Press releases
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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1,832 rows where state = "CT" and year = 2015 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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| http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-murphy-himes-pool-safety-grants-for-bridgeport-and-stamford | Blumenthal, Murphy, Himes Applaud over $206,000 in Pool Safety Grants for Bridgeport and Stamford | 2015-12-30 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | legacy | Blumenthal, Murphy, Himes Applaud over $206,000 in Pool Safety Grants for Bridgeport and Stamford Print Tweet U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Grants Awarded to Combat Pool and Spa Drownings and Drain Entrapments Wednesday, December 30, 2015 (HARTFORD, CT)- Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representative Jim Himes (D-4) applauded $206,225 in grants for the cities of Bridgeport and Stamford from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to provide assistance for education, training, and enforcement of pool safety requirements aimed at preventing pool and spa drownings and drain entrapments. The City of Bridgeport will be awarded $74,973 for the Bridgeport Water Safety Awareness Project to expand on current water safety education and compliance efforts, including regular inspections of all public pools by city inspectors and on-site enforcement personnel to ensure compliance with current rules and regulations. The Project will also include free-to-the public swimming instruction. The City of Stamford will be awarded $131,252 for Stamfords Pool Safety Program and will partner with the Stamford Family YMCA to segment their current learn- to- swim curriculum with the YMCA of the USAs Safety Around Water program, increase the amount of youth receiving water safety education, and expand training and education opportunities for staff and Certified Pool Operators. Drowning is the number one cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 1 to 4 nationwide tragedies that we can and must do more to prevent, said Blumenthal, Murphy and Himes. This critical federal funding will help ensure that the cities of Bridgeport and Stamford can expand on their current water safety initiatives to support more robust pool safety education and compliance, increase access to swimming instruction, and provide meaningful training opportunities… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-confirmation-that-puerto-rico-will-default-on-portion-of-debt-obligations-due-january-4 | Blumenthal Statement on Confirmation That Puerto Rico Will Default on Portion of Debt Obligations Due January 4 | 2015-12-30 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | legacy | Blumenthal Statement on Confirmation That Puerto Rico Will Default on Portion of Debt Obligations Due January 4 Print Tweet Wednesday, December 30, 2015 (Hartford, CT) U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) today released the following statement after top officials from Puerto Rico confirmed that the commonwealth will default on a portion of the nearly $1 billion in debt obligations due to its bondholders on January 4. With Puerto Rico now on the verge of defaulting on tax revenue-backed bonds, the island is open to messy, costly, and completely avoidable lawsuits. Todays announcement is just the latest reminder that Puerto Rico has neither the money to pay off its creditors nor access to an orderly process for restructuring its debt. Congress cannot continue to bury its head in the sand while 3.5 million U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico suffer we must act now. This summer, Blumenthal introduced the Puerto Rico Chapter 9 Uniformity Act which would address the growing fiscal crisis by granting Puerto Rico the authority to allow its municipalities and public utilities to restructure their debts under the supervision of a bankruptcy court, authority which is already currently granted to all U.S. states. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-announces-veterans-will-stay-seacrest-retirement-home | DeLauro Announces Veterans Will Stay at Seacrest Retirement Home | 2015-12-30 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Rosa DeLauro | D000216 | delauro.house.gov | legacy | NEW HAVEN, CT (December 30, 2015) Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today announced that Connecticut veterans living in the Seacrest Retirement Center and similar facilities are able to remain in the facility, without the threat of losing benefits or care. The change comes as part of the omnibus bill passed by Congress earlier this month. Veterans living at Seacrest now have the assurance that they will continue to receive the care they deserve. Forcing these veterans to lose their benefits because of an error that was not their fault would have been wrong, and in some cases may not have been in the best interest of their mental or physical well-being, said Rosa DeLauro. After serving our nation, no veteran should ever have to worry about not receiving care, especially in retirement when additional health issues may arise. This legislation gives these veterans the certainty that they deserve, and I applaud Congress for taking action to address this critical issue. On behalf of the men and women who live at Seacrest, and who have protected and defended our country, thank you to Congresswoman DeLauro for working to correct an administrative error by the Veterans Administration, said Lewis Bower, owner of Seacrest. We at Seacrest are forever indebted to the veterans that have served our country, and we are privileged to provide them care. The veterans at Seacrest can now live with assurance from the federal government that their care will be providedfor as result of this legislation. In 2013, 23 veterans at the Seacrest Retirement Center in West Haven, HighVue Manor in Hamden, and Mattatuck Health Care in Waterbury were notified by the VA Connecticut Healthcare System that, due to a VA error, care in these homes has been erroneously covered. The 10 who are being granted another year at Seacrest and HighVue are part of that original group of 23. DeLauro has been working with the VA to ensure that the veterans who would like to stay at Seacrest are able to do so. Earlier this year, DeLauro introduced theVeterans Resi… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-blumenthal-himes-applaud-over-206000-in-pool-safety-grants-for-bridgeport-and-stamford | MURPHY, BLUMENTHAL, HIMES APPLAUD OVER $206,000 IN POOL SAFETY GRANTS FOR BRIDGEPORT AND STAMFORD | 2015-12-30 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | legacy | MURPHY, BLUMENTHAL, HIMES APPLAUD OVER $206,000 IN POOL SAFETY GRANTS FOR BRIDGEPORT AND STAMFORD U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Grants Awarded to Combat Pool and Spa Drownings and Drain Entrapments Wednesday, December 30, 2015 HARTFORD- Today, U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), andU.S. Representative Jim Himes (D-4) applauded $206,225 in grants for the cities of Bridgeport and Stamford from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to provide assistance for education, training, and enforcement of pool safety requirements aimed at preventing pool and spa drownings and drain entrapments. The City of Bridgeport will be awarded $74,973 for the Bridgeport Water Safety Awareness Project to expand on current water safety education and compliance efforts, including regular inspections of all public pools by city inspectors and on-site enforcement personnel to ensure compliance with current rules and regulations. The Project will also include free-to-the public swimming instruction. The City of Stamford will be awarded $131,252 for Stamfords Pool Safety Program and will partner with the Stamford Family YMCA to segment their current learn- to- swim curriculum with the YMCA of the USAs Safety Around Water program, increase the amount of youth receiving water safety education, and expand training and education opportunities for staff and Certified Pool Operators. Drowning is the number one cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 1 to 4 nationwide tragedies that we can and must do more to prevent, said Murphy, Blumenthal, and Himes. This critical federal funding will help ensure that the cities of Bridgeport and Stamford can expand on their current water safety initiatives to support more robust pool safety education and compliance, increase access to swimming instruction, and provide meaningful training opportunities for staff and pool operators. We applaud this wise investment that will keep our children and fa… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/-in-old-saybrook-today-murphy-courtney-celebrate-new-opportunities-to-preserve-land-and-open-space | IN OLD SAYBROOK TODAY, MURPHY, COURTNEY CELEBRATE NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO PRESERVE LAND OPEN SPACE | 2015-12-29 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | legacy | IN OLD SAYBROOK TODAY, MURPHY, COURTNEY CELEBRATE NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO PRESERVE LAND & OPEN SPACE End-of-year tax and funding package permanently extends conservation easement tax incentive and boosts federal conservation funding Tuesday, December 29, 2015 OLD SAYBROOK Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and U.S. Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-2) celebrated the permanent renewal of the conservation easement tax incentive as well as significant federal funding for land preservation. Murphy and Courtney joined State Senator Art Linares, State Rep. Devin Carney, First Selectman Carl Fortuna, Mike Urban of the Old Saybrook Land Trust, and other community leaders at the town hall in Old Saybrook, which recently completed one of Connecticuts largest land conservation projects. Today, we announced a pretty amazing set of wins for land conservation in Connecticut and across the country, said Murphy. I have been working on the issue of land conservation since my time in the U.S. House of Representatives as the chair of the Land Conservation Caucus, and Ive never seen successes like weve achieved this year. The end of the year budget and tax bill will help preserve millions of acres of land across the country and will make Connecticut eligible to receive more federal land conservation funding to partner with state and private funds than ever before. Its easy for us to advocate for this bipartisan commitment because of the strong support for conservation here in Eastern Connecticut and across the state. We really are a national leader for land preservation, and I look forward to continuing to advocate for the best ways to preserve land and open space for generations to come. "I was very pleased to see so many important conservation initiatives addressed in the end-of-year agreement to fund the government and extend certain tax credits, said Courtney. From extending the Conservation Easement Tax Credit, to the reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund in t… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-commissioner-redeker-state-rep-adams-celebrate-more-than-1-billion-to-improve-amtrak-safety-and-reliability-for-connecticut-residents- | MURPHY, COMMISSIONER REDEKER, STATE REP. ADAMS CELEBRATE MORE THAN $1 BILLION TO IMPROVE AMTRAK SAFETY RELIABILITY FOR CONNECTICUT RESIDENTS | 2015-12-28 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | legacy | MURPHY, COMMISSIONER REDEKER, STATE REP. ADAMS CELEBRATE MORE THAN $1 BILLION TO IMPROVE AMTRAK SAFETY & RELIABILITY FOR CONNECTICUT RESIDENTS Murphy fought to secure new funding in year-end budget deal as member of Senate Appropriations Committee Monday, December 28, 2015 STAMFORD Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) joined Commissioner Jim Redeker of the Connecticut Department of Transportation and State Representative Terry Adams at the Stamford Train Station to applaud more than $1.4 billion of investments in Amtrak and rail safety along the Northeast Corridor. Murphy highlighted the current dire state of repair along Connecticuts rail lines and outlined how the newly allotted funding will make rail travel safer and more reliable for Connecticut residents. As a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, Murphy fought to ensure that the federal budget passed by Congress earlier this month includes $1.4 billion for Amtrak, which is an increase of $19 million from last year and includes a new $19 million fund dedicated to the Northeast Corridor. Congress just passed a federal budget that has in it a lot of good news for rail construction here in Connecticut, said Murphy. On the Appropriations Committee, I fought very hard to build into this budget a substantial increase for transportation funding and to break a string of budget cuts in the transportation account. Because of it, were getting $50 million to perform safety upgrades, and for the first time ever, were getting an account of $19 million dedicated just to the Northeast Corridor. Its a foot in the door that will help us address the specific needs of Connecticut residents and commuters for a long time to come. Rail in Connecticut is the lifeblood of our economy, and Id like to thank Commissioner Redeker and Representative Adams for their instrumental efforts in this fight. Murphy has been a vocal advocate on behalf of Connecticuts transp… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/amtrak-completes-ptc-installment-on-dc-nyc-corridor | Blumenthal Statement on Amtrak’s Completed PTC Installment on DC-NYC Corridor | 2015-12-24 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | legacy | Blumenthal Statement on Amtraks Completed PTC Installment on DC-NYC Corridor Print Tweet Senator urges Metro-North to expedite installation of life-saving technology on New Haven Line Thursday, December 24, 2015 (Hartford, CT) U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) issued the following statement on Amtraks completion of Positive Train Control (PTC) installation on its Northeast Corridor line from Washington, DC to New York City: With life-saving positive train control technology now in place from DC to New York City, the only section of the Northeast Corridor without this safety enhancement is the track from New York City to New Haven. Metro-North must redouble its efforts to quickly install PTC on the New Haven Line, putting passenger safety first. Connecticut commuters deserve nothing less. Amtrak has demonstrated that meeting the original deadline for installing this critical technology is possible, even on a dense, congested corridor like the track between DC and New York City. It is troubling that the New Haven Line and other major portions of our nations rail network remain vulnerable to preventable crashes and collisions. All railroads should follow Amtraks lead and implement PTC now, ahead of the recently extended schedule. And Congress must do its part by providing more funds to assist railroads in installing PTC. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-celebrates-holiday-season-new-haven-community | DeLauro Celebrates the Holiday Season with the New Haven Community | 2015-12-23 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Rosa DeLauro | D000216 | delauro.house.gov | legacy | NEW HAVEN, CT (December 23, 2015) Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03)today joined the New Haven community to celebrate the holidays and give back to local organizations. After participating in the Easter Seals Goodwill Industries' 21st Annual Fantasy of Lights last night, DeLauro visited Columbus House to highlight the organization's work with the local homeless population. Many organizations, including Columbus House and the Easter Seals Goodwill Industries, rely on donations and volunteers to serve communities throughout Connecticut. These organizations work year-round to serve our neighbors and I would like to take a moment to thank the many dedicated volunteers who work to keep these organizations running, said Rosa DeLauro. While the holidays are a time to celebrate, they are also a time to give. And as you gather with your family, please consider making a donation or taking the time to volunteer with organizations that serve our neighbors. May you and your family have a joyful holiday and a happy and health new year. Today, DeLauro delivered donations and toured Columbus House, which first opened its doors in 1982 to provide shelter for homeless men and women. The organization now provides not only shelter, but also housing assistance and services designed to help people who are homeless move toward independence. Congresswoman DeLauro has been a champion for the people of Connecticut, and especially for people who are homeless. We know we can count on her to support our efforts by supporting the funding necessary to provide housing and services for people in need, said Allison Cunningham, Executive Director of Columbus House. This year was no different. In the recently passed federal omnibus spending bill, funding for McKinneyVento Homeless Assistance Grants was increased, additional funding was included for new housing vouchers for Veterans, and an increase in funding was approved for the Homeless and Runaway Youth Act. These important federal programs will help us in our efforts to end chronic homelessness… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-virginia-ag-termination-of-commonwealths-concealed-carry-reciprocity | Blumenthal Statement on Virginia AG Termination of Commonwealth’s Concealed Carry Reciprocity | 2015-12-22 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | legacy | Blumenthal Statement on Virginia AG Termination of Commonwealths Concealed Carry Reciprocity Print Tweet Tuesday, December 22, 2015 Hartford, CT) U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) issued the following statement today on Virginia Attorney General Mark Herrings announcement that the state will be terminating its concealed carry reciprocity agreements with 25 states: Attorney General Herring today put Virginians and their safety first, taking an important step in the effort to keep lethal weapons out of the hands of potentially dangerous individuals. Attorney General Herrings action to terminate Virginias concealed carry reciprocity means that every person in the state is subject to the same uniform standards. With porous state lines, the strongest gun laws are only as effective as the weakest. It is unfortunate that efforts to keep Americans safe from the scourge of gun violence have fallen to the states, as Congress has repeatedly failed to act. We must have federal laws to establish commonsense safeguards to help put a stop to the scourge of gun violence that claims more than 33,000 lives every year. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-congratulates-wilton-music-educator-for-being-named-finalist-in-prestigious-grammy-foundation-music-education-award | MURPHY CONGRATULATES WILTON MUSIC EDUCATOR FOR BEING NAMED FINALIST IN PRESTIGIOUS GRAMMY FOUNDATION MUSIC EDUCATION AWARD | 2015-12-22 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | legacy | MURPHY CONGRATULATES WILTON MUSIC EDUCATOR FOR BEING NAMED FINALIST IN PRESTIGIOUS GRAMMY FOUNDATION MUSIC EDUCATION AWARD Frank Gawle of Wilton High School is recognized for his contributions to music education Tuesday, December 22, 2015 WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) congratulated Mr. Frank Gawle, the music director at Wilton High School, for being named a finalist in the 2016 Music Educator Award, presented by the Recording Academy and GRAMMY Foundation. In a letter addressed to Gawle, Murphy recognized the music director for his leadership, dedication, and commitment to the Wilton community as a teacher and mentor over the last 35 years. I commend you on this prestigious national honor and on a wonderful career teaching, mentoring, and inspiring Wilton students. Your achievement honors music education and shines a light on the important work music educators do to inspire our students and ensure they have access to high-quality, well-rounded educational opportunities, wrote Murphy. The great thinkers and leaders of the next generation need a variety of skillssuch as creative thinking, teamwork and communicationthat are honed when students have access to classes like yours. Gawle was named one of just 10 finalists from across the country to receive the GRAMMY Foundation Music Educator Award, which recognizes educators who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and who demonstrate a commitment to the broader cause of maintaining music education in the schools. The full text of the letter is below: Mr. Frank Gawle Wilton High School Music Department 395 Danbury Rd Wilton, CT 06897 Dear Mr. Gawle: Please accept my congratulations for being named a finalist for the 2016 Music Educator Award, presented by the Recording Academy and the GRAMMY Foundation. Wilton High Schools students and families are truly fortunate to have had a teacher demonstrate such leadership, dedication, and commitment to their… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-durbin-statement-on-fda-creation-of-dietary-supplement-program | Blumenthal, Durbin Statement on FDA Creation of Dietary Supplement Program | 2015-12-21 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | legacy | Blumenthal, Durbin Statement on FDA Creation of Dietary Supplement Program Print Tweet Monday, December 21, 2015 (Washington, DC) U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) released the following statement today on the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) announcement that it has created the Office of Dietary Supplement Programs to increase focus on and regulation of the growing dietary supplement industry: Just as dietary supplements have outgrown their current spot in FDAs organizational chart, dietary supplements have also outgrown the two-decades old law that was supposed to oversee this industry and protect consumers. Comprehensive new legislation is needed to provide the necessary oversight of this $35 billion industry, and we intend to introduce legislation in the new year. As the FDA seeks to establish permanent leadership for this new office, we urge the agency to identify a strong leader that will aggressively pursue wrongdoing, vigorously enforce the law, and use all the tools at its disposal to protect consumers and push for increased transparency by the industry on the purity, quality, and identity of the products they manufacture. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-warren-reid-schumer-introduce-puerto-rico-emergency-financial-stability-act | Blumenthal, Warren, Reid, Schumer Introduce Puerto Rico Emergency Financial Stability Act | 2015-12-21 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | legacy | Blumenthal, Warren, Reid, Schumer Introduce Puerto Rico Emergency Financial Stability Act Print Tweet Monday, December 21, 2015 (Washington, DC) U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) introduced the Puerto Rico Emergency Financial Stability Act. This legislation would establish a short-term stay on creditor litigation until Congress takes action to allow Puerto Rico to restructure its debts. Puerto Rico desperately needs this short term financial tourniquet to stop its fatal bleeding, even as we fight for a real cure. If Congress waits until a messy and disruptive default has begun, the price of addressing the crisis-in both dollars and human suffering of our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico-will be immense and irreparable. Puerto Rico has already missed a debt payment to one class of creditors and indicated that it will be unable to make payments to others. By year's end, Puerto Rico could face expensive and unnecessary creditor lawsuits as a result of its lack of access to an orderly process for restructuring its debt. Those lawsuits would drain precious resources from the island's treasury-resources that will then be unable either to pay creditors or to meet the basic needs of the Puerto Rican people, said Senator Blumenthal. Congress should take action on a long term plan to deal with Puerto Rico's debt crisis now--no more excuses, no more delays. Republican congressional leadership claims they will work with Democrats to pass a legislative package for Puerto Rico by the end of March, so, in the meantime, Congress needs to pass this bill to give the island critical legal protections, Senator Warren said. The Puerto Rican people have been asked to bear huge costs of a long running debt crisis, and now Congress should do its part for the millions of Americans in Puerto Rico w… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-highlights-southingtons-yarde-metals-as-murphys-monday-manufacturer | MURPHY HIGHLIGHTS SOUTHINGTONS YARDE METALS AS MURPHYS MONDAY MANUFACTURER | 2015-12-21 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | legacy | MURPHY HIGHLIGHTS SOUTHINGTONS YARDE METALS AS MURPHYS MONDAY MANUFACTURER Monday, December 21, 2015 SOUTHINGTON Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.)announced that Yarde Metals, a second-generation, family-operated metal processor based in Southington, is this weeks MurphysMondayManufacturer. Yarde Metals, which was founded 39 years ago out of the basement of founder Craig Yardes Bristol, Connecticut home, today processes aluminum, stainless steel, carbon steel, brass and copper into rods, bars, sheets, plates, tubes and pipes out of its 650,000 square foot headquarters in Southington, Connecticut. The company is a major supplier to the aerospace, automotive, defense, energy, and medical industries, and distributes metal products to customers throughout the United States and to more than 40 countries across the globe. Yarde Metals client list is made up of various world-renowned defense and aerospace manufacturers, including Airbus, Boeing, General Electric Aviation, and Connecticuts own Kaman, Sikorsky and Pratt & Whitney Aircraft, as well as their subcontractors. The company operates a fleet of 123 delivery trucks from 18 facilities across the United States, and recently became a subsidiary of the largest metals service center company in North America, Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. Yarde Metals takes pride in its 385 Connecticut-based employees and offers them a wide range of amenities, including a gym, yoga studio, indoor golf driving range, nap room, soccer field, bocce and basketball courts, and a caf with healthy food options. The company also offers college and vocational scholarships to the children of Yarde Metals employees through the Yarde Metals Memorial Scholarship Fund. In 2011, Yarde Metals employees voted the processor among the Top Workplaces in a survey conducted by the Hartford Courant and Fox61. Yarde Metals is part of the reason Connecticuts manufacturing industry keeps running smoothly and growing,"said Murphy. Whether its flawlessly supplyin… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/notice-december-22-website-disruption | NOTICE: DECEMBER 22 WEBSITE DISRUPTION | 2015-12-21 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | legacy | NOTICE: DECEMBER 22 WEBSITE DISRUPTION Monday, December 21, 2015 Notice: Inbound email services were disruptedon themorning of December 22ndbetween 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.Unfortunately, we have determined that all incoming email and webform submissions during that timeframe are unrecoverable. If you believe your communication may have been lost, we encourage you to resubmit. As always, thank you for providing your thoughts and feedback and we apologize forany inconvenience this may have caused. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-applauds-passage-of-job-creating-omnibus-and-tax-extender-legislation | Blumenthal Applauds Passage of Job-Creating Omnibus and Tax-Extender Legislation | 2015-12-18 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | legacy | Blumenthal Applauds Passage of Job-Creating Omnibus and Tax-Extender Legislation Print Tweet Bill aids Connecticut priorities, including commuter tax benefits, Earned Income and Child Tax Credits, bolsters defense manufacturing base, makes smart investments in infrastructure, education, national security Friday, December 18, 2015 Washington, DC) Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) applauded job creating provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act and the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act, which the Senate approved by a vote of 65-33: This measure gives Connecticut businesses tools to innovate, create jobs, and drive economic growth that will ripple across our state my top priorities in the Senate. Listening to business owners throughout Connecticut, I fought for permanent tax credits for research and development, tax deductions for equipment purchased by small businesses, and support for renewable energy manufacturers all hugely important to Connecticut businesses. These successes are an important next step to business growth and jobs but requiring more support and progress in the future. For transit users, there are deductions for employer-provided commuter benefits up to $250 per month, along with significant funding for safety advances such as Positive Train Control and rail-grade crossing improvements. Jobs, economic growth, and national security will be fueled by significant funding for Connecticut manufacturers vital submarines, Joint Strike Fighter, and helicopter programs. Connecticut families can count on an Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit that better reflect the cost of living today and provide more spending money that, in turn, fuels economic growth. And the bill provides tax incentives for hiring veterans and the long-term unemployed, restaurant and retail facility improvements, and business investment, as well as robust funding for jo… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-concern-over-second-iranian-ballistic-missile-test | Blumenthal, Colleagues Express Profound Concern Over Second Iranian Ballistic Missile Test in Letter to President Obama | 2015-12-18 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | legacy | Blumenthal, Colleagues Express Profound Concern Over Second Iranian Ballistic Missile Test in Letter to President Obama Print Tweet Friday, December 18, 2015 (Washington, DC) U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Chris Coons (D-DE), Gary Peters (D-MI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Ed Markey (D-MA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Bob Casey (D-PA), Mark Warner (D-VA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) expressed profound concern in a letter to President Obama regarding a second ballistic missile test conducted by Iran on November 21st. In the letter, the Senators write: We are deeply concerned by Irans continued violations of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1929 by testing a second ballistic missile on November 21, 2015If there are no consequences for this violation, Irans leaders will certainly also question the willingness of the international community to respond to violations of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and UN Security Council Resolution 2231. The letter sent to President Obama today by the 21 U.S. Senators appears below. Dear Mr. President: We are deeply concerned by Irans continued violations of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1929 by testing a second ballistic missile on November 21, 2015. Once again, the international community has an opportunity to demonstrate its resolve in the face of Iranian violations of its international obligations. On December 15, a panel of expert monitors working on behalf of the United Nations Security Council reported that, "On the basis of its analysis and findings the Panel concludes that th… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-passage-of-coast-guard-authorization-bill-allowing-federal-aid-for-new-london-coast-guard-museum | Blumenthal Statement on Passage of Coast Guard Authorization Bill Allowing Federal Aid for New London Coast Guard Museum | 2015-12-18 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | legacy | Blumenthal Statement on Passage of Coast Guard Authorization Bill Allowing Federal Aid for New London Coast Guard Museum Print Tweet Friday, December 18, 2015 (Hartford, CT) Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) applauded Senate passage of the Coast Guard Authorization bill, a bipartisan measure that re-authorizes funding for critical Coast Guard missions and operations for another two years: The Coast Guard has been critical to the safety and security of our nation for 225 years, and it is high time that the federal government do its part to advance and support the work that New London has done to build this important museum. This national museum in New London will respect and celebrate the Coast Guards years of achievement and service to our nationan honor enjoyed by all other branches of our military. Enabling Coast Guard funding for the museum construction ensures that the federal government can rightfully be a full partner in its creation. I appreciate the hard work of Representative Courtney in achieving this language, and will continue to work jointly to ensure this language remains as House and Senate versions of this bill are reconciled. I look forward welcoming the world to New London when the museum finally opens its doors. Blumenthal is a member of the Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction of Coast Guard issues, and he worked to secure language that allows the Coast Guard to invest more resources for the building of the National Coast Guard Museum in New London. Currently, the Coast Guard is limited in using federal funds to build the facility, and this has slowed the museums construction and hampered private fundraising efforts.The language Sen. Blumenthal helped secure with the partnership of Representative Courtney and Senator Murphy will help create equity amongst all of the other services, which are not encumbered by the same restrictions. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-applauds-fda-rule-banning-tanning-bed-use-minors | DeLauro Applauds FDA Rule Banning Tanning Bed Use by Minors | 2015-12-18 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Rosa DeLauro | D000216 | delauro.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC (December 18, 2015) Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today applauded proposed rules by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that would protect public health by preventing the use of indoor tanning beds by minors and reduce the risk of using these devices for adults. "The proposed rules by the FDA are critical for protecting the health of American children and adults. Indoor tanning can create devastating, lifelong health effects and we must do everything we can to ensure that consumers are fully aware of all risks before they step into a tanning facility," said Rosa DeLauro. "For years I fought for these protections and I applaud the FDA for making a much needed move to reduce the number of melanoma cases in our country each year and save lives." Congresswoman DeLauro is a senior member of the Appropriations subcommittee that funds the FDA and has long fought to ensure consumers have information about the dangers of indoor tanning. In 2013, Connecticut enacted a law to prohibit the use of tanning beds by anyone under 17 years old and DeLauro pressured the FDA to follow the state's lead. Indoor tanning is a known contributor to skin cancer, including melanoma (its most deadly form), and other skin damage. Yet, 1.6 million minors indoor tan each year, increasing their risk of skin cancer and other damage (based on data in the 2013 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey). According to the American Academy of Dermatology, those who have been exposed to radiation from indoor tanning are 59 percent more likely to develop melanoma than those who have never tanned indoors. In addition, the effects of exposure to UV radiation add up over one's lifetime. Therefore, UV radiation exposure in children and teenagers puts them at a greater risk for skin and eye damage later in life. The first proposed rule issued by the FDA today would restrict use of sunlamp products to individuals 18 and older. In addition, before their first tanning session and every six months thereafter, adult users over age 18 would h… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-designation-dr-james-billington-librarian-congress-emeritus | Larson on the Designation of Dr. James Billington as Librarian of Congress Emeritus | 2015-12-18 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | John Larson | L000557 | larson.house.gov | legacy | Washington I commend my colleagues in Congress for establishing the honorary designation of Librarian of Congress Emeritus as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016, said Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01). For nearly thirty years, Dr. Billington stood at the helm of the Library of Congress, steering the nation's fortress of knowledge and humanity through times of massive cultural change and technological advancement. I am pleased that his stewardship will be honored well beyond his tenure as the 13th Librarian of Congress. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-votes-favor-omnibus-legislation | Larson Votes in Favor of Omnibus Legislation | 2015-12-18 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | John Larson | L000557 | larson.house.gov | legacy | Washington Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01), voted in favor of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 that will fund the government for the next year and prevent another shutdown. The legislation we are considering today presented a number of what I believe are unnecessary Hobson's choices, said Larson. In a perfect world, we would never have to choose between funding the health care of 9/11 First Responders versus ignoring the needs of the Puerto Rican people; or delaying a harmful tax on collectively-bargained, employer-sponsored health plans versus jeopardizing our energy security by allowing for the exportation of crude oil for the first time in 40 years. We should not have to choose between a substantial increase in investment for critical medical research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) versus provisions that further erode campaign finance disclosures. Ialong with other Democratswill continue the fight for Puerto Rico, as it is shameful still no action has been taken by Republican leadership to bring up legislation. We will continue to fight for clean energyparticularly fuel cellswhich were wrongfully left out of this agreement. We will continue to fight for campaign finance reform, and attempt to reverse some of the harmful provisions like those in this bill. However, thanks to the efforts of Leader Pelosi, Ranking Member Lowey, Rep. DeLauro, and others, we were able to avoid harmful riders on issues like women's health, Syrian refugees, Dodd-Frank, and many others. With the delay of the so-called Cadillac tax, as well as funding for the 9/11 First Responders and increases for vital areas of government like medical research, housing programs, and national service, as well as 68 additional F-35s that will only further enhance our manufacturing base, amongst many other provisions, there is a lot of good that is done with this bill. Even with the difficult choices this bill presented, I voted for it to move our nation forward and avoid yet another government shutdown. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-applauds-passage-of-bill-supporting-new-london-coast-guard-museum | MURPHY APPLAUDS PASSAGE OF BILL SUPPORTING NEW LONDON COAST GUARD MUSEUM | 2015-12-18 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | legacy | MURPHY APPLAUDS PASSAGE OF BILL SUPPORTING NEW LONDON COAST GUARD MUSEUM Friday, December 18, 2015 WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, applauded Senate passage of the Coast Guard Authorization Act, a bill that ensures that the Coast Guard is able to support the constructionconstruction and installation of exhibits and displays forthe National Coast Guard Museum, which is being constructed in New London, Connecticut. Under current law, the U.S. Coast Guard is prohibited from using federal funding to support the design and construction of the museum and is limited in its ability to support efforts to preserve and display artifacts from its history at the museum. Thanks to the hard work of U.S. Representative Joe Courtney (CT-2) and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, the Coast Guard Authorization Act amends this law to ensure that the Coast Guard can provide funding for the design, fabrication, and installation of exhibits or displays in which such artifacts are included. The Coast Guard has a rich history dating back 225 years, and theres a lot to show for it with New London at the center of it all. The new museum will be a tourist destination and a welcome tribute to Eastern Connecticuts history, said Murphy. Im grateful the Senate passed this important bill to correct outdated language barring the Coast Guard from supporting the museum constructed in its honor, and Ill be working hard on the Appropriations Committee to see it through to the finish line. Murphy has been a longtime advocate of National Coast Guard Museum. Murphy and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal introduced the United States Coast Guard Commemorative Coin Act earlier this year to honor the men and women of the Coast Guard and to support the establishment of the National Coast Guard Museum. Once the museum is completed, each branch of the United States military will finally have a national museum through which to share its history and legacy… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-hails-passage-of-bill-banning-microbeads-threatening-long-island-sound | MURPHY HAILS PASSAGE OF BILL BANNING MICROBEADS THREATENING LONG ISLAND SOUND | 2015-12-18 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | legacy | MURPHY HAILS PASSAGE OF BILL BANNING MICROBEADS THREATENING LONG ISLAND SOUND Microbead-Free Waters Act set to be signed into law Long Island Sound is critical to Connecticuts economy and our way of life Friday, December 18, 2015 WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) applauded Senate passage of the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015, legislation that would place a federal ban on polyethylene and polypropylene microbeads that are typically found in personal care products and are proven to harm aquatic life, water quality, and public health. Murphy, a cosponsor of the bill, called on the Senate to act after the House passed similar legislation earlier this month.The bill is on its way to President Obamas desk to be signed into law. Im thrilled the Senate finally passed this bill. Each day, an estimated eight trillion tiny plastic microbeads enter the countrys waterways, threaten the quality of the water, aquatic life, and even our food chain and public health. For much of Connecticut, that means they end up in the Long Island Sound, which critical to Connecticuts economy and our way of life, said Murphy. As I said before, this is a national problem that Connecticut cant solve alone. I cannot help but feel deep regret that Terry Backer, a close friend and mentor, isnt around to celebrate this victory. I wouldnt have fought for this issue so hard without his fierce advocacy in Connecticut, and he deserves credit for the state ban and for raising awareness of this across the country. Today is a day to be proud of. In response to a Southern Connecticut State University study that revealed that plastic microbeads are polluting the Long Island Sound, Murphy called on retailers earlier this year to discontinue the sale of products containing the harmful plastic microbeads. This year, the Connecticut General Assembly passed a law banning the sale of microbeads by 2019. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-statement-on-passage-of-year-end-government-funding-bill | MURPHY STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF YEAR-END GOVERNMENT FUNDING BILL | 2015-12-18 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | legacy | MURPHY STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF YEAR-END GOVERNMENT FUNDING BILL Friday, December 18, 2015 WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statement after voting to support the $1.8 trillion spending and tax package that will fund the government through the fall of 2016. The bill now heads to President Obamas desk to be signed into law. Today was a win for Connecticut families, commuters, manufacturers, farmers and fishermen. I fought to win a seat on the Senate Appropriations Committee so that I could work to bring federal funding back home to Connecticut, and this budget delivers in a big way for our state. This budget makes historic investmentsin Amtrak and rail safety, Connecticut-made fighter engines, helicopters and submarines, and Long Island Sound. The bill helps troubled kids, protects our open spaces and waterways, and will help revitalize areas overrun with abandoned buildings and empty factories. People in Connecticut tell me they want Congress to focus on helping the middle class. I was proud that this bill made the Child and Earned Income Tax Credits permanent to help Connecticut workers keep more of their hard-earned money and build a better life for their families. We took major steps to combat climate change, providing incentives for increased production of clean energy like wind and solar and preventing Republican attempts to block new rules on clean water and power plants. And we ensured that Connecticut businesses can keep tax credits that help them invest in innovation so they remain competitive in todays complex global economy. Still, the bill has some serious flaws its not the bill I would have written. Democrats are in the minority, so I knew going in that the final bill would be far from perfect, but I believe we got the best bill we could have in this Congress. After years and years of damaging cuts, this budget finally starts making investments in the programs that help Connecticut." Below is a list of some of the imp… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://delauro.house.gov/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=2160:delauro-announces-launch-of-the-cuba-working-groupcatid=2:press-releasesItemid=21 | DeLauro Announces Launch of the Cuba Working Group | 2015-12-17 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Rosa DeLauro | D000216 | delauro.house.gov | legacy | Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement in response to the Senate passing the Republicans bill cutting taxes for millionaires, billionaires, and corporations while raising taxes on middle class families. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-mccain-re-introduce-fans-act-to-end-sports-blackouts | Blumenthal, McCain Re-Introduce FANS Act to End Sports Blackouts | 2015-12-17 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | legacy | Blumenthal, McCain Re-Introduce FANS Act to End Sports Blackouts Print Tweet Legislation would require sports leagues to end blackouts in order to continue receiving federal antitrust exemptions Thursday, December 17, 2015 (Washington, DC) Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) re-introduced the Furthering Access and Networks for Sports (FANS) Act of 2015 legislation that would end sports blackouts by requiring professional sports leagues to meet basic obligations to fans in order to continue receiving substantial benefits, including exemptions from antitrust law. Because of the outdated and overly-broad league blackout policies, sports fans across the country are often unable to watch their favorite teams because games are blacked out on broadcast stations, cable networks, and internet-streaming platforms. Earlier this year, the National Football League (NFL) suspended its blackout policies for the 2015 season, enabling millions of sports fans to access local NFL games this year even when stadiums fail to sell out, but the league has not committed to extending the suspension beyond this season. Were throwing the flag on these anti-consumer tactics and putting more games in front of the fans that deserve to see their favorite team play, said Blumenthal. The FANS Act would ensure fans have rightful access to the live games of their favorite teams, regardless of where they live. It is unconscionable that we continue to allow special breaks and deals for professional sports leagues that impose anti-consumer blackout policies and leave their fans in the dark. While the NFL has volunteered to lift its blackout policy for this year, they can chose to reverse course at any time, and fans still face blackouts in baseball, hockey and basketball. This bill is a comprehensive approach that addresses blackouts in whatever form they take. The FANS Act is about ens… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://himes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=5BB6BB28-1549-4D0B-A83E-374A7DFB887D | Himes votes for strong bipartisan funding bill, keeps government open | 2015-12-17 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | James A. Himes | H001047 | himes.house.gov | himes | https://himes.house.gov/press-releases | page_html | Washington, DC – Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) released the following statement on his vote for the combined appropriations bills known as the “omnibus:” “I hope the passage of today’s bill will put an end to the era of governing by crisis by providing funding for vital programs through the end of September 2016. It’s not perfect, but it represents a good faith negotiating effort by both parties. I supported the bill because I believe we need to keep government open and operating for Americans, even if thoughtful compromise is necessary to achieve that goal. “Democrats kept harmful provisions such as a funding cut for Planned Parenthood, dismantling clean energy efforts and further weakening campaign finance rules out of the final bill. Provisions like this have no place in law, let alone attached to a spending bill, and I’m glad that the Republicans didn’t attempt to ram them through against the will of the American people. “Some beneficial policy pieces made it into the final product, too. A cybersecurity bill that has been in the works a long time was included in the final text and will enhance Americans‘ safety in part by encouraging more cooperation between the private and public sector. I was personally involved in crafting this bill over a period of many months and it is an important step forward in securing our nation against cyber and other threats. “We also secured funding for the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which provides permanent health benefits for firefighters, police officers and other rescuers who became sick because of toxic exposure at the site of the 2001 World Trade Center attack. Congress also took the sensible step of reauthorizing tax credits for wind and solar energy, a short-term way to help them develop and meet our nation’s energy needs. “There are also funds to provide for our veterans, infrastructure and national defense as well as to pay the federal employees who process Social Security checks and keep Medicare and Medicaid open and operating. Other highlight… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-03-30T11:08:25Z |
| https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-time-progress | Larson: "Time for Progress" | 2015-12-17 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | John Larson | L000557 | larson.house.gov | legacy | Washington Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) joined President Obama in supporting the passage of the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act, which included billions in tax breaks for working families via the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, as well as the Brady/Larson R&D Tax Credit and the Johnson/Larson Wrongful Convictions Tax Relief legislation. Though Congress has long been deeply divided, today we demonstrated we can find common ground for the good of the American people, said Larson. It is past time for us to make progress and move forward. Though this bill was far from perfect, it contains vital tax breaks for children and working families. Without the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Creditprovisions, over 50 million Americans would have been at risk of losing all or part of the credits they rely on by 2018. We could not let that happen. This bill also provides much needed stability in our tax code for small businesses and manufacturers. This is a tremendous victory for the First District to help grow jobs and keep us competitive globally. I am particularly thrilled to see the permanent extension of the R&D tax credit, a bill I have supported since I came to Congress in 1999, and sponsored with my colleague, Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX). The R&D tax credit is a driver of jobs and innovation both in Connecticut and across our nation. Making it permanent will provide security for companies to grow more jobs and make more investments here in America. I was also pleased that other provisions that will help spur economic development like Section 179 expensing were made permanent as well. Another bill sponsored by Larson along with Rep. Sam Johnson (R-TX) the Wrongful Convictions Tax Relief Act was included as a part of the PATH Act. Initially introduced in 2007 following the exoneration of James Tillman in Connecticut, the legislation would ensure that compensation awards received by those who were wrongfully accused are not subjected to federal taxes on their awards… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-johnson-bipartisan-resolution-condemning-sexual-violence-against-women-and-children-by-isis-militants-passes-senate- | MURPHY, JOHNSON BIPARTISAN RESOLUTION CONDEMNING SEXUAL VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN BY ISIS MILITANTS PASSES SENATE | 2015-12-17 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | legacy | MURPHY, JOHNSON BIPARTISAN RESOLUTION CONDEMNING SEXUAL VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND CHILDREN BY ISIS MILITANTS PASSES SENATE Thursday, December 17, 2015 WASHINGTON A bipartisan resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and cosponsored by U.S. Senators Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), David Perdue (R-Ga.), and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) condemning the ongoing sexual violence against women and children of Yezidi, Christian, Shabak, Turkmen, and other religious communities by ISIS militants passed in the Senate yesterday. Senate Res. 310 also urges the prosecution of the perpetrators of the violence and those complicit in these crimes. It was passed through the Senate Foreign Relations Committee by voice vote last month. ISIS publicly and systematically targets communities on the basis of their religious identities using a crusade of violence that includes executions, beheadings, arbitrary detainment, forced displacement, torture, enslavement, rape and other sexual violence. Johnsons resolution condemns these outrages. It calls upon the attorney general to commence the investigation and prosecution of any United States citizen alleged to be a perpetrator of this targeted violence or complicit in these crimes and urges the government of Iraq and other countries to act similarly. "We can no longer turn a blind eye to the ISIS terrorists who rape, torture, and imprison innocent women and children, said Murphy. Sexual violence is a brutal weapon of war, and women from the Yezidi, Shabak, Turkmen and Christian communities have been systematically targeted for far too long. These women are hiding in the shadows of fear and the shameful stigma of abuse, while their perpetrators go free. Im proud to join a bipartisan coalition that worked to get this resolution passed. Its an important step in condemning this barbaric violence and finally bringing the terrorists to justice. I recently had the opportunity to meet a yo… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://delauro.house.gov/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=2159:delauro-statement-on-the-omnibus-billcatid=2:press-releasesItemid=21 | DeLauro Statement on the Omnibus Bill | 2015-12-16 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Rosa DeLauro | D000216 | delauro.house.gov | legacy | Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement in response to the Senate passing the Republicans bill cutting taxes for millionaires, billionaires, and corporations while raising taxes on middle class families. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-implores-president-senate-colleagues-to-correct-improper-implementation-of-helms-amendment-reduce-barriers-to-safe-abortion-for-women-and-girls-in-conflict-affected-regions | Blumenthal Implores President, Senate Colleagues to Correct Improper Implementation of Helms Amendment, Reduce Barriers to Safe Abortion for Women and Girls in Conflict-Affected Regions | 2015-12-16 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | legacy | Blumenthal Implores President, Senate Colleagues to Correct Improper Implementation of Helms Amendment, Reduce Barriers to Safe Abortion for Women and Girls in Conflict-Affected Regions Print Tweet Wednesday, December 16, 2015 As the world's largest donor of assistance around the world, the United States can and should do better and do more to provide health care that girls and women vitally need when they become vulnerable and, in fact, victims of terror inflicted by these heinous criminal acts. [I]t remains essential that we recognize the full scope of the post-rape health care needed by survivors of rape, who hideously and gruesomely have been victims of a tool of terrorism by ISIL. Fully countering ISILs terror strategy means providing necessary and compassionate care for girls and women who have been victims (Washington, DC) Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) spoke on the Senate floor to implore President Obama and his Senate colleagues to correct improper implementation of Helms Amendment and reduce barriers to safe abortion for women and girls in conflict-affected regions. As ISIL and Boko Haram increasingly use rape as a tool of warfare, language from the Helms Amendment is incorrectly restricting access to abortions, forcing women and girls to carry unwanted pregnancies to full term and risk being shunned by their communities. Blumenthal has led Senate efforts urging the Administration to increase protections and remove barriers to safe abortion for women and girls in conflict-affected areas, writing letters to the State Department and President Obama in September and October, respectively. We cannot allow for ISIL to terrorize and disrupt communities, to exert control over women and girls, and in the case of the Yazidis, to impregnate them purposefully and relentlessly. Survivors should not be forced to carry pregnancies to full term simply because access to reproductive h… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-reauthorization-of-perkins-loan-program | Blumenthal Statement on Reauthorization of Perkins Loan Program | 2015-12-16 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | legacy | Blumenthal Statement on Reauthorization of Perkins Loan Program Print Tweet Wednesday, December 16, 2015 (Washington, DC) U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) issued a statement today following Senate reauthorization of the Perkins Loan Program. This critical lifeline for many low-income students expired on September 30, despite receiving a unanimous one-year, no-cost extension from the House of Representatives on September 28: While I am pleased that the Senate acted today to extend this valuable program, I am disappointed that this reauthorization excludes aid to graduate studentsa longstanding program that I will continue to fight for. Student debt is crippling and crushing our economy, forcing families to postpone purchases like homes and cars and delaying major life decisions. Perkins Loans have been a critical lifeline to tens of millions of students for over half a century, and reauthorization of this program should never have been in question. I have heard from students and families across Connecticut struggling to afford the rising cost of the college, who have implored me to address the prohibitive costs of higher education. We must keep faith with these studentsour next greatest generationand take real, meaningful steps now to address the national crisis of college affordability. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-announces-launch-cuba-working-group | DeLauro Announces Launch of the Cuba Working Group | 2015-12-16 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Rosa DeLauro | D000216 | delauro.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC (December 16, 2015) Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today announced the launch of the Cuba Working Group, a bipartisan Congressional group that will promote a United States-Cuba policy that reflects the interests of the American people in engagement with Cuba. American interests are best served through greater engagement with Cuba. By developing relationships with the Cuban people, business sector, and other institutions, the U.S. can participate constructively in a peaceful transition to democracy and a market-oriented economy on the island, said Rosa DeLauro. A new policy of engagement will not only provide an economic boost here at home, it will also help to advance the economic development and human rights of the Cuban people. The group was announced in aletterto Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. In the letter, members of the group note that the American people are increasingly indicating their desire for a new, more pragmatic approach to Cuba. More people are traveling from the U.S. to Cuba, more businesses are looking for opportunity on the island, and more sectors are eager for trade. The letter concludes, Our goal is to raise the level of understanding inside of Congress for the need to build a new policy framework for U.S. and Cuban relations. The bipartisan Cuba Working Group will convene meetings with leading experts on Cuba and foreign affairs, host policy roundtables and discussions, and will seek to draw attention to how reforms in the U.S. and Cuba are opening new opportunities for commercial, diplomatic, and people-to-people relationships. The bipartisan Cuba Working Group steering committee members are: Kathy Castor (D-FL), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Rick Crawford (R-AR), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Tom Emmer (R-MN), Sam Farr (D-CA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Ted Poe (R-TX), Reid Ribble (R-WI), Mark Sanford (R-SC), and Nydia Velzquez (D-NY). The full letter is available here. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-statement-omnibus-bill | DeLauro Statement on the Omnibus Bill | 2015-12-16 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Rosa DeLauro | D000216 | delauro.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC (December 16, 2015) Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) issued the following statement today regarding the legislation before the House of Representatives funding the U.S. government for fiscal year 2016. DeLauro is the senior Democrat on the subcommittee responsible for funding the departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. While the spending levels are increased over current levels, this bill still does not adequately fund the programs within the jurisdiction of the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies subcommittee. I worked hard to make sure that these increases happened, but I remain disappointed that the subcommittee received less than its fair share of the $33 billion increase provided by the budget deal. Though there should have been more investments in these areas, there are provisions in the bill that are important and will help working families and the middle class.First, this bill supports the continued implementation of the Affordable Care Act, which is a victory for millions of Americans who depend on the lifesaving care provided by ACA health plans. Second, this bill includes a $2 billion increase for the National Institutes of Health and a $160 million increase for the Center for Disease Control's antibiotic resistance initiative. These investments support medical research that spurs innovation, grows our economy, and makes our fellow citizens healthier. This bill also makes important investments in early education and development.It increases funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grant by $326 million and increases funding for Head Start by $570 million. The bill also provides a significant and much needed increase of $455 million for special education and $500 million for Title I grants to support disadvantaged students. These investments in the lives of American children are essential to building the future of our country and our economy, but more can be done. There are fewer areas with a greater return on investment than … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://himes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=04DE9AB5-54A8-4429-9681-EAD631B71255 | Himes opposes package of deficit-ballooning tax extenders | 2015-12-16 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | James A. Himes | H001047 | himes.house.gov | himes | https://himes.house.gov/press-releases | page_html | Washington, DC – Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) released the following statement on his vote against tax extenders: “Paul Ryan and the Republican majority specifically designed this vote to be difficult by loading the bill with credits and extensions for programs that are important to those of us who care about families, combating poverty, and supporting charitable giving and job growth. However, because the bill didn’t pay for these, its passage will add at least $780 billion, including interest, to the national debt over the ten years and $2 trillion over the next two decades. “This is a deliberate strategy, crafted over the years by Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan. In the coming years, as the national debt balloons, the architects of today’s massive spending bill will reacquire a sense of fiscal responsibility and piously demand cuts to investments in education, infrastructure, Medicare and Social Security. As our population ages and our students, schools and transportation systems cry out for investment, we will regret this vote. “I support many of the credits included in the bill such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, which is one of the best anti-poverty tools we have at our disposal, as well as tax extenders to help Americans raise and educate their children and support research and development for business. But, if we truly prioritize these programs, we should find a way to pay for them rather than dig ourselves into debt.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-03-30T11:08:25Z |
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-applauds-extension-of-critical-bipartisan-student-loan-program | MURPHY APPLAUDS EXTENSION OF CRITICAL, BIPARTISAN STUDENT LOAN PROGRAM | 2015-12-16 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | legacy | MURPHY APPLAUDS EXTENSION OF CRITICAL, BIPARTISAN STUDENT LOAN PROGRAM Wednesday, December 16, 2015 WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, applauded the 2-year extension of the Perkins Loan Program a federal student loan program that is a critical lifeline for many low-income students, but expired on September 30 due to inaction by Congressional leadership. Since its expiration, Murphy and a bipartisan coalition of Senators have twice attempted to reauthorize the program with a unanimous consent" request. Murphy also joined a bipartisan group of his colleagues in urging Senate leadership to take up and pass the Higher Education Extension Act, legislation to reauthorize the Perkins Loan Program. As someone still carrying student debt, I know the challenge of paying for college all too well. The Perkins Loan Program makes it possible for students all across the country including almost a thousand in Connecticut to go to college at no additional cost to taxpayers, said Murphy. Republicans decision to let the program lapse, cutting off loans in the middle of the school year, betrayed students everywhere. Im relieved that we passed a two-year extension of this program today, but I wont stop fighting to ensure every student can afford college, Murphy added. The Perkins Loan Program, the nations older federal student loan program, has existed with broad bipartisan support since 1958 and has provided more than $28 billion in loans through almost 26 million awards to students in all 50 states. In the last academic year alone, the program lent $1.1 billion to more than half a million students with financial need across more than 1,500 institutions of higher education. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://delauro.house.gov/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=2158:congresswoman-delauro-remembers-state-representative-terry-backercatid=2:press-releasesItemid=21 | Congresswoman DeLauro Remembers State Representative Terry Backer | 2015-12-15 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Rosa DeLauro | D000216 | delauro.house.gov | legacy | Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement in response to the Senate passing the Republicans bill cutting taxes for millionaires, billionaires, and corporations while raising taxes on middle class families. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/at-senate-veterans-committee-hearing-blumenthal-senate-colleagues-and-witnesses-address-services-provided-to-servicemembers-transitioning-to-civilian-life-and-areas-for-improvement | At Senate Veterans’ Committee Hearing, Blumenthal, Senate Colleagues, and Witnesses Address Services Provided to Servicemembers Transitioning to Civilian Life and Areas for Improvement | 2015-12-15 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | legacy | At Senate Veterans Committee Hearing, Blumenthal, Senate Colleagues, and Witnesses Address Services Provided to Servicemembers Transitioning to Civilian Life and Areas for Improvement Print Tweet Hearing included witnesses from government, private, and non-profit sectors to discuss efforts to support veterans transitioning to civilian life Tuesday, December 15, 2015 (Washington, DC) At a hearing of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, Ranking Member Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), pressed the Departments of Defense (DOD) Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and Department of Labor (DOL) on what more can be done for men and women transitioning from the military to civilian life. The hearing assessed the collaboration between government agencies, private sector companies, and non-profit organizations to monitor and improve the delivery of transition programs. Federal agency witnesses from DOD, VA, and DOL, along with representatives from private sector companies Coca-Cola and Starbucks, testified on the need to identify barriers to veterans economic integration, address gaps in current programs, and implement policies that will promote transition success among veterans. The Committee reiterated Congresss obligation to conduct oversight on these interagency efforts to ensure that veterans are equipped to compete in a changing economy and maximize the benefits that they have earned. Simply put, I think this nation is failing to address the transition problem of veterans as they return home from the military, said Ranking Member Blumenthal. Over the next three to four years, approximately one million servicemembers are expected to transition out of the military and into civilian life VA estimates show approximately 53 percent of these separating Post-9/11 veterans will face a period of unemployment, despite striving and working to find stable employmentWe know that a seamless transition… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-markey-introduce-legislation-to-increase-protections-for-online-consumers | Blumenthal, Markey Introduce Legislation to Increase Protections for Online Consumers | 2015-12-15 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | legacy | Blumenthal, Markey Introduce Legislation to Increase Protections for Online Consumers Print Tweet Tuesday, December 15, 2015 Do Not Track Online Act would require companies to allow consumers to stop collection of personal information Recent reports show consumers increasingly concerned about companies tracking online behavior, likely to try ad-blocking software to avoid possible tracking (Washington, DC) U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Ranking Member and Member, respectively, of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, today introduced the Do Not Track Online Act of 2015, legislation that would give consumers the ability to control their personal information and allow them to prevent online companies from collecting and using their information for profit. The bill follows the recent release of a report identifying that the majority of online consumers are concerned about companies that track online behavior and a growing number of internet users are opting for ad-blocker software to eliminate potential for being tracked. Consumers need this protection against invasive tracking companies that collect private, sensitive information with every online click, said Blumenthal. The Do Not Track Act prevents privacy abuse and gives back control over personal lives online. People deserve to be empowered to stop trackers who collect and store their personal, private information. Every online click consumers make provides a detailed and private picture of their personal lives, and American should have control over the collection and use of this personal, sensitive information, said Senator Markey. The Do Not Track Act gives Americans the right to say no to private companies tracking their every move online. I thank Senator Blumenthal for his work on this important bill and look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this important consumer… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-murphy-call-on-department-of-homeland-security-to-immediately-require-social-media-background-checks-as-part-of-visa-screening-process | Blumenthal, Murphy Call on Department of Homeland Security to Immediately Require Social Media Background Checks As Part of Visa Screening Process | 2015-12-15 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | legacy | Blumenthal, Murphy Call on Department of Homeland Security to Immediately Require Social Media Background Checks As Part of Visa Screening Process Print Tweet Tuesday, December 15, 2015 Letter Signed By 22 Senate Democrats Comes After Reports That Female San Bernardino Assailant May Have Expressed Support for Terrorism On Social Media Before Applying for Visa Senate Dems: Ensuring that the screening processes for our nations visa programs are rigorous & comprehensive must be a top priority WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal and U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism, joined with U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H) and 19 of their Democratic Senate colleagues, to release a new letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson urging the agency to immediately require that a review of visa applicants social media be included as part of the background screening process for all those seeking to enter the United States. The Senate Democrats also requested more information from DHS on the existing screening process, resource constraints,and plans to integrate reviews of social media accounts into the background screening process to ensure the process is as rigorous and comprehensive as possible. The letter comes in the wake of reports that the female assailant involved in the San Bernardino terrorist attackmay have expressed support for terrorism on social media platforms before her fianc the male attacker and a U.S. Citizen applied foraK-1 fianc visaon her behalf. We write to express our deep concern regarding reports that critical background information of individuals participating in American visa programs has been largely omitted from the visa security screening process. Media reports have also indicated that Department of Homeland… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-senate-approval-of-legislation-protecting-free-speech-in-online-reviews | Blumenthal Statement on Senate Approval of Legislation Protecting Free Speech in Online Reviews | 2015-12-15 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | legacy | Blumenthal Statement on Senate Approval of Legislation Protecting Free Speech in Online Reviews Print Tweet Tuesday, December 15, 2015 Washington, DC) U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) released the following statement today after the Senate passed the Consumer Review Freedom Act, bipartisan legislation he cosponsored to ensure free speech in online reviews. The bill follows reports of consumers being sued and threatened by companies and businesses for posting legitimate negative reviews. From toys and tools to hotels and services, consumers nationwide are turning to online reviews to decide how and where to spend their money. Consumers have a right to expect that these reviews are honest, uncensored, and complete not muzzled by insidious contract language buried in the fine print of contracts and invoices. The Consumer Freedom Review Act would end these anti-consumer clauses a victory for free markets and free speech. Now that the Senate has acted, I urge the House to follow suit and pass this bill. As consumers increasingly rely on online reviews for all types of purchases from toys and household goods to hotels and even doctors, some retailers are sneaking non-disparagement clauses into contracts that allow them to exact harsh penalties on consumers for honest, negative reviews. In one case, a New York hotel threatened to penalize newlyweds $500 for every negative review posted by anyone attending their wedding. In another case, an online retailer demanded $3,500 and from a consumer who posted online truth that the company had failed to send a Christmas present she had ordered for her husband. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-urges-unitedhealthcare-to-continue-participation-in-aca-exchanges | Blumenthal Urges UnitedHealthcare to Continue Participation in ACA Exchanges | 2015-12-15 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | legacy | Blumenthal Urges UnitedHealthcare to Continue Participation in ACA Exchanges Print Tweet Tuesday, December 15, 2015 (Hartford, CT) In a letter to UnitedHealth Group CEO Stephen Hemsley, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) today urged the company to continue its participation in the Affordable Care Act exchanges. Earlier this month, UnitedHealthcare announced it would scale back marketing of its exchange plans for 2016, and would consider leaving the exchanges fully in 2017. Competition in the Marketplace remains strong, ensuring consumer choice and affordable prices. As with any new market, changes and adjustments are expected in the early years, indeed short term losses are not unlikely.Other insurers have stated that the Marketplace will stabilize and remain a reliable source of coverage for millions of Americans. I ask that UnitedHealthcare continue participating in the Marketplace and offer affordable plans for millions of Americans, Blumenthal states in the letter. Full text of the letter follows: December 15, 2015 Dear Mr. Hemsley: I am writing today to express deep disappointment in UnitedHealthcares announcement that it is reconsidering its participation in the Health Insurance Marketplace (the Marketplace) created by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). I urge UnitedHealthcare (UHC) to continue selling affordable health care coverage in the Marketplace in 2017 and work to provide consumers with more health insurance options. Recently, UHC stated that it would continue selling insurance plans for 2016, but would suspend marketing. The company subsequently announced that they will stop paying commissions for insurance policies offered through the exchanges beginning January 1, 2016, a move experts say signals a retreat from the public health exchanges.[1] I hope that the experts are wrong and that UHC will find a way to continue selling its policies on the Marketplace in 2017 and in th… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-delauro-remembers-state-representative-terry-backer | Congresswoman DeLauro Remembers State Representative Terry Backer | 2015-12-15 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Rosa DeLauro | D000216 | delauro.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC (December 15, 2015) Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement on the passing of State Representative Terry Backer (121st District). "Terry Backer was one-in-a-million. He was a devoted public servant and a fierce advocate for the Long Island Sound. For more than two decades, he represented the residents of the 121st Assembly District, dedicating his time and energies to making a difference for families in Stratford and across Connecticut. Terry displayed a remarkable commitment to his work, both as a State Legislator and Soundkeeper, and he will be missed by many." "A lobsterman by trade, Terry's true passion was for the Long Island Sound and its continued health and vitality. He made sure that his colleagues understood the importance of the Sound, not only to the Stratford community he represented, but to our state as well.Terry brought a unique perspective to the General Assembly and he leaves a legacy of public service that will certainly continue to inspire others." "I consider myself fortunate to have called Terry my friend. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this time." ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-blumenthal-call-on-department-of-homeland-security-to-immediately-require-social-media-background-checks-as-part-of-visa-screening-process | MURPHY, BLUMENTHAL CALL ON DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY TO IMMEDIATELY REQUIRE SOCIAL MEDIA BACKGROUND CHECKS AS PART OF VISA SCREENING PROCESS | 2015-12-15 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | legacy | MURPHY, BLUMENTHAL CALL ON DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY TO IMMEDIATELY REQUIRE SOCIAL MEDIA BACKGROUND CHECKS AS PART OF VISA SCREENING PROCESS Letter Signed By 22 Senate Democrats Comes After Reports That Female San Bernardino Assailant May Have Expressed Support for Terrorism On Social Media Before Applying for Visa; Senate Dems: Ensuring that the screening processes for our nations visa programs are rigorous & comprehensive must be a top priority Tuesday, December 15, 2015 WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism, and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthaljoined with U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H) and 19 of their Democratic Senate colleagues, to release a new letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson urging the agency to immediately require that a review of visa applicants social media be included as part of the background screening process for all those seeking to enter the United States. The Senate Democrats also requested more information from DHS on the existing screening process, resource constraints,and plans to integrate reviews of social media accounts into the background screening process to ensure the process is as rigorous and comprehensive as possible. The letter comes in the wake of reports that the female assailant involved in the San Bernardino terrorist attackmay have expressed support for terrorism on social media platforms before her fianc the male attacker and a U.S. Citizen applied foraK-1 fianc visaon her behalf. We write to express our deep concern regarding reports that critical background information of individuals participating in American visa programs has been largely omitted from the visa security screening process. Media reports have also indicated that Department of Homeland Security officials are able to conduct social media background checks as a part of c… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-grassley-urge-committee-consideration-of-revolutionary-war-patriot-memorial-bill | MURPHY, GRASSLEY URGE COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR PATRIOT MEMORIAL BILL | 2015-12-15 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | legacy | MURPHY, GRASSLEY URGE COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR PATRIOT MEMORIAL BILL Tuesday, December 15, 2015 WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) urged the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources to consider the National Liberty Memorial Clarification Act of 2015, a bill that would keep the creation of the National Liberty Memorial a monument to commemorate the tens of thousands of slaves and free black persons who fought for freedom and independence in the American Revolution on track. In a letter to Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Murphy and Grassley requested that the committee leaders schedule a hearing on the bill early in the next session of Congress so that it can be reported to the full Senate as soon as possible. The National Liberty Clarification Act was referred to the Senate committee earlier this year after it passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 402-0. We are strong supporters of the creation of the National Liberty Memorial to honor the thousands of enslaved and free black persons who fought in the Revolutionary War. However, we understand that red tape has led to delays in the final approval of the design and location for the memorial. In order to streamline the process and keep the memorial on track to be completed in the current authorization period, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1949, the National Liberty Memorial Clarification Act of 2015, on September 17, 2015,wrote the Senators. H.R. 1949 has now been referred to your committee. We ask that you schedule a hearing early in the next session of Congress to consider this bill with a view to it being reported to the full Senate for consideration as soon as possible. Murphy became involved in the effort after former U.S. Senators Chris Dodd and Joseph Lieberman successfully led the fight to pass legislation that,… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-statement-on-passing-of-terry-backer | MURPHY STATEMENT ON PASSING OF TERRY BACKER | 2015-12-15 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | legacy | MURPHY STATEMENT ON PASSING OF TERRY BACKER Tuesday, December 15, 2015 WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statement on the passing of Representative Terry Backer, 61, of the Connecticut General Assembly: Terry Backer made a difference. A generation of public servants and advocates and citizens care more about protecting the quality of Connecticuts air and water especially Long Island Sound because of Terry Backer, State Representative from Stratford, who died last night after a long, courageous fight with brain cancer. I count myself among those who fight a little harder for the health of Connecticuts waterways because I knew Terry Backer, Connecticuts one and only Soundkeeper, and didnt want to disappoint him. His passion for the water, honed by the side of his father as they harvested shellfish for a living for decades, matured as he took on the official role as the states chief spokesman for Long Island Sound. To be honest, my early years in the state legislature were spent steering clear of Terry. To new, young entrants to the General Assembly, he could come across as a bit intimidating that fishermans beard and the gruff, coarse voice. And that reputation served him well, because people in Hartford had little interest in crossing Terry when it came to issues relating to the environment and energy policy his pet passions. But now, having gotten the chance to get close to him, I feel foolish thinking that he was anything other than a big teddy bear, with an occasionally rough exterior. Terry made everyone around him understand that Connecticuts economy and its cultural character were intimately tied to the health of Long Island Sound and the rivers and streams that flow into it. In large part because of Terrys urging, Connecticut set upon an aggressive course of cleaning up the sewage treatment plants that allowed dirty water to flow into the Sound. Today, the water in and around our state is cleaner than ever few beaches ar… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://delauro.house.gov/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=2156:delauro-statement-on-third-anniversary-of-sandy-hook-shootingcatid=2:press-releasesItemid=21 | DeLauro Statement on Third Anniversary of Sandy Hook Shooting | 2015-12-14 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Rosa DeLauro | D000216 | delauro.house.gov | legacy | Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement in response to the Senate passing the Republicans bill cutting taxes for millionaires, billionaires, and corporations while raising taxes on middle class families. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://delauro.house.gov/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=2157:delauro-statement-on-usda-rule-to-track-sources-of-ground-meatscatid=2:press-releasesItemid=21 | DeLauro Statement on USDA Rule to Track Sources of Ground Meats | 2015-12-14 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Rosa DeLauro | D000216 | delauro.house.gov | legacy | Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement in response to the Senate passing the Republicans bill cutting taxes for millionaires, billionaires, and corporations while raising taxes on middle class families. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://nyti.ms/1YidUZu | Blumenthal and Senate Veterans’ Committee Colleagues Call for Increased Collaboration Between VA, Defense Department to Strengthen Support for Servicemembers Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life | 2015-12-14 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | nyti.ms | legacy | Blumenthal and Senate Veterans Committee Colleagues Call for Increased Collaboration Between VA, Defense Department to Strengthen Support for Servicemembers Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life Print Tweet Monday, December 14, 2015 Committee hearing on Tuesday will review experiences of veterans transitioning out of the military, interagency cooperation It is our belief that the right time to start planning for this transition in an all-volunteer force is the day of enlistment, rather than the day of separation. (Washington, DC) Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs (SVAC), along with SVAC Committee members Senator Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI), called on the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure servicemembers are provided optimal support as they transition from military to civilian life. This letter is being sent in advance of the SVAC hearing on transition, which will be held tomorrow, December 15 at 2:30pm and will assess the transition services provided by government agencies, private sector companies, and their collaboration to support veterans transitioning from the military to civilian life. Committee Members will hear testimony from Dr. Susan S. Kelly, Director of the DoD Transition to Veteran Program Office (TVPO) tomorrow. In their letter to DOD Secretary Ashton Carter, the senators noted DoDs current changes to their military personnel policies and requested the Department review current reforms to the transition process. The senators reiterated the need to ensure seamless transition for servicemembers remains a top priority, specifically regarding veterans healthcare, writing Despite recent efforts by the Department of Defense (DoD) to address pervasive issues of mental health and suicide… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-new-faa-drone-registration-requirements | Blumenthal Statement on New FAA Drone Registration Requirements | 2015-12-14 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | legacy | Blumenthal Statement on New FAA Drone Registration Requirements Print Tweet Announcement follows new report identifying hundreds of incidents and 241 near collisions between drones and manned aircrafts in last two years Monday, December 14, 2015 (Hartford, CT) U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), member of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security, released the following statement today after the Federal Aviation Administrations (FAA) announced new requirements for drone registration. This announcement follows the release of a report last week identifying the increasing risks caused by drones in our skies, with hundreds of reported incidents and 241 near collisions between drones and manned aircrafts in the past two years. The FAAs effort to register drones is a positive step for accountability and oversight, but much more needs to be done to address drone dangers. The FAA needs to combine todays announcement with effective enforcement, holding anyone accountable who threatens air safety. Congress must act swiftly, empowering FAA even further with more authority, tools and resources to safeguard our skies from increasing dangers of these new devices, like requiring clear, enforceable operational restrictions that will keep these drones away from airports, manned aircraft, public areas and critical infrastructure. We must also require the installation of fail-safe technology in the manufacturing process, so its impossible for owners to misuse these powerful devices. The most recent two-year report of close calls 241 near crashes between drones and manned aircraft should intensify oversight efforts. Now it is a matter of when not if a collision ends in tragedy in the skies. We need an aggressive, robust response, and we need it now. As a member of the committee with jurisdiction of aviation issues, I'll be fighting to establish tough rules of the… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-third-anniversary-of-sandy-hook-shooting | Blumenthal Statement on Third Anniversary of Sandy Hook Shooting | 2015-12-14 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | legacy | Blumenthal Statement on Third Anniversary of Sandy Hook Shooting Print Tweet Monday, December 14, 2015 (Hartford, CT) U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) issued the following statement regarding the third anniversary of the Sandy Hook shooting: Our bond with Newtown is as resolute as ever weare with the families and community as strongly as we were three years ago on this tragic day. Their pain and grief are real and powerful, but so are their courage and resilience in the face of unspeakable horror. I have respect beyond words for the personal bravery and strength of the survivors in Newtown and for the tens of thousands of others who shoulder such pain and loss each day across our nation. We will never forget the loved ones lost, and I will never abandon this cause. We must honor with action today and every day. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswomen-applaud-study-gender-discrimination-stem-research-call | Congresswomen Applaud Study on Gender Discrimination in STEM Research, Call on Federal Agencies to Address Bias | 2015-12-14 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Rosa DeLauro | D000216 | delauro.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC (December 14, 2015) With the release of astudy today that found gender bias in federal STEM research, Congresswomen Rosa DeLauro, Louise Slaughter, and Eddie Bernice Johnson called on agencies totake immediate action to ensure gender equality in publically funded research. The year-long study, which the congresswomen requested in 2013 from the independent Government Accountability Office (GAO), found that federal agencies are not doing their partto identify and address possible gender bias infederal research projects in the STEM fields. The congresswomen called on six federal agencies to immediately address the shortcomings found by the study, including improving data collection and performing compliance reviews that are legally required under Title IXthe federal law that bans discrimination in publically funded research and education. The GAO report shows that while women have made great strides in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math, there is still more that needs to be done to ensure that women have the same opportunities as men, said Rep. Rosa DeLauro. Collectively, the six agencies in the GAO report are responsible for more than 90% of the $25 billion in federal STEM grants awarded annually. These agencies must do more to guarantee that the recipients of federal grants are the nation's brightest and most promising scientists, regardless of gender. With billions of dollars being spent on life-saving research, the stakes are far too high. Federal agencies should immediately implement the necessary systems to collect data on the recipients of grants and end gender bias. The difficulties our country faces are too daunting for us to be using only half of our brain power. This GAO report shows us that we still have miles to go beforewe're sure our best and brightestwomen scientists have equal opportunities to succeed, said Rep. Louise Slaughter. Right now, two agencies overseeing more than $17 billion in federal grants have not implemented legally required compliance reviews wit… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-statement-third-anniversary-sandy-hook-shooting | DeLauro Statement on Third Anniversary of Sandy Hook Shooting | 2015-12-14 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Rosa DeLauro | D000216 | delauro.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC (December 14, 2015) Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement regarding the third anniversary of the Sandy Hook shooting. As we mark the third anniversary of the tragic moment in Newtown that forever changed our country, we stand united with a community that is stronger today. On that cold December day, we lost 26 students and teachers in an unspeakable tragedy. And while we mark another year without the sons and daughters we lost, we know that their spirits live on through the resilience of Newtown. We must honor their memory with action, for no community should ever have to experience what happened in ours. Congress should institute commonsense gun violence prevention efforts that can save lives and stop American communities from being ripped apart. Three years after the tragedy in Newtown, we cannot even get a simple yes or no vote on background checks. Congress also refuses to renew the assault weapons ban, allowing more high-capacity guns and magazines to flood our streets. And just last week, the House voted again to not allow debate on a bill that would stop suspected terrorists from buying a firearm. I have also been calling for Congress to lift the federal ban on gun violence research that is stopping us from studying how we can save lives. We cannot continue to sit silently while these tragedies take place in American communities. On Monday, DeLauro organized a letter with twenty of her colleagues to the major news networks to help shed light on the issue of gun violence. The letter requested that the networks direct their affiliates in each state to broadcast a list of names and photos of every victim of gun violence each day in the affiliate's respective state. The effort would serve to ensure that the public is aware of the gun violence epidemic in their home communities, while honoring and remembering victims of gun violence. The full letter is available here. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-statement-usda-rule-track-sources-ground-meats | DeLauro Statement on USDA Rule to Track Sources of Ground Meats | 2015-12-14 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Rosa DeLauro | D000216 | delauro.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC (December 14, 2014) Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement on a new rule by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service that will improve the agency's ability to determine the source of foodborne illnesses linked to ground beef, stopping foodborne illness outbreaks sooner when they occur. With these measures, the USDA is strengthening federal food safety efforts by developing strategies that emphasize a three-dimensional approach to preventing foodborne illness: prioritizing prevention; strengthening surveillance and enforcement; and improving response and recovery. During outbreaks of foodborne illness, it is critical that the USDA can locate the source of the outbreak rapidly and trace any additional outbreaks linked to the source. The USDA's most important work is protecting American consumers from foodborne public health threats and these new rules are a critical addition to their efforts. We must do more to keep our food system safe and keep consumers healthy. Based on lessons learned from previous outbreak investigations, the Food and Safety Inspection Service is requiring that all makers of raw ground beef products keep adequate records of the source material, so that the agency can quickly work with the suppliers to recall contaminated product. Outbreak investigations can be hindered when retail stores produce ground beef by mixing product from various sources but fail to keep clear records that would allow investigators to determine which supplier produced the unsafe product. DeLauro is a senior Democrat on House subcommittee responsible for funding the U.S. Department of Agriculture. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-delauro-and-sens-brown-blumenthal-introduce-plan-prevent-medicare | Rep. DeLauro and Sens. Brown, Blumenthal Introduce Plan to Prevent Medicare Recipients Doctors from Being Dropped by Network after Coverage Begins | 2015-12-14 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Rosa DeLauro | D000216 | delauro.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC (December 14, 2015) Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), and Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), introduced a plan to prevent Medicare enrollees' doctors from being dropped by networks once coverage begins. The Medicare Advantage Bill of Rights Act would ensure that enrollees know what providers will be covered for the entire year under their plan, rather than just at enrollment time. Today, Medicare Advantage patients can have their doctors dropped by the plans during the middle of the plan year, making it difficult to ensure uninterrupted, quality health care, saidDeLauro. My bill, the Medicare Advantage Bill of Rights, will ensure that we hold insurance companies accountable, while putting our seniors first. We cannot allow our doctor-patient relationships to become interrupted during treatment without cause, much like we experienced in Connecticut with United HealthCare. I will continue to stand up and fight for our seniors to receive the highest quality care and ensure that they can live their lives with the economic and medical security they need. Seniors and other Medicare recipients deserve the peace of mind that they'll be able to receive care from their trusted doctors year round. But in recent years, we've heard too many reports of doctors being dropped from a patient's network, saidBrown.To ensure that Medicare Advantage plans work for doctors and beneficiaries, I'm reintroducing legislation that would ensure MA plans cannot drop providers from their network in the middle of a plan year without cause. It would also improve network adequacy protections in MA plans, and ensure consistency for both beneficiaries and health care providers on an annual basis. Seniors deserve to know that when health issues arise, they will always be able to turn to their own trusted physician, saidBlumenthal. This legislation ensures that the millions of seniors who rely on Medicare Advantage will not be faced with the unnecessary burden of finding a new doctor only because an insurer… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-third-anniversary-sandy-hook-tragedy | Larson on the Third Anniversary of Sandy Hook Tragedy | 2015-12-14 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | John Larson | L000557 | larson.house.gov | legacy | Washington Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement on the third anniversary of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School: No one can forget the pain and grief we all felt in the aftermath of that horrific shooting. Our hearts were broken as our worst fears as parents came true. Today we remember the twenty children taken before their time. We remember the six brave educators who died trying to protect their students. We think of the families who will never be the same. We stand with Newtown, in honor of their resilience, their compassion, and their courage. In the wake of that awful day, we came together as a nation. We can do so again. We can be kinder, more understanding, more forgiving. Today, we are all Newtown. We grieve for those who were lost, and cherish those still with us. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-murphy-op-ed-trying-to-find-the-just-right-formula-on-education | ICYMI: MURPHY OP-ED: Trying to find the just right formula on education | 2015-12-14 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | legacy | ICYMI: MURPHY OP-ED: Trying to find the just right formula on education Monday, December 14, 2015 CT Post: Trying to find the just right formula on educationU.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.)December 11, 2015 The federal education law passed under President Bush in 2001, No Child Left Behind, has been a disaster for Connecticut. As a product of Connecticuts public schools, and the son and husband of former teachers, I know that No Child Left Behind had good intentions pushing states to improve failing schools and results for minority and disabled students but the law went off the rails when it turned teaching into one big test preparation exercise. I came to Congress determined to repeal No Child Left Behind. But I also realize that in its wake, Congress would be faced with a Goldilocks kind of problem. We need to repeal the parts of No Child Left Behind that place too many federal mandates on local schools, without removing the guard rails that keep states from marginalizing their most vulnerable students. Like Goldilocks, the challenge Congress faced when rewriting No Child Left Behind this year was to find a solution that was just right. As a member of the committee in the Senate charged with writing this new education law, I was in a good position to help find this balance. I told the stories I heard from Connecticut teachers about the ridiculous amount of time they spent getting ready for their students to take standardized tests, or the parents who felt ashamed to send their child to a school that had been arbitrarily listed as an underperforming school. I talked about the administrators who felt helpless when their schools were put on these shame lists, but were offered no help from the federal government to turn them around other than an inflexible list of mandated interventions. But I also described the continuing reality in Connecticut of children in low income neighborhoods - often African-American or Hispanic - getting an unequal education to their suburban… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-highlights-barkhamsted-manufacturer-sterling-engineering-as-murphys-monday-manufacturer | MURPHY HIGHLIGHTS BARKHAMSTED MANUFACTURER, STERLING ENGINEERING, AS MURPHYS MONDAY MANUFACTURER | 2015-12-14 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | legacy | MURPHY HIGHLIGHTS BARKHAMSTED MANUFACTURER, STERLING ENGINEERING, AS MURPHYS MONDAY MANUFACTURER Monday, December 14, 2015 BARKHAMSTED Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.)announced that Sterling Engineering, a third-generation, family-operated manufacturer based in Barkhamsted, is this weeks MurphysMondayManufacturer. Sterling was founded out of the Lavieri familys cow barn in 1941 as a small tool and die shop where they served the Vought Sikorsky Company and supported the development of the Corsair fighter plane. Today, the manufacturer is a subsidiary of the $80-million aerospace and defense company, Air Industries Group, and operates out of a 75,000 square foot facility on the same plot of land with the old cow barn currently holding its administrative offices. With the help of fifty hardworking employees, many of whom are second- and third-generation machinists, Sterling manufactures and assembles parts for jet engines, helicopters, and land-based gas and steam turbines for the aerospace and power generation industries. Sterling serves many world-renowned customers in the aerospace and power generation industries including Pratt & Whitney, General Electric Aviation, Rolls-Royce, and Siemens and is proud to serve numerous loyal clients who have relied on the Barkhamsted manufacturer for decades. Time and time again, Sterling Engineering has met the changing demands of the defense industry. By partnering with Air Industries Group, Sterling will be well-positioned to continue delivering for their customers in Connecticut and across the country, said Murphy. Through decades of changes in the industry, the Lavieri family has stood by the Connecticut men and women they employ and continued to serve their community. I look forward to collaborating closely with the Lavieris as they continue to grow their business in Connecticut. The manufacturing industry plays a crucial role throughout Connecticut communities, creating new jobs and accelerating our states economic re… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-statement-on-administrations-plan-to-provide-129-billion-in-arms-and-ammunition-to-saudi-arabia | MURPHY STATEMENT ON ADMINISTRATIONS PLAN TO PROVIDE $1.29 BILLION IN ARMS AMMUNITION TO SAUDI ARABIA | 2015-12-14 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | legacy | MURPHY STATEMENT ON ADMINISTRATIONS PLAN TO PROVIDE $1.29 BILLION IN ARMS & AMMUNITION TO SAUDI ARABIA Monday, December 14, 2015 WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism, released the following statement regarding the U.S. State Departments decision to sell $1.29 billion in arms and ammunition to Saudi Arabia to be used in the fight against ISIS. I continue to have serious concerns about the Administrations decision to proceed with a $1.3 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia. This sale was announced amidst reports that the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen was indiscriminately bombing civilian targets and blocking humanitarian aid from reaching opposition-held areas. While the coalition has made some improvements in both these areas, more needs to be done before this sale is finalized. This is why its important that Congress has invoked a provision of the Arms Export Control Act to further review the sale 30 days before delivery. In Yemen, the continued violence and instability have empowered both ISIS and al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, which can now operate more freely amid the chaos. Moreover, the Gulf countries have pulled out of active operations against ISIS as they have focused all their resources on defeating the Houthi rebels. U.S. participation in the Saudi-led military effort in Yemen does not advance our national security interests if it results in the strengthening of extremist groups or the weakening of the anti-ISIS coalition. It is time for Congress to ask some hard questions about the U.S. relationship with Saudi Arabia, and I plan to focus my attention on this issue in the coming weeks. No doubt, this alliance has formed the bedrock of U.S. strategy in the Middle East for decades. But we need the Saudis to be full partners in the fight against ISIS and the efforts to address the humanitarian crises in the region. Today, … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-statement-on-third-anniversary-of-sandy-hook-shooting | MURPHY STATEMENT ON THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF SANDY HOOK SHOOTING | 2015-12-14 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | legacy | MURPHY STATEMENT ON THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF SANDY HOOK SHOOTING Monday, December 14, 2015 WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) issued the following statement regarding the third anniversary of the Sandy Hook shooting: We grieve today, as we have every single day since that soul crushing December morning. We remember the little ones, and marvel at what they were, and what they could have become. We recall with awe those brave educators, who tried to protect them, and perished in the effort. And we never stop searching for answers. Why did it happen? Did it have to happen? What can we do, now, to make sure it never happens again? Today, we stop, and consider the fickle, fleeting nature of life. We pledge to be more patient, more gentle, more forgiving, to both strangers and those we love. And we pledge to honor the memory of that awful day, three years ago, by never ever giving up in our quest to make our country a safer, kinder place no matter the obstacles, the setbacks, or the roadblocks we find along the way. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-statement-on-international-climate-change-agreement | MURPHY STATEMENT ON INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE AGREEMENT | 2015-12-13 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | legacy | MURPHY STATEMENT ON INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE AGREEMENT Sunday, December 13, 2015 WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, celebrated the historic climate agreement reached by 195 nations in Paris: "Hundreds of years from now, this generation of global citizens will be judged by one standard above all others did we take seriously the peril to the world posed by climate change, at the last possible moment to do something about it before it was too late? This is a truly historic moment for the United States and for the world. For the first time, each country has committed to do its fair share to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in an accountable and transparent way. In addition, the agreement provides a sustainable framework for countries to increase their commitments over time. "Throughout this process, the United States exhibited extraordinary leadership all the way from President Obama to the public servants at the State Department, EPA, and Department of Energy. In particular, the U.S. negotiating team led by Todd Stern deserves our highest praise. Without the team's tireless work and dogged determination, today's achievement would not have been possible. "Climate change is real and its deleterious effects are already beginning to affect our country and countries across the globe. While we celebrate this agreement, we must also recognize it represents a big step in an even larger journey to move towards a low carbon future. I will fight every step of the way for that transition to happen, as the future of my children and my children's children depend on that success." | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://delauro.house.gov/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=2151:delauro-statement-on-fda-report-on-antimicrobial-drugs-in-food-producing-animalscatid=2:press-releasesItemid=21 | DeLauro Statement on FDA Report on Antimicrobial Drugs in Food Producing Animals | 2015-12-11 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Rosa DeLauro | D000216 | delauro.house.gov | legacy | Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement in response to the Senate passing the Republicans bill cutting taxes for millionaires, billionaires, and corporations while raising taxes on middle class families. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://delauro.house.gov/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=2152:delauro-statement-on-the-trade-facilitation-and-trade-enforcement-act-of-2015catid=2:press-releasesItemid=21 | DeLauro Statement on the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 | 2015-12-11 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Rosa DeLauro | D000216 | delauro.house.gov | legacy | Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement in response to the Senate passing the Republicans bill cutting taxes for millionaires, billionaires, and corporations while raising taxes on middle class families. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://delauro.house.gov/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=2153:delauro-statement-on-usda-report-on-poultry-and-salmonellacatid=2:press-releasesItemid=21 | DeLauro Statement on USDA Report on Poultry and Salmonella | 2015-12-11 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Rosa DeLauro | D000216 | delauro.house.gov | legacy | Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement in response to the Senate passing the Republicans bill cutting taxes for millionaires, billionaires, and corporations while raising taxes on middle class families. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-murphy-statement-on-malloy-executive-order-banning-gun-permits-for-individuals-on-no-fly-list-in-connecticut | Blumenthal, Murphy Statement on Malloy Executive Order Banning Gun Permits for Individuals on ‘No Fly’ List in Connecticut | 2015-12-11 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | legacy | Blumenthal, Murphy Statement on Malloy Executive Order Banning Gun Permits for Individuals on No Fly List in Connecticut Print Tweet Friday, December 11, 2015 (Washington, DC) U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statement today after Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced an executive order to ban gun permits for individuals on the Terrorist Watch List: We applaud Governor Malloy for taking clear, commonsense action to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals and keep Connecticut communities safe. His action underscores that Congress has failed to act completely abdicating responsibility as a public health crisis sweeps the nation, killing 30,000 Americans each year. As we near the third anniversary of the horrific tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary, we are reminded that the only way to truly honor those schoolchildren, educators, and every victim of gun violence is through action. Without action, we are complicit in the failure to protect Americans from the scourge of gun violence. We will continue to fight for Congress to close the terror gap and keep lethal weapons out of the hands of dangerous people. If you are too dangerous to fly, you are too dangerous to buy a gun. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-statement-fda-report-antimicrobial-drugs-food-producing-animals | DeLauro Statement on FDA Report on Antimicrobial Drugs in Food Producing Animals | 2015-12-11 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Rosa DeLauro | D000216 | delauro.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC (December 11, 2015)Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03)today released the following statement on the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) annual report summarizing the sales and distribution data of antimicrobial drugs approved for use in food-producing animals. The news from the FDA is alarming. Since 2013, when the FDA asked drug makers to stop selling antibiotic drugs to farmers for the sole purpose of encouraging growth, the use of these drugs increased by 4% from 2013 to 2014. The FDA has found that drugs that serve no medical purpose other than to encourage the growth of animals are a danger to consumers around the country. Each year, millions of Americans become sick from antibiotic resistant infections that could be prevented if the industry curbed its wide use of growth antibiotics. Simply asking the pharmaceutical industry to stop this practice is not enough. While some drugs may serve a medical purpose for animals, many are simply being used to grow both the size of the livestock and the size of the pharmaceutical industry's paycheck. Congress should put an end to this dangerous practice and keep American consumers healthy and safe. In 2013, the FDA issued Guidance for Industry #213, which sought to reduce the use of medically important antibiotics for growth-promotion in farm animals due to concerns that an injudicious use of antimicrobial drugs in food-producing animals might lead to the development of antimicrobial resistance in human and animal bacterial pathogens. The suggestions issued by the guidance are voluntary and are not enforceable. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-statement-trade-facilitation-and-trade-enforcement-act-2015 | DeLauro Statement on the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 | 2015-12-11 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Rosa DeLauro | D000216 | delauro.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC (December 11, 2015)Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement on the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015, passed by the House of Representatives. The Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act undermines our ability to address several of the most critical global issues that we face today: climate change, human trafficking, and immigration. The bill also includes no meaningful method for dealing with one of the biggest causes of job loss and wage suppression in the United States: currency manipulation, which has cost our nation over 5 million jobs. The United States has always been a land of access and opportunity, where anyone who is willing to work hard and play by the rules can find a good job that can support a family. However, this legislation fails to protect millions of American jobs at a time when the Administration is pursing the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which puts the fate of our nation's economy at stake. The bill carries special interest riders that undermine our efforts to curb climate change and promote human rights around the world. We can and should do better for working people. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-statement-usda-report-poultry-and-salmonella | DeLauro Statement on USDA Report on Poultry and Salmonella | 2015-12-11 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Rosa DeLauro | D000216 | delauro.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC (December 11, 2015)Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement on theU.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service's revised guidelines assisting poultry processors in controlling Salmonella and Campylobacter in raw food products and preventing cases of foodborne illness. As a new wave of food-borne illnesses affects the nation, families around the country are gathering for the holidays and are at risk of falling seriously ill from mishandled poultry. Salmonella is one of the most common causes of foodborne illness and is responsible for more hospitalizations and deaths than any other foodborne pathogen, said Rosa DeLauro. While the new guidelines issued by the USDA are an important step, the USDA should declare Salmonella an adulterant as part of their work to protect American consumers from foodborne public health threats. American consumers are counting on the USDA to use the authority it has to prevent unnecessary illnesses and deaths. Recently, a number of outbreaks of salmonella and other forms of food poisoning have prompted the USDA to release these updated food guidelines. Today's updated document is the fourth edition of the FSIS Compliance Guideline for Controlling Salmonella and Campylobacter in Raw Poultry and is intended to offer poultry companies best practices for minimizing pathogen levels and meeting FSIS' food safety requirements. The guidelines also include information regarding interventions companies can take on the farm, sanitary dressing procedures, processing practices, antimicrobial interventions, and other management practices. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has noted that more than 48 million people suffer from food-borne illnesses each year. Approximately 3,000 people die while another 128,000 are hospitalized. In the latest high-profile outbreak of food poisoning, fresh cucumbers killed four Americans and left 157 others hospitalized ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://delauro.house.gov/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=2149:delauro-statement-on-human-rights-daycatid=2:press-releasesItemid=21 | DeLauro Statement on Human Rights Day | 2015-12-10 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Rosa DeLauro | D000216 | delauro.house.gov | legacy | Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement in response to the Senate passing the Republicans bill cutting taxes for millionaires, billionaires, and corporations while raising taxes on middle class families. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://delauro.house.gov/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=2150:delauro-statement-on-sensible-gun-violence-preventioncatid=2:press-releasesItemid=21 | DeLauro Statement on Sensible Gun Violence Prevention | 2015-12-10 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Rosa DeLauro | D000216 | delauro.house.gov | legacy | Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement in response to the Senate passing the Republicans bill cutting taxes for millionaires, billionaires, and corporations while raising taxes on middle class families. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-markey-statement-on-nhtsa-fiat-civil-penalty-settlement-on-failure-to-report-legally-required-auto-safety-data | Blumenthal, Markey Statement on NHTSA-Fiat Civil Penalty Settlement on Failure to Report Legally Required Auto Safety Data | 2015-12-10 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | legacy | Blumenthal, Markey Statement on NHTSA-Fiat Civil Penalty Settlement on Failure to Report Legally Required Auto Safety Data Print Tweet Senators Urge NHTSA to Write Rules to Increase Transparency and Public Reports of Early Warning Data Thursday, December 10, 2015 (Washington, DC) U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) issued the following statement on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announcement today that it has imposed a civil penalty of $70 million on Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) for failing to comply with the Early Warning Reporting (EWR) system, which requires auto manufacturers to report safety data: Ignoring legal obligations to disclose vehicle crash death and injury reports not only violates the law, but puts lives in jeopardy. NHTSAs Early Warning Reporting system is a critical tool in NHTSAs toolbox to identify deadly safety defects. Although $70 million was likely the maximum fine NHTSA could levy, NHTSAs civil penalty authority needs to be dramatically increased to effectively deter future violations and failures to report. Furthermore, as sponsors of the Early Warning Reporting System Improvement Act, we also believe NHTSA must immediately act to require automakers to automatically makemore early warning documents publicly available so that consumers and independent safety experts can evaluate potential safety defects for themselvesand perhaps even help discover earlier when there are discrepancies in data or that manufacturers like Fiat Chrysler are failing to report death and injury reports. Last year, Markey and Blumenthal introduced the Early Warning Reporting System Improvement Act, legislation that would require NHTSA to make information it receives from auto manufacturers publicly available in a searchable, user-friendly format so that consumers and independent safety experts can personally evaluate pot… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-statement-human-rights-day | DeLauro Statement on Human Rights Day | 2015-12-10 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Rosa DeLauro | D000216 | delauro.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC (December 10, 2015)Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement on Human Rights Day, marking the anniversary of when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. On today's anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United States stands as a shining example for other nations that are still working towards universal freedoms. Since the United Nations first made the declaration in 1948, human rights have played a major role in shaping the future of our country. Today, we are a more equal and free nation because of our work to advance human rights here at home. However, we must reaffirm our commitment to human rights around the world. That means not sacrificing our principles to secure trade agreements like the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Under the TPP, the United States would enter into a trade agreement with many undemocratic countries with long histories of child labor violations, religious persecution, sex trafficking, political corruption, and other human rights abuses. To conclude TPP negotiations this year, the Administration artificially inflated Malaysia's ranking on the State Department's annual Trafficking in Persons report. We cannot lower our high standards of human rights under trade agreements. We must instead encourage countries around the world to be more democratic, for we have a duty to guarantee fundamental freedoms and human rights for all. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-statement-sensible-gun-violence-prevention | DeLauro Statement on Sensible Gun Violence Prevention | 2015-12-10 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Rosa DeLauro | D000216 | delauro.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC (December 10, 2015)Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement on ending the federal ban on gun violence research, as well as Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy's decision restricting gun permits for individuals on the Terrorist Watch List. We must end the federal ban on gun violence research that is stopping us from studying the ways in which gun violence is tearing apart American communities. In the three years since the shocking and horrific shooting in Newtown, more than 1,000 mass shootings have taken place across the country. And these mass shootings are just a small fraction of firearm deaths in America, which total more than 32,000 each year. Even Jay Dickey the former Republican Congressman who led efforts to ban federal research agrees, doing nothing is no longer an acceptable solution.' Governor Dan Malloy made the right decision to issue an executive order to ban gun permits for individuals on the Terrorist Watch List. From 2004 to 2014, more than 2000 people on the watch list were able to legally purchase guns in America, making our communities more susceptible to gun violence and terror attacks. Now that Connecticut has led the nation with a sensible change to gun policy, it is time for Congress to do the same. For the safety of the American people, Congress must close this dangerous loophole. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-gov-malloys-executive-order-restricting-access-guns-those-no-fly | Larson on Gov. Malloy's Executive Order Restricting Access to Guns to Those on the 'No Fly' List | 2015-12-10 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | John Larson | L000557 | larson.house.gov | legacy | Washington I commend Governor Malloy for taking executive action where Congress has failed to do the same. Keeping guns out of the hands of suspected terrorists is just common sense, and it is crucial to keeping our communities safe. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-murphy-honors-victims-ahead-of-third-anniversary-of-sandy-hook-tragedy | ICYMI: MURPHY HONORS VICTIMS AHEAD OF THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF SANDY HOOK TRAGEDY | 2015-12-10 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | legacy | ICYMI: MURPHY HONORS VICTIMS AHEAD OF THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF SANDY HOOK TRAGEDY Murphy honored the 26 students and teachers who lost their lives, and demanded action on gun violence Thursday, December 10, 2015 Click hereto view video. WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn) joined U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal in speaking on the floor of the U.S. Senate ahead of the three year anniversary of the mass murder at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, where 20 first graders and six of their teachers were shot and killed. Murphy honored those who lost their lives, highlighted the strength and resolve of the Newtown community, and demanded congressional action to curb gun violence in the United States. Earlier today, Murphy and his colleagues stood with families from Newtown, Hartford, and from cities and towns across the country who traveled to Washington, DC, to demand that congressional Republicans take action to pass meaningful measures to reform our nations broken gun laws. Excerpts of Senator Murphys remarks are below: it's hard to describe for my colleagues here today the grief that still, frankly, drowns Sandy Hook parents and the community at large. It's total, it's permanent, and it's all-consuming. But for many of those parents and many of those community members, the grief now is mixed with a combination of anger and utter bewilderment all of it directed at us, in the United States Senate and in the House of Representatives. On December 14, Adam Lanza walked into Sandy Hook Elementary School armed with a weapon that was designed for the military designed to kill as many people as quickly as possible. He had 30-round magazines not designed for hunting or for sport shooting, but to destroy as much life as quickly as possible. In approximately four minutes, he discharged 154 rounds and he killed with ruthless efficiency. Twenty-seven people shot: 26 dead, including 20 first graders. Rachel Davino, 29. Dawn Hochsprung, 47. Anne … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-blumenthal-statement-on-malloy-executive-order-banning-gun-permits-for-individuals-on-no-fly-list-in-connecticut | MURPHY, BLUMENTHAL STATEMENT ON MALLOY EXECUTIVE ORDER BANNING GUN PERMITS FOR INDIVIDUALS ON NO FLY LIST IN CONNECTICUT | 2015-12-10 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | legacy | MURPHY, BLUMENTHAL STATEMENT ON MALLOY EXECUTIVE ORDER BANNING GUN PERMITS FOR INDIVIDUALS ON NO FLY LIST IN CONNECTICUT Thursday, December 10, 2015 WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) andRichard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) released the following statement today after Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced an executive order to ban gun permits for individuals on government watch lists: We applaud Governor Malloy for taking clear, commonsense action to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals and keep Connecticut communities safe. His action underscores that Congress has failed to act completely abdicating responsibility as a public health crisis sweeps the nation, killing 30,000 Americans each year. As we near the third anniversary of the horrific tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary, we are reminded that the only way to truly honor those schoolchildren, educators, and every victim of gun violence is through action. Without action, we are complicit in the failure to protect Americans from the scourge of gun violence. We will continue to fight for Congress to close the terror gap and keep lethal weapons out of the hands of dangerous people. If you are too dangerous to fly, you are too dangerous to buy a gun. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/new-england-senators-call-for-robust-federal-funding-to-support-conte-refuge-and-connecticut-river-watershed- | NEW ENGLAND SENATORS CALL FOR ROBUST FEDERAL FUNDING TO SUPPORT CONTE REFUGE CONNECTICUT RIVER WATERSHED | 2015-12-10 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | legacy | NEW ENGLAND SENATORS CALL FOR ROBUST FEDERAL FUNDING TO SUPPORT CONTE REFUGE & CONNECTICUT RIVER WATERSHED Thursday, December 10, 2015 WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) called on the U.S. Department of the Interior to provide robust federal funding to support the protection of the diverse plant, fish, and wildlife species in the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge. In a letter to Secretary Sally Jewell of the Department of the Interior, the senators urged the Department to continue funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and to prioritize the Conte Refuge which is of great environmental and recreational importance but is in need of more than $14 million for necessary upkeep and improvement projects. The Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge spans more than 36,000 acres throughout the Connecticut River watershed in Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts. As elected representatives of the four states encompassing the boundaries of the Connecticut River Watershed and the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, we write to urge you to provide sufficient funding in your FY17 budget to support the Refuge. The current need for the Refuge is acute: Fish and Wildlife Service staff and the non-governmental partner groups composing the Friends of Conte have identified over $14 million in projects as current and available priority opportunities within the Refuge, wrote the senators. These land trusts have added a combined total of more than 350,000 acres to the conservation estate basin-wide, providing recreational opportunities to the more than 2.3 million people who live in the basin and another 70 million who live within a day's drive of these properties. While we continue to work to reauthorize and for full funding for LWCF, we hope you will c… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/at-senate-hearings-blumenthal-presses-secretary-of-defense-fbi-director-on-measures-to-fight-isil-terrorism-at-home-and-abroad | At Senate Hearings, Blumenthal Presses Secretary of Defense, FBI Director on Measures to Fight ISIL, Terrorism at Home and Abroad | 2015-12-09 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | legacy | At Senate Hearings, Blumenthal Presses Secretary of Defense, FBI Director on Measures to Fight ISIL, Terrorism at Home and Abroad Print Tweet Senator presses Administration on need for new AUMF, legislation to close terror gap, bill to prevent gun sales without a completed background check Wednesday, December 9, 2015 (Washington, DC) U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) today during hearings of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Judiciary Committee pressed the U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and FBI Director James Comey on steps necessary to combat the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) at home and abroad. Blumenthal reiterated the need for a new authorization for use of military force (AUMF), and pressed for a coordinated counterterrorism effort that includes closing the terror gap and approving Blumenthals No Check, No Sale bill that would require that a background check be completed before a firearm can be purchased. At the SASC hearing, Blumenthal said to Sec. Carter: Clearly, the strategy for confronting that threat of terror has to be coordinated and targeted to what poses the danger to our nation, and my feeling is, I agree with you, the reality is, we are at war. Thats the stark, irrefutable reality more needs to be done, more aggressively, more intensely and more effectively in using our special operators, in advising local forces, supplying and equipping them, providing them with intelligence, intercepting communications of our adversaries and cutting off the flow of money, which is their lifeblood. I would like to see our strategy become more aggressive and intensify in combatting this threat abroad in the theater where we confront ISIL and at home where we confront terror in our neighborhoods and streets and where the adversary is just as real, and potentially growing, just as alarmingly. the efforts need to be aligned, and in fact, better aligne… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-senate-passage-of-every-student-succeeds-act | Blumenthal Statement on Senate Passage of Every Student Succeeds Act | 2015-12-09 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | legacy | Blumenthal Statement on Senate Passage of Every Student Succeeds Act Print Tweet Legislation includes increased resources for Social and Emotional Learning programming, per Blumenthals urging Wednesday, December 9, 2015 (Washington, DC) U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) issued the following statement today after the Senate passed, by a vote of 85-12, the Every Student Succeeds Act, which reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). I was proud to vote in favor of the Every Student Succeeds Act, a historic reauthorization bill that does away with the punitive, prescriptive provisions of No Child Left Behind once and for all. This legislation strongly supports educational excellence and accountability by empowering state and local education leaders, giving them increased authority and responsibility for setting educational goals, fixing failing schools, and closing achievement gaps. Notably this legislation will help districts train school administrators in Social and Emotional Learning concepts by providing access to funding for local education agencies language I fought for during the reauthorization process. This measure will help schools across Connecticut foster healthy learning environments where students understand the value of managing their emotions, resolving conflicts effectively, and other skills essential for success in school and beyond. For countless Connecticut students, this legislation provides the promise of better performance through heightened expectations for our schools. In November, Blumenthal urged his colleagues drafting the legislation to include language in the final bill that enables funding to be used for Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) programming. Earlier this year, Blumenthal introduced the Jesse Lewis Empowering Educators Act, named for Jesse Lewis a six years old who was tragically killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School, … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-votes-to-repeal-no-child-left-behind | MURPHY VOTES TO REPEAL NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND | 2015-12-09 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | legacy | MURPHY VOTES TO REPEAL NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND New education reauthorization heads to Presidents desk to be signed into law; Murphy, member of HELP & ESEA conference committee, authored key accountability provisions included in final bill Wednesday, December 9, 2015 WASHINGTON Today,U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee and a member of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) conference committee, released the following statement after the U.S. Senate passed the ESEA conference report, the Every Student Succeeds Act. The conference agreement, which passed the U.S. House last week and overhauls the broken No Child Left Behind Act, now heads to the Presidents desk to be signed into law. "The repeal and replacement of No Child Left Behind is a big win for Connecticut students and teachers. As a parent, I know that No Child Left Behind was a disaster for students, teachers and parents.It turned education into testpreparation and shamed under-performing schools without giving any help or resources for those schools to get better. By repealing the worst of No Child Left Behind, we're putting more control in the hands of local communities and ensuring that schools are helping every student reach their full potential. I was proud to be the voice of the civil rights community in the process of writingthis bill.Every child in Connecticut and across the country has the right to a first-rate education, regardless of their race, income, or learning ability.The final bill sets high expectations that low performing schools and vulnerable students will get special attention, whileleaving the decisions about how to improve outcomes to states and local districts. "As a member of the committee that wrote this bill, I was proud to serve under Chairman Alexander and Senator Murray as they brought Republicans and Democrats together an unfortunate rarity in Washington to get this bill across the finish … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://delauro.house.gov/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=2145:delauro-announces-370-000-in-federal-grant-funding-to-local-arts-and-humanities-organizationscatid=2:press-releasesItemid=21 | DeLauro Announces $370,000 in Federal Grant Funding to Local Arts and Humanities Organizations | 2015-12-08 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Rosa DeLauro | D000216 | delauro.house.gov | legacy | Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement in response to the Senate passing the Republicans bill cutting taxes for millionaires, billionaires, and corporations while raising taxes on middle class families. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://delauro.house.gov/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=2146:delauro-doggett-kildee-and-slaughter-statement-on-eu-parliament-gaining-access-to-ttip-documentscatid=2:press-releasesItemid=21 | DeLauro, Doggett, Kildee, and Slaughter Statement on EU Parliament Gaining Access to TTIP Documents | 2015-12-08 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Rosa DeLauro | D000216 | delauro.house.gov | legacy | Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement in response to the Senate passing the Republicans bill cutting taxes for millionaires, billionaires, and corporations while raising taxes on middle class families. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://delauro.house.gov/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=2147:delauro-blumenthal-and-murphy-statement-on-the-military-awarding-an-additional-354-million-to-sikorsky-aircraft-corporationcatid=2:press-releasesItemid=21 | DeLauro, Blumenthal, and Murphy Statement on the Military Awarding an Additional $354 Million to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation | 2015-12-08 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Rosa DeLauro | D000216 | delauro.house.gov | legacy | Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement in response to the Senate passing the Republicans bill cutting taxes for millionaires, billionaires, and corporations while raising taxes on middle class families. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://delauro.house.gov/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=2148:delauro-statement-on-middletown-trans-pacific-partnership-resolutioncatid=2:press-releasesItemid=21 | DeLauro Statement on Middletown Trans-Pacific Partnership Resolution | 2015-12-08 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Rosa DeLauro | D000216 | delauro.house.gov | legacy | Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement in response to the Senate passing the Republicans bill cutting taxes for millionaires, billionaires, and corporations while raising taxes on middle class families. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-murphy-statement-on-republicans-refusal-to-close-terror-gap-prevent-people-on-terrorist-watch-list-from-purchasing-guns | Blumenthal, Murphy Statement on Republicans’ Refusal to Close ‘Terror Gap,’ Prevent People on Terrorist Watch List from Purchasing Guns | 2015-12-08 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | legacy | Blumenthal, Murphy Statement on Republicans Refusal to Close Terror Gap, Prevent People on Terrorist Watch List from Purchasing Guns Print Tweet Tuesday, December 8, 2015 (Washington, DC) U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) issued the following statement after Senate Republicans blocked consideration of the Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act of 2015, which would prevent individuals on the FBIs Terrorist Watch List from purchasing guns: We are disappointed that Republicans blocked a commonsense, straightforward measure to keep lethal weapons out of the hands of dangerous people. If you are too dangerous to fly, you are too dangerous to buy a gun. The overwhelming majority of Americans and American gun owners support this necessary action to stop suspected terrorists from purchasing firearms. People who are wrongly implicated have an opportunity to challenge the determination in court. But if the Attorney General has determined that a person is a suspected terrorist, that person should not be able to walk out of a store with a gun. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-nhtsas-new-auto-safety-rating-system | Blumenthal Statement on NHTSA’s New Auto Safety Rating System | 2015-12-08 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | legacy | Blumenthal Statement on NHTSAs New Auto Safety Rating System Print Tweet Tuesday, December 8, 2015 (Washington, DC) U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, issued the following statement on the Department of Transportations announced changes to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations (NHTSA) 5-Star Safety Ratings program for new vehicles: Modernizing NHTSAs 5-Star Safety Rating system is a positive step for everyone on the road. This action will provide consumers with clearer, more relevant information necessary to identify safer vehicles for their family. In revamping the way it crash-tests cars and rates vehicles, and adding two new 5-Star Safety Rating categories on crash avoidance and pedestrian protection, NHTSA creates critical new incentives for car manufacturers to implement the newest safety features that can better protect drivers, passengers, and pedestrians, as well as prevent crashes from happening in the first place. The5-Star Safety Ratings System, also known as the New Car Assessment Program, was created by NHTSA to provide consumers with information about the crash protection and rollover safety of new vehicles. The program encourages manufacturers to design safer vehicles by giving them safety ratings that can be used by consumers to compare vehicles when shopping for a new car. The safety ratings are posted prominently on the window stickers required to be displayed on all new vehicles. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-urges-senate-to-renew-9/11-health-programs | Blumenthal Urges Senate to Renew 9/11 Health Programs | 2015-12-08 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | legacy | Blumenthal Urges Senate to Renew 9/11 Health Programs Print Tweet Nearly 400 Connecticut 9/11 First Responders In Danger of Losing Health Care Access Tuesday, December 8, 2015 Washington, DC) Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) issued the following statement, urging his Senate colleagues to immediately pass permanent renewal of theJames Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act, legislation of which he is an original co-sponsor: On September 11, thousands of first responders rushed toward danger and risked their lives to save others. They breathed and ingested toxins that day and over the weeks that followed toxins that led to chronic and lethal conditions and have more than 33,000 first responders and survivors requiring medical treatment and monitoring. There was no limit to their bravery over those weeks, and there should be no limits to their access to health care today. Because of Congresss inaction, nearly 400 first responders from Connecticut are in danger of losing their health care, and additional families may not receive deserved compensation from the Victim Compensation Fund if we do not extend this crucial program. I will continue to fight until these remarkable men and women have the permanent access to care that they earned. That is our moral obligation. TheJames Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act,passed by Congress in 2010, helped ensure proper monitoring and treatment for thousands of men, women and children that face potential life-threatening health effects due to the toxins released at Ground Zero in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. Currently, over 33,000 responders and survivors across the nation have at least one illness or injury while many have multiple 9/11 conditions and are receiving critical treatment and medical care through the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program. Over 70,000 first responders and survivors are receiving… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/sens-blumenthal-shaheen-bennet-reps-degette-and-slaughter-introduce-resolutions-condemning-violence-against-womens-health-providers-and-patients | Sens. Blumenthal, Shaheen, Bennet, Reps DeGette and Slaughter, Introduce Resolutions Condemning Violence Against Women’s Health Providers and Patients | 2015-12-08 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Richard Blumenthal | B001277 | www.blumenthal.senate.gov | legacy | Sens. Blumenthal, Shaheen, Bennet, Reps DeGette and Slaughter, Introduce Resolutions Condemning Violence Against Womens Health Providers and Patients Print Tweet Tuesday, December 8, 2015 Attack at Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood and recent increase in violent attacks and threats against womens health care centers follow growing use of extreme rhetoric demonizing womens health (Washington, DC) Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), and U.S. Representatives Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) and Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.) announced resolutions they have introduced in the Senate and House, respectively, to condemn violence against womens health providers and patients across the United States following the horrific attack on a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood that left three dead and nine wounded. A total of 38 Senators and 94 Representatives co-sponsored the resolutions. The resolutions recognize that violence, intimidation, and threats against womens health care providers and their patients has persisted for decades, with an increase in incidents of arson, vandalism, and threats over the past six months, further recognizing the serious impact that demonizing, extreme rhetoric has on creating a climate that is dangerous for those who would provide or seek access to comprehensive health care services. The members reiterated a womans constitutional right to make her own health care decisions and have access to health care services without fear of violence or harassment. This measure recognizes the deeply insidious, perpetual threats and violence against providers of life-saving health care services to millions of women across the country, said Senator Blumenthal. I am proud to lead this resolution with my colleagues to condemn unacceptable intimidation and attacks that interfere with a womans right to safe health care. This resolution st… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-announces-370000-federal-grant-funding-local-arts-and-humanities | DeLauro Announces $370,000 in Federal Grant Funding to Local Arts and Humanities Organizations | 2015-12-08 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Rosa DeLauro | D000216 | delauro.house.gov | legacy | NEW HAVEN, CT (December 8, 2015)Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03)today announced the award of $370,000 in grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities to local organizations across Connecticut's 3rd Congressional District which will support a myriad of programs, projects, and performances. The arts and humanities, regardless of medium, are an integral part of our communities and our society, with every exhibit or performance speaking to some intricacy of our human experience, said DeLauro. Arts and humanities funding helps to bring the beauty and creative genius of our culture to the lives of all Americans young and old, rich and poor, urban and rural. The fact that we as a society are willing to support such work is, to me, a measure of our civilization. We have strong and vibrant arts and humanities communities and these grants are a testament to all of their good work, continued DeLauro. I am proud to announce these awards and extend my sincere congratulations to all of those who make these programs, projects, and performances possible. National Endowment of the Arts awards include: Wesleyan University, Middletown - $25,000 To support the publication and promotion of books of poetry. Artspace, Inc., New Haven - $25,000 To support the exhibition "Artspace: Three Decades of Change" and accompanying public programming. Connecticut Players Foundation, Inc., New Haven - $10,000 To support the premiere of "Lewiston" by Samuel D. Hunter. New Haven International Festival of Arts & Ideas, Inc., New Haven - $40,000 To support the presentation of multidisciplinary artists and accompanying engagement activities. New Haven Symphony Orchestra, Inc., New Haven - $20,000 To support a commissioning and performance project of a new work by composer Hannah Lash. Yale University, New Haven - $25,000 To support "Early American Elegance," an exhibition and catalogue featuring Rhode Island furniture from the colonial through the early Federal periods (1650-1830). Natio… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-blumenthal-and-murphy-statement-military-awarding-additional-354 | DeLauro, Blumenthal, and Murphy Statement on the Military Awarding an Additional $354 Million to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation | 2015-12-08 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Rosa DeLauro | D000216 | delauro.house.gov | legacy | STRATFORD, CT (December 8, 2015)Today, U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) andU.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) released the following statement on the news that $354 million in contract modifications has been awarded to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation for an additional 29 helicopters to be assembled at Sikorsky headquarters in Stratford. The United States Armed Forces continue to invest in Sikorsky because of the company's record of success and unparalleled leadership in developing cutting edge defense technologies. We support the hardworking men and women of Connecticut who are working to deliver the best helicopters in the world to our military and will continue to fight to keep jobs here in Connecticut. Every dollar that is invested through these contracts employs not only highly skilled workers at Sikorsky, but also workers in sectors across the state, including manufacturing and technology. The amount of the contract modification is $354 million and the modification provides funding for the Navy's Fifth Program Year (PY) for 29 each MH-60R Helicopters and to fund associated Sustaining Engineering, Program Management, Systems Engineering, Provisioning, Technical Publications, other Integrated Logistics Support. The news of today's $354 million modification follows news on November 30, 2015, that the Army provided a contract modification of $833 million to fund 48 each UH-60M Helicopters and 24 each HH-60M Helicopters. The estimated cumulative total of the contract with Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation is $9.9 billion. In total, these announcements mean 101 helicopters will be built in Stratford for a total of $1.2 billion. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-doggett-kildee-and-slaughter-statement-eu-parliament-gaining | DeLauro, Doggett, Kildee, and Slaughter Statement on EU Parliament Gaining Access to TTIP Documents | 2015-12-08 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Rosa DeLauro | D000216 | delauro.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC (December 8, 2015)Today,U.S. Representatives Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Lloyd Doggett (TX-35), Dan Kildee (MI-05), andLouise Slaughter (NY-25), released the following statement regarding news that the European Commission offered European Parliament members access to all confidential documents related to trade talks with the United States. The decision by the European Commission to release confidential documents related to trade talks should be commended for its transparency. In contrast, USTR discloses nothing. It continues to thrive on secrecy, hiding the details of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership. And the same can be said for the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Rather than make the trade documents readily available to Members of Congress for review, the Administration entered into secret negotiations with foreign countries, including many with long histories of human rights abuses, child labor violations, sex-trafficking, environmental destruction, currency manipulation, and lax food safety standards. When the text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership was finally made available to Members of Congress for review, it was far too late to have any meaningful effect on the outcome of a deal that will cost Americans jobs. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-statement-middletown-trans-pacific-partnership-resolution | DeLauro Statement on Middletown Trans-Pacific Partnership Resolution | 2015-12-08 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Rosa DeLauro | D000216 | delauro.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC (December 8, 2015)Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement regarding the City of Middletown passing a bipartisan resolution opposing the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The City of Middletown recognizes the disastrous effects that the Trans-Pacific Partnership would have on our communities and I thank them for opposing a bad trade deal that will cost Americans jobs and lower wages. As the Common Council recognized by passing this bipartisan resolution, opposing TPP is not a Democratic issue, nor a Republican issue, it is an American issue. We cannot afford to enter into secretly negotiated trade deals with undemocratic countries that do not meet the rigorous standards we have established here at home. With substandard labor, environmental, and food safety regulations, these countries would put the safety of American families at jeopardy. Americans deserve better. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-applauds-bipartisan-bill-close-loopholes-visa-waiver-program | Larson Applauds Bipartisan Bill to Close Loopholes in Visa Waiver Program | 2015-12-08 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | John Larson | L000557 | larson.house.gov | legacy | Washington Today,Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01)released the following statement after voting in favor of the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act (H.R. 158): In light of the horrific attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, it is unquestionably clear that homegrown terrorism and European nationals returning from terrorist hot-spotscontinue to poseanimminent threat to the security of our homeland,"said Larson. "Nothing is more important than the safety of the Americanpeople, and I hope today's bipartisan vote is an indication that we can begin a sincere dialogue on ways to address a number of concrete security gaps keeping firearms out of terrorists' hands included. I commend Leader Pelosi and Speaker Ryan for putting politics aside to focus on the critical effort to prevent terrorists from entering the United States. This bill is not a panacea, but it isafirst step towards thoughtfully and effectively strengthening security. Currently, the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows nationals from 38 countries to enter the United States for up to 90 days with merely an online security screening prior to their admission, the effectiveness of which is often compromised by insufficient intelligence sharing by the VWP countries. Under this bill, new passport requirements would make it harder for criminals or extremists to falsify their identities when traveling to the United States, and the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department would remove countries from the VWP unless all travelers are screened against INTERPOL databases. Additionally, those who have traveled to Iraq, Syria, or countries deemed state sponsors of terrorism will be required to undergo additional screenings unless that travel was conducted as part of military service or on behalf of a federal agency. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/murphy-ban-harmful-microbeads | Murphy: ban harmful microbeads | 2015-12-08 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | legacy | Murphy: ban harmful microbeads By: Bill Cummings Tuesday, December 8, 2015 U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, D-Conn, is calling on the Senate to pass a federal ban on polyethylene and polypropylene microbeads that are typically found in personal care products. The microbeads have been proven to harm aquatic life, water quality and public health. Microbeads are tiny plastic particles that go down our drains right into our lakes, rivers, and oceans, Murphy said. For much of Connecticut, that means they end up in Long Island Sound, polluting the water and harming plants and animals. Connecticut has taken serious steps to protect our waterways, but one state cant solve this alone. Its a national problem that needs a national solution, said Murphy. Im glad the House passed this important legislation today, and I encourage my colleagues in the Senate to follow their lead as soon as possible, he added. In response to a Southern Connecticut State University study that revealed that plastic microbeads are polluting the Long Island Sound, Murphy called on retailers earlier this year to discontinue the sale of products containing the harmful plastic microbeads. This year, the Connecticut General Assembly passed a law banning the sale of microbeads by 2017. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/-murphy-calls-on-senate-to-follow-house-and-ban-plastic-microbeads-threatening-long-island-sound- | MURPHY CALLS ON SENATE TO FOLLOW HOUSE BAN PLASTIC MICROBEADS THREATENING LONG ISLAND SOUND | 2015-12-08 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | legacy | MURPHY CALLS ON SENATE TO FOLLOW HOUSE & BAN PLASTIC MICROBEADS THREATENING LONG ISLAND SOUND The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Microbead-Free Waters Act yesterday Tuesday, December 8, 2015 WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) called on the U.S. Senate to pass the Microbead-Free Waters Act of 2015, legislation that would place a federal ban on polyethylene and polypropylene microbeads that are typically found in personal care products and are proven to harm aquatic life, water quality, and public health, after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill yesterday. Murphy is a cosponsor of similar legislation in the Senate. Microbeads are tiny plastic particles that go down our drains right into our lakes, rivers, and oceans. For much of Connecticut, that means they end up in Long Island Sound, polluting the water and harming plants and animals. Connecticut has taken serious steps to protect our waterways, but one state cant solve this alone. Its a national problem that needs a national solution, said Murphy. Im glad the House passed this important legislation today, and I encourage my colleagues in the Senate to follow their lead as soon as possible. In response to a Southern Connecticut State University study that revealed that plastic microbeads are polluting the Long Island Sound, Murphy called on retailers earlier this year to discontinue the sale of products containing the harmful plastic microbeads. This year, the Connecticut General Assembly passed a law banning the sale of microbeads by 2019. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/delauro-blumenthal-and-murphy-statement-on-the-military-awarding-an-additional-354-million-to-sikorsky-aircraft-corporation | DeLauro, Blumenthal, And Murphy Statement On The Military Awarding An Additional $354 Million To Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation | 2015-12-08 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | legacy | DeLauro, Blumenthal, And Murphy Statement On The Military Awarding An Additional $354 Million To Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Tuesday, December 8, 2015 STRATFORD Today,U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT) andRichard Blumenthal (D-CT)andU.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (CT-3)released the following statement on the news that $354 million in contract modifications has been awarded to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation for an additional 29 helicopters to be assembled at Sikorsky headquarters in Stratford. The United States Armed Forces continue to invest in Sikorsky because of the companys record of success and unparalleled leadership in developing cutting edge defense technologies. We support the hardworking men and women of Connecticut who are working to deliver the best helicopters in the world to our military and will continue to fight to keep jobs here in Connecticut. Every dollar that is invested through these contracts employs not only highly skilled workers at Sikorsky, but also workers in sectors across the state, including manufacturing and technology. The amount of the contract modification is $354 million and the modification provides funding for the Navys Fifth Program Year (PY) for 29 each MH-60R Helicopters and to fund associated Sustaining Engineering, Program Management, Systems Engineering, Provisioning, Technical Publications, other Integrated Logistics Support. The news of todays $354 million modification follows news on November 30, 2015, that the Army provided a contract modification of $833 million to fund 48 each UH-60M Helicopters and 24 each HH-60M Helicopters. The estimated cumulative total of the contract with Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation is $9.9 billion. In total, these announcements mean 101 helicopters will be built in Stratford for a total of $1.2 billion. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-blumenthal-statement-on-republicans-refusal-to-close-terror-gap-prevent-people-on-terrorist-watch-list-from-purchasing-guns | MURPHY, BLUMENTHAL STATEMENT ON REPUBLICANS REFUSAL TO CLOSE TERROR GAP, PREVENT PEOPLE ON TERRORIST WATCH LIST FROM PURCHASING GUNS | 2015-12-08 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | legacy | MURPHY, BLUMENTHAL STATEMENT ON REPUBLICANS REFUSAL TO CLOSE TERROR GAP, PREVENT PEOPLE ON TERRORIST WATCH LIST FROM PURCHASING GUNS Tuesday, December 8, 2015 (Washington, DC) U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) issued the following statement after Senate Republicans blocked consideration of the Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act of 2015, which would prevent individuals on the FBIs Terrorist Watch List from purchasing guns: We are disappointed that Republicans blocked a commonsense, straightforward measure to keep lethal weapons out of the hands of dangerous people. If you are too dangerous to fly, you are too dangerous to buy a gun. The overwhelming majority of Americans and American gun owners support this necessary action to stop suspected terrorists from purchasing firearms. People who are wrongly implicated have an opportunity to challenge the determination in court. But if the Attorney General has determined that a person is a suspected terrorist, that person should not be able to walk out of a store with a gun. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-courtney-challenge-fda-on-new-cheese-standard-that-could-harm-connecticut-dairy-farms | MURPHY, COURTNEY CHALLENGE FDA ON NEW CHEESE STANDARD THAT COULD HARM CONNECTICUT DAIRY FARMS | 2015-12-08 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Christopher Murphy | M001169 | www.murphy.senate.gov | legacy | MURPHY, COURTNEY CHALLENGE FDA ON NEW CHEESE STANDARD THAT COULD HARM CONNECTICUT DAIRY FARMS Legislators join bipartisan, bicameral coalition to warn of threat to Connecticuts artisan cheese industry Tuesday, December 8, 2015 WASHINGTON After hearing directly from concerned Connecticut dairy farmers and cheesemakers, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and U.S. Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-2) joined U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and U.S. Representative Peter Welch (D-Vt.) in leading a bipartisan coalition to challenge a strict new U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) testing standard for raw milk cheese that is proving to be difficult and costly for cheesemakers to comply with and is harming artisan cheese producers in Connecticut. In a letter sent to FDA Deputy Commissioner Michael Taylor, the lawmakers expressed their concerns that this stringent non-toxigenic E. coli standard for raw milk cheese is inconsistent with internationally-recognized standards and is not a proper measure of sanitation. Murphy and Courtney believe that this new standard could seriously threaten the artisan cheese industry in Connecticut and across the country without solid evidence of risk to public health. Murphy, Courtney, and their colleagues wrote: Cheese production is an important, and growing, component of our nations value-added agricultural economy. It is an economic driver in rural areas across the country, producing good jobs, internationally-recognized brands, and award-winning cheeses. We are concerned that this standard could have a detrimental effect on cheese producers in our districts, and we ask that you carefully consider their feedback and that of the scientific community, and whether there is a commensurate risk and public safety benefit with a more stringent standard. Mark Gilman of Cato Corner Farm in Colchester said, The proposed regulation is arbitrary and unnecessary. The European standards are well-defined and have effectively … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://delauro.house.gov/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=2141:delauro-statement-on-the-labor-advisory-committee-report-on-tppcatid=2:press-releasesItemid=21 | DeLauro Statement on the Labor Advisory Committee Report on TPP | 2015-12-07 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Rosa DeLauro | D000216 | delauro.house.gov | legacy | Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement in response to the Senate passing the Republicans bill cutting taxes for millionaires, billionaires, and corporations while raising taxes on middle class families. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://delauro.house.gov/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=2143:connecticut-s-congressional-delegation-encourages-first-responders-to-apply-for-306-million-in-federal-assistancecatid=2:press-releasesItemid=21 | Connecticuts Congressional Delegation Encourages First Responders to Apply for $306 Million in Federal Assistance | 2015-12-07 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Rosa DeLauro | D000216 | delauro.house.gov | legacy | Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement in response to the Senate passing the Republicans bill cutting taxes for millionaires, billionaires, and corporations while raising taxes on middle class families. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://delauro.house.gov/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=2144:delauro-statement-on-wto-sanctionscatid=2:press-releasesItemid=21 | DeLauro Statement on WTO Sanctions | 2015-12-07 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | CT | Rosa DeLauro | D000216 | delauro.house.gov | legacy | Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement in response to the Senate passing the Republicans bill cutting taxes for millionaires, billionaires, and corporations while raising taxes on middle class families. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |
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