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1,678 rows where state = "CT" and year = 2017 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
https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-bipartisan-group-of-colleagues-call-for-help-committee-hearings-on-impact-of-hurricanes-on-puerto-rico-and-us-virgin-islands MURPHY, BIPARTISAN GROUP OF COLLEAGUES CALL FOR HELP COMMITTEE HEARINGS ON IMPACT OF HURRICANES ON PUERTO RICO U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS 2017-12-28 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Christopher Murphy M001169 www.murphy.senate.gov     legacy MURPHY, BIPARTISAN GROUP OF COLLEAGUES CALL FOR HELP COMMITTEE HEARINGS ON IMPACT OF HURRICANES ON PUERTO RICO & U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS Senators ask Chairman Alexander to hold hearings on health and education challenges facing islands following Hurricanes Irma, Maria Thursday, December 28, 2017 HARTFORD U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, joined U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), and 6 of their colleagues on the HELP Committee in sending a letter to HELP Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) to request that the Committee hold hearings to assess the challenges facing the health and educational systems of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands in the wake of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.Noting the extensive damage caused by the hurricanes to the islands' education and public health infrastructures, the senators urged Chairman Alexander to hold hearings to address these issues and to evaluate the relief provided by the Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Education, both of which fall under the HELP Committee's jurisdiction. "Given the extent of the damage inflicted upon both territories, as well as the important roles of the departments under this committee's jurisdiction in ongoing hurricane relief efforts, we believe such hearings would be an important part of the Committee's oversight related to hurricane recovery,"the senators wrote. "Hearings could help ensure that the Senate has a detailed understanding of the health and education challenges facing Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as an understanding of how Departments under the Committee's purview have provided relief, and how they can improve relief efforts." The HELP Committee has not yet held any hearings on how the two territories have been affected by the storms. The full text of the letter is available here. Murphy, Warren, and Cassidy were j… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-urges-fda-improve-food-recall-procedures DeLauro Urges FDA to Improve Food-Recall Procedures 2017-12-27 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Rosa DeLauro D000216 delauro.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, DC (December 27, 2017) Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement in response to a new Office of the Inspector General (OIG) report, which found that the Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) food-recall process did not consistently ensure the safety of our nations food supply. The latest OIG report confirms what we have known for years: the FDAs response to food recalls is both slow and inadequate. Recalls of potentially harmful food must meet the highest standards, as the health of all Americans is on the line. Yet too often months go by before retailers take contaminated food off the marketall the while more and more people fall ill." The FDA should immediately implement the OIGs recommendations, as well as reverse its policy of withholding the names and locations of retailers and distributors where recalled food is sold. The primary mission of the FDA is to ensure the food our families eat is safe, not to protect the trade secrets of food corporations. While I believe that the FDA already has the authority to release this information, I am committed to introducing legislation if Commissioner Gottliebs review finds otherwise. DeLauro is a senior member on the Appropriations subcommittee responsible for funding the FDA. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-releases-2017-end-of-year-report MURPHY RELEASES 2017 END OF YEAR REPORT 2017-12-27 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Christopher Murphy M001169 www.murphy.senate.gov     legacy MURPHY RELEASES 2017 END OF YEAR REPORT Wednesday, December 27, 2017 WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released an end-of-year report on Wednesday to outline the work hes done for Connecticut residents throughout 2017. Murphys accomplishments span a wide range of issues, including protecting access to health care, securing new resources to stem the opioid epidemic, bringing federal funding back to spur job growth, and advocating for local Connecticut priorities. Every day, Im grateful for the honor of serving Connecticut's residents in the U.S. Senate. Your feedback helps make me a better Senator. 2017 was a tough year, but Im proud of everything we fought for and everything we accomplished together. I'm going to keep fighting for you, said Murphy. Click here to download Senator Murphy's 2017 Year in Review or read the full report below. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-blumenthal-fight-for-transparency-in-corporate-political-spending MURPHY, BLUMENTHAL FIGHT FOR TRANSPARENCY IN CORPORATE POLITICAL SPENDING 2017-12-26 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Christopher Murphy M001169 www.murphy.senate.gov     legacy MURPHY, BLUMENTHAL FIGHT FOR TRANSPARENCY IN CORPORATE POLITICAL SPENDING Tuesday, December 26, 2017 WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) who have supported transparency in campaign finance since Citizens United opened the floodgates for unlimited, unchecked corporate spending in elections joined U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and a group of 38 other Senate Democrats in urging Senate leadership to reject any language in the 2018 Appropriations bill that would prohibit the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from requiring public companies to disclose political spending to shareholders. In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), the senators also emphasized that the capability of foreign entities to pour money into Americas elections poses a risk to the free and fair democratic elections that the United States values. We believe the SEC should require companies to disclose to their shareholders how they use corporate resources for political activities. This disclosure would not only bring much needed accountability to shareholders and transparency to corporate political spending, but it is both clearly consistent with the SECs requirement for public companies to disclose meaningful financial information to the public and squarely within the SECs primary mission of investor protection, the senators letter stated. Given that we know the Russian Internet Research Agency purchased digital ads meant to sway American voters and sow chaos, it is critical that we use every tool in our toolbox to shine light on any money being funneled by Russia or any other foreign entity in an attempt to undermine or dismantle our democracy, the senators continued. Joining Murphy, Blumenthal, and Menendez on the letter are U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Kristen Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), T… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://esty.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/esty-votes-no-supplemental-funding Esty Votes No On Supplemental Funding 2017-12-22 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Elizabeth Esty E000293 esty.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (CT-5) issued the following statement in response to the Houses vote on a supplemental government funding measure. Esty voted no on the legislation, which passed the House 251169. My district is home to 75,000 Americans with ties to Puerto Rico. Community and religious groups in Meriden, New Britain, Waterbury, Roxbury, and across central and northwestern Connecticut have been collecting water and clothing to send to Puerto Rico to help those whose homes and lives were devastated by Hurricanes Irma and Maria. And hundreds of families have left the island to come to Connecticut, many enrolling their children in our schools. Ninety-two days after Hurricanes Irma and Maria pummeled Puerto Rico, power has been restored to only 60 percent of the island, leaving hundreds of thousands of Puerto Ricans still without electricity months after this devastating storm, Esty said. This bill woefully fails to provide an adequate amount of relief to an island that is already facing fiscal insolvency, failing to provide the much needed cost sharing waivers or resolve Puerto Ricos Medicaid crisis. Across our district here in Connecticut, folks have shared with me their frustrations at being left helpless and unable to reach their loved ones, much less help them. When Congress returns to session in January, I am calling on my colleagues to come together to find a bipartisan approach that assists all Americans to keep our country moving forward. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-nadler-statement-on-crew-v-trump Blumenthal-Nadler Statement on CREW v. Trump 2017-12-22 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Richard Blumenthal B001277 www.blumenthal.senate.gov     legacy Blumenthal-Nadler Statement on CREW v. Trump Print Tweet Friday, December 22, 2017 [WASHINGTON, DC] U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, and U.S. Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after Judge George Daniels ruling in CREW v. Trump in the Southern District of New York: We look forward to proceeding with our lawsuit, which has an entirely distinct and different claim on standing. In fact, Judge Daniels opinion confirms what we have always said that the Foreign Emoluments Clause gives Congress a crucial right and responsibility to protect the American people from foreign corruption. But Congress cannot fulfill that responsibility so long as the President fails to come to Congress and disclose the benefits he wishes to accept from foreign governments. We filed suit to ensure that the President stops accepting benefits from foreign governments without first obtaining the consent of Congress as the Constitution requires and we expect to prevail. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-schumer-udall-and-tonko-announce-draft-of-bicameral-bill-to-block-cyber-grinches-stealing-christmas Blumenthal, Schumer, Udall and Tonko Announce Draft of Bicameral Bill to Block Cyber Grinches Stealing Christmas 2017-12-22 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Richard Blumenthal B001277 www.blumenthal.senate.gov     legacy Blumenthal, Schumer, Udall and Tonko Announce Draft of Bicameral Bill to Block Cyber Grinches Stealing Christmas Print Tweet Cyber bots are cutting holiday shopping lines to purchase popular toys & driving toy prices to exorbitant highs Friday, December 22, 2017 [WASHINGTON, DC] U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Tom Udall (D-NM), and U.S. Representative Paul Tonko (D-NY) released draft legislation to crack down on cyber grinches using bot technology to snatch up large batches of hot holiday toys in order to resell to parents at unfair, inflated prices. Third-party sellers are deploying cyber bot technology to game online sales systems in order to buy out inventory of hot toys. Some toys like Fingerlings and Barbie Hello Dreamhouse have become nearly impossible to purchase online or in stores at retail price, in part because third-party sellers have snatched up inventory to resell online at exorbitant prices. The joy of the holiday season is too often tarnished by the unscrupulous actions of cyber grinches who cheat the system to scam consumers of their hard-earned money. Cyber bots clear the shelves, then drive up exorbitant online prices, shutting out countless parents seeking the perfect gift for their children. Our legislation would stamp out these bots and put consumers back in charge, said Blumenthal. Grinch bots cannot be allowed to steal Christmas, or dollars, from the wallets of New Yorkers, said Schumer. Middle class folks save upa little here, a little thereworking to afford the hottest gifts of the season for their kids but ever-changing technology and its challenges are making that very difficult. Its time we help restore an even playing field by blocking the bots. When it comes to purchasing products online, major retailers should put forth policies that will help prevent future Grinch bots from stealing the seasons hottest toys. Pare… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-helps-hartford-resident-and-wwii-veteran-living-in-decrepit-conditions-relocate-to-newly-renovated-apartment MURPHY HELPS HARTFORD RESIDENT WWII VETERAN LIVING IN DECREPIT CONDITIONS RELOCATE TO NEWLY RENOVATED APARTMENT 2017-12-22 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Christopher Murphy M001169 www.murphy.senate.gov     legacy MURPHY HELPS HARTFORD RESIDENT & WWII VETERAN LIVING IN DECREPIT CONDITIONS RELOCATE TO NEWLY RENOVATED APARTMENT Friday, December 22, 2017 HARTFORD After hearing that 94-year-old World War II veteran Robert Johnson had been living in decrepit conditions in his government-subsidized Hartford apartment, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Friday said that his office was able to help relocate Mr. Johnson to a newly renovated apartment on New Britain Avenue in Hartford. Mr. Johnson and his son contacted Murphys office for assistance moving after an array of housing code violations, rodents, bedbug infestations, broken elevators, sewage problems, and other hazardous problems which were reported on by the Hartford Courant went unrepaired in Johnsons apartment. After contacting various community resources, local agencies, and the HonorBound Foundation on behalf of Mr. Johnson, Murphys office was able to secure a newly renovated apartment for Mr. Johnson to move into. Mr. Johnson just received the keys to his new apartment and plans to move into his new home before the Christmas holiday. This is what I love most about my jobworking on behalf of Connecticut residents, said Murphy. I thank Mr. Johnson for his service to our country. He deserves nothing less than to live in a safe and comfortable home, and Im glad that my office was able to help make that a reality. Mr. Robert Johnson, Hartford resident and World War II veteran, said, I am very excited and grateful to Senator Murphy for his assistance in helping me to move into a new place before Christmas. Murphys office has a dedicated team of caseworkers who are committed to helping people in Connecticut resolve problems with Social Security, Medicare, immigration, military service, veteran's benefits, federal worker compensation claims, tax matters and the IRS, passport assistance, grants, small business concerns, and many other important federal issues. Connecticut residents who need assistance navigating the agencies and… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-votes-against-continuing-resolution-0 DeLauro Votes Against Continuing Resolution 2017-12-21 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Rosa DeLauro D000216 delauro.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, DC (December 21, 2017) Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03)today spoke from the House Floor in opposition to the Republican majoritys Continuing Resolution before voting against it. Here are DeLauros remarks, as prepared for delivery: I rise to strongly oppose this Continuing Resolution. Yet again, we are punting one of our core obligations as a Congress: funding government programs. The Republican Majority has failed to respond to the needs of the American people. They put services and investments critical to families and our communities at risk, from apprenticeships to education for students with disabilities, child care, afterschool programs that help working families make ends meet, and financial aid for students attending college. We should be negotiating spending levels for 2018for both nondefense and defense spending. We should have spent the last two months fulfilling our responsibility as legislators by writing bipartisan bills to fund programs that help the middle class and the vulnerable, support evidence-based scientific research, and help working people get the skills they need to find good jobs with good wages. Instead, the Republican majority squandered the last two months moving their tax scam, rewarding big corporations, millionaires, and billionaires who wrote the rules to make government work for them. Republicans were their comrades in arms in rigging the game against the middle class. I am horrified by the majoritys decision to put the future of the Childrens Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, in jeopardykids checkups, their shots, prescriptions, dental and vision care, hospital care, the list goes on. States are beginning to cut children off because of the Majoritys delay. The hard-working families who depend on CHIP deserve to know that it will be there for their children for the long-term. How can our Majority go on vacation while millions of children worry about losing their health insurance? This is a disgrace. This bill also cuts $750 million from the Prevention and Public He… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-votes-no-insufficient-disaster-relief-package DeLauro Votes No on Insufficient Disaster Relief Package 2017-12-21 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Rosa DeLauro D000216 delauro.house.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. (December 22, 2017) Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement after voting against the House Republicans insufficient supplemental disaster relief proposal. Once again, the majority in Congress has proposed a disaster relief package that does not adequately meet the needs of millions of people who are suffering without power, water, shelter, or access to medicine. In particular, this bill does nothing to address Puerto Ricos Medicaid crisis. It also fails to give Puerto Rico the same child tax credit benefits we give to other states. That is simply unacceptable. Beyond its inadequacy on disaster relief, this bill continues the Republican assault on our social safety net. The majoritys proposal cuts the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programour nations frontline hunger prevention program. In addition, it fails to include funding to rebuild Women, Infants, and Children program clinics, which ensure low-income families do not go hungry. Many clinics were damaged by hurricanes that hit Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and we should not turn a blind eye to the families who are in dire need of the lifeline the WIC program provides. All Americans affected by natural disasters deserve to be made whole. We cannot continue letting them down, and I will continue fighting until they receive every penny they are due from the federal government. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-more-must-be-done-help-puerto-rico-and-us-virgin-islands Larson: More Must be Done To Help Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands 2017-12-21 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT John Larson L000557 larson.house.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01), released the following statement after voting against the Disaster Supplemental Spending that passed the House today. Yesterday marked the third month since Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico, causing widespread destruction. In the aftermath, the lagging response to restore access to basic needs contributed to a troubling spike in post-hurricane deaths, and nearly 35 percent of the island still lacks access to power. Just weeks earlier, Governor Ricardo Rossello requested $94 billion to rebuild the critical infrastructure, housing, schools and hospitals devastated by the storm. This effort will take serval years and Puerto Rico is unable to do it on its own. In addition, considering the recovery efforts in the US Virgin Islands, Florida, Texas and the wildfires that are still raging in California, it is clear that significantly more help is needed than what was brought up today. After already undercutting Puerto Ricos economy in the GOP tax reform, this bill sends a wrong message to our fellow Americans in need. Congress needs to step-up to the plate and meet Puerto Rico at the point of its need. I will continue to press the congressional leaders to address the supplemental funding in more adequate means, said Larson. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-stop-kicking-can-down-road Larson: Stop Kicking the Can Down the Road 2017-12-21 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT John Larson L000557 larson.house.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. Today the House passed a Continuing Resolution to fund the government until January 19th in a partisan vote. The Republican package kicked the can down the road on critical priorities for the American people by failing to address the caps on domestic and defense spending, neglecting a needed long-term extension for the Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and funding for community health centers, leaving out a bipartisan package to stabilize the individual health insurance market, providing no funding for the opioid crisis, and ignoring the Dreamers before adjourning for the year. Rep. Larson voted against the Continuing Resolution. In the last month, my Republican colleagues have found the time to give the wealthy and corporations tax cuts by blowing a 1.5 trillion dollar hole in the deficit. How do they plan on paying for those tax cuts? By gutting essential programs like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, said Larson. Meanwhile, in Connecticut, notices have already gone out notifying families of the potential termination of their childs health care coverage under the Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP). My constituents are also facing the impending closure of the community health centers where they receive affordable medical treatment. In addition, the DREAMers in my district are left with unnecessary anxiety as the Republicans have left their status in limbo. The Republicans are also continuing to make a mess of Americans health care system, by not funding CSR payments and not bringing up bipartisan legislation to stabilize our health care system. When Congress reconvenes in January, I implore my Republican colleagues to reach out across the aisle and work with Democrats on ways to help the American people rather than just kicking the can down the road. I will continue to fight for constructive solutions such as advancing legislation to bolster Social Security, invest in the nations infrastructure, and expand access to affordable healthcare, said Larson. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-and-senate-democrats-demand-dot-hold-railroads-accountable-for-implementation-of-ptc-after-fatal-derailments-and-safety-shortfalls Blumenthal and Senate Democrats Demand DOT Hold Railroads Accountable for Implementation of PTC After Fatal Derailments and Safety Shortfalls 2017-12-21 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Richard Blumenthal B001277 www.blumenthal.senate.gov     legacy Blumenthal and Senate Democrats Demand DOT Hold Railroads Accountable for Implementation of PTC After Fatal Derailments and Safety Shortfalls Print Tweet Thursday, December 21, 2017 [WASHINGTON, DC] U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) led a group of fifteen Senators calling on Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao to hold railroads accountable for failing to implement sufficient safety measures. The Senators demanded a status report on railroads implementation of positive train control (PTC), a lifesaving technology required by Congressional mandate to be fully implemented by 2018. The Senators letter comes four days after an Amtrak train derailed in DuPont, Washington, killing three and injuring dozens more. The Washington tragedy is the latest in a troubling trend of fatal train derailments and collisions. Blumenthal was joined by U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Bob Casey (D-PA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) in the letter to Chao. Since NTSB first recommended PTC, more than 300 people have died, thousands have been injured, and millions of dollars in property damages have been incurred, wrote the Senators. The PTC deadline is now almost one year away December 31, 2018. It is imperative that railroads complete implementation before the deadline. They must clearly understand that the consequences of failure will be stringent and prompt. The full text of the Senators letter to Chao is available for download here, and copied below. Dear Secretary Chao: On Monday, an Amtrak train derailed onto a busy interstate highway in DuPont, Washington. This tragedy reminds us of the urgent need to improve rail safety, including the nationwide implementation of posit… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-the-continuing-resolution Blumenthal Statement on the Continuing Resolution 2017-12-21 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Richard Blumenthal B001277 www.blumenthal.senate.gov     legacy Blumenthal Statement on the Continuing Resolution Print Tweet Thursday, December 21, 2017 [WASHINGTON, DC] U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) released the following statement after voting against another Continuing Resolution: There is no excuse for Congress abject failure to meet our most basic obligations. Congress in effect is AWOL by delaying decision-making on our governments budget, woefully underfunding CHIP, patching together meager spending for community health centers, and gutting the Prevention Fund. Lurching from crisis to near catastrophe is no way to govern and certainly no way to lead, Blumenthal said. Most critically, I could not in good conscience support another short-term funding extension that does not include protections for Dreamers. I condemn Congressional Republicans for sentencing hundreds of thousands of young people to another holiday spent wondering if it will be the last one they are able to celebrate in the country they call home. Senator McConnell told Fox News earlier this week that we have plenty of time to address the crisis President Trump manufactured when he terminated the DACA program. I dare Senator McConnell to look into the eyes of a Dreamer who goes to sleep every night filled with anxiety about their future and deliver that cruel message. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-blumenthal-and-senate-democrats-demand-dot-hold-railroads-accountable-for-implementation-of-ptc-after-fatal-derailments-and-safety-shortfalls MURPHY, BLUMENTHAL SENATE DEMOCRATS DEMAND DOT HOLD RAILROADS ACCOUNTABLE FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF PTC AFTER FATAL DERAILMENTS AND SAFETY SHORTFALLS 2017-12-21 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Christopher Murphy M001169 www.murphy.senate.gov     legacy MURPHY, BLUMENTHAL & SENATE DEMOCRATS DEMAND DOT HOLD RAILROADS ACCOUNTABLE FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF PTC AFTER FATAL DERAILMENTS AND SAFETY SHORTFALLS Thursday, December 21, 2017 WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senators Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) led a group of fifteen Senators calling on Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao to hold railroads accountable for failing to implement sufficient safety measures. The Senators demanded a status report on railroads implementation of positive train control (PTC), a lifesaving technology required by Congressional mandate to be fully implemented by 2018. The Senators letter comes four days after an Amtrak train derailed in DuPont, Washington, killing three and injuring dozens more. The Washington tragedy is the latest in a troubling trend of fatal train derailments and collisions. Blumenthal and Murphy were joined by U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Bob Casey (D-PA), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) in the letter to Chao. Since NTSB first recommended PTC, more than 300 people have died, thousands have been injured, and millions of dollars in property damages have been incurred, wrote the Senators. The PTC deadline is now almost one year away December 31, 2018. It is imperative that railroads complete implementation before the deadline. They must clearly understand that the consequences of failure will be stringent and prompt. The full text of the Senators letter to Chao is available for download here, and copied below. Dear Secretary Chao: On Monday, an Amtrak train derailed onto a busy interstate highway in DuPont, Washington. This tragedy reminds us of the urgent need to improve rail safety, including the nationwide implementation of positive train control (PTC) technology, as mandated by Congress. We write requesti… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-blumenthal-kari-dooley-nominated-to-serve-as-district-judge-for-the-district-of-connecticut MURPHY, BLUMENTHAL: KARI DOOLEY NOMINATED TO SERVE AS DISTRICT JUDGE FOR THE DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT 2017-12-21 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Christopher Murphy M001169 www.murphy.senate.gov     legacy MURPHY, BLUMENTHAL: KARI DOOLEY NOMINATED TO SERVE AS DISTRICT JUDGE FOR THE DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT Thursday, December 21, 2017 WASHINGTON, DC U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) issued the following statement following news that Kari Dooley has been nominated to serve as District Judge for the District of Connecticut. Blumenthal and Murphy recommended Dooleys nomination to the White House. We are pleased the White House has agreed with our recommendation to nominate Kari Dooley as a United States District Court Judge for the District of Connecticut. Judge Dooley has extensive experience in civil and criminal matters having appeared in federal court as an assistant U.S. Attorney and presiding in state court as a superior court judge. She has a well-deserved reputation for her tireless work ethic, a high standard of integrity, and an admirable judicial temperament. Most importantly, she has earned the deep respect of her colleagues and peers, said Blumenthal and Murphy. Dooley has served as a Connecticut Superior Court Judge since 2004, where she has presided over approximately 70 criminal and civil trials. Prior to her current position, she served as a federal criminal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Connecticut for twelve years, where she prosecuted a variety of criminal and federal offenses involving multiple cases involving sexual assault of minors, and multiple white collar fraud cases. Dooley served in the private practice of Whitman and Ransom in Greenwich, Connecticut, from 1988 to 1992. Dooley graduated from Cornell University and the University of Connecticut School of Law. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-votes-against-stopgap-bill-demands-long-term-deal-that-funds-connecticut-priorities-protects-dreamers MURPHY VOTES AGAINST STOPGAP BILL, DEMANDS LONG-TERM DEAL THAT FUNDS CONNECTICUT PRIORITIES, PROTECTS DREAMERS 2017-12-21 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Christopher Murphy M001169 www.murphy.senate.gov     legacy MURPHY VOTES AGAINST STOPGAP BILL, DEMANDS LONG-TERM DEAL THAT FUNDS CONNECTICUT PRIORITIES, PROTECTS DREAMERS Murphy: People in Connecticut want us to start acting like adults and stop just keeping the lights on two weeks at a time. Thursday, December 21, 2017 WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, released a statement on Thursday after voting against a short-term spending bill that will only keep the government open through January 19, 2018. The bill does not include a permanent fix to protect Dreamers, nor does it include long-term extensions of the Childrens Health Insurance Program which provides health coverage to nine million low and moderate-income children, including more than 17,000 in Connecticut or community health center funding. Republicans in Congress have known about this December funding deadline for months, but they were too busy passing their disastrous tax bill to be bothered with the basics of governing like funding the government. This tradition of regular, predictable shutdown panics is embarrassing. I voted against this bill because people in Connecticut want us to start acting like adults and stop just keeping the lights on two weeks at a time. I'm also furious that this continuing resolution does not protect the thousands of young people in Connecticut who President Trump is planning to deport next spring, nor does it provide permanent funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program that provides health care to 17,000 kids in our state.I have heard from thousands of Connecticut families who have so much at stake in these fights, which is why I will not vote for any long-term deal that betrays Connecticuts values and ignores our priorities. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://esty.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/esty-introduces-bill-create-faa-women-aviation-advisory-board Esty Introduces Bill to Create FAA Women in Aviation Advisory Board 2017-12-20 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Elizabeth Esty E000293 esty.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (CT-5) introduced bipartisan legislation to allow the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish a new Women in Aviation Advisory Board. The board would promote organizations and programs providing education, training, mentorship, outreach, and recruitment of women into the aviation industry. Estys legislation was cosponsored by Rep. Jackie Walorski (IN-2), Rep. Cheri Bustos (IL-17), and Rep. Mimi Walters (CA-45). While women make up over half of the American workforce, they are significantly underrepresented in the aviation industry. Less than ten percent of airline mechanics, flight engineers, repair personnel, and airline pilots are women, and women comprise just over a quarter of air traffic controllers. Aviation industry groups and business leaders are concerned that this shortfall could lead to trouble filling spots as more workers retire. This bill continues the important work of encouraging more people and especially women to consider careers in the high-skill field of aerospace, Esty said. At a time when nearly a fifth of our aerospace engineers are able to consider retiring, we need to elevate the initiatives happening in the private sector to encourage women to join this important sector of the workforce. Women bring new perspectives, skills, backgrounds, and problem solving skills to the table traits we know are necessary to compete for the high-wage jobs of the future. Im pleased that, at a time when Congress is more divided than ever on many issues, were able to recognize the importance of encouraging the next generation of workers on a bipartisan basis. National Business Aviation Association President and CEO Ed Bolen praised Rep. Esty for introducing the legislation. I commend Congresswoman Esty for recognizing the need for women to have greater representation in aviation, and taking this step to address the challenge, with her bipartisan proposal to create the Women in Aviation Advisory Board under the auspices of the Federal Aviation Admi… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-applauds-senate-passage-of-resolution-to-recognize-lost-crew-of-san-antonio-rose Blumenthal Applauds Senate Passage of Resolution to Recognize Lost Crew of San Antonio Rose 2017-12-20 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Richard Blumenthal B001277 www.blumenthal.senate.gov     legacy Blumenthal Applauds Senate Passage of Resolution to Recognize Lost Crew of San Antonio Rose Print Tweet Blumenthal calls on DoD to reinvigorate search and recovery mission to locate the San Antonio Rose Wednesday, December 20, 2017 [WASHINGTON, D.C.] U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) applauded unanimous Senate approval of a bipartisan resolution he authored to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the tragic loss of the San Antonio Rose on January 5, 1943. The resolution honors the memory of the lost crew by pledging to continue the search to finally bring them home. I am honored to play a part in the commemoration of the heroes of the San Antonio Rose, who made the ultimate sacrifice in defending our nation. With the passage of this bipartisan resolution, the Senate has reaffirmed our nations duty to fulfill the promise made to these brave Americans and their families by continuing the search to bring them home. Now, DoD must recommit to a devoted search and recovery mission to locate and return the remains of the crew of the San Antonio Rose, Blumenthal said. In addition to the resolution honoring the crew of the San Antonio Rose, Blumenthal led a bipartisan letter, joined by Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Steve Daines (R-MT), calling on Kelly McKeague, the Director of the Defense POW/ MIA Accounting Agency to establish a devoted search and recovery mission to locate and return the remains of the crew. Blumenthals full letter to McKeague is available for download here. The San Antonio Rose, a B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bomber, was last sighted under heavy attack from Japanese fighters near what is now Papua New Guinea during World War II. All eleven crew members were declared missing in action, and subsequently declared killed in action. Brigadier General Kenneth N. Walker, a Medal of Honor recipient and highest ranking officer missing in action during World War II was among t… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-schatz-markey-booker-and-warren-demand-answers-on-banned-words-at-cdc Blumenthal, Schatz, Markey, Booker and Warren Demand Answers on Banned Words at CDC 2017-12-20 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Richard Blumenthal B001277 www.blumenthal.senate.gov     legacy Blumenthal, Schatz, Markey, Booker and Warren Demand Answers on Banned Words at CDC Print Tweet Wednesday, December 20, 2017 WASHINGTON Following reports that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and potentially other agencies were directed to avoid using certain words or phrases in official budget documents, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Ed Markey (D-MA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) are demanding answers from the CDC, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). We write regarding concerning reports that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and potentially the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), are discouraging the use of specific words or phrases in official FY19 budget documents, the Senators wrote. Such an agenda, especially if motivated by political factors, threatens to undermine the tremendous scientific progress at the CDC and the publics faith in government, more broadly. If true, this guidance is not just a mere change to vocabulary, it is a fundamental shift of direction and a reflection of flawed ideology. While Director Fitzgerald has recently denied the existence of such a ban, we request clarity on your policies via specific answers to the questions below. According to reports, words to avoid in official budget documents at the CDC include vulnerable, entitlement, diversity, transgender, fetus, evidence-based and science-based. In their letter to the CDC, HHS, and OMB, the Senators ask about the development and dissemination of any discouraged words, the legality and enforcement of such a policy, and the policies in place to ensure the scientific integrity of the health agencies. We must ensure that the actions of our federal agenciesparticularly those so important for maintaining the health and safety of our citizensadhere to the high… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-senate-passage-of-gop-tax-scam Blumenthal Statement on Senate Passage of GOP Tax Scam 2017-12-20 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Richard Blumenthal B001277 www.blumenthal.senate.gov     legacy Blumenthal Statement on Senate Passage of GOP Tax Scam Print Tweet Wednesday, December 20, 2017 [WASHINGTON, DC] U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) released the statement below after voting against the Republican tax plan, which was approved by the Senate after midnight on a strictly party-line vote: A tax bill is a moral statement. This one betrays basic American values. It funds burgeoning tax breaks for the wealthiest one percent who receive 83 percent of the bills benefits by burdening our children with trillions in debt. Instead of helping families buy their first home, this bill gives breaks to millionaires purchasing their third mansion. Instead of helping American wage-earning workers, this bill benefits real estate tycoons and foreign shareholders. Instead of encouraging college student aid, this bill taxes higher education endowments used for scholarship funds and rewards the heirs of the wealthiest with no estate tax. Instead of enabling local governments to balance their books, this bill punishes their taxpayers for investing in their communities, Blumenthal said. This tax bill is an abomination. Tonight, Congressional Republicans revealed their true selves: partisan zealots who care more about political promises to their wealthy donors than the lives of the people they are elected to represent. Shame on my Republican colleagues for their apparent disregard and disdain for the basic norms of governance. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-help-committee-democrats-ask-health-secretary-nominee-to-put-science-over-ideology-following-reports-health-officials-are-prohibiting-words MURPHY, HELP COMMITTEE DEMOCRATS ASK HEALTH SECRETARY NOMINEE TO PUT SCIENCE OVER IDEOLOGY FOLLOWING REPORTS HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE PROHIBITING WORDS 2017-12-20 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Christopher Murphy M001169 www.murphy.senate.gov     legacy MURPHY, HELP COMMITTEE DEMOCRATS ASK HEALTH SECRETARY NOMINEE TO PUT SCIENCE OVER IDEOLOGY FOLLOWING REPORTS HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE PROHIBITING WORDS Trump administration reportedly restricting use of a number of words and phrases in budget documents, including diversity, science-based, fetus, and transgender Wednesday, December 20, 2017 WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, joined HELP Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Wash.), and the Democratic members of the Committee in sending a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary nominee Alex Azar on the troubling reports that the Trump administration is once again putting ideology before science by restricting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other agencies within HHS from using certain words or phrases in preparing documents for the fiscal year 2019 budget. Given Mr. Azars prior commitment to follow science and evidence at his confirmation hearing, the senators requested an explanation as to how Mr. Azar would approach this issue in his position at HHS. We are incredibly concerned by this report; if true, it represents an unconscionable restriction on agency communications that prevents the department from accurately conveying the nature of its work, potentially posing a danger to critical health and scientific efforts, wrote the senators. We also strongly oppose any communications, whether written or verbal, that suggest to Department and agency employees that they should avoid using particular words or phrases even if such guidance is not referred to as a ban. Given your pending nomination as Secretary of Health and Human Services, we seek your reaction to this reported new Administration policy, as well as additional information about how you would plan to address these communications restrictions if confirmed. On December 15, 2017, news outlets reported the Trump adminis… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-on-tax-bill-this-is-a-giveaway-to-the-rich-and-powerful MURPHY ON TAX BILL: THIS IS A GIVEAWAY TO THE RICH AND POWERFUL. 2017-12-20 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Christopher Murphy M001169 www.murphy.senate.gov     legacy MURPHY ON TAX BILL: THIS IS A GIVEAWAY TO THE RICH AND POWERFUL. Murphy: Ill fight like hell to make sure Washington doesnt use this awful tax bill as an excuse to gut the Medicare and Social Security benefits that Connecticut residents rely on. Wednesday, December 20, 2017 WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released a statement after Senate Republicans passed a major tax overhaul early Wednesday morning without any input from Democrats. The Republican plan will give massive tax breaks to large corporations and the rich, raise taxes on many working families, and repeal major components of the Affordable Care Act. This isnt tax reform. This is a giveaway to the rich and powerful. It gives mind blowing, massive tax cuts to the wealthy, and throws crumbs at working people while quietly doubling everybodys health insurance premiums over the next seven years, said Murphy. And Republicans have already started using the trillion-dollar deficit this bill creates as an excuse to start slashing funding for the things Americans need schools, roads, Social Security and Medicare. I truly believe our tax code should be simplified and restructured in a way that gets rid of unfair loopholes and levels the playing field for workers and small businesses. I will keep working toward that goal. But until then, Ill fight like hell to make sure Washington doesnt use this awful tax bill as an excuse to gut the Medicare and Social Security benefits that Connecticut residents rely on,"Murphy added. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/courtney-condemns-gop-tax-bill-historic-mistake COURTNEY CONDEMNS GOP TAX BILL AS HISTORIC MISTAKE 2017-12-19 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Joe Courtney C001069 courtney.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, DC Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) made the following statement after voting against the final version of the Republican tax overhaul that was passed in the House of Representatives by a vote 227-203: This afternoon, Congress made a historic mistake in passing a seriously lopsided tax overhaul the will almost entirely benefit wealthy Americans and corporations at the expense of middle-class and working families, said Courtney. This bill will exacerbate our national deficit and sets up the rationale that Republicans will use to launch their long-anticipated attacks against Social Security and Medicare, which Speaker Paul Ryan has already brazenly promised to do. It is also a sneak-attack on the Affordable Care Act that will result in 13 million Americans losing insurance, and will cause health care costs to rise for millions more through the repeal of the individual mandate. This bill was the quintessential backroom deal. It was rushed through Congress in record time without a single public hearing and with no testimony from outside experts about how it will affect our economy and our future. I believe that the more Americans come to learn about what was contained in this bill, the more they will come to understand the extent of the harm it will do to our nation. The original tax legislation was introduced in Congress only 48 days ago and has gone through extensive re-drafting behind closed doors during that time. The current version of the bill that was passed today was only released to members of Congress and the public on Friday evening, less than five days ago. The vast majority of the provisions in the bill that provide some limited benefit to the middle-class families will expire in 2025, while tax cuts for corporations will be made permanent. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-remarks-gop-tax-scam DeLauro Remarks on GOP Tax Scam 2017-12-19 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Rosa DeLauro D000216 delauro.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, DC (December 19, 2017) Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03)today spoke from the House Floor in opposition to the Republican tax scam bill, which cuts taxes for millionaires, billionaires, and corporations at the expense of middle class families. Here are DeLauros remarks, as prepared for delivery: I rise in strong opposition to this Republican tax scam. The biggest economic challenge of our time is that too many people are in jobs that do not pay enough to live on. Wages are not keeping up with rising costs, and too many families struggle to make ends meet. Meanwhile, big corporations, millionaires, and billionaires write the rules to make government work for themand Republicans are their comrades in arms in rigging the game against the middle class. Senator Orrin Hatch said, and I quote: I have a rough time wanting to spend billion and billions and trillions of dollars to help people who wont help themselves, wont lift a finger, and expect the federal government to do everything. This is the ugly truth of the Republican tax bill. This is what the vote was about. These are their values on display. This final tax bill is even worse than we fearedit lowers the tax rate for the wealthiest people even more than either of the original billswhile repealing a key element of the Affordable Care Act, which will result in premium increases and 13 million people losing their insurance. Where are our values? It also leaves behind vulnerable families with their shameful proposal for the Child Tax Creditshutting out military families, rural families, large families, minimum wage earners, and those with the youngest children. And Republicans have raised the income limit on the credit to an amount that will make Members of Congress eligiblewhile low income families are excluded. We should be reforming our tax system so that it encourages the creation of jobs here at home. This tax bill fails in every respect, and I strongly urge my colleagues to oppose it. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://esty.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/esty-votes-no-partisan-tax-bill Esty Votes No on Partisan Tax Bill 2017-12-19 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Elizabeth Esty E000293 esty.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (CT-5) released the following statement after the Houses passage of a partisan tax giveaway to big corporations and the wealthy paid for by adding to the debt for future generations of Americans: As we approach the final passage and signing of this so-called tax reform, its worth reflecting on how just how many promises were made to middle-class families by the president and Congressional leaders on the campaign trail a year ago, and how badly this 400-plus-page monstrosity of a tax bill fails to live up to them,"Esty said. We were promised that working Americans would keep more of their hard-earned dollars. Instead, a majority of the American people and especially families in Connecticut will see their taxes ultimately increase under this plan. In fact, Connecticut is the state most likely to be hurt by this bill. This bill was promised to help create jobs and raise wages. Instead, the final bill is a giveaway to corporations and the wealthiest Americans paid for by saddling our children and grandchildren with an extra $1.5 trillion of debt. We were promised that families would be able to fill out their taxes on a postcard. Instead, the tax code will be even more complex, with even more giveaways to special interests. We were promised a health care plan that would cover everyone at a lower cost. Instead, this bill would gut a key protection for Americans health care one that would potentially lead to 13 million more uninsured people in this country. In just about every way imaginable, this bill fails to live up to the commitments made to the American people during the campaign last year. It is the rushed, partisan product of politicians more concerned with optics and scoring wins than helping actual people. I have been very clear. I believe we should work together in a bipartisan way to enact tax reform that helps middle-class families and small businesses. This bill is a gift to wealthy donors and a lump of coal for the American people. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://esty.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-esty-s-bipartisan-women-aerospace-aviation-act House Passes Estys Bipartisan Women in Aerospace Aviation Act 2017-12-19 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Elizabeth Esty E000293 esty.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (CT-05)s bipartisan legislation to strengthen the American aerospace industry by enhancing K-12 education initiatives to encourage women and girls participation in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields passed the House today by a vote of 409-17. Bringing women to the table is not only the right thing to do, it is the smart and the necessary thing to do, Esty said. With an aging workforce, we must do everything in our power to broaden and deepen our pool of available workers. Its a fact that girls who have women science teachers are more likely to consider a career in science. And teachers who are exposed to real-life science are better able to kindle interest in science among their students. My bill will help to ensure that more STEM teachers will enter classrooms with firsthand knowledge of how aerospace technologies are strengthening Americas future. Im committed to helping young women across the country who would thrive from mentorship from female STEM teachers. To view a video of Rep. Estys remarks from the House floor, click the image above or this link. The Women in Aerospace Education Act is designed to engage girls at a young age to enter fields that have historically been male-dominated. Under existing law, Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship grants are used by universities to cover the cost of STEM-degree students who go on to teach in rural or lower-income school districts. Estys bill would encourage universities applying for Noyce grants to incorporate aerospace engineering working and learning experiences at the National Laboratories and NASA Centers into their teacher training experience. These teachers, once certified, will then enter classrooms with first-hand knowledge of the impact aerospace projects have on our lives and share that inspiration with their students. Gail Baker, President of the ISR & Space Systems business of UTC Aerospace Systems in Windsor Locks underscored the need to bring more women into aerosp… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-tax-plan-cruel-and-bad-connecticut Larson: This Tax Plan is Cruel and Bad for Connecticut 2017-12-19 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT John Larson L000557 larson.house.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. Today, the House passed the conference report of the GOP Tax plan in a partisan vote. It is expected to pass the Senate, also by a partisan vote, before going to the Presidents desk. The entire process for this legislation has been partisan, rushed, and behind closed doors. Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01), released the following statement: Larsons floor remarks prior to the vote can be foundhere As we approach Christmas, this is the present the Republicans are giving to the wealthy and the corporations, leaving the elderly and the American people who need our help behind. This is a giveaway to the wealthiest among us and it will be paid for on the backs of the middle class in Connecticut, our seniors, and our states more most vulnerable.As an example, beginning next year, corporations will still be able to deduct State and Local Taxes, while individuals and families are capped at $10,000. Considering that 41 percent of Connecticut residents itemize and take this deduction our state will be unfairly penalized. Additionally, the massive corporate tax cuts are made permanent, while the modest provisions intended to help individuals expire in 2025. As a result, more than half of the middle class will see a tax increase by 2026 while the very wealthy and large corporations will continue to reap the benefits of a lower tax rate. And it gets worse, because this plan will add $1.5 trillion to the deficit, which will trigger an automatic cut of $25 billion to Medicare next year. The Republicans ultimate end game is to further decimate essential safety net programs, like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. Medicare and Social Security are insurance programs that Americans have paid into their whole working careers and now they are on the chopping block thanks to this disastrous tax bill. At the end of the day, this bill was about giving my Republican colleagues a political win after a series of failed attempts at repealing and replacing Obamacare. This was never about helping the American people. This… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-to-congress-its-our-job-to-pass-critical-measures-before-the-holidays MURPHY TO CONGRESS: ITS OUR JOB TO PASS CRITICAL MEASURES BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS 2017-12-19 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Christopher Murphy M001169 www.murphy.senate.gov     legacy MURPHY TO CONGRESS: ITS OUR JOB TO PASS CRITICAL MEASURES BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS Tuesday, December 19, 2017 WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) spoke on the Senate floor on Tuesday to emphasize that Congress must do its job and pass important measures before recessing for the holidays. Clickhereto viewvideoof Murphys remarks. We need to think about the crisis that many families are in today and will be in over the holiday season if we don't choose to do some basic things here attached to our responsibility as United States Senators, said Murphy. If we really do believe that our role as United States Senators is to try to lift people up around us, then we need to understand that the debates around health center funding, or the Children's Health Insurance Program, or the status of children who were brought here by their parents at a very young age from another country isn't about politics. And so by the end of this week, we have to protect these Dreamers. We have to provide a permanent extension for health center funding. We have to provide a permanent extension for children's health care insurance funding because it's our job. The holidays are about our commitment to one another and we can re-up on that commitment this week by doing the right thing. The full text of Murphys remarks is below: Thank you very much, Mr. President. When you are the father of a 9-year-old and a 6-year-old during the holiday season, you spend an awful lot of time reading holiday stories. You spend an awful lot of time watching Christmas specials and Christmas movies on TV, and it's wonderful. I love it. Getting to relive my childhood through the eyes of my kids. And if you remember all of these stories and specials, there's a familiar theme that runs through them. And it's a really nice theme for kids to hear. The basic idea in many of these stories is that Christmas, Hanukkah, the holidays that we celebrate today, aren't about pageantry and they aren't about pomp and circumstance or the p… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murphy.senate.gov/view/senator-murphy-speaks-on-the-senate-floor-about-end-of-year-funding-priorities Senator Murphy Speaks on the Senate Floor about End of Year Funding Priorities 2017-12-19 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Christopher Murphy M001169 www.murphy.senate.gov     legacy hartford Colt Gateway 120 Huyshope Avenue Suite 401 Hartford, CT 06106 P: (860) 549-8463 F: (860) 524-5091 Get Directions 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/hartford-courant-courtney-college-students-fear-gop-plan-overhaul-student Hartford Courant: Courtney, College Students Fear GOP Plan To Overhaul Student Loan Programs 2017-12-18 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Joe Courtney C001069 courtney.house.gov     legacy GOP-sponsored bill torevise federal student loan programswould shatter the hopes thousands of Connecticut college students, U.S. Rep.Joe Courtney, D-2, and a group of students warned Friday. Courtneysaid the ultimate fate of the bill that passed the U.S. House Education & Workforce Committee on a party-line vote this week remains uncertain. He said the legislation is unlikely to come up for a House vote until early 2018 and that the Senate is likely to have a different version of the measure. But the students present for a Friday morning news conference said the Republican bill would prevent many young people from ever attending college by ending a subsidized loan program, eliminating college loan forgiveness provisions, and failing to tackle the issue of high-interest education loans. This puts the American dream farther out of reach for half the population, said Joshua Quintana, a senior at Central Connecticut State University who also works a full-time job while going to school. He called the GOP legislation a full-on assault on American youth. [...] Click here to read the full story at Courant.com 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-statement-censorship-cdc DeLauro Statement on Censorship at the CDC 2017-12-18 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Rosa DeLauro D000216 delauro.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, DC (December 18, 2017) Congresswomen Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement in response to reports that officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggested employees not use certain wordsincluding vulnerable, entitlement, diversity, transgender, fetus, evidence-based and science-basedin budget requests. The recent reports of censorship at our nations health agencies are extremely troubling. It is essential that researchers and scientists have the freedom to follow evidence and facts wherever they lead and express their findings in whatever manner they find most accurate. Suggesting that certain words not be used for political purposes undermines public trust in our institutions and is completely improper. That is why I am calling on the Department of Health and Human Services to clarify any recent directives to the CDC, as well as other federal health agencies. Political appointees should not be censoring or interfering with the work that our scientists and public health experts do every day. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-statement-on-trumps-national-security-strategy MURPHY STATEMENT ON TRUMPS NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY 2017-12-18 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Christopher Murphy M001169 www.murphy.senate.gov     legacy MURPHY STATEMENT ON TRUMPS NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY Murphy: The implosion of American support for efforts to advance human rights, democracy or health will directly lead to a more dangerous world.Murphy: The implosion of American support for efforts to advance human rights, democracy or health will directly lead to a more dangerous world. Monday, December 18, 2017 WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations and U.S. Senate Appropriations Committees, released a statement on Monday after President Trump unveiled a National Security Strategy that calls for an aggressive and confrontational military and economic approach, while virtually ignoring foreign assistance, diplomacy, and development programs. President Trump fundamentally misunderstands how to use the tools at his disposal to advance Americas national security. He says retreating from the world puts America first, but the implosion of American support for efforts to advance human rights, democracy or health will directly lead to a more dangerous world. What the president doesnt understand is that State Department and USAID programs dont owe their existence to our charitable benevolence, but to our self-interest and national security. Instability, corruption, poverty, disease and chaos in far reaches of the world often give rise to the despotic rulers and terrorist organizations that directly threaten the United States. Using every tool at our disposal both military and diplomatic is the only smart way to forge a world that is safe for Americans. Our global adversaries understand this, and we used to but Im very worried that the Trump administrations National Security Strategy deliberately ignores it, and to our peril. Earlier this year, Murphy blasted the Trump administrations proposal to cut State Department funding. He also criticized President Trumps proposal to gut assistance for developing countries and to fold the U.S. Agency for International Develo… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://esty.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/esty-partisan-tax-bill-still-middle-class-rip Esty: Partisan Tax Bill Still a Middle-Class Rip-Off 2017-12-16 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Elizabeth Esty E000293 esty.house.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. Following reports of an agreement between House and Senate Republicans on a deal to advance a massive tax bill early next week, Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (CT-5) released the following statement: The changes made to the tax bill havent changed my view of it one bit: its still a rip-off of Connecticuts middle-class families, Esty said. This bill still raises taxes on millions of working people to pay for benefits that will accrue solely to multinational corporations, the wealthiest people in America, and the heirs to their large estates. This bill still blows a trillion-dollar-plus hole in the federal budget at a time when nonpartisan experts are warning us of the long-term consequences of our growing national debt. And this bill still considerably limits Connecticut families ability to deduct their state and local taxes. This scheme would lead to an enormous transfer of wealth from our state to states like Texas and Florida states that havent made the same investments in their success that we have. In fact, Connecticut will be punished worse than almost any other state in the nation under this proposal. Most of the middle-class families I represent will see little, if any, benefit, while the wealthiest Americans and multinational corporations will see huge windfalls. I want tax reform. Middle-class families need tax reform. Small businesses need tax reform. This bill isnt tax reform at all. If and when it fails, Republicans and Democrats should do what we shouldve been doing all along working together to craft a bill that will help families and give businesses the ability to create jobs here in America. According to a summary of the tax bill released from the conference committee convened to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of the legislation, the tentative agreement: Eliminates the individual mandate under the Affordable Care Act. Lowers the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%. Lowers the income tax rate for the wealthiest to 37%. Reduces the top effective… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/courtney-joins-students-and-local-professionals-condemn-gop-effort-make COURTNEY JOINS STUDENTS AND LOCAL PROFESSIONALS TO CONDEMN THE GOP EFFORT TO MAKE COLLEGE MORE EXPENSIVE 2017-12-15 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Joe Courtney C001069 courtney.house.gov     legacy As the cost of higher education soars, a bill passed by the Republican-led education committee this week will make college more expensive for middle-class families across the country NORWICH, CT Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) a senior member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, joined college students and other community stakeholders for a press conference in Hartford to castigate House Republicans for undermining federal programs designed to reduce costs associated with a college degree. Specifically, the Republican PROSPER Act passed by the education committee earlier this week, ends the subsidized Stafford Loan program, slashes critical grants for students such as the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, eliminates the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, and fails to address high-interest legacy loans by not allowing graduates to refinance existing debt. Click here to view the full press conference from Hartford this morning If this effort by the House Republican majority is successful, millions of American families across the country who are preparing to send their children off to college will face higher costs and fewer options for federal aid, said Courtney. What the PROSPER Act would do is actually close avenues of affordability for millions of Americans and radically change programs that have been a part of the fabric of our society going back to the 1960s. The Republicans intended to quietly push this bill through a markup this week, but I joined my colleagues on the committee in sounding the alarm and attempting to undo some of the worst aspects of the bill. Unfortunately, even my bipartisan amendment to restore the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which supports firefighters, police officers, teachers, and other public workers, was defeated. With the level of student debt in the U.S. soaring alongside the cost of a college degree, it is very hard to understand why Republicans are moving to further pull the rug out from beneath Americans feet. Keeping … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/courtney-statement-final-gop-tax-overhaul COURTNEY STATEMENT ON THE FINAL GOP TAX OVERHAUL 2017-12-15 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Joe Courtney C001069 courtney.house.gov     legacy NORWICH, CT Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) released the following statement after the GOP released the final draft of a tax overhaul that was negotiated between Republican leadership in the House of Representatives and Senate: Its no surprise that the Republicans are introducing their massive tax overhaul late on a Friday because this entire process has been one secret, backroom deal after another, said Courtney. They want to get this bill passed before the holiday break because they need to get it done before the American people know what hit them. This bill is one gigantic gift for corporations and the wealthiest Americans in exchange for next to nothing for average middle-class and working families. Passage of this bill will create a new structural deficit that is a prelude to an assault on Social Security and Medicare, which Speaker Ryan has brazenly promised. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-statement-republican-tax-scam-bill DeLauro Statement on the Republican Tax Scam Bill 2017-12-15 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Rosa DeLauro D000216 delauro.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, DC (December 15, 2017) Congresswomen Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement in response to the release of the conference report for Republican tax scam bill, which will cut taxes for millionaires, billionaires, and corporations while raising taxes on middle class families. The Republican tax scam bill has now emerged from behind closed doors, and the majority has managed to make a bad bill worse. Republicans are rigging the tax code for the wealthiest Americans at the expense of the middle class. Corporations will receive hundreds of billions of dollars in tax cuts, and their continued outsourcing of good-paying American jobs will continue to be encouraged by this tax scam bill. On top of that, millionaires and billionaires will get billions in tax cuts from a reduction in the top tax rate, from 39.6 percent to 37 percent. Meanwhile, the tax scam bill will repeal a crucial portion of the Affordable Care Act, which will cause an estimated 13 million individuals to lose their health insurance and drive up health premiums. At the same time, other changes in the tax cut bill that affect families do not go nearly far enough. The Child Tax Credit will leave behind the most vulnerable familiesrural families, military families, minimum-wage earners, and those with the youngest children. In fact, a Member of Congress with two kids will get a larger benefit from the Child Tax Credit than some military families with two kids. That is completely outrageous. If this bill passes, Speaker Ryan will use the ballooning deficit from this tax scam bill to justify drastic cuts in social safety net programs like Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), education programs, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)formerly known as food stamps. This goes against fundamental American values and represents a level of cruelty I have not seen during my time in Congress. The majority should immediatel… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-statement-gop-tax-plan-conference-report Larson Statement on GOP Tax Plan Conference Report 2017-12-15 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT John Larson L000557 larson.house.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. - Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement after the conference report of GOP Tax Plan was released. The text was completed on a Friday night in order to rush this bill to the floor for votes in both the House and Senate early next week: "Despitechangesto the GOP tax plan, theheart of thisbill remains cruel. It is still a bad deal for hard-working families in my home state of Connecticut.It targets states like ours that consistently pay more in federal taxes than it receives in services and asks every day Americans to pay more, in order togive tax cuts to the wealthy and corporations. The Republican plan still overwhelminglyprovides permanent benefits for the wealthiest interests while phasing out any benefit that helps middle class families, said Larson. This is a bad bill, born of a bad process.Thisdeeply unpopular billis being rammed through both chambers, becausethe GOP needs a political win and to get to the next step of their plan: drastic cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. Experts all over the country, including Connecticut CPAs and the CT Department of Revenue Services,havebeenwarning Congress of the harm this bill will afflictsince the very beginning.The Congressional Budget Office has confirmed that this bill will add trillions to the deficit, triggering automatic cuts to a variety of programs, including a $25 billion cut to Medicare next year.I will continue to oppose and fight this plan." Larson's previous statements can be foundhere. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-announces-senate-passage-of-first-ever-federal-anti-animal-cruelty-statute Blumenthal Announces Senate Passage of First Ever Federal Anti-Animal Cruelty Statute 2017-12-15 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Richard Blumenthal B001277 www.blumenthal.senate.gov     legacy Blumenthal Announces Senate Passage of First Ever Federal Anti-Animal Cruelty Statute Print Tweet Friday, December 15, 2017 (Washington, D.C.) U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) announced today the United States Senate has unanimously passed his bipartisan Prevent Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act. If signed into law, the measure would be the first-ever general federal anti-animal cruelty statute. Blumenthal introduced the bill with Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.). It would outlaw a heinous form of animal abuse known as "crushing," where deranged individuals maim and torture animals. Despite taking steps in 2010 to ban the sale of videos depicting animal crushing, Congress failed to make the underlying act of crushing a federal crime. This means that--even when there is overwhelming evidence that torture is taking place--federal law enforcement is unable to protect animals from abuse or even arrest known abusers. The PACT Act would ensure that individuals found guilty of torturing animals face felony charges, fines, and up to seven years in prison. This bipartisan measure finally prohibits a heinous, inhumane practice--stating emphatically once and for all that there is no place in a civilized society for the maiming and torturing of animals, said Sen. Blumenthal. Thanks to the long overdue action of the Senate, the barbaric individuals who commit these crimes will no longer walk free. I call on the House to pass this important legislation immediately. "Animal crushing is absolutely disgusting and there is no place for this behavior in our society, said Sen. Toomey. It is long past time this abhorrent practice came to an end and I am glad the Senate once again took the next step towards advancing that goal. I am hopeful that this bipartisan bill will pass the House and finally get enacted into law." Our nation should have a zero tolerance policy for malicious cruelty to animals or sexual … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-kaine-mceachin-and-colleagues-ask-devos-for-answers-on-disciplinary-protections-for-minority-students MURPHY, KAINE, MCEACHIN COLLEAGUES ASK DEVOS FOR ANSWERS ON DISCIPLINARY PROTECTIONS FOR MINORITY STUDENTS 2017-12-15 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Christopher Murphy M001169 www.murphy.senate.gov     legacy MURPHY, KAINE, MCEACHIN & COLLEAGUES ASK DEVOS FOR ANSWERS ON DISCIPLINARY PROTECTIONS FOR MINORITY STUDENTS Bicameral legislators ask Devos to confirm or deny reports of Department walking back school discipline guidelines Friday, December 15, 2017 WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Chris Murphy (D-CT), both members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Congressman A. Donald McEachin (D-VA) joined 15 Senators and 36 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives in sending a letter to Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos asking her not to revoke or modify school discipline guidelines, following press reports that suggest she is considering a repeal of the protections. In January 2014, the Department of Education under President Obama released school discipline guidelines to assist states, districts, and schools to develop and implement practices that address the tendencies of school discipline policies to disproportionately negatively impact African American students and students with disabilities. These guidelines are not mandatory and only provide guidance to schools. Recent press reports have suggested that the Department of Education under Secretary DeVos is considering revoking these guidelines. We write to express our support for efforts to improve school climate and address the persistent, disproportionate impact of exclusionary and aversive discipline practices on groups of historically marginalized students, such as students of color. We strongly urge you to maintain guidance on discipline and compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin, the legislators said. The senators and representatives raised that statistics indicate that minority students across the country are suspended and disciplined at much higher rates than their white peers. In the 2013-14 school year, approximately 2.8 million students receiv… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/courtney-statement-repeal-net-neutrality-1 COURTNEY STATEMENT ON THE REPEAL OF NET NEUTRALITY 2017-12-14 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Joe Courtney C001069 courtney.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) made the following statement after the Republican-led Federal Communications Commission (FCC) repealed a 2015 rule that established net neutrality preventing telecommunications companies from slowing down or blocking access to individual websites: “The reckless and outrageous decision by the FCC today overturns a 2015 rule that painstakingly balanced open access to the internet and low costs for consumers with the goal of supporting investment and economic growth,” said Courtney. “There is absolutely no evidence that the rule was not working, and the only conceivable justification for the decision was fulfilling a political promise that this administration made to special interests. I look forward to working with my colleagues to reinstate the Obama-era policy of net neutrality that was working for the American people and small businesses who are the real drivers of the internet economy.”   ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/ranking-member-courtney-s-statement-navy-s-strategic-review-navy RANKING MEMBER COURTNEYS STATEMENT ON THE NAVYS STRATEGIC REVIEW OF NAVY READINESS ISSUES 2017-12-14 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Joe Courtney C001069 courtney.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), ranking member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, issued the following statement on the Secretary of the Navy’s Strategic Readiness Review, which follows the Chief of Naval Operations’ Comprehensive Review of recent mishaps in the Pacific that led to the deaths of 17 sailors. Courtney was briefed on the findings of the review by Navy Secretary Richard V. Spencer yesterday. “I want to thank Secretary Spencer for conducting this Strategic Review to complement the work of Admiral Richardson’s Comprehensive Review of Recent Surface Force Incidents that was released last month,” said Courtney. “The Secretary’s review is critical to examining the high-level, structural issues that have contributed to a degradation of our surface force readiness, and the tragedies that have occurred in the Pacific over the past 18 months. “The Strategic Review makes serious recommendations on how the Navy should train, man, equip, organize, and command the surface force around the world. Some reforms have already been implemented by the Navy using its existing authorities. Other changes will require action on the part of Congress. The Review rightfully points out that Congress has contributed to readiness shortfalls through years of uncertain budgets and restrictive language shaping the Navy’s command structure. Some of the changes will no doubt face resistance within the Navy and in Congress, but I remain convinced that now is the time to take the bold action we know is needed. Commanding officers must have the ability to declare their ships unready, our operational tempo must slow down if the surface force cannot safely keep pace, and responsibilities for force generation and operational control must be clear and unambiguous. “The completion of these reviews marks the beginning of a process for both the Navy and Congress to implement and oversee reforms needed to address the shortfalls exposed by the collisions. We owe it to the families o… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://esty.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/esty-honors-families-sandy-hook-victims-calls-action-house-floor Esty Honors Families of Sandy Hook Victims, Calls for Action on House Floor 2017-12-14 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Elizabeth Esty E000293 esty.house.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (CT-5), a vice-chair of the House’s Gun Violence Prevention Task Force representing Newtown, Connecticut, held a discussion on the House floor on Wednesday night to honor the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012 and call for Congress to take action.  “Twenty schoolchildren and six educators – twenty six and seven year olds – were ripped from the community of Newtown,” Esty said. “I remember that day. I was a newly-elected Member of Congress, learning about what it means to serve in this august body, when I started to receive e-mails and text messages telling me that something terrible happened at home. And by noon, I learned the worst: that children had been killed.  “I threw my things in the car and drove from Boston. I called my mother, I called my minister, and I prayed for wisdom, guidance, and the courage to face the families. I arrived to find families being notified that the children they had put on the bus that morning – children who were thinking of Hanukkah, of the start of Christmas, and of the newly-fallen snow on the ground – those children would never come home.  “It’s sad. It’s sad and it’s inexcusable that as I stand here five years later, the people’s House still has not taken action.” View Rep. Esty’s opening floor remarks from last night’s Special Order Hour by clicking the image above or this link. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-republican-tax-bill-mere-prologue-cutting-americans-social Larson: The Republican Tax Bill Is Mere Prologue To Cutting Americans Social Programs 2017-12-14 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT John Larson L000557 larson.house.gov     legacy Washington D.C. – Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement after concluding yesterday’s Democratic Ways and Means hearing on the current state of the Republican tax bill. “Yesterday my colleagues and I heard from expert witnesses on the Republican tax bill. This was the first and only hearing on the text of H.R. 1, the House GOP tax plan, and the public debate that we and the American public were denied before the House Republicans jammed their bill through committee and ultimately through both chambers of Congress. Not only were we provided expert testimony on the repercussions the bill will have on the American worker and the obscene tax cuts that corporations and the wealthy will receive from this tax bill, we also heard from every day Americans who described to us how they would be harmed by the tax plan. We heard from a graduate student on how H.R. 1 would make higher education an impossibility for middle class Americans, and a decorated combat veteran, who has devoted his life to helping his fellow vets get hired,” said Larson. “What is most galling about this bill - is that in order to cover the costs of the $1.5 trillion hole they will blow in the deficit, they will institute an immediate $25 billion cut in Medicare next year. I spoke on this heartless tactic they are using against our seniors and loved ones in order to provide tax cuts to corporations and our country’s wealthiest citizens. It is unconscionable.” 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-statement-5th-anniversary-tragedy-sandy-hook-elementary-school Larson Statement on the 5th Anniversary of the Tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School 2017-12-14 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT John Larson L000557 larson.house.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement on the five year anniversary of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT. “On this day five years ago, 26 lives were senselessly cut short at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Our hearts still ache. My heart goes out to the friends and families of all the victims,” said Larson. “I’m also frustrated that nothing has been done. Since this tragic day, the House has still yet to hold a vote on common sense gun violence prevention legislation, like universal background checks. The King-Thompson Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act is a bipartisan bill that upholds the Second Amendment, while strengthening background checks and fortifying state and federal record keeping in order to keep guns out of the hands of convicted criminals. Unfortunately, it doesn’t stand a chance to see the light of day until the Republicans stand up to the gun lobby and take a vote. In five years all Congress has done is offered its thoughts and prayers to the victims of gun violence. Inaction is no longer an option. The American people overwhelmingly support common sense gun safety legislation. The time for Congress to act is now.” 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-statement-fcc-vote-net-neutrality-roll-backs Larson Statement on the FCC Vote on Net Neutrality Roll Backs 2017-12-14 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT John Larson L000557 larson.house.gov     legacy Washington D.C. – Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01)  released the following statement on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) vote to roll back the 2015 Open Internet Order and prevent states from implementing their own regulations that could surpass the federal protections for broadband consumers. “In a time when access to broadband has become an essential part of our everyday lives, we should be looking for ways to improve access to an open internet for all instead of walking backwards”, said Larson. “I am deeply disappointed with the FCC’s decision to disregard the concerns of 83 percent of American people by proceeding with a vote to roll back these important rules.  Not only is this action a step backwards for consumer protections, but it will not help spur an environment for innovation and growth. Congress should act quickly to ensure that net neutrality is preserved in order to provide fair and equal access to the Internet for all.” Yesterday, Congressman Larson, along with 117 colleagues,  sent a letter urging the FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to delay the vote on the Restoring Internet Freedom Order. Read here. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larsons-social-security-bill-gets-boost-former-obama-economist-jason LARSON'S SOCIAL SECURITY BILL GETS A BOOST FROM FORMER OBAMA ECONOMIST, JASON FURMAN 2017-12-14 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT John Larson L000557 larson.house.gov     legacy Washington D.C. - Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) During a Democratic Ways & Means hearing on the Republican tax plan yesterday, former Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors under President Obama, Jason Furman, praised the Social Security 2100 Act (H.R. 1902). The Social Security 2100 Act, authored by Ways & Means Social Security Subcommittee Ranking Member John B. Larson, was introduced earlier this year and currently has 163 cosponsors. Due to the 2010 Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) law, the nearly $1.5 trillion addition to the deficit from the GOP tax plan will lead to automatic cuts to certain government programs - including cuts to Medicare as soon as next year. GOP Leadership has stated that their next priority, after passing deficit-raising tax reform, will be 'entitlement reform', including huge cuts to social insurance programs like Medicare and Social Security, that working Americans have paid for with every paycheck. A summary of their exchange is below and linked here: Larson: So, when we find that in this provision that because of PAYGO rules that there will be an automatic cut, without a vote ever having to take place, in Medicare of $25 billion a year, I would ask our experts how would you try to rectify that and what is your sense whether this is a very specific goal of going after entitlements - and not passing infrastructure or other legislation that will put people back to work? Furman: I'd like to thank you for your Social Security legislation, which I think is one of the most thoughtful proposals on Social Security and our retirement security. The simplest thing is not to pass this bill or to have revenue increases that would turn off that automatic sequester to Medicare. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-esty-release-letters-to-ice-board-of-immigration-appeals-seeking-stay-in-deportation-of-new-britain-father Blumenthal, Esty Release Letters to ICE, Board of Immigration Appeals Seeking Stay in Deportation of New Britain Father 2017-12-14 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Richard Blumenthal B001277 www.blumenthal.senate.gov     legacy Blumenthal, Esty Release Letters to ICE, Board of Immigration Appeals Seeking Stay in Deportation of New Britain Father Print Tweet Thursday, December 14, 2017 (HARTFORD, CT) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (CT-5) released two letters today to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Board of Immigration Appeals seeking a last minute stay in the deportation of New Britain father Mariano Cardoso scheduled for this Friday. Mr. Cardoso is scheduled to be deported to his native Mexico after living here for 27 years with no criminal record. He has applied for permanent residency through his U.S. citizen son and Senator Blumenthal and Congresswoman Esty have urged ICE not to take this unnecessarily cruel action while he pursues his pathway to legal status. Cardoso has two U.S. citizen children and a son who is a DACA recipient.  Both letters identify several significant factors in his case that should merit a stay of removal, including the fact that Mr. Cardoso’s father is about to undergo surgery and will require his care.   December 14, 2017 Mr. Thomas Homan Acting Director Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement 500 12th Street, Southwest Washington, D.C. 20536   RE: Cardoso, Mariano; A: 073-676- 847; DOB: January 8, 1967   Dear Acting Director Homan, We are writing to you again on behalf of Mr. Mariano Cardoso of New Britain, Connecticut and his family regarding the Stay of Deportation filed today. We believe an immediate review of Mr. Cardoso’s case and a reconsideration of his request for a Stay of Removal is warranted, given his strong connection with his community and his role as caretaker for his parents. Mr. Cardoso’s attorney, Holli Wargo, has submitted the Stay of Removal based on many significant factors in his case -- Mr. Cardoso has been in the U.S. since 1990, gainfully employed as a business owner w… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-slams-fcc-repeal-of-net-neutrality-rules Blumenthal Slams FCC Repeal of Net Neutrality Rules 2017-12-14 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Richard Blumenthal B001277 www.blumenthal.senate.gov     legacy Blumenthal Slams FCC Repeal of Net Neutrality Rules Print Tweet Thursday, December 14, 2017 [WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) issued the following statement after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to repeal rules ensuring the neutrality and openness of the internet, known as “net neutrality.” The measure passed the five-person commission by a vote of 3-2, along party lines. Blumenthal spoke on the Senate Floor yesterday in opposition to the proposal, joining several colleagues from the Senate Democratic Caucus in a colloquy. Video of his speech is available here. “The FCC has recklessly and needlessly repealed rules that have kept the playing field level, and defined the success of our current internet economy. This action has made a mockery of consumer protection at the expense of our economy. It will disastrously disadvantage small businesses. It threatens the internet’s incredible success and persistent innovation. And it will harm consumers with higher prices and lower speeds. In the face of overwhelming opposition, Chairman Pai and the Republican majority of the FCC have damaged the open internet as we know it, and with it the uniquely American accessibility and spirit that has allowed it to thrive,” Blumenthal said. “Without these protections, antitrust agencies and other regulators must play a much more aggressive role – including more vigorous and frequent investigations of anticompetitive behavior – but even that will not be sufficient to neutralize the harm caused by the FCC’s rash and destructive action.” 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-fifth-anniversary-of-sandy-hook-shooting Blumenthal Statement on Fifth Anniversary of Sandy Hook Shooting 2017-12-14 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Richard Blumenthal B001277 www.blumenthal.senate.gov     legacy Blumenthal Statement on Fifth Anniversary of Sandy Hook Shooting Print Tweet Thursday, December 14, 2017 (Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) issued the following statement on the fifth anniversary of the Sandy Hook shooting: “Today marks the fifth anniversary of one of the darkest moments in our nation’s history. I stand in awe of the families who, through unimaginable grief and pain, have shown unparalleled courage and resilience. We must never forget the innocent lives lost that day, and we must never abandon their cause. Shame on Congress for allowing yet another year to pass without action. Shame on Congress for allowing this tragic anniversary to be followed by so many more—in Sutherland Springs, in Las Vegas, in Orlando, in Charleston, and in our communities each and every day. Each day that passes marked by inaction, Congress turns its back on the will of the American public--complicit as 90 more lives are lost to the scourge of gun violence. Today and every day, we must honor with action. I will not give up this fight.” 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-navy-strategic-readiness-review Blumenthal Statement on Navy Strategic Readiness Review 2017-12-14 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Richard Blumenthal B001277 www.blumenthal.senate.gov     legacy Blumenthal Statement on Navy Strategic Readiness Review Print Tweet Thursday, December 14, 2017 [WASHINGTON, DC] U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement after Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer released the results of the months-long Strategic Readiness Review. The Review examined systemic conditions impacting the Navy over the last 30 years. It found the Navy has repeatedly failed to meet readiness requirements while balancing growing operational demands. The report made over 20 recommendations to address readiness shortfalls. Its four broad, strategic recommendations include: re-establishing readiness as a priority; matching supply and demand; establishing clear command and control relationships; and becoming a true learning organization. This review documents and demonstrates severe readiness problems across the fleet, said Blumenthal. They contributed significantly to deadly collisions that took the lives of seventeen brave sailors, including two from Connecticut. Such preventable tragedies must never happen again. The Navy must move expeditiously and effectively to implement the essential recommendations made by this review. As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I will do everything possible to make sure the Navy has the resources and leadership to protect our sailors and the worlds greatest Navy. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-speech-marking-fifth-anniversary-of-sandy-hook-shooting MURPHY SPEECH MARKING FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF SANDY HOOK SHOOTING 2017-12-14 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Christopher Murphy M001169 www.murphy.senate.gov     legacy MURPHY SPEECH MARKING FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF SANDY HOOK SHOOTING Thursday, December 14, 2017 WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senate on Thursday to mark the fifth anniversary of the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School where a gunman murdered 20 first graders and six educators. Murphy highlighted that, despite the pain and suffering that has stemmed from that tragic day, the legacy of the victims lives on in many ways. Click here to view video of Murphy’s remarks. “I want to spend my brief time here today not focusing on the sadness of today - it's there, it's inescapable – not focusing on what we haven't done, but focusing on so many miracles, big ones and small ones that have occurred in and around the lives of those that were affected in Newtown, Connecticut, over the last five years,” said Murphy. “While these families will never be the same, they have found ways to rebound. They have found ways to still capture joy in their lives. Some have added to their numbers by welcoming new children into their family since then. They have rediscovered passions. So many of the families joined together with their friends and started up small charitable organizations in the wake of the Sandy Hook shooting to try to find a way to take the beauty of these kids and transfer it to others. And then there are miracles that have happened in the context of public policy.” “Keep going,” Murphy continued. “It's what Newtown has done over the last five years. It's what those families have found the courage to do over the last half a decade. For those of us who believe that the laws of this country must change in order to protect kids like those who lost their lives in Sandy Hook, it's what we do. And so as we mark five years since the violence at Sandy Hook Elementary School, we keep going. The full text of Murphy’s remarks is below: Thank you very much, Mr. President. Mr. President, I'm on the floor this afternoon to mark five years… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-statement-on-fcc-decision-to-repeal-net-neutrality-rules MURPHY STATEMENT ON FCC DECISION TO REPEAL NET NEUTRALITY RULES 2017-12-14 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Christopher Murphy M001169 www.murphy.senate.gov     legacy MURPHY STATEMENT ON FCC DECISION TO REPEAL NET NEUTRALITY RULES Murphy: “We need to bring back net neutrality and keep the internet free and open.” Thursday, December 14, 2017 WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released a statement on Thursday after the Republican-majority Federal Communications Commission announced the repeal of Obama-era net neutrality rules that currently ban telecom companies from blocking, prioritizing, or slowing down certain websites and applications. The rules sought to protect the internet as an open and level playing field. “Imagine if the power company could decide which of your appliances got steady, reliable electricity while all other products suffered from low power and blackouts. Or if the water company could throttle back your water supply if they thought your shower was too long. The reason we regulate utilities is exactly so they can’t play those games—we don’t allow them to play favorites with consumers or providers. But that’s exactly what President Trump’s FCC just did with the internet – broadband providers and big businesses will make a bunch of money, but consumers, small businesses, and startups could be hit hard,” said Murphy. “The internet is at its best when it’s open and accessible to anyone or any business. The success of your business, website or ideas shouldn’t be based on whether you have enough cash to pay off your cable company. We need to bring back net neutrality and keep the internet free and open,” Murphy added. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murphy.senate.gov/view/murphy-speaks-on-senate-floor-to-mark-fifth-anniversary-of-sandy-hook-shooting Murphy Speaks On Senate Floor To Mark Fifth Anniversary Of Sandy Hook Shooting 2017-12-14 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Christopher Murphy M001169 www.murphy.senate.gov     legacy hartford Colt Gateway 120 Huyshope Avenue Suite 401 Hartford, CT 06106 P: (860) 549-8463 F: (860) 524-5091 Get Directions 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/courtney-champions-college-affordability-measures-education-committee COURTNEY CHAMPIONS COLLEGE AFFORDABILITY MEASURES AS THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE PASSES A PARTISAN RE-WRITE OF HEA 2017-12-13 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Joe Courtney C001069 courtney.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), a senior member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee made the following statement after an extensive re-write of the Higher Education Act was rushed through committee last night. Courtney offered two critical amendments to save the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, and to allow graduates saddled with high-interest student loans to refinance the debt at lower rates: neither was adopted by the majority. Click here to view Courtney’s opening remarks from the committee markup on Tuesday “This is another hyper-partisan effort led by the Republican majority that will incredibly make college more expensive and close pathways for young Americans to pursue critical careers that will support our economy,” said Courtney. “If this bill were ever signed into law, it would dismantle programs designed to make college more affordable for middle-class families. One prime example of this is a provision in the bill to close-down the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program that has supported students entering critical professions since its inception 10 years ago.  The program allows public service workers such as teachers, police officers, rural doctors, and others to have their student loan debt forgiven after 10 years of work in their occupation. I offered a bipartisan amendment during the committee proceedings to save the PSLF program and expand it to include farmers and veteran service organizations. That effort was backed by nearly 200 organizations such as the National Fraternal Order of Police, National Young Farmers Collation, and the American Legion. Unfortunately, even with the votes of several Republican members of the committee, the amendment ultimately failed by a vote of 19-20. “I offered a second amendment that would have simply provided college graduates with the ability to refinance high-interest student loan debt at lower rates. This proposal, which I first introduced as a standalone bill along with Senator Elizabeth Warren, would allow s… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-calls-for-renewed-investigation-of-comcast-nbcu-acquisition-ahead-of-expiring-merger-conditions Blumenthal Calls for Renewed Investigation of Comcast-NBCU Acquisition Ahead of Expiring Merger Conditions 2017-12-13 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Richard Blumenthal B001277 www.blumenthal.senate.gov     legacy Blumenthal Calls for Renewed Investigation of Comcast-NBCU Acquisition Ahead of Expiring Merger Conditions Print Tweet Wednesday, December 13, 2017 [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Ahead of a hearing today before the Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition, and Consumer Rights, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) wrote Makan Delrahim, Assistant Attorney General of the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division, seeking an investigation into the anticompetitive threat consumers will face if Comcast’s acquisition of NBC Universal is allowed to remain in place after its merger conditions expire in September 2018. In the six years since the merger was first approved, there have been numerous complaints that the consolidation of these two companies has undermined free and fair competition, causing harm to consumers. Pending further investigation, Blumenthal also urged Delrahim to extend the original conditions set on the Comcast–NBCU acquisition beyond September 2018, when they are currently set to expire. “If your investigation determines that the Comcast–NBCU acquisition will produce anticompetitive effects, even if the merger conditions are retained, you may need to consider separating Comcast and NBCU in order to fully restore competition. As a member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, I have previously raised concerns regarding whether the conditions imposed on Comcast and NBCU have achieved their intended effects of promoting competition and protecting consumers and, more broadly, whether these types of conditions can actually work,” Blumenthal wrote. “The Justice Department’s recent decision to block the acquisition of Time Warner by AT&T suggests that the Department has come to recognize the advantage of structural remedies over behavioral remedies. In fact, the very same principles that the Department invoked to justify its suit to pre… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-udall-schumer-to-ftc-dont-let-grinch-bots-steal-christmas Blumenthal, Udall, Schumer to FTC: Don't Let Grinch Bots Steal Christmas 2017-12-13 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Richard Blumenthal B001277 www.blumenthal.senate.gov     legacy Blumenthal, Udall, Schumer to FTC: Don't Let Grinch Bots Steal Christmas Print Tweet Senators Urge Trade Cops to Protect Consumers and Kids From Online Scammers This Holiday Season Wednesday, December 13, 2017 WASHINGTON —U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) urged the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to take action to protect kids and not let “Grinch Bots” steal Christmas toys. So-called Grinch Bots are algorithms and software deployed by online scammers to buy up popular toys and merchandise at lightning speed, and then re-sell those items at wildly inflated prices on websites like Ebay. After The New York Times reported that Grinch Bots have caused a shortage of Fingerlings, the Barbie Hello Dreamhouse and the Vampirina Scare B&B, among other toys, Blumenthal, Udall, and Schumer called on the FTC to convene a workshop to assess and address the damage these scammers have caused to kids and families this holiday season.  The senators also wrote that they plan to introduce legislation to combat Grinch Bots in the coming week. “Millions of Americans are turning to online retailers in search of hard-to-find gifts for their family and friends this holiday season. Unfortunately, unscrupulous scammers are also taking note of the limited availability of popular items online, and are succeeding at gaming the system by aggressively deploying cyber bots that automatically spot and snap up the most popular products,” the senators wrote. “These bots are able to scoop up the season’s hottest toys before the typical consumer can even log on. They will then turn around and sell these limited availability items at large markups in the remaining shopping days of the holiday season. The profiteers behind these programs are becoming the Grinch bots of the 2017 holiday season." “We respectfully request that the Federal Trade Commission convene a wor… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-calls-on-congress-to-fully-fund-bipartisan-mental-health-reforms-ahead-of-sandy-hook-anniversary MURPHY CALLS ON CONGRESS TO FULLY FUND BIPARTISAN MENTAL HEALTH REFORMS AHEAD OF SANDY HOOK ANNIVERSARY 2017-12-13 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Christopher Murphy M001169 www.murphy.senate.gov     legacy MURPHY CALLS ON CONGRESS TO FULLY FUND BIPARTISAN MENTAL HEALTH REFORMS AHEAD OF SANDY HOOK ANNIVERSARY Murphy: “In the aftermath of that tragedy, Republicans and Democrats were able to come together to pass the Mental Health Reform Act…If properly funded, it will save lives.” Wednesday, December 13, 2017 Click here to view video of Murphy’s opening remarks. Click here to view video of Murphy’s first exchange with Dr. McCance-Katz. Click here to view video of Murphy’s second exchange with Dr. McCance-Katz. WASHINGTON – Ahead of the fifth anniversary of the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School where a deranged gunman shot and killed 20 first graders and six educators, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) – co-author of the bipartisan Mental Health Reform Act – highlighted the challenges that remain in our country’s mental health system during a U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing. He also called on Congress to fully fund the improvements passed as part of the Mental Health Reform Act, which President Obama signed into law one year ago today. Murphy delivered opening remarks during the HELP hearing and received feedback from Dr. Elinore McCance-Katz – the first-ever Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, a position created by the Mental Health Reform Act – on the best ways to achieve mental health parity, broaden our mental health workforce, and make other improvements to the nation’s mental health care system. “It is also almost five years to the day since the terrible tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, when a young man with serious mental illness killed 20 first-graders and six adults,” said Murphy. “Now, let’s be clear there is no inherent connection between mental illness and violence. But we also know that when people fall through the cracks of our fractured mental health system, it can have a devastating impact.”  “So in the aftermath of that tragedy, Republicans and Democrats were able to … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murphy.senate.gov/view/murphy-calls-on-congress-to-fully-fund-mental-health-reforms-ahead-of-sandy-hook-anniversary Murphy Calls On Congress To Fully Fund Mental Health Reforms Ahead Of Sandy Hook Anniversary 2017-12-13 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Christopher Murphy M001169 www.murphy.senate.gov     legacy hartford Colt Gateway 120 Huyshope Avenue Suite 401 Hartford, CT 06106 P: (860) 549-8463 F: (860) 524-5091 Get Directions 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murphy.senate.gov/view/murphy-questions-asst-secretary-mccance-katz-about-ways-to-achieve-mental-health-parity Murphy Questions Asst Secretary McCance-Katz About Ways to Achieve Mental Health Parity 2017-12-13 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Christopher Murphy M001169 www.murphy.senate.gov     legacy hartford Colt Gateway 120 Huyshope Avenue Suite 401 Hartford, CT 06106 P: (860) 549-8463 F: (860) 524-5091 Get Directions 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murphy.senate.gov/view/murphy-questions-asst-secretary-mccance-katz-about-ways-to-broaden-the-mental-health-workforce Murphy Questions Asst Secretary McCance-Katz About Ways to Broaden the Mental Health Workforce 2017-12-13 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Christopher Murphy M001169 www.murphy.senate.gov     legacy hartford Colt Gateway 120 Huyshope Avenue Suite 401 Hartford, CT 06106 P: (860) 549-8463 F: (860) 524-5091 Get Directions 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://esty.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/esty-statement-president-s-comments-regarding-senator-kirsten-gillibrand Esty Statement on President’s Comments Regarding Senator Kirsten Gillibrand 2017-12-12 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Elizabeth Esty E000293 esty.house.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (CT-5) issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s tweet regarding Senator Kirsten Gillibrand: “This morning’s comments are beneath the dignity of the highest office in America,” Esty said. “The president should remove his tweets and apologize to Senator Gillibrand immediately. Our number one priority should be to do the work the American people elected us to do – to put politics aside and work together to grow our economy and create jobs. This sexist attack on Senator Gillibrand is a failure of leadership and demeaning and disrespectful to the American people – particularly American women. I earnestly hope it is never repeated.” ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-new-britain-father-mariano-cardoso Blumenthal Statement on New Britain Father Mariano Cardoso 2017-12-12 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Richard Blumenthal B001277 www.blumenthal.senate.gov     legacy Blumenthal Statement on New Britain Father Mariano Cardoso Print Tweet Tuesday, December 12, 2017 (Hartford, CT) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) issued the following statement in support of Mariano Cardoso Sr., a New Britain father facing deportation on December 15. “Mariano Cardoso has lived in this country for 27 years—raising his children, working, paying taxes and contributing to his community. Mariano has already applied for permanent residency through his U.S. citizen son and there is absolutely no reason to break apart this family while he pursues his pathway to citizenship. I have written to ICE urging that they reconsider this unnecessarily cruel action and that they grant Mariano the time he deserves to see his petition through. ICE has rejected my request, but time remains for them to do the right thing. No family should have to suffer such ongoing fear and uncertainty.” 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-introduces-21st-century-buy-american-act MURPHY INTRODUCES 21st CENTURY BUY AMERICAN ACT 2017-12-11 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Christopher Murphy M001169 www.murphy.senate.gov     legacy MURPHY INTRODUCES 21st CENTURY BUY AMERICAN ACT Independent analysis estimates Murphy’s bill would create up to 100,000 jobs Monday, December 11, 2017 WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, on Monday introduced the 21st Century Buy American Act. The legislation will strengthen existing Buy American standards to ensure that the U.S. government prioritizes the purchase of American-made goods. The non-partisan Economic Policy Institute said Murphy’s 21st Century Buy American Act would create up to 100,000 jobs. “It’s pretty simple. Americans want their taxpayer money spent here and in support of U.S. manufacturers, not their foreign competitors. Our Buy American laws are outdated and full of loopholes. Manufacturers across Connecticut have told me that fixing these broken laws will help bring local jobs back, and my 21st Century Buy American Act will help do just that,” said Murphy. “Donald Trump campaigned on ‘Made in America.’ If we want to put our money where our mouth is, let’s pass this bill.” Specifically, the 21st Century Buy American Act will: Close loopholes that allow federal agencies to waive Buy American requirements. By closing these loopholes, agencies would rarely be able to use a “public interest waiver” without considering long- and short-term effects on U.S. employment. Current loopholes in Buy American laws allow agencies to exploit this waiver, leaving U.S. manufacturers behind. Provide resources for U.S. manufacturers of items in short supply to help them compete against foreign manufacturers for U.S. government contracts. By claiming an item is “non-available” domestically, or almost non-available, federal agencies can avoid certain Buy American requirements. This legislation invests in new and existing manufacturers of non-available items or manufacturers who are the only domestic manufacturer of a specific item, ensuring that these companies – that are crucial to our long-… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/courtney-urges-chip-reauthorization COURTNEY URGES CHIP REAUTHORIZATION 2017-12-08 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Joe Courtney C001069 courtney.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) sent a letter to Congressional leadership along with 98 other members of the House urging them to work together to extend funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Delivered to House Speaker Paul Ryan (WI-01), House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (CA-12), Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.), the letter advocates for immediately reauthorizing CHIP while simultaneously protecting the Affordable Care Act, Medicare, Medicaid and other health programs that Americans rely on to stay healthy, see a doctor and get the care they deserve. Courtney is also a cosponsor of HR 4541 to reauthorize the CHIP program for five years. “Millions of working-class families across our country rely on CHIP to provide quality health insurance for their children that they would otherwise not be able to afford,” said Courtney. “Since the CHIP program was first created it has been regularly reauthorized with strong bipartisan support from across the political spectrum. Today, I am joining nearly 100 of my colleagues in pleading with our leadership in the House and Senate to make this a priority this coverage lapses and parents are left with nowhere to turn.” Nine million children across the country rely on CHIP, which has played a fundamental role in lowering the uninsured rate among children from 25 percent in 1997 to less than five percent today. CHIP provides comprehensive, low-cost health coverage for services including routine check-ups, immunizations, doctor visits, prescriptions, dental and vision care, and emergency services. Roughly, 1,700 children across Connecticut receive health insurance through CHIP. Federal funding for CHIP expired over two months ago, and as a result, many states across the country are preparing to terminate children’s health coverage. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://esty.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/esty-introduces-bipartisan-legislation-help-adolescents-struggling Esty Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Help Adolescents Struggling with Addiction 2017-12-08 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Elizabeth Esty E000293 esty.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (CT-5), a member of the bipartisan Opioid Task Force in the House, introduced bipartisan legislation with Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-NJ) to allow student loan borrowers enrolled in a state-approved substance abuse treatment program to defer payment on public student loans while actively receiving treatment without interest accruing during the deferment period. “Families shouldn’t have to choose between seeking treatment for their loved ones struggling with opioid addiction and paying the bills,” Esty said. “The pain of helping a family member seek treatment and recover is difficult enough; no one should have to tell their son or daughter that the family can’t afford to treat their child. By allowing Americans to defer student loan payments while receiving state-approved treatment, this bill will be a small step forward in our efforts to combat the opioid crisis and repair families. Like Congressman MacArthur, I’m committed to working across party lines to ensure that we heal everyone we can.” “The opioid epidemic continues to destroy communities across the United States, and in many cases, young Americans transitioning to adulthood are the most heavily impacted by this crisis,” said Congressman MacArthur. “This bipartisan bill will allow young adults to focus on treatment and overcoming addiction without having to worry about the financial burden of student loans. Young Americans, who are on the road to recovery, should have financial peace of mind while receiving life-saving treatment for addiction.”  “One in ten.  The percentage of people suffering with a substance use disorder who get the treatment they so desperately need is nothing short of tragic.  The legislation proposed by Representatives Esty and MacArthur removes a substantial barrier to that treatment.  Fully committing to an effective recovery program optimizes the chance that a young person can change the trajectory of their life -  the lasting outcomes to that investment are enormous,” said Maria Coutant S… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://esty.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/esty-introduces-bipartisan-legislation-help-adolescents-struggling-0 Esty Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Help Adolescents Struggling with Addiction 2017-12-08 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Elizabeth Esty E000293 esty.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (CT-5), a member of the bipartisan Opioid Task Force in the House, introduced bipartisan legislation with Rep. Tom MacArthur (R-NJ) to allow student loan borrowers enrolled in a state-approved substance abuse treatment program to defer payment on public student loans while actively receiving treatment without interest accruing during the deferment period.  “Families shouldn’t have to choose between seeking treatment for their loved ones struggling with opioid addiction and paying the bills,” Esty said. “The pain of helping a family member seek treatment and recover is difficult enough; no one should have to tell their son or daughter that the family can’t afford to treat their child. By allowing Americans to defer student loan payments while receiving state-approved treatment, this bill will be a small step forward in our efforts to combat the opioid crisis and repair families. Like Congressman MacArthur, I’m committed to working across party lines to ensure that we heal everyone we can.” “The opioid epidemic continues to destroy communities across the United States, and in many cases, young Americans transitioning to adulthood are the most heavily impacted by this crisis,” said Congressman MacArthur. “This bipartisan bill will allow young adults to focus on treatment and overcoming addiction without having to worry about the financial burden of student loans. Young Americans, who are on the road to recovery, should have financial peace of mind while receiving life-saving treatment for addiction.”   “One in ten.  The percentage of people suffering with a substance use disorder who get the treatment they so desperately need is nothing short of tragic.  The legislation proposed by Representatives Esty and MacArthur removes a substantial barrier to that treatment.  Fully committing to an effective recovery program optimizes the chance that a young person can change the trajectory of their life -  the lasting outcomes to that investment are enormous,” said Maria Coutant… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-senate-passage-of-two-week-government-funding-bill Blumenthal Statement on Senate Passage of Two-Week Government Funding Bill 2017-12-08 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Richard Blumenthal B001277 www.blumenthal.senate.gov     legacy Blumenthal Statement on Senate Passage of Two-Week Government Funding Bill Print Tweet Friday, December 8, 2017 [WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) released the following statement after the Senate voted 81-14 to approve a two-week spending bill, one day before government funding is set to expire. “I reluctantly voted to approve a short-term Continuing Resolution today only to avert the unnecessary, self-inflicted crisis of a government shutdown. Republicans’ failure to put forward a long-term funding measure is a masterclass in failed leadership. Now as they delay decision-making on funding our government, states across the country are preparing letters to CHIP families saying there is no money for their child’s health care. As they craft backroom deals in an attempt to pass their tax scam, hundreds of thousands of Dreamers are anxiously awaiting their fate. Failing to address these critical priorities is no way to run a country." 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-introduces-legislation-limit-arsenic-rice DeLauro Introduces Legislation to Limit Arsenic in Rice 2017-12-07 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Rosa DeLauro D000216 delauro.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, DC (December 7, 2017) — This week, Congresswomen Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) introduced legislation to limit the amount of inorganic arsenic that is permitted in rice and rice-based products.  The Reducing food-based Inorganic Compounds Exposure (RICE) Act would require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to set a maximum permissible level of inorganic arsenic for rice and food containing rice. This bill takes an important step to ensure the safety of rice and rice products for both adults and children. “The federal government has long-known about the dangers of arsenic in our food supply. Yet high levels of inorganic arsenic—a known carcinogen—are still present in rice, rice-based cereal, and other foods many adults, children, and infants eat every day,” said Congresswoman DeLauro. “The FDA has a responsibility to ensure our food supply is safe, especially for infants and children, but there are currently no limits on the amount of arsenic allowed in our food. That is why Congress must take up the RICE Act to protect all Americans health and well-being.” "This bill would be an important step forward for public health," said Jean Halloran, Director of Food Policy Initiatives for Consumers Union, the policy and mobilization division of Consumer Reports. "Our research since 2011 has highlighted arsenic's prevalence in common rice-based foods, and identified its potential risks—especially to vulnerable populations, such as young children. We support the RICE Act and urge all members of Congress to support it as well." In addition to establishing a maximum permissible level of inorganic arsenic in rice and rice products, the RICE Act would direct the FDA to set a separate standard for rice milk and other rice-based foods frequently consumed by infants and children. A study released this week by Healthy Babies Bright Futures found, “six times more arsenic in infant rice cereal than other types of infant cereals.” Eighty percent of children in the United States eat rice in their first year of life, putting infa… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-statement-continuing-resolution DeLauro Statement on the Continuing Resolution 2017-12-07 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Rosa DeLauro D000216 delauro.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, DC (December 7, 2017) - Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today spoke from the House Floor to urge her colleagues to vote against the majority’s Continuing Resolution. Here are DeLauro’s remarks, as delivered: I rise to comment on this Continuing Resolution, and on the past year of this Congress. The biggest economic challenge of our time is that people are in jobs that do not pay them enough to live on. Wages are not keeping up with rising costs—for healthcare, childcare, and housing—and too many families struggle to make ends meet, let alone put money in a college fund or go on vacation. That is what we should be focused on—we ought to be creating jobs and raising wages. Yet for the first nine months of this year, this Congress attempted again and again to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which would have raised premiums and deductibles, thrown millions off insurance, and made care unaffordable. Then, we spent our entire fall on the Republican tax scam. Big corporations, millionaires, and billionaires write the rules to make this government work for them—and Republicans are their comrades in arms in rigging the game against the middle class. Just a few days ago Senator Orrin Hatch said, and I quote: “I have a rough time wanting to spend billions and billions and trillions of dollars to help people who won’t help themselves, won’t lift a finger, and expect the federal government to do everything.” Get out the Senate chamber. Understand what people’s lives are about today. Walk in their shoes and understand their struggle. This is the ugly truth of the Republican tax bill. This is what the vote was about. These are their values on display. This tax scam is going to raise the deficit—and the Republicans will use it as an excuse to cut vital social safety net programs like Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, LIHEAP, TANF, education programs, and SNAP—or Food Stamps. Right now, funding is insufficient to provide child care assistance to all who are eligible—yet if we pass this tax bill, we will be under… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://esty.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/esty-statement-house-continuing-resolution-vote Esty Statement on House Continuing Resolution Vote 2017-12-07 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Elizabeth Esty E000293 esty.house.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (CT-5) issued the following statement in response to the House’s vote on a two-week stopgap government funding measure. Esty voted “no” on the legislation, which passed the House 235-193.  “There’s no doubt in my mind that we need to keep the government open, but the House majority is failing too many Americans to accept a two-week extension right now,” Esty said. “At a time when Connecticut families fear tax increases, the country is attempting to combat an epidemic of opioid addiction, children’s health care is in limbo, and countless other issues must be resolved by the end of the year, we should do better than just keeping the lights on in the building. But that takes a genuine commitment to bipartisanship on both sides. “I know bipartisanship is possible, even in this Congress, as I have successfully authored, passed, and gotten numerous bills enacted into law this year. Democrats were, regrettably, not invited to participate in the budget discussions in any meaningful way. The American people deserve leadership that puts country over party. I’m ready to work on practical solutions, and I hope my Republican and Democratic colleagues will be too.” ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-calls-immediate-reauthorization-chip-community-health-center Larson Calls for Immediate Reauthorization of CHIP & Community Health Center Funding 2017-12-07 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT John Larson L000557 larson.house.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. – Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) called again for a reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), community health center funding, and other crucial public health priorities after voting NO on H.J. Res. 123, a short term continuing resolution. In addition to CHIP, the two-week stop-gap bill fails to address some of the nation’s most critical needs such as additional disaster funding for Puerto Rico & the US Virgin Islands, defense and domestic spending levels for Fiscal Year 2018, relief for DACA recipients, bipartisan legislation to stabilize health insurance markets, and funding to address the opioid epidemic. These issues all need be addressed immediately, but Congressional Republicans are yet again kicking the can down the road. “Instead of working to help families, and reauthorize CHIP in a timely, nonpartisan manner, Republicans have instead focused on giving tax cuts to the wealthy and corporations. 17,000 children in Connecticut alone depend on this and because of the Republican’s decision not to offer a long-term solution for CHIP, Connecticut will be forced to send out notifications to families warning them that this funding might not be available after the end of January,” said Larson. “This bill also fails to provide funding for community health centers that serve our most vulnerable constituents. I am proud to support a bill that would not only reauthorize CHIP and community health center funding, but also provide needed assistance to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands’ health care systems to help our fellow U.S. citizens still recovering from natural disasters. I will continue to demand that we fund these programs now, and work with my colleagues to find a solution.” For the past 20 years, CHIP has been funded on a bipartisan basis, this year the Republican majority missed the September 30th deadline to keep it funded.    **** Larson is a cosponsor of H.R. 4541, a bill to: Reauthorize CHIP for five years. Reauthorize Community Health Centers and other im… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-the-resignation-of-senator-al-franken Blumenthal Statement on the Resignation of Senator Al Franken 2017-12-07 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Richard Blumenthal B001277 www.blumenthal.senate.gov     legacy Blumenthal Statement on the Resignation of Senator Al Franken Print Tweet Thursday, December 7, 2017 [WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) released the following statement today after U.S. Senator Al Franken (D-MN) announced his resignation: “Senator Franken made the right decision. The conversation about sexual harassment and assault must continue vigorously, and so should meaningful action against it. We must continue to listen to the incredibly courageous women and men across the nation who have come forward. Sexual harassment and assault needs to be stopped wherever and whenever it occurs – it continues to be far too prevalent in every sphere of American life.” 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-trump-jr-testimony-leaves-no-question-he-must-be-subpoenaed Blumenthal: Trump Jr. Testimony Leaves No Question He Must Be Subpoenaed 2017-12-07 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Richard Blumenthal B001277 www.blumenthal.senate.gov     legacy Blumenthal: Trump Jr. Testimony Leaves No Question He Must Be Subpoenaed Print Tweet Earlier this week, Blumenthal called on Chairman Grassley to immediately subpoena Trump, Jr. for documents and public testimony Thursday, December 7, 2017   [WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) released the statement below today following reports that in testimony before the House Intelligence Committee, Donald Trump, Jr. claimed attorney-client privilege when withholding details of a conversations with his father, President Trump, regarding a meeting with Russian agents during the summer of 2016. “This completely disingenuous, bogus claim of lawyer-client privilege leaves no question that Donald Trump, Jr. must be subpoenaed to testify in public, under oath,” Blumenthal said. “Spurious claims of privilege can never be a “get out of jail free” card. His defiance of Congress is an insult to elected officials on both sides of the aisle. No one is above the law, and he must be held accountable.” On Tuesday, Blumenthal wrote Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley today asking that he immediately issue a subpoena for public testimony and documents from Donald Trump, Jr. Trump, Jr. has thus far failed to fully comply with the Senate Judiciary Committee’s documents request, and initially withheld secret messages he exchanged with WikiLeaks during the 2016 presidential campaign. This follows a disturbing a pattern of Trump, Jr. giving incomplete or misleading statements about his involvement in communications with Russian agents. Despite Trump, Jr.’s refusal to cooperate with the Senate Judiciary Committee’s investigation, Chairman Grassley has taken no action to compel his testimony or ensure that he has turned over all documents that fall within the Committee’s jurisdiction. The full text of Blumenthal’s letter is available here. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-condemns-trump-administration-for-gutting-support-for-homeless-vets MURPHY CONDEMNS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FOR GUTTING SUPPORT FOR HOMELESS VETS 2017-12-07 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Christopher Murphy M001169 www.murphy.senate.gov     legacy MURPHY CONDEMNS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FOR GUTTING SUPPORT FOR HOMELESS VETS Thursday, December 7, 2017 WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, condemned the Trump administration for ending a program that helps homeless veterans just days after Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin touted the Trump administration’s commitment to house all homeless vets. The HUD-VASH program has helped 138,000 veterans since 2010 and helped cut the number of homeless veterans by 46 percent. “This about-face by the Trump administration is infuriating. One day they’re telling homeless veterans they will help find housing, and then just two days later, they turn around and eliminate the very program that has helped over a hundred thousand homeless veterans get back on their feet,” said Murphy. “I know how much homeless veterans in Connecticut rely on the HUD-VASH program. When I was in the House of Representatives, I helped double the number of housing vouchers for our state. Now is not the time to abandon our veterans. I’ll be fighting on the Appropriations Committee to reverse this gut punch of a decision.” Last month, Murphy and all other members – both Republican and Democrat – of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military, Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies urged Secretary Shulkin to stop their plans to end this program. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-statement-after-congress-passes-two-week-spending-bill MURPHY STATEMENT AFTER CONGRESS PASSES TWO-WEEK SPENDING BILL 2017-12-07 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Christopher Murphy M001169 www.murphy.senate.gov     legacy MURPHY STATEMENT AFTER CONGRESS PASSES TWO-WEEK SPENDING BILL Thursday, December 7, 2017 WASHINGTON – One day before government funding is set to expire, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, supported a two-week spending bill to keep the government open until December 22nd.  "Republicans have spent so much time forcing through their deficit busting tax cut for the rich that they have neglected doing the basic work of governing – making sure our government is funded. I supported this two week funding bill so that negotiators can keep working on a broader agreement, but this is no way to run a country,” said Murphy. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murphy.senate.gov/view/senator-murphy-questions-nih-director-and-fda-commissioner-about-medical-innovation-in-connecticut Senator Murphy Questions NIH Director FDA Commissioner About Medical Innovation in Connecticut 2017-12-07 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Christopher Murphy M001169 www.murphy.senate.gov     legacy hartford Colt Gateway 120 Huyshope Avenue Suite 401 Hartford, CT 06106 P: (860) 549-8463 F: (860) 524-5091 Get Directions 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/courtney-announces-winners-2017-congressional-app-challenge COURTNEY ANNOUNCES THE WINNERS OF THE 2017 CONGRESSIONAL APP CHALLENGE 2017-12-06 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Joe Courtney C001069 courtney.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, DC —Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) announced that a team of students who reside in Suffield have won the 2017 Congressional App Challenge for the Second Congressional District of Connecticut. The students are seniors Marissa Guzzo and Alexandra Smith, and sophomore Gianna Guzzo from the Academy of Aerospace and Engineering High School in Windsor. Their app titled Feel Good is designed to help people struggling with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and stress find some relief through music, games, and other means. The National Congressional App Challenge is designed to inspire high school students to learn how to code by creating their own applications. The competition is also intended to demonstrate the value of computer science and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education and encourage students to enter these career fields. This week (December 4-8) has been designated as Computer Science Education Week.   The winners of the 2017 Congressional App Challenge from left to right: Alexandra Smith, Gianna Guzzo, and Marissa Guzzo (High-resolution version)   “I am pleased to announce that the winners of the 2017 Congressional App Challenge for Connecticut’s Second Congressional District are Gianna Guzzo, Marissa Guzzo, and Alexandra Smith from Suffield,” said Courtney. “We had a number of exceptional submissions to the Second Congressional District App Challenge this year, but our team hailing from Suffield stood out. Our panel of judges from the University of Connecticut were convinced that the winning app showed both an advanced understanding of computer programming and a determination to improve the lives of people suffering with various mental health conditions. I applaud all three of the winning students, and all of the students who participated in the competition this year for their time and dedication in creating these incredible programs. “The National Congressional App Challenge is designed to engage high school students in computer science and teac… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-condemns-governor-walker-usda-s-coordinated-assault-anti-hunger DeLauro Condemns Governor Walker, USDAs Coordinated Assault on Anti-Hunger Program 2017-12-06 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Rosa DeLauro D000216 delauro.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, DC (December 6, 2017) — Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement regarding Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s plan to impose drug testing on some recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Unfortunately, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it will allow states to impose additional requirements on SNAP, so Governor Walker will be free to impose his plan. “Governor Walker and the USDA’s assault on SNAP—our nation’s front-line hunger prevention program—is both cruel and completely misguided. Imposing additional requirements will place an undue burden on millions of Americans who depend on this program each year. Their goal of increasing work rates among SNAP recipients flies in the face of the USDA’s most recent data showing that work rates have been increasing year after year. More than that, USDA reviews of the program have shown that SNAP has one of the lowest fraud rates of any federal program.” “SNAP has a rich history of bipartisan support because of the American belief that we have a moral obligation to help lift people out of poverty, not push them deeper into it. SNAP is a means-tested program, meaning that it is specifically targeted to help those who are in extreme poverty. Imposing additional requirements and further stigmatizing recipients as ‘takers’ is a heartless attack on those who truly need a helping hand. Governor Walker and USDA’s proposals beg the question of why they have not suggested imposing the same drug testing requirements on those who receive government subsidies for crop insurance or commodity support programs like Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC).” “I urge my Republican colleagues to recommit to the bipartisan spirit that underlies SNAP and has served our nation well for decades.” ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-statement-trump-announcement-move-us-embassy-jerusalem DeLauro Statement on Trump Announcement to Move U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem 2017-12-06 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Rosa DeLauro D000216 delauro.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, DC (December 6, 2017) — Congresswomen Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement in response to President Trump’s recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and announcing the United States will move our embassy there. “The President’s irresponsible decision to move our nation’s embassy to Jerusalem goes against decades of bipartisan American foreign policy and will likely increase tensions between Israelis and Palestinians, instead of moving us toward a lasting peace agreement. This action may lead to more needless violence and undermines America’s ability to lead the region toward peace, stability, and security.” “The strength of the United States’ relationship with Israel cannot be understated. They are amongst our most valuable allies, and our bond is unshakable. Peace is only attainable if the United States fully engages diplomatically as an honest broker between the Israelis and Palestinians with the goal of creating a comprehensive and durable two-state solution.” ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://esty.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/icymi-esty-calls-house-concealed-carry-bill-outrage-and-insult-families ICYMI: Esty Calls House Concealed-Carry Bill “Outrage and an Insult” to Families in Newtown, Connecticut 2017-12-06 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Elizabeth Esty E000293 esty.house.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. – Speaking on the House floor in advance of a vote on the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, legislation to give domestic abusers, stalkers, and violent criminals the ability to cross state lines with fully-loaded, hidden weapons, Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (CT-5) called the bill an “outrage and an insult to families in Newtown, Connecticut.”    View Esty’s remarks by clicking the image above or here. “It is outrageous that today, of all days, one week before the five-year anniversary of the horrific murder of twenty schoolchildren in my district, and just two months after the slaughter of over fifty Americans in Las Vegas, that we are acting on a bill to put more guns in more the hands of more dangerous people,” Esty said. “Rather than helping raise the standards nationally for gun safety, this bill would lower them, making it easier for domestic abusers, stalkers, and violent criminals to carry loaded, hidden weapons across state lines.”    Esty, who represents Newtown, is a Vice-Chair of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-condemns-concealed-carry-vote Larson Condemns Concealed Carry Vote 2017-12-06 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT John Larson L000557 larson.house.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. – Today, the House voted on HR 38, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017, a bill that infringes upon the rights of states like Connecticut, by requiring them to honor other states’ concealed-permits  – including the 12 states that do not require a permit to carry a concealed firearm. Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) condemned the vote and released the following statement: “It is despicable that despite opposition by national law enforcement organizations, the House GOP is bringing up a bill that would undermine the common sense gun violence prevention laws enacted by states like Connecticut while refusing to bring universal background check legislation for a vote.  This is a dangerous bill that would override states’ gun laws. What happened to the sanctity of states’ rights that my Republican colleagues adamantly profess? “We are only days away from the five year commemoration of the tragic massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary, and within the last few months we have witnessed two of the nation’s worst mass shootings ever recorded. 92 percent of gun owners, those who are proud NRA members, support the bipartisan King-Thompson legislation on universal background checks.  By refusing to bring this bill up for a vote, Congress remains complicit in these tragedies. It's time for Congress to act on common sense legislation.” Currently, 12 states do not require a permit to carry a concealed firearm. This legislation would impede on the remaining 38 states’ rights and allow individuals with out-of-state residency to carry a concealed firearm within their boundaries. These individuals may have never passed a background check nor received training to legally carry a concealed firearm. For instance, although domestic abusers are unable to purchase a firearm in Connecticut, this bill would allow an out-of-state individual with the same conviction to legally carry a concealed weapon in our state. This puts local law enforcement in unnecessary danger, leaving them to guess who the bad guy with a gun is, to who t… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-johnson-call-for-commitment-to-anti-corruption-efforts-in-ukraine Murphy, Johnson Call For Commitment to Anti-Corruption Efforts in Ukraine 2017-12-06 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Christopher Murphy M001169 www.murphy.senate.gov     legacy Murphy, Johnson Call For Commitment to Anti-Corruption Efforts in Ukraine Wednesday, December 6, 2017 WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, released the following joint statement regarding the disruption of a high-level corruption investigation in Ukraine, calling on the government to ensure that combating corruption continues to be a high priority:  “We are deeply concerned over recent reports of the Ukrainian prosecutor general’s interference with a high-level corruption investigation by Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau, including the arrest of its detectives and the seizure of sensitive files.  We urge the Ukrainian government to support the efforts of Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies and to refrain from further interference with ongoing investigations.  The elimination of corruption at all levels of public life is critical to Ukraine’s security, stability and prosperity.”  ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-statement-after-president-trump-calls-on-saudi-arabia-to-allow-humanitarian-aid-to-flow-into-yemen MURPHY STATEMENT AFTER PRESIDENT TRUMP CALLS ON SAUDI ARABIA TO ALLOW HUMANITARIAN AID TO FLOW INTO YEMEN 2017-12-06 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Christopher Murphy M001169 www.murphy.senate.gov     legacy MURPHY STATEMENT AFTER PRESIDENT TRUMP CALLS ON SAUDI ARABIA TO ALLOW HUMANITARIAN AID TO FLOW INTO YEMEN Wednesday, December 6, 2017 WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and vocal critic of U.S. support for military campaigns in Yemen that have led to devastating humanitarian consequences, released a statement on Wednesday after President Trump called on Saudi Arabia to lift a blockade in Yemen that has prevented aid from flowing into the country and threatened to starve millions of Yemenis. Murphy has repeatedly urged the White House to halt some military sales to Saudi Arabia and called for further action by the United States to end military support for a war marked by humanitarian abuse. "Though long overdue, I’m glad President Trump is calling on Saudi Arabia to immediately allow humanitarian aid and vital commercial goods like food, fuel and medicine to flow into Yemen. His statement is important, and I expect Saudi Arabia to heed our calls,” said Murphy. “The Trump administration must continue to make clear to Saudi Arabia that the U.S. will not support a campaign that intentionally starves civilians into submission.” Last month, Murphy demanded that Saudi Arabia immediately lift the blockade. Murphy introduced bipartisan legislation to limit U.S. support for Saudi Arabia’s military campaign in Yemen and called on the Saudi government to take action to address the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-statement-on-house-passage-of-national-concealed-weapons-bill MURPHY STATEMENT ON HOUSE PASSAGE OF NATIONAL CONCEALED WEAPONS BILL 2017-12-06 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Christopher Murphy M001169 www.murphy.senate.gov     legacy MURPHY STATEMENT ON HOUSE PASSAGE OF NATIONAL CONCEALED WEAPONS BILL Wednesday, December 6, 2017 WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), co-author of the bipartisan Fix NICS Act, released a statement on Wednesday after the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass a deeply misguided bill that combines the Fix NICS Act – a widely supported bill to strengthen enforcement of our federal background check system – with the partisan Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. The Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act would allow any individual permitted to carry a concealed handgun in their own state – including individuals with criminal records and those who have not passed background checks – to carry the weapon in any other state. Although many states currently require concealed carry applicants to pass a background check or undergo extensive gun-safety training, 12 states allow residents to carry concealed handguns without a background check, a permit or any training.   “A national concealed weapons law is a terrible, dangerous idea. This bill passed today in the House would allow a criminal who bought a gun without a background check in Florida to carry that gun, concealed under his clothing, into Times Square. That's why law enforcement officials all over the country hate this bill. By combining the national concealed weapons bill with the Fix NICS Act, the House is jeopardizing the chances of actually passing bipartisan, comprehensive reform of our broken background checks system. Senator Cornyn and I disagree on almost everything about guns, but we came together to write the Fix NICS Act because ensuring our background checks work is just common sense. I urge leaders in Congress to dump the national concealed weapons bill and work together to keep deadly weapons away from people we all already agree shouldn’t have them.”  ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-statement-on-senator-franken MURPHY STATEMENT ON SENATOR FRANKEN 2017-12-06 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Christopher Murphy M001169 www.murphy.senate.gov     legacy MURPHY STATEMENT ON SENATOR FRANKEN Wednesday, December 6, 2017 WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statement on Wednesday urging Senator Al Franken to step down: "The increasing number of women coming forward suggests a pattern of repeated harassment and unacceptable behavior that is impossible to ignore. Senator Franken has denied some of these allegations and has the right to continue to seek a process through the Ethics Committee, but I believe the best course of action for him right now is to step down, as I expect he will do tomorrow." ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-statement-on-trump-plans-to-relocate-american-embassy-in-israel-to-jerusalem MURPHY STATEMENT ON TRUMP PLANS TO RELOCATE AMERICAN EMBASSY IN ISRAEL TO JERUSALEM 2017-12-06 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Christopher Murphy M001169 www.murphy.senate.gov     legacy MURPHY STATEMENT ON TRUMP PLANS TO RELOCATE AMERICAN EMBASSY IN ISRAEL TO JERUSALEM Wednesday, December 6, 2017 WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released a statement on Wednesday after President Trump announced that his administration will begin plans to relocate the American Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The move could spark a wave of violence, jeopardize peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, and undermine American foreign policy interests. Trump is the first American president to announce plans to relocate the Embassy. “Israel is our most important ally in the Middle East,” said Murphy. “Jerusalem is and always will be the capital of the state of Israel. I continue to believe that we should recognize it as such and move our embassy there when the time is right as part of a comprehensive peace agreement. But former Republican and Democratic presidents alike have understood the monumental security and foreign policy challenges inherent in moving our embassy, and have decided to delay the move in order to focus on making peace. I am concerned that President Trump’s decision was made without fully considering the political and security implications, and will further set back any hope of a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians. If we mess this up, it could lead to violence in Israel and across the Middle East, put American diplomats in harm’s way and jeopardize the fragile regional partnerships we have in our fight against ISIS. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-and-johnson-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-strengthen-social Larson and Johnson Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Social Securitys Representative Payee Program 2017-12-05 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT John Larson L000557 larson.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Ranking Member John Larson (D-CT) and Chairman Sam Johnson (R-TX) introduced the Strengthening Protections for Social Security Beneficiaries Act of 2017 (H.R. 4547), bipartisan legislation to improve and strengthen the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) representative payee program. The SSA’s representative payee program helps approximately 8 million Social Security beneficiaries manage their benefits, if they are unable to do so themselves because they are children or have a condition that prevents them from handling their own benefits. In light of reports from nonpartisan government watchdogs and stakeholders raising serious concerns about how the SSA administers the program, the Committee held a two-part hearing series to examine the challenges facing the agency and identify solutions to help ensure representative payees are serving the best interests of Social Security beneficiaries.   CLICK HERE to watch the hearing entitled “Part I: Examining the Social Security Administration’s Representative Payee Program: Who Needs Help,” and CLICK HERE to watch the hearing entitled “Part II: Examining the Social Security Administration’s Representative Payee Program: Who Provides Help.” Upon introducing the legislation, Ranking Member Larson said: “It was once said that the moral test of any government is how it treats its most vulnerable citizens – children, seniors, and those with severe disabilities. This bill is a statement from the Chairman and the Ranking Member of the Social Security Subcommittee that Congress is committed to protecting those beneficiaries, such as seniors, children, and disabled adults, who have representative payees. Under the leadership of Chairman Johnson, we have held a series of hearings on the representative payee program this year, bringing in experts to gain better insight over how the program works and where changes are needed. Today, we are proud to introduce this bill that will better safeguard those most in nee… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-applauds-stanley-black-decker-announcement-open-advanced Larson Applauds Stanley Black & Decker for Announcement To Open Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Hartford 2017-12-05 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT John Larson L000557 larson.house.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. – Stanley Black & Decker announced today that they are planning on opening an Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Hartford. This Center of Excellence will be used to accelerate their global Industry 4.0 “smart factory” initiative and will be named Manufactory 4.0. It will eventually host 50 Industry 4.0 employees. Additionally, they will be launching an entrepreneurial incubator program, where 10 start-ups will participate in a 2 year program. Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01), released the following statement after this announcement: “This is great news for the City of Hartford.  Stanley Black and Decker’s decision to locate their Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Hartford speaks volumes to their commitment to Connecticut, and to the strength of our Capitol City as a place to do business.  Manufacturing is a part Connecticut’s DNA, and since its founding in 1843, Stanley Black and Decker has been at the forefront of state’s our manufacturing ecosystem. This continues that tradition as Connecticut remains at the cutting edge of the next generation of advance manufacturing. Stanley Black and Decker’s entrepreneurial incubator, that will give start-ups a hand up, will continue to fuel Connecticut’s role as a manufacturing hub. I applaud Stanley Black and Decker on their decision, and welcome them to the City of Hartford,” said Larson.   ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-statement-news-mark-bertolini-will-step-down-aetna-ceo Larson Statement on News that Mark Bertolini will Step Down as Aetna CEO 2017-12-05 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT John Larson L000557 larson.house.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. – Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01), released the following statement after Aetna CEO, Mark Bertolini said that he will step down and join the CVS Board of Directors, after Aetna merges with CVS in an interview with CNBC. “Mark Bertolini has been an innovator in his work at Aetna by demonstrating that patient-centered health care can produce better outcomes. His efforts to increase access, lower health care costs, and improve the quality of health care have been unparalleled in the industry. Since joining Aetna in 2003, he has been a true leader and a visionary. Mark has always sought to shift the paradigm of what experts believed possible about health and wellness. He is a national resource, and is one of the top thought-leaders on health care in the world,” said Larson.   ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-reported-trump-recognition-of-jerusalem-as-israels-capital Blumenthal Statement on Reported Trump Recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's Capital 2017-12-05 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Richard Blumenthal B001277 www.blumenthal.senate.gov     legacy Blumenthal Statement on Reported Trump Recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's Capital Print Tweet Tuesday, December 5, 2017 [WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) released the following statement in response to reports that President Trump will officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel later this week. “Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, and I’ve strongly supported acknowledging that simple fact,” said Blumenthal. “My hope is that the President’s announcement of his recognition of Jerusalem will be followed by meaningful steps to advance the peace process, including secure borders for Israel and a two-state solution.” During the previous Congress, Blumenthal authored a bipartisan Senate resolution that directly acknowledged Jerusalem as the “undivided capital of Israel.” The resolution also expressed solidarity with Israel and condemned Palestinian terrorist attacks. It passed the Senate by unanimous consent in November 2015 with 68 cosponsors. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-shocking-ig-report-of-rampany-lapses-in-dod-reporting-to-federal-background-check-system Blumenthal Statement on Shocking IG Report of Rampany Lapses in DoD Reporting to Federal Background Check System 2017-12-05 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Richard Blumenthal B001277 www.blumenthal.senate.gov     legacy Blumenthal Statement on Shocking IG Report of Rampany Lapses in DoD Reporting to Federal Background Check System Print Tweet Tuesday, December 5, 2017 [WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement today in response to a report published by the Department of Defense (DoD) Inspector General detailing vast underreporting to the federal background check system across military branches that may have contributed to convicted former servicemembers accessing firearms. The review revealed chronic lapses in required reporting of servicemembers convicted by a court martial of certain offenses: thirty-one percent of court-martials that should have barred individuals from owning a firearm went unreported to the FBI by the military in 2015 and 2016.  “The outrageous number of rampant security lapses in the DoD Inspector General’s report reveal unacceptable shortfalls in security within every military branch – potentially leading to violent or even fatal incidents perpetrated by dangerous criminals that should be prevented,” said Blumenthal. “This is a sobering reminder that even in the greatest military in the world, lapses in duty and diligence have consequences. There is no doubt that this report requires a pledge by the military to make concerted improvements – including holding those responsible directly accountable for these persistent failures, as well as swift implementation of the recommendations made by this report. As a Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I will continue to work with DoD and my Senate colleagues to ensure this issue is rapidly resolved and subject to strict oversight.” Blumenthal wrote a letter to Defense Secretary James Mattis in November demanding DoD explain the lapse in Air Force reporting process that allowed Sutherland Springs, Texas shooter Devin Patrick Kelley to obtain fir… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-special-counsels-subpoena-of-deutsche-bank-records Blumenthal Statement on Special Counsel's Subpoena of Deutsche Bank Records 2017-12-05 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Richard Blumenthal B001277 www.blumenthal.senate.gov     legacy Blumenthal Statement on Special Counsel's Subpoena of Deutsche Bank Records Print Tweet Tuesday, December 5, 2017 [WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) released the statement below following reports that Special Counsel Mueller has issued subpoenas to Deutsche Bank in relation to President Trump’s financial records. “President Trump’s foreign financial dealings are clearly within the purview of the Special Counsel’s inquiry. The first rule of an investigation like Special Counsel Mueller’s is: follow the money. Deutsche Bank isn’t just one of the Trump Organization’s largest lenders – for years, it was the lender of last resort after repeated defaults and bankruptcies. President Trump stills owes Deutsche Bank, which itself remains under criminal investigation for a multi-billion dollar Russian oligarch money-laundering scheme,” Blumenthal said. “As Special Counsel Mueller presses forward, and comes closer to the President’s own conduct in this case, it is increasingly urgent that the Senate Judiciary Committee move forward with legislation to protect his investigation from the threat of political interference.” Blumenthal first raised concerns about President Trump’s relationship with Deutsche Bank more than a year ago following widespread reports – including an investigation by ABC News – into how President Trump’s financial interests in the Trump Organization would expose our government to unprecedented conflicts of interest. In November 2016, Blumenthal called on then-Attorney General Loretta Lynch to appoint a Special Counsel to oversee the Department of Justice’s investigation into Deutsche Bank’s role in the 2008 financial crisis and potential wrongdoing in a multi-billion-dollar offshore trading and money laundering scheme. The full text of Blumenthal’s letter is available here. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-to-grassley-subpoena-trump-jr-now Blumenthal to Grassley: Subpoena Trump, Jr. Now 2017-12-05 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Richard Blumenthal B001277 www.blumenthal.senate.gov     legacy Blumenthal to Grassley: Subpoena Trump, Jr. Now Print Tweet Even after Donald Trump, Jr. initially withheld WikiLeaks correspondence, the Senate Judiciary Committee has taken no further action to compel full disclosure about contacts with the Russians Tuesday, December 5, 2017 [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) wrote Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley today asking that he immediately issue a subpoena for public testimony and documents from Donald Trump, Jr. Trump, Jr. has thus far failed to fully comply with the Senate Judiciary Committee’s documents request, and initially withheld secret messages he exchanged with WikiLeaks during the 2016 presidential campaign. This follows a disturbing a pattern of Trump, Jr. giving incomplete or misleading statements about his involvement in communications with Russian agents. Despite Trump, Jr.’s refusal to cooperate with the Senate Judiciary Committee’s investigation, Chairman Grassley has taken no action to compel his testimony or ensure that he has turned over all documents that fall within the Committee’s jurisdiction. The full text of Blumenthal’s letter is available here and copied below.   December 5, 2017   The Honorable Charles E. Grassley Chairman Committee on the Judiciary United States Senate 224 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510   Dear Chairman Grassley: I am writing to request that the Senate Judiciary Committee immediately issue a subpoena for public testimony and documents from Donald Trump, Jr. Recent revelations have shown beyond question that the American people can only feel certain that Mr. Trump, Jr. has been fully forthcoming if he is subject to a subpoena. Over the past few weeks, there have been a number of cascading disclosures that suggest collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian officials. Among the most stunning disclosures was an exposé in T… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-demands-trump-administration-use-existing-authority-to-strengthen-mental-health-parity-and-protect-those-with-mental-illness MURPHY DEMANDS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION USE EXISTING AUTHORITY TO STRENGTHEN MENTAL HEALTH PARITY PROTECT THOSE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS 2017-12-05 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Christopher Murphy M001169 www.murphy.senate.gov     legacy MURPHY DEMANDS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION USE EXISTING AUTHORITY TO STRENGTHEN MENTAL HEALTH PARITY & PROTECT THOSE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS Murphy: “Use the authority you have to make sure that people suffering from addiction and mental illness are treated the same as people who have cancer diagnoses and orthopedic diagnoses.” Tuesday, December 5, 2017 WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee and co-author of the bipartisan Mental Health Reform Act, lambasted insurance companies on Tuesday for violating mental health parity laws and failing to provide equal coverage of treatment for mental illness, including addiction, and physical illness. During a U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on “Addressing the Opioid Crisis in America: Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery” with Former Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy, a member of the President’s Commission on Combatting Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis, and Dr. Elinore McCance-Katz, Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, Murphy called on the Trump administration to use their authority to enforce parity laws and hold insurance companies accountable.  Click here to view a video of Murphy’s remarks. “Behavioral care and addiction care is four to six times more likely to be provided out-of-network than for other medical or surgical care. You’ve got 24 states where the reimbursement disparity between addiction and mental health care is 30-70% higher than for medical and surgical care,” said Murphy. “These are giant, gaping violations of the parity law and there’s no way to explain these differences in reimbursement rates, these differences in network quality, other than the discriminatory treatment of these patients. Murphy continued, “HHS and Labor have not…issued a report on investigations, and they have not conducted any audits on insurance companies. I would beg you – and I would beg the Department of Labor – use the authority you have to … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-highlights-branford-innovator-thetis-pharmaceuticals-as-murphys-innovator-of-the-month MURPHY HIGHLIGHTS BRANFORD INNOVATOR, THETIS PHARMACEUTICALS, AS MURPHYS INNOVATOR OF THE MONTH 2017-12-05 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Christopher Murphy M001169 www.murphy.senate.gov     legacy MURPHY HIGHLIGHTS BRANFORD INNOVATOR, THETIS PHARMACEUTICALS, AS “MURPHY’S INNOVATOR OF THE MONTH” Tuesday, December 5, 2017 WASHINGTON – In recognition of Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) announced on Tuesday that Branford’s Thetis Pharmaceuticals – a biopharmaceutical company developing new oral therapies to treat inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis – is this month’s “Murphy’s Innovator of the Month.” Thetis has a proprietary HEALER™ technology platform for developing new medicines that deliver naturally occurring lipids. These medicines have prospects to treat IBD by resolving inflammation and promoting tissue regeneration without compromising the body’s ability to fight infection. Thetis was co-founded in 2011 by Connecticut residents Gary Mathias, a lifelong ulcerative colitis patient and healthcare industry entrepreneur, and Dr. Frank Sciavolino, a former scientist at Pfizer who led the discovery, development and in-licensing of several of its best-selling pharmaceuticals, Zithromax® and Celebrex®.  Connecticut Innovations, the state-funded venture capital fund, is Thetis’ principal investor. Thetis is a member of the Technology Incubation Program at UConn Health, and is currently partnering with the lab of Dr. Daniel Rosenberg, Professor of Medicine at UConn Health, to conduct preclinical research. Last month, Thetis received a Fast-Track Small Business Innovation Research Grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) worth up to $2.3 million.  “Thetis is a great example of how private industry and the government can work together to advance medical research and reduce illness,” said Murphy. “Thetis is on the brink of developing new therapies that can help improve the health of tens of millions of Americans, and I’m going to keep fighting on the Appropriations Committee to get them the federal resources they need.” “Over 1.5 million Americans suffer from IBD and there remains a high… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senators-demand-review-of-federal-and-state-laws-that-discriminate-against-those-with-hiv/aids- SENATORS DEMAND REVIEW OF FEDERAL STATE LAWS THAT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST THOSE WITH HIV/AIDS 2017-12-05 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Christopher Murphy M001169 www.murphy.senate.gov     legacy SENATORS DEMAND REVIEW OF FEDERAL & STATE LAWS THAT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST THOSE WITH HIV/AIDS Tuesday, December 5, 2017 WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Bob Casey (D-Penn.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) introduced legislation aimed at helping end stigma, discrimination, and stereotypes that negatively impact Americans living with HIV/AIDS. The Repeal Existing Policies that Encourage and Allow Legal (“REPEAL”) HIV Discrimination Act of 2017 would require an interagency review of federal and state laws that criminalize certain actions by people living with HIV. “Too many state and federal laws target people living with HIV/AIDS and unfairly criminalize their actions. These laws have no basis in science and no place in our country,” said Murphy. “This bill will force our nation to take a hard look at the stigmas and barriers we impose on people living with HIV/AIDS.” “It’s simply not fair that someone with a treatable medical condition should automatically be subjected to a different set of criminal laws,” said  Coons. “A disturbing number of state and local criminal laws pertaining to individuals with HIV/AIDS are rooted not in science, but in outdated fear. They run counter to effective public health strategies, discourage HIV testing, and perpetuate unfair stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS – people who are our friends, family members, and neighbors. Rather than recognizing that HIV/AIDS is a treatable medical condition, these laws perpetuate the idea that HIV is a deadly weapon and people with HIV/AIDS are dangerous criminals. Our laws need to catch up to our science and our morals, and this bill would take an important step in that direction.”  “We should not have policies or laws on the books that discriminate, perpetuate stereotypes, or aren’t based in sound science,” said Markey. “The REPEAL Act will help ensure that individuals with HIV/AIDS are not criminaliz… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.murphy.senate.gov/view/murphy-demands-trump-administration-use-existing-authority-to-strengthen-mental-health-parity Murphy Demands Trump Administration Use Existing Authority To Strengthen Mental Health Parity 2017-12-05 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Christopher Murphy M001169 www.murphy.senate.gov     legacy hartford Colt Gateway 120 Huyshope Avenue Suite 401 Hartford, CT 06106 P: (860) 549-8463 F: (860) 524-5091 Get Directions 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/day-courtney-says-more-military-personnel-may-seek-treatment-sexual-trauma The Day: Courtney says more military personnel may seek treatment for sexual trauma 2017-12-04 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Joe Courtney C001069 courtney.house.gov     legacy Norwich — At a meeting of his Veterans Advisory Board on Monday, U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, told the head of the VA Connecticut healthcare system that there might be an uptick in people accessing VA services. Courtney authored language included in a massive defense policy bill passed recently by Congress to expand sexual trauma counseling and treatment to members of the National Guard and Reserves. The bill still has to be signed by President Donald Trump, and Congress must still find a way to pay for the $700 billion measure. A technicality in an existing law prevented most members of the guard and reserves from using the military sexual trauma program at the VA. Under a 2014 law, active duty members were authorized to access services and counseling through the VA's MST program without a referral from the Department of Defense. The thinking was that service members would feel more comfortable seeking care outside of their chain of command or military treatment facilities. ... Click here to read the full story at TheDay.com 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-statement-supreme-court-decision-favor-trump-s-travel-ban DeLauro Statement on Supreme Court Decision In Favor of Trumps Travel Ban 2017-12-04 2017 2017-12 Democrat House CT Rosa DeLauro D000216 delauro.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, DC (December 4, 2017)— Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement regarding the Supreme Court’s decision allowing President Trump’s executive order banning refugees and immigrants of eight countries—including five Muslim-majority countries—to go into effect. “I am disappointed that the Supreme Court has allowed President Trump’s travel ban to go into effect. President Trump has made it clear on many occasions that this ban is rooted in religious discrimination, not national security. People in Connecticut and across the country have stood up to say that President Trump’s anti-Muslim rhetoric and policies have no place in our society, and we must not let this order change that belief. Instead, we must recommit as a nation to the American values of openness and diversity over hatred and fear.” ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z

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