Cicilline was one of over 100 Democratic members of Congress to oppose the State Department's decision to deny or revoke diplomatic visas to unmarried same-sex partners of foreign diplomats. Abortion Cicilline is pro-choice, and advocates that abortions always be legally available, and that government funding be provided to clinics and medical facilities that provide abortion services. He opposed the Protect Life Act of October 2011, which would ban the use of federal funding to cover any costs under health care plans that paid for abortions, and would allow federally funded hospitals to refuse to perform abortions, even in cases in which the mother's life is in danger. Stating that the bill would put women's lives at risk and would limit "how women can spend their own private dollars to purchase health insurance", Cicilline called it "outrageous". In February 2011, Cicilline voted against prohibiting the disbursement of federal funds to Planned Parenthood, and, in May 2011, against prohibiting taxpayer funding of abortions. He co-sponsored the Violence Against Women Health Initiative Act of 2011, which sought to "improve the health care system's assessment and response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, and for other purposes." Veterans affairs Cicilline has declared his support for veterans' "access to a range of resources in health care, housing, employment, mental health services, and education". He has co-sponsored numerous acts in the interest of veterans, including the Veterans Dog Training Therapy Act, which was intended to aid veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder; the Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act, to permit disabled veterans to receive both retirement pay and disability compensation; and the Veteran Employment Transition Act of 2011, to extend work opportunities to recently discharged veterans. On November 18, 2011, Cicilline said of the Vow Hire Heroes Act, which was intended to increase job opportunities for veterans: "This vote ensures that Rhode Island veterans, and all of our nation's veterans, will receive some of the tools and resources they need to successfully reenter the workforce, and provide for their families and loved ones". House leadership Chair, Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (2019–) Co-Chair, Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (2017–2019) Committee assignments Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, and Emerging Threats Subcommittee on Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Committee on Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial and Administrative Law (Chairman) Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security Caucus memberships