Jen's Blog

Today, I began my Corner-to-Corner Walk Across Rhode Island outside Ponaganset High School on Anan Wade Road in Glocester. It was terrific to have a nice group of friends and supporters with me as I made my way through Glocester, Foster, Scituate, and into Johnston. With campaign signs in hand (and on the car!), we stopped into local businesses, talked to working Rhode Islanders, and waved at passing cars.

I met the proprietors of many business in North Scituate and ate a delicious tuna melt at Village Bean on Danielson Pike.

We also got some great coverage today in the Warwick Beacon, The Westerly Sun, and on ABC6 news!

I’m excited to get started tomorrow morning in Johnston! I will begin walking at 8:00 AM at the corner of Hartford Avenue (Route 6) and Reservoir Avenue. I anticipate making my way through Johnston and Providence and entering Cranston sometime toward the late afternoon. Join me on my Corner-to-Corner Walk Across Rhode Island or check back here tomorrow for a recap of the day!

**Check back daily for updated progress reports, pictures, and stories from the walk!**

Click Here for more information about Jen's walk!

Want to walk with Jen?
Email: walkwithjen@lawlessforcongress.com

Starting at noon on Tuesday, January 17, Jen will walk during daylight hours through each of the 20 cities and towns in Rhode Island’s 2nd Congressional District.

Tuesday’s walk will begin between Ponaganset High School and Hidden Spring Farm on Anan Wade Rd. in Glocester, and take Jen through Glocester, Foster, Scituate, and Johnston.

So many of the Rhode Islanders I’ve spoken with over the past few months have talked about how they feel they’re ignored by politicians. I care about issues that are relevant in every city and town. I want to show Rhode Islanders that – rain or shine, summer or winter – I’m listening. Their ideas matter to me.

Check back daily for updated progress reports, pictures, and stories from the walk!

Click Here for more information about Jen's walk.

Want to walk with Jen?
Email: walkwithjen@lawlessforcongress.com

On January 3, 2006, Rhode Island became the 11th state to allow patients suffering from debilitating illnesses to seek relief through the use of medical marijuana. The bill allows patients suffering from serious illnesses -- including AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and others -- and their caretakers to possess and grow medical marijuana for personal use, with the approval of a doctor.

Despite the General Assembly’s action, and polls that show nearly 70% of Rhode Islanders in favor of the measure, Representative Langevin has repeatedly refused to support federal protections for medical marijuana patients.

Jen stands with the people of Rhode Island in support of federal legislation protecting patients who seek relief through the use of medical marijuana. In a June statement Lawless said,

“We need leaders in Washington who are going to champion the causes that Rhode Islanders care about. Congressman Langevin has demonstrated time and again that he is not a proponent of legislation that would permit medical marijuana to be used to provide effective and safe relief to patients with serious illnesses. I don’t think it should be a crime for people to follow their doctors’ orders.”

To read Jen’s press release on medical marijuana Click Here

Bowing to the extreme right-wing, President Bush announced Judge Samuel Alito as his nominee to replace Sandra Day O'Connor as Associate Justice on the United States Supreme Court. In a statement, Jen voiced her displeasure with the Alito appointment:

“Rather than reach out to all Americans and present a consensus nominee for the Supreme Court, this President has instead demonstrated that he is a captive of the extreme right-wing. In doing so, he selected a nominee who will surely cause a bitter fight and divide our country. Judge Alito’s record indicates that, time and again, his views go far beyond those of mainstream America. I hope the United States Senate accepts its responsibility to protect Americans’ rights and freedoms by rejecting this nominee.”

In his time on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, Judge Alito has racked up an extensive right-wing judicial record on many issues that speak to the protection of Americans’ rights and freedoms.

To read Jen's press release Click Here

In an August 1 press release issued by the Lawless campaign, Jen said,

President Bush's appointment of John Bolton is not only a slap in the face to the United Nations, but it is also a slap in the face to the U.S. Senate and to every American who believes in a fair deliberative process.

In her campaign, Jen has emphasized the importance of having more outspoken leaders in Congress who will actively oppose the Bush agenda. Although only Senators Reed and Chafee can actually vote on Mr. Bolton's appointment, Jen believes that all members of our congressional delegation must be outspoken advocates for the causes Rhode Islanders believe in.

This recess appointment will allow Mr. Bolton to serve until at least January 2007 without confirmation by the U.S. Senate. According to a recent Zogby poll, more than 80 percent of Rhode Islanders oppose the President's nomination of John Bolton, who is the first U.S. ambassador to the United Nations appointed during a recess since 1948.

To read Jen's press release on the Bolton appointment Click Here

Feel free to post your own thoughts on the Bolton recess appointment!

Dear Friends,

Earlier today, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor made public her plans to retire from the United States Supreme Court. In 1981, when Justice O’Connor became the first woman named to the Court, her appointment marked a significant stride for women in the Judiciary.

In her 24 years of service, Justice O’Connor was vital to the preservation of Roe v. Wade, which empowered women to make their own decisions about reproductive health and protected women from government intrusion into their personal, private choices. With her retirement comes the very real possibility that President Bush will appoint, and the U.S. Senate will confirm, a justice who will help overturn Roe. I am running for Congress because – unlike my opponent – I recognize that it is imperative to fight for women’s civil rights and liberties.

Justice O’Connor’s retirement should serve as a catalyst to mobilize widespread political action on behalf of women’s rights. We must work together to ensure that we choose leaders who will fight for women’s equality, liberty, and freedom. U.S. Senators confirm Supreme Court nominees, but all elected officials play a role in protecting women’s rights. Replacing anti-choice incumbents with pro-choice leaders is a necessary first step in the battle.

- Jen
July 1, 2005

Feel free to post your own comments on Justice O’Connor’s retirement!

As you know, Jen signed onto the letter last week written by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI) calling on the Bush administration to answer questions regarding the Downing Street Memo. The memo contains the minutes of a secret meeting of top-level British government officials and calls into question the timing and decision to go to war with Iraq.

After receiving a call from the Lawless campaign and numerous calls from Rhode Islanders, Representative Langevin did, in fact, decide to follow the lead of 122 of his congressional colleagues and more than half a million Americans by finally signing the letter.

Though Congressman Conyers had already delivered the letter to the White House, it now bears the signatures of over 200 members of Congress and even more Americans.

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