Jen's Blog

In a 58 to 42 vote this morning, Samuel A. Alito Jr. was confirmed as the next Associate Justice on the United States Supreme Court. Alito will replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, a key swing vote on the court. In his time as a federal judge, Alito has compiled an extremely conservative record on many issues that speak to the protection of Americans’ rights and freedoms.

Reacting to the U.S. Senate’s vote to confirm Alito, Jen said,

It’s clear to me that Mr. Alito’s record indicates his views go far beyond those of mainstream Americans. I’m concerned his confirmation may lead to the erosion of many values and freedoms we hold dear. Though we have lost this battle, the fight for Americans core ideals must ultimately transcend any single Supreme Court nominee. When we walk into the voting booth this fall, we must elect people at all levels of government who will fight to uphold civil liberties, honor the right to privacy, and stand with workers and against special interests.

Alito’s Record on The United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

*** Judge Alito showed a disregard for women’s right to privacy in Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey. In that case, Alito acted as the lone judge on the Third Circuit to vote to uphold a provision in the Pennsylvania law that required a woman to notify her husband before obtaining an abortion.

*** In Chittister v. Department of Community and Economic Development, Judge Alito led the charge against federal laws protecting individuals and workers; he held that Congress does not have the power to require state employers to comply with the Family Medical Leave Act. The Supreme Court ultimately reversed Alito’s decision.

*** In Rompilla v. Horn, Judge Alito failed to consider racial discrimination when deciding a case about capital punishment. Mr. Rompilla was convicted of felony murder and sentenced to the death penalty by an all white jury from which black jurors had been impermissibly struck due to their race. Once again, Judge Alito’s decision was overturned by the Supreme Court.

I started walking today – the last day of my Corner-to-Corner Walk Across Rhode Island – at the north end of Scarborough State Beach on Ocean Road. The wind made it feel a lot colder than it was, but what a beautiful stretch to The Towers in Narragansett!

Today’s leg marked the end of what has been an incredible ten days. I walked 110 miles, covered all 20 cities and towns in the district, walked for 71 total hours, and had hundreds of wonderful and memorable conversations. There is no question that Rhode Island is an extraordinarily beautiful state, and this walk has made me even prouder and more excited about working to represent the needs and preferences of my fellow Rhode Islanders.

I look forward to having many, many more conversations over the coming weeks and months. Thank you to everyone who walked with me, checked the website regularly, and spent time talking with me over the past ten days! Continue checking back for updates and news from the campaign trail!

Click Here for more information about Jen's walk!

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

Despite predictions of morning flurries, today turned out to be another beautiful, sunny day. I finished yesterday almost right at the State Pier in Galilee, and today I recommenced my journey by taking the ferry to Block Island.

At noon, I attended a silent peace vigil sponsored by Block Islanders for Peace and Justice. Clearly, there were far fewer people on the island today, during the winter season, but it was great to meet such a great group of constituents. I had a great time chatting at Juice and Java, a café I’d love to visit more often. Thank you to supporter Martha Wilson for welcoming me to the island and for helping to publicize my visit. All in all, I had an absolutely terrific time on Block Island.

Tomorrow, I will walk from Scarborough State Beach to The Towers on Ocean Road in Narragansett to complete my Corner-to-Corner Walk Across Rhode Island. It should be a gorgeous last leg for the walk!

**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

The weather today was a nice break from yesterday’s cold rain. My walk on Ministerial Road and Tuckertown Road was a beautiful prelude to downtown Wakefield, an area in which I always enjoy spending time.

I thank South Kingstown Town Councilwoman Cynthia Gleason for walking with me through the town, and great friends and supporters like the Dunhams for joining me as well. On Main Street in Wakefield, I heard one of the best stories I’ve heard on my walk. John Sheldon, owner of Sheldon’s Furniture, told me about his store and the seven generations of Sheldons who have run it. He also mentioned that the building itself was lifted and moved years ago from its previous location down the street.

Tomorrow, I will take the ferry to Block Island, which will be the 19th of the 20 cities and towns in the 2nd Congressional District. I look forward to that trip and to the final few miles on Thursday morning to The Towers in Narragansett!

**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

I started walking today on Route 1 North outside the Westerly Chamber of Commerce. The weather was definitely the worst it’s been in the past week; all morning it was cold and raining steadily. That said, the snow that was coming down north of us might have been worse.

Fortunately, the rain ceased just before we stopped for lunch at Kingston Pizza in Charlestown. We passed a number of interesting seasonal cafés and shops on Post Road in Charlestown – I will definitely be back during the summer to visit them!

We finished the day at the corner of Ministerial and Post Roads in South Kingstown. I’m looking forward to walking through Wakefield tomorrow on what will hopefully be a sunny 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

I started today right at the border between Richmond and Hopkinton. It was a little chillier today than yesterday, but it was still a bright, clear, and gorgeous day.

We walked another 15 miles or so, through Hopkinton and into downtown Westerly. One of my most coincidental conversations took place on Spring Street in Hope Valley. I ran into one of the owners of Spring Street Market & Pizza Restaurant, Mike Eisa, who happens to be opening a brand new restaurant directly across from my campaign headquarters in Warwick! Conversations with small business owners continue to reinforce the fundamental need for a responsible tax policy and affordable health coverage for working families.

Tomorrow, I will start outside the Westerly Chamber of Commerce and head west on Route 1 into Charlestown!

**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

I started walking today on Ten Rod Road heading west from The Mills at Lafayette in North Kingstown. As I walked into Exeter, cars and pedestrians became more sporadic and I was able to truly enjoy some of the natural beauty our great state has to offer.

Through Exeter and Richmond, I admired wonderful New England towns and beautiful Rhode Island landscapes. We covered a lot of ground today – fifteen miles in all – not stopping until the afternoon when we broke for lunch. Perhaps aptly titled, the “Middle of Nowhere Diner” provided for us a timely lunch and some great camaraderie.

I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s leg, starting at the border of Richmond and Hopkinton and heading south into the heart of Westerly.

**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

I began my walk this morning in West Greenwich, making my way east on Division St. into East Greenwich. Again, we were lucky enough to be blessed with warm weather for the walk.

I turned onto Main St. in East Greenwich around 11:00 AM where I was joined by former State Representative Caroline Stouffer, her husband John, and Beth Fesithamel of the R.I. chapter of the National Organization for Women. Stopping in local businesses, diners, and shops, we had some great conversations about increasing the minimum wage, health coverage for small business owners, and ending the war in Iraq.

After stopping for lunch at the Butcher Block Deli, I finished up my day around 5:00 PM in North Kingstown. I will continue my walk in North Kingstown tomorrow and make my way through Exeter on Ten Rod Road. Let’s all hope the wonderful warm weather persists!

**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

I started walking today at the corner of Routes 5 and 113 in Warwick heading south. Fortunately, the weather was beautiful, which perhaps we earned by walking through the rain and wind yesterday! We made some excellent progress in the morning turning onto Centerville Road and following Route 117 all the way through West Warwick to Route 33 in Coventry.

Conversations for much of the day seemed to keep coming back to health care. I stopped into Pawtuxet Valley Prescription Center where I spoke with State Senator Blais about Medicare Part D. At lunch, Gloria, the owner of Coventry House of Pizza, talked about how difficult it can be for her to find affordable health care for her eight children!

There is no question that we must find a solution – now – to ensure that all Americans have access to health coverage they can afford. Health care cannot be a luxury – it must be a right.

See you tomorrow in East Greenwich and North Kingstown!

**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

I resumed my walk in Johnston this morning, despite heavy rain and wind that persisted throughout the day. Considering the poor walking conditions, I was particularly excited to be joined by two supporters who came out this morning despite the weather.

Regardless of the wet conditions, the value of my Corner-to-Corner Walk Across Rhode Island was reaffirmed several times along my route. Michael, a customer at a convenience store in the Silver Lake section of Providence, told me he had recently been laid off and was worried about finding another job. Several people I spoke to were concerned about the high price of gas and heating their homes. And far too many people told me they feel ignored by their elected officials.

I can’t wait to do it all over again tomorrow starting in Warwick! I will begin walking at 8:30 AM at the intersection of Rt. 5 and Rt. 113. I plan to make my way through Warwick, West Warwick, and into Coventry sometime Thursday afternoon. Join me on tomorrow’s walk 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