• I authored bipartisan the Accelerating the End of Breast Cancer Act to help identify promising breakthroughs in breast cancer research and encourage collaboration between the public and private sectors to find a cure.

Achieving Better Health Outcomes for Rhode Islanders:

I am proud of Rhode Island’s leadership in delivering excellent, innovative health care.  I’m working with our state's health care professionals and across the aisle in the Senate to support Rhode Island's role as a national leader in improving the delivery of care.

• I drafted the Patient Safety Improvement Act to prevent infections in hospitals, address the overuse of antibiotics, which would save lives and money.

• I fully support the Children's Health Insurance Program, which provides secure, high-quality coverage for more than 30,000 children in Rhode Island, and our community health centers, which have received tens of millions of dollars to expand high-quality primary care and dental services.

HealthSource RI Open Enrollment Information

If your employer doesn't offer affordable health insurance, you may be eligible to sign up for coverage through Rhode Island's state-based health insurance marketplace, HealthSource RI.

Customers can sign up or renew coverage online at HealthSourceRI.com or over the phone at 1-855-840-4774.  Visit HealthSource RI's savings calculator to find out if you are eligible for financial assistance.

ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND SHARED PROSPERITY

Too many families do not feel financially secure, despite working hard every day.  I am fighting to ensure economic security for all Rhode Islanders and to give our children a world-class public education, including the opportunity to go to college without taking on crushing debt.

Giving Everyone a Fair Deal:

As I meet Rhode Islanders across the state, I hear repeatedly that the rules of our economy are increasingly stacked to benefit the wealthy and well-connected.  I have always championed proposals to grow the middle class by increasing wages, providing workplace benefits, and ensuring that middle-class families get a tax break while multi-million-dollar earners pay a fair share.

• Rather than giving tax breaks to corporations and the wealthy, we should focus on strengthening initiatives that help families make ends meet and stimulate our economy.  I am proud to cosponsor the American Family Act and the Working Families Tax Relief Act.  These important bills would expand the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit to put more money in workers’ pockets and to help families pay their bills.  
• No one should have to worry about taking time off for a health crisis or to care for a loved one.  Rhode Island is one of the eight states with paid family leave, and I support federal legislation to strengthen and expand this protection.  I cosponsored the FAMILY Act, which would allow workers nationwide up to 12 weeks of paid leave to recuperate from illness or care for family members.
• Families ought to be able to easily file their taxes directly with the IRS for free.  That’s why I cosponsored the Tax Filing Simplification Act to lower costs and cut red tape for taxpayers.
• It’s past time to help address the nearly $1 trillion Americans hold in credit card debt.  My Empowering States’ Rights to Protect Consumers Act would protect Americans from runaway interest rates for credit cards and other consumer loans.

Moving the Economy Forward:

We need to modernize Rhode Island’s economy, attract new jobs, and help small businesses grow.  We also need to protect Narragansett Bay, which is an integral part of our economy.  

• Rhode Island has a history of manufacturing excellence dating back to the start of the Industrial Revolution.  However, transferring specialized skills from one generation of workers to the next is a challenge for local manufacturers.  I sponsored The Retain Innovation and Manufacturing Excellence Act to help businesses keep retiring workers long enough to train new employees.
• Small businesses are the strength of Rhode Island’s economy.  I was a lead sponsor of the Small Business Reorganization Act, which was signed into law in August 2019.  The bill streamlined the bankruptcy process for small businesses to help them reorganize and get back on solid footing.
• I supported the Agriculture Improvement Act.  This law includes a key provision to support the aquaculture industry’s growth.  To help Rhode Island shellfish farmers continue to produce some of the best oysters in the country, it gives this sustainable industry the certainty it needs to keep growing and creating jobs.

Building Infrastructure for the Future:

It’s past time to make much-needed investments in rebuilding our infrastructure to make our public works safer and more durable, and to better respond to challenges like sea level rise and extreme weather.  I’m working to create well-paying design and construction jobs and modernize our infrastructure efficiently and sustainably.

• A strong economy needs quality roads and bridges and a reliable transit system.  As a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, I helped author legislation that boosted highway and transit funding for Rhode Island, bringing our state over $1.3 billion in federal funds over five years.
• I added provisions in the America’s Water Infrastructure Act to direct the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to clear debris from our rivers, ensure coastal communities are prepared for future storms, and promote innovation.  These provisions will help bolster Rhode Island’s infrastructure to better withstand climate change.
• My bipartisan IMAGINE ACT would promote the development and use of innovative materials and techniques to build more resilient and cost-effective bridge and water infrastructure.

Strengthening Social Security and Protecting Seniors:

Rhode Islanders who work hard ought to be able to look forward to a comfortable and rewarding retirement.  I will do everything in my power to ensure that Social Security remains the bedrock of American retirement security for generations to come.  We also need to do more to help workers save, so they have enough money to truly enjoy their golden years.

• As a founding member of the Expand Social Security Caucus and a member of the Senate Finance Committee, I have been a leader in protecting the benefits our seniors rely on.  
• To help with the rising costs and expenses that seniors in Rhode Island face, I have introduced the Guaranteed 3 Percent COLA for Seniors Act to ensure that seniors relying on Social Security benefits receive at least a 3% cost-of-living adjustment each year.  
• Only half of American workers are able to save for retirement through work-based accounts.  That means half of Americans are missing out on an important way to grow their nest egg.  My Automatic IRA Act would allow tens of millions of workers to begin saving in payroll-funded accounts.

Getting a Quality Education:

We need to strengthen our nation's public schools and ensure that all children have access to a first-rate education.  In addition, we need to make college more affordable and to help students, parents, and graduates overcome crushing student loan debt.

• I have long fought to strengthen Pell Grants, which were created by Rhode Island’s legendary Senator Claiborne Pell.  Pell Grants provide millions of American students with the financial aid they need to enroll in college and complete their education.  It is crucial to uphold Senator Pell’s noble vision by making sure the Pell Grant has enough purchasing power to give the children of hardworking families a fair shot at a college education.
• We also need to help the borrowers struggling to pay back their student loan debt.  I am a cosponsor of Senator Warren’s Bank on Students Emergency Loan Refinancing Act, which would allow individuals with student loan debt to refinance at lower interest rates.
• Middle school represents some of the most formative years of a child’s education.  We must do more to give middle schools resources to identify and support at-risk students.  My Success in the Middle Act would establish a grant program to help middle schools boost achievement, identify kids at-risk of dropping out, and prepare students to transition to high school.

ACTING ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT

As a member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and cofounder of the Senate Climate Action Task Force, I'm fighting for smart solutions to address climate change and position Rhode Island as a leader in the clean energy economy.  I also helped form the bipartisan Senate Oceans Caucus to protect our ocean and coasts for generations to come.

Addressing the Consequences of Climate Change:

Rhode Islanders see the effects of climate change all around us, from rising sea levels to stronger storms.  Climate change poses one of the greatest threats to our economy and national security, which is why I have been steadfast in fighting for legislation to cut carbon pollution and prepare our communities for the effects we know will come.

• Since 2012, I have gone to the Senate floor every week the Senate is in session to speak out on climate change.  You can watch my "Time To Wake Up" speeches here.
• My American Opportunity Carbon Fee Act would cut the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2029.  It would also generate considerable revenue to boost the economy and aid American workers and consumers.  American families stands to benefit: from the direct revenue generated by the fee; from a healthier environment; and from a stronger, more sustainable economy.
• I created the National Oceans and Coastal Security Fund to prepare our coastline for rising seas, storm surge, and other climate change risks.  Since 2016, Congress has provided $113 million in funding.

Promoting Sustainable Energy:

Smart energy policy can help combat climate change and boost our local economy.  Wind power, for example, produces no carbon pollution and supports jobs that can’t be sent overseas.  I am working to promote clean energy solutions for our country, and to support this growing industry in Rhode Island.

• A national green infrastructure bank would provide states like Rhode Island with capital to make strategic long-term investments in clean energy and sustainable infrastructure.  I cosponsored the Green Bank Act to support job creation in Rhode Island’s clean energy sector and fight climate change by incentivizing large-scale investment in green projects. 
• I cosponsored the Clean Energy for America Act, to consolidate dozens of energy incentives into three technology-neutral provisions that encourage clean electricity, clean transportation, and energy efficiency.
• As a coauthor of the Energy Infrastructure Demand Response Act, I’m working to encourage natural gas utilities companies to launch demand response programs, a well-established model that rewards consumers for reducing energy use.

Keep Our Oceans Healthy:

Our oceans and coasts define our economy and way of life in Rhode Island.  The docks of Galilee are home to fishermen whose families have made their living from the sea for generations, and our beloved Narragansett Bay is Rhode Island’s most important natural resource.  Tourists travel to the Ocean State every summer to enjoy our beautiful beaches.  We have a responsibility to maintain our ocean and Bay today and for generations to come.

• I coauthored the bipartisan Save Our Seas Act, signed into law in October 2018.  This law supports NOAA’s marine debris program, promotes increases in international cooperation on cleaning up marine pollution, and invests in combatting marine plastic pollution. The Save Our Seas 2.0 Act would builds off this success and bring us closer to our goal of eliminating marine debris.  
• We can’t allow our oceans to be opened to oil and gas exploration.  My bipartisan New England Coastal Protection Act would prohibit oil and gas leasing off Rhode Island’s coast.
• I cofounded the Senate Oceans Caucus, a bipartisan group focused on protecting our oceans and coasts.  I’ve worked closely with co-chair Senator Murkowski (R-AK) on the BLUE GLOBE Act to invest in research, technology, and a workforce that will shape a better understanding of our seas and coasts.

KEEPING AMERICA SAFE AND HONORING THOSE WHO SERVED

Our government's most sacred responsibility is keeping Americans safe.  As the son and grandson of Foreign Service officers, I recognize that the United States is, and must remain, a great force for peace in the world.  That means working alongside our international partners and using all of our strengths, from our economy to our military, to build a safer and more secure future.  The U.S. is increasingly under threat from hackers and other criminals online, and protecting Americans from cyberattacks, disinformation, and other forms of internet-enabled foreign interference must be a national security priority.

Supporting Service Members and Veterans:

We owe our service members and their families a great debt of gratitude, and we need to support them in meaningful and lasting ways.  I am working hard to ensure that our troops have everything they need for success in their missions and when they return home.

• My office provides robust casework services to support veterans in Rhode Island as they deal with federal government agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs.  My staff helps Rhode Islanders navigate the claims and appeals process with the Veterans Benefits Administration; coordinates with veterans and the VA Medical Center on complex health cases; and assists with requests for service discharge upgrades, service records, and medals.
• I supported passage of the Military Widow’s Tax Elimination Act, which eliminated a long-standing injustice by allowing surviving military spouses to receive full Defense Department survivor’s benefits and dependent’s compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• I cosponsored the Agent Orange Exposure Fairness Act and the Burn Pits Accountability Act to ensure that veterans exposed to toxic materials in the line of duty can receive the treatment they need faster and more efficiently.
• Too many women serve our country only to face barriers to care when they return home. I cosponsored the Deborah Sampson Act, to improve the benefits and services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs for women veterans.  

Cybersecurity:

The Digital Age has transformed our economy through the surge of innovative technologies and companies.  While this period of rapid technological change has brought many benefits, it has also opened lines of attack from hostile nations and criminals.  In this new environment, we need to make sure the government has the resources and expertise to secure its own networks; works to reinforce cybersecurity norms across the international community; and facilitates the cooperation between public and private sectors needed to defend our critical infrastructure.

• I introduced the Botnet Prevention Act to give the Justice Department the tools it needs to crack down on zombie armies of infected computers that hackers use to commit cybercrimes.  I have also cosponsored the International Cybercrime Prevention Act, which creates new criminal penalties for cybercriminals who target critical infrastructure like dams, power plants, hospitals, financial networks, and election systems.
• I cosponsored the Defending the Integrity of Voting Systems Act to protect America from these threats to our election system.  We know the Russian government used the internet to interfere in the 2016 presidential election, and we know they and other bad actors will try it again.  Protecting the very instruments of our democracy from interference is vital to the functioning of the nation and should be the goal of every member of Congress. 
• As the senior Democrat on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism, I have worked in bipartisan fashion to organize hearings on matters of national cybersecurity, including data security threats from China and other state actors, extremist content and disinformation online, cyber threats to critical infrastructure, and cross-border access to data by law enforcement.

STRENGTHENING OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM AND DEMOCRACY

As former Attorney General and United States Attorney for Rhode Island, I am committed to supporting law enforcement officers, reforming our criminal justice system, and ensuring that all Americans have fair access to our courts.  Serving on the Senate Judiciary Committee, I have worked on commonsense measures to address the opioid scourge, strengthen gun safety laws, update sentencing in the federal prison system, and protect the sacred right to vote.  I have also led the fight to fix our broken campaign finance system to prevent powerful interests from anonymously influencing our elections, and have worked to highlight the threat posed to our national security by foreign kleptocrats – leaders who use their power for personal profit – and their U.S.-based enablers.

Improving Criminal and Juvenile Justice:

Rhode Island has demonstrated that reducing prison populations can go hand-in-hand with keeping ex-offenders out of trouble after their release.  I have drawn on that example to enact changes to the federal juvenile and adult correctional systems, which have improved programs for rehabilitating inmates and preparing them to re-enter society as productive citizens.  Making sure that those who have served their time have the skills to succeed when released protects public safety and saves taxpayer dollars in the long run.

• After years of bipartisan work, my bipartisan First Step Act was signed into law, allowing qualifying inmates to earn reductions in their sentences by completing programs proven to reduce their risk of ending up back in the prison system.
• I also worked across the aisle to write the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Reauthorization Act.  The law improves treatment for juvenile offenders with mental illness and substance abuse issues; encourages states to make efforts to reduce racial and ethnic disparities for youth who enter the juvenile justice system; supports alternatives to incarceration; and holds states accountable for failing to meet requirements to protect the safety of minors in the justice system.

Protecting Civil Rights and Access to Justice:

All Americans deserve to be treated fairly, regardless of who they are or where they come from.  I am committed to ensuring that the court system lives up to the promise of liberty and justice for all.

• In the Shelby County v. Holder decision, the Supreme Court wrongly struck down a key part of the Voting Rights Act, which Congress passed in 1965 to prohibit racially discriminatory voting practices.  I support efforts to restore and strengthen voter protections so that no one is denied the right to vote.
• I cosponsored the Voter Empowerment Act to ensure equal access to the ballot for every eligible voter, modernize voter registration, and help eliminate deceptive practices that deter people from voting.
• I’m proud that Rhode Island was among the first states to legalize same-sex marriage, and I applauded the Supreme Court's ruling two years later that made marriage equality the law of the land in all fifty states.
• The Senate has a duty to give fair and prompt consideration to the president's judicial nominees.  The Senate recently approved Rhode Island's district court nominee Mary McElroy, who was originally nominated by President Obama on the recommendation of Senator Reed and myself.

Reforming Campaign Finance:

In 2010, the disastrous Citizens United decision ushered in an era of unlimited corporate spending in elections.  Under today's rules, billionaires can spend enormous sums to sway elections without the public knowing who they are and why they’re seeking to influence the government.  We need vastly stronger campaign finance laws to ensure that dark-money interests do not drown out the voices of American voters.

• I have led the fight for the DISCLOSE Act.  This legislation would stop the flood of undisclosed "dark money" polluting our elections by strengthening campaign contribution disclosure requirements, allowing the public to see who the loudest voices in our elections are and better understand their true interests.
• I fully endorse a constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court's disastrous Citizens United decision.
• I was an original cosponsor of the For the People Act, a package of legislation that to protect Americans at the ballot box, reduce the influence of big money in politics, and strengthen ethics rules for public officials.

Fighting Corporate Capture of the Judiciary:

• Americans deserve transparency from the most influential people in their government, and that includes judges who currently are not subject to key ethics rules.  I have introduced the Judicial Travel Accountability Act, a bill to close loopholes that allow Supreme Court justices and federal judges to avoid disclosing travel and hospitality perks they enjoy as prominent public figures.  
• I introduced the AMICUS Act to bring transparency to judicial lobbying.  It defies reason that the branch of the federal government with the least direct accountability to the public is not subject to even the most basic lobbying disclosures.  The current system is a recipe for corruption of the judiciary.

Defending the Rule of Law:

• Shell companies make it far too easy for criminals and foreign officials to hide assets from tax authorities and law enforcement.  My bipartisan TITLE Act would help law enforcement root out criminals and bring them to justice.
• Protecting law enforcement from political interference is a core value of our justice system.  My Security from Political Interference in Justice Act would increase transparency in dialogue between the U.S. Department of Justice and the White House, and prevent political interference in law enforcement decisions.