Our government has no more basic responsibility than providing for the safety and security of our citizens.

Americans must have complete confidence that all levels of government are working collaboratively to provide the highest level of security and protection. In Congress, David has worked hard to enhance Rhode Island’s emergency management response and preparedness programs, as well as homeland security capabilities.

We must acknowledge the toll repeated tours of duty have on the men and women who volunteer to serve our country in the armed forces. It should always be a priority to bring our troops home as soon as possible.

David has visited with Rhode Islanders stationed abroad, often in areas of great danger. He has done this to thank them for their service, to ensure they know how deeply we all appreciate the sacrifices they are making, and to hear directly from them about what they need to do their jobs and stay safe. Hearing directly from Rhode Islanders on the front lines is more valuable than hours of testimony before a Congressional committee.

Congressman Cicilline is a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. David believes in a diplomacy-first approach to international affairs, and is a founder and co-chair of the House Diplomacy Caucus. 

David has traveled to countries around the world to advocate for democratic governance, and is one of Congress’ leading champions for human rights for all people. He is the author of the Global Respect Act, to deny visas to those who commit gross violations of human rights against the LGBTQI+ community abroad. David is a member of the House Democracy Partnership, a bipartisan commission of the U.S. House of Representatives working directly with parliaments around the world to bolster democracies.

Congressman Cicilline is concerned that authoritarianism is on the rise, and more and more people are now living in fear, unable to voice their opinions. David knows we must do all that we can to ensure that democracy thrives by supporting a free press, stopping the spread of disinformation, empowering democratic movements, and not giving in to tyrants when they gain power.

As we struggle to address the growing challenges around the world and respond to the ever-changing international and domestic threats, David strongly believes we do not need to sacrifice our constitutional right to privacy to protect our country from foreign and domestic threats.

That is why David has been a strong advocate for reforming aspects of the National Security Agency’s (NSA) intelligence-gathering operations. For example, David has strongly opposed the government’s bulk collection of telephone metadata under Section 215 of the Patriot Act and he has been a leader in addressing concerns related to the abuse of National Security Letters, by which the FBI can require companies to disclose customers’ banking, telephone, internet, and other personal information without any prior judicial review.

National security today depends, as it always has, on a comprehensive, balanced approach to the full range of national security challenges, including cyber-security, homegrown terrorism, engagement with allies, and combating destabilization abroad to ensure we remain safe at home.

David also knows we have to confront the rise we have seen of white nationalism and other hateful ideologies in the United States. That is why David was proud to support the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act, which passed the House of Representatives earlier this year. This legislation would authorize the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to monitor, analyze, investigate, and prosecute domestic terrorism.