Press releases
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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778 rows where chamber = "Senate", state = "CT" and year = 2025 sorted by date descending
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| url | title | date ▲ | year | month | party | chamber | state | member_name | bioguide_id | domain | scraper | source | date_source | text | has_text | collected_at | updated_at |
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| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-releases-2025-end-of-year-report | Murphy Releases 2025 End Of Year Report | 2025-12-29 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | chrismurphy | https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | HARTFORD–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Monday released his 2025 End of Year Report. In a year marked by turmoil, Senator Murphy joined with elected leaders, civic organizers, and Connecticut residents to defend Americans’ rights and fight for a better future. This report highlights the measures Sen. Murphy and his office took to stand up to Trump’s corruption and deliver for Connecticut families. As Donald Trump systematically dismantled programs working people rely on, while transforming the government into a tool of personal enrichment, Murphy helped deliver federal dollars to Connecticut while taking action to unrig our economy and democracy from billionaire interests. This year, Murphy and his office: Introduced or co-sponsored 270 pieces of legislation and amendments, including 91 bills, resolutions, or amendments as the lead sponsor; Completed his ninth Walk Across Connecticut: four days, 67 miles, 11 towns, and hundreds of conversations with Connecticut residents along the way; Engaged with over 436,800 calls, emails, and letters; Returned more than $7 million to constituents, including owed Social Security payments, veterans’ benefits, tax refunds, and other savings from federal agencies; Helped over 3,233 constituents work through federal issues and get their owed benefits | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-murkowski-and-merkley-lead-call-for-inspector-general-audit-following-dojs-failure-to-release-the-full-epstein-files-as-demanded-by-survivors-required-by-law | Blumenthal, Murkowski & Merkley Lead Call for Inspector General Audit Following DOJ’s Failure to Release the Full Epstein Files as Demanded by Survivors, Required by Law | 2025-12-24 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, DC] – Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) led a bipartisan group of senators in writing Acting Inspector General Don Berthiaume requesting the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (DOJ OIG) perform an audit of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, bipartisan and bicameral legislation requiring the release of all records and documents relating to Jeffrey Epstein. “Given the Administration’s historic hostility to releasing the files, politicization of the Epstein case more broadly, and failure to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a neutral assessment of its compliance with the statutory disclosure requirements is essential,” the senators wrote. “As such, we request that the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (“DOJ OIG”) perform an audit of the Department’s compliance with the statute.” In addition to Blumenthal, Murkowski, and Merkley, today’s letter was signed by U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Gary Peters (D-MI). “Full transparency—as called for bravely and repeatedly by survivors—is essential in identifying members of our society who enabled and participated in Epstein’s crimes,” the senators concluded. “Survivors deserve full disclosure. They also deserve the peace of mind that would be afforded by an independent audit of the Department’s compliance.” The full text of today’s letter is available here and copied below. Dear Acting Inspector General Berthiaume: We write to you following the December 19 deadline imposed by the Epstein Files Transparency Act for the Department of Justice (“DOJ” or “the Department”) to release all records and documents relating to Jeffrey Epstein. By the Department’s own admission, it is in violation of the law—before DOJ had even begun to release the … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-calls-on-stb-doj-to-oppose-railway-merger-threatening-jobs-and-driving-up-costs | Blumenthal Calls on STB, DOJ to Oppose Railway Merger Threatening Jobs & Driving Up Costs | 2025-12-23 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) wrote Surface Transportation Board (STB) Chairman Patrick Fuchs and Assistant Attorney General of the Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division Gail Slater urging them to oppose the proposed merger between Union Pacific Railroad and Norfolk Southern Railway—two of the four largest railroads in the country. In today’s letter, Blumenthal raised concerns that the merger would significantly reduce competition in the rail industry, driving up costs for shippers and threatening railroad workers’ job security. “Railroads are a critical link in the supply chain for everyday consumer goods, including food, fuel, building materials, and household products. When competition in rail transportation is reduced, higher shipping costs are often passed directly on to consumers in the form of higher prices at the checkout counter. With inflation and affordability already top concerns for American families, approving a merger that could further raise the cost of moving goods across the country would worsen financial strain on households nationwide,” wrote Blumenthal. “The proposed merger also threatens job stability for countless employees at Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern,” continued Blumenthal. “Together, the two companies have more than 50,000 employees. While the companies have said they will protect all union jobs during a merger, precedent shows us such promises are little more than hollow words. Instead of trusting these empty promises, you should protect thousands of jobs for hardworking Americans.” The full text of the letter can be found here and below. Dear Chairman Fuchs and Assistant Attorney General Slater, I write with serious concerns about the proposed merger between Union Pacific Railroad and Norfolk Southern Railway. A merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern – two of the four largest railroads in the United States – would further consolidate the nation’s rail network, resulting in potential job insecurity for workers, highe… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-markey-and-warren-demand-amazon-remove-listings-for-used-cars-with-unrepaired-safety-recalls-clearly-display-vehicles-recall-status | Blumenthal, Markey, & Warren Demand Amazon Remove Listings for Used Cars with Unrepaired Safety Recalls, Clearly Display Vehicle's Recall Status | 2025-12-23 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, DC] – Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) called on Amazon to remove listings for pre-owned vehicles with unrepaired safety recalls. In a letter to Andrew R. Jassy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Amazon, the Senators raised safety concerns about the company’s new Amazon Autos partnership with Hyundai and Ford dealers, which lists pre-owned vehicles that may have unrepaired safety recalls for sale without adequately warning consumers about a vehicle’s recall status. “We are extremely troubled by the fact that Amazon is listing vehicles for sale with unrepaired safety recalls. Selling cars with unrepaired safety recalls is extremely dangerous and poses a potentially fatal threat to vehicle drivers, passengers, and others on the road. Amazon’s suggestion to consumers to check a vehicle’s recall status themselves on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) website is simply insufficient. We call on Amazon to remove all vehicle listings with unrepaired safety recalls and to directly display to prospective vehicle buyers a vehicle’s recall status,” the Senators wrote. The Senators continued, “Amazon does not need to wait for the law to change to prioritize vehicle safety. We call on Amazon to immediately stop listing for sale on Amazon Autos any vehicle with an unrepaired safety recall. In addition, Amazon should make it as easy as possible for people to confirm that the vehicle they are looking at does not have unrepaired recalls. Instead of linking to NHTSA’s website and encouraging people to check the recall status themselves, we urge Amazon to prominently display the status of recalls under the key features it lists for vehicles it is selling.” The full text of the Senators’ letter is available here and copied below. Dear Mr. Jassy, We are extremely troubled by the fact that Amazon is listing vehicles for sale with unrepaired safety recalls. Selling cars with unrepaired safety recalls is extremely danger… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-seeks-data-on-security-grant-program | Blumenthal Seeks Data on Security Grant Program | 2025-12-23 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, DC] – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) wrote Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem seeking data about previous applications to the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) to help inform Congress about how the program should be funded for the upcoming fiscal year. “As I travel around Connecticut and hear from community leaders here and around the country, I am struck by the severely heightened anxiety and apprehension about physical threats to places of worship and community centers involving hate-based violence,” Blumenthal wrote. “Recently, I have called for dramatically increasing funding for NSGP to $1 billion and for increasing funding and resources for other programs to keep pace with the violence we are seeing in our communities. I am disappointed that the proposal released Friday night by Senate Republicans for Fiscal Year 2026 includes only $330 million for NSGP, far short of my request and the program’s clear need, with reports indicating recipients requested approximately $1 billion from FEMA in 2024 alone.” Last week, Blumenthal wrote the Chair and Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Chairs and Ranking Members of its Subcommittees on Homeland Security and Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies calling for a dramatic increase in resources for programs that combat hate-based violence through security and prevention, including by appropriating no less than $1 billion to the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), making significant investments to the Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act (NO HATE Act), and reestablishing and fully funding the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Community Relations Service (CRS). On Friday, he joined leaders from the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford and the Anti-Defamation League of Connecticut at an event in West Hartford, Connecticut, calling on Congress to robustly fund NSGP and the Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act grant program. The full text of today’s letter is available here and copied below. Dear Secretary Noem, In r… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-slams-secret-trump-administration-memo-ending-life-saving-abortion-care-for-veterans | Blumenthal Slams Secret Trump Administration Memo Ending Life-Saving Abortion Care for Veterans | 2025-12-23 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) today released a statement slamming the Trump Administration’s Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) secret implementation of a new policy to stop providing abortion care and counseling to veterans who have been raped or whose pregnancy is threatening their health. “Secretively and sickeningly, Trump’s VA is depriving women veterans of essential health care. A policy just issued by Secretary Collins stops this reproductive care even for women who are victims of rape or incest, or whose health is at risk. He’s done it by internal memo, not by open rule making, avoiding public attention and scrutiny. My Republican colleagues should be as outraged as I am. The result will be chaos and confusion among health care providers, and anxiety and pain for women veterans. This cruel, misguided action is reckless and reprehensible.” In September 2022, VA began to offer abortion counseling to all pregnant veterans and CHAMPVA beneficiaries, and abortion in cases of rape, incest, or life or health endangerment of the veteran or CHAMPVA beneficiary. This was in response to the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling, which created urgent risks to the lives and health of pregnant veterans and CHAMPVA beneficiaries in states that banned or otherwise severely restricted access to abortion. The Trump Department of Justice issued a memo banning this abortion care and counseling at VA a few days ago, and the Trump VA just issued its own internal memo yesterday implementing this new policy immediately. This follows the Trump VA’s announcement in August of its intent to issue this change in a proposed rule. However, rather than complete the regular rulemaking process, VA Secretary Doug Collins is implementing this policy without issuing a final rule without notifying veterans or the public. More than 462,000 women veterans of reproductive age are enrolled in VA health care. More than half of these women live in states that hav… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-demands-answers-about-donations-to-trumps-ballroom-presses-new-architect-leading-white-house-project-for-details | Blumenthal Demands Answers About Donations to Trump's Ballroom, Presses New Architect Leading White House Project for Details | 2025-12-22 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), today demanded answers from Roblox CEO David Baszucki about his reported contribution to President Donald Trump’s White House ballroom as well as ten other individuals who attended the October 15, 2025 fundraising dinner for the project. As Ranking Member of PSI, Blumenthal has led an inquiry into the use of private donations to fund President Trump’s increasingly expensive ballroom, most recently estimated to cost $400 million, and has repeatedly raised concerns about donors that have deep financial, business, or other personal interests before the Trump Administration. In a letter sent today to Baszucki, Blumenthal requested additional information from the Roblox CEO about his donation, following a recent meeting during which Baszucki confirmed that he had contributed to President Trump’s ballroom, “I appreciated your candor and transparency at our recent meeting, in acknowledging that you were among the guests in attendance at that dinner and that you made a $5 million contribution to the ballroom project in your personal capacity.” Blumenthal continued, “As an attendee at the October 15 dinner and donor to the project, you possess critical information about the Administration’s solicitation of donations, its management of this project, why your donation was not publicly disclosed, and what President Trump or his representatives may have agreed to provide in exchange.” In letters to ten other individuals who attended the October 15 fundraiser, including Frank J. Fertitta II, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Red Rock Resorts, Blumenthal wrote, “A representative of your company was reportedly among the guests in attendance at the October 15 dinner; however, neither you nor your company were on the donor list which the White House released to the public several days later. My office has recently received information that at least one other attendee at the October 1… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-democratic-colleagues-introduce-sweeping-veterans-bill-to-reform-and-improve-va-health-care | Blumenthal, Democratic Colleagues Introduce Sweeping Veterans Bill to Reform & Improve VA Health Care | 2025-12-22 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) is leading a group of his Senate colleagues in introducing the Honor Our Promise to Veterans Act (the Honor Act)—sweeping legislation to invest in the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) aging infrastructure, improve VA’s ability to recruit high quality health care employees, and improve the standards of care veterans receive. He was joined by fellow Committee members U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), and Patty Murray (D-WA), and U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). “Democrats are pushing sweeping reforms to fix a VA system stretched to its limits. The VA system is underfunded, understaffed, and overdue for reform. We are demanding major capital investments in VA facilities, more money for the staff who deliver health care, and increased standards for community care,” said Ranking Member Blumenthal. Blumenthal continued, “Built on years of feedback from veterans and recommendations from watchdogs, our legislation enacts sweeping historic reforms to ensure veterans receive high-quality, timely care—both at VA facilities and in the community. The Honor Act mandates broad, landmark investments to replace VA’s aging infrastructure and make VA clinicians’ compensation more competitive. It aims to guarantee veterans’ access to well-trained, veteran-informed care no matter where they live.” “We have an obligation to do more than just thank our veterans for their service. We owe veterans the full, critical benefits they earned through their service,” said Senator Alsobrooks. “The Honor Act is an important step in fulfilling our obligation by ensuring the VA can easily improve its infrastructure, recruit high quality candidates, and always ensure our veterans are receiving the highest quality health care.” “We owe it to veterans in Maine and acro… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-trump-administrations-latest-attack-on-revolution-wind | Blumenthal Statement on Trump Administration's Latest Attack on Revolution Wind | 2025-12-22 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [Hartford, CT] – U.S. Senator Richard released the following statement today on the Trump Administration’s latest attempt to stop work on the nearly complete Revolution Wind offshore wind project. “While the Trump Administration plays political games with Revolution Wind, here’s what’s at stake for Connecticut: the loss of good paying union jobs, billions of public and private dollars wasted, and higher electricity prices. This latest attack on Revolution Wind is even more absurd than the first one. The President cites national security risks, but has not been able to prove or demonstrate that such risks even exist. I am standing with our state’s delegation to keep fighting for this project, the workers who deserve to keep their jobs, and the Connecticut consumers who can’t afford to pay more for electricity,” Blumenthal said. After the Trump Administration’s first attempt to stop work at Revolution Wind in late August, Blumenthal wrote to Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum demanding answers regarding Trump’s interference in the project. A copy of that letter is available here. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-senators-demand-answers-on-trump-vas-plan-to-eliminate-tens-of-thousands-of-health-care-jobs | Blumenthal, Senators Demand Answers on Trump VA's Plan to Eliminate Tens of Thousands of Health Care Jobs | 2025-12-19 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) today led a group of 37 of his colleagues demanding answers about the Trump Administration’s plans to eliminate as many as 35,000 jobs at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This follows recent reporting from The Washington Post detailing the Administration’s plans to eliminate tens of thousands of unfilled mission-critical health care positions at VA, including for doctors, nurses, and support staff. “We write to express our concern following the December 13, 2025, Washington Post article ‘VA plans to abruptly eliminate tens of thousands of health care jobs,’ which spotlights the Department’s plan to cut as many as 35,000 vacant positions from its workforce rolls before the end of the calendar year,” the Senators wrote in a letter to VA Secretary Collins. “Compounded by the exodus of more than 40,000 Department employees in fiscal year (FY) 2025, any unjustified cuts to existing vacancies would further disrupt a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) workforce that is already stretched dangerously thin and under assault.” The Senators pushed back on Secretary Collins’ claims that cutting these jobs will have “no impact” on VA health care, pointing to data that even if cuts were focused on non-clinical and administrative vacancies, VA would still have to cut 18,000 vacancies from essential, veteran facing positions to meet their 35,000 number. They pressed Collins to provide additional information on VA’s plans to eliminate these positions, including asking for the list of positions removed; the names and titles of staff involved in making this decision; what evidence VA used to support this removal of vacancies; and what data was used to inform individual facility staffing baselines. The Senators concluded, emphasizing the gravity of this plan amid Republicans’ health care-cutting agenda across the government: “Unfilled positions are not reflective of unnecessary positions, and the length of time a position is v… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-senate-confirmation-of-trump-loyalist-john-bartrum-to-lead-vas-health-care-system | Blumenthal statement on Senate Confirmation of Trump Loyalist John Bartrum to Lead VA's Health Care System | 2025-12-19 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) today released a statement on the Senate’s confirmation of John Bartrum to be the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Under Secretary for Health. Bartrum has served as a senior advisor to VA Secretary Doug Collins since January. “Trump political acolyte John Bartrum is the wrong choice to lead VA’s health care system. As a Senior Advisor to VA Secretary Collins, he has played a key role in stonewalling and slow walking Congress and veterans— continuously hiding information about VA’s budget, community care wait times, contract cancellations, and staffing plans. He has also refused to implement laws as Congress intended— playing a central role in withholding critical funding required to be distributed to homeless service providers who support nearly 25,000 of our most vulnerable veterans. His lack of transparency and responsiveness to Congress is wholly unacceptable for someone who will now be tasked with leading the largest health care system in our country at a critical inflection point, and I am disappointed in this body’s decision to confirm him.” As a senior advisor for Collins, Bartrum has played a key role in the firing of thousands of health care staff, the politicization of the VA research publication process, and the cancellation of thousands of VA contracts. He has also refused to implement laws as Congress intended, including the bipartisan Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare & Benefits Improvement Act. He is continuing to withhold critical funding mandated under this law for organizations housing and providing critical resources for more than 25,000 homeless veterans. The Under Secretary for Health is tasked with overseeing the VA health care system—the largest integrated health care system in the country—which provides care to more than nine million enrolled veterans. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-the-dojs-failure-to-release-the-full-epstein-files-as-demanded-by-survivors-required-by-law | Blumenthal Statement on the DOJ's Failure to Release the Full Epstein Files as Demanded by Survivors, Required by Law | 2025-12-19 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement in response to response to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s statement on Fox News that the Department of Justice will not release the full Epstein files today, as required by law: "The reason that we are seeing any of this material is because the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's horrific crimes have been so courageous and steadfast – and that’s also why releasing an incomplete selection of the files is so offensive and utterly unacceptable. Outrageously, the Administration has now clearly indicated that it will withhold large parts of the file today. Yes, it's a violation of the law; yes, it's an affront to Congress and the American public; but most importantly, it's an insult to the brave women who are asking for one, simple thing: justice. I don't think the Trump Administration can be trusted to follow the law, which is why I'll be calling for an audit by the Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General to backstop the concealment Deputy Attorney General Blanche has already admitted to doing." -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/senator-blumenthal-week-in-review-12/12/2025-12/19/2025 | Senator Blumenthal: Week in Review 12/12/2025-12/19/2025 | 2025-12-19 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | Applauding Final Passage of National Defense Authorization Bill [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) welcomed Senate passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026. As a member of the Armed Services Committee, Blumenthal championed a number of provisions in the NDAA that promote U.S. national security objectives and bolster Connecticut’s defense industrial base and its workforce, all while improving support for servicemembers across the Department of Defense (DOD). The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 77-20 and was signed into law on December 18. An executive summary of the bill can be found here. “This defense bill prioritizes our national defense with investments in weapons and pay increases for servicemembers—while recognizing Connecticut’s critical role and workforce. The major, historic investments include producing submarines, joint strike fighters and helicopters, and other high tech platforms. Technological advancements and modernization bolster our state’s world-class manufacturing base. I am proud to advocate for the workers dedicated to defending our nation. With this legislation, we ensure that our military has the resources, technology, and support needed to protect our country,” said Blumenthal. The NDAA for Fiscal Year 2026 also includes several provisions Blumenthal, Ranking Member of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), championed to support sexual assault survivors within the Coast Guard. “I am proud of the significant reforms in this bill that will help protect current cadets and Coasties from the kind of harassment, abuse, and retaliation uncovered by my investigation,” Blumenthal said. “There is still significantly more work that needs to be done to combat the Coast Guard’s culture of coverup, but these provisions are an important first step.” In September 2023, as then-Chair of PSI, Blumenthal initiated an inquiry into the Coast Guard’s failure to disclose Operation Fouled Anchor, an internal Coast Guard investigati… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-calls-for-dramatic-increase-in-funding-for-comprehensive-hate-crime-prevention | Blumenthal Calls for Dramatic Increase in Funding for Comprehensive Hate Crime Prevention | 2025-12-18 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, DC] – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) wrote the Chair and Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Chairs and Ranking Members of its Subcommittees on Homeland Security and Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies calling for a dramatic increase in resources for programs that combat hate-based violence through security and prevention. “Over the weekend, the global Jewish community was devastated by the horrifying terrorist attack at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Australia. This terrible tragedy is sadly not an anomaly and reflects a worldwide rise in antisemitism, extremist ideology, and hate-based violence,” Blumenthal wrote. “That is why I urge you to show the Senate’s commitment to protecting our religious institutions and minority communities by dramatically increasing resources for programs that combat hate-based violence through security and prevention, including by appropriating no less than $1 billion to the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), making significant investments to the Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act (NO HATE Act), and reestablishing and fully funding the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Community Relations Service (CRS).” The full text of today’s letter is copied below. Dear Chair Collins, Vice Chair Murray, Chair Britt, Ranking Member Murphy, Chair Moran, and Ranking Member Van Hollen, Over the weekend, the global Jewish community was devastated by the horrifying terrorist attack at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Australia. This terrible tragedy is sadly not an anomaly and reflects a worldwide rise in antisemitism, extremist ideology, and hate-based violence. As you are all aware, hate crimes remain at unconscionable levels here in the United States as well. In August, the Federal Bureau of Investigation released data for 2024 showing that nearly 14,000 people were victims of a hate crime. That is why I urge you to show the Senate’s commitment to protecting our religious institutions and minority communities by dramatic… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-schumer-and-colleagues-call-on-independent-watchdog-to-investigate-impact-of-republicans-health-care-cutting-agenda-on-veterans_their-families | Blumenthal, Schumer & Colleagues Call on Independent Watchdog to Investigate Impact of Republicans' Health Care-Cutting Agenda on Veterans & their Families | 2025-12-18 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) today led a group of 26 of their colleagues in a letter calling on the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate the impact Republicans’ health care-cutting agenda will have on veterans and their families. This follows Senate Republicans’ failure last week to join Democrats in extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits, which 267,000 veterans rely on to afford health care. Coupled with Medicare and Medicaid cuts – which go into effect next year – Americans, including millions of veterans and veteran family members, are bracing for higher costs and a looming health care crisis. “The 2025 budget reconciliation bill, Public Law 119-21, or the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ (BBB), will reduce access to essential health care and supportive services for millions of Americans, including veterans and their families. Compounded with expiring enhanced premium tax credits for Affordable Care Act (ACA) health plans established by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and extended by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, veterans are facing a life-threatening reduction in access to health care and other essential benefits. These reductions in access to private health insurance, Medicaid, and funding for community health services will result in more veterans relying more heavily on their Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and benefits,” the Senators wrote. 1.6 million veterans and four million family members of veterans utilize Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and are at risk of losing Medicaid or CHIP coverage because of the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” One in ten veterans under the age of 65 relies on Medicaid, and forty percent of these veterans rely on Medicaid as their sole coverage. In addition, recent analysis found 267,000 veterans who rely on ACA enhanced premium tax credits will no longer be able to aff… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-schiff-introduce-bill-to-keep-border-patrol-agents-at-our-borders-and-out-of-our-cities | Murphy, Schiff Introduce Bill To Keep Border Patrol Agents At Our Borders And Out Of Our Cities | 2025-12-18 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | chrismurphy | https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn) and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) today introduced the Keeping Our Agents On The Line Act, a bill to improve border security by ensuring that Border Patrol Agents are not diverted from their work at U.S. borders and reassigned to operations deep in the American interior. Over the last year, Border Patrol Agents have repeatedly been deployed for complex immigration enforcement operations in American cities, including Los Angeles, Chicago, New Orleans, Minneapolis and Charlotte. Several of these missions were hundreds of miles away from any land border, and far outside the “reasonable distance” border patrol enforcement zone enshrined in law. However, Border Patrol Agents do not have the training to conduct complex civil immigration investigations in the U.S. interior, which ordinarily are handled by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Predictably, untrained border patrol agents have been severely disruptive in the communities they’ve been deployed to, harassing US citizens in their homes and workplaces, violently arresting local activists, and refusing to communicate with local law enforcement. Despite pleas from state governors, mayors, and business leaders to take Border Patrol Agents out of their cities, the Trump Administration has vowed to continue these missions and offered little clarity about their scope or duration. “Border Patrol has no business conducting regular operations hundreds of miles away from the border,” said Murphy. “Trump’s obsession with ripping families apart and militarizing our cities has resulted in untrained agents wreaking havoc in American communities and a border that’s less secure. Our bill frees border patrol agents to do the important jobs they were actually trained to do: working at or near the border line to keep our country safe.” “The administration has continued to engage in indiscriminate and large-scale immigration raids — fomenting fear in our communities. In California, the administration has targeted citizens, noncitizen… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-applauds-final-passage-of-national-defense-authorization-bill-with-wins-for-connecticut | Blumenthal Applauds Final Passage of National Defense Authorization Bill with Wins for Connecticut | 2025-12-17 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) welcomed Senate passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026. As a member of the Armed Services Committee, Blumenthal championed a number of provisions in the NDAA that promote U.S. national security objectives and bolster Connecticut’s defense industrial base and its workforce, all while improving support for servicemembers across the Department of Defense (DOD). The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 77-20. An executive summary of the bill can be found here. “This defense bill prioritizes our national defense with investments in weapons and pay increases for servicemembers—while recognizing Connecticut’s critical role and workforce. The major, historic investments include producing submarines, joint strike fighters and helicopters, and other high tech platforms. Technological advancements and modernization bolster our state’s world-class manufacturing base. I am proud to advocate for the workers dedicated to defending our nation. With this legislation, we ensure that our military has the resources, technology, and support needed to protect our country,” said Blumenthal. As a member of the Committee tasked with crafting the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2026, Blumenthal successfully advocated for the inclusion of several provisions that promote our national security interests and defense goals while also investing in Connecticut-based manufacturers and suppliers of vital national security assets, including: Supporting the Connecticut Defense Industrial Base: Blumenthal championed provisions that bolster Connecticut’s submarine and aircraft industries, sustaining these key businesses whose products uphold a vital segment of Connecticut’s economy and provide the nation with an asymmetric advantage. Blumenthal delivered provisions that: Provide $2.016 billion to fund one Virginia Class submarine; Provide $3.9 billion to support construction of a Columbia Class ballistic missile submarine; Provide $5 billion to support advance… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-applauds-reforms-included-in-ndaa-to-support-sexual-assault-survivors-in-the-coast-guard | Blumenthal Applauds Reforms Included in NDAA to Support Sexual Assault Survivors in the Coast Guard | 2025-12-17 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Ranking Member of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, applauded Senate passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026, which includes several provisions Blumenthal championed to support sexual assault survivors within the Coast Guard. “I am proud of the significant reforms in this bill that will help protect current cadets and Coasties from the kind of harrassment, abuse, and retaliation uncovered by my investigation,” Blumenthal said. “There is still significantly more work that needs to be done to combat the Coast Guard’s culture of coverup, but these provisions are an important first step.” In September 2023, as then-Chair of PSI, Blumenthal initiated an inquiry into the Coast Guard’s failure to disclose Operation Fouled Anchor, an internal Coast Guard investigation into the decades-long systemic mishandling of sexual misconduct at the Coast Guard Academy. The NDAA includes numerous provisions requested by Blumenthal to protect survivors of misconduct and hold accountable perpetrators of sexual misconduct and those who enabled them, including: Requiring the Coast Guard to maintain, for at least 50 years, evidence of sexual misconduct and sexual assault reporting forms, as well as affirming survivors’ rights to access records related to their investigations; Requiring a record of a complaint of misconduct to be placed in the non-restricted record of any service member who was convicted by courts martial, punished administratively, or a recipient of non-judicial punishment for the misconduct, regardless of grade; Permits a Board of Review to review and downgrade the discharge status of anyone who was found by clear and convincing evidence to have committed sexual assault or harassment while on active duty; Permits reopening of retired grade determinations for members who knew of and failed to report misconduct in their command or who failed to carry out app… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-ross-lead-bicameral-legislation-to-shine-light-on-supreme-court-shadow-docket-decisions | Blumenthal, Ross Lead Bicameral Legislation to Shine Light on Supreme Court Shadow Docket Decisions | 2025-12-17 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Representative Deborah Ross (D-NC) introduced bicameral legislation establishing transparency in decisions on the Supreme Court’s emergency docket, also known as the “shadow docket.” The Shadow Docket Sunlight Act requires the Supreme Court to provide a written explanation for shadow docket decisions and a vote count detailing how each Justice voted on the decision, promoting public understanding and consistency in judicial decision making. The Supreme Court has increasingly relied on the shadow docket—making decisions on short notice without oral argument or any legal explanation of the Court’s reasoning. The Court has utilized the shadow docket to make decisions on a number of wide-ranging, highly consequential cases, including the September 8, 2025 decision in Noem v. Vasquez Perdomo. The decision allows ICE agents to stop and arrest individuals based on their appearance, the language they speak, where they live, and what they do for work. “The shadow docket decision in Noem v. Vasquez Perdomo, a highly chilling legal landmark, condones racial profiling in Trump’s immigration enforcement. Shockingly, this very significant ruling was issued without any public argument or majority opinion. The Shadow Docket Sunlight Act shines light on the Supreme Court’s emergency docket rulings, like Vazquez Perdomo, and requires the Supreme Court to be accountable and explain its rulings. Americans deserve clarity from the nation’s highest Court—especially as the Court increasingly uses the shadow docket to issue far-reaching consequential decisions. Recent shadow docket decisions demonstrate the dire need for our legislation’s enforceable guidelines that hold the Court accountable,” said Blumenthal. “The conservative majority on the Supreme Court continues to issue harmful, backwards decisions through the shadow docket, often offering no explanation of their reasoning or how the justices voted,” said Ross. “From allowing DOGE to access sensitive data to … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/icymi-video-blumenthal-and-education-leaders-discuss-how-veterans-are-harmed-by-the-trump-administrations-dismantling-of-department-of-education | ICYMI Video: Blumenthal & Education Leaders Discuss How Veterans are Harmed by the Trump Administration's Dismantling of Department of Education | 2025-12-17 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) spoke at a spotlight forum on the Trump Administration’s dangerous effort to dismantle the Department of Education, highlighting how efforts negatively impact our nation’s veterans. At the forum, Blumenthal spoke with Rachel Gittleman, President of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 252, and Amy Loyd, CEO of All4Ed, about how veterans are struggling to access critical resources to help them assimilate to civilian life through education and skills training. “I want to talk about an area of interest to me as the Ranking Member on the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and I'd like you to tell me how the dismantling of the Department of Education has affected veterans,” asked Blumenthal. “Two of the many programs that I helped administer were the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and the Total and Permanent Disability Discharge Program. Both of those programs disproportionately benefit and help veterans, many of whom are saddled with student debt,” said Gittleman. “And my office, like so many other offices in federal student aid, was completely gutted, leaving no one to help answer the phones, no one to help access the incredibly complicated and convoluted system that is these discharge programs.” “In our nation, we're moving towards a skills-based economy. This is so important for veterans transitioning into the world of being a civilian. How do they translate their incredible skills that they have earned through their hard work and dedication to our nation into ways that they can prove their skills and practice through economic opportunities so that they can raise their families, have lives of choice,” said Loyd. “But in this moment of fiscal uncertainty and the bait-and-switch and the instability and chaos that this Administration is engendering in the education world, states are now walking back and being very cautious and investing in innovation. I worry about the implications of how our veterans may not be … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-demands-noem-rescind-heinous-policy-on-hate-symbols | Blumenthal Demands Noem Rescind "Heinous Policy" on Hate Symbols | 2025-12-16 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, following reporting that the U.S. Coast Guard has allowed a new policy to take effect that no longer prohibits nor classifies swastikas and nooses as hate symbols, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) wrote Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem demanding that she “revoke this policy and make it clear to the brave men and women serving in the Coast Guard that hate has no place in the service.” In a letter sent this evening following the Washington Post’s reporting that the Coast Guard has newly defined swastikas and nooses as just “potentially divisive,” Blumenthal wrote to Noem: “Granting hate symbols like swastikas and nooses even an ounce of respectability is absolutely an anathema. This edict besmirches the Coast Guard’s honor, and DHS should be ashamed. At a time when antisemitic and racist violence are at unconscionable levels, it is absolutely appalling that DHS is doubling down on such a hateful, destructive policy.” The text of today’s letter to Noem is available here and copied below. Dear Secretary Noem, I am outraged by the Coast Guard’s new policy tolerating hate symbols and demand that you rescind it immediately. On November 20, 2025, reporting revealed that the Coast Guard would no longer classify swastikas and nooses as hate symbols.[1] Instead, those symbols would be treated as “potentially divisive” under the new policy, potentially allowing for their display. After widespread outrage and condemnation – and only after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) dismissed the reporting as “fake crap”– the Coast Guard claimed to rescind this heinous policy the next day.[2] It is now clear that the Coast Guard had no intention of backing down, and today they quietly allowed this abhorrent policy to go into effect.[3] Granting hate symbols like swastikas and nooses even an ounce of respectability is absolutely an anathema. This edict besmirches the Coast Guard’s honor, and DHS should be ashamed. At a time when antisemitic and racist violence are at unconscionabl… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-tenney-cornyn-and-larson-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-protect-rights-of-residents-in-long-term-care-facilities | Blumenthal, Tenney, Cornyn, & Larson Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Rights of Residents in Long-Term Care Facilities | 2025-12-16 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Representative Claudia Tenney (R-NY) today introduced the Essential Caregivers Act, bipartisan legislation that reaffirms and enforces the right of all residents in long-term care facilities to have in-person access to a loved one, including when visitations are restricted due to a declared emergency. U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and U.S. Representative John B. Larson (D-CT) joined Blumenthal and Tenney in introducing the Essential Caregivers Act. The bipartisan bill seeks to prevent a repeat of the prolonged isolation and lack of care that long-term care residents suffered from during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the Essential Caregivers Act ensures that in any future emergency, at least one designated essential caregiver is able to access their loved ones in a manner consistent with all applicable health and safety protocols. The bill also requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to set clear and fair guidelines for essential caregivers to enter facilities during an emergency that protect the safety of facility staff and residents. “The Essential Caregivers Act ensures that the rights of residents in long-term care facilities are protected when a future public health crisis strikes,” said Blumenthal. “By allowing at least one designated essential caregiver to have safe, in-person access to their loved ones during an emergency, our bipartisan legislation guarantees that residents in these facilities will never again have to face the isolation that far too many patients experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.” “During the COVID-19 pandemic, we experienced how dangerous and inhumane it is to isolate seniors and vulnerable patients from the people who care for them the most,” said Tenney. “Families were locked out, residents declined rapidly, and far too many suffered alone. The Essential Caregivers Act ensures that never happens again. Loved ones are not visitors. They are caregivers, advocates, and lifelines. Thi… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-castro-bicameral-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-fight-illegal-weapons-trafficking-into-latin-america-and-the-caribbean | Murphy, Kaine, Markey, Warren, And Durbin Introduce Bicameral Bill To Fight Illegal Weapons Trafficking Into Latin America And The Caribbean | 2025-12-16 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | chrismurphy | https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Tuesday led U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) in reintroducing the Americas Regional Monitoring of Arms Sales (ARMAS) Act to more effectively monitor and disrupt the trafficking of U.S. manufactured firearms throughout the Americas, which threatens domestic security and regional stability, puts American lives at risk, and hinders U.S. foreign policy goals in the Hemisphere. Companion legislation is being introduced in the House by U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro (D-Texas-20). Presently, the U.S. Department of Commerce is responsible for licensing and oversight of the sale of certain types of firearms and ammunition but does not have sufficient monitoring capability to make informed licensing decisions to keep American-made guns away from foreign bad actors. By transferring licensing and oversight power back to the U.S. Department of State, mandating an interagency strategy to track and verify the use of exported firearms, and giving Congress more oversight of export licensing, the ARMAS Act would significantly reduce the flow of U.S. firearms into Latin America and the Caribbean that drives violence and political instability throughout the region. “Every year, hundreds of thousands of American-made guns are illegally trafficked into Latin American countries. These guns are then used by cartels and gangs to commit violence and sow instability that has real consequences for us here at home. Our bill would overhaul the current system for approving firearms exports, increasing transparency and making it harder for dangerous people to get their hands on illegally trafficked guns,” said Murphy. “To ensure the safety of Americans and the security and prosperity of our hemisphere, we must ramp up our ability to stop the illegal trafficking of firearms throughout the region. This legislation can help us do that, by taking steps to make it harder for U.S. small arms exports to fall into the wrong … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/jewish-senate-democrats-statement-on-deadly-attack-on-sydneys-jewish-community-on-first-night-of-hanukkah | Jewish Senate Democrats Statement on Deadly Attack on Sydney's Jewish Community on First Night of Hanukkah | 2025-12-15 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [Washington, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal today joined Jewish members of the Senate Democratic Caucus in issuing a statement in reaction to the murder of 15 people in Sydney, Australia at a menorah lighting on the first night of Hanukkah. The statement is signed by Blumenthal, Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawai’i), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). “The Festival of Lights commemorates and celebrates the resilience of the Jewish people, our identity and heritage. As we moved into the first night of Hanukkah, that tenacity was tested once again as we mourn those murdered in Sydney during a menorah lighting. Our prayers go out to the Jewish community in Australia, whom we embrace in their terrible hour of suffering. “We are horrified by the brutality of this attack, which comes at a time when Australia has seen a terrible rise in antisemitism. The disturbing wave of antisemitism around the globe has struck anxiety and fear into the hearts of every Jewish community. Some have faced harassment, vandalism, and discrimination. Others, violence as brutal as what we saw yesterday in Sydney. “This attack is the latest reminder of the work that remains to end the scourge of hatred towards Jews. To combat this disease of antisemitism, we must summon the strength to take action against this ancient hatred, and the courage to press on in the face of such violence against Jewish people at home and abroad. “We must speak out against all discrimination, from heinous acts like today to the normalization of antisemitic rhetoric, and the attempts to blur the line between political disagreement and antisemitic hate. And we give thanks to the bravery of people like Ahmed al Ahmed, a fruit shop owner, who risked his own life on Bondi Beach to stop others from losing theirs. “May the memory of those we lost be a blessing, and may courage flow through the hearts of every Jewish family t… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-statement-on-the-13th-anniversary-of-the-shooting-at-sandy-hook | Murphy Statement On The 13th Anniversary Of The Shooting At Sandy Hook | 2025-12-14 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | chrismurphy | https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Sunday released a statement commemorating the 13th anniversary of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut. “On the 13th anniversary of the Sandy Hook shooting, I’m thinking of the families and loved ones who experienced an incomprehensible loss that day. Twenty children and six educators were senselessly murdered in a brutal act of gun violence and the community of Newtown was forever changed. Our hearts are heavy today as we remember the lives cut short and think about the young adults those kids never got to grow into. But this anniversary is also a reminder of how far our movement has come and the triumphs we’ve achieved because so many of these families took their unimaginable grief and turned it into action. Their strength helped build today’s anti-gun violence movement and after a decade of struggle, we finally had the power to pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the first federal gun safety legislation in thirty years. Since we passed that bill, gun violence rates across the country have plummeted and lives have been saved. “This is a dark moment for our country and the progress we’ve made is being threatened, but our movement gets stronger every day and we will keep fighting. We will keep fighting because we owe it to the twenty-six kids and educators we lost at Sandy Hook thirteen years ago, and to all those who have needlessly lost their lives to gun violence in this country.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/on-13th-anniversary-of-sandy-hook-shooting-murphy-responds-to-yet-another-mass-shooting-on-cnns-state-of-the-union | On 13th Anniversary Of Sandy Hook Shooting, Murphy Responds To Yet Another Mass Shooting On CNN's State of the Union | 2025-12-14 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | chrismurphy | https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Sunday joined Dana Bash on CNN’s State of the Union to discuss the horrifying shooting at Brown University that left two students dead and nine wounded. On the 13th anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting, Murphy spoke about how a mass shooting affects a community, the kinds of policies that can prevent tragedies like these from happening, and Donald Trump’s efforts to undo the progress that has been made in reducing gun violence. Murphy argued we should not accept a new normal where kids are gunned down in their classrooms, communities are left with irreparable trauma, and survivors live in constant fear of the next shooting: “What I know is that a community never, ever recovers from a shooting like this, and the trauma and the cost is not just in the lives lost. Obviously we are mourning most deeply for those that were killed and those that were wounded, hoping that there are no more fatalities. But that community in Providence won't recover. Those kids who are returning to campus, are going to be looking over their shoulder, wondering whether they are going to survive their next day in class - as kids all across America do, every single day that they show up in their classroom wondering whether they someday are going to have to flee for their lives. “We think maybe at least two of the kids at this shooting had already survived a previous shooting when they were in elementary and secondary school. That is just just not a reality that we should accept in this nation for our kids.” Murphy refuted the tired notion that stronger gun laws have a minimal effect on preventing mass shootings: “The laws do make a difference. I mean, if you look at states like Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, California that have stronger laws, we have gun violence rates, murder rates, mass shooting rates that are two to 3 to 4 times lower than states that have loose gun laws. And many of the weapons that are used in our states for gun crimes come to our sta… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-trumps-va-plan-to-eliminate-more-than-35000-health-care-jobs | Blumenthal Statement on Trump's VA Plan to Eliminate More Than 35,000 Health Care Jobs | 2025-12-13 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) today released a statement following reporting from The Washington Post detailing the Trump Administration’s plan to eliminate as many as 35,000 health care jobs at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) this month, including unfilled positions for doctors, nurses, and support staff. “VA Secretary Collins’ continued cuts to VA’s workforce are incomprehensible and inexcusable. At a time where VA has already lost more than 30,000 employees, his plan to eliminate tens of thousands of unfilled positions, including doctors and nurses, is totally unacceptable. Unfilled does not mean unnecessary— and there are no excuses for failing to fill these mission critical jobs in the first place. Removing these jobs will stretch thin a staff already struggling to meet rising workloads— leading to longer wait times and reduced access to care for veterans. Secretary Collins must be held accountable and immediately provide Congress and veterans more information around these secret plans to shrink VA’s essential workforce amid the Republican’s ongoing efforts to slash Americans’ access to health care.” VA already lost more than 30,000 employees between January and September of this year as a result of President Trump and VA Secretary Collin’s hiring freeze, deferred resignations, early retirements, and the significant number of VA staff who have quit since the Trump Administration took office in January 2025 due to draconian workforce policies. The removal of these positions would put VA at pre-PACT Act staffing levels. More than one million veterans newly enrolled in VA health care as a result of expanded eligibility under the PACT Act, and millions more have increased reliance on VA because of toxic exposed illnesses and injuries. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/12/12/2025/blumenthal-leads-senate-introduction-of-no-check-no-sale-bill-to-close-the-charleston-loophole | Blumenthal Leads Senate Introduction of "No Check, No Sale" Bill to Close the Charleston Loophole | 2025-12-12 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – This week, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) led twenty-five Senators in introducing legislation to close a current loophole that allows gun sales to proceed if a background check is not completed within a certain time period, even if the gun buyer is not legally allowed to purchase a gun. The gap in existing law has allowed thousands of gun sales to prohibited buyers, including the sale of the firearm used by the shooter in the deadly attack at Charleston’s Emanuel AME Church. U.S. Representative James E. Clyburn has introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. “This loophole is a massive gateway to dangerous evasion of the background check rules,” Blumenthal said. “If you haven’t passed a background check, you shouldn’t be able to purchase a weapon. No check, no gun. It’s really that simple.” When a criminal background check indicates that a firearm purchaser may have a criminal record, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) tries to determine whether the purchaser can legally buy a gun. If this process takes longer than 72 hours for those 21 years of age or older, or 10 days for those under 21, gun dealers can complete the sale even though there is a heightened risk that the purchaser is legally disqualified from purchasing a gun. The Background Check Completion Act would require a completed background check for every gun buyer who purchases a gun from a federally-licensed gun dealer. The Background Check Completion Act is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Chris Coons (D-DE), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/senator-blumenthal-week-in-review-12/5/2025-12/12/2025 | Senator Blumenthal: Week in Review 12/5/2025-12/12/2025 | 2025-12-12 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | Fighting Skyrocketing Healthcare Costs [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) released the statement below after Senate Republicans blocked an effort to extend tax credits under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) which will force Americans across the country to pay significantly more in health insurance premiums: “Today’s failed vote to extend healthcare subsidies for millions of American families is devastating. People die when they can’t afford health insurance. It is just wrong to force Americans already struggling with rising costs to bear the financial burden of skyrocketing premiums because Republicans won’t work with us on broader health care reforms. Today Republicans refused to stand with Americans and their families, and they’ll be held accountable.” At a hearing convened by Senate Republicans seeking to undermine the ACA, Blumenthal, Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, slammed Republicans for refusing to extend enhanced premium tax credits and working to dismantle key protections for Americans in the ACA. At the hearing, Blumenthal invited testimony from Dan Jacobs, a chef and restaurant owner from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Aaron Lehman, a fifth-generation family farmer from Polk County, Iowa, who both discussed how Republicans’ failure to extend enhanced premium tax credits will impact their families, businesses, and communities. “Anybody consuming health care knows how expensive it is. But more important than what I say here is what the reality is for American families right now—in their small businesses, like Dan Jacobs; at their farms, like Aaron Lehman; at their kitchen table, in their living rooms. Where they are going to buy health care right now, health care coverage, and they are confronting double and triple rates, and they are climbing,” Blumenthal said at the hearing. Lehman, the president of the Iowa Farmers Union, testified about the importance of the ACA for rural communities, “Our farmers have been telling us that the Afforda… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-sanders-bicameral-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-protect-kids-from-seclusion-and-forcible-restraint-in-schools | Murphy, Sanders, Bicameral Colleagues Introduce Bill To Protect Kids From Seclusion And Forcible Restraint in Schools | 2025-12-12 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | chrismurphy | https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) joined U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.) and Patti Murray (D-Wash.). in reintroducing the bipartisan Keeping All Students Safe Act to protect students from dangerous seclusion and restraint practices in school. In the House, the bill is sponsored by U.S. Representatives Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-Va.-03), Don Beyer (D-Va.-08), and Abraham Hamadeh (R-Ariz.-08). The Keeping All Students Safe Act would make it illegal for any school receiving federal taxpayer money to seclude children and ban dangerous restraint practices that restrict children’s breathing, such as prone or supine restraint. The bill would also prohibit schools from physically restraining children, except when necessary to protect the safety of students and staff. The bill would provide grants to train school personnel to address school-expected behavior with evidence-based, proactive strategies, require states to monitor the law’s implementation, and increase transparency and oversight to prevent future abuse of students. According to a yearlong investigation by Hearst Media, federal data show that incidents of restraint and seclusion occur on average at least 2,300 times per school day and impact upwards of 102,000 students each academic year. The most recent data shows that more than 50,000 public school students were restrained or secluded during the 2020-2021 school year. However, schools underreport incidents of restraint and seclusion, and there are likely many more incidents than are reflected in the data. “No kid should be locked alone in a room or forcibly restrained while at school. Yet a shocking amount of schools continue to use unnecessary force to discipline kids, particularly those with disabilities. These methods are not only ineffective, they risk traumatizing and physically harming students in need of care. Our bill will protect kids from abuse while giving teachers and staff the tools they need to address disruptive behavior to keep all students safe,” said Murphy. “It is abso… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-republican-refusal-to-address-skyrocketing-healthcare-costs | Blumenthal Statement on Republican Refusal to Address Skyrocketing Healthcare Costs | 2025-12-11 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) released the statement below after Senate Republicans blocked an effort to extend tax credits under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) which will force Americans across the country to pay significantly more in health insurance premiums: “Today’s failed vote to extend healthcare subsidies for millions of American families is devastating. People die when they can’t afford health insurance. It is just wrong to force Americans already struggling with rising costs to bear the financial burden of skyrocketing premiums because Republicans won’t work with us on broader health care reforms. Today Republicans refused to stand with Americans and their families, and they’ll be held accountable.” Connecticut residents are facing extreme and unaffordable health insurance premium increases without the extension of the Affordable Care Act tax credits. One Old Lyme resident shared that her premiums were set to go up $400 a month without the Affordable Act tax credits. Another couple in Glastonbury was quoted over $40,000 for a year of health insurance without the tax credits. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/video-icymi-iowa-farmers-union-president-wisconsin-chef-and-small-business-owner-call-for-extension-of-aca-premium-tax-credits | Video: ICYMI: Iowa Farmers Union President, Wisconsin Chef & Small Business Owner Call for Extension of ACA Premium Tax Credits | 2025-12-11 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, DC] – In case you missed it, Aaron Lehman, a fifth-generation farmer from Polk County, Iowa, and Dan Jacobs, a chef and restaurant owner from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, testified yesterday about the importance of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and called for the extension of enhanced premium tax credits for marketplace plans at a hearing in the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI). The hearing, convened by Senate Republicans before they voted to allow health care premiums to skyrocket for millions of Americans, was aimed at undermining the ACA and weakening protections for patients with marketplace plans. U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of PSI, invited Lehman and Jacobs to serve as the Minority’s witnesses for the hearing and share their stories. Lehman, the president of the Iowa Farmers Union, testified about the importance of the ACA for rural communities, “Our farmers have been telling us that the Affordable Care Act has been one of the best investments in rural health care in decades. For farming families, entrepreneurs, and employees of small businesses who don’t offer health insurance as a benefit, the ACA has expanded coverage, lowered cost, and encouraged farmers and rural residents to take more risks and make more investments on their farms and in their communities. I know this well because my family has benefited from having access to the ACA marketplace and insurance policies, and the affordability provided by the enhanced premium tax credits.” Lehman also shared his concerns about how expiring enhanced premium tax credits will make health insurance unaffordable for him and his family, “Affordable health care coverage has been a game changer. But unfortunately, my wife and I have learned that in order to keep a similar policy in 2026, our health insurance costs will more than double. This affordability issue comes at a time when farmers like me are facing enormous challenges. Trade tensions have led to lower prices for what we grow and sell, at a t… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-demands-doj-restore-funding-for-community-based-gun-violence-organizations | Murphy Demands DOJ Restore Funding For Community-based Gun Violence Organizations | 2025-12-11 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | chrismurphy | https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Thursday, December 11th sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi objecting to the Department of Justice’s changes to grant conditions for Community-Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative (CVIPI) program funding, which will exclude some community-based organizations from receiving federal funding. In 2022, Senator Murphy led a bipartisan group of lawmakers to pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) – historic gun violence prevention legislation that provided funds specifically for these life-saving organizations. In the letter, Murphy made clear that Congress intentionally appropriated funding for CVI groups: “Congress stated that CVIPI was intended to ‘[support] communities in developing comprehensive, evidence-based violence intervention and prevention programs, including efforts to address gang and gun violence, based on partnerships between community residents, law enforcement, local government agencies, and other community stakeholders.’ Since the inception of CVIPI, hundreds of millions of dollars have been allocated to community-based organizations (‘CBOs’) leading community violence intervention and prevention work, as well as state, county, and city governments.” He detailed how DOJ’s new grant conditions fail to address the reality on the ground: “Rather than center community-led efforts to utilize evidence-based approaches to prevent violence and interrupt cycles of violence in the communities that experience the highest rates of gun violence, the FY25 NOFO instead centers law enforcement priorities. While law enforcement is an important part of the public safety ecosystem, so too are community-based organizations who are able to work directly with individuals at highest risk of participating in or being victimized by gun violence and engage them in non-punitive ways; the work of these community-based organizations complements and enhances law enforcement’s efforts to reduce crime.” The Senator warned AG Bondi that cha… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-murkowski-reintroduce-bill-to-give-metastatic-breast-cancer-patients-a-fighting-chance | Murphy, Murkowski Reintroduce Bill To Give Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients A Fighting Chance | 2025-12-11 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | chrismurphy | https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Ala.) on Thursday reintroduced bipartisan legislation that would give metastatic breast cancer patients access to support and medical care well before the current law allows.The Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act would waive the five-month waiting period for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and the 24-month waiting period for Medicare benefits for eligible individuals with metastatic breast cancer. U.S. Representatives Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.-02) and Kathy Castor (D-Fla.-14) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. “Patients diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer shouldn’t have to wait months or even years to get the support they need to fight this horrible disease. Many die waiting for benefits. Our bill would get rid of these unnecessary waiting periods so patients can focus on getting the care they need as soon as they need it, without having to worry about red tape,” said Murphy. “For many women living with metastatic breast cancer, waiting five months for disability insurance or two years for Medicare coverage simply isn’t an option, they need support now,” said Murkowski. “Cancer takes an enormous toll on patients and their families, and it’s just common sense to expedite these benefits so women can access help when it’s most urgently needed. Women’s health and the fight against cancer have long been top priorities of mine, and I’m proud to partner with Senator Murphy on legislation that offers real relief to those battling this devastating disease. And to all women 40 and older, please remember to get your annual mammogram — early detection saves lives.” “Women and men with metastatic breast cancer live an average of three years after their diagnosis. These individuals—already facing enormous physical, emotional, and financial burdens— are dying while waiting for earned benefits they are entitled to under the law," said Fran Visco, president of the National Breast Cancer … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-moran-hirono-and-boozman-lead-effort-to-expand-veterans-access-to-lifesaving-breast-cancer-screenings | Blumenthal, Moran, Hirono & Boozman Lead Effort to Expand Veterans' Access to Lifesaving Breast Cancer Screenings | 2025-12-10 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Chairman Jerry Moran (R-KS) and U.S. Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and John Boozman (R-AR) introduced the Mammography Access for Veterans Act—bipartisan legislation to expand veterans’ access to lifesaving breast cancer screenings through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). “Fighting breast cancer requires early detection. It is imperative we expand VA’s capacity to conduct mammograms and ensure veterans have access to these critical screenings no matter where they live,” said Senator Blumenthal. “These screenings save lives, and are particularly important given veterans’ increased rates of cancers due to factors like toxic exposure.” “With women being the fastest-growing demographic within VA, it is essential that we prioritize services that promote their health and well-being,” said Senator Moran. “This bill makes certain that women’s health and safety remain at the forefront of VA health care and that breast cancer screenings are easily accessible for our nation’s veterans.” “Breast cancer screenings are a critical component of women’s health, yet there are many states where women veterans do not have access to this life-saving prevention tool,” said Senator Hirono. “Every veteran deserves access to the medical care and services they need, regardless of where they live, to ensure they can stay safe and healthy. This legislation is an important step in expanding VA’s ability to provide women veterans with mammography services in remote and rural areas to better promote the health and well-being of our veterans.” “We know early detection and treatment are critical to fighting breast cancer, which is growing more prevalent among younger servicemembers and veterans,” said Senator Boozman. “Permanently authorizing funding I helped champion to ensure they always have access to modern breast imaging capabilities will save and enhance lives. I am proud to help lead the bipartisan, commonsense push to ensure the… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/video-at-senate-hearing-seeking-to-undermine-aca-blumenthal-calls-out-republicans-for-refusing-to-address-higher-health-care-costs | Video: At Senate Hearing Seeking to Undermine ACA, Blumenthal Calls out Republicans for Refusing to Address Higher Health Care Costs | 2025-12-10 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, DC] – Today at a hearing convened by Senate Republicans seeking to undermine the Affordable Care Act (ACA), U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, slammed Republicans for refusing to extend enhanced premium tax credits and working to dismantle key protections for Americans in the ACA. At today’s hearing, Blumenthal invited testimony from Dan Jacobs, a chef and restaurant owner from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Aaron Lehman, a fifth-generation family farmer from Polk County, Iowa, who both discussed how Republicans’ failure to extend enhanced premium tax credits will impact their families, businesses, and communities. “Anybody consuming health care knows how expensive it is. But more important than what I say here is what the reality is for American families right now—in their small businesses, like Dan Jacobs; at their farms, like Aaron Lehman; at their kitchen table, in their living rooms. Where they are going to buy health care right now, health care coverage, and they are confronting double and triple rates, and they are climbing,” Blumenthal said at the hearing. Blumenthal continued, “It is sticker shock that is deadly. People will die. People will die if they can’t afford health insurance. So, far more important than what I say here is what the United States Senate does tomorrow. The question is whether it will extend the health care tax credits that have made insurance affordable for millions and millions of Americans—including small businesses, farmers, and others. Across the country more than 20 million Americans are facing an average premium increase of 114%—that’s doubling—as a result of the loss of these subsidies.” Blumenthal underscored the urgency for the Senate to act now and extend premium tax credits before individuals across the country are hit with higher costs, “We don’t have the luxury of time. We don’t have the leisure to delay. And I believe that we should recognize how the Affordable Care Act serves … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/video-blumenthal-speaks-on-urgent-need-for-senate-republicans-to-extend-aca-premium-tax-credits-warns-of-harm-to-veterans | Video: Blumenthal Speaks on Urgent Need for Senate Republicans to Extend ACA Premium Tax Credits, Warns of Harm to Veterans | 2025-12-10 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – At a Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing today, Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal emphasized the harmful impact failing to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits will have on veterans and their families. Recent analysis found 267,000 veterans who rely on the ACA enhanced premium tax credits will no longer be able to afford ACA marketplace coverage if these credits are not extended. Blumenthal pressed the urgency of addressing this issue ahead of a vote tomorrow on a Democratic proposal to extend ACA enhanced premium tax credits for three years before they expire at the end of the year: “…[W]e have to recognize the importance of votes that we will take tomorrow, one of them to extend the health care tax credits under the Affordable Care Act that will affect literally 267,000 veterans who rely on the ACA enhanced premium tax credits to afford health insurance. And whether you support the ACA, whether you have other views on what might be a perfect system in the long run if we had tons of time, the simple fact is we face a deadline at the end of the year when these tax credits will expire and 267,000 veterans will no longer be able to afford ACA coverage if these credits are not extended.” The Senator continued, “These are primarily veterans not eligible for Medicaid, TRICARE, or Medicare, and often not eligible to get care through VA – leaving them with ACA marketplace plans as their only option for health care coverage. The ACA isn’t perfect… but the fact of the matter is the consequences of failing to extend these tax credits will be devastating for veterans and their families. Veterans will be forced to navigate a perfect storm – an understaffed VA health care system, increased wait times for VA health care, Medicaid cuts, and the loss of affordable health insurance. They deserve better. So do millions of Americans who will be impacted by the potential failure to extend these tax credits. I hope that we approve them to the benefit of those veterans and countle… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-and-robert-garcia-receive_firsthand-accounts-of-us-citizens-assaulted-illegally-detained-by-dhs-blumenthal--robert-garcia-receive-firsthand-accounts-of-us-citizens-assaulted-illegally-detained-by-dhsblumenthal--robert-garcia-receive-firsthand-accounts-of-us-citizens-assaulted-illegally-detained-by-dhs | Blumenthal & Robert Garcia Receive Firsthand Accounts of U.S. Citizens Assaulted, Illegally Detained by DHS | 2025-12-09 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, DC] – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), and U.S. Representative Robert Garcia (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, held a bicameral public forum to receive testimony from five U.S. citizens who have experienced unconstitutional detentions by agents of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The forum will also feature a video compilation of footage showing several of today’s witnesses during their encounters with immigration agents. The following Americans shared their personal experiences being assaulted, detained, and denied their constitutional rights by DHS agents: Wilmer Chavarria (Vermont): Mr. Chavarria, a school superintendent, was detained after returning to the U.S. from visiting family overseas, interrogated for hours, and had his personal and professional devices searched without his consent. “When I held my US passport for the first time, I felt an enormous sense of pride and I was deeply inspired to give my new country the best of me, my talent, my work, and my dreams. I felt loved by my community and I believed with all my that the American Dream was me,” said Mr. Chavarria. “If the goal is to make some citizens feel like they are of a second class, with only some of the rights but not others, then they have succeeded. But I choose to believe that the pendulum will swing the other way, and that our collective disgust for these abuses will catalyze into a powerful backlash against overreach. Mr. Chavarria’s written testimony is available here. Dayanne Figueroa (Illinois): Ms. Figueroa was sideswiped while driving to work and then violently pulled from her car by DHS agents; while detained for hours, she suffered internal trauma, having recently undergone two kidney surgeries weeks before the incident, as well as injuries to her wrists from being handcuffed. “What happened to me that day was not an arrest. It was an assault and the kidnapping of a U.S.… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-releases-new-report-featuring-firsthand-accounts-of-us-citizens-assaulted-illegally-detained-by-dhs | Blumenthal Releases New Report Featuring Firsthand Accounts of U.S. Citizens Assaulted, Illegally Detained by DHS | 2025-12-09 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, DC] – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), released a report highlighting firsthand accounts of twenty-two Americans who were physically assaulted, pepper sprayed, denied medical treatment, and detained – sometimes for days – by federal immigration agents. The report contains new details of accounts that have already been made public as well as several encounters that have not been shared previously. The report, Unchecked Authority: Examining the Trump Administration’s Extrajudicial Immigration Detentions Of U.S. Citizens, was released ahead of a bicameral public forum hosted by Blumenthal and U.S. Representative Robert Garcia (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, to receive testimony from five Americans who were unconstitutionally detained by agents of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). “Americans should have a hard time recognizing our great nation in these stomach turning, heartbreaking stories of brutal assaults on our fellow citizens. Masked ICE and CBP agents chillingly seizing Americans isn’t the nation we know and cherish. Totalitarian tactics have no place in our democracy. I hope that elevating stories of abhorrent abuse will reinforce our resolve to preserve democratic rights,” said Blumenthal. DHS continues to lie about its treatment of American citizens. In October, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem falsely claimed, “[t]here’s no American citizens that have been arrested or detained” and the account @DHSgov posted just last week, “ICE does NOT arrest or deport U.S. citizens.” The report released today presents accounts from nearly two dozen Americans who spoke with PSI staff about their personal experiences with immigration agents, which frequently took place while citizens were going about their daily lives. These stories, which took place during the summer and fall of 2025 and span the United States, reveal widespread abuses and clear violations of … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/video-blumenthal-watch-these-videos-of-dhs-agents-and-ask-whether-thats-the-america-that-you-know | Video: Blumenthal: Watch These Videos of DHS Agents and "Ask Whether that's the America that You Know" | 2025-12-09 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, DC] – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), delivered an opening statement at a bicameral public forum to receive testimony (available here) from five Americans who were unconstitutionally detained by agents of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). “I call on every American to ask yourselves what it means to be an American to you and to uphold basic American values. And watch these videos, each of your arrests and many others, and ask whether that's the America that you know, the America that reflects your values and American rights,” said Blumenthal. “We're here seeking accountability. We probably need to change laws to really make the federal government accountable to people like yourselves whose rights have been violated. I know that we're going to be working on it here in the United States Senate, and you will be providing a powerful impetus to us in that work.” Blumenthal and U.S. Representative Robert Garcia (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, are hosting today’s forum as part of their ongoing inquiry into the increasing detention of U.S. citizens by federal immigration agents. Earlier today, Blumenthal released a report highlighting firsthand accounts of twenty-two Americans who were physically assaulted, pepper sprayed, denied medical treatment, and detained – sometimes for days – by federal immigration agents. The report, Unchecked Authority: Examining the Trump Administration’s Extrajudicial Immigration Detentions of U.S. Citizens, contains new details of accounts that have already been made public as well as several encounters that have not been shared previously. Video of Blumenthal’s opening statement is available here and the full text is copied below. My name is Richard Blumenthal. I'm a United States Senator from Connecticut and the Ranking Member on the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. And I am honored to welcome all of you here. Thank you f… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-and-fischers-bipartisan-resolution-to-promote-road-safety_reduce-roadside-deaths-passes-senate | Blumenthal & Fischer's Bipartisan Resolution to Promote Road Safety & Reduce Roadside Deaths Passes Senate | 2025-12-08 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – The bipartisan National Move Over Law Day Resolution led by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) passed the U.S. Senate. The resolution highlights Slow Down, Move Over laws across the country in an effort to reduce struck-by-vehicle injuries and fatalities. The resolution also recognizes and honors the important role fire and rescue personnel, emergency medical services personnel, law enforcement officers, tow truck operators, and transportation workers play in road safety. “Slow Down, Move Over saves lives. It’s the law in every state, but it needs to be amplified and elevated. Every year, failures to Slow Down and Move Over cause needless, senseless injuries and deaths to roadside workers like police, firefighters, emergency responders, tow truck operators, construction workers, and more. This resolution aims to make them safer by reminding drivers to slow down and move over,” said Blumenthal. “Our first responders and roadway emergency personnel work tirelessly to keep us safe. During a roadway emergency, the least we can do is help keep them safe by following the move over law. Slowing down and moving over a lane is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect our emergency professionals and the people they’re working to help. I’m grateful for the bipartisan support of our commonsense resolution, which will help make America’s roads safer for everyone,” said Fischer. Today, all 50 states have Slow Down, Move Over laws that direct motorists to reduce speed or change lanes for stopped emergency and maintenance vehicles. Still, many drivers are unaware of these laws, and they vary state-by-state, leading to continued roadside fatalities and injuries across the country. The resolution is endorsed by a number of organizations including the Towing and Recovery Association of America (TRAA), American Automobile Association (AAA), American Association of State Troopers, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Commercial Vehicle… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-presses-ftc-to-curb-concentration-in-dialysis-market-release-findings-of-investigation | Blumenthal Presses FTC to Curb Concentration in Dialysis Market, Release Findings of Investigation | 2025-12-08 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) is calling on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) today to ramp up its efforts to crack down on concentration in the dialysis market. Currently, just two companies, DaVita and Fresenius, control more than three-fourths of the dialysis market, which more than a half a million Americans rely on to access lifesaving kidney dialysis. In a letter, Blumenthal raised alarm over Americans’ complaints with DaVita and Fresenius: “Vulnerable Americans receiving care from DaVita and Fresenius report gravely worrisome problems: understaffed clinics, safety shortcuts, rushed treatment, and high rates of potentially life-threatening mistakes. When staff try to address their concerns through unionization, they are reportedly blocked by aggressive anti-union tactics. When physicians who serve as the medical director for a dialysis clinic try to move to a competitor or open their own clinic, they are reportedly blocked by onerous non-compete clauses. When nascent competitors develop new technology that promises to improve the care available to patients, they are bought up. And most disturbing, when patients have tried to raise awareness and advocate for themselves, they have reportedly been blackballed – denied medically necessary, life-sustaining treatment.” The Senator called on the FTC to take additional steps to respond to the market concentration in the dialysis industry: “…[G]iven the ongoing harm to dialysis patients, doctors, and other employees at these companies, more must be done.” Blumenthal concluded by requesting a briefing on the status of the Commission’s investigation of DaVita and Fresnius’ violations of antitrust laws reported in 2024, DaVita’s compliance with its final order restricting future acquisitions of dialysis clinics by the company in 2022, and any other antitrust issues the FTC may be investigating in the dialysis industry. He concluded by urging the FTC to take “…robust enforcement action to remediate issues it has identified and protect p… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-urges-usps-action-to-ensure-servicemembers-overseas-can-receive-holiday-packages | Blumenthal Urges USPS Action to Ensure Servicemembers Overseas Can Receive Holiday Packages | 2025-12-08 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [Hartford, CT] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal today wrote to the U.S. Postal Service urging swift action to establish and publicly share clear guidance about how holiday packages should be labeled and shipped to servicemembers overseas this holiday season. In a letter to Postmaster General David Steiner, Blumenthal raises the case of Boxes to Boots Connecticut which had 844 of their 1139 holiday care packages for troops overseas inexplicably returned. Additionally, more than 100 packages are simply missing. USPS has yet to locate the missing packages or provide an explanation to the organization for why the packages were returned. “It has been a time-honored tradition for families and advocates to send holiday packages to our nation’s military personnel deployed overseas. The men and women who serve our country in uniform are often away from family and friends during the holidays, and these packages have meaning and impact far beyond their contents. USPS must do right by our servicemembers by providing their families and advocates with a seamless, clear process for sending holiday packages—all of which are sent to an APO address,” Blumenthal wrote. In addition to calling on USPS to publicly disseminate clear guidance and contact information for military families and organizations who are encountering similar obstacles, Blumenthal has asked for a USPS representative to directly contact Kristen Gauvin at Boxes to Boots Connecticut to resolve their issues and ensure the organization can deliver their care packages before the holidays. A full copy of Blumenthal’s letter is available below and here: December 7, 2025 David Steiner Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer USPS 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW Washington, DC 20260-2200 Dear Mr. Steiner: I strongly urge you and the United States Postal Service (USPS) to take immediate action to ensure that our servicemembers deployed overseas are able to receive and enjoy their holiday packages. Specifically, I request that USPS establish and disseminate clear g… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-and-robert-garcia-to-hold-forum-to-receive-testimony-from-five-us-citizens-assaulted-illegally-detained-by-dhs | Blumenthal & Robert Garcia to Hold Forum to Receive Testimony from Five U.S. Citizens Assaulted, Illegally Detained by DHS | 2025-12-06 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, DC] – On Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 3 PM ET in 216 Hart Senate Office Building in Washington, DC, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, and U.S. Representative Robert Garcia (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, will hold a bicameral public forum to receive testimony from five U.S. citizens who have experienced unconstitutional detentions by agents of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS continues to lie about its treatment of American citizens. In October, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem falsely claimed, “[t]here’s no American citizens that have been arrested or detained” and the account @DHSgov posted just last week, “ICE does NOT arrest or deport U.S. citizens.” On Tuesday, the following Americans will share their personal experiences being assaulted, detained, and denied their constitutional rights by DHS agents: Wilmer Chavarria (Vermont): Mr. Chavarria, a school superintendent, was detained after returning to the U.S. from visiting family overseas, interrogated for hours, and had his personal and professional devices searched without his consent. Dayanne Figueroa (Illinois): Ms. Figueroa was sideswiped while driving to work and then violently pulled from her car by DHS agents; while detained for hours, she suffered internal trauma, having recently undergone two kidney surgeries weeks before the incident, as well as injuries to her wrists from being handcuffed. Javier Ramirez (California): Mr. Ramirez was violently assaulted by DHS agents and held for four days, where he was denied adequate treatment for diabetes, leading to severe complications. George Retes (California): Mr. Retes is a U.S. Army veteran who was violently arrested and detained during a raid at his job site in Southern California and detained for three days, during which he was refused the ability to contact his family during this time, and missed his daughter’s birthday. Andrea Velez… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-and-merkley-raise-concerns-about-fda-pilot-program-that-would-expedite-review-of-nicotine-pouches-undercut-scientific-standards | Blumenthal & Merkley Raise Concerns About FDA Pilot Program that would Expedite Review of Nicotine Pouches, Undercut Scientific Standards | 2025-12-05 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, DC] – Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) wrote to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Martin Makary, raising concerns about a recently announced pilot program at FDA that would accelerate the review of nicotine pouches like Zyn. In their letter, Blumenthal and Merkley underscored the need for thorough oversight of nicotine products, pointing to how an expedited review process could undercut scientific review standards and allow for an uptick in the use of flavored nicotine pouches among youth. U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Jack Reed (D-RI) joined Blumenthal and Merkley in seeking answers from FDA about the pilot program. “While youth use of nicotine pouches is still fairly low, it has steadily increased. Nicotine use among youth remains a serious public health concern, and appropriate oversight of nicotine pouches is needed. It is critical for FDA to avoid shortcuts that could undermine the scientific integrity of its review of these products,” the Senators wrote. The Senators highlighted public health concerns related to youth nicotine addiction, “Nicotine pouches are highly addictive and can deliver nicotine at levels similar to cigarettes. Health experts warn that nicotine is especially dangerous for youth because nicotine exposure can harm the developing brain. Adolescents’ brains are still maturing, making them more vulnerable to nicotine’s addictive properties and potentially leading to lasting physical and cognitive changes. According to the Surgeon General, nicotine exposure during this critical period can impair attention, learning, and memory, while increasing the likelihood of addiction to nicotine and other substances later in life.” “Despite these concerns, FDA has launched a pilot program to streamline the premarket review of nicotine pouch products. The accelerated timeline and possible reduced documentation requirements raise seriou… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/senator-blumenthal-week-in-review-11/28/2025-12/5/2025 | Senator Blumenthal: Week in Review 11/28/2025-12/5/2025 | 2025-12-05 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | Slamming Pete Hegseth for Putting American Servicemembers at Risk [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) ), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement in response to a report issued by the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General which found that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s use of a commercial messaging application to share classified information put U.S. personnel and their mission at risk. “This Pentagon watchdog report is shocking and repugnant, and yet another reason for Secretary Hegseth to resign or be fired. His deliberate noncooperation with the investigation— refusing to provide his cell phone or be interviewed— call for additional investigation and action. Any other Department of Defense employee would be fired, lose their security clearance, and would likely face prosecution for doing what Secretary Hegseth did.” “Hegseth clearly and severely endangered American pilots by disclosing highly sensitive classified details about a bombing mission they were about to conduct just hours later against well-armed Houthi terrorists. He revealed specifics like location of targets, time over targets and more on an unsecure, unapproved device with a commercial app— his personal cell phone on Signal. His disclosures were plainly vulnerable to hacking and other surveillance by hostile adversaries, as shown by subsequent reporting in the Atlantic.” “Hegseth’s contention that he unilaterally declassified this information fails to address the immediate serious risk he created for American military operations. This information would be immensely valuable to well-armed terrorist adversaries under imminent attack. It potentially deprived pilots of a preeminent advantage— the element of surprise.” The investigation was launched following reports that numerous members of President Trump’s cabinet and national security team – including Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of Defense Marco Rubio, then-National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, D… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-and-bynum-introduce-bicameral-junk-fee-prevention-act-to-end-unfair-surprise-costs-for-consumers | Blumenthal & Bynum Introduce Bicameral Junk Fee Prevention Act to End Unfair Surprise Costs for Consumers | 2025-12-04 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – With the holiday travel season in full swing, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Representative Janelle Bynum (D-OR) announced legislation to eliminate excessive fees in the ticketing, hotel, and entertainment industries and bring transparency to the marketplace. The Junk Fee Prevention Act would eliminate hidden and unnecessary fees imposed on consumers and require full prices of services to be provided upfront. The legislation is co-sponsored by U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (D-OH). “Concealed surprise fees are nickel and diming Americans to distraction and must be stopped. Families booking flights for the holidays are experiencing surprise sticker shock firsthand when they click to confirm their tickets and are hit with hidden excessive charges,” said Blumenthal. “Our bill will help end this price gouging and protect consumers from abusive fees. It will mandate basic common-sense fairness and transparency, which consumers rightly demand and deserve.” “Too many companies have built businesses around misleading fees that confuse consumers and drive up costs,” said Bynum. “This bill brings real accountability by requiring upfront pricing, stronger refund protections, and clear rules that put people first. I’ll always work in Congress to lower costs for Oregonians and make our economy more fair.” “Arizonans are tired of being hit with junk fees every time they book a flight, buy a concert ticket, or check into a hotel. They deserve to know the real price of services upfront,” said Gallego. “This bill puts an end to that nonsense by requiring companies to disclose pricing upfront and holding them accountable when they try to deceive consumers. I was proud to lead this bill in the House, and I’m going to keep fighting to put an end to hidden junk fees on all services.” “Hardworking people across Ohio’s 13th District should not have to shoulder deceptive fees that strain already tight budgets,” said Sykes. “This bill protects our communit… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-introduces-no-palaces-act-to-put-guardrails-on-future-white-house-construction-and-demolition | Blumenthal Introduces No Palaces Act to Put Guardrails on Future White House Construction & Demolition | 2025-12-04 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) today introduced new legislation that would put additional guardrails on the White House’s construction and demolition process. The No Palaces Act requires the Executive Office of the President to obtain National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) approval for demolition activities and gives Congress a chance to disapprove of any modifications to the White House. Blumenthal is introducing the No Palaces Act ahead of today’s scheduled NCPC meeting, where President Trump’s White House ballroom project may be discussed. “President Trump took a wrecking ball to the White House—demolishing the iconic East Wing to make way for his monstrous, multi-million-dollar ballroom,” said Blumenthal. “My No Palaces Act prevents future presidents from recklessly destroying historic sites like the East Wing without approval from the independent National Capital Planning Commission or consideration from Congress. The guardrails in this measure will ensure future presidents cannot remake the People’s House into their personal palace.” Specifically, the No Palaces Act: Explicitly includes “demolition activities” in the list of actions that would trigger National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) review; Requires the Executive Office of the President, and any agency acting on its behalf, to complete NCPC review and obtain NCPC approval before beginning any demolition/improvements; Creates a new regime through which Congress could pass a joint resolution of disapproval on NCPC-approved improvement to the White House, modeled on the Congressional Review Act; Requires congressional authorization for the use of private funds for improvements to the White House; Requires that the executive branch comply with general appropriations requirements in financing improvements to the White House; and Establishes a right of action for several well-positioned individuals and institutions, including any Member of Congress, to bring a civil action in the U.S. District Court for the Di… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-dod-ig-report-finding-hegseth-put-american-servicemembers-at-risk | Blumenthal Statement on DOD IG Report Finding Hegseth Put American Servicemembers At Risk | 2025-12-04 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement in response to a report issued by the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General which found that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s use of a commercial messaging application to share classified information put U.S. personnel and their mission at risk. The investigation was launched following reports that numerous members of President Trump’s cabinet and national security team – including Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of Defense Marco Rubio, then-National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe – discussed classified military operations over Signal in a group chat that included the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic. “This Pentagon watchdog report is shocking and repugnant, and yet another reason for Secretary Hegseth to resign or be fired. His deliberate noncooperation with the investigation— refusing to provide his cell phone or be interviewed— call for additional investigation and action. Any other Department of Defense employee would be fired, lose their security clearance, and would likely face prosecution for doing what Secretary Hegseth did.” “Hegseth clearly and severely endangered American pilots by disclosing highly sensitive classified details about a bombing mission they were about to conduct just hours later against well-armed Houthi terrorists. He revealed specifics like location of targets, time over targets and more on an unsecure, unapproved device with a commercial app— his personal cell phone on Signal. His disclosures were plainly vulnerable to hacking and other surveillance by hostile adversaries, as shown by subsequent reporting in the Atlantic.” “Hegseth’s contention that he unilaterally declassified this information fails to address the immediate serious risk he created for American military operations. This information would be immensely valuable to well-arm… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/icymi-video-in-opening-statement-at-senate-hearing-blumenthal-calls-for-designation-of-russia-as-state-sponsor-of-terrorism-slams-russias-inhumanity-in-kidnapping-ukrainian-children | ICYMI Video: In Opening Statement at Senate Hearing, Blumenthal Calls for Designation of Russia as State Sponsor of Terrorism, Slams Russia's Inhumanity in Kidnapping Ukrainian Children | 2025-12-04 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) spoke at a hearing of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs to discuss Russia’s abduction of Ukrainian children during the ongoing war. Blumenthal called out the brutality and criminality of Russia in their kidnapping of Ukrainian children and highlighted the need for his legislation with U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Katie Britt (R-AL) that designates Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism under U.S. law if they fail to return the Ukrainian children kidnapped during the course of the war. “Of all the moments in my life, of this privilege of public service, which we all have, this one will stay with me forever—talking with children about how they were declared orphans because the Russians killed their parents, or simply abducted by Russian soldiers,” said Blumenthal. “Having talked to some of these children, I think the people of the United States should know about these atrocities, war crimes, genocide, as part of a systematic, deliberate effort to indoctrinate the children of Ukraine with pro-Russian ideologies and to delegitimize and deny their national identity.” “I was proud to join you, Mr. Chairman, along with Senator Britt and Senator Klobuchar in introducing this legislation earlier this year that would designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism—part of a very exclusive club, well-earned by Russia and Vladimir Putin. I challenge my colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, to vote for this measure. And if you are in possession of an ounce of humanity, you will support this measure enthusiastically,” said Blumenthal. A video of Blumenthal’s full remarks can be found here, and a transcript is below. U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT): Thank you very much, Chairman Graham. I've been to Ukraine eight times since the beginning of this war—most of those trips, with you Mr. Chairman, some long overnight train rides. And first and fore… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/video-top-watchdog-confirms-va-mental-health-care-staffing-shortages-and-increased-wait-times-following-trump-cuts-they-are-losing-clinical-staff-because-morale-is-going-down | Video: Top Watchdog Confirms VA Mental Health Care Staffing Shortages & Increased Wait Times Following Trump Cuts: "They are Losing Clinical Staff Because Morale is Going Down" | 2025-12-04 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – At a Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing yesterday, Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal questioned witnesses on reports of significant mental health staffing shortages across the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). “Dr. Fletcher, to what extent have waiting times for mental health appointments been due to diminished staff?” asked Blumenthal. “What we’ve heard from the warriors we’ve served is they are experiencing access to care difficulties and that can create problems,” said Dr. Erin Fletcher, Warrior Care Network director for Wounded Warrior Project. The VA Office of Inspector General’s witness, Dr. Julie Kroviak, the Acting Assistant Inspector General for Healthcare Inspections, also confirmed these mental health care staffing shortages: “Yeah, we are aware of shortages in mental health providers and access to care within mental health and health in VA. That’s not unique to the VA health care system. The wait times we’re seeing in VA are also reflected in the wait times veterans are experiencing when being referred to the community.” In response, Blumenthal stressed the unique nature of VA Secretary Collins’ workforce cuts, freezes, and firings, and questioned Dr. Kroviak on if this has had an impact on recruitment and retention of VA mental health professionals: “It’s not unique but what is maybe unique, certainly unusual, to the VA health care system is it is discouraging talented mental health professionals from coming to the VA through policies of furloughs and firings, would you agree?” Dr. Kroviak stated VA OIG has received feedback from VA employees that the Department is losing in-demand clinical staff “because of morale” hits, due to uncertainty at the Trump VA: “So I will say through our cyclical reviews, where we go out to facilities not for cause, [but] to try to get a feel for culture and quality of care practices, we are getting more feedback that morale is going down because of the uncertainty within the federal government. So yes, while they aren’t participating… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-schiff-introduce-bicameral-bill-to-prevent-inexperienced-temporary-immigration-judge-appointments-close-loopholes-exploited-by-trump-administration | Murphy, Schiff Introduce Bicameral Bill To Prevent Inexperienced Temporary Immigration Judge Appointments, Close Loopholes Exploited By Trump Administration | 2025-12-03 | 2025 | 2025-12 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | chrismurphy | https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) joined U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) in introducing the Temporary Immigration Judge Integrity Act, legislation to prevent inexperienced temporary immigration judge appointments in light of the Trump administration’s abuse of loopholes in current regulations. U.S. Representative Juan Vargas (D-Calif.-52) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawai'i), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). Following the Trump administration’s mass firing of immigration judges and decision to authorize up to 600 military lawyers to serve as temporary immigration judges, the bill aims to close the loopholes the administration has been utilizing to speed up their mass deportation agenda – such as the lack of due process protections for individuals in immigration court proceedings. “By forcing a mass exodus of experienced immigration judges and replacing them with temporary judges who have no experience with immigration law, Trump has thrown our already broken system into more chaos,” said Murphy. “Our bill codifies a basic principle: immigration law judges should know immigration law. President Trump doesn’t get to exploit a crisis he created to sidestep the rule of law and push his anti-immigrant agenda.” “The Trump administration’s willingness to fire experienced immigration judges and hire inexperienced or temporary “deportation judges,” especially in places like California, has fundamentally impacted the landscape of our justice system. Given the administration’s unlawful terminations of qualified judges, and their plan to leverage the power of temporary positions to speed up their mass d… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:09:11Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-leads-colleagues-in-introducing-legislation-to-increase-social-security-benefits | Blumenthal Leads Colleagues in Introducing Legislation to Increase Social Security Benefits | 2025-11-25 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Patty Murray (D-WA) introduced legislation to expand Social Security benefits for widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses. The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment (SWIFT) Act makes necessary changes to Social Security benefit rules by addressing outdated benefit caps, arbitrary legal restrictions, and claiming requirements—resulting in increased benefits for widow(ers) and surviving divorced spouses. “The SWIFT Act corrects outdated rules and restrictions and removes barriers limiting Social Security benefits—ensuring widows, widowers, and surviving divorced spouses receive the Social Security benefits they rightfully deserve. Social Security is a lifeline for Americans, playing a critical role in their economic security and financial well-being—and yet, many individuals face burdensome hurdles and arbitrary requirements preventing them from receiving the full benefits they are owed. With this legislation, we make sure that no American is missing out on the benefits they need to live with dignity,” said Blumenthal. “Our seniors have spent a lifetime working hard and paying into Social Security, and they deserve to receive adequate benefits and retire with dignity, not spend their golden years just trying to get by,” said Gillibrand. “But outdated rules and antiquated policies mean that too many seniors, especially widowed spouses, and women disproportionately, aren’t receiving the benefits they’ve earned or being treated fairly. Our SWIFT Act will help modernize the program and strengthen benefits for our seniors.” The SWIFT Act allows widow(ers) and surviving divorced spouses with disabilities to receive 100% of the survivor benefits they are entitled to, regardless of their age, and empowers widow(er)s and surviving divorced spouses to increase their survivor benefits beyond current arbitrary caps. The legislation also expands child-in-care benefits for wido… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-and-hawley-call-for-federal-investigation-of-metas-profiting-from-scams_fraud | Blumenthal & Hawley Call for Federal Investigation of Meta's Profiting from Scams & Fraud | 2025-11-24 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – After major new reporting in Reuters revealed that Meta Platforms, Inc. (Meta) earns a significant amount of its overall annual revenue – as much as $16 billion every year – from hosting advertising for scams and banned goods on its platform, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) urged the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to “investigate and, if appropriate, bring enforcement actions against Meta for its facilitation of and profiting from criminal investment scams, fake government benefits schemes, deepfake pornography, and other fraudulent activities.” Internal documents reviewed by Reuters show that every day, Meta shows its platforms’ users an estimated 15 billion “higher risk” advertisements that show clear signs of being fraudulent – making those users vulnerable to illicit gambling, payment scams, crypto scams, AI deepfake sex services, and fake offers of federal benefits. “Meta’s central, facilitating role in scams against consumers is unprecedented: by its own employees’ assessment, Meta was involved in one-third of all successful scams in the US and was unmatched by other Big Tech platforms,” the senators wrote. The Senators also urged the agencies to take appropriate enforcement action if their investigation validates the reporting, including to “fully disgorge all profits from fraudulent advertisements, impose steep civil penalties, hold individual executives personally accountable, and seek binding terms to end this scourge on consumers, our economy, and our national security.” The full text of the Senators’ letter is available here and copied below. Dear Chairman Ferguson and Chairman Atkins, We write to urge the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to investigate and, if appropriate, bring enforcement actions against Meta for its facilitation of and profiting from criminal investment scams, fake government benefits schemes, deepfake pornography, and other fraudulent ac… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-and-reed-lead-senators-in-demanding-declassification_public-release-of-legal-memo-on-lethal-caribbean--east-pacific-airstrikes | Blumenthal & Reed Lead Senators in Demanding Declassification & Public Release of Legal Memo on Lethal Caribbean & East Pacific Airstrikes | 2025-11-24 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, led the Democratic members of the Senate Armed Services Committee in writing Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth requesting the declassification and public release of the Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) written opinion on the Trump Administration’s lethal airstrikes in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. “Few decisions are more consequential for a democracy than the use of lethal force. We therefore believe that the declassification and public release of this important document would enhance transparency in the use of deadly force by our Nation’s military and is necessary to ensure Congress and the American people are fully informed of the legal justification supporting these strikes,” the Senators wrote. In addition to Blumenthal and Reed, today’s letter was signed by U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Angus King (I-ME), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI). Members of the Senate Committee on Armed Services were finally allowed to review the Trump Administration’s classified OLC opinion in a closed setting last week. To date, the Trump Administration has carried out 21 unauthorized military strikes – primarily off the coast of Venezuela – that have killed 83 people. The full text of the Senators’ letter is available here and copied below. Dear Attorney General Bondi and Secretary Hegseth: We are writing to request expeditious declassification and public release of the Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel’s written opinion, dated September 5, 2025, concerning the domestic and international legal basis for recent military strikes of certain vessels near South America and the Caribbean, with appropriate redactions necessary to prote… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-and-swalwell-introduce-legislation-to-ease-burden-of-student-loan-debt-on-teachers-police-officers_other-public-servants | Blumenthal & Swalwell Introduce Legislation to Ease Burden of Student Loan Debt on Teachers, Police Officers, & Other Public Servants | 2025-11-24 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, DC] – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell (D-CA) announced the introduction of the Strengthening Loan Forgiveness for Public Service Workers Act, legislation to amend the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) to provide meaningful and timely student debt relief to teachers, police officers, public health workers, and others who dedicate their careers to public service. “Our measure helps reduce the immense weight of student loan debt on our nation’s dedicated public servants,” said Blumenthal. “By expanding student loan forgiveness to the teachers, police officers, and public health workers who make sacrifices for our communities every day, the Strengthening Loan Forgiveness for Public Service Workers Act repays a debt of gratitude to public servants across the country.” “If we want the best and brightest serving our communities, we need to make public service a realistic, sustainable career—not a financial sacrifice,” said Swalwell. “Right now, too many teachers, police officers, public health workers, and other public servants are being forced to choose between serving their community and paying off crushing student debt. That’s unacceptable. The Strengthening Loan Forgiveness for Public Service Workers Act will ensure public service is a pathway to opportunity, not a financial dead end. This bill expands and strengthens loan forgiveness so that the people we rely on every day can build a future for themselves while serving others. Supporting public servants isn’t charity, it’s an investment in our country.” The Strengthening Loan Forgiveness for Public Service Workers Act amends PSLF and eliminates uncertainty for borrowers. The legislation allows borrowers to receive forgiveness for their loans in qualifying intervals, further incentivizing individuals to pursue careers in public service. The legislation is cosponsored in the Senate by U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-VT), Ben Ray Luján (D-VT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tina Smith (D-MN), and El… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-and-takano-press-va-secretary-collins-to-immediately-increase-funding-for-critical-program-housing-homeless-veterans | Blumenthal & Takano Press VA Secretary Collins to Immediately Increase Funding for Critical Program Housing Homeless Veterans | 2025-11-24 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-CA) are pressing Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins to immediately increase reimbursement rates for organizations housing and providing critical resources for more than 25,000 homeless veterans. In a letter, the lawmakers called out Secretary Collins for failing to comply with a law that ordered increasing these critical funds: “In January, Congress directed the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to increase the reimbursement for organizations serving homeless veterans through the Grant and Per Diem (GPD) program. For months, the Department has provided assurances that this bipartisan priority would be implemented as soon as possible. Now, nearly a year later, you continue to withhold these critical funds and undercut the very lifeline that supports nearly 25,000 veterans in their greatest time of need.” Nearly one year after Congress directed increases to the Grant & Per Diem (GPD) program, community organizations are still being reimbursed at rates that fall well below what the law directs and far short of what they need to serve homeless veterans. The GPD program is one of VA’s central homelessness initiatives, providing grants to community-based nonprofits that deliver transitional housing, case management, and supportive services that help veterans regain stability and move toward permanent housing. The lawmakers emphasized the harmful impact of Collins’ failure to increase the reimbursement rates: “This legislative language is the result of years of calls from VA and homeless advocacy groups to raise the per diem rate to more adequately reimburse providers for the services they deliver to veterans. Failure to exercise this authority is a betrayal to Congress, community service providers, and homeless veterans, and failure to exercise this authority will move us further from the goal we share to end veteran homelessnes… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-and-peters-launch-inquiry-into-trump-staffer-paul-ingrassias-interference-in-federal-investigation-of-andrew_tristian-tate | Blumenthal & Peters Launch Inquiry into Trump Staffer Paul Ingrassia's Interference in Federal Investigation of Andrew & Tristan Tate | 2025-11-21 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, and Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, yesterday launched an inquiry into Trump staffer Paul Ingrassia’s interference in a federal investigation of alleged rapists and human traffickers Andrew and Tristian Tate. This week, ProPublica reported that Ingrassia, while serving as White House liaison to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), personally intervened in a federal investigation of the Tates, who are facing multiple criminal and civil charges of sex trafficking and rape in three different countries. In letters sent to White House Chief of Staff Susan Wiles, White House Counsel David Warrington, and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, Blumenthal and Peters requested all records and communications regarding Ingrassia’s actions. In a letter to DHS Inspector General Joseph Cuffari, Blumenthal and Peters called for the Office of the Inspector General to open an investigation into Ingrassia’s conduct and whether his interference in the Tate investigation occurred at the direction of the White House. “After Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized the Tate brothers’ electronic devices upon their February 2025 arrival in the United States, Mr. Ingrassia reportedly reprimanded DHS officials for doing so and directed them to return the devices to them. Mr. Ingrassia reportedly made clear to the DHS officials that this demand was coming directly from the White House,” the Senators wrote to Wiles and Warrington. The Senators raised concerns about Ingrassia’s preexisting relationship with the Tate brothers: “Mr. Ingrassia’s alleged actions in this case constitute a brazen interference with a federal investigation in an apparent attempt to provide favorable treatment to individuals with whom he has a preexisting relationship. Prior to joining the Administration, Mr. Ingrassia had been a member of the legal team represen… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/senator-blumenthal-week-in-review-11/14/2025-11/21/2025 | Senator Blumenthal: Week in Review 11/14/2025-11/21/2025 | 2025-11-21 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | Sounding the Alarm on the Trump Administration’s Looming Hunger Crisis [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) joined advocates in Hartford to sound the alarm on a historic 20 percent cut to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that will cause millions of Americans to lose access to fresh food. Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” reduced funding for SNAP by $186 billion—a 20 percent cut and the largest reduction in the history of the program. The bill also imposed strict work requirements that disproportionally impact vulnerable participants like seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, individuals experiencing homelessness and more without improving employment outcomes. Millions of recipients are expected to lose their benefits or see reduced benefits because of these changes. “This economic perfect storm is going to create more need, not less, for programs that address hunger in America,” Blumenthal said. “And right now the Administration is shredding that safety that exists for families and children across East Hartford, Connecticut, and the country.” Blumenthal further slammed the Trump Administration for threatening access to food for millions of Americans on Twitter/X. “The President plans to deprive millions of families of SNAP benefits while increasing the financial burden on states by hundreds of millions of dollars. Trump & Republicans are shredding the hunger safety net & making sure kids go without the food they need,” wrote Blumenthal on Twitter/X. During a Nominations Hearing of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Blumenthal pressed John Walk, nominee to be Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, on the Trump Administration’s plans to have every recipient of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) reapply for benefits as a “fraud prevention measure.” States are already required to reconfirm eligibility every 6-12 months. This costly move would simply add unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles for hardwork… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ahead-of-senate-vote-murphy-blumenthal-connecticut-families-demand-extension-of-aca-tax-credits | Ahead of Senate Vote, Murphy, Blumenthal, Connecticut Families Demand Extension of ACA Tax Credits | 2025-11-21 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | chrismurphy | https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | HARTFORD—Today, U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) joined Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam, Ken Barela, President and CEO of the Hispanic Health Council, James Michel, CEO of Access Health CT, Connecticut’s health insurance marketplace, and Connecticut residents in a press conference to spotlight the urgent need to extend Affordable Care Act premium subsidies before Connecticut families receiving subsidies will be forced to pay, on average, $6,212.40 more per year for their health care in 2026. After Republicans refused to address the health care catastrophe they created during the government shutdown, Senators Murphy and Blumenthal gathered with constituents and health experts in Connecticut to highlight the stakes of this crisis and demand Republicans join with Democrats to extend the subsidies when the Senate takes up the issue in December. Find excerpts of the press conference remarks below: Senator Murphy emphasized his commitment to fight for Connecticut residents, and Americans across the country, who face skyrocketing health care premiums – or outright loss of the their health coverage - in 2026, demanding Republicans come to the table to deliver a solution to the health care crisis they created: “There's about 20 million Americans right now who are on Affordable Care Act plans, and when these subsidies end on January 1, there is going to be a massive increase in premiums for people all across this country. In Connecticut, the average individual who's on an ACA plan will see a $6,000 increase in their premiums. There are many people here in Connecticut who will see a $25,000 increase in their premiums. Obviously, most middle and low-income people in Connecticut do not have $6,000 lying around under the mattress, and so when these premiums go up on January 1, the first consequence is that millions of people all across this country are just going to lose their health insurance. Probably the biggest decrease in health insurance rates in the last 20 years…There will be a… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-kaine-bicameral-colleagues-urge-trump-administration-to-restore-ban-on-non-compete-clauses | Murphy, Kaine, Bicameral Colleagues Urge Trump Administration To Restore Ban On Non-Compete Clauses | 2025-11-21 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | chrismurphy | https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON–U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.), alongside U.S. Representatives Scott Peters (D-Calif.-50), and Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.-02), and 12 other Senate and House members, sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman Andrew Ferguson regarding the Administration’s recent decision not to continue defending the federal rule banning non-compete clauses. This comes after the Department of Justice announced that it would no longer defend the FTC’s 2024 rule banning non-compete clauses in appeals courts. “Non-compete clauses hurt workers across all income levels,” the members wrote. “Non-competes suppress wages and lower job quality by depriving workers of bargaining leverage and trapping them in bad or lower-paying jobs. The FTC estimated that its ban on non-compete clauses would increase workers' earnings by approximately $400 billion over the next decade.” The letter also outlines how non-competes curtail wages, restrict worker mobility, raise consumer costs—especially in health care—and limit entrepreneurship and small-business growth. The members continued, urging the Administration to work with Congress to pass legislation to ban non-compete clauses: “In the absence of an administrative effort to ban non-compete clauses, we urge the Administration to work with Congress to pass legislation to ban non-compete clauses. In 2024, current Chairman Ferguson and Commissioner Holyoak stated in their dissent that the FTC lacked statutory authority to issue a rule banning non-competes. A legislative ban on most noncompete clauses would resolve that concern while increasing workers' wages, lowering costs for consumers, supporting small businesses, and spurring economic growth.” Last year, Murphy and Peters sent a letter urging the FTC to finalize a Biden-era rule to ban non-compete agreements. Earlier this year, Murphy reintroduced the bipartisan, bicameral Workforce Mobility Act, which would protect American workers by prohibiting employers’… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-leads-45-senators-to-reintroduce-background-check-expansion-act | Murphy Leads 45 Senators To Reintroduce Background Check Expansion Act | 2025-11-21 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | chrismurphy | https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), alongside Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), led 45 senators in reintroducing the Background Check Expansion Act to expand federal background checks to all gun sales. Although more than 90 percent of Americans support comprehensive background checks, under current federal law, unlicensed or private sellers are not required to conduct a background check prior to transferring a firearm. Research indicates that as many as a quarter of all gun sales in the United States may occur without a background check. U.S. Representatives Mike Thompson (D-Calif.-4) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.-1) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Background Check Expansion Act will require background checks for the sale or transfer of all firearms. This requirement extends to all unlicensed sellers, whether they do business online, at gun shows, or out of their home. Exceptions to the Background Check Expansion Act include transfers between law enforcement officers, temporarily loaning firearms for hunting and sporting events, providing firearms as gifts to immediate family members, transferring a firearm as part of an inheritance, or temporarily transferring a firearm for immediate self-defense. “Nearly 90 percent of Americans – including the overwhelming majority of gun owners – support universal background checks,” said Murphy. “It’s just common sense that somebody who can’t pass a background check shouldn’t be able to buy a deadly firearm. As Trump endangers lives by getting rid of successful, bipartisan programs that brought down gun violence rates, we’re working to keep guns away from violent criminals and make communities safer.” “A few years ago, the Senate proved we could enact commonsense gun reform with the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. But we must go further,” said Leader Schumer. “A vast majority of Americans support background checks, and… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-joins-colleagues-in-demanding-trump-administration-stop-stalling-toxic-chemical-cleanups-protect-military-families-and-nearby-communities | Blumenthal Joins Colleagues in Demanding Trump Administration Stop Stalling Toxic Chemical Cleanups, Protect Military Families & Nearby Communities | 2025-11-20 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [Hartford, CT] – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) joined 27 of his Democratic Senate colleagues in demanding that the Trump administration reverse its decision to delay the cleanup of toxic chemicals at military installations across the country, including the Bradley Air National Guard Base in Windsor Locks, and take action to protect military families and nearby communities by addressing contamination at the affected sites. In a letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, the senators called on the Trump administration to immediately restore the previous timetable for remediating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination at U.S. military bases and to reverse plans that would further delay long-overdue cleanups. “For years, communities contaminated by PFAS from nearby DOD installations in our states have waited for the DOD to take action. We request that the Department reverse its decision, return to the previous timetable released in December 2024, and accelerate efforts to remediate confirmed PFAS contamination,” the senators wrote. At least 700 military sites in the United States are known or suspected to have PFAS contamination from DOD activities. DOD’s delayed timetable would postpone cleanup efforts at approximately 150 of them, in some cases for nearly a decade. Specifically, DOD pushed back the time frame of the Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) phase for these bases, which involves collecting detailed information on the nature and extent of the PFAS contamination and conducting a study to evaluate potential options for cleanup. PFAS chemicals are widespread contaminants found in many industrial applications and especially around U.S. military installations. PFAS exposure is linked to an array of health problems, including various cancers, reduced immune function, reproductive challenges, birth defects, thyroid issues, and more. The use of PFAS-containing firefighting foam at Department of Defense (DOD) facilities, and the subsequent stormwater runoff, i… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/icymi-video-blumenthal-questions-trump-administration-nominee-on-unnecessary-wasteful-snap-reapplication-plan | ICYMI Video: Blumenthal Questions Trump Administration Nominee on Unnecessary, Wasteful SNAP Reapplication Plan | 2025-11-20 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) pressed John Walk, nominee to be Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, on the Trump Administration’s plans to have every recipient of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) reapply for benefits as a “fraud prevention measure.” States are already required to reconfirm eligibility every 6-12 months. This costly move would simply add unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles for hardworking families to access food assistance. As the Trump Administration continues to attack SNAP and attempts to kick eligible recipients off the highly effective and successful program reducing hunger, Walk confirmed that there is no legal requirement forcing recipients to reapply for SNAP benefits. “Mr. Walk, we were talking, or you were talking to the Chairman about the SNAP program. And we understand, or we’ve heard, that the Secretary of Agriculture has said that there has to be reapplication on the part of all current SNAP recipients now. There is no legal requirement that all of the current SNAP beneficiaries reapply as though they hadn’t been receiving SNAP benefits, is there?” questioned Blumenthal. “Sir, my understanding is that there is a requirement for recertification but in terms of taking folks off unless they reapply, I do not know that there is a requirement for that,” answered Walk. “There is none, correct?” pressed Blumenthal. “Not that I am aware of,” Walk confirmed. Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” reduced funding for SNAP by $186 billion—a 20 percent cut and the largest reduction in the history of the program. The bill also imposed strict work requirements that will disproportionally impact vulnerable participants like seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, individuals experiencing homelessness and more without improving employment outcomes. Millions of recipients are expected to lose their benefits or see reduced benefits because of these changes. The Trump Administration’s plans to have recipients … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-and-ramirez-lead-legislative-push-to-protect-va-worker-rights | Blumenthal & Ramirez Lead Legislative Push to Protect VA Worker Rights | 2025-11-19 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Continuing their efforts to protect the rights of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member, and U.S. Representative Delia Ramirez (D-IL), House Veterans’ Affairs Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Ranking Member, introduced the Right to Representation for VA Workers Act—legislation to restore VA employees’ right to have their choice of representation in inquiries with other Department staff that could lead to disciplinary action. Blumenthal and Ramirez have heard from various unions and VA employees that Trump VA officials no longer allow employees have the right to choose their own representation in investigation meetings. “VA workers deserve to be represented by someone of their choice—a right that must be guaranteed by statute because the VA is routinely denying it in practice. It’s part of Secretary Collins’ assault on VA worker rights, including an illegal ban on collective bargaining. Ultimately, it harms care and benefits for veterans, and it must be stopped,” said Senator Blumenthal. “VA employees are essential to ensuring the VA effectively serves veterans and meets its mission. Protecting VA employees and their rights ensures we retain the workforce that delivers on the promises we made to our veterans as a nation,” said Congresswoman Ramirez. “As the Trump administration doubles down on their attacks on federal workers, we must reaffirm every worker's right to a voice in decisions that affect their work and to be protected from actions that would jeopardize their rights, safety, and dignity. I am proud to work with Senator Blumenthal on legislation that will defend workers' rights.” The Weingarten right has been a long-held principle previously protected through collective bargaining agreements. Since the Trump Administration’s cancellation of union contracts, this right has consistently been infringed upon at VA for employees across the nation. The Right to Representation fo… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-warren-and-schiff-demand-answers-from-trump-fundraiser_lobbyists-solicitating-hundreds-of-millions-in-private-donations-for-white-house-ballroom-project | Blumenthal, Warren, & Schiff Demand Answers from Trump Fundraiser & Lobbyists Solicitating Hundreds of Millions in Private Donations for White House Ballroom Project | 2025-11-19 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Adam Schiff (D-CA) this week wrote to the leading fundraiser and lobbyists working to coordinate private donations for President Trump’s multi-million-dollar White House ballroom project. According to recent reporting, Meredith O’Rourke, the Trump campaign’s lead finance operative, is coordinating with lobbyists with close ties to the Trump Administration to solicit donations for the ballroom from major corporations, Big Tech companies, and billionaires with interests before the Administration. Blumenthal, Warren, and Schiff are demanding answers from O’Rourke and the lobbyists she is working with about how the fundraising is being organized and coordinated, how donors are being identified and solicited, and what promises may have been or may yet be made in exchange for these substantial contributions. “Soliciting hundreds of millions of dollars in private donations to build a White House ballroom bearing the president’s name raises questions that Americans deserve to have answered. Many of the donors to the project have deep financial, business, or other personal interests before the Administration,” the Senators wrote. The Senators continued, “Indeed, a recent report revealed that more than half of the Trump Ballroom donors are facing, or have recently faced, enforcement actions from the federal government and that ballroom donors have received more than $279 billion in federal contracts in the last five years. And, another report found that two-thirds of the corporate ballroom funders are represented by one of the three lobbying firms identified as coordinating the ballroom funding.” Blumenthal has written to each of the reported donors to the White House ballroom project as well as donors previously kept secret by the White House to seek information about the terms of their donations and any potential deals made in exchange for contributions. The full text of the letter sent to O’Rourke is available here and below. Si… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-and-robert-garcia-demand-noem-provide-information-on-cbp_ices-detention-of-us-citizens | Blumenthal & Robert Garcia Demand Noem Provide Information on CBP & ICE's Detention of U.S. Citizens | 2025-11-18 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, and U.S. Representative Robert Garcia (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, wrote Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) refused to provide information on the number of U.S. citizens who have been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). In an interview on October 30, Noem stated that “[t]here’s no American citizens that have been arrested or detained.” This statement has been repeatedly disproven by public reporting; and, in fact, Noem was present at an immigration raid in Illinois where two U.S. citizens were detained. “Your false statement denying that any detentions of U.S. citizens have occurred makes your failure to provide any of the information requested by our inquiry particularly concerning,” the members wrote. “This failure also goes against your own commitments at the time of your confirmation to work with Congress. We expect not only a full response to our request, but that DHS begin tracking comprehensive information on how many U.S. citizens it detains—for any period of time and for whatever reason—and provide updates to our committees on a regular basis.” On October 20, Blumenthal and Garcia opened an inquiry into the increasing detention of U.S. citizens by federal immigration agents. In a letter to Noem, Blumenthal and Garcia demanded information and records from the agency following increasingly frequent reports of unconstitutional detentions of U.S. citizens by agents of ICE and CBP, often using disproportionate force. The full text of Blumenthal and Garcia’s letter to Noem on October 20 letter is available here. The full text of the November 17 letter to Noem is available here and copied below. Dear Secretary Noem: On October 20, 2025, we wrote to you regarding the disturbing and increasingly frequent reports of uncon… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-warren-continue-ethics-investigation-related-to-trumps-envoy-to-the-middle-east | Murphy, Warren Continue Ethics Investigation Related to Trump’s Envoy to the Middle East | 2025-11-18 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | chrismurphy | https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) today announced a continuation of their ethics investigation into U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, and wrote to The White House and Office of Government Ethics (OGE) pushing for answers about inconsistencies in Witkoff’s ethics disclosure forms and concerns related to a deal that gives the United Arab Emirates (UAE) enormous power to acquire U.S.-made A.I. chips. The new letter continuing the investigation is vital “(g)iven the sensitive nature of Mr. Witkoff’s role and the scale of his conflicts.” Before his appointment to the role of Special Envoy, Witkoff partnered with the Trump family to launch World Liberty Financial (WLF), a cryptocurrency company. Later, as Special Envoy, Witkoff reportedly advocated to advance an export deal to send the world’s most advanced A.I. chips to the UAE — a deal which was previously stalled due to national security concerns. Around the same time the deal was approved, a UAE government-backed firm “effectively handed World Liberty a $2 billion bank deposit” by investing $2 billion in WLF’s stablecoin. “(This deal) appears to have aided a foreign power’s effort to acquire U.S. technology with serious economic and national security implications — and he potentially did so in exchange for his personal financial benefit,” wrote the senators. Witkoff’s financial disclosure forms raise several issues, including that no agency ethics officials have signed the form or indicated that he is in compliance with ethics laws and regulations. Witkoff’s form also lists June 30, 2025 as the date of his appointment as Assistant to the President and Special Envoy for Peace Missions and states that he held no other federal positions before filing his disclosure form. However, as early as January and February 2025, he was working in an official capacity, representing the Trump administration in high-level meetings in Saudi Arabia, announcing official travel to Gaza under the President’s orders, an… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/murphy-democrats-must-draw-firm-moral-line-in-the-sand | Murphy: Democrats Must Draw Firm Moral Line In The Sand | 2025-11-16 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | chrismurphy | https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Sunday appeared on ABC’s This Week to hammer Trump’s lawlessness and corruption: from obstructing the release of the Epstein files to doing nothing to stop the disaster American families face once ACA premium subsidies expire at the end of the year. With stakes this high, Sen. Murphy made clear Democrats must draw a firm moral line for the survival of our democracy. Murphy implored Senate Republicans to follow the House’s bipartisan lead in taking up a vote to release the Epstein files this week: “John Thune should bring that vote to the Senate floor as soon as it passes the House of Representatives. It's true that Donald Trump is trying to cover up for, I think, a host of really powerful and rich people, but he's frankly, not that selfless. He wouldn't be going through all of this effort to try to stop the release of these files, if he wasn't seriously implicated in those files. This is most likely the biggest corruption scandal in the history of the country. We know that, because Donald Trump is going to these extraordinary lengths to stop these files from coming out. The Senate should take this vote. I think it will be likely another big bipartisan vote, and I'm grateful to our House colleagues for sending it our way.” Murphy emphasized that while he didn’t support the deal to re-open the government, his fight to protect Americans from catastrophic premium increases is not over: “I thought it was a mistake for Democrats to give up what was real political advantage coming off the elections, that could have allowed us to reduce these premiums. In the end, I thought we had a real shot to get a continuing resolution passed that would have lowered prices for people. And I also worry that by capitulating, we have empowered Donald Trump, that Donald Trump is going to act even more brazenly and more lawlessly in the future because of how this vote turned out. Now, what did we get? We got a commitment for a vote in December on the cancellation or the postponement of t… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-murkowski-schumer-and-ramirez-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-restore-va-employees-collective-bargaining-rights | Blumenthal, Murkowski, Schumer & Ramirez Introduce Bipartisan Bill to restore VA Employees' Collective Bargaining Rights | 2025-11-14 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY), and U.S. Representative Delia Ramirez (D-IL), House Veterans’ Affairs Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Ranking Member, introduced bipartisan legislation to restore and protect Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees’ collective bargaining rights in response to the Trump Administration’s cancellation of union contracts for 80% of VA employees. “We must erase Trump’s unlawful executive orders restricting VA workers’ rights to collective bargaining,” said Ranking Member Blumenthal. “VA worker rights are essential to imposing proper oversight and scrutiny and providing veterans the care and compensation they deserve. As this Administration broadly cuts federal employees and their pay, collective bargaining rights are more important than ever.” “Our country made a promise to care for those who have served — and that promise is upheld by ensuring that our Veterans Affairs workforce is able to provide the best possible care to our former servicemembers. That includes upholding their right to collectively bargain so they have access to working conditions that allow them to focus on supporting our veterans,” said Senator Murkowski. “This legislation will defend those who speak up about waste, fraud, and abuse within the Department. When we protect this workforce, we protect veterans’ access to the high-quality care and benefits they’ve earned.” “Earlier this year, the Trump administration implemented a cruel, anti-vet, and anti-worker order that compromised the health and livelihood of our nation’s veterans,” said Leader Schumer. “We now must fight for our VA workforce – many of whom are veterans themselves – and make sure that we defend their right to collective bargaining. Despite what the Trump administration might espouse, strong unions protect workers, promote excellent customer service, and prevent high turnover. Our… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-slams-trump-administration-for-backtracking-on-consumer-protections-for-the-flying-public | Blumenthal Slams Trump Administration for Backtracking on Consumer Protections for the Flying Public | 2025-11-14 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) today issued the below statement slamming the Trump Administration for formally withdrawing from proposed rulemaking under the Biden Administration that would have required airlines to compensate passengers for flight cancellations or delays within carriers’ control: “The Trump Administration withdrawing this commonsense proposal that protects and compensates passengers makes their priorities clear. Their aim is to pad the pocketbooks of the airline industry—not help consumers caught up in the chaos of air travel when their plans are upended by flight delays and cancellations.” As the author of the Airline Passengers’ Bill of Rights, Blumenthal has pushed to ensure that airlines provide passengers with fair compensation, refunds, and recourse in the event of airline-caused flight delays and cancellations. His comprehensive legislation would require airlines to pay at least $1,350 to passengers denied boarding as a result of an oversold flight and mandate airlines to immediately refund bag fees for damaged or lost bags. Blumenthal has also repeatedly called for enhanced consumer protections for travelers who are eligible for airline ticket refunds. Most recently, Blumenthal joined his Democratic colleagues in writing to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to encourage the Department to reverse its decision to roll back and weaken regulations that would ensure passengers receive fair compensation for travel disruptions. -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/senator-blumenthal-week-in-review-11/7/2025-11/14/2025 | Senator Blumenthal: Week in Review 11/7/2025-11/14/2025 | 2025-11-14 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | Voting Against Stopgap Funding with No Support for Health Care Costs [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) released the following statement after voting against a stopgap spending measure that does not address rising health insurance costs: “My position has always been: no affordable healthcare, no deal. I am unwilling to accept a vague promise for a vote at an indefinite time on an indeterminate bill. Millions of Americans and tens of thousands in Connecticut are forced to make impossible choices right now about what health insurance they can afford. The urgency of this moment demands action now to reduce health insurance costs.” Honoring Veterans Day by Fighting for Veterans’ Health Care Blumenthal honored our nation’s veterans and thanked them for their dedication to our country on Twitter/X. Blumenthal attended Veterans Day ceremonies across Connecticut, including in Derby, New Haven, and Middletown. “On Veterans Day, we honor our nation’s heroes for their service & sacrifice. Their unyielding courage & strength always inspire us. Today & every day, we must recommit to providing the support, care & benefits they’ve earned & deserve,” wrote Blumenthal on Twitter/X. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Blumenthal demanded answers from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins on data showing Connecticut veterans are experiencing longer wait times for critical mental health care at VA clinics across the state. “Veterans seeking care for mental health conditions—many of whom have urgent and acute needs—deserve timely access to treatment with the highly qualified providers at VA who have unique knowledge and experience working with veterans and coordinating the wide variety of related services available exclusively through VA. The reports of significant delays are deeply troubling and raise urgent questions about the Department’s management of mental health access,” wrote Blumenthal in a letter to VA Secretary Collins. Blumenthal continued pressing Collin… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-blumenthal-call-on-starbucks-ceo-to-stop-union-busting-and-negotiate-a-fair-contract | Murphy, Blumenthal Call On Starbucks CEO to Stop Union-Busting and Negotiate a Fair Contract | 2025-11-14 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | chrismurphy | https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) joined their colleagues in a letter to Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol demanding that the multibillion-dollar corporation stop its illegal union-busting campaign and negotiate a fair contract with its workers. The Starbucks Workers United union represents more than 12,000 workers at about 550 stores nationwide, and 92% of unionized Starbucks workers voted to authorize a nationwide strike this week. Both Murphy and Blumenthal have previously joined striking Starbucks workers in Connecticut to support their fight for a fair contract negotiation. Murphy also confronted former Starbucks CEO Howard Schulz on Starbucks’ egregious record of violating federal labor laws during a Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing in the U.S. Senate. “We are writing to express concern regarding Starbucks’ failure to reach a fair first contract with its baristas. Additionally, we have heard of a troubling return to union busting, which has impeded the ability of Starbucks workers—many of whom are our constituents—to exercise their statutory and constitutional right to organize,” began the lawmakers. Since workers began organizing, Starbucks has waged an aggressive and illegal anti-union campaign. The company has been found guilty of more than 500 labor law violations and has been accused of 125 new allegations of union-busting since January of this year. Last year, Starbucks and its workers made progress toward a fair contract, reaching 33 tentative agreements on key issues such as health and safety and protections against unfair firing and discipline. But after Niccol took over as CEO in September 2024, the company abruptly halted negotiations and walked away from the bargaining table. “We are troubled by reports that since you started your role as CEO in September 2024, the company has failed to put forward a serious economic proposal, backtracking on the previously … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-raises-alarm-over-increasing-wait-times-for-connecticut-veterans-seeking-mental-health-care | Blumenthal Raises Alarm Over Increasing Wait Times for Connecticut Veterans Seeking Mental Health Care | 2025-11-13 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) is demanding answers from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins on data showing Connecticut veterans are experiencing longer wait times for critical mental health care at VA clinics across the state. “Veterans seeking care for mental health conditions—many of whom have urgent and acute needs—deserve timely access to treatment with the highly qualified providers at VA who have unique knowledge and experience working with veterans and coordinating the wide variety of related services available exclusively through VA. The reports of significant delays are deeply troubling and raise urgent questions about the Department’s management of mental health access,” wrote Blumenthal in a letter to VA Secretary Collins. Blumenthal continued pressing Collins: “My staff has heard reports from veterans and their families who have been forced to wait weeks or even months for an initial mental health appointment. Such delays are not only inconsistent with VA’s stated access-to-care standards but also pose serious risks to the health and safety of those who served our nation.” After speaking with Connecticut veterans and advocates who raised concerns about long wait times and collecting data directly from VA’s website, the Senate Veterans Affairs’ Committee Minority staff have found serious delays in care. It is especially critical for veterans to be able to access this care at VA facilities, which have providers with unique knowledge and experience working with veterans and coordinating the wide variety of related services available exclusively through VA. The Senator cited evidence, based on VA’s own wait-time data (available HERE), signaling unacceptable wait times for Connecticut veterans seeking mental health care at the following facilities: Orange VA Clinic—average wait time greater than 100 days for a new patient mental health appointment since May 2025; Willimantic VA Clinic—average wait times over 100… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-blumenthal-join-entire-senate-democratic-caucus-in-demanding-answers-from-trump-admin-on-new-review-of-mifepristone-despite-decades-of-evidence-proving-its-safety-and-efficacy | Murphy, Blumenthal Join Entire Senate Democratic Caucus In Demanding Answers From Trump Admin On New “Review” Of Mifepristone Despite Decades Of Evidence Proving Its Safety & Efficacy | 2025-11-13 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | chrismurphy | https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) joined the entire Senate Democratic caucus in a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Marty Makary expressing alarm over the Trump administration's plans to conduct “its own review of the evidence” on the safety and effectiveness of mifepristone. Mifepristone was approved by the FDA in 2000 and is used in the overwhelming majority of abortions in the United States. Access to medication abortion is more critical than ever in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s disastrous Dobbs decision that overturned the Constitutional right to abortion and allowed dozens of states to enact extreme abortion bans that threaten women’s health and lives. According to data from Guttmacher, medication abortion accounted for nearly two-thirds of abortions in the U.S. in 2023, the first year after the Dobbs decision. “Decades of evidence and hundreds of studies prove the safety and efficacy of mifepristone, which is not only the most common method of abortion in the U.S., but is also frequently prescribed to women to help manage early pregnancy loss or miscarriage. We are alarmed by the Department’s obvious attempts to politicize the review, regulation, and approval of mifepristone at the FDA, and we write to request more information,” the senators wrote. The letter lays into a recent junk science “report” put out by the Ethics and Public Policy Center (EPPC), an avowedly anti-abortion think tank, that appears to be the basis for the Trump administration’s announced review of mifepristone. The EPPC report parrots anti-abortion disinformation, was not peer-reviewed or published in any medical journal and has been widely criticized by reputable health organizations since its release. “By elevating the sham EPPC report as rationale for restricting access to mifepristone, H… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/icymi-blumenthal-and-democratic-colleagues-demand-answers-from-trump-administration-as-data-centers-drive-up-utility-prices | ICYMI: Blumenthal & Democratic Colleagues Demand Answers from Trump Administration as Data Centers Drive Up Utility Prices | 2025-11-11 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, DC] – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) wrote to White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Michael Kratsios and U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick about rising utility costs facing American consumers due to the buildout of power-hungry data centers. In a letter sent yesterday to Kratsios and Lutnick, Blumenthal and U.S. Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ron Wyden (D-WA), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) demanded answers about the steps the Trump Administration is taking to protect consumers from the burden of new data centers that have driven up electricity demand and threatened water supplies in communities across the country. “As American families face soaring electricity bills caused by the Trump Administration’s sweetheart deals with Big Tech companies, we write to demand information about the failure of the Administration to prevent consumers from being forced to subsidize the cost of data centers — costs compounded by the Administration’s reckless abandonment and assault on new, clean energy sources,” the Senators wrote. The Senators continued, “Since his second inauguration, President Trump has cozied up to Meta, Google, Oracle, OpenAI, and other Big Tech companies, fast-tracking and pushing for the buildout of power-hungry data centers across the country. The power demands of these new data centers are staggering and unprecedented: for example, Meta’s new data centers, promoted during the President’s dinner with tech executives, will consume up to 5 gigawatts each: the equivalent to nearly four million homes. National power consumption from data centers is projected to rise from around 5% to 12% within three years and adding to fears of more blackouts on burdened grids.” The Senators pointed to the Trump Administration’s attacks on clean energy, which have made it more difficult to increase and diversify sources of household electricity sources, as contributing to rising utility rates, “President Trump has h… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/icymi-video-blumenthal-sullivan-lead-passage-of-bipartisan-resolution-honoring-250th-anniversary-of-the-marine-corps | ICYMI Video: Blumenthal, Sullivan Lead Passage of Bipartisan Resolution Honoring 250th Anniversary of the Marine Corps | 2025-11-10 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – In case you missed it, a bipartisan resolution commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps led by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) passed the U.S. Senate. The Senators spoke on the Senate Floor highlighting the important history of the Marine Corps and honoring the service and sacrifice of Marines in dedication to our country. “Telling the story of America is impossible without telling the story of the United States Marine Corps. Their sacrifices have safeguarded our freedom. Their discipline has inspired generations. Their traditions of toughness, honor, duty have stood the test of time. This milestone, 250 years, is an opportunity to reflect, to honor, and to recommit. We honor every Marine past and present who has earned the title with sweat, sacrifice, and a fierce sense of purpose. As we look to the next 250 years of the greatest nation in the history of the world, let's ensure that our policies, our resources, our commitments match the trust we place in all of our military, including our United States Marines. Let us rededicate ourselves to the ideals they uphold—freedom, justice, service above self,” said Blumenthal. “No matter where Marines are, anywhere in the world, deployed, they always take time to celebrate the birthday of our beloved Corps on November 10. At these birthday celebrations, we, of course, as Senator Blumenthal mentioned, remember our fallen. We recommit ourselves to keep the Marines the world's finest fighting force, which it is and has been for decades. And we take time to recognize not just the Marines present, but the, in particular, the oldest and youngest Marines present. We have a long tradition of being the service that's most ready when our nation is least ready, and, again, to all the Marines out there, Semper Fi, happy birthday, and here's to 250 more years for our Corps,” said Sullivan. A transcript of the Senators’ remarks can be found below, and a video can be found here. U.S. Senator Richard … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-votes-against-funding-stopgap-with-no-support-for-health-care-costs | Blumenthal Votes Against Funding Stopgap with No Support for Health Care Costs | 2025-11-09 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) released the following statement after voting against moving ahead with a stopgap spending measure that does not address rising health insurance costs: “My position has always been: no affordable healthcare, no deal. I am unwilling to accept a vague promise for a vote at an indefinite time on an indeterminate bill. Millions of Americans and tens of thousands in Connecticut are forced to make impossible choices right now about what health insurance they can afford. The urgency of this moment demands action now to reduce health insurance costs.” -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-statement-on-continuing-resolution-that-fails-to-protect-health-care-rein-in-trumps-lawlessness | Murphy Statement On Continuing Resolution That Fails To Protect Health Care, Rein In Trump's Lawlessness | 2025-11-09 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | chrismurphy | https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statement after voting against a continuing resolution that fails to prevent millions of people from losing access to health care and does nothing to rein in Trump’s lawlessness: “Donald Trump and his Republican enablers caused the shutdown. And even more egregiously, Trump has gone out of his way to make it worse, most recently by illegally trying to use hungry kids as leverage to compel Democrats into submission. He is hurting people in order to enrich himself, destroy our democracy, and stay in power forever. His actions over the past month confirm this. Bullies gain power when their misconduct succeeds in causing righteous people to yield in the face of their wrongdoing. That’s why voting for Trump's continuing resolution - without any protection against his health care cuts or his growing illegality - is a mistake. “Last Tuesday, people poured out of their homes and to the polls to reject Donald Trump, but also to urge Democrats to hold firm in our refusal to vote for a short term budget that throws millions of their health care and allows Trump’s corruption to continue, fully funded and unabated. People know the government shutdown hurts. But people also know that Americans will die when millions cannot afford health insurance next year because of Trump’s massive premium hikes. They wanted us to continue that fight, even knowing that victory was not certain. And 7 million people rushed to the streets last month because they did not want allies of democracy to vote for a budget that puts no significant checks on Trump’s increasing authoritarian behavior. They did not want this outcome. “I understand my colleagues' desire to fund the government. What Trump has put people through these last few weeks is abhorrent. Of course I want to end the shutdown too. But not at any cost. Standing up to a tyrant who is willing to impose pain in order to compel loyalty or capitulation is hard. Especially for people of good heart who never want to see p… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/senator-blumenthal-week-in-review-10/31/2025-11/7/2025 | Senator Blumenthal: Week in Review 10/31/2025-11/7/2025 | 2025-11-07 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | Sounding the Alarm on the Republican Health Care Crisis [WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) led fellow Democratic Senators in speaking on the Senate Floor about the health care crisis facing millions of Americans due to Republicans’ refusal to extend enhanced premium tax credits for Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans. With open enrollment now underway, the Senators underscored how higher premiums will impact Americans across Red and Blue states and called out President Trump and Republicans for blocking Democratic efforts to lower costs for families. “A 60-year-old couple living in Raleigh, making $85,000 a year, currently pays $89 for the least expensive plan. Without these credits, they’re going to be paying $1,893 per month. Same plan, same coverage, nothing better, just more money that is charged to people,” said Blumenthal. “Republicans know that these increases are going to crush hardworking Americans. It is ludicrous to expect any American enrolled in one of these plans to have the disposable income to keep their coverage. This is not a partisan issue. I can’t say it often enough. This is about ensuring that every American – regardless of their zip code or their income level or their partisan affiliation – has access to health insurance coverage they need to guarantee they can live healthy and productive lives.” “Republicans are choosing to make Connecticut families, Indiana families, North Carolina families, and families across the country pay more for their healthcare. So, I implore my Republican colleagues to listen to their own constituents who are telling them, we can't afford these unconscionable, exorbitant health insurance increases. Give us the means to live with the assurance that we will have healthcare insurance to take care of our kids and our families. Do the right thing for the American people. Come to the table and reinstate these credits because we are going to stand strong and stand firm on this side of the aisle, and we are the bulwark against a wave of premium incr… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/video-blumenthal-speaks-on-senate-floor-in-support-of-senate-democrats-proposal-to-end-the-republican-shutdown-and-address-healthcare-affordability | Video: Blumenthal Speaks on Senate Floor in Support of Senate Democrats' Proposal to End the Republican Shutdown & Address Healthcare Affordability | 2025-11-07 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) spoke on the Senate Floor today after Senate Democrats offered a proposal to reopen the government, which would end the longest shutdown in American history and address the growing problem of skyrocketing healthcare costs. Connecticut residents are facing extreme and unaffordable health insurance premium increases without the extension of the Affordable Care Act tax credits. One Old Lyme resident shared that her premiums were set to go up $400 a month without the Affordable Act tax credits. Another couple in Glastonbury was quoted over $40,000 for a year of health insurance without the tax credits. “Nobody in America needed Tuesday’s election to tell them that the costs of rent and electricity and food and all of other necessities in life are spiraling out of control – and, yes, health care costs are spiraling out of control. And they are at the kitchen table right now across America looking at the exchanges and concluding they simply can't afford those spiking premiums – multiples of three and four times, and at least twice what they were paying. And many of them are taking the risk that they will go without insurance,” said Blumenthal on the Senate Floor. “This measure guarantees an outcome. The Majority Leader, Senator Thune, has said he can't guarantee an outcome. All he can promise is a process. And I am unwilling to accept a promise of some vote at an indefinite point on an undefined bill sometime in the future because the urgency of now for American families means they are making choices about whether they can afford insurance this moment for next year.” The video of Blumenthal’s remarks is available here. The full transcript is copied below. Mr. President, I thank my colleagues for this unified support for a measure that is eminently reasonable. I thank the leader of our side, Senator Schumer, for advancing this proposal. It is a compromise. It's simple and plain, and I’ll be very blunt – it's not everything I would have wanted. Like the Sena… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-dexter-58-democrats-introduce-bicameral-bill-to-ensure-dhs-detainees-can-speak-to-a-lawyer-contact-their-families | Murphy, Dexter, 58 Democrats Introduce Bicameral Bill To Ensure DHS Detainees Can Speak To A Lawyer, Contact Their Families | 2025-11-07 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | chrismurphy | https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representative Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.-03) on Friday led 58 of their Senate and House colleagues in introducing the Restoring Access to Detainees Act, a bill to ensure the Department of Homeland Security allows noncitizens who have been detained to contact their legal counsel and families. The bill comes after months of credible reporting that ICE and CBP have deprived detainees – including children and longtime legal residents – of the ability to access a lawyer, sometimes for months at a time. People have also reportedly been taken into custody and, in some cases, transferred to facilities in other countries without being allowed to contact their families. The bill is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), and U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.), Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.),?Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), Ted Lieu (D-Calif.), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.), Dave Min (D-Calif.), Nellie Pou (D-N.J.), Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii), Becca Balint (D-Vt.), Emily Randall (D-Wash.), Jesús “Chuy” García (D-Ill.), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Pa.), Yvette D. Clarke (D-N.Y.), Laura Friedman (D-Calif.), Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.), Julie Johnson (D-Texas), Nikema Williams (D-Ga.), Robin Kelley (D-Ill.), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.), Suhas Subramanyam (D-Va.), Val Hoyle (D-Ore.), Andrea Salinas (D-O… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/americans-from-across-the-country-sound-the-alarm-on-rising-premiums-and-republican-efforts-to-dismantle-aca-protections | Americans from Across the Country Sound the Alarm on Rising Premiums & Republican Efforts to Dismantle ACA Protections | 2025-11-06 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, DC] – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, joined five Americans from across the country in demanding Congress take action to extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced tax credits. The virtual press conference comes as millions of Americans are facing higher health care costs due to Republicans’ refusal to extend enhanced premium tax credits for ACA plans. As Americans brace for a looming health care crisis that will put millions at risk of going uninsured, Republicans on the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations are holding a hearing today further seeking to undermine the ACA. Victoria Sylvester – Traverse City, Michigan “I am 55 years old, and I’m from Traverse City, Michigan. My husband and I are both small business owners. He’s in the construction trades, and I am a hair stylist. We work hard, we pay our taxes, and we contribute to society. What we lack, though, and most small business owners lack, are employees that would enable us to have the discounts a small group policy has. We also make too much money to be on Medicaid, so before the ACA and the Enhanced Premium Tax Credit (EPTC), we simply could not afford insurance, and we went without it for years. It was very unsettling. It was like playing Russian roulette, but we had no choice. Since the ACA and the EPTC, we have quality insurance that we can afford, which thank God, because in 2022 I was, out of the blue, diagnosed with an aggressive form of stage three ovarian cancer.” “Renewing the EPTC will empower people like me to take charge of our health, to continue working and running businesses and care for ourselves and loved ones. I am calling on all of you to support the ACA and renew the EPTC to help cancer survivors like me stay healthy and alive. Nobody should have to choose between financial devastation or death.” DonnaMarie Woodson – Charlotte, North Carolina “We are in a health care crisis. Since Donald Trump and the Congressional Rep… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/video-at-senate-hearing-on-rolling-back-aca-protections-blumenthal-slams-republican-refusal-to-lower-health-care-costs | Video: At Senate Hearing on Rolling Back ACA Protections, Blumenthal Slams Republican Refusal to Lower Health Care Costs | 2025-11-06 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, DC] – Today at a hearing convened by Senate Republicans on dismantling the Affordable Care Act (ACA), U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, slammed efforts to roll back patient protections established by the ACA and block the extension of enhanced premium tax credits for ACA plans. “This hearing is part of an increasingly isolated and abhorrent movement within the Republican party itself to continue the effort to repeal affordable health care,” Blumenthal said. “As a parent of four children, now a grandparent, I think often of the people who have approached me and told me they sleep better because they know that their children down the hall from them will have access to health care if they break a bone the next day in school or if they come down with some life-threatening illness or face a potentially lethal diagnosis, and they need treatment and care, and the emotional impact and physical trials are bad enough. But fortunately, they have coverage that means they are spared from financial ruin.” “Health care costs in this country are way too high, no matter what kind of coverage you have. And we should work to bring down the cost of health care, whether it is pharmaceutical drugs or hospital charges, there are many things we could do to fix those problems. But forcing Americans who rely on the ACA to pay more, especially in this economy, will not help.” At today’s hearing, Blumenthal invited testimony from Shana Verstegen, a small business employee from Madison, Wisconsin who currently receives health care coverage through the marketplace established by the ACA. Earlier today, Blumenthal also spoke with five Americans who will be impacted by rising premium prices if Congress fails to extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced tax credits. The video of Blumenthal opening remarks is available here. The transcript is copied below. U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT): Let's be very clear why we are here. It is a Re… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/video-wisconsin-mom-testifies-at-senate-hearing-on-affordable-care-act-shuts-down-ron-johnson-for-attacking-aca-coverage-of-pre-existing-conditions | Video: Wisconsin Mom Testifies at Senate Hearing on Affordable Care Act, Shuts Down Ron Johnson for Attacking ACA Coverage of Pre-Existing Conditions | 2025-11-06 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, DC] – Today, Shana Verstegen, a mother of two from Madison, Wisconsin, testified at a hearing in the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI) about the importance of extending enhanced premium tax credits for millions of Americans with Affordable Care Act marketplace plans. As Americans brace for a looming health care crisis that will put millions at risk of going uninsured, Republicans on PSI held a hearing today further seeking to undermine the ACA. U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of PSI, invited Verstegen to serve as the Minority’s witness and share her story about how the enhanced premium tax credits help her family afford health insurance. “I’m here today as a proud user of the Affordable Care Act and the health care marketplace. Like so many other working families, I don’t know what my family would do without it. My husband and I both work in the fitness industry as trainers and fitness instructors at a wonderful small gym in Madison. We love our jobs and work very hard helping others on a daily basis. We have been employed there since high school—so almost 30 years,” Verstegen said. Verstegen continued, “We are currently paying $460 each month for our family of four. Without the enhanced premium tax credits, our premiums are projected to increase to an unaffordable $700 a month in 2026. Losing enhanced premium tax credit support would create a real crisis for my family. Trust me, we’ve cut back on spending in every way we know along with adding lots of additional work hours to both of our schedules.” In her testimony, Verstegen discussed how she became an advocate within the Huntington’s disease community after her mother was diagnosed with, and later passed way from, the disease. In an exchange with U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI), Chairman of PSI, Verstegen called attention to how the ACA helps individuals with pre-existing conditions, such as Huntington’s disease, access affordable health insurance, “I do know that the Affordable Care Act is the … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/icymi-video-democratic-senators-sound-the-alarm-on-republicans-health-care-crisis-underscore-impact-of-premium-cliff-on-red-states | ICYMI Video: Democratic Senators Sound the Alarm on Republicans' Health Care Crisis, Underscore Impact of Premium Cliff on Red States | 2025-11-05 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, DC] – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) led fellow Democratic Senators in speaking on the Senate Floor about the health care crisis facing millions of Americans due to Republicans’ refusal to extend enhanced premium tax credits for Affordable Care Act plans. The Senators underscored how higher premiums will impact Americans across Red and Blue states and called out President Trump and Republicans for blocking Democratic efforts to lower costs for families. U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) joined Blumenthal in speaking on the Floor. “A 60-year-old couple living in Raleigh, making $85,000 a year, currently pays $89 for the least expensive plan. Without these credits, they’re going to be paying $1,893 per month. Same plan, same coverage, nothing better, just more money that is charged to people,” said Blumenthal. “Republicans know that these increases are going to crush hardworking Americans. It is ludicrous to expect any American enrolled in one of these plans to have the disposable income to keep their coverage. This is not a partisan issue. I can’t say it often enough. This is about ensuring that every American – regardless of their zip code or their income level or their partisan affiliation – has access to health insurance coverage they need to guarantee they can live healthy and productive lives.” “Last week, we learned from the Department of Insurance in Illinois that Illinois residents can expect to see a nearly 80 percent average cost increase for their Affordable Care Act health plans next year—virtually doubling in the northern part of the state, tripling in the southern part of the state. Why? Because Republicans in Congress refuse to sit down with any Democrats and negotiate an extension of a crucial policy that helps tens of millions of Americans afford their health insurance,” said Durbin. “Republicans passed this big, beautiful bill at the beginning of the year … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/video-at-hearing-blumenthal-details-how-republicans-health-care-crisis-will-harm-veterans | Video: At Hearing, Blumenthal Details How Republican's Health Care Crisis Will Harm Veterans | 2025-11-05 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – At a Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing today, Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal underscored how veterans will be harmed by the health care crisis facing millions of Americans due to Republicans’ refusal to extend enhanced premium tax credits for Affordable Care Act plans. “Our veterans are suffering, just as Americans are, from looking at the exchanges and the premium on open enrollment, as we speak right now, at their kitchen tables, trying to figure out how they are going to afford health insurance. And they can’t do it because premiums are doubling and tripling. Where are these veterans going to go?,” pressed Blumenthal. “If eligible, they’ll go to VA. And we’ll see a dramatically increased reliance on VA health care, stretching the capacities of our docs, our nurses, our VA facilities generally, which are already suffering from cuts and furloughs unnecessarily imposed by this Administration…cuts that have already eroded the Department’s ability to support the needs of veterans. And according to the Department’s actuarial firm: For every one percent of increased reliance on VA health care, VA can expect its costs to increase by $2.6 billion.1 percent. $2.6 billion. They don’t have the money.” President Trump and Republicans have refused to work with Democrats to extend premium tax credits that have helped millions of Americans afford health insurance. Now with open enrollment underway, Americans across the country—including 18.7 million ACA marketplace enrollees in Red states—are staring down increased health insurance rates that are set to double and even triple their monthly premiums. Coupled with Republicans’ Medicare and Medicaid cuts that are set to go into effect next year, Americans, including millions of veterans, are bracing for higher costs and a looming health care crisis. During the hearing, Blumenthal noted that up to 1.75 million veterans and active-duty servicemembers rely on Medicaid, including one in ten veterans under the age of 65. Forty percent of these vete… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-joins-push-for-transparency-on-secretive-ice-air-operations-and-reports-of-improper-treatment-of-detainees | Blumenthal Joins Push for Transparency on Secretive ICE Air Operations & Reports of Improper Treatment of Detainees | 2025-11-04 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [Hartford, CT] – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) joined colleagues in pressing the Trump Administration for answers regarding its use of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Air Operations (IAO) as part of its mass deportation agenda. In their letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and acting ICE Director Todd Lyons, the Senators raised concerns with the “near-total secrecy” under which IAO operates in light of a series of troubling immigration enforcement actions that this Administration has taken – pointing to examples and credible reports of violations of detainees’ rights and inhumane treatment while in ICE custody. They pressed Secretary Noem and acting Director Lyons for responses to a series of questions in the interest of providing much-needed transparency for Congress and the American public on these issues, including around the costs of operations, treatment of deportees, fleet and operations, carriers and contracting, flight data and destinations, and voluntary returns. “We write to express our concerns regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Air Operations’ (IAO) severe lack of transparency. IAO has been at the center of troubling actions ICE has taken under this administration but provides no public data on its operations,” the Senators began. “IAO has been centrally involved in facilitating several concerning immigration enforcement actions under the second Trump Administration,” they wrote, pointing to the wrongful deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the relocation of university student Rumeysa Ozturk before a judge could rule on her case, and the attempted deportation of unaccompanied minors to Guatemala without due process. “These cases paint a troubling picture of IAO attempting to shortcut due process rights and avoid or defy judicial authority. “IAO operates in near-total secrecy. ICE does not provide any publicly accessible data on its flights, destinations, costs to taxpayers, or passengers,” they continued. “The ICE Flight Monit… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-spearheads-bill-to-require-transparency-in-the-pact-act-toxic-exposure-presumptive-decision-process-for-veterans | Blumenthal Spearheads Bill to Require Transparency in the PACT Act Toxic Exposure Presumptive Decision Process for Veterans | 2025-11-04 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) is introducing legislation today to require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide transparency to veterans on whether the Department is considering expanding or removing benefits for their specific toxic exposures or conditions and where VA is in the presumptive process, which was established by the PACT Act in 2022. This comes on the heels of ProPublica reporting exposing the Trump Administration for rolling back benefits for a presumptive condition established under the landmark PACT Act for toxic-exposed veterans. “This measure guarantees essential information to veterans suffering from toxic exposure-related illnesses. They need and deserve to know whether their specific condition qualifies for PACT Act presumptive care and benefits. This is especially critical as the VA is reportedly rolling back coverage of conditions without scientific evidence,” said Blumenthal. The PACT Act provided VA resources and authorities to further expand the list of presumptive toxic exposure-related service-connected disabilities, which it has used to expand benefits for Agent Orange-exposed veterans and ease the burden of proof for burn pits exposed veterans diagnosed with leukemia, myelomas, bladder cancer and related genitourinary cancers. Blumenthal’s bill—the Presumptive Clear Legal Assessment and Review of Illnesses from Toxic Exposure Yields (CLARITY) Act—would require VA to establish a public-facing website to educate toxic-exposed veterans on the processes it uses to determine which conditions are related to military toxic exposures. This would ensure veterans know if VA plans to add or remove their exposure or condition as a presumptive and instruct veterans on how they can provide input. Currently, VA lacks a consolidated website where veterans can access this information. ProPublica’s reporting revealed how the Trump VA is removing a presumptive condition for a rare but deadly cancer—male breast cancer—w… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-saving-health-care-for-millions-of-americans-is-a-fight-worth-having | Murphy: Saving Health Care For Millions Of Americans Is A Fight Worth Having | 2025-11-04 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | chrismurphy | https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Tuesday gave a fiery speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate hammering the life-or-death stakes of Republicans’ refusal to negotiate with Democrats to end the government shutdown and protect access to health care for millions of Americans. With the ACA‘s open enrollment period beginning on November 1st, families across the country are facing catastrophic premium increases that will push many to simply forego health insurance altogether. Murphy urged his colleagues to keep up the fight and push for a solution to prevent millions of people from being thrown off a health care cliff. In his speech, Murphy railed against the manufactured pain Donald Trump and Republicans have created for millions of working families across this country: “This is madness. The President of the United States is playing with people's lives right now. He may think it's funny. He may think he's scoring political points, but this is ultimately leading to ruin for people. And it is yet another example of the enthusiasm that this President and many of his enablers here in the United States Senate have for ruining people's lives so as to be able to pad the pockets of the very rich, the very wealthy, and the very powerful in this country. Why are we shut down right now? We are shut down primarily because Republicans have refused to negotiate with Democrats on whether or not we should write a budget that intentionally destroys the American health care system.” After traveling to Trump’s backyard this week to fight for Americans’ health care, Murphy shared the story of one South Florida woman: “Kara Farley told us her story. She had a hard time telling us her story. We had a hard time listening to her story. Kara is a mother of four living in South Florida. She's already a cancer survivor, having survived ovarian cancer, but she just got a new diagnosis: a malignant melanoma. Her husband has a complicated form of diabetes in which he often has seizures if it goes untreated. And for 20 years, it we… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-demands-answers-from-secret-donors-to-trumps-white-house-ballroom-project-presses-donors-on-potential-deals-made-in-exchange-for-undisclosed-contributions | Blumenthal Demands Answers from Secret Donors to Trump's White House Ballroom Project, Presses Donors on Potential Deals Made in Exchange for Undisclosed Contributions | 2025-11-03 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, DC] – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), demanded answers from donors to President Trump’s ballroom project who had been kept secret by the White House. Recent reporting has revealed that the White House omitted the names of several individuals and corporations on their publicly released list of donors to the ballroom project. In letters sent today to each of the donors kept anonymous by the White House, Blumenthal is seeking all documents, records, and communications related to their contributions to the White House ballroom project, including the terms of their donations and why it was not previously disclosed. “Most recently, The New York Times identified several donors for the ballroom who had been kept secret by the White House, completely belying the Administration’s claims of transparency, and raising serious questions about why the Administration and these donors sought to keep their donations a secret in the first place. You have been identified as one of the donors to this project who chose to remain anonymous,” Blumenthal wrote in a letter to Larry Fink, chairman and CEO of BlackRock Inc. Blumenthal continued, “As one of the individuals or entities identified as a secret donor to the East Wing demolition and ballroom construction, you possess critical information about the Administration’s management of this project, how your contribution was obtained, why your donation was not publicly disclosed, and what President Trump or his representatives may have agreed to provide in exchange.” As PSI Ranking Member, Blumenthal has written to all donors previously made public by the White House. A compilation of those letters can be found here. Additionally, last week, Blumenthal wrote to the lead architect, construction firm, and engineering firm working on President Trump’s ballroom project, seeking information about the contractors became involved in the project and the terms of their selection to partici… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/with-trump-and-republicans-mia-from-washington-senators-murphy-smith-and-warren-meet-with-floridians-hardest-hit-by-republican-health-care-crisis | With Trump and Republicans MIA from Washington, Senators Murphy, Smith, and Warren Meet with Floridians Hardest Hit by Republican Health Care Crisis | 2025-11-03 | 2025 | 2025-11 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | chrismurphy | https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | MIAMI, FL—Today, U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) traveled to Miami, Florida to host a roundtable with Floridians struggling with the rising health care costs and massive coverage cuts caused by President Trump and his Republican allies in Congress. While Trump throws lavish parties and House Republicans refuse to show up for work, Americans who rely on the ACA for health insurance are seeing their premiums double or triple. As the top market for ACA insurance coverage in the country, South Florida is the epicenter of this Republican-made crisis. According to estimates, nearly a third of the 4.7 million Floridians enrolled in ACA plans could lose coverage because of Donald Trump and Republicans’ cuts to Medicaid and ACA tax credits. Senators Murphy, Smith, and Warren sat down with Floridians who rely on the ACA tax credits, health care providers, and union members in Miami to hear the real-life consequences of Republicans’ refusal to come to the table and negotiate an end to the government shutdown that lowers health care costs for working Americans. Find excerpts of the roundtable discussion below: Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) emphasized the importance of traveling to Miami-Dade to speak to Floridians facing the most extreme impacts of Republicans’ health care attacks: “Donald Trump and Republicans in Washington would rather shut down the government than help make health care affordable for more Americans. It’s just that straightforward. We’re here, particularly in Miami-Dade, because you’re ground zero in absorbing the pain from the Republicans’ cuts. You are the ones who will lose more people off health care altogether, and more people will see their premiums go up than any place else in the country.” Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) put a spotlight on Republicans’ bankrupt priorities after they passed tax cuts for billionaires this summer while creating a health care crisis for everyday Americans: “Last summer, Donald Trump and Republicans passe… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-court-rulings-ordering-trump-administration-to-continue-providing-some-snap-benefits | Blumenthal Statement on Court Rulings Ordering Trump Administration to Continue Providing Some SNAP Benefits | 2025-10-31 | 2025 | 2025-10 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) issued the following statement after federal courts ordered the Trump Administration to continue providing some benefits under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the government shutdown: “While I welcome this court order, it’s only a temporary stop gap— a band aid on a deeper, gaping wound. Millions of Americans are struggling to put food on the table— a harsh reality that President Trump has abjectly failed to recognize, and Republicans have made worse by refusing to work with Democrats on reopening the government and providing access to health care. The Administration is forcing Americans to make unconscionable choices, like whether to feed a hungry child or to take them to a doctor for medical treatment. Americans see through this cruelly malign strategy— inflicting pain to maximize political pressure. They’re using our most vulnerable Americans as political pawns.” -30- | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:32:54Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/senator-blumenthal-week-in-review-10/24/25-10/31/2025 | Senator Blumenthal: Week in Review 10/24/25-10/31/2025 | 2025-10-31 | 2025 | 2025-10 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | Fighting for Americans’ Access to Affordable Health Care [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) spoke on the Senate Floor calling out Republicans for refusing to join Democrats in protecting affordable health care by extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits. Last week, more than 15,000 residents across Connecticut received letters warning of expected health insurance premium increases for 2026. If Republicans continue to refuse to come to the table and work with Democrats on extending the ACA tax credits, millions of people will suffer as premiums rise to incomprehensible levels. “We’re in the midst of a health care crisis…The American people know that this crisis is real and urgent, because they know if you don’t have your health, you don’t have anything. That old saying epitomizes the importance of health care when it affects our children, who can’t get health care for themselves, our seniors, who also depend on others, and everyday Americans across the country, who are at their kitchen tables tonight, or workplaces, with their families, wondering when will it happen?” said Blumenthal. “Everybody needs health care, and it should be regarded as a human right. And we face an imminent and real and present crisis right now for millions of Americans who will no longer be able to afford health care insurance, beginning in days or weeks, because premiums are skyrocketing.” In his remarks, Blumenthal highlighted the stories of Connecticut residents facing astronomical health insurance premium increases. “For example, a couple in their 60s, living in Hartford, Connecticut, our capital, making a hundred thousand dollars a year, will go from paying $260.83 to $2,614.60. That’s for the same plan,” Blumenthal said. “A family of four living in Hartford, making $159,767, roughly $160,000 a year, the average salary for a family of four in our state would be forced to pay $1,159.52 more. They go from $796.65 this year to $1,956.17 next year. I don’t know how they can afford it. And the s… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:32:54Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/icymi-video-blumenthal-sounds-alarm-on-voter-suppression-as-trumps-attacks-on-the-right-to-vote-mount | ICYMI Video: Blumenthal Sounds Alarm on Voter Suppression As Trump's Attacks on the Right to Vote Mount | 2025-10-30 | 2025 | 2025-10 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, DC] – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) spoke on the Senate Floor yesterday slamming the Trump Administration’s continued efforts to suppress voters and attack the right to vote itself—including rigging election maps, intimidating election officials, and undermining the Voting Rights Act. Blumenthal’s remarks come as voters head to the polls on November 4th. “What has always separated America from other nations around the world is the right to vote. But as we stand here, this cherished right is coming under attack, because in 2026, we can expect a continuation of what is happening in these last nine months—that the Trump Administration is doing everything it can to undermine the confidence in elections and sow distrust in the election process,” said Blumenthal. “It’s like a spider weaving a web. The Trump Administration has crafted multiple strands when combined together, attack and change the voting landscape in a way that America will not recognize. Trump is attempting to strip power from the states, consolidate it for himself, and subvert the will of the people. It is systematic. It’s strategic. And it is deeply and urgently serious.” Blumenthal called out the Trump Administration’s use of poll monitors and redistricting efforts, saying, “These are the actions of desperate politicians. Desperate because they know how deeply unpopular their policies are with voters, policies of stripping people of their health care, cutting taxes for the rich, and sending the military into American streets. Instead of changing those policies to win over voters, the Trump Administration is seeking to disenfranchise the voters, suppress votes, and rig these elections by shamelessly moving voters to new districts. The ones who suffer are the voters. Their voices are ignored and often silenced by frightened partisan politicians.” Blumenthal called upon his colleagues and the American public to decidedly stand against President Trump’s attack on voters and to promote fair and free election… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:32:54Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-questions-white-house-ballroom-contractors-on-participation-in-construction-project-terms-of-involvement | Blumenthal Questions White House Ballroom Contractors on Participation in Construction Project, Terms of Involvement | 2025-10-29 | 2025 | 2025-10 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, wrote a letter to the lead architect, construction firm, and engineering firm working on President Donald Trump’s White House ballroom project—a renovation that has a ballooning cost and has involved the demolition of the historic East Wing of the White House. In his letter, Blumenthal pressed the contractors on how they became involved in the project and the terms of their selection to participate. “On July 31, 2025, President Trump announced plans to construct a new ballroom on White House grounds, to be designed by McCrery Architects, engineered by AECOM, and built by Clark Construction. No information was provided to Congress or the public about how and why those firms were selected, the terms of the contracts with those firms, or whether the contracts were competitively bid,” wrote Blumenthal. “The rapidly changing and secretive terms of President Trump’s plans have raised serious questions about how the most iconic residence in America is about to be transformed, whether the costs will be contained to amounts the President intends to privately fundraise, and whether the American people will be provided any advance notice over the most extensive reconstruction of the White House since the presidency of Harry S. Truman.” “According to your website, your total government project portfolio is over $24 billion, meaning you have much to gain from being in President Trump’s good graces… Yet while your firm has been described as leading construction of the White House Demolition Project, Congress and the public have still received no information concerning how and why you were selected, your construction plans, the terms of your contract, or what you expect the Project to cost,” wrote Blumenthal in his letter to Clark Construction Group CEO, Robert Moser. Last week, Blumenthal sent a letter to the donors of President Trump’s White House ballroom project inquiring about the amount of… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:32:54Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/icymi-video-blumenthal-slams-republicans-for-health-care-premium-price-hikes-during-senate-floor-speech | ICYMI Video: Blumenthal Slams Republicans for Health Care Premium Price Hikes During Senate Floor Speech | 2025-10-29 | 2025 | 2025-10 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, DC] – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal delivered a speech on the Senate floor last night calling out Republicans for refusing to join Democrats in protecting affordable health care by extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits. Last week, more than 15,000 residents across Connecticut received letters warning of expected health insurance premium increases for 2026. If Republicans continue to refuse to come to the table and work with Democrats on extending ACA subsidies, millions of people will suffer as premiums rise to incomprehensible levels. In his remarks, Blumenthal highlighted the stories of Connecticut residents facing astronomical health insurance premium increases. “For example, a couple in their 60s, living in Hartford, Connecticut, our capital, making a hundred thousand dollars a year, will go from paying $260.83 to $2,614.60. That’s for the same plan,” Blumenthal said. “A family of four living in Hartford, making $159,767, roughly $160,000 a year, the average salary for a family of four in our state would be forced to pay $1,159.52 more. They go from $796.65 this year to $1,956.17 next year. I don’t know how they can afford it. And the simple answer is probably they can’t, and that family will be at risk of financial catastrophe without health care insurance coverage.” Video of Blumenthal’s speech is available here and a transcript of his remarks is available below: U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT): Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, as everyone in this chamber knows, and everyone in our great nation knows, we’re in the midst of a health care crisis. Now, the word crisis is probably the most overused term in political lexicon. But the American people know that this crisis is real and urgent, because they know if you don’t have your health, you don’t have anything. That old saying epitomizes the importance of health care when it affects our children, who can’t get health care for themselves, our seniors, who also depend on others, and ever… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:32:54Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/video-blumenthal-and-veterans-service-organizations-slam-dangerous-narrative-that-vas-disability-compensation-process-is-too-generous-at-hearing | Video: Blumenthal & Veterans Service Organizations Slam Dangerous Narrative that VA's Disability Compensation Process is 'Too Generous' at Hearing | 2025-10-29 | 2025 | 2025-10 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – At a Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing today focused on examining the veterans’ disability compensation process at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal joined advocates from Veterans Service Organizations in pushing back on recent reporting that claim VA’s disability compensation is “too generous.” Addressing the witnesses, Blumenthal said: “I also want to hear your response to those who believe that VA disability compensation is too generous—not my view. That’s how the system has been portrayed by some opponents of the system in past years. These articles fail to understand or capture the purpose of the benefit. Instead, they cherry pick anecdotes to wrongly claim that disability benefits is fraught with widespread fraud. There is, in fact, some wrongdoing and fraud. We need to root it out, investigate, and prosecute it, but not abandon a system of compensation that is deserved and needed by veterans, our heroes who serve and sacrifice for our country.” This hearing comes on the heels of recent reporting from The Washington Post that conflated inflammatory anecdotes of fraud committed by veterans with an expansion of long-overdue benefits under the PACT Act, and the Post’s belief that some disabilities are not “military enough” to merit disability compensation —despite veterans being legally entitled to receive benefits for having these disabilities. Blumenthal later stressed his concerns with how this reporting gives water to dangerous proposals from OMB Director Russell Vought to begin means-testing veterans’ benefits: “And I'm struck by statements from the Administration, including the top levels of the Office of Management and Budget, [Director] Russell Vought, that means testing is maybe a reform that should be adopted. He suggested that the Administration should, quote, target significant cost savings from revising disability rating awards. I haven't heard the Secretary criticize or refute that potential course of action.” Advocates fr… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:32:54Z |
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-trump-is-allowing-children-to-go-hungry-to-protect-billionaires-tax-cuts | Murphy: Trump Is Allowing Children To Go Hungry To Protect Billionaires' Tax Cuts | 2025-10-29 | 2025 | 2025-10 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | chrismurphy | https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) today joined Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) in a press conference to hammer the Trump administration’s refusal to use a $5 billion emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) fund to prevent 42 million Americans, including 1 in 10 Connecticut residents, from going hungry. During the press conference, Murphy left no doubt as to why Donald Trump is allowing this crisis to unfold, despite having a mandate to stop it: “Donald Trump and Republicans have one priority, and one priority only – that is the enrichment of their billionaire and corporate friends at the expense of everyone else. Their ‘beautiful bill’ is a simple enterprise: the most massive transfer of wealth for the poor and the middle class to the rich and affluent in the history of the country. Included in that big beautiful bill, is a massive cut to nutrition benefits.” He continued: “It is extraordinary to put families in this country through the horrific, mind-altering pain of knowing that your children are going to go to bed hungry at night, but it's in service of protecting tax cuts for the wealthy.” Murphy emphasized that Trump is inflicting unprecedented suffering on American families for one reason: “No president in the history of this country has, during a period of shutdown, refused to spend the contingency funds because no president prior to this one was so myopic about helping only one small segment of people in this country: the very rich and powerful…” | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:32:54Z |
| https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-and-murphy-cosponsor-bipartisan-bill-protecting-children-from-ai-chatbots | Blumenthal & Murphy Cosponsor Bipartisan Bill Protecting Children from AI Chatbots | 2025-10-28 | 2025 | 2025-10 | Democrat | Senate | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | blumenthal | https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press | scraper | [Hartford, CT] – Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy joined colleagues to introduce the GUARD Act, bipartisan legislation to protect children from AI chatbots. This legislation would ban AI companions for minors, mandate AI chatbots disclose its non-human status, and create new crimes for companies who make AI for minors that solicits or produces sexual content. “In their race to the bottom, AI companies are pushing treacherous chatbots at kids and looking away when their products cause sexual abuse, or coerce them into self-harm or suicide. Our legislation imposes strict safeguards against exploitative or manipulative AI, backed by tough enforcement with criminal and civil penalties. Big Tech has betrayed any claim that we should trust companies to do the right thing on their own when they consistently put profit first ahead of child safety,” said Blumenthal. Murphy said, “You can’t overstate the harm these AI companion chatbots pose to our kids. Nearly 70 percent of teenagers are turning to chatbots as a substitute for friendship, making them more isolated and disconnected, but what’s even scarier are the stories of chatbots encouraging young people to hurt themselves or others. Big Tech companies are fighting regulation because they want to maximize their profits by addicting our kids to their technology, no matter the cost. Our bill forces these greedy AI companies to take responsibility and implement common sense protections to keep kids from accessing these dangerous chatbots and holds those companies criminally accountable when their product pushes minors to self-harm.” “AI chatbots pose a serious threat to our kids. More than seventy percent of American children are now using these AI products. Chatbots develop relationships with kids using fake empathy and are encouraging suicide. We in Congress have a moral duty to enact bright-line rules to prevent further harm from this new technology,” Hawley said. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with tremendous support fro… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:32:54Z |
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