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://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-courtney-statement-president-bidens-signing-fy24-national-defense,Rep. Courtney Statement on President Biden’s Signing of the FY24 National Defense Authorization Act,2023-12-22,2023,2023-12,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,courtney,https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"NORWICH, CT – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) issued the following statement after President Biden signed the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act into law – the 63rd consecutive year in a row the annual defense authorization bill has been signed into law. Last week, Rep. Courtney, the Ranking Member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, joined a bipartisan coalition in the House to pass the FY24 NDAA by a vote of 310-118. “Today’s signing of the bill codifies the tireless efforts of a bipartisan coalition to strengthen our national security and support our servicemembers and their families,” Courtney said. “Of particular note, the bill provides a 5.2% pay increase – the highest increase in decades – for active duty, national guard, reserve, and civilian personnel at the Department of Defense. That increase will go into effect on January 1, 2024, regardless of whether a defense appropriations bill has passed, and benefits the thousands of military personnel across Connecticut. In eastern Connecticut, home of 9,000 military personnel at Groton Sub Base, this is welcome news. I thank President Biden for his support of this year’s bill.” To read more about House passage of the FY24 NDAA, clickhere. To read more about the priorities Rep. Courtney secured to support eastern Connecticut, click here. To read more about the priorities Rep. Courtney secured to support our seapower capabilities, click here. To read more about the priorities Rep. Courtney secured to support the AUKUS mission, click here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/statement-congresswoman-delauro-ongoing-israel-hamas-war,Statement of Congresswoman DeLauro on Ongoing Israel-Hamas War,2023-12-21,2023,2023-12,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa L. DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,delauro,https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"NEW HAVEN, CT – Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro released the following statement: “On October 7, Israel faced the most devastating terrorist attack in its history. I continue to stand with Israel in the wake of this horror and unequivocally support its right to defend itself and defeat Hamas. I have also long said, even before this current conflict, that it is imperative that we create the conditions for peace and a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinian people. “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is allowing unacceptable loss of civilian lives and humanitarian and health crises that is producing growing hunger and starvation on his watch. That has to stop. “Netanyahu has also made clear that he wants Palestinians to play no role in Gaza’s governance and has shown no intention of ending settler violence that further oppresses Palestinians. Therefore, I strongly support Secretary Blinken’s urgent efforts to lay the ground work for a two-state solution. “I am calling for a sustained pause in fighting so Prime Minister Netanyahu and his government protect civilians and get a dramatic, immediate increase in delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. This pause must include the release of hostages from Hamas. “Everyone will be hurt if Hamas remains in control of Gaza. However, this war is against Hamas – not the Palestinian people – and it cannot end in an indefinite Israeli occupation of Gaza. I will work to make sure the moment the violence ceases, that all our efforts move toward the creation of a Palestinian state.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://himes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=408C0CE0-ADED-4E4A-BE7D-37197E237B26,"Himes, Simmons announce $2.73 million to upgrade Stamford hurricane protection barrier and pump stations",2023-12-20,2023,2023-12,Democrat,House,CT,James A. Himes,H001047,himes.house.gov,himes,https://himes.house.gov/press-releases,page_html,"Stamford, CT – Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04) and Mayor Caroline Simmons announced that Stamford would receive a $2.73 million Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to upgrade the city’s hurricane protection barrier and pump stations. “With climate change driving increasingly frequent and intense storms towards Connecticut, it is more important than ever for our coastal communities to have the proper infrastructure to mitigate damage,” said Congressman Jim Himes. “This $2.73 million in federal funding will go directly to upgrading Stamford’s aging stormwater pump stations and the hurricane protection barrier so that the thousands of people who live along Stamford’s coastline can sleep peacefully knowing that when the next hurricane or tropical storm strikes, their city’s infrastructure is strong enough to protect their homes and businesses.” “The Stamford Hurricane Barrier provides critical protection against hurricanes to 600 acres across the city,” said Mayor Caroline Simmons. “I want to thank Congressman Himes and our federal delegation for their advocacy and support for this critical funding. It will provide emergency power generators for the pump stations and upgrade the aging pumps and electrical equipment to comply with current building codes, enhancing our protection and resiliency against storms.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-03-30T11:08:25Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-courtney-votes-send-annual-defense-bill-president-bidens-desk,Rep. Courtney Votes to Send Annual Defense Bill to President Biden’s Desk,2023-12-14,2023,2023-12,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,courtney,https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Joe Courtney voted to pass the final FY24 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and send the bill to the President’s desk for the 63rd consecutive year. The bill passed 310 to 118. As Ranking Member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee and a member of the Conference Committee that negotiated the final bill, Rep. Courtney secured new forms of support for American servicemembers and their families, authorized a record level of funding for shipbuilding and submarine procurement, and cleared the pathway to execute the AUKUS mission. “The passage of the negotiated FY24 NDAA is the result of a careful, months-long assessment of our national security needs and the increasingly challenging global security environment. Democrats and Republicans worked together to build on the President’s budget request and advance a bill which delivers results for America’s servicemembers,” Courtney said. “As Ranking Member on the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, I helped secure historic investments in shipbuilding and the submarine industrial base. This funding is critical to meeting Navy fleet requirements and clearing the pathway to fulfilling the trilateral AUKUS agreement. At a time when division and partisanship continue to be the prevailing narratives around Congress, the NDAA is proof that bipartisan compromise is the only viable path forward. “For eastern Connecticut, the FY24 NDAA bill will help maintain our region’s role as the submarine capitol of the world and strengthen the nationwide submarine industrial base. It authorizes full funding for both the Virginia-class and Columbia-class programs – and provides the Navy with the authority to exceed the two-per-year build rate for Virginia-class submarines. That’s coupled with continued, steady investments in submarine suppliers, shipyard infrastructure, and workforce development initiatives,” Courtney continued. “The inclusion of the historic AUKUS provisions in the NDAA will rebalance deterrence in the Indo-Pacific in favor of free, democratic nations that today are being pressurized by the aggressive actions of the world’s biggest Navy, namely the Chinese PLAN. The intent of AUKUS is to guarantee the peace and freedom of navigation that has prevailed in that part of the world for the last 78 years. This year’s NDAA will be long remembered for this effort,” Courtney said of the AUKUS mission. “While the NDAA makes strong authorizations to ensure our national security, House Republicans are adjourning Congress without allowing a vote on supplemental funding for the tools and equipment Ukraine needs to stop Putin. As I have said before, the consequences of failure in Ukraine would be devastating to all nations. I know from my time on the House Armed Services Committee that anything less than full-throated support for Ukraine plays directly into Putin’s hand. I will continue to do all I can to ensure Ukraine's success, and the defeat of Putin and his regime, in this fight,” Courtney concluded. To read more about the priorities Rep. Courtney secured to support eastern Connecticut, click here. To read more about the priorities Rep. Courtney secured to support our seapower capabilities, click here. To read more about the priorities Rep. Courtney secured to support the AUKUS mission, click here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-statement-house-passage-national-defense-authorization-act,DeLauro Statement on House Passage of National Defense Authorization Act,2023-12-14,2023,2023-12,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa L. DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,delauro,https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) voted to pass the National Defense Authorization Act, legislation that authorizes investments to strengthen our national security and support our troops. The legislation now heads to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law. “I am proud to support this year’s National Defense Authorization Act, which authorizes investments in the core strength of our national defense: service members, civilian workers, and their families,” said Congresswoman DeLauro. “It also supports our domestic industrial base, particularly the union workforce right here in Connecticut, while strengthening our military readiness through support to our allies and partners and paving the way for investments in innovation and technology. I am also pleased that 147 House Republicans just voted to authorize the funding levels determined under the bipartisan budget agreement, and I look forward to Speaker Johnson taking that bills passage as a sign that it is time to move forward with appropriations bills under those levels. We must immediately get to work negotiating a final 2024 defense funding bill.” This bill authorizes funding for key projects that grow and sustain thousands of jobs in Connecticut: CH-53K Helicopters – funding to build 15 Sikorsky helicopters. Blackhawk Helicopters – funding to build 50 Sikorsky Blackhawk. F135 Engine Modernization –$431 million for the F135 Engine Core Upgrade. Virginia-class Submarine – $10.3 billion to support the two-per-year build rate of Virginia-class submarines along with $7.1 billion in 2024 for two submarines and $3.2 billion in support of future submarine construction in 2025 and 2026.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=57A75646-119D-4E84-A9B3-4CC51CFF9FAD,Hayes Applauds USDA Announcement of Final Rule to Increase Access to Baby Formula During a Shortage,2023-12-14,2023,2023-12,Democrat,House,CT,Jahana Hayes,H001081,hayes.house.gov,hayes,https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculturepublished a final rule codifying provisions of the Access to Baby Formula Act of 2022, legislation led byCongresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) during the height of the 2022 baby formula shortage in the United States. “When the baby formula shortage began last year, many parents were left wondering how they would feed their children. For parents enrolled in WIC, there was an added pressure of having to purchase specific formula based on program requirements. I know first-hand how critical WIC is to families, but the shortage revealed how dangerous those limitations can be,” said Congresswoman Jahana Hayes, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Foreign Agriculture, and Horticulture. “My Access to Baby Formula Act and the new USDA rule, will help families in the face of crisis. This rule helps strengthen a program that has historically been associated with improved infant health outcomes and reduced infant mortality.” “All families in America should be able to keep their children fed and healthy. Regrettably, the devastating shortage of infant formula last year disproportionately hurt families that rely on WIC benefits to secure infant formula, leaving them with few options to purchase safe formula for their infants,” said Congressman Bobby Scott, Ranking Member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee. “That is why Congresswoman Hayes and I led House passage of the bipartisan Access to Baby Formula Act of 2022 to ensure that—during public health emergencies, supply chain disruptions, product recalls, and other emergencies—families relying on WIC can use their benefits to purchase any safe infant formula products available on the shelves. “With today’s final rule, our nation’s families can rest assured that, in times of crisis, they will be able to continue providing their infants with the nutrition they need. I applaud the Biden administration for faithfully implementing this law and ensuring that—no matter the circumstances—we support our most vulnerable families and infants.” The Access to Baby Formula Act amended the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to: Establish a waiver authority to address emergencies, disasters, and supply chain disruptions by ensuring states that contract with companies for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) can secure supplies from additional manufacturers. Waive requirements that can slow down the process to get formula back on the shelves, without sacrificing safety standards. Strengthen coordination and information sharing between the Secretary of Agriculture and Secretary of Health and Human Services regarding any supply chain disruption, including supplemental food recalls. The final USDA rule will: Add requirements to State agency infant formula cost containment contracts. Establish waiver authority to the Secretary of Agriculture to address certain emergencies, disasters, and supply chain disruptions impacting WIC. Require WIC State agencies to develop a plan of alternate operating procedures, commonly referred to as a disaster plan. Approximately half of the baby formula purchased in the United States is purchased through the WIC program. During a crisis, it is essential we have an infrastructure in place to help families feed their newborn babies and infants. Congresswoman Hayes worked hard to ensure the Access to Baby Formula Act of 2022 passed in the House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support – a vote of 413-9. The legislation passed in the Senate unanimously by voice vote and was signed into law by President Joe Biden in May of 2022.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://himes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=7C50BF26-3C03-4FB9-9A6E-6275ECB5F672,Himes Votes to Pass National Defense Authorization Act of 2024,2023-12-14,2023,2023-12,Democrat,House,CT,James A. Himes,H001047,himes.house.gov,himes,https://himes.house.gov/press-releases,page_html,"Washington, DC – Today, the United States House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2024. The NDAA funds the United States’ defense related programs and is one of the major pieces of legislation that Congress passes annually. This year, the bill includes $886 billion in discretionary spending for national security related programs, including significant investments in defense industrial base suppliers and technology from Connecticut based companies. “This year, with our allies in Ukraine and Israel still reeling from violent attacks, a robust defense program is more critical than ever,” said Congressman Jim Himes. “The 2024 National Defense Authorization Act bolsters our traditional military presence while also investing in modern technology to combat the ever-evolving threats to our nation. I am particularly glad that this legislation contains significant funds for Connecticut-based companies, expanding our state’s role as a leader in defense technology development and bringing jobs to our district.” The National Defense Authorization Act of 2024 invests billions of dollars in funding for Connecticut companies. This includes: A significant investment in the U.S. submarine industrial base as part of the AUKUS pact between the U.S., U.K., and Australia; The first increment of funding for the second boat in the Columbia-class program; The purchase of: 83 F-35 aircraft for the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps 15 CH-53K heavy lift helicopters for the Marine Corps 24 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters for the Army 26 UH-60 L and V Black Hawk helicopters for the Army 2 Combat Rescue Helicopters for the Air Force 2 Virginia- Class Submarines.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-03-30T11:08:25Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-courtney-votes-advance-bipartisan-bills-expand-americans-access,Rep. Courtney Votes to Advance Bipartisan Bills to Expand Americans’ Access to Workforce Training,2023-12-13,2023,2023-12,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,courtney,https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Rep. Joe Courtney, a senior member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, voted to advance two bills out of the Committee that will help workers access affordable, high-quality training and ensure employers have access to a strong talent-pipeline. As the manufacturing supply chain rapidly expands across eastern Connecticut, these bills are critical for workers and employers in the region. The bipartisan A Stronger Workforce for America Act makes critical improvements to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) that will expand the skills development provided under the law, strengthen the relationship between employers and the workforce system, and put more Americans on the pathway to successful careers. The Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act provides opportunities for students and workers looking to gain skills in high-demand fields by allowing Pell Grants to support students enrolled in high-quality, short-term workforce programs that will lead to career advancement. “Workforce training is the backbone of eastern Connecticut’s economy. Since 2016, more than 4,000 workers in eastern CT have graduated from the WIOA-funded Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative, leading them to high-quality careers at Electric Boat and suppliers across the region. Unfortunately, while the U.S. labor force has grown by roughly half over the past four decades, federal spending on workforce development has fallen by two-thirds,” said Rep. Joe Courtney. “The bills I enthusiastically voted for today will deliver overdue investments in WIOA-funded programs, make training opportunities more affordable for learners, and ensure employers can access high-quality candidates for years to come. As our local economy, particularly the submarine industrial base, rapidly expands, these bills will help ensure we have a workforce that can meet the moment.” “The passage of this bill by the House Education and Workforce Committee is an important first step toward updating our nation’s primary federal workforce development legislation. The draft proposal contains several elements that address shortcomings in the current law while adding innovative approaches, including concepts that have been critical to the success of our award-winning Eastern CT Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Connecticut Workforce Development Council and our federal congressional delegation to refine the elements of the draft that require modification to optimize our system’s capacity to promote economic growth and equitable opportunity,” said Michael Nogelo, President and CEO of Eastern CT Workforce Investment Board. Since coming to Congress, Courtney has been a champion for WIOA programs, like Connecticut’s Eastern Workforce Investment Board’s (EWIB) Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative, and has worked to increase federal funding to expand the programs’ reach, which has paid dividends in eastern Connecticut. Earlier this year, Bloomberg News featured how Groton, CT has successfully leveraged WIOA to help workers across the region gain in-demand skills and help employers, like Electric Boat, recruit qualified candidates into rewarding careers. A Stronger Workforce for America Act: Upgrades the skills of American workers. o Dedicates 50 percent of the adult and dislocated worker funding toward upskilling workers through “individual training accounts” (ITAs) and on-the-job learning while redirecting an existing funding stream toward ITAs for displaced workers. o Prioritizes employer-led initiatives that equip workers with the skill sets to fill jobs in critical industries and help the currently employed workforce upskill to avoid displacement and advance their careers. Delivers greater efficiency and accountability to WIOA programs. o Streamlines the “eligible training provider list” to focus on outcomes and ensure eligible programs are aligned with the skill and hiring demands of employers. o Strengthens and fully implements the performance accountability system in the law to hold states and local workforce boards accountable for achieving positive labor market outcomes for program participants. Strengthens pathways to economic opportunity. o Places a greater emphasis on work-based learning for youth, codifies and strengthens a program to help individuals released from incarceration transition back to employment and access career pathways, and strengthens workforce education programs at community colleges that align with in-demand jobs. Fuels innovation for a skills-based economy. o Establishes a demonstration authority to provide several states and local workforce boards the flexibility to reimagine their workforce system and innovate in pursuit of better outcomes. o Facilitates skills-based hiring by validating workers’ competencies gained through prior experience and authorizing state and local boards to provide technical assistance to employers on implementing skills-based hiring practices. The Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act: Helps low-income students participate in short-term programs to move into a job quickly. Creates a quality assurance system for Workforce Pell Grant programs—allowing any institution of higher education to participate as long as they meet all the requirements. Guarantees that program prices are aligned with economic value, so students and taxpayers receive a positive return on investment. Ensures programs provide students with relevant education and competencies necessary for employment in in-demand industries. Outlines a process for recognized accreditors to oversee Workforce Pell programs at the institutions they accredit and supports the on-ramp of new expert accreditors to oversee Workforce Pell programs, minimizing the time it will take to implement Workforce Pell fully.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=E104D7F7-E0B7-4AD6-82E9-0027199B3792,Hayes Introduces Original Legislation to Launch and Expand Violence Intervention Programs in Schools,2023-12-13,2023,2023-12,Democrat,House,CT,Jahana Hayes,H001081,hayes.house.gov,hayes,https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05), introduced the School Violence Prevention Act, which provides organizations grants to create or expand school-based programs to support children at the highest risk for involvement in gun violence. In Connecticut, juveniles make up 16.7% of Weapons Violation arrests. An estimated three million children witness a shooting each year. These traumatic incidents have been linked to poor academic performance including lower grades and increased absences from school in comparison to their peers. Those who have been exposed to violence are more likely to engage in crime as adolescents as well. “Under my legislation, kids who are at risk for involvement in gun violence would receive education-based programs that address gun violence,” said Congresswoman Hayes. “Instances of gun violence committed by children often stem from a deep cycle of violence. Without intervention, these tragedies will persist. By connecting youth to mental health professionals, counselors, and mentors, and increasing healthy community engagement we can better address the root causes of violence and stop the escalation to devastating tragedies. The School Violence Prevention Act builds on years of community violence intervention efforts, expanding those same strategies into schools will keep students safe.” “It is unconscionable that guns are the number one cause of death for children and teens 19 and younger. Keeping children safe in all the places they may be harmed—and especially in school—is critical. We thank Representative Hayes for introducing the School Violence Prevention Act to invest in programs that will help protect the children who are most at risk of gun violence,” said Adzi Vokhiwa, GIFFORDS Federal Affairs Director. “It’s abhorrent that guns are now the number one killer of American children and teens. Congress must pass a set of comprehensive policies including the School Violence Prevention Act to reduce gun deaths and injuries among children. Children from all corners of our nation deserve to feel safe in their schools and grow up without getting shot,"" said Po Murray, Chairwoman of Newtown Action Alliance. To qualify for grants funded by the School Violence Prevention Act, organizations must facilitate partnerships between youth and their communities, increase teacher professional development for trauma support services, and use evidence-based programming that is effective at preventing or reducing violence among children. For years, firearms have been the leading cause of death among children and teens ages 1-19. Firearm homicide rates are highest among teens and young adults ages 15-34 and among Black, American Indian, Alaska Native, and Hispanic populations. In the 118th Congress, as Deputy Whip of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, Congresswoman Hayes has prioritized addressing the growing issue of gun violence on school grounds. In May, the Congresswoman introduced the School Shooting Safety and Preparedness Act to allow the public and policy makers to gain a complete, accurate picture of gun violence in and around school campuses and provide actionable data to help prevent these tragic incidents. In order to urge House Republican Leadership to address the gun violence crisis, Congresswoman Hayes also signed three discharge petitions in an effort to force a vote on three common sense gun violence prevention measures – the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, Enhanced Background Checks Act, and the Assault Weapons Ban. Read the full text of the bill HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-reps-courtney-houchins-bipartisan-bill-lower-prescription,"House Passes Reps. Courtney, Houchin’s Bipartisan Bill to Lower Prescription Drug Costs",2023-12-12,2023,2023-12,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,courtney,https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House passed the bipartisan Lower Costs, More Transparency Act which included legislation led by Reps. Joe Courtney (D-CT) and Erin Houchin (R-IN) that shines a light on the fees Americans pay at the pharmacy counter. Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) are the middlemen between pharmacies, drugmakers, and health insurers who negotiate the price Americans pay for prescription drugs. Currently, PBMs are not complying with the rules that require they disclose the profits they make from deals with drug companies, often leading to bonuses for PBMs and higher costs for patients. The lawmakers’ legislation strengthens requirements to ensure PBMs disclose their compensation and business practices to health care plan fiduciaries (those responsible for administering employee-sponsored health care). Employers and their employees deserve to know that the insurance products they are buying were negotiated in their best interests. “As Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis said, ‘sunlight is the best disinfectant’ to fight corruption. This bipartisan legislation takes an important step to achieving that goal by improving the transparency of the middlemen, or PBMs, who set prescription drug costs,” said Congressman Courtney. “I am pleased the House took decisive action to pass Rep. Houchin’s and my bill, and ensure employer sponsored insurance gives patients access to care and treatment that is valuable to them, not to commercial entities.” “I was proud to introduce the Hidden Fees Disclosure Act with Representative Courtney and am glad to see its inclusion in the Lower Cost, More Transparency Act. This bipartisan legislation is the first step toward affordability in healthcare. Prescription drug pricing is among the issues I hear about most from constituents. We can’t drive down cost without the benefit of full transparency. I look forward to continuing our work together on healthcare affordability. Until that is achieved, I’ll keep contending on behalf of patients in the ninth district,” said Congresswoman Houchin. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=B4869EAB-4D77-4C88-B6F4-96FEC40BEAA9,Hayes Joins 115 House Members in Requesting Increased Home Heating Assistance Funding for Connecticut Families,2023-12-12,2023,2023-12,Democrat,House,CT,Jahana Hayes,H001081,hayes.house.gov,hayes,https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) joined 115 House members in a letter to House and Senate Leadership requesting increased funding totaling $1.6 billion for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) offered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In Connecticut, eligible households typically receive benefits ranging from $180 to $530 paid directly to the utility or fuel provider. The request comes as the Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations bill presented by House Republicans proposes a roughly a 65% percent cut to the program. “According to recent reports, approximately 424,000 Connecticut households face unaffordable home energy costs. For these families, LIHEAP is a critical lifeline that prevents them from making the impossible choice between buying groceries, keeping the lights on, or heating their home,” said Congresswoman Hayes (CT-05). “I joined my colleagues in requesting additional LIHEAP funding in any government funding bill to ensure all Connecticut families can have a warm home every winter.” In Fiscal Year 2023, the LIHEAP program distributed a total of more than $4.5 billion in home heating assistance to families across the United States, including $100 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding and an additional $1 billion from the government funding package passed in September 2022. Despite significant federal investment, LIHEAP continues to be underfunded, with just 20 percent of eligible households currently receiving assistance through the program. Connecticut was recently awarded a total of $7,081,189.00 in LIHEAP funding for this winter, including $70,040,439 in formula funding and an additional $2,040,750 from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. To assist households seeking to determine their eligibility for LIHEAP funding, HHS recently released a tool in English, Spanish, traditional Chinese, and simplified Chinese for households to quickly determine their eligibility. A copy of the request sent can be accessed HERE.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-casey-introduce-eviction-prevention-act,"DeLauro, Casey Introduce Eviction Prevention Act",2023-12-11,2023,2023-12,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa L. DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,delauro,https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced the Eviction Prevention Act, legislation that would help low-income individuals get access to legal counsel if they are being evicted. “It cannot be understated how devastating an eviction can be for individuals or families.” said Congresswoman DeLauro. “I understand it very well, as my family and I were evicted when I was growing up. Eviction turned our world upside down, and I know all too well how it can completely upend someone’s life. That is why I am so proud to introduce the Eviction Prevention Act with Senator Casey, legislation that will help individuals facing eviction get connected with legal counsel that can help them and their families stay housed. My home state of Connecticut has already enacted a Right to Counsel and in just a short amount of time, we have kept people in their home. The Eviction Prevention Act would build on this success and expand this critically needed program nationwide.” “Far too many Americans are at an increased risk of eviction and homelessness because they don’t have access to legal representation to help them and advocate for them,” said Senator Casey. “This bill will help families stay housed and level the playing field between tenants and landlords. It’s past time we devoted more federal resources to helping families in Pennsylvania and across the Nation keep a roof over their heads.” “The National Housing Law Project is pleased to endorse Representative DeLauro and Senator Casey’s Eviction Prevention Act. The US affordable housing crisis is reaching a fever pitch, and evictions have risen above pre-pandemic levels. As renters navigate this dangerous market, they increasingly face rent gauging, significant rent burden, and frequent and unjust evictions. And they are taking on these challenges without adequate representation in housing court. The Eviction Prevention Act would authorize new grants to provide representation to tenants, create the nation’s first federal evictions database, and generate a government report on the evictions landscape in America. The bill is essential to understanding the depth of our evictions crisis and necessary to reduce future evictions.” – Shamus Roller, Executive Director of National Housing Law Project. “Even before the pandemic, millions of the lowest-income and most marginalized households were just one financial shock away from falling behind on their rent, losing their homes, and, in worst cases, experiencing homelessness. Today, many of these same households are even more precariously housed,” stated Diane Yentel, president and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition. “The long-standing eviction crisis – which predominantly harms Black women – underscores the need for both urgent action and long-term solutions, including the ‘Eviction Prevention Act” from Representative DeLauro and Senator Casey.” The legislation is endorsed by National Low Income Housing Coalition, National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel, National League of Cities, Public Justice, A Way Home Aerica, Community Legal Services Philadelphia, the Connecticut Fair Housing Center, and True Colors United. A Connecticut renter facing eviction is 49 percent less likely to be forced to leave their home if they have a lawyer. Sadly, only seven percent of tenants in Connecticut have a lawyer representing them in eviction proceedings. A Connecticut program offering free legal representation to low-income tenants facing evictions saved the state millions it would have otherwise spent on emergency shelters.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-courtney-annual-defense-bill-advances-aukus-trilateral-security,Rep. Courtney: Annual Defense Bill Advances AUKUS Trilateral Security Agreement,2023-12-07,2023,2023-12,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,courtney,https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) issued the following statement upon the completion and release of the FY24 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by the House and Senate Conference Committee. The bill includes authorization for the transfer of Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines to Australia, the training of Australian private sector defense personnel, the integration of Australian financial contributions to the U.S. defense industrial base, and the sharing of technology and information between the three nations to safely streamline security cooperation. The bill also includes a provision for the Navy to enter into a contract for up to 13 Virginia-class submarines in the next contract. “After weeks of negotiations within the NDAA Conference Committee and over a year of advocacy from Canberra to Washington, the FY24 National Defense Authorization Act reported out today advances the AUKUS trilateral security agreement. For the first time since the launch of the USS Nautilus in 1958, this NDAA authorizes the US Navy to sell three conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines to another nation—our steadfast ally Australia. In addition, it streamlines technology sharing among the three AUKUS allies under the umbrella of the Defense Production Act to strengthen deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. Lastly, it includes authority for the Navy to purchase up to 13 Virginia-class submarines in the next block contract which will guarantee a steady demand to boost production capacity and thus meet our fleet requirements. “I thank leaders of the Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees, as well as Australian Ambassador Kevin Rudd and UK Ambassador Dame Karen Pierce, for their advocacy and unwavering support of my efforts to see these provisions included in the final FY24 NDAA. “I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for this bill on the House floor and sending it to the President’s desk for the 63rd consecutive year. At a time when division and partisanship continue to be the prevailing narratives around Congress, the National Defense Authorization Act proves that we can work together to ensure our national security and support our allies.” Text of the conference report can be found here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=3B58B068-32B0-4648-8A18-CFA0EBE2C87C,Hayes Statement on Vote to Censure Representative Bowman,2023-12-07,2023,2023-12,Democrat,House,CT,Jahana Hayes,H001081,hayes.house.gov,hayes,https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, following the vote to Censure Representative Jamaal Bowman (NY-16), Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) released the following statement: “Today, I voted YEA on a resolution to censure Representative Jamaal Bowman for pulling a fire alarm in the Cannon House Office Building on September 30th, 2023. While I disagree with the decision of the Republican majority to put the resolution on the House Floor, and the watering down of the censure process, I believe what Representative Bowman did was wrong and as Members of Congress we should be held to a higher standard. Representative Bowman has been a champion on educational issues, and we have worked side by side to advance childcare, healthcare and access for students and I look forward to continuing our work on the Committee of Education and the Workforce to address the historic underfunding in our K-12 schools, the teacher shortage, and many of the other issues plaguing our nation's education system. In my hometown of Waterbury, Connecticut, we continue to mourn the lives of two firefighters who died, and another who was seriously injured, when their fire truck slammed into a tree while racing to respond to a false alarm. I have spent the better part of the last decade, working with the families of those firefighters and the Waterbury community, to honor their memory and educate our children on the work of first responders. After the vote, I met with Representative Bowman and had the opportunity to share with him the work of the Rivera-Hughes Memorial Foundation, which was created to memorialize Waterbury Firefighters Heriberto ""Eddie"" Rivera & Howard Hughes and empower youth toward positive academic, social, and healthy outcomes by offering afterschool programs, summer camps, job hunting seminars, and high school internships. While there may be some who do not understand this vote, I cannot set an example for these children by saying one thing to them and doing another – and party affiliation should not matter. Representative Bowman has expressed interest in supporting the work of the Rivera-Hughes Foundation and I look forward to making that contact. I wish the Republican majority would stop with these nonsense, political theatre votes and begin to work on behalf of the American people.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-courtney-co-sponsors-bipartisan-legislation-address-immigration,Rep. Courtney Co-Sponsors Bipartisan Legislation to Address Immigration Crisis,2023-12-06,2023,2023-12,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,courtney,https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) issued the following statement after co-sponsoring the bipartisan Dignity Act to fix our nation’s broken immigration system. This historic bill is the first serious bipartisan immigration solution proposed by Congress in over a decade. “On both sides of the political aisle, there is widespread agreement that the present immigration system is broken—morally and economically. “People seeking a new life in the United States have been met with unnavigable processes and, at times, cruel treatment. As a nation founded by refugees with a legal system centered on due process, we must ensure immigrants have a humane and achievable path to legal permanent residency and citizenship. “In eastern Connecticut, farmers, restaurants, and hotels struggle to hire legal immigrant workers, families and spouses of U.S. citizens are needlessly separated, and foreign students educated at universities in Connecticut and across the nation are caught in the maze of contradictory rules that have not been updated to respond to the current immigration crisis since the 1980s. “Since then, both parties have offered their own reform policies to no avail, reaffirming that a bipartisan pathway is the only way forward in a divided government to responsibly address our overburdened immigration system and the ongoing humanitarian crisis. “Congress must find commonsense agreement, which is why I have joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers to co-sponsor the Dignity Act—the only bipartisan, comprehensive immigration reform bill introduced in the House this Congress—led by Congresswomen Veronica Escobar (D-TX) and María Elvira Salazar (R-FL). “While this bill reflects bipartisan compromises, it takes meaningful steps to improve the currently dismantled asylum system which has overwhelmed border communities; offer a reliable path to legal permanent residency and eventually U.S. citizenship; provide resources for effective and focused enforcement of our immigration laws; and target investments for updated technology to prevent the flow of fentanyl and other illegal substances. “Our nation has a checkered history of welcoming new immigrants, but I believe our country is stronger because of the recurring infusion of energy and talent immigrants bring. The Dignity Act is important progress in our work to make our nation’s immigration system fair, humane, and well-functioning. For a one-pager on the Dignity Act, click here. For a more detailed summary of the Dignity Act, click here. For a section-by-section breakdown of the Dignity Act, click here. For the full text of the bill, click here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-courtney-responds-new-actions-address-sexual-misconduct-coast-guard,Rep. Courtney Responds to New Actions to Address Sexual Misconduct at Coast Guard Academy,2023-12-06,2023,2023-12,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,courtney,https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) issued the following statement after the Coast Guard released a new report, requested by top Coast Guard chief Admiral Fagan, providing recommendations for internal actions to address and prevent sexual misconduct at the Coast Guard Academy and ensure cases are properly investigated. “Admiral Fagan’s release of the Accountability and Transparency Review represents a healthy course correction for the Coast Guard in dealing with this persistent problem affecting the service. This clearly demonstrates a fundamental change in leadership, and I strongly support the Commandant’s vision for how the service prevents and responds to incidents of sexual assault and harassment. Notably, the report recommends implementing the “Safe-to-Report” framework which prevents cadets from punishment for minor offenses, like violating curfew, under the Uniform Code of Military Justice when reporting an incident of sexual assault. This policy is perfectly aligned with legislation I introduced earlier this year, and which was codified for other military academies two years ago. I will continue to work with the Coast Guard to ensure that codification will be enacted in the upcoming Coast Guard Authorization Act in the 118th Congress.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=F8A6C843-020B-4C3E-A92E-D61EE88CF606,"Hayes, Markey Introduce Bicameral Legislation to Reauthorize Vital Educational and Workforce Development Program for Vulnerable Youth",2023-12-06,2023,2023-12,Democrat,House,CT,Jahana Hayes,H001081,hayes.house.gov,hayes,https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) and Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) introduced the YouthBuild for the Future Act to reauthorize the YouthBuild program, a national program that equips opportunity youth – people ages 16 to 24 who are disconnected from school and work opportunities – to education, employment, and leadership skills. YouthBuild services more than 5,000 opportunity youth in more than 40 states, including Connecticut. Participants often left school without a diploma and are homeless, foster care youth, migrants, disabled, or an offender. “Each year, YouthBuild helps thousands of youth earn their high school diploma while learning skills in trades like construction, healthcare, information technology, and logistics,” said Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05). “The YouthBuild for the Future Act improves and invests in the job training program to allow more disadvantaged, rural, and low-income youth in the Fifth to confidently join the workforce and have successful futures.” “Young people are left to carry the weight of generational and systemic failures,” said Senator Markey (D-MA). “YouthBuild helps lift those burdens by investing in young people’s potential and offering them the resources, opportunities, and support to succeed. The investment works: YouthBuild has allowed thousands of young people in Massachusetts and around the country to access life-changing education and workforce development training while serving their communities. Just as YouthBuild champions young people’s potential, Congress must champion YouthBuild.” Specifically, the YouthBuild for the Future Act will: Reserve grants for programs serving rural and Tribal communities; Extend the allowed period of follow-up services to 24 months; Expedite the provision of services to out-of-school youth by reducing the waiting period to the minimum amount possible; Allow funding for participant meals; Allow grantees to count YouthBuild funds towards the matching requirement under the National Community Service Act; and Require States to share Unemployment Insurance wage data with YouthBuild programs. “In YouthBuild programs across the country, young people create the next best versions of themselves through skills training, workforce development and education reconnection,” said John Valverde, President and CEO of YouthBuild USA. “Lives are changed, careers are grown and America is strengthened when they gain access to these resources. It is our continued duty to unleash the leadership and untapped potential all around us.” “Service Year Alliance is happy to support the YouthBuild for the Future Act to reauthorize YouthBuild and implement common-sense policy solutions to improve the YouthBuild experience for opportunity youth and local programs,” said Kristen Bennett, CEO of Service Year Alliance. “In addition to changes that will provide increased services and benefits for YouthBuild participants, the Act will allow funding from the Department of Labor to be used as match for AmeriCorps grants - a desperately needed change that will strengthen YouthBuild programs across the country and increase opportunities for young people. Service years through YouthBuild transform young people’s lives and strengthen communities; Service Year Alliance applauds Representative Hayes for sponsoring the YouthBuild for the Future Act.” “YouthBuild provides a much-needed opportunity for thousands of young people who are too often overlooked as valuable members of society. Securing YouthBuild funding is critical for our country’s future,” said Terry Moran, Executive Director of Massachusetts YouthBuild Coalition. “The New North Citizen’s Council’s leadership team and our Connecticut River Valley YouthBuild Program is fully supportive of Senator Markey’s YouthBuild for The Future Act. We believe that these much needed modifications to the pre-existing legislation will enhance our services in a way that will be extremely beneficial to the young people that we serve,” said Isaiah Delmoral, Co-Director of NNCC Youth Services. Read the full text of the bill here. This bill was included in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2022, which passed the House during the 117th Congress. YouthBuild taps into the tremendous potential of young people in our country. These critical updates ensure more youth finishing their education, finding work, and leading happier, safer lives. Endorsements: YouthBuild USA, The Forum for Youth Investment, Service Year Alliance, The Corps Network, Voices for National Service, Jobs for the Future, National Youth Employment Coalition, Center for Law and Social Policy, Northwest Regional Investment Board, Massachusetts YouthBuild Coalition, and New North Citizen's Council Youth Services ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-courtney-statement-aukus-ministerial-announcement,Rep. Courtney Statement on AUKUS Ministerial Announcement,2023-12-01,2023,2023-12,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,courtney,https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) issued the following statement following a joint statement from Lloyd J. Austin, U.S. Secretary of Defense, the Honourable Richard Marles MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense, Australia, and the Right Honourable Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Defence, United Kingdom, on action steps on the trilateral AUKUS security mission. “Today’s meeting between U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, and Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps, demonstrates the clear progress our three nations have made in executing the AUKUS “Optimal Pathway” announced in March of this year and reaffirms the leaders’ ironclad commitment to ensuring peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. “The announcement is tangible evidence that the trilateral mission is moving forward to recapitalize Australia’s submarine fleet with conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines at the earliest date possible while upholding the highest standards of stewardship and transparency through continued and constant communication with the International Atomic Energy Agency. The announcement also provides a clear framework for future Australian submariners to continue their important education at Nuclear Power School as well as U.S. Submarine School at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, CT, deepening the relationship between Connecticut and Australia. “The leaders were also right to acknowledge the importance of the AUKUS enabling legislation that is before the U.S. Congress ‘to ensure the success’ of the mission. I will continue to press my colleagues to pass enabling legislation as part of the FY24 annual defense bill. “The leaders’ commitment to safely leveraging the expertise and resources of each ally in the AUKUS security agreement will also ensure we have the advanced technologies to strengthen our military capabilities and streamline our ability to secure stability and prosperity in the region without prohibitive roadblocks. “I commend U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin, Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, and U.K. Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps, for continuing to achieve milestones at a cadence that demonstrates their unwavering commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.” The announcement is also coupled with the State Department’s decision to clear a potential $2 billion sale of AUKUS-related training and training devices to Australia in support of enhancing their workforce’s capacity to safely operate and sustain their future submarine program.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-courtney-statement-heartbreaking-infuriating-death-aviv-atzili,"Rep. Courtney Statement on the ‘Heartbreaking, Infuriating’ Death of Aviv Atzili",2023-11-30,2023,2023-11,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,courtney,https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"November 30, 2023 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) issued the following statement after Kibbutz Nir Oz announced that Aviv Atzili, husband of Liat Beinin, was killed in the October 7 attack on Israel. “Today’s news that Liat Beinin’s husband, Aviv Atzili, was killed by Hamas attackers at the Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7 is heartbreaking and infuriating. The willful inability of Hamas to account for its despicable assault left Aviv’s family totally in the dark about his whereabouts over the last seven weeks. The relief Liat and her family in Israel and Connecticut experienced upon her release is now buried in grief. As Liat’s father powerfully stated, ‘Revenge, anger – certainly not religious fanaticism—are not parts of a viable agenda to end this nonsense in the Middle East. This can’t go on like this.’.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/release-american-eastern-connecticut-ties-held-hostage-hamas-brings,Release of American with Eastern Connecticut Ties Held Hostage by Hamas Brings Relief,2023-11-29,2023,2023-11,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,courtney,https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"November 29, 2023 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the second American citizen, Liat Beinin, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen, has been released after being kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz during the attack on October 7. Liat’s family lives in Waterford and are active members of eastern Connecticut’s Jewish community. “My Beinin family from Israel spent five days in eastern Connecticut with us this August. We grew very close to them as they walked with us in Harkness Park, dined with us, and shared birthdays with us over lobster in Noank. As soon as we heard of their capture we reached out to our Congressman, Joe Courtney and he did everything possible to keep Liat and Aviv’s capture high on the agenda of the State Department and the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem. We cannot thank him and his staff enough for their dedication and diligence in the efforts to free the hostages,” said Jerry Fischer of Waterford and the former executive director of the Jewish Federation of Eastern Connecticut. “After several weeks in captivity, it is a relief to see Liat Beinin back in safe hands. I applaud President Biden and his Administration for their steadfast commitment to brokering the deal that made Liat’s release possible. While this is surely joyous news to her loved ones in eastern Connecticut, who my office connected with the US State Department, we will continue assisting the family with locating and returning her husband Aviv Atzili who was also kidnapped,” said Rep. Joe Courtney. “I am wishing Liat and her family comfort as they reunite and join them in praying for Aviv’s safety.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-statement-hostage-release-and-humanitarian-pause-gaza,DeLauro Statement on Hostage Release and Humanitarian Pause in Gaza,2023-11-22,2023,2023-11,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa L. DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,delauro,https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released a statement: “I am relieved that dozens of hostages will be released and returning to their homes. I also welcome a humanitarian pause in Gaza to allow humanitarian partners to distribute urgently needed supplies – like water, food, medicine, and shelter – into the region so innocent civilians caught in the middle of the conflict get the aid they need to weather this crisis. In the coming weeks, I will continue to push for the safe release of all hostages held by Hamas and will work to get vital humanitarian assistance into Gaza as soon as possible. “I believe that we must create the conditions for lasting peace and a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinian people. That means we must end Hamas’s ongoing terror in the region. Everyone will be hurt if Hamas remains in control of Gaza. However, this war is against Hamas. The Palestinian people are not Hamas, and they have lost communities, neighborhoods, and loved ones because of this conflict and Hamas’s atrocities.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=1ABA56CD-155D-40A9-860D-CF649963DD26,Hayes Statement on Deal to Pause Fighting and Release Hostages in Gaza,2023-11-22,2023,2023-11,Democrat,House,CT,Jahana Hayes,H001081,hayes.house.gov,hayes,https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WATERBURY – Today, following the news of a four-day temporary cease-fire in Gaza and the release of 50 hostages, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) issued the following statement: ""The humanitarian pause in Gaza announced yesterday is an important step in the right direction. This four-day pause will allow for the safe return of 50 civilian women and children and for a large number of humanitarian convoys and relief aid, including fuel designated for Gaza, to pass into the region. I thank the Biden Administration for their work in helping to facilitate this agreement and urge continued vigorous efforts to find a peaceful solution for the Israeli and Palestinian people, the release of the remaining hostages, and the defeat of Hamas.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://himes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=B6901E86-7408-4DC0-8CA3-77C038C2795A,Himes Statement on Release of Hostages and Humanitarian Pause,2023-11-22,2023,2023-11,Democrat,House,CT,James A. Himes,H001047,himes.house.gov,himes,https://himes.house.gov/press-releases,page_html,"Washington, DC — Today, Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04) issued the following statement regarding the release of 50 hostages being held by Hamas and the humanitarian pause in Gaza: “I am deeply relieved by the news of a deal to free these hostages, and the accompanying pause of violence in the region. The civilian loss since the horrific attack on October 7th has been devastating. I am hopeful that this agreement represents a meaningful first step towards an improved humanitarian situation in Gaza even as Israel defends itself from a continued threat of Hamas terrorism.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-03-30T11:08:25Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-courtney-applauds-congressional-action-ensuring-continued-funding,"Rep. Courtney Applauds Congressional Action Ensuring Continued Funding for Submarine Industrial Base, Columbia-class Submarine Program",2023-11-16,2023,2023-11,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,courtney,https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) issued the following statement after the House and Senate passed a Continuing Resolution which ensures continued production of the Columbia-class submarine program and submarine industrial base. “Last night, with the Senate’s 87-11 vote, Congress sent a Continuing Resolution to the President’s desk to avert a government shutdown and ensure critical programs and services remain online, including submarine construction and the submarine industrial base. “The measure includes continuous support for the Columbia-class submarine program by extending funds for construction of the USS Wisconsin, while also providing an additional $3.3 billion for the Navy to procure materials with extended delivery times—or long-lead materials—to prepare for construction of future Columbia-class boats. Importantly, the measure also sustains critical investments in the submarine industrial base to ensure shipyards can continue recruiting and training workers, modernizing their facilities, and sizing up production across the supply chain. “In eastern Connecticut, this means that Electric Boat’s talented workforce and aggressive hiring goals will not skip a beat in carrying out their crucial mission to deliver for the Navy’s future fleet of submarines.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-courtney-marks-two-year-anniversary-federal-infrastructure-law,Rep. Courtney Marks Two Year Anniversary of Federal Infrastructure Law,2023-11-15,2023,2023-11,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,courtney,https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Joe Courtney marked the second anniversary since President Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law and highlighted projects across the region made possible by the new law. “The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is allowing towns in every corner of eastern Connecticut to make critical projects a reality that have been on the “to-do” list for years. From fixing roads and bridges, to upgrading airports, expanding broadband, creating new housing, and much more, the Infrastructure Law is making eastern Connecticut safer and more resilient for decades to come – all while creating thousands of good paying jobs. As our region attracts more businesses and a record number of new employees, the infrastructure law is also pivotal in ensuring we can expand infrastructure to meet growing demand,” said Rep. Joe Courtney. Since enactment, the federal government has announced $4 billion in funding from the federal infrastructure law for 114 specific projects across the state of Connecticut. Thanks to Rep. Courtney’s ongoing advocacy and urging, $3.7 billion of federal funding will support projects across the Second Congressional District. For example: Transforming transit infrastructure in downtown New London Expanding access to broadband Preserving the Long Island Sound Improving regional airports Repairing the Gold Star Bridge Replacing the CT River Bridge Removing lead pipes from water infrastructure Repairing Forge Hill Road Bridge Transforming abandoned land into residential and commercial space Expanding EV charging networks ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/extreme-gop-spending-cuts-would-kick-1900-connecticut-teachers-out,"Extreme GOP Spending Cuts Would Kick 1,900 Connecticut Teachers Out of Classroom",2023-11-14,2023,2023-11,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,courtney,https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Republicans brought an extreme partisan funding bill to the House floor that decimates K-12 education and does not meaningfully prevent a government shutdown before the November 17 deadline. The 2024 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill (H.R. 5894), cuts funding by 80 percent for Title I education funding—which will butcher the public-school budgets of 95 percent of K-12 schools in eastern Connecticut. Congressman Courtney released a new report that demonstrates the devastating consequences of the cuts for almost all 69 school districts in Connecticut’s Second Congressional District. “House Republicans’ education funding bill is exactly the opposite of what our region needs to give students a chance to succeed in life. An 80 percent cut to funding means slashing staff, increasing class sizes, and decreasing resources to almost every K-12 student in eastern Connecticut. In fact, this measure would lead to 1,900 Connecticut teachers losing their job,” said Rep. Joe Courtney, a senior member of the House Education and Workforce Committee. “This bill sends a clear message that Speaker Johnson is unwilling to prevent a government shutdown and put forth a serious budget that can actually pass. Bipartisanship is the only proven method to govern in a closely divided Congress—not partisan spending bills like the one before us today.” Read how the proposed cuts will hurt school districts across the region here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-courtney-votes-avert-government-shutdown,Rep. Courtney Votes to Avert Government Shutdown,2023-11-14,2023,2023-11,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,courtney,https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) issued the following statement after voting for a short-term spending package that allows the federal government to remain open. “Today, I joined a collation of Democrats and Republicans to avert a government shutdown and ensure the services eastern Connecticut residents rely on remain uninterrupted. In eastern Connecticut, the short-term spending bill will also ensure that federal employees, including roughly 9,000 sailors and officers at the Groton submarine base, will not have their pay disrupted, as well the Coast Guard Academy staff in New London. Their important work will continue uninterrupted. “Importantly, this package continues support for the Columbia-class submarine program by extending funds for construction of the USS Wisconsin and providing an additional $3.3 billion for the Navy to procure long-lead materials, while sustaining critical investments in the submarine industrial base. This is a critical exception for the Navy’s number one acquisition priority that will ensure construction remains on schedule as our shipyards and suppliers dramatically ramp up capacity. “To pass a full fiscal year budget and ensure we meet the needs of Americans and our allies, the House leadership must return to the established center-left, center-right coalition that prevented a default on the full faith and credit of the US Treasury notes in May and prevented a shutdown on September 30. As I have said before, this bipartisan path is the only proven way to govern in a closely divided Congress.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=C219B333-444A-4DA6-97F6-239A3D02C135,Hayes Statement Following Vote on Continuing Resolution to Fund the Government Through Early 2024,2023-11-14,2023,2023-11,Democrat,House,CT,Jahana Hayes,H001081,hayes.house.gov,hayes,https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON– Today, following the House vote to pass the Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act, 2024, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) issued the following statement: “Today, I voted to pass the Continuing Resolution to avert a government shutdown. The laddered continuing resolution will fund Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Energy and Water Development, Agriculture, Rural Development, and the Food and Drug Administration until January 19th, 2024. The Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, Defense, Financial Services and General Government, Homeland Security, Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Legislative Branch, State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs will be funded until February 2nd, 2024. Additionally, this proposal will extend the Farm Bill through September 30th, 2024, at current spending levels. 209 Democrats and 127 Republicans voted in support of this funding bill. Once again House Democrats came together to ensure our government does not shut down. However, despite pushing the deadlines into early next year, the threat of a shutdown continues to loom and the confidence and stability of our nation remains at stake. The Republican majority cannot continue to legislate in this way with the threat of a shutdown or funding cliff every few months. I remain committed to working to pass appropriations bills focused on fully funding the government, investing in working families, and keeping our nation safe.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-celebrates-womens-health-research-initiative,DeLauro Celebrates Women’s Health Research Initiative,2023-11-13,2023,2023-11,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa L. DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,delauro,https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released a statement praising the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research. Announced by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, the initiative seeks to fundamentally change how the United States approaches research on women’s health with the goal of improving health outcomes and the lives of women across the country. Dr. Carolyn Mazure, a constituent of Congresswoman DeLauro and a doctor at Yale-New Haven, will chair the initiative. In 1998, Dr. Mazure created Women’s Health Research at Yale, an interdisciplinary research center that has been a national leader for research, sharing health information, and more on women’s health and the interplay of gender, health, and sex. “When I first came to Congress, we had to fight to get women included in the health research trials at the National Institutes of Health,” said Congresswoman DeLauro. “A novel concept at the time, the inclusion of women in these health trials led to breakthroughs in disease research and improved health outcomes for millions of American women. Dr. Carolyn Mazure has been a trusted ally and friend in this fight. She came to me when I took the pen of the Labor-HHS-Education appropriations subcommittee, and said the Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH) needed a line item to significantly increase resources for this Office. So that is what I did, and we have grown the Office’s funding to more than $64 million and empowered ORWH with grant-making authority in my time as Chair of the subcommittee. That is why I am so proud that the Biden administration is leading the charge to improve health outcomes for a new generation of American women. I applaud them for taking this step forward and will work closely with the administration to support this new initiative.” The Initiative charges federal agencies with a number of directives, including:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-statement-congressman-brian-higgins-decision-not-seek-re,DeLauro Statement on Congressman Brian Higgins Decision to Not Seek Re-Election,2023-11-13,2023,2023-11,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa L. DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,delauro,https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released a statement following news that Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) will leave Congress in February 2024. “Since being elected to Congress 19 years ago, Congressman Higgins has been a close ally and good friend in the work of serving the hardworking people of the United States. He has accomplished so much on behalf of our nation’s veterans, transportation safety, and strengthening America’s crumbling infrastructure by moving needed, bipartisan investments into law.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=20E2588D-368A-4E8F-AB6C-DD85E0003174,"FACT SHEET: Fighting For Our Veterans, Hayes Prioritizes Veterans and Military Families",2023-11-10,2023,2023-11,Democrat,House,CT,Jahana Hayes,H001081,hayes.house.gov,hayes,https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Since taking office, Congresswoman Hayes (CT-05) has secured the inclusion of essential resources for veterans and military families in broader legislation signed into law by both Democratic and Republican administrations. VA Mental Health Staffing Act – requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to submit a plan to address the staffing of mental health providers at its facilities. Among other elements, the plan must address the filling of any open positions. H.R. 8145 – requires the VA and the Office of Personnel Management to develop an occupational series for licensed professional mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Surviving Families Benefit Expansion Act - authorizes monthly Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for surviving spouses who remarry after the age of 55. Palomares Veterans Act - removes barriers to compensation for the veterans who responded to the 1966 nuclear accident in Palomares, Spain. In the 118th Congress, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) introduced key legislation to address an issue voiced by veterans and military families in the Fifth District. The bipartisan, bicameral Caring for Survivors Act of 2023, would adjust monthly benefits for family members and survivors of veterans who lost their lives in service to the United States by increasing Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC). The Waterbury District Office of Congresswoman Hayes is also the only Purple Heart Congressional Office in all of New England – recognizing the dedication of Congresswoman Hayes and her office to veterans and their families. This year, the office has opened 85 military and veteran-related cases and closed 82. Since taking office in 2019, 469 military and veteran-related cases have been successfully resolved, spanning nearly all 41 towns in the Fifth District.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/after-years-advocacy-rep-courtney-celebrates-over-826-million-federal,"After Years of Advocacy, Rep. Courtney Celebrates Over $826 Million Federal Grant to Rebuild CT River Bridge",2023-11-06,2023,2023-11,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,courtney,https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"NORWICH, CT – Today, Rep. Joe Courtney alongside the Connecticut Congressional delegation and state leaders announced the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded Amtrak an $826,645,100 grant to support the replacement of the 116-year-old Connecticut River Bridge between Old Saybrook and Old Lyme, Connecticut. The funding will allow Amtrak to build a modern and resilient new moveable bridge immediately south of the existing structure. The grant comes after Rep. Courtney led years of advocacy to urge the federal government to deliver funding to rebuild the bridge. In addition to the $826 million grant announced today, over the past three years, Rep. Courtney has secured over $130.4 million for this project. “This long overdue transformational grant for the Connecticut River Bridge comes after a determination in 2006 that the bridge was ‘structurally deficient’ and repair work was no longer capable of keeping it functional,” Courtney stated. “Despite chronic underfunding of Amtrak’s capital accounts, I have worked with my colleagues in the Connecticut delegation since 2007 to secure initial funding of $130.4 million for design and planning of this project.” “Today’s announcement of an additional $826 million federal grant ensures that the entire construction phase will be fully funded, and not delayed any more by incremental piecemeal grants,"" Courtney continued. ""This development will provide a stable horizon for contractors to acquire materials and workforce and is a testament to the importance of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed in 2021 that provided a historic level of resources to Amtrak. Make no mistake – this monumental investment was only possible because of this law. When this new bridge is finished, rail traffic will be safer and faster for passengers on the Northeast Corridor-Acela Express, Northeast Regional, and Shoreline East, as well as freight traffic. It is a generational investment for the most heavily traveled rail system in America that will pay dividends for decades to come.” The replacement bridge would maintain the two-track configuration and existing channel location and provide a bascule moveable span with additional vertical clearance for maritime traffic. The bridge serves the Northeast Corridor main line and is used by Amtrak’s intercity services, Connecticut Shoreline East commuter service, and freight operators. The new structure will improve safety, reliability, and increase operating speed for all operators. Over the Years: Rep. Courtney Leads Works to Rehabilitate Connecticut River Bridge July 2020: Rep. Courtney sent a Congressional letter urging the Federal Railroad Administration to approve Amtrak’s and Connecticut Department of Transportation’s FY20 request for federal funding through the Federal State Partnership for the State of Good Repair program to support repairs to the Connecticut River Bridge project. October 2020: After requesting that the Federal Railroad Administration fund this work, Rep. Courtney hosted a press conference with Senator Blumenthal to announce a $62.5 million federal grant through the Federal State Partnership for the State of Good Repair program to replace the Connecticut River Bridge between Old Saybrook and Old Lyme, CT that carries Amtrak and Shoreline East Trains. June 2021: Rep. Courtney led a Congressional letter in support of a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) for construction on the CT River Bridge. As Courtney said, “a PLA can bring the benefit of a highly skilled, reliable workforce, with predictable wage rates and uniform training. It also fosters high quality job training and apprenticeships for young workers which is key to solving the “skills gap” challenge our nation faces.” June 2021: Amtrak responded to Rep. Courtney’s letter and confirmed that they will be using a PLA for work on the Connecticut River Bridge project. February 2022: After the passage of the federal infrastructure law, Rep. Courtney led a Congressional letter to the Federal Railroad Administration, Amtrak, the Northeast Corridor Commission, and the Connecticut Department of Transportation urging them to prioritize repairs to the Connecticut River Bridge as they review funding requests for the federal infrastructure law. In the letter, Rep. Courtney requests that the Connecticut River Bridge be included as a priority project. March 2022: Rep. Courtney sent a Congressional letter to urge the Department of Transportation to approve Amtrak’s and Connecticut Department of Transportation’s FY21 request for additional funding through the Federal State Partnership for the State of Good Repair program. August 2022: Rep. Courtney announced that Amtrak and Connecticut Department of Transportation had been awarded the requested $65.2 million grant from the federal infrastructure law to support the replacement of the existing Amtrak-owned Connecticut River Bridge between Old Saybrook and Old Lyme and support upgrades on the New Haven Line.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-durbin-send-letter-urging-department-education-recoup-funds,"DeLauro, Durbin Send Letter Urging Department of Education to Recoup Funds from Predatory, For-Profit Colleges University of Phoenix and Ashford University",2023-11-06,2023,2023-11,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa L. DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,delauro,https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Today, U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) sent a letter to the Department of Education urging them to recoup funds from for-profit colleges University of Phoenix and Ashford University after the agency cancelled student debts for borrowers that were defrauded by those institutions. “For far too long, predatory for-profit colleges like Ashford and Phoenix have preyed on students, especially veterans, students of color, and low-income students,” the lawmakers wrote. “…We [therefore] urge the Department to aggressively recoup funds from these institutions. This would send a strong warning signal to other predatory for-profit colleges that there are substantial financial consequences for defrauding students.” For years, DeLauro and Durbin had advocated for stronger Borrower Defense regulations to protect student borrowers. Through this mechanism, the Department could recoup funds for borrowers defrauded by University of Phoenix and Ashford University. “We also urge the Department to continue providing accessible and streamlined avenues for other defrauded borrowers who attended Ashford and Phoenix to receive relief through borrower defense to repayment,” the lawmakers continued. “…Finally, we urge the Department to review whether Ashford and Phoenix—each of which has engaged in extensive and sustained misconduct that has violated Department regulations, including the prohibition on making substantial misrepresentations to students—continue to remain eligible for federal student aid... It is time for the Department to hold these predatory schools accountable.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=BC29598B-27B1-4821-A9A8-79BFBBB68AD1,"Hayes, Schiff Introduce Legislation to Ensure Every Connecticut K-12 Student Can Access Free Mobile Vision Services",2023-11-06,2023,2023-11,Democrat,House,CT,Jahana Hayes,H001081,hayes.house.gov,hayes,https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) and Congressman Adam Schiff (CA-30) reintroduced the See the Board Act, legislation directing the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make grants available for nonprofit organizations that provide free, mobile vision services for students in public elementary and secondary schools. Approximately, twelve percent of children in the Fifth District live below the poverty line and may struggle to access affordable eye care services. “Visually impaired students who lack access to optometry services are at risk of struggling to learn and falling behind in school. According to the American Optometric Association, school-aged children should receive their first eye exam before first grade and annually thereafter. Many families are in serious need of affordable vision and eye care.” said Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05). “This legislation aims to eliminate barriers and allow children to concentrate and stay engaged. The See the Board Act will bring mobile vision services directly to schools in underserved communities and ensure children receive critical vision care.” “No child should be prevented from experiencing the full benefits of an education because they cannot see the board at the front of their classroom. We know that too many working families can’t afford to miss work to travel for an eye doctor’s appointment or simply can’t afford to seek this care for their kids. My See the Board Act will ensure that cost is not a barrier for K-12 students by bringing no-cost vision care directly to them,” said Congressman Adam Schiff (CA-30). Due to a lack of access to critical vision care, it is estimated that over 2 million students nationwide go to school each day without the glasses they need to fully participate in class, negatively impacting their learning experience. Children with uncorrected vision are more likely to perform poorly in school and face lower self-confidence. Additionally, eye doctors are seeing more kids needing glasses earlier in their lives. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, since 1971, cases of nearsightedness in the U.S. nearly doubled to 42 percent. The See the Board Act is co-sponsored by Representatives Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.), Cori Bush (D-Mo.), Andre Carson (D-Ind.), Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), Grace Napolitano (D-Calif.), Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Penn.), Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii), David Trone (D-Md.), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.). Read the full text of the bill here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://himes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=45BB73F4-107F-4663-BF22-471EEEB4061D,Himes Celebrates Nearly $500 Million to Replace Two Bridges,2023-11-06,2023,2023-11,Democrat,House,CT,James A. Himes,H001047,himes.house.gov,himes,https://himes.house.gov/press-releases,page_html,"Washington, DC — Today, Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04) announced that the Federal Railroad Administration has awarded $488.2 million for the replacement of Norwalk’s WALK Bridge and Westport’s Saugatuck River Bridge. This funding is allocated through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and comes as part of nearly $2 billion to be delivered to 10 projects across Connecticut. “After years in Congress fighting for federal money to upgrade and replace Norwalk’s WALK Bridge and the Westport Saugatuck River Bridge, I am elated to have helped secure nearly $500 million to bring these projects across the finish line,” said Congressman Himes. “I spend much of my time as a Representative thinking about how to modernize the rail systems and bridges in our community, but the best part about receiving a grant like this is knowing that eventually my constituents won’t have to think about infrastructure at all. Rather than worrying about traffic delays or train disruptions, commuters will be free to think about that big project at work, an upcoming homework assignment, or whatever else matters most in their lives.” Connecticut will receive a total of $1,998,799,600 in funding for 10 projects. The grants to be delivered to Connecticut’s Fourth Congressional District include:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-03-30T11:08:25Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-courtney-mourns-loss-ct-nurse-killed-job-calls-passage-health-care,"Rep. Courtney Mourns Loss of CT Nurse Killed on the Job, Calls for Passage of Health Care Safety Legislation",2023-11-02,2023,2023-11,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,courtney,https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), a senior member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, issued the following statement after Brooklyn resident and visiting nurse Joyce Grayson was murdered on the job while performing an at-home visit in Willimantic. “I’m praying for Joyce Grayson’s family as they mourn this heartbreaking loss. Ms. Grayson was a devoted mother and health care worker, and an eastern Connecticut native and resident who was tragically murdered while caring for her patient. Violence against health care workers, especially the extreme crime committed against Ms. Grayson, is deplorable and we must take action to institute safeguards that prevent harassment, injury, and death against those who care for us,” said Rep. Joe Courtney. “In Congress, I am continuing to work to advance my bipartisan Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act to achieve that goal. This legislation would put proven proactive measures in place in health care settings, including for at-home visits, to prevent violence before it happens. Tragic incidents like the one witnessed in Willimantic this week serves as a devastating reminder of the urgency this bill demands.” Background Violence against health care and social service workers has been exacerbated by the pandemic, and tragic incidents like these are on the rise nationwide. Rep. Courtney’s Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act is a bipartisan bill that would help curb assaults taking place against this critical workforce by directing OSHA to issue a standard requiring health care and social service employers to write and implement a workplace violence prevention plan to protect their employees from violent incidents. In April 2021, the House voted to pass the bill by a margin of 254-166—an even greater bipartisan majority than when similar legislation introduced by Courtney passed the House in 2019. Courtney’s bill has drawn endorsements from a host of health care and social service professionals and from unions representing workers in these sectors, including the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the AFL-CIO, the American Nurses Association, and many others. It has also drawn official support from the Biden Administration. On May 12, Rep. Courtney’s bill was officially introduced to the U.S. Senate by Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) as S. 4182, where it awaits a vote. To read more, click here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-courtney-readout-meeting-australian-deputy-prime-minister-marles,Rep. Courtney Readout of Meeting with Australian Deputy Prime Minister Marles and Chief of the Royal Australian Navy,2023-11-02,2023,2023-11,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,courtney,https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) issued the following statement after his meeting yesterday with Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Richard Marles, and Chief of the Royal Australian Navy, Mark Hammond. “It was a pleasure to host Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Chief of the Royal Australian Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond on Capitol Hill to discuss our nations’ work to execute the AUKUS mission. The leaders shared their ongoing efforts to dramatically increase Australia’s submarine industrial base capability to fully partner with the United States and the UK in their joint effort to rebalance the security environment in the Indo-Pacific. We discussed efforts by the U.S. Congress to reciprocate the Australian Parliament’s strong bipartisan commitment to enable AUKUS. As Ranking Member of the Seapower Subcommittee, which has been at the epicenter of the effort to incorporate AUKUS authorities in the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, this meeting reenforced the determination of both Deputy Prime Minister Marles’ efforts to enable AUKUS in the Canberra Parliament as well as our Subcommittee’s work. Finally, the visit today, just days after Prime Minister Albanese’s official state visit, underscores Australia’s clear-eyed understanding of the U.S. Congress’ critical role in executing AUKUS and preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-courtney-speaker-johnsons-disappointing-one-sided-bill-falls-far,"Rep. Courtney: Speaker Johnson’s Disappointing, One-Sided Bill Falls Far Short of the Gravity of This Moment",2023-11-02,2023,2023-11,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,courtney,https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) issued the following statement on Speaker Johnson’s proposed supplemental funding bill for Israel. Notably, Speaker Johnson’s bill does not include any humanitarian aid or support for Ukraine and forces aid to be contingent on rescinding funding for the Internal Revenue Service. “As the House reconvenes this week with a new Speaker, it should be focused on immediate, emergency measures to secure the release of innocent Israeli hostages, violently seized by Hamas, as well as resources and a plan, including a humanitarian pause, to protect innocent Palestinians, who had no part in Hamas’s unprovoked attack. President Biden’s request for an emergency supplemental which includes security assistance for Israel and humanitarian aid for Gaza, strikes the right balance between both goals. Speaker Johnson’s disappointing, one-sided bill falls far short of the gravity of this moment. Stuffing a totally unrelated IRS provision that only benefits big corporations and the super-rich is not only a cheap giveaway to special interest groups, but sets a dangerous precedent by forcing emergency aid to be contingent on cuts to other programs. It’s time the House Republican majority stops putting politics above the survival of innocent lives.” J Street, a pro-Israel organization, came out in strong opposition of Speaker Johnson’s proposal.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=0421743D-6152-4DCB-9D76-ED8C6036A7AE,Hayes Statement on the Israel Supplemental Appropriations Act Vote,2023-11-02,2023,2023-11,Democrat,House,CT,Jahana Hayes,H001081,hayes.house.gov,hayes,https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"""Today, the House of Representatives considered an aid package for Israel. This legislation, brought forth by Speaker Mike Johnson, provides $14.3 billion for foreign military financing and to replenish Israel’s air and missile defense systems, including the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and the Iron Beam. However, the legislation falls short and does not include any funds to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. President Biden has put forth a $106 billion supplemental funding package. His proposal provides much-needed aid to our allies in Israel, Ukraine, and the Indo-Pacific, strengthens border protection, and makes available $10 billion for humanitarian assistance. This comprehensive bipartisan plan is the most appropriate path forward to fortify our national security, support our allies, and bolster humanitarian assistance. The need for additional aid to Israel is clear- however, the dire need for humanitarian aid for thousands of innocent Palestinian civilians in Gaza who have been cut off from food, water, medicine, and fuel, and continued support for Ukraine as it combats ongoing Russian aggression cannot be understated or ignored. Throughout my tenure in Congress, I have consistently voted to support supplemental aid to Israel because of our shared democratic and strategic values and my appreciation for the critical role Israel plays in the region. However, I cannot in good conscience support a supplemental package that does not acknowledge the innocent civilians in Gaza caught in this war incited by Hamas. It is with a heavy heart that I voted no to H.R.6126, the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024, the aid package brought before the House of Representatives. This bill is exploiting a moment when we are seeing an unprecedented rise in antisemitism and, for the first time, conditioning emergency aid. I continue to support Israel’s right to exist and defend herself in the fight against Hamas and will remain committed to thoughtfully considering any legislation that promotes that end. I will also continue to advocate for the millions of innocent Palestinian civilians living in Gaza and, for the delivery of much-needed aid into the Gaza Strip and continued negotiations for the release of hostages being held by Hamas.""",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=E07DEC41-62A3-4902-9B56-69FAD0C6A74A,Connecticut Delegation and Governor Lamont Announce Federal Approval of $70.9 Million Broadband Infrastructure Plan Boosted by the American Rescue Plan,2023-11-02,2023,2023-11,Democrat,House,CT,Jahana Hayes,H001081,hayes.house.gov,hayes,https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05), fellow members of the Connecticut Congressional Delegation, and Governor Ned Lamont announced today the U.S. Department of Treasury approved a state plan to invest a $70.9 million federal grant to upgrade network and cybersecurity infrastructure in the Connecticut Education Network (CEN). This grant – funded by the American Rescue Plan through the Capital Projects Fund – will connect up to 170 community anchor organizations to CEN, and expand public WiFi service. The plan, entitled “CEN Connect,” is comprised of three parts: CEN Next Generation Infrastructure (NGI); CEN Connect Municipalities, Libraries and Charter Schools; and CEN Connect Community WiFi. This project will bring 100 gigabit per second network capability to every Connecticut community and serve as the platform to ensure ample internet bandwidth, capacity, and essential cyber security services are available to each community anchor institution (CAI) and open access member. “Hundreds of thousands of Connecticut residents lack access to affordable high-speed internet connection. My district has one of the lowest connectivity rates in the state. This federal investment in CEN Connect will update our infrastructure and support our workforce and healthcare system. Broadband is essential, and our state has been waiting for additional bold assistance to increase access to safe modern internet service. For over two years, the American Rescue Plan has delivered and transformed our communities. This is the next step forward to the long-term goal of ensuring all Americans have strong and reliable internet connection,” said Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05). “Investments through CEN Connect are investments in Connecticut’s ability to deliver and support workforce development, digital government, learning, innovation, and health and human services. The CEN cyber infrastructure contributes to a healthy broadband ecosystem for Connecticut and represents the ultimate shared service platform for our anchor institutions to connect, aggregate, collaborate, and improve services across the state,” said Governor Ned Lamont. “This historic investment in broadband infrastructure – connecting essential institutions to reliable high-speed internet – will help bring Connecticut communication into the 21st Century. Broadband is not a luxury – it’s an essential need and this funding is critical for supporting our workforce, government services, and online learning tools. I applaud Governor Lamont for his commitment to expanding connectivity and I’ll fight for programs that bolster broadband infrastructure,” saidU.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). “Access to reliable, high-speed internet is a basic necessity, and CEN Connect is a comprehensive plan to ensure people in every corner of the state can get online. It’s great to see dollars from the American Rescue Plan support this project and continue to pay dividends in Connecticut,” said U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT). “Broadband is no longer a luxury – it’s a necessity. When Congressional Democrats enacted the American Rescue Plan in March 2021, we invested in the Capital Projects Fund so that local communities could more easily connect to the digital world. Today’s investment in Connecticut’s broadband infrastructure, made possible by the American Rescue Plan, will power opportunities for learners, employers, and educators across the state. These investments are particularly important for the rural communities I represent across eastern Connecticut,” said Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02). “In the year 2023 every single Connecticut resident should have access to high-speed internet, and I’m glad to see the American Rescue Plan Act that I supported providing dollars to close the digital divide and invest in our broadband system. As the ranking member on the House Intelligence Committee, I am acutely aware of the threats posed by cybercriminals to local governments, school systems and libraries, and I’m extremely pleased that these funds are also going to help Connecticut beef up its cybersecurity infrastructure,” said Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04). “CEN Connect is an amazing opportunity to ensure every anchor institution in every corner of the state has access to advanced network services and help the CEN continue to serve as the platform for transformative technology delivery for years to come,” said Ryan Kocsondy, director of the CEN. In 2021, Congresswoman Hayes and the Connecticut Congressional delegation voted to pass the American Rescue Plan, aimed at delivering economic relief for American families. The legislation allocated $10 billion for states, territories, and Tribes to cover the cost of projects focused on increasing access to broadband. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://himes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=28929712-C7CC-4244-A992-1D31ECD00484,Himes Statement Opposing Censures of Members of the House,2023-11-01,2023,2023-11,Democrat,House,CT,James A. Himes,H001047,himes.house.gov,himes,https://himes.house.gov/press-releases,page_html,"Washington, DC — Today, Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04) issued the following statement opposing legislation to censure Representatives Rashida Tlaib and Marjorie Taylor Greene: “Today, freedom of expression everywhere is under threat. Illiberal hall monitors on the Left and the Right are suppressing books, artists, and ‘objectionable’ opinions and speakers. Freedom of expression, no matter how unpopular, must not be censored or officially sanctioned. The remedy for bad speech is more speech. “Sadly, censure resolutions are coming before the House today which would censure two members of the House, Rep. Rashida Tlaib and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene for things which they have said. That is wrong. It contributes to the further erosion of our democratic system. I will oppose both.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-03-30T11:08:25Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-calls-humanitarian-pause-and-hostage-releases-israel-hamas-war,DeLauro Calls for Humanitarian Pause and Hostage Releases in Israel-Hamas War,2023-10-31,2023,2023-10,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa L. DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,delauro,https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) called for a pause in the Israel-Hamas war to facilitate the disbursement of humanitarian aid to Gaza and the release of hostages: “Twenty-three days ago, Israel faced the most devastating terrorist attack in its history. Over 1,400 Israelis were killed and over 5,000 were injured. Hamas’s surprise attack inflicted horrific violence on innocent civilians, forever separated families, and resulted in the capture of over 200 hostages – some of which are Americans. Hamas’s attack has created a humanitarian crisis for civilians living in Gaza. That is why I am calling for a humanitarian pause in the fighting to allow for the restoration of power and water in the region and the rapid, safe, and uninterrupted distribution of humanitarian aid, including food, water, medicine, and fuel, to innocent civilians. I am also urging the unconditional release of all remaining hostages. “I strongly believe that we must end Hamas’s ongoing terror in the region to create a lasting peace. Everyone will be hurt if Hamas remains in control of Gaza. However, this war is against Hamas. The Palestinian people are not Hamas, and they sadly have lost communities, neighborhoods, and loved ones because of this conflict and Hamas’s atrocities. I strongly believe Israel has the right to defend itself and protect its citizens in accordance with international law.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-statement-congressman-earl-blumenauer,DeLauro Statement on Congressman Earl Blumenauer,2023-10-31,2023,2023-10,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa L. DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,delauro,https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"NEW HAVEN, CT – Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement on Congressman Earl Blumenauer’s (OR-03) announcement that he will not seek re-election for the 119th Congress: “Since coming to Congress in 1996, Congressman Earl Blumenauer has been a tireless advocate for the people of Oregon, and before that as a State representative, County Commissioner, and City Councilman. Earl was also one of my closest partners in Congress, and a dear friend. “He has been a creative and effective legislator, leading with intelligence and passion. As the Chairman of the Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee, he successfully fought to ensure that American workers and the environment were protected in the U.S. Mexico Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA)—which I was proud to have worked alongside him for as part of the USMCA Working Group. In addition to leading on trade issues, Earl has been a champion for rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure, protecting public lands, taking action on climate change, and addressing criminal justice reform. And of course, his leadership of the Congressional Bike Caucus helped bring the issue of safer streets to the center of how Congress thinks about transportation.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=C94493E3-1235-4439-8D27-90DEC28E1C39,"Hayes, Blumenthal, Murphy Announce $11.6 Million In Federal Funding for Meriden Flood Resilience Project",2023-10-31,2023,2023-10,Democrat,House,CT,Jahana Hayes,H001081,hayes.house.gov,hayes,https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WATERBURY – Today, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) and U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) announced two federal grants for the Fifth District from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) totaling $11,645,250. The funding will help alleviate the flooding of Harbor Brook in the City of Meriden. ""I am pleased the City of Meriden will receive over $11 million in FEMA funding for the Harbor Brook Flood Resilience project. The grant will cover 75% of the cost of the project and fund ongoing efforts to reduce flooding along Harbor Brook. An additional $480,000 was also awarded to support staff assigned to the project, "" said Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05). ""Meriden is no stranger to flooding and residents know the devastating impacts flooding has on communities. Efforts like this by the Biden Administration are felt directly by communities most affected."" “This federal funding will help address the longtime issue of flooding that has impacted Meriden for over a century. I applaud FEMA for supporting this critical mitigation project along Harbor Brook – helping to revitalize Meriden’s downtown and making the city more resilient to flooding. I have long advocated for flood mitigation funds for Meriden and will continue to support their efforts to make the city safer for residents,” said Senator Blumenthal (D-CT). “This project to mitigate flooding along Harbor Brook has been in the works for a very long time, and I’m glad this $11.6 million in federal funding will help get it across the finish line. It’s going to make a major difference for the homes and local businesses that are constantly at risk of flood damage in downtown Meriden. As Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee that funds FEMA, I’ll continue pushing to support programs that help towns in Connecticut become more resilient,” said Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT). The funding from FEMA will support $11,165,250 million of the City’s $14.7 million total project cost. The project includes channel realignment and profile adjustment, removing two undersized bridges that constrict water flow, floodproofing buildings along the river, creating riparian floodplain and wildlife habitat, modifying impacted utilities, and installing a waterfront trail system. An additional $480,000 grant from FEMA will fund costs for the administration and management of this project. Improvements will be made along an 1,800 foot stretch of Harbor Brook spanning from Cooper Street in downtown Meriden to the Amtrak railroad near Colony Street. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=A2A924E3-025F-4CC2-8CC9-E574B03B6952,"Hayes, Connecticut Congressional Delegation Announce More Than $1.7 Million for Traffic and Road Safety Improvements and Studies",2023-10-30,2023,2023-10,Democrat,House,CT,Jahana Hayes,H001081,hayes.house.gov,hayes,https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WATERBURY – Today, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05), U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) and U.S. Representatives John B. Larson (D-CT), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), and Jim Himes (D-CT) announced $1.74 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to support six traffic safety projects across Connecticut, including more than $400,000 for two Fifth District projects in the Naugatuck Valley and the Town of Newtown. The funds are awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program established to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. Traffic fatalities are the leading cause of death for Americans under 54, killing over 100 people every day. “The historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocated $5 billion to the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program. Connecticut will receive over $1 million to address critical roadway issues and make our communities safer,” said Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05). “The Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments has been awarded over $300,000 to support the Vision Zero Action Plan, aimed at reducing deaths and serious injuries from traffic crashes, and Newtown is set to receive $80,000 to help create a transportation safety action plan. We fought hard for this win. Now, residents in my district will see change in their communities.” “More people are dying on Connecticut’s roadways than ever before, and this $1.7 million in federal funding will help towns plan and make serious safety improvements to prevent these senseless tragedies from occurring,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal. “These critical projects target traffic and roadway issues at the local level so that Connecticut motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists can feel safer on the roads.” “Every year during my Walk across the state, I’m reminded of how many roads in Connecticut are unsafe for pedestrians. It’s unacceptable that pedestrian fatalities in our state are at a 40-year high when we know how to prevent these deaths. This $1.75 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help towns across the state develop actionable plans to make their streets safer for pedestrians, bikers, and drivers,” said Senator Chris Murphy. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was not only about rebuilding America’s crumbling infrastructure, it was about improving transportation safety,” said Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03). “Accident rates in Connecticut are on the rise, and residents need safer communities. With this funding, the Naugatuck Council of Government will begin to enact their Vision Zero Action Plan which will create more accessible and inclusive transportation options aimed at making our communities walkable, healthy, and safer while supporting growth and opportunity."" Our state has lost hundreds of drivers, passengers, and pedestrians to tragic roadway incidents over the last two years,” said Congressman John Larson (CT-01). “The Connecticut delegation worked hard to secure funding in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to make traffic safety improvements that will save lives. These resources will allow West Hartford, Winchester, and Newington to adopt community-wide approaches to ensure safety on the roads, including through new infrastructure upgrades and technologies.” “Safer streets will make commuting more accessible, equitable, and enjoyable for Connecticut residents,” said Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04). “I’m thrilled that the Town of Greenwich and the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments are receiving federal funds to develop plans that prioritize preventing traffic accidents and providing safe roads for pedestrians and bikers.” The funding announced today will support the following regional and local projects: $320,064 to the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments for the NVCOG Vision Zero Action Plan Update $200,000 to the Town of Winchester for the SS4A Action Plan for the Town of Winchester $80,000 to the Town of Newington for the SS4A Supplemental Planning Grant for the Cedar Street Corridor $80,000 to the Town of Newtown for the Newtown Comprehensive Safe Streets Community Action Plan $400,000 to the Town of Greenwich for the SS4A Planning Grant to Create A Transportation Safety Action Plan $669,007 for the Town of West Hartford for the Speed Management Pilot Program The SS4A program supports the goal of zero deaths and serious injuries on our nation’s roadways. This comes at a time when traffic fatalities are at the highest level in decades. Previously, in November of 2021, Congresswoman Hayes voted to pass the historic bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) aimed to create high-paying jobs, and help to repair and improve Connecticut's highways, bridges, rail, public transportation, and water infrastructure. In February of 2023, the Congresswoman joined the Connecticut delegation to announce more than $2.4 million in funding from the IIJA would go toward six traffic safety projects across Connecticut – including $200,000 for the city of Torrington to develop a comprehensive safety action plan. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/courtney-applauds-president-bidens-support-relief-farmers-impacted,"Courtney, Larson, DeLauro, Balint Applaud President Biden’s Support for Relief for Farmers Impacted by Severe Weather",2023-10-27,2023,2023-10,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,courtney,https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"NORWICH, CT - Today, Reps. Joe Courtney (CT-02), John B. Larson (CT-01), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), and Becca Balint (VT-AL) applauded President Biden for heeding their calls to deliver emergency relief to help northeast farmers recover from devastating crop damage and loss they faced due to severe frost and flooding earlier this year. “This past year, our farmers dealt with hours of record-freezing temperatures in May – right during our peak growing season – only to have extreme flooding impacting those same operations less than two months later. These same family farms were impacted by a serious drought last summer that caused significant losses, all while the agriculture industry as a whole tried to recover from the changing economy and world after the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s why last year, I led the Connecticut delegation in securing emergency disaster assistance for our farmers, and this year, I again worked with my colleagues in Connecticut to lead the charge in securing a commitment from the Biden Administration to support emergency disaster assistance for agricultural producers,” said Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-02). “Due to the severe weather we faced earlier this year, many farms have lost hundreds of acres of crops and people have been put out of work,” said Larson. “Existing federal programs are not enough to meet the needs of New England farms. I worked with Connecticut farmers and my colleagues across the region to find a solution that meets the moment and am thrilled to announce President Biden’s support for direct, emergency relief. It is now up to Congress to act swiftly to approve his request. Our farmers have waited long enough to get the relief they need and deserve.” “Farmers in Connecticut are experiencing widespread harm due to recent extreme weather events such as severe drought and unprecedented flooding,” said Congresswoman DeLauro. “As Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, I was pleased the President included this relief in his supplemental funding request to Congress. I will fight to secure federal support for the USDA Emergency Relief Program, which provides relief to our farmers in the form of financial assistance and expedited disaster relief payments. I will continue to work with our local communities and farmers to ensure that they get the help they need to rebuild, recover, and move forward. This issue is critical to my district and to our region’s agriculture industry."" “After this year's severe weather and devastating floods, New England farmers need resources to fight climate change and protect their land,” said Rep. Becca Balint. “The President’s requested support is critical in Vermont’s response and recovery process. I’m proud to join my colleagues in applauding the President’s support for emergency aid and now it’s time for Congress to step up and approve this request.” New England farms faced more than $50 million in damage as a result of frost and severe flooding earlier this year, impacting approximately 4,000 acres of farmland in Connecticut, and over 27,000 acres in Vermont. Last week, Larson, Courtney, and Balint led 13 lawmakers requesting President Biden’s support for emergency aid. This week, the President included relief for farmers in the domestic supplemental funding request he sent to Congress. Full text of the lawmakers’ letter is available HERE. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-cammack-courtney-fitzpatrick-introduce-bipartisan-resolution-0,"DeLauro, Cammack, Courtney, Fitzpatrick Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Honoring the Nation’s First Responders Day",2023-10-27,2023,2023-10,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa L. DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,delauro,https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Today, U.S. Representatives Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03), Kat Cammack (R-FL-03), Joe Courtney (D-CT-02), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) introduced a resolution celebrating October 28 as Honoring the Nation’s First Responders Day. “When Americans find themselves in an emergency and in need of assistance, it is our nation’s first responders who stand on the front line ready to respond,” said Congresswoman DeLauro. “Whether they be firefighters, emergency medical technician, paramedics, or our brave law enforcement officers, first responders hold communities together, protect neighborhoods, and save lives. I am glad to lead my colleagues on a bipartisan resolution celebrating Honoring the Nation’s First Responders Day.” “I’m honored to lead this resolution with my colleagues to honor our first responders. As the wife of a firefighter/paramedic and SWAT medic, this resolution is personal for me,” said Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL-03). “The men and women of our first responder community across the nation work tirelessly to keep our communities safe. They run toward danger when the rest of us run away from it and we should be tremendously grateful for their service and sacrifices each day. Imagining a world without them isn’t possible, and we thank you for all you do and will always stand with you.” “First responders, whether providing support after a natural disaster or caring for communities after tragic events like we saw this week in Maine, are the first on the scene to assist their communities in times of duress, said Rep. Courtney (CT-02). “I continue to advocate for the necessary resources for our First Responders to carry out their mission and stay safe on the job. This Resolution is merely a display of gratitude and appreciation for our some of our most critical community partners.” “As a formal federal law enforcement officer and former EMT, I know that our firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical technicians, and paramedics are often the first to arrive and the last to leave the scene of any emergency,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick, co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus. “Without question, the millions of heroic Americans that serve and risk their lives for our communities in this way each day deserve our appreciation. I am glad to join my colleagues in recognizing the contribution and public service of our first responders, and remain committed to continuing to secure more resources in support of their missions.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=8F763919-A684-4B23-86D0-F8FF75E03859,Hayes Joins Task Force Effort to Push Republican Leadership to Address the Gun Violence Epidemic,2023-10-27,2023,2023-10,Democrat,House,CT,Jahana Hayes,H001081,hayes.house.gov,hayes,https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05), the Deputy Whip of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, signed a letter urging action on legislation to prevent gun violence. For years, Congresswoman Hayes and House Democrats have worked with survivors of gun violence, prioritized gun safety, and introduced legislation to make communities safer. Following the mass shooting in Maine, Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, responded saying, “This is a dark time in America. …Prayer is appropriate in a time like this.” Speaker Johnson also averted questions on gun legislation he would support and said now “is not the time to be talking about legislation.” In 2023 Congresswoman Hayes: Led the reintroduction of the Handgun Permit to Purchase Act, legislation to incentivize state and local governments to implement permit to purchase laws that require individuals to obtain a license before purchasing a handgun. Introduced the School Shooting Safety and Preparedness Act to allow the public and policymakers to gain a complete, accurate picture of gun violence in and around school campuses and provide actionable data to help prevent these tragic incidents. Signed three discharge petitions to force a vote on common sense gun violence prevention measures – the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, Enhanced Background Checks Act, and the Assault Weapons Ban. It is far past time, but not too late, to address the issue of gun violence. Congresswoman Hayes joined fellow members of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force leadership team to release a statement which says in part, “Under the Republican-led House of Representatives, there have been ZERO votes on bills that would protect our communities from the impact of gun violence…In the last Congress, House Democrats passed 11 gun violence prevention bills ranging from the Bipartisan Background Checks Act and a federal Red Flag Law to an Assault Weapon Ban and stronger safe storage laws. House Democrats have been tirelessly working to keep our communities safe,” Read the full statement from Gun Violence Prevention Task Force leadership here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/courtney-sullivan-durbin-gallagher-host-prime-minister-albanese-meeting,"Courtney, Sullivan, Durbin, Gallagher Host Prime Minister Albanese for Meeting with Congressional Leaders, Members",2023-10-26,2023,2023-10,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,courtney,https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Friends of Australia Caucus, led by Reps. Joe Courtney and Mike Gallagher, and Sens. Dan Sullivan and Dick Durbin, hosted Prime Minister Albanese of Australia for a breakfast meeting with House and Senate Committee leaders on Armed Services and Foreign Affairs. This was an opportunity for top Congressional leaders with jurisdiction over different parts of the AUKUS mission to have a dialogue with the Prime Minister on efforts to execute the trilateral security agreement. Following the meeting, the Co-Chairs hosted over 60 members of the House and Senate for a reception to hear directly from and meet the Prime Minister. “Prime Minister Albanese’s trip to Capitol Hill was critical in emphasizing the importance of the AUKUS enabling legislation that came out of the ‘Optimal Pathway’, which was announced by the three heads of government last March. As Prime Minister Albanese said in this morning’s meeting, there’s a true bipartisan commitment to AUKUS in Australia. The strong showing of Members from both parties across the House and Senate, as well as Committee leaders responsible for advancing AUKUS legislation, underscores that there is also a strong bipartisan commitment in the U.S. Congress to execute this vital security agreement. I look forward to building on the momentum that was very clear this morning and advance enabling legislation through this year’s National Defense Authorization Act,” Rep. Joe Courtney said (D-CT). “It is an honor to host the Prime Minister of Australia, one of America’s closest allies and a vital a partner in the pursuit of a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific,” Senator Sullivan said (R-AK). “Our countries face the most dangerous period since World War II, led by a new axis of authoritarian aggressors—the dictators in Moscow, Tehran, and Beijing. To succeed in this challenging environment, America and Australia must take advantage of the extraordinary advantages we have relative to these dictatorships: our lethal militaries, our world-class resources, our dynamic economies, our global network of allies, our democratic values and our commitment to liberty. If we stand firmly together in countering this axis, I am convinced we will succeed.” “Prime Minister Albanese’s visit allows us to celebrate over 100 years of U.S.-Australia ‘mateship,’ bound by shared values and a commitment to democracy and international rule of law. As a Co-Chair of the Friends of Australia Caucus, I have been pleased to support the AUKUS partnership, which will develop cutting-edge capabilities mutually beneficial to the U.S., Australia, and the UK. With so many global challenges, it is reassuring to have friends like Australia to stand with us and I look forward to our diplomatic partnership for years to come,” Senator Durbin said (D-IL). “The AUKUS alliance is a game-changer that will play a critical role in deterring CCP aggression and protecting the Free World’s interests in the Indo-Pacific. Today’s meeting demonstrated the bipartisan and bicameral support for building on the successes of this alliance by taking steps to enhance our submarine industrial base for our subsea goals and reform ITAR. We have no more trustworthy nor capable ally than our mates in Australia and must move with a sense of urgency to ensure the AUKUS framework has the tools and resources it needs to reach the next level,” Rep. Gallagher said (R-WI).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/child-labor-violations-skyrocket-delauro-casey-murray-introduce,"As Child Labor Violations Skyrocket, DeLauro, Casey, Murray, Introduce Legislation to Combat Child Labor Exploitation",2023-10-26,2023,2023-10,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa L. DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,delauro,https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"New datashow companies employed 5,792 children in violation of child labor law in FY23 Since 2019, child labor violations have increased roughly 88 percent New bill would strengthen labor law, give Department of Labor greater enforcement power Today, U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-3) along with U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Patty Murray (D-WA) introduced legislation to protect children from exploitative child labor practices and hold the companies and individuals who take advantage of them accountable. The Children Harmed in Life-threatening or Dangerous(CHILD) Labor Act strengthens our ability to combat child labor by cracking down on employers who violate child labor laws with stronger penalties and allowing children who have been seriously injured to sue their employers. The bill also expands child labor provisions to hold suppliers and subcontractors throughout the supply chain responsible and authorizes the Department of Labor to label goods that are produced with child labor. “Since 2019, we have seen a substantial increase in child labor violations. As Top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, I have been committed to giving the Department of Labor the necessary resources to investigate these incidents and have fought for increases at the Department’s Wage and Hour Division and the Office of the Solicitor to ensure oversight officials can investigate child labor violation claims,” said Congresswoman DeLauro. “Many of these children come from vulnerable backgrounds and are being taken advantage of by a system that should be taking care of them. These children are usually invisible in their communities, work long hours for little to no pay, and are frequently abused and deprived of any chance to play or go to school. The need is clear: we need legislation to safeguard children from exploitative labor practices that hurt their development and strip them of a childhood. Children do not belong in factories working for companies under oppressive conditions. The CHILDLabor Act would strengthen child labor laws and hold companies that exploit the labor of children accountable.” “Children do not belong in factories or working during hours when they should be studying, spending time with their families, or simply being children. Yet too many bad actors get away with forcing kids to work long hours and under dangerous conditions,” said Senator Casey. “It is long past time we bring our child labor laws into the 21stcentury and fight back against the employers, contractors, and subcontractors that violate them.” “Over the past few years, we have seen an alarming rise in instances of illegal and dangerous child labor—last year, a record number of businesses in Washington state were cited for childlabor violations. We’re talking about kids, many of them migrant children, in abusive and extraordinarily dangerous work environments; kids working the night shift around heavy equipment and in unsafe conditions with no real recourse when they are harmed, and barely any accountability on the part of companies who break child labor law. This has to change,” said Senator Murray.“I’m grateful for the serious reporting that has helped shine a light on this growing problem, and the many victims who have courageously come forward to share their stories—but it’s going to take real action at the federal level to crack down on illegal and exploitative childlabor, which has in many cases caused gruesome injuries and even death. This is about protecting vulnerable children from exploitation and abuse—there’s no reason Congress shouldn’t be able to act.” Since becoming the Top Democrat on the Labor Health and Human Services Appropriations subcommittee, DeLauro has increased funding for the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor – the agency responsible for the enforcement of child labor violations – by $31 million. In April 2023, she led a Member-level briefing on the current state of child labor with principals from the Department of Labor. Congresswoman DeLauro, a founding member of the Child Labor Prevention Task Force, also previously introduced the Children Don’t Belong on Tobacco Farms Act. This legislation would prohibit children under the age of 18 from workingin tobacco fields and coming into direct contact with tobacco plants or dried tobacco leaves by deeming this type of work as oppressive child labor. She has been fighting to stop the abuse of companies that exploit children for their labor. The CHILD Labor Act would protect children by enhancing the Fair Labor Standards Act to hold liable contractors or subcontractors for child labor violations in the same manner as the employer who employs the oppressive child labor; increase the civil penalty amount for childlabor violations from $11,000 to $151,380—or 10 times the inflation adjusted amount; increase the criminal penalty fine from $10,000 to $750,000; require any person who violates child labor provisions to be liable to each employee affected by the violation in an amount no less than $75,000; and require federal contracts to contain child labor provisions that prohibit the use of oppressive child labor. The legislation would also authorize the Secretary of Labor to affix warning labels to goods manufactured with oppressive child labor, to issue a stop work order to any person in violation of child labor provisions, and require the Secretary to report to Congress data and recommendations concerning overall trends for work-related injuries, illnesses, or deaths to congress on an annual basis. The bill is endorsed by the National Employment Law Project (NELP), ChildLabor Coalition, National Consumers League, and the Center for Law & Social Policy (CLASP).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/icymi-groton-ct-serves-national-example-us-training-system,"ICYMI: Groton, CT Serves as National Example of US Training System",2023-10-25,2023,2023-10,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,courtney,https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Bloomberg featured how Groton, CT has successfully leveraged the federal workforce training system—the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)—to help workers in eastern Connecticut gain in-demand skills and help employers, like Electric Boat, recruit qualified candidates into rewarding careers. As a senior member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, Congressman Courtney has been a champion for WIOA and has worked to increase federal funding for WIOA programs to expand their reach. Bloomberg Law: Worker Skills Gap Fuels Fight Over $3 Billion US Training System Rebecca Rainey and Diego Areas Munhoz Bloomberg Law The air inside the Groton, Conn., classroom where Givens Louis-Jean clutched a blow torch hung even thicker than the September heatwave simmering outside. Still, Louis-Jean felt blessed. This welding class was more rewarding than his last job, as a mover, or the community college courses he looked back on as a waste of time. “They weren’t teaching me something I was going to use in life,” he explained, sparks flying, as he welded two pieces of metal. Completing his 10-week training will earn Louis-Jean a job interview at General Dynamics Electric Boat, a local submarine manufacturer. The 20-year-old is among nearly 4,000 workers hired into such jobs over the last six years through eastern Connecticut’s Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative, in trades that on average pay close to $31 an hour. Programs like the Pipeline Initiative only exist because of federal funding through a little-known law called the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which sets up and funds local boards to help train and place skilled workers. Passed in 2014, it combined federal training programs dating back decades; these days, more than $3 billion flows through the system. Before the battle over an elected speaker paralyzed the House, lawmakers were working to reauthorize the law, even as skeptics questioned the effectiveness of a program originally intended to be the country’s workforce development backbone. Between 2019 and mid-2020, about 30% of the enrollees in WIOA’s core programs were still looking for work months after finishing their training, its records show. For the plan year ending July 2021—the latest year on record, but also one upended by the pandemic—nearly 60% of the participants struggled to find work. Democrats and Republicans have diverged on the best path forward for the program, but lawmakers on both sides share concerns about how much of its funding is spent exclusively for training, a lack of accountability, and just too much bureaucracy. “We can improve outcomes by cutting back the wasteful and inefficient bureaucracy,” Rep. Burgess Owens (R-Utah.) said during a September hearing on WIOA. The review comes as employers are desperate for high-skilled workers in a competitive labor market still churning from the effects of the pandemic. US job openings rose to 9.6 million at the beginning of September, with postings increasing in manufacturing sectors. The long-held thinking that a four-year college degree is the pathway to economic success is also being challenged as states and businesses drop degree requirements and major companies like IBM Corp. and Boeing Co. urge Congress to invest in reskilling the American workforce. With the House struggles over its leadership and government funding, passage of major pieces of legislation in the coming months remains an open question. But a carefully crafted WIOA reauthorization could fulfill employers’ voracious search for new workers, and revamp the job pipeline to serve an economy experiencing major shifts stirred by technology, Democratic Rep. Joe Courtney said. “Part of that problem is the skills gap, and what’s the most efficient way to close it? ” said Courtney, who represents the Connecticut district where the manufacturing pipeline has thrived. “I’m all for higher education and all that. But there’s just no question that WIOA can, in a pretty rapid way, help solve that problem.” Reagan-Era Roots The law we now call WIOA was the successor of the Workforce Investment Act signed in 1998 by President Bill Clinton, which itself replaced a Reagan-era workforce development system. Broadly, the goal of each has been the same: deliver job training through a network of “workforce boards” composed of representatives from local businesses, unions, government, and other groups—people with their fingers on the pulse of their community’s specific economic needs. In eastern Connecticut, for instance, the 28-member board and council includes elected mayors and selectmen, as well as a technical high school principal, a pharmaceuticals executive, the head of a local carpenters’ union, and a bank vice president. On top of that, there’s a management staff of 12. The boards help establish and manage local job centers, the brick-and-mortar locations where staffers help unemployed or under-employed workers with every job-related need, from unemployment insurance to veteran benefits. Eligible applicants choose from a list of training providers and programs that have been approved by their local board. Once a job-seeker starts their training, the board deposits funds to cover the cost of the classes for that student in what’s known as their “individual training account.” But getting the dollars allocated by Congress down to trainees like Louis-Jean is an unwieldy process. The billions set aside annually for the program run through the US Department of Labor, which takes a share for administrative expenses then allocates the rest to states based on metrics like population and unemployment rates. From there, governors first take 15% of the funds for their statewide workforce development initiatives and divide the rest among the local boards, who decide which training programs to support. How much they spend on actual skills training, versus ancillary services designed to help job-seekers, is up to them. Of the roughly $3 billion set aside for 2021 primarily for youth and adult workforce development under WIOA, only $547 million went directly to training services. Another $1.3 billion was spent on “career services,” which include intake at a job center, verifying an individual’s eligiblity for training, and job searching, among other assistance, according to DOL records. The myriad of steps and lack of effective performance measures for the program has sparked complaints that it’s gotten too bloated and is slowed by bureaucratic hurdles. “Overly prescriptive requirements act like a wet blanket on the whole system, stifling modernization, flexibility, and efficiency,” said Burgess, a member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. For example, an audit released last month by the DOL’s inspector general found that federal officials failed to ensure that New Jersey workforce boards were verifying that all recipients and training providers of more than $100 million of the state’s WIOA funding were actually eligible for the money. Of particular concern, two New Jersey programs had no system in place to document how they spent more than $6.9 million in WIOA grants, according to the report. The size and scope of the local workforce boards is another problem, said Rosemary Lahasky, senior director of government affairs at education technology group Cengage. WIOA requires boards to have specific kinds of members, but doesn’t dictate how many. That’s resulted in boards with too many participants, which makes decision-making more inefficient, she added. The physical jurisdictions covered by each workforce board are also outdated and might not reflect current market needs, according to Lahasky, who served on the House Education and the Workforce panel during the 2014 WIOA passage. Businesses, schools, and other groups that want to offer training under WIOA must also navigate a patchwork of confusing and sometimes conflicting state-by-state eligibility rules. Further muddying the picture is the lack of clear and uniform performance measures. The Labor Department’s Employment and Training Administration this year waived performance measure requirements to allow state agencies more time to implement pieces of the law—nearly a decade after its passage. The administration said it was concerned the baseline data it had planned to collect from states wouldn’t present “consistently reliable results,” which some saw as reinforcing the program’s flaws. “The Department of Labor cannot and should not be putting out guidance that says ‘Hey, by the way, we’re going to waive some performance measures because we need an orderly transition from a law that was passed nine years ago,’” said John Pallasch, who ran the DOL training office during the Trump administration. “I can’t overstate enough what message that sends to the states: Hey, performance isn’t that important. Don’t worry about it.’ ” Powering a Community Nestled along Connecticut’s Thames River, the town of Groton is home to a little over 9,000 residents. Electric Boat Company, founded in 1899 and incorporated into General Dynamics in the 1950s, built US warships during both World Wars, and now, several ballistic-missile submarine projects for the Navy. The stream of military contracts creates a constant need for skilled workers. Those economic forces led the company in 2016 to partner with the Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board, which connected Electric Boat with Three Rivers Community College and other local schools to provide the training. From there, the Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative was born. “We could not be hiring the numbers of people that we are without it,” said Courtney Murphy, director of talent acquisition, workforce development and compensation at Electric Boat. Program classes cover skills ranging from welding, machining, and shipbuilding to planning and design, said Bret Jacobson, director of the apprenticeship center involved in the manufacturing pipeline program. “A lot of the skills are transferable,” he added. Michael Nogelo, president of eastern Connecticut’s workforce investment board, said it receives funding from different streams—including Defense Department programs—but WIOA funding is the foundational structure for all of its job training. Connecticut as a whole will receive a little more than $35 million for WIOA’s core job training programs in 2023. Leaders behind the Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative acknowledged that the job demand from Electric Boat has been key to their success. “It’s not going to succeed if you’re trying to fill 100 jobs,” said Chris Jewell, president of a steel fabrication supplier for Electric Boat and a member of the local workforce board. “You’ve got to be trying to fill thousands of jobs for it to succeed.” Looking Ahead The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hasn’t examined much of WIOA this year, so all eyes are on the House. There, the Education and the Workforce Committee has held several WIOA hearings, and a Republican aide said a draft of the reauthorization bill could come this fall. Democrats and Republicans agree on the need to reform training provider lists, minimize the bureaucracy, and ensure more funding for actual job training, as opposed to other services for trainees. Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) also wants to impose more accountability measures and shrink the bureaucratic pipeline to avoid waste. Under WIOA, states are supposed to be subject to corrective actions, even fiscal sanctions, for failing to meet defined performance metrics. Some haven’t been held to those standards and still are allowed to participate, committee Republicans say. Researchers at the Harvard Project Workforce also highlighted concerns this year with the lack of reliable performance data being collected by the federal government. “The net result is a highly fragmented system, where strong programs are not differentiated from weak ones, and where incentives for high-performing providers to participate in WIOA are limited,” wrote researchers David Deming, Alexis Gable, Rachel Lipson, and Arkādijs Zvaigzne. They said that ensuring quality in WIOA training programs would require “more frequent communication with local providers, including site visits,” a prospect that would require more time and money. Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.) is focused on making the WIOA individual training accounts mandatory spending in the federal budget, which would eliminate a future need for Congress to reauthorize the law and almost certainly lead to annual increases in program funding. Vice President Kamala Harris introduced legislation that would have made individual training accounts mandatory spending when she represented California in the Senate, but the bill never gained traction. Current leaders at the DOL’s training administration say they’re eager to work with lawmakers on a reauthorization, acknowledging some of the concerns raised by the program’s critics. “There’s a reason why this bill needs to be reauthorized every every five years,” Brent Parton, ETA’s acting assistant secretary, said in an interview. “Last time it was signed we were in a very different labor market, a very different economy than we are now. And if this is the nation’s premier workforce investment system, we need to constantly be reevaluating at the federal, at the state, and the local level.” WIOA doesn’t deliver the workforce training by itself, it’s merely a “funding mechanism,” Parton emphasized, adding that it’s dependent on “high-quality” training programs being formed through partnerships at the local level. The outlook for a WIOA reauthorization still is rosier than it has been in recent years. “It’s a top issue for companies across the country, so I just think there’s a lot of things behind this to help this get across the line,” said Lahasky. What’s unclear is how significant the changes will be, particularly with the uncertainty in Congress. House Republicans have been reluctant to increase government funding, and would be very skeptical of a new mandatory spending program. Without a reauthorization and broader reforms to WIOA, programs like the Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative will have to work with fewer resources each year as inflation eats away at at the flat funding provided by Congress. And some much-needed training programs may never get off the ground. In Groton, those relying on the training funds worry that Washington will slow them down. “Don’t mess with WIOA here,” Jacobson said, “because it works.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-courtney-election-new-house-speaker,Rep. Courtney on Election of New House Speaker,2023-10-25,2023,2023-10,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,courtney,https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) issued the following statement following the election of Mike Johnson as the 56th Speaker of the House—the third in line for President of the United States. “As critical priorities stack up, like passing a federal budget and delivering aid to our allies Ukraine and Israel, it is blindingly obvious that we need a Speaker of the House who understands that a bipartisan approach is the only way a divided Congress can meet these challenges successfully. “For example, last May, a coalition of Democrats and Republicans came together to avert a catastrophic default on the full faith and credit of our Treasury notes. More recently, a similar coalition came together in September to keep the federal government open until November 17. “Over the last 22 days, Leader Jeffries, with my support, offered to join hands with the Republican majority to create a bipartisan path forward for a basic level of communication and collaboration to achieve stability. “With the election of Speaker Mike Johnson, it is not clear that path will be followed. I certainly reaffirm that the offer still stands. I hope as the serious mantle of his new role sinks in, he will understand that to be successful he must rise above polarized factionalism that has bedeviled the 118th Congress.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-statement-new-speaker-house-mike-johnson,DeLauro Statement on New Speaker of the House Mike Johnson,2023-10-25,2023,2023-10,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa L. DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,delauro,https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) released a statement after Congressman Mike Johnson (R-LA-04) was elected Speaker of the House by the Republican Conference. “For 22 days the House has been frozen because of House Republicans’ inability to elect a Speaker of the House. For 22 days, we have been unable to consider legislation that would lower the cost of living, support our democratic allies in Israel and Ukraine, or secure our border. The government runs out of funding on November 17, and House Republicans have wasted time we could have spent legislating. “Finally, after nearly a month of chaos, House Republicans have chosen to elevate to the office of Speaker of the House one of their more extreme members, Mike Johnson. This is someone once described as the ‘most important architect’ of the Electoral College challenge to Biden being elected President. These were the same objections that challenged President Biden’s legitimate election to President and gave rise to the Capitol attack on January 6. “As a Member of Congress, Johnson pushed for extreme policies that undermine the rights of Americans. He voted to overturn the election of Joe Biden. He co-sponsored an amendment that would ban abortion in all 50 states, even in the case of rape. And he has said, the effort to balance the federal budget must include addressing the cost of Social Security and Medicare. “But I welcome an end to the chaos and hope that we will get back to the budget agreement and both parties and both the House and Senate working to pass bipartisan appropriation bills. “Government funding legislation runs through November 17. It will require Democrats and Republicans to work across the aisle in both the House and Senate to ensure we fund the government for 2024. I will work with Speaker Johnson where I can, and I will push back strongly on policies that would hurt hard-working Americans.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=5FF57C98-37DA-4C3D-8B2D-22A418F26222,Hayes Joins Connecticut Delegation to Announce $72 Million in Low-income Heating Assistance Funding for Connecticut,2023-10-25,2023,2023-10,Democrat,House,CT,Jahana Hayes,H001081,hayes.house.gov,hayes,https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) and Members of the Connecticut Congressional delegation announced Connecticut will receive $72,081,189 from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) ahead of winter. “Ahead of the winter season, many low-income families in Connecticut are wondering how they will heat their homes. I am happy that Connecticut will receive over $72 million in Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding,"" said Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05). ""This assistance will ease one of the many burdens expressed by underserved communities and allow them to prioritize other bills. I will continue to advocate for additional funding for this vital resource which is proven to lower utility costs and prevent shut-offs across our state.” “This $72 million is desperately needed and arriving at just the right time. In Connecticut and across the nation, there is surging demand for heating assistance,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal. “I am thrilled HHS released these funds so that Connecticut families can keep the heat on as temperatures drop ahead of winter. No family should have to choose between staying warm through the winter or putting food on the table.” “Thousands of Connecticut families and seniors rely on LIHEAP to keep their lights on and their homes warm when temperatures drop. Every winter, we see a surge in demand for this program, and as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I’m focused on securing as much funding as possible to ensure Connecticut families don’t have to choose between paying their energy bill and putting food on the table. This $72 million is just the first batch of funding our state will receive, and I’ll continue to work with my colleagues in the delegation to make sure families in Connecticut stay safe and warm this winter,” said Senator Murphy. “The rising cost of living puts a squeeze on families’ finances, forcing them to make difficult choices between putting food on the table, keeping the lights on, or ensuring they can heat their homes during the colder months,” said Congresswoman DeLauro (CT-03). “LIHEAP gives families needed financial security. As Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, I am proud to have secured $72 million for the program to help Connecticut families keep their heat on. LIHEAP ensures their homes stay warm during the winter months and that they can continue to provide for their families without having to make difficult decisions between what bills to pay or not to pay. I will note this is the only first allocation of LIHEAP funding, and I am committed to working with my Congressional colleagues and our state partners to provide additional resources so no household goes cold this winter.” “As temperatures drop, LIHEAP funding is a lifeline for thousands of Connecticut families to heat their homes,” said Congressman Larson. “While House Republicans continue to propose deep cuts to LIHEAP and other critical programs, the Connecticut delegation has worked hard to secure funding so households in our state have the support they need to keep the heat on this fall and winter. We will keep fighting for the resources Connecticut needs for residents to stay warm and in their homes without breaking the bank.” “LIHEAP is an essential lifeline that helps many eastern Connecticut residents lower their energy costs in the winter. With colder months around the corner, we know demand will again be high for this critical help, and today’s announcement will help funding levels meet the demands of those in need. I also encourage Governor Lamont and the state legislature to consider using additional state funds to support the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program if the needs of Connecticut residents exceed the federal LIHEAP allocation.” said Congressman Courtney. “With winter just around the corner, this $72 million of LIHEAP funding offers critical assistance to those struggling to afford their energy bills. Adequate heating is a necessity, not a luxury, and I am proud to help deliver this federal support to ensure all of Connecticut’s residents are able to stay safe and warm through the colder months.” said Congressman Jim Himes. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Office of Community Services (OCS) at the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), announced the release of $3.7 billion in LIHEAP funding to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, three territories, and more than 125 tribes. This amount includes the regular block grant appropriation and an additional $100 million appropriated from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Connecticut was awarded a total of $72,081,189 to assist low-income families ahead of the winter season. This includes: $70,040,439 from the regular LIHEAP block grant funding $2,040,750 in funding appropriated for FY2024 from IIJA ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://himes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=D8E4C0D3-56A5-4BCA-9DCF-E37811A5BFA1,Himes Statement on New Speaker of the House,2023-10-25,2023,2023-10,Democrat,House,CT,James A. Himes,H001047,himes.house.gov,himes,https://himes.house.gov/press-releases,page_html,"Washington, DC — Today, Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04) issued the following statement on the election of Representative Mike Johnson (R-LA) as Speaker of the House of Representatives: “Our country cannot be governed without a Speaker of the House, so I am relieved that Republicans have finally elected a new leader. However, I am deeply concerned by Congressman Mike Johnson’s record of election denial and attacks on reproductive rights. “My top priority remains representing the people of Connecticut’s Fourth District. Despite our ideological differences, I will continue working to find bipartisan compromise wherever it best serves my constituents’ interests.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-03-30T11:08:25Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-courtney-celebrates-new-london-educator-named-connecticuts-teacher,Rep. Courtney Celebrates New London Educator Named Connecticut’s Teacher of the Year,2023-10-24,2023,2023-10,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,courtney,https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) issued the following statement after Governor Lamont and Commissioner Russell-Tucker announced Kiana Foster-Mauro, a fourth-grade teacher at Nathan Hale Arts Magnet School, as the 2024 Connecticut Teacher of the Year – the state’s highest recognition honoring extraordinary teachers. “Congratulations to New London’s own Kiana Foster-Mauro for her well-earned distinction as Connecticut’s Teacher of the Year. This high-honor reflects Ms. Foster-Mauro’s commitment to creating a sense of belonging for her students and ensuring every student can succeed. It also is a testament to the City of New London school system which retooled its magnet schools so successfully,” said Rep. Joe Courtney. “Connecticut has a track-record of excellent educators and school districts across the state which make CT a great place to call home. It’s great to see Ms. Foster-Mauro and Nathan Hale Arts Magnet School continue that tradition of excellence.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/connecticut-delegation-announces-72-million-home-energy-assistance,Connecticut Delegation Announces $72 Million in Home Energy Assistance Funding for State,2023-10-24,2023,2023-10,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa L. DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,delauro,https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Members of Connecticut’s Congressional delegation announced that Connecticut will receive $72,081,189 from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) ahead of the winter season. “The rising cost of living puts a squeeze on families’ finances, forcing them to make difficult choices between putting food on the table, keeping the lights on, or ensuring they can heat their homes during the colder months,” said Congresswoman DeLauro. “LIHEAP gives families needed financial security. As Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, I am proud to have secured $72 million for the program to help Connecticut families keep their heat on. LIHEAP ensures their homes stay warm during the winter months and that they can continue to provide for their families without having to make difficult decisions between what bills to pay or not to pay. I will note this is the only first allocation of LIHEAP funding, and I am committed to working with my Congressional colleagues and our state partners to provide additional resources so no household goes cold this winter.” “This $72 million is desperately needed and arriving at just the right time. In Connecticut and across the nation, there is surging demand for heating assistance,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal. “I am thrilled HHS released these funds so that Connecticut families can keep the heat on as temperatures drop ahead of winter. No family should have to choose between staying warm through the winter or putting food on the table.” “Thousands of Connecticut families and seniors rely on LIHEAP to keep their lights on and their homes warm when temperatures drop. Every winter, we see a surge in demand for this program, and as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I’m focused on securing as much funding as possible to ensure Connecticut families don’t have to choose between paying their energy bill and putting food on the table. This $72 million is just the first batch of funding our state will receive, and I’ll continue to work with my colleagues in the delegation to make sure families in Connecticut stay safe and warm this winter,” said Senator Murphy. “As temperatures drop, LIHEAP funding is a lifeline for thousands of Connecticut families to heat their homes,” said Congressman Larson. “While House Republicans continue to propose deep cuts to LIHEAP and other critical programs, the Connecticut delegation has worked hard to secure funding so households in our state have the support they need to keep the heat on this fall and winter. We will keep fighting for the resources Connecticut needs for residents to stay warm and in their homes without breaking the bank.” “LIHEAP is an essential lifeline that helps many eastern Connecticut residents lower their energy costs in the winter. With colder months around the corner, we know demand will again be high for this critical help, and today’s announcement will help funding levels meet the demands of those in need. I also encourage Governor Lamont and the state legislature to consider using additional state funds to support the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program if the needs of Connecticut residents exceed the federal LIHEAP allocation.” said Congressman Courtney. “With winter just around the corner, this $72 million of LIHEAP funding offers critical assistance to those struggling to afford their energy bills. Adequate heating is a necessity, not a luxury, and I am proud to help deliver this federal support to ensure all of Connecticut’s residents are able to stay safe and warm through the colder months.” said Congressman Jim Himes. “Ahead of the winter season, many low-income families in Connecticut are wondering how they will heat their homes. I am happy that Connecticut will receive over $72 million in Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding,"" said Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05). ""This assistance will ease one of the many burdens expressed by underserved communities and allow them to prioritize other bills. I will continue to advocate for additional funding for this vital resource which is proven to lower utility costs and prevent shut-offs across our state.” The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Office of Community Services (OCS) at the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), announced the release of $3.7 billion in LIHEAP funding to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, three territories, and more than 125 tribes. This amount includes the regular block grant appropriation and an additional $100 million appropriated from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Connecticut was awarded a total of $72,081,189 to assist low-income families ahead of the winter season. This includes:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-courtney-applauds-president-bidens-34b-request-strengthen-submarine,Rep. Courtney Applauds President Biden’s $3.4B Request to Strengthen Submarine Force,2023-10-20,2023,2023-10,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,courtney,https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) issued the following statement after the Biden Administration requested $3.4 billion from Congress to strengthen the U.S. Navy’s submarine fleet and the submarine industrial base. The request is part of a larger national security package to support Ukraine, Israel, the U.S. border, and the Indo Pacific region. “President Biden’s $3.4 billion request to strengthen the Navy’s submarine fleet and our submarine industrial base underscores the Administration’s clear-eyed commitment to growing U.S. undersea supremacy. This request will not only help the industrial base increase production and capacity to ensure the Navy can meet its own fleet requirements but also position the AUKUS mission for success. With Prime Minister Albanese’s official visit to the United States in just a few days, President Biden is proving, once again, that the U.S. has an unwavering commitment to the trilateral security agreement and maintaining peace in the Indo Pacific. “The $3.4 billion request comes after my ongoing work with the U.S. Navy and industry to identify meaningful avenues to direct resources and expand capacity across the enterprise on top of the record investments the Seapower Subcommittee authorized in the submarine industrial base since FY 2018. Those investment have already improved operational availability, expanded the workforce, and strengthened businesses across the supply chain. “I also applaud President Biden’s inclusion of significant resources to bolster our national security at the border, support our allies Ukraine and Israel as they respond to horrific assaults on their nations, and address the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Gaza to help meet civilians’ basic needs. “In order to advance President Biden’s request, my Democratic colleagues and I continue to stand united and ready to negotiate with the Republican majority to find a bipartisan forward and ensure the Republicans’ infighting does not stall this urgent business.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-statement-humanitarian-crisis-gaza,DeLauro Statement on Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza,2023-10-19,2023,2023-10,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa L. DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,delauro,https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Congresswoman DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza: “Israel has our unequivocal support as they seek to defeat Hamas. While they engage in that effort, they should take every precaution to protect innocent lives. As we work to ensure Israel receives the resources it needs to defend itself, I will work to ensure the Palestinian people quickly receive the humanitarian aid they need to survive. “I am glad the Biden administration has announced that it will immediately provide $100 million in humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank. As the Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, I have also given strong support to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the primary agency responsible for Palestinian refugees across the region. In last year’s budget, we were able to secure an additional $75 million to address extraordinary food needs in Gaza. This will help get needed support directly to the innocent and displaced civilians caught in the middle of this conflict, particularly those in southern Gaza, and will ensure they have access to clean water, food, medical care, and other essential needs. “The Palestinian people are not Hamas. This war is against Hamas, not the Palestinian people. Palestinians have also lost communities and even loved ones because of Hamas’s atrocities. Hamas militias were firing rockets right by a hospital, which confirms that the status quo is not tenable. Everyone will be hurt if Hamas remains in control of Gaza. “I believe the people of Gaza deserve a better future. Peace must be our ultimate goal and a two-state solution. That means a big change in policy. I have urged an end to aggressive settlement expansion that is undermining the Palestinian Authority.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-statement-biden-administration-legal-settlement-trump-family,DeLauro Statement on Biden Administration Legal Settlement on Trump Family Separations,2023-10-17,2023,2023-10,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa L. DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,delauro,https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released a statement on the Biden administration reaching an agreement regarding the more than 4,000 children that were separated from their families by the Trump administration. The agreement would, among other things, allow families to live and work in the U.S. for three years while receiving housing, mental health, and legal assistance to apply for asylum. “The Trump administration’s cruel separation of children from their families at the border was immoral to its core. These children were escaping violence, only to have further cruelty thrust upon them after crossing our border in search of a better life. This was child abuse. These separations were wrong and had negative psychological and physical impacts on families.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-courtney-celebrates-commissioning-uss-rickover,Rep. Courtney Celebrates Commissioning of the USS Rickover,2023-10-14,2023,2023-10,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,courtney,https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), Ranking Member of the House Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, issued the following statement after the U.S. Navy Commissioned the USS Rickover, a Virginia-class submarine which was built by the talented workers at Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut. Watch the Congressman’s remarks and the ceremony live here at 10:00am. “Today marks an important milestone for EB shipbuilders, Navy leaders and Sailors, and the state of our U.S. submarine fleet as we celebrate the commissioning of the USS Hyman Rickover. Since its christening in July 2021, Electric Boat’s shipbuilders and Captain Matthew Beach and his crew have not taken their eye off the ball, and relentlessly worked to get this submarine delivered to the Navy’s fleet. “They are part of a new generation of shipbuilders and sailors who commissioned two Virginia submarines last year, OREGON and MONTANA, and will launch two more submarines in rapid succession – RICKOVER today and NEW JERSEY in the coming months. What’s more, 13 Virginia subs are in the production queue after these vessels. All this comes on the heels of last week’s ratification of a five-year labor contract with Groton’s Metal Trades Council, which will invigorate the historic hiring surge at Electric Boat’s shipyard. “This year alone, EB has hired 4,400 workers into our shipyards here in Southern New England, well on their way to the calendar year hiring goal of 5,750 – a goal that is the largest in the company’s 120-year history by far. “As these patriots enter the workforce at Electric Boat – many of whom are Gen Z and millennials – Admiral Rickover’s passionate advocacy for America to raise its education standards still resonates as never before. Today’s successful launch of this technological wonder is a testament to this new workforce, not only because of the diversity of their rich talent pool, but also because of their proficiency in science, technology, engineering, and math. “This is a great day for the Navy, our shipbuilders, international allies and partners, and veterans, to renew Admiral Rickover’s legacy of excellence. And to the crew, congratulations on a job well done, and best wishes as you embark your journey to do great things for our nation.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/courtney-applauds-19m-federal-contract-thayermahan,Courtney Applauds $19M Federal Contract for ThayerMahan,2023-10-13,2023,2023-10,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,courtney,https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Joe Courtney applauded the new $19 million Department of Defense contract awarded to ThayerMahan of Groton, Connecticut to sustain the Navy’s and Marine Corps’ undersea and maritime advantage. The contract will allow ThayerMahan to continue developing autonomous maritime sensing technology. “This federal contract will help strengthen the Navy’s and Marine Corp’s eyes and ears undersea through advanced and innovative autonomous maritime systems, which will be a critical capability in the 21st century. There’s no question that ThayerMahan is a leader in this work, which is why my office and I have long advocated for this Groton-based company to receive federal contracts like this. Congratulations to ThayerMahan and your skilled employees who are leading the design, engineering, and operation of this critical technology,” said Rep. Joe Courtney, Ranking Member of the House Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee. “We appreciate the continued support and confidence of the Office of Naval Research as we help generate much needed undersea sensing capacity to sustain our undersea advantage. We are also thankful for the critical role played by Congressman Joe Courtney and his staff. They are a big reason why Southeastern Connecticut is the epicenter of undersea innovation,” said ThayerMahan CEO Mike Connor.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/op-ed-rep-courtney-breaking-defense,Op-Ed by Rep. Courtney in Breaking Defense,2023-10-12,2023,2023-10,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,courtney,https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Joe Courtney, Ranking Member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, penned an op-ed in Breaking Defense in response to recent commentary in the Wall Street Journal that casted doubt on the U.S. submarine fleet and used outdated and inaccurate information to support its claims. As Ranking Member Courtney said, our submarine fleet is “the most advanced, extensive, and capable in the world…We are on the path to continue to deliver an unmatched fleet… assuming precious Navy dollars continue to be invested in the industrial base just as they were during the Cold War.” Read the full op-ed here in Breaking Defense News. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://himes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=46F075E4-515B-4B39-8551-69C7F1B03DCF,Himes Statement on Terrorist Attack Against Israel,2023-10-10,2023,2023-10,Democrat,House,CT,James A. Himes,H001047,himes.house.gov,himes,https://himes.house.gov/press-releases,page_html,"Washington, DC — I am sickened by the horrific attack by Hamas terrorists against the people of Israel. Thousands of innocent civilians, including American citizens, have lost their lives to this brutal, unprovoked violence. Many more have been injured or lost family members and friends. Israel can and will defend itself, and the United States will remain steadfast in our support. As Ranking Member of the House Intelligence Committee, I have been in close contact with the Administration and the Intelligence Community throughout the weekend. We continue work to unconditionally support our strongest Middle Eastern ally.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-03-30T11:08:25Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/statement-honorable-congresswoman-delauro-terrorist-attacks-israel,Statement of the Honorable Congresswoman DeLauro on Terrorist Attacks on Israel,2023-10-07,2023,2023-10,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa L. DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,delauro,https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released a statement on the ongoing attacks in Israel. “I am devastated by Hamas’s unconscionable and unprecedented attacks on innocent civilians in Israel, which include taking children, women, and elderly people hostage. My heart breaks for the families being subjected to horrific violence – many of those families to which our community here in New Haven is deeply and personally connected. I know many of us here have children, friends, cousins, parents, aunts, and uncles in Israel. We are all worried about their safety and praying for a swift end to the terrorist attacks. I strongly stand by our ally Israel and unequivocally support its right to defend itself. “This vicious assault was backed by Iran, which has publicly praised the attacks. This is sinister. An anti-democratic government is funding terrorists to attack a democratic government. Now more than ever, it is vital the United States does not walk away from its global commitment to defend democracy. “I have been in touch with the President of Israel Isaac Herzog and Ambassador Michael Herzog, and have been briefed by senior officials from the Departments of State and Defense. I have expressed my strong support for Israel as it responds to these terrorist attacks and am proud that the United States has moved military assets to the Eastern Mediterranean. “While legislative activity in the House of Representatives remains frozen until Republicans have selected a Speaker, as Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, I am intent on ensuring we do everything we can to provide the humanitarian and military assistance that is necessary for Israel to recover from this devastation and continue to defend itself. My office here in New Haven is working to help United States citizens overseas. We will continue working closely with the Department of State to help connect those seeking assistance to the U.S. Embassy in Israel, and I have requested and will soon receive a classified briefing on the situation.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-courtney-announces-congressional-office-staff-changes,Rep. Courtney Announces Congressional Office Staff Changes,2023-10-03,2023,2023-10,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,courtney,https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-2) announced that Ayanti Grant and Maria Costigan have been promoted to Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff, respectively, after his longtime aide and Chief, Neil McKiernan, departed to purse an opportunity in the private sector at the end of September. Ayanti Grant, a long-serving member of Courtney’s staff and most recently the District Director, will serve as his new Chief of Staff effective October 1, 2023, and will remain based in Norwich, Connecticut. Maria Costigan, most recently Courtney’s Legislative Director, will serve as Deputy Chief of Staff based in his Washington, DC office. “Neil has been a force for good in the House of Representatives over these past 20 years. His institutional knowledge of Congress, his legislative skills, and his tenacity to serve the people of our district are things I hold closely. We owe a great deal of gratitude to staff like Neil who dedicate themselves and put in the legwork to advance our district and national priorities,” Courtney said. “I have the utmost confidence in both Ayanti and Maria as they take the helm in my office. Ayanti has been with me since I began serving in Congress. Her deep understanding of and connection to our community positions her to serve my office and our district with the excellence it demands. Maria has also been a critical member of my team whose empathy and strong understanding of policymaking has allowed me to deliver for my constituents time and time again. Together, they will be central actors in fulfilling our commitment to the Second Congressional District” Courtney continued. “It has truly been a privilege to serve Congressman Courtney and the Second Congressional District for over 16 years. I am honored by his confidence in my ability to lead the office towards a new chapter of public service. With Maria Costigan as Deputy Chief of Staff, we will certainly continue to build on the legacy of the office,” Grant said. “I am grateful and appreciative of this opportunity to continue serving Congressman Courtney and the people of eastern Connecticut. The team he has built works every day with their priorities in mind. With his leadership and that of our Chief of Staff Ayanti Grant, we will continue to work hard and serve the district well,” Costigan said. “Supporting Joe’s efforts on behalf of eastern Connecticut for the last 17 years has truly been an honor of a lifetime,” McKiernan said. “When Joe first brought me on to his team, he promised that we’d get a lot done for eastern Connecticut and have a great time doing it – and I’m so grateful that every day since has lived up to that promise. I’m especially thrilled that Ayanti and Maria, who have both been instrumental partners to me over the last several years, will step in from here. Joe and the second district are incredibly well-served with these two dedicated leaders at the helm.” Ayanti Grant is a longtime member of Courtney’s team, having worked with the office since 2007, first as a Field Representative & Caseworker focusing on immigration, then as District Director since 2014. As Chief of Staff, Grant will oversee Congressman Courtney’s congressional office operations in Connecticut and Washington, DC. Grant was profiled in The Day in 2021 about her work for Courtney and the district. Maria Costigan has been part of Courtney’s team since 2014, joining first as his Scheduler and Executive Assistant, then later becoming a Legislative Assistant focused on health policy in 2016 before being promoted to Legislative Director in 2020. Maria will oversee operations in Courtney’s Washington, DC office as Deputy Chief of Staff. Neil McKiernan served as a Congressional staffer for 20 years. He was with Courtney’s office since 2007, first as a Military Legislative Assistant supporting Courtney’s work on the House Armed Services Committee before being promoted to Legislative Director in 2009 and then Chief of Staff in 2016. Before his work with Courtney, Neil was a Legislative Assistant for Congressman John Larson (CT-01) from 2004 to 2007 and a Staff Assistant for Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (CA-39) in 2003. Neil is a native of West Hartford, Connecticut, and lives in Alexandria, Virginia, with his wife Kristen and daughters Caroline and Ellery.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-courtney-statement-motion-vacate,Rep. Courtney Statement on Motion to Vacate,2023-10-03,2023,2023-10,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,courtney,https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC -- Rep. Joe Courtney made the following statement on the vote to remove Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House: “Throughout my time in Congress, I have repeatedly found common ground with Republicans to get real results for eastern Connecticut. “For example, last May, I voted with Speaker McCarthy to prevent a catastrophic default on the full faith and credit of our nation, as well as a bipartisan blueprint for the 2024 federal budget that cut the deficit. The ink was barely dry on that measure and he abandoned his commitment to it, in order to placate extreme Republicans in his caucus. This fecklessness led us to the brink of a government shutdown, which once again Democrats had to intervene in order save him from himself. “In July, when the House Armed Services Committee passed the annual defense bill 58-1, extreme Republicans turned against it on the House floor, and once again, Speaker McCarthy abandoned that bipartisan path and jammed it with poison pills to satisfy the far right. “The Motion to Vacate today is the latest consequence of extreme Republicans’ choke hold on the rules of the People’s House that McCarthy endorsed last January which are feeding a civil war in the Majority caucus. It is clear that a bipartisan pathway in a closely divided House is needed to stabilize the Congress. Such a pathway would enable a center left and center right coalition to do the people’s business. Kevin McCarthy has signaled repeatedly he is unwilling to follow that solution. For that reason, I voted ‘yes’ on the Republican Motion to Vacate the Chair.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-statement-vote-remove-mccarthy-house-speaker,DeLauro Statement on Vote to Remove McCarthy as House Speaker,2023-10-03,2023,2023-10,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa L. DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,delauro,https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released a statement in response to the House of Representatives voting to remove Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House. “This is a solemn day for the House of Representatives. Instead of working on legislation that helps Americans deal with rising costs, raises wages, or protects vital programs like Social Security and Medicare, our chamber has once again been paralyzed by House Republican extremism. “Since January, Kevin McCarthy has allowed the extreme right-wing in his party to disrupt our work as legislators, pursue baseless investigations into President Biden, and bring an end to any work they deem too bipartisan. Week after week, this institution has endured legislative chaos and uncertainty. They brought our nation to the brink of default in May, and they brought our government to the brink of a shutdown last weekend. Time and time again, House Republicans have proven themselves incapable of governing – and that has consequences.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-statement-vote-remove-mccarthy-house-speaker-0,DeLauro Statement on Vote to Remove McCarthy as House Speaker,2023-10-03,2023,2023-10,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa L. DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,delauro,https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released a statement in response to the House of Representatives voting to remove Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House. “This is a solemn day for the House of Representatives. Instead of working on legislation that helps Americans deal with rising costs, raises wages, or protects vital programs like Social Security and Medicare, our chamber has once again been paralyzed by House Republican extremism. “Since January, Kevin McCarthy has allowed the extreme right-wing in his party to disrupt our work as legislators, pursue baseless investigations into President Biden, and bring an end to any work they deem too bipartisan. Week after week, this institution has endured legislative chaos and uncertainty. They brought our nation to the brink of default in May, and they brought our government to the brink of a shutdown last weekend. Time and time again, House Republicans have proven themselves incapable of governing – and that has consequences.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=E6419B5A-EBCD-4064-B596-6055ED467603,Hayes Statement on Motion to Vacate the Chair,2023-10-03,2023,2023-10,Democrat,House,CT,Jahana Hayes,H001081,hayes.house.gov,hayes,https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, following the House vote to remove Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) issued the following statement: “As a history teacher, an American and someone who believes wholeheartedly in government this day is chilling. For months we have witnessed the inability to govern by the House Republican majority, and now the chaos of their conference has come to a climax in the worst possible way. All of our institutions are being tested and I pray that Republicans will work with Democrats to elect a Speaker of the House and find a path forward that keeps our government working for the American people.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://himes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=76014C4C-2835-472B-9D25-B81CFCF4ADC7,Himes Statement on Motion to Vacate the Chair,2023-10-03,2023,2023-10,Democrat,House,CT,James A. Himes,H001047,himes.house.gov,himes,https://himes.house.gov/press-releases,page_html,"Washington, DC — Today, Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04) issued the following statement on the vote to remove Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House. “Last week, Democrats averted a government shutdown by supporting a Republican stop-gap bill which would otherwise have failed. With that vote, we proved once again that bipartisanship, not performative infighting, is the key to strong government. “It is time for Republicans to stop catering to the radical extremes of their caucus, and instead reach across the aisle to pass moderate, thoughtful legislation that focuses on helping Americans. I hope that, after this historic vote to remove the Speaker, the House can move towards more productive pursuits with that purpose in mind.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-03-30T11:08:25Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/continuing-resolution-ensures-columbia-submarine-construction-stays,Continuing Resolution Ensures Columbia Submarine Construction Stays on Track,2023-10-02,2023,2023-10,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,courtney,https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Saturday, Congress passed a bipartisan stop-gap measure that not only averted a catastrophic shutdown, but also included $621 million to continue construction on the USS Wisconsin, a Columbia-class submarine. “A government shutdown would have had catastrophic consequences on families across the nation and halted progress on construction of the Columbia-class submarine. This would have debilitated our aggressive efforts to replace the retiring Ohio-class submarines with the Columbia-class on schedule and meet the Navy’s fleet requirements. “Thankfully, the bipartisan stop-gap measure we passed over the weekend not only averted a shutdown, but continued funding for the Columbia submarine construction program at Electric Boat. The continuing resolution includes $621 million for continuous production of the USS Wisconsin submarine, the second in the Columbia-class. With this funding, Electric Boat’s talented shipbuilders can continue their work and ensure the Wisconsin is delivered on time,” Rep. Joe Courtney said. Read Rep. Courtney’s full statement on passage of the continuing resolution here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-courtney-joins-bipartisan-coalition-avert-government-shutdown,Rep. Courtney Joins Bipartisan Coalition to Avert Government Shutdown,2023-09-30,2023,2023-09,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,courtney,https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) issued the following statement after voting to pass a bipartisan continuing resolution to avert a government shutdown and sustain government spending at the FY23 levels for 45 days. The measure passed 335-91. “For months, I’ve been calling for a bipartisan approach in the House to avert a government shutdown— just as we did in May through the Fiscal Responsibility Act. Instead, extreme factions of the House Republican caucus drove our nation to the brink of shutdown and stoked panic and chaos. “Today, at the eleventh hour, House Republicans finally headed our calls and brought a bipartisan stop gap measure to a vote. “Like any compromise, it is not perfect. After careful review, I did join a broad coalition of Democrats and Republicans to ensure our government can remain open for the next 45 days and deliver the services Americans rely on. In eastern Connecticut, it will also ensure that roughly 9,000 sailors and officers at the Groton submarine base will not have their pay disrupted, as well the Coast Guard Academy staff in New London. Their important work will continue uninterrupted. “Also, the bill includes essential funding to support disaster relief and provides funding for the FAA to keep air travel safe for passengers. It also continues funding for the Columbia submarine construction program at Electric Boat. The continuing resolution includes $621 million for continuous production of the USS Wisconsin submarine, the second in the Columbia-class. “I urge the Senate to move swiftly and adopt this measure, too. Moving forward, we must continue working in a bipartisan way to pass a long-term spending solution that meets the needs of students, workers, and families across eastern Connecticut.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=CDAD181B-D282-41E5-9F15-EF1464C4C4E8,Hayes Statement Following Vote on a 45 Day Continuing Resolution to Fund the Government and Avoid a Shutdown,2023-09-30,2023,2023-09,Democrat,House,CT,Jahana Hayes,H001081,hayes.house.gov,hayes,https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, following the House vote on a 45-day short-term spending bill, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) issued the following statement: “Today, I voted to pass a continuing resolution to keep the government funded for 45 days and avoid a government shutdown, while we continue to work on appropriations bills. Almost half of the Republican conference voted against the bill brought to the floor by Speaker McCarthy. In the final tally of 335-91 – House Democrats were the people who stood firm on behalf of the American people. On background, Democrats and Republicans negotiated an agreement in May to serve as a framework for funding the government. McCarthy quickly walked back the terms of that agreement in the first seven days. We are in this eleventh hour position because of the chaos, confusion and disfunction on full display in the Republican conference. Democrats did not get everything we wanted in this bill but in a Republican majority, Speaker McCarthy ultimately decides what is brought to the floor. After much delay, Republicans put a bill on the floor to avoid a shutdown and 90 of the 221 Republican members voted against their own bill to fund the government. Once again House Democrats have had to come to the rescue to push back against this extreme agenda and ensure we are doing all we can to help the American people.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://himes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=AE945A1E-B338-4CC0-82C3-20B7AB738B63,Himes Statement on Vote to Prevent Government Shutdown,2023-09-30,2023,2023-09,Democrat,House,CT,James A. Himes,H001047,himes.house.gov,himes,https://himes.house.gov/press-releases,page_html,"Washington, DC — Today, Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04) issued the following statement after voting to pass a 45-day continuing resolution to avert a government shutdown: “As elected officials we must do everything in our power to keep the government open and working for the American people. Today, Democrats bailed out badly divided Republicans by voting nearly unanimously for a continuing resolution to prevent a shutdown. This stopgap measure was a monumental improvement from the Republicans’ original, extreme legislation which attacked our countries’ most vulnerable, slashing funding for food benefits, disaster relief, and education programs. Today, we proved that bipartisanship is the key to good policymaking. I am proud of the work my fellow Democrats and I have done to right what would otherwise have been a deeply problematic bill. “While I remain concerned by my Republican colleagues’ decision to withhold funding for Ukraine, I am confident that its exclusion from this stopgap measure will not interrupt ongoing aid, and I am committed to assuring that aid to brave Ukrainians is included in the final appropriations bill later this year.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-03-30T11:08:25Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-statement-senator-dianne-feinstein,DeLauro Statement on Senator Dianne Feinstein,2023-09-29,2023,2023-09,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa L. DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,delauro,https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro released a statement following news that California Senator Dianne Feinstein had passed away. “I am saddened by the news of the death of Senator Dianne Feinstein. Senator Feinstein was a dedicated public servant and an icon in American politics. Her unwavering commitment to justice, her tireless advocacy for commonsense gun control legislation, and her remarkable ability to bridge division in the Senate made her an inspiration to many, including myself. “A trailblazer for gun violence prevention, she authored the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban, removing dangerous weapons of war from our communities and saving countless lives. She never faltered in her efforts to pass comprehensive gun control legislation to make our communities safer, and I was proud to stand with her in that fight. “It was an honor to have been a partner to Senator Feinstein in her fight to improve the lives of working families and middle-class Americans. We fought to secure equal pay for women and united together to move policies that improve public health. “As the longest-serving woman in the Senate, she broke barriers for women in government. She mentored women working in politics, pushed for legislation that promotes gender equality, and used her platform to encourage more women to seek elected office. She understood the importance of diverse voices in shaping lasting policy that helps the American people—and our nation is better-off because of her decades of public service.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-statement-department-educations-final-gainful-employment-rule,DeLauro Statement on Department of Education’s Final Gainful Employment Rule,2023-09-28,2023,2023-09,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa L. DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,delauro,https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released a statement in response to the Biden Administration’s Education Department releasing a final rule on gainful employment, which will help protect students from predatory for-profit colleges. “I applaud the Biden administration for reinstating a strong gainful employment (GE) rule, which will protect student borrowers from low-quality, high-cost degree programs at predatory for-profit colleges. Though for-profit colleges enroll only 10 percent of students, their scam programs are responsible for half of all student loan defaults. When this final rule goes into effect, I look forward to working with the Department of Education to make sure its strong provisions are rigorously enforced.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=828FF5F5-882C-4396-897F-FDD917553967,"While House Republicans Work to Cut WIC Funding, Hayes Leads Legislation to Increase WIC Enrollment for Pregnant Women, Moms, Infants, and Young Children in Connecticut",2023-09-27,2023,2023-09,Democrat,House,CT,Jahana Hayes,H001081,hayes.house.gov,hayes,https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Ahead of a potential government shutdown – which could put nearly 7 million women and children WIC recipients at risk of losing benefits – Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Foreign Agriculture and Horticulture, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05), re-introduced the WIC for Kids Act, legislation to eliminate enrollment barriers to Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) for millions of pregnant women, mothers, and children. House Republicans continue to debate funding cuts with less than 3 days until a government shutdown and each proposal by House Republicans actively attacks WIC and other vital programs for families. Once the shutdown takes effect, the 7 million women and children, who count on WIC would be turned away from grocery store checkouts in a matter of days. “While House Republicans fight amongst themselves to advance extremist policies, House Democrats are focused on solutions consistent with our values to keep the government open and assist the most vulnerable members of our communities,” said Congresswoman Jahana Hayes. “Millions of mothers and children who are eligible for WIC do not access the program. In fact, only 50.2% of those eligible are currently enrolled. Removing undue barriers will connect more mothers and children to WIC and provide the nutrition necessary for early development.” Congresswoman Hayes first introduced the WIC for Kids Act in the 117th Congress. The most recent United States Department of Agriculture data indicates nearly half of WIC-eligible individuals in Connecticut participate in the program. Overall, only 50.2 percent of eligible Americans participate in WIC. Of the 47,236 WIC recipients in Connecticut: 9,990 are women. 25,609 are children. 11,637 are infants. WIC is a cost-effective investment in families that leads to healthier infants, more nutritious diets and better health care for children. Unfortunately, there are nearly 6 million low-income mothers and children who are eligible for WIC who cannot access their benefits. Low participation and retention are due in part to the prolonged process of recertification, which can be time-consuming and cumbersome. Evidence suggests that bringing in income and residency documentation for initial and subsequent WIC certifications may cause some families to drop out of the program or choose not to participate in the first place. Enrolling in WIC through adjunctive eligibility, on the other hand, takes about one minute and simply requires a WIC client to present their Medicaid card or demonstrate receipt of SNAP or TANF benefits. Specifically, the WIC for Kids Act grants automatic eligibility for WIC for mothers and children who: Reside in a household in which a member participates in SNAP. Participate in Children’s Health Insurance Program. Participate in Head Start or reside in a household in which one or more children are enrolled in Head Start. Reside in a household that participates in Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations. Are members of a family of a pregnant woman, postpartum woman, infant, or child that receives medical assistance from Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program. The bill also allows for certification periods to be adjusted to help align family certification periods and directs states to include a plan on how they will serve kinship families as part of their state plans. The WIC for Kids Act is cosponsored by: Adams, Alma (D-NC12), Bowman, Jamaal (D-NY16), Courtney, Joe (D-CT2), DeSaulnier, Mark (D-CA10), Grijalva, Raúl (D-AZ7), Jayapal, Pramila (D-WA7), McBath, Lucy (D-GA7), Takano, Mark (D-CA39), Wilson, Frederica (D-FL24), Leger Fernandez, Teresa (D-NM3), Barragán, Nanette (D-CA44), Brown, Shontel (D-OH11), Bush, Cori (D-MO1), Carbajal, Salud (D-CA24), Carson, André (D-IN7), Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila (D-FL20), Chu, Judy (D-CA28), Cohen, Steve (D-TN9), Crockett, Jasmine (D-TX30), Cárdenas, Tony (D-CA29), Davis, Danny (D-IL7), DeLauro, Rosa (D-CT3), Dean, Madeleine (D-PA4), Doggett, Lloyd (D-TX37), García, Jesús “Chuy” (D-IL4), Goldman, Dan (D-NY10), Gomez, Jimmy (D-CA34), Himes, James “Jim” (D-CT4), Horsford, Steven (D-NV4), Hoyle, Valerie (D-OR4), Jackson Lee, Sheila (D-TX18), Jackson, Jonathan (D-IL1), Jacobs, Sara (D-CA51), Johnson, Henry C. “Hank” (D-GA4), Kamlager-Dove, Sydney (D-CA37) , Kaptur, Marcy (D-OH9), Keating, William R. (D-MA9), Larson, John (D-CT1), Lee, Barbara (D-CA12), McGarvey, Morgan (D-KY3), McGovern, James “Jim” (D-MA2), Moore, Gwen (D-WI4), Mullin, Kevin (D-CA15), Napolitano, Grace (D-CA31, Norton, Eleanor (D-DC), Payne, Donald (D-NJ10), Pocan, Mark (D-WI2), Salinas, Andrea (D-OR6), Scanlon, Mary (D-PA5), Sewell, Terri (D-AL7), Thanedar, Shri (D-MI13), Titus, Dina (D-NV1), Tlaib, Rashida (D-MI12), Tokuda, Jill (D-HI2), Torres, Ritchie (D-NY15), Velázquez, Nydia (D-NY7), Watson Coleman, Bonnie (D-NJ12), Williams, Nikema (D-GA5), Kuster, Ann (D-NH2), Peltola, Mary (D-AK) Full text of the bill can be found here. ""The Connecticut Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics supports the WIC for Kids Act which connects families to the WIC program, improves food security and ultimately the nutritional status of families in Connecticut. We thank Representative Hayes for her strong commitment to nutrition,"" said Teresa Dotson, President-Elect of the Connecticut Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. ""The WIC for Kids Act represents a pivotal step towards creating a more inclusive and accessible system of support for families across the country,” said Christy Gleason, Vice President of Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns at Save the Children. “This legislation not only streamlines the WIC application process but also allows eligible children to stay on the program longer and reduces the administrative burden for families who already receive other eligibility-based federal support. We enthusiastically endorse this bill which will fortify the incredibly important WIC program and help ensure all children and mothers will have access to the necessary resources for a healthy future."" “WIC is a key federal nutrition program that reduces food insecurity, improves dietary intake, addresses obesity and improves other health outcomes,” said registered dietitian nutritionist Lauri Wright, the 2023-2024 President of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. “The WIC For Kids Act would help reach more women, infants and children with nutrient-dense supplemental food, nutrition education including breastfeeding promotion and support, and referrals to health and social services.” ""WIC is a powerful evidence-based program that delivers vital resources and services to moms and kids across the country, yet too many people continue to face barriers to participate,"" said Lisa Davis, senior vice president of Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign. ""This bill helps to remove those barriers and streamlines eligibility so more families can benefit from the nutrition and security WIC provides."" Endorsements: Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Advocates for Children of New Jersey, Alliance to End Hunger, American Heart Association, American Muslim Health Professionals, Association of State Public Health Nutritionists, BCDI Philadelphia & Vicinity, Bread for the World, Bridgeport Prospers, Connecticut Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Connecticut Alliance of Foster and Adoptive Families, Connecticut FoodShare, Educare Learning Network, End Hunger CT!, Farmers Market Coalition, First Focus Campaign for Children, Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), Hawai‘i Children’s Action Network Speaks!, Healthy Black Pregnancies, Institute for Child Success, International Fresh Produce Association, Jewish Federation Association of Connecticut, Kansas Action for Children, Kidzone South Haven, Lena Pope, MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger, March for Moms, National Milk Producers Federation, National WIC Association, Nebraska Head Start Association, Parents as Teachers, Raising Illinois, Save the Children, School Nutrition Association, Share Our Strength, She Leads Justice, South Carolina Program for Infant/Toddler Care, Start Early, StriveTogether, The Alliance of Children & Families, The Boston Foundation, The Children's Advocacy Alliance, The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), The National Family Support Network, The Union of Concerned Scientists, Together for Hope, UnidosUS, United Way of Coastal and Western Connecticut, Waterbury Bridge to Success, White Center Parent Ambassadors, ZERO TO THREE ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-courtney-lead-follow-or-get-out-way,"Rep. Courtney: Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way",2023-09-26,2023,2023-09,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,courtney,https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, five days until the federal government shuts down, Rep. Joe Courtney went to the House Floor to urge bipartisan action to ensure federal workers and servicemembers receive pay without interruption and Americans have sustained access to the services they rely on. “Eastern Connecticut residents remember the pop-up food pantries in New London during the 2019 government shutdown and the financial consequences the shutdown had on servicemembers and their families. “This potential shutdown is total unnecessary, unfair, and will wreak havoc across the country. There is a pathway, there is a road map. And we know that because at the end of the May when we passed the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which avoided a default on the full faith and credit of this country, Democrats and Republicans came together to pass the measure 314-117. We came together to avoid a default, and we must do it again to avoid a shutdown and do the work for the American people. “Mister Speaker, as we approach the deadline, lawmakers should be thinking about an old military saying: lead, follow, or get out of the way.” Watch the full floor speech here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-banks-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-secure-us-supply-chains,"DeLauro, Banks Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Secure U.S. Supply Chains",2023-09-26,2023,2023-09,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa L. DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,delauro,https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Today, U.S. Representatives Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) and Jim Banks (R-IN-03) introduced the bipartisan SHIELD Act. This legislation would establish an Office of Economic and Security Preparedness and Resilience to set priorities to ensure resilient United States supply chains and robust domestic production in sectors vital to national security. It would help eliminate supply chain dependency on China and is inspired by a recommendation from the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission’s 2022 Annual Report to Congress. “Our overdependence on foreign manufacturing has hampered our ability to quickly respond to supply chain challenges and meet the needs of America and its citizens,” said Congresswoman DeLauro. “There is no reason we should depend on foreign adversaries for essential goods – from technology, to critical minerals, to ingredients for our lifesaving drugs. The SHIELD Act is needed legislation that will safeguard our supply chains from China and the CCP, and provide the United States with the tools needed to help chart a path to outcompete China.” “As the COVID-19 pandemic made horribly clear, America’s reliance on China for making basic things like medicine and critical minerals is a huge liability,” said Congressman Banks. “Our bill would shine a light on where other such vulnerabilities exist and help revitalize our industrial base to fix them.” “This legislation will help the U.S. government identify and address two dangerous vulnerabilities: excessive dependence on imports of parts and materials critical to the nation’s security and inadequate domestic capacity to produce the large quantities of arms and equipment that might be needed to fight and win a future war.” – Aaron Friedberg, Co-Director, Center for International Security Studies at Princeton University. “AAM applauds the bipartisan work of Representatives DeLauro and Banks for their legislation to address supply chain vulnerabilities, particularly where China’s Communist Party poses a threat,” said Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing. “Recent supply chain disruptions have made clear that the United States must act to shore up critical manufacturing supply chains and reduce our reliance on China to safeguard our security. We should no longer question whether China will weaponize its supply chains and our reliance upon them to its advantage. The CCP has already demonstrated an ability and willingness to do just that. The creation of this office to set supply chain priorities and boost domestic production in key sectors is an important step to further strengthen American Manufacturing.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-statement-passing-usw-international-president-tom-conway,DeLauro Statement on the Passing of USW International President Tom Conway,2023-09-26,2023,2023-09,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa L. DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,delauro,https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released a statement on the passing of United Steel Workers (USW) International President Tom Conway. “Throughout his entire life, Tom Conway never backed down from fighting for workers. From his start as a USW Local 6787 activist in 1978 to his tenure as USW International president since 2019, Tom championed workers every day. As the leader of USW, he fought for better jobs for over 800,000 workers in North America. An extremely skilled negotiator, he boldly went up against some of the country’s biggest corporations on behalf of working people—tirelessly advocating for fair trade and the protection and creation of good-paying American jobs. My thoughts and prayers are with Tom’s family. To all the members of USW, I stand in solidarity. Tom’s legacy of championing the dignity of workers continues on with you.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/ranking-member-courtney-celebrates-delivery-first-multi-mission-vessel,Ranking Member Courtney Celebrates Delivery of First Multi-Mission Vessel to SUNY,2023-09-22,2023,2023-09,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,courtney,https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) issued the following statement to mark the delivery of the EMPIRE STATE, a National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (NSMV), to SUNY Maritime College. The EMPIRE is the first of five ships to be delivered as part of the NSMV program, which was authorized in 2016 by the House Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee under Ranking Member Courtney’s leadership. “Today’s delivery of the EMPIRE STATE to SUNY is a powerful example of the capability and ingenuity of American shipbuilders, showing that our nation can develop, construct, and deliver capable and affordable ships to meet some of the most pressing shipbuilding needs of our nation. The innovative model we have proven here today is one that can, and must, be put to use building more ships that will create more jobs while ensuring the security of our nation. “This milestone would not be possible without the dedicated shipbuilders at Philly shipyard, leaders of the Maritime Administration, Congress, and especially SUNY Maritime College President, Dr. Mike Alfultis. Together, Mike and I made the case for the NSMV program to Congress, secured bipartisan support for the effort in the House Armed Services Committee, and secured the authorization for the program in law. This is a great day for SUNY Maritime, the Maritime Administration, our shipbuilding industry, and our nation.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-lee-introduce-legislation-address-diaper-need,"DeLauro, Lee Introduce Legislation to Address Diaper Need",2023-09-21,2023,2023-09,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa L. DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,delauro,https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"U.S. Representatives Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and Barbara Lee (CA-12) introduced legislation to address diaper need in the United States. The End Diaper Need Act of 2023 would create a $100 million demonstration program for distributing free diapers and diapering products in states, communities, and nonprofits around the nation to help reduce the diaper need in low-income families and underserved communities. The members also introduced a resolution that hails the week of September 18 as National Diaper Need Awareness Week. “Families across the United States are struggling with the rising cost of living and stagnant wages that do not keep up with their expenses. Sadly, one in three families do not have enough diapers to keep their children clean and healthy,” said Congresswoman DeLauro. “We cannot allow that to continue. That is why I introduced the End Diaper Need Act with Congresswoman Lee, to provide families with supports that provide them with financial security. I am also proud to join her in expressing our gratitude to local diaper banks and distribution programs that help support children who need diapers. I will always fight to ensure families have the resources they need to thrive.” ""Parents deal with enough stress - basic childcare necessities like diapering supplies should not be another contributor,"" Congresswoman Barbara Lee said. “Since before the pandemic, millions more people have fallen into poverty, creating severe challenges for families across the country to afford basic necessities like diapers. Low-income families with infants spend 14% of their income on diapers alone – that is unacceptable. It is past time for Congress to provide this basic need to improve the health and well being for millions of children.” “Congresswoman DeLauro knows that diapers matter. She was the first Congressional leader to champion efforts to end diaper need in the U.S. and to support diaper bank programs. Our movement would not be where it is without her hard work,” said National Diaper Bank Network CEO Joanne Samuel Goldblum. “I am so grateful for her tireless advocacy and so pleased that the End Diaper Need Act has been reintroduced during National Diaper Need Awareness Week. Once again, Rep. DeLauro has given people who care about children something to celebrate.” The text of the End Diaper Need Act of 2023 can be found here. The text of the National Diaper Bank Need Awareness Week resolution can be found here. When she was Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, Congresswoman DeLauro helped establish the Diaper Distribution Demonstration and Research Pilot, or the Diaper Distribution Pilot. The pilot program helps provide grants to Diaper Banks and Distributors to serve families through a robust network of community partners that helps provide anti-poverty services.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=1C6AF2C8-AE8E-4051-9B31-9AF6AA35F871,Hayes Processes 150 Applications During Passport Day Event,2023-09-21,2023,2023-09,Democrat,House,CT,Jahana Hayes,H001081,hayes.house.gov,hayes,https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"SEE MORE WATERBURY – On Sunday, September 17, 2023, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) joined the U.S. Department of State and the City of Waterbury to host a Passport Day in recognition of September being Passport Awareness Month. Over the last year, there have been reports of increased processing time of 10-13 weeks for passports. The State Department is currently receiving approximately 400,000 passport applications each week. Local events like this provide assistance with renewing or applying for a passport. In total 150 passport applications were processed, allowing attendees the ability to plan for upcoming international travel. The event follows the Passport Day held in the Waterbury office of Congresswoman Hayes in April, where over 100 applications were processed. “Passport Day was incredibly successful. Over 150 passport applications were processed in 4 hours, with 90 of those applications being first-time applicants,” said Congresswoman Hayes. “I want to thank my wonderful staff and the Department of State for swiftly assisting constituents. Moving forward, my office will continue to stand ready to help with emergency passport issues and all other casework.” “Everything went very smoothly. We were walk-ins, as it was pretty full up and we got in and out in less than an hour. So, thank you, Congresswoman Hayes,” said Thomas, a Waterbury resident.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-courtney-applauds-two-eastern-connecticut-schools-being-named,Rep. Courtney Applauds Two Eastern Connecticut Schools on Being Named National Blue Ribbon Schools,2023-09-20,2023,2023-09,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,courtney,https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Education announced Groton’s Marine Science Magnet High School and Vernon’s Skinner Road School as 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools. “Congratulations to Groton’s Marine Science Magnet High School and Vernon’s Skinner Road School for being named a 2023 National Blue Ribbon School. This recognition is a testament to the excellent educators, school leaders, staff, and families who help these schools and students excel. I applaud Principals Tara Amatrudo and Bryan Kerachsky for this well-deserved recognition, and Vernon Superintendent Dr. Joseph Macary and LEARN Executive Director Katherine Ericson for leading school communities that have been home to multiple National Blue Ribbon Schools over the years. I look forward to continuing delivering support to help eastern Connecticut’s K-12 schools thrive.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-courtney-celebrates-ribbon-cutting-miracle-league-field-northern-ct,Rep. Courtney Celebrates Ribbon Cutting of Miracle League Field of Northern CT,2023-09-20,2023,2023-09,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,courtney,https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) issued the following statement to celebrate the ribbon cutting ceremony of the Miracle League Field of Northern Connecticut—a project made possible in part by a $175,000 federal grant from the American Rescue Plan. The Office of Congressman Courtney presented the Miracle League Field of Northern Connecticut with a U.S. flag during today’s ribbon cutting ceremony. “Congratulations to the Town of Vernon for the opening of Miracle League Field of Northern Connecticut—a crown jewel of recreation and opportunity for children and visitors of all abilities. Today’s ribbon cutting ceremony is the culmination of hard work and the persistence of grassroot organizers, town officials, and Steve Leibowitz, the president of Miracle Field, and his team. I am pleased that a $175,000 federal American Rescue Plan grant could help make this project a reality and look forward to enjoying the field alongside eastern Connecticut residents for years to come.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-valadao-brown-introduce-bipartisan-fresh-produce-procurement,"DeLauro, Valadao, Brown Introduce Bipartisan Fresh Produce Procurement Reform Act",2023-09-20,2023,2023-09,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa L. DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,delauro,https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"U.S. Representatives Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) and David G. Valadao (R-CA-22) along with Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) introduced the bipartisan Fresh Produce Procurement Reform Act, legislation that would increase and improve the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) procurement of fresh fruits and vegetables. The bill would require USDA to partner with growers, distributors, and food hubs to provide fresh, U.S.-grown fruits and vegetables to community organizations like schools, local food pantries, and youth organizations while prioritizing socially disadvantaged farmers and entities, regional food inequities, and local and regional food systems. “Far too many families across the United States do not have readily available access to high-quality fresh fruits and vegetables,” said Congresswoman DeLauro. “The USDA’s Commodity Procurement program buys more than $3 billion in domestically produced foods annually and helps drive important reforms across our food system. That is why I am introducing the Fresh Produce Procurement Reform Act with Senator Sherrod Brown and Congressman David Valadao. This will allow our diverse local and regional supply chains the opportunity to distribute U.S.-grown fresh produce to those in need.” “We need to ensure our food insecure residents in the Central Valley have access to the fresh, nutritious fruits and vegetables we grow right in our own backyard,” said Congressman Valadao. “This bill not only helps our neighbors in need, but it also helps our domestic agriculture sector by ensuring the produce they grow is being put to good use. I’m proud to join my colleagues to introduce this bipartisan bill that will strengthen our agriculture economy and make fresh produce more widely available to those in need.” “Improving access to local fruits and vegetables is a win-win for Ohio farmers and residents,” said Senator Brown. “Not only does this bill make it easier for Ohio residents to access local produce, but it will also help create shorter American supply chains, ensuring Ohio small family farmers and businesses keep more of their money in their community.” “The demand for fresh fruits and vegetables for those serving the nutrition insecure remains high but the existing model limits both the suppliers and varieties offered to consumers,” said Mollie Van Lieu, International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) Vice President of Nutrition and Health. “IFPA thanks Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Reps. DeLauro (D, CT-3) and Valadao (R,CA-22) for their leadership on this bill which will unlock our diverse and local supply chains to distribute more U.S grown fresh produce to those who need it most.” “Since the first round of Farmers to Families Food Box, Senator Brown and Representatives DeLauro and Valadao have been champions of identifying opportunities for small and mid-sized farms to successfully compete in federal procurement program,” said Hannah Quigley Policy Specialist for the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC). Fresh Produce Procurement Reform Act offers a pathway to create new market opportunities for small farmers, food hubs, and distributors while increasing access to nutritious, fresh produce. “ Currently, USDA’s existing model for food procurement makes it difficult for highly perishable fresh fruits and vegetables to be procured and delivered to clients in a timely manner. Additionally, the food options are limited to five fresh produce varieties. Simultaneously, strong demand exists for fresh fruit and vegetables from community-based organizations and food banks that serve those experiencing hunger, including those that do not have access to existing programs, such as The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). The Fresh Produce Procurement Reform Act would: Provide USDA with an additional tool to partner with existing growers and fresh produce distributors to procure a greater amount of fresh fruits and vegetables Distribute U.S.-grown fresh fruits and vegetables to local food banks, schools, youth-serving organizations, tribal governments, and other nonprofit community members serving nutrition insecure populations. Strengthen access to a wide variety of U.S.-grown fresh fruits and vegetables to recipients in need by including at least seven types of U.S.-grown fresh fruits in vegetables to vulnerable communities living in poverty. Provide opportunities for a wider variety of high-quality produce sourced, packed, and distributed from growers and distributors of all sizes, including veteran, women-owned, and socially disadvantaged members of the agriculture community.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=334A949B-5030-433E-A19E-80D17F785026,Labor Leaders Introduce Bill to Open Training Opportunities for Disconnected Youth in Connecticut,2023-09-20,2023,2023-09,Democrat,House,CT,Jahana Hayes,H001081,hayes.house.gov,hayes,https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Education and the Workforce Committee Vice Ranking Member, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05), joined Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member, Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee Ranking Member, Congresswoman Federica Wilson (FL-24), and Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), to introduce the Opening Doors for Youth Act of 2023 (ODYA). This legislation addresses the challenges facing youth who become disconnected from both school and work. Researchers estimate there were nearly five million young people, ages of 16-24, disconnected from school and work in 2020 and that this number is a significant underestimate. These young people—often referred to as “opportunity youth”—disproportionately come from communities marked by poverty, racial segregation, high adult unemployment, and low adult educational attainment. According to the National Youth Employment Coalition, in the 5th District of Connecticut, 11% of individuals ages 16-24 are “opportunity youth.” Delivering funding for opportunity youth in the Fifth would help reconnect over 1,000 young people to their communities. Their communities often lack strong school systems, afterschool programs, access to professional networks, and an adequate supply of entry-level jobs for youth. As a result, far too many young people disconnect from school and work. This disconnection imposes significant costs on affected young people, their communities, and the overall economy. “Access to community-based programs to build skills outside of the classroom can be essential for the success of young adults across our nation. By giving young people the opportunity to learn skills through summer and year-round employment, they will forge greater connections to the community and boost the economy,” said Vice Ranking Member Jahana Hayes (CT-05). “Young people from underserved neighborhoods are often labeled before being given the chance to define what success means. It is our responsibility to usher them towards healthy productive spaces to ease the transition from the classroom to the workplace.” “It is our responsibility to ensure that all our nation’s young people have the opportunity to thrive—not just survive. The Opening Doors for Youth Act provides youth with a solid foundation of education and early work experience, as well as the skills they need to get on the path toward a good job and rewarding career. Investments made in youth employment programs not only provide youth across the country with their first jobs, but they also help employers build high-quality talent pipelines, and save our communities billions in spending down the road. I look forward to working with my Republican colleagues to ensure this legislation is included in any bipartisan Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act reauthorization,” said Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03). “As a lifelong advocate for our nation's youth, I believe every young person deserves a fair chance to succeed. From my early days as an educator to my present role in Congress, I've witnessed the untapped potential our children possess. I’m proud to support the Opening Doors for Youth Act and take a crucial step towards breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for our young people to flourish, ensuring that no child's future is limited by circumstances beyond their control. This investment in their future will steer them toward limitless growth and success while helping dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline in communities across America,” said Ranking Member Frederica Wilson (FL-24). “For as long as I’ve been involved in organizing and public service, we’ve been fighting for investments in our communities and opportunities for youth. I support the Opening Doors for Youth Act to reinvest in out-of-school, out-of-work opportunity youth, and in doing so, help create new pathways toward economic justice,” said Congressman García (IL-04). The Opening Doors for Youth Act invests $6.75 billion over six years to help at-risk and opportunity youth gain their first employment opportunities and develop opportunities to successfully transition from school to work. The legislation: Helps in-school youth access summer employment opportunities to remain connected to the education system and avoid involvement in the criminal and juvenile justice system; Provides out-of-school youth with year-round work experiences and work-readiness skills that are vital to longer-term improved employment outcomes; and Establishes and expands youth employment programs through community-based organizations that provide at-risk and opportunity youth with comprehensive pathways to remain connected or reconnect to education and training systems in addition to the supportive services needed to overcome individual barriers to reconnection. To read the bill text for Opening Doors for Youth Act of 2023, clickhere. To read the fact sheet for Opening Doors for Youth Act of 2023, clickhere. To read the section-by-section for Opening Doors for Youth Act of 2023, clickhere. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-warren-reintroduce-schedules-work-act-0,"DeLauro, Warren Reintroduce Schedules That Work Act",2023-09-19,2023,2023-09,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa L. DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,delauro,https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) reintroduced the Schedules That Work Act. This legislation would help ensure that employees have more certainty about their work schedules and incomes. It addresses unstable, unpredictable, and opaque scheduling practices, like placing workers “on-call” with no guarantee of work hours, scheduling them for “split shifts” of non-consecutive hours, sending working home early without pay when demand is low, and punishing workers who request schedule changes. “In today’s economy, the reality of most working people is that they live paycheck to paycheck,” said Congresswoman DeLauro. “They need economic security, and the peace of mind that the hours they work any given week will pay them enough to make ends meet and provide for themselves and their families. That is why I am proud to join my colleague Senator Warren in reintroducing the Schedules That Work Act so we can protect workers from abusive scheduling practices and ensure that all hardworking Americans achieve stability and security in their jobs.” “Harmful scheduling practices make it a nightmare for hourly workers – many of whom are parents of young children – to arrange child care, feed their families, and pay the bills,” Senator Warren said. “I’m proud to join Congresswoman DeLauro on the Schedules That Work Act because workers need to regain control over their work schedules to build economic security for themselves and their families.” “When workers don’t know when or how much they’ll work each week, it becomes impossible to make a budget, secure reliable child care, schedule doctor’s appointments, or otherwise plan their lives,” said Emily Martin, National Women’s Law Center Vice President for Education & Workplace Justice. “But for millions of people—especially women and people of color—this instability is a daily reality due to employer scheduling practices that ignore workers’ needs, and this is particularly true for part-time workers. The Schedules That Work Act and the Part-Time Worker Bill of Rights will change this dynamic, granting working people more control over their work hours and creating more stability for families and employers alike.” “At Amazon, I work a backbreaking job for poor pay with an unpredictable schedule. My hours are often cut when the company ‘flexes down’ my shift, and it’s difficult to make ends meet and provide for my family. I have two daughters and four grandchildren who I lose out on spending precious time with because of my erratic schedule. But I’m not the only one. For millions of Americans, this is their reality,” said United for Respect leader and Amazon warehouse worker Karen Crawford. “Workers across the country are facing a crisis. We deserve predictable schedules and real respect on the job. With these bills in Congress, hope is now on the horizon, and we have an opportunity to change the lives of millions of people by giving them a voice in their schedules and improving their economic security.” “Through our free and confidential legal helpline, we are constantly hearing from workers who are subjected to unpredictable and unfair scheduling practices, resulting in a lack of adequate pay, hours, and benefits that make caring for themselves and loved ones and staying afloat impossible,” saidCo-Founder and Co-President of A Better Balance Sherry Leiwant. “In particular, unfair scheduling practices particularly impact families with children and younger workers because it is nearly impossible to arrange child care or pursue educational opportunities that can lead to advancement when schedules are unpredictable. Low wage workers and workers of color in industries like retail, food service and building maintenance where employers commonly post schedules with little notice, make last minute shift changes, vary schedules wildly from week-to-week, and require employees to be on call are especially affected. At the same time, part-time workers, many of whom work full-time hours by piecing together several jobs or who work part-time so they can provide care to their families are too often treated like second class workers, paid less and deprived of benefits like health insurance and paid leave. The Schedules That Work Act and Part Time Workers Bill of Rights—reintroduced in Congress today—would extend a lifeline to workers and improve the well-being of families by giving employees more of a say in their work schedules and ensuring part-time workers get the pay and benefits they deserve. We thank Senator Warren, Representative DeLauro, and Representative Schakowsky for their leadership on this legislation and continued commitment to this country's working families."" “Our members have fought and organized tirelessly for workers who desperately need job security and fair workweeks that mean stable and predictable work schedules, part-time parity, and stable incomes in our communities across the country. We’re thrilled that Senator Elizabeth Warren is throwing her political weight along with Representatives Rosa DeLauro and Jan Schakowsky behind two bills to bring these vital protections to workers throughout the U.S.” Analilia Mejia, Co-Executive Director of the Center for Popular Democracy. Few workplaces provide the stability and security workers need. Often, workers experience last-minute shift cancellations that deprive them of vital income and work ""clopening"" shifts that leave little time to commute and rest between shifts. The Schedules That Work Act curbs these harmful practices by giving workers a voice in their schedules and helping people meet their responsibilities at work and at home. This legislation protects workers who ask for schedule changes from retaliation, and it requires employers to consider their requests. For retail, food service, and cleaning occupations, it requires employers to provide schedules two weeks in advance. The legislation also provides compensation to these employees when their schedules change abruptly, or they are assigned to particularly difficult shifts, including split shifts and call-in shifts. The bill also expands these same protections to hospitality and warehouse workers, and establishes a right to rest between shifts – protecting workers from being forced to work a closing shift one night and the opening shift the next day – and compensating them adequately if they voluntarily do so. The bill also requires employers to compensate employees if schedules are not posted two weeks in advance, or if there are changes to the schedule within the two-week period. The Schedules That Work Act is endorsed bv 9to5, A Better Balance, Action for Children, AFL-CIO, African American Health Alliance, All-Options, American Association of University Women, American Federation of Teachers, Americans for Democratic Action (ADA), Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFL-CIO, BreastfeedLA, Caring Across Generations, Catch Fire Movement, Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR), Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), Center for Popular Democracy, CenterLink: The Community of LGBT Centers, CenterLink: The Community of LGBTQ Centers, Chicago Foundation for Women, Child Care Aware of America, Children's Defense Fund, Citizen Action of New York, Coalition for Social Justice, Coalition of Labor Union Women, AFL-CIO, Coalition on Human Needs, Colorado Center on Law and Policy, Colorado Fiscal Institute, Connecticut Women's Education and Legal Fund (CWEALF), Economic Opportunity Institute, Economic Policy Institute, Empowering Pacific Islander Communities, Equal Rights Advocates, Every Texan, Faith in Public Life, Family Values @ Work, Florida Policy Institute, Georgia Budget and Policy Institute, Healthy Nourishment, LLC, Indiana Community Action Poverty Institute, Institute for Women's Policy Research, Jobs With Justice, Justice for Migrant Women, Kentucky Equal Justice Center, Legal Aid at Work, Legal Momentum, The Women's Legal Defense and Education Fund, Maine Center for Economic Policy, MANA, A National Latina Organization, MomsRising, National Black Worker Center, National CAPACD- National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development, National Center for Law and Economic Justice, National Council of Jewish Women, National Education Association, National Employment Law Project, National Employment Lawyers Association, National Immigration Law Center, National Organization for Women, National Partnership for Women & Families, National Women's Law Center, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies, NextGen America, North Carolina Justice Center, Oxfam America, Philadelphia Coalition of Labor Union Women, Poligon Education Fund, Public Justice Center, ROC United, Service Employees International Union, She Leads Justice, Shriver Center on Poverty Law, Sojourners-SojoAction, Start Early, Sugar Law Center for Economic & Social Justice, TakeAction Minnesota, The National Domestic Violence Hotline, The Workers Circle, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, United for Respect, We All Rise, Women and Girls Foundation of Southwest PA, Women Employed, Women's Fund of Rhode Island, Women's Law Project, Women's Media Center, Workplace Fairness, YWCA of the University of Illinois, YWCA USA, ZERO TO THREE The full text of the legislation is here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=C2993121-A51C-47E8-9674-7BB9A0DB6967,"Hayes, Gallego, Adams, and Houlahan Introduce Bill to Strengthen Connecticut’s Teacher Workforce",2023-09-19,2023,2023-09,Democrat,House,CT,Jahana Hayes,H001081,hayes.house.gov,hayes,https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Vice Ranking Member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Congressman Ruben Gallego (AZ-03), Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12), and Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) reintroduced the Teacher Diversity and Retention Act, to invest in and expand the teacher workforce in Connecticut and across the country. The Teacher Diversity and Retention Act would authorize two grant programs to fortify teacher recruitment and training programs. The first would provide an infusion of funds for teacher training programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). The second would expand teacher preparation programs that provide dual certification in special education, social and emotional learning competencies, and behavior management so that teaching candidates are better prepared to meet the needs of all students. “While the student population continues to become more diverse, educator ranks are drastically falling behind. At a time of unprecedented teaching shortages, it is essential that schools have the ability to recruit and retain educators who reflect the communities and students they serve,” said Congresswoman Hayes (CT-05). “Teachers of color are critical in closing the achievement gap for students. This legislation aims to fortify the educator pipeline and position students for long-term success. I thank my colleagues Rep. Gallego, Adams, and Houlahan, for their leadership and I look forward to working together to strengthen our educator workforce.” “Too many Arizona students are in over-crowded classrooms or are being taught by teachers who aren’t fully qualified. We must address this teacher shortage for our kids’ future and our state’s economic future,” said Congressman Ruben Gallego (AZ-03). “I’m proud to reintroduce this bill that will support teacher training programs at Arizona’s public universities and schools like Diné College. By training teachers right here in Arizona, we can help ensure our teachers can understand and meet the unique needs of Arizona students.” “Half of Black public school teachers in our classrooms graduated from a Historically Black College or University,” said Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12), founder and co-chair of the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus. “HBCUs, Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) are essential partners for increasing the diversity of classroom faculty. I’m proud to introduce the Teacher Diversity and Retention Act with my colleagues so we can empower these institutions to train the next generation of public school teachers.” “Before I was elected to Congress, I proudly served in Teach for America as a chemistry teacher in North Philadelphia,” said Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06). “As much as I loved my students and was inspired by my work, I was frequently disappointed in the lack of diversity among my fellow instructors and, subsequently, the lack of diverse role models for my students. As we know, you can’t be what you can’t see. The Teacher Diversity and Retention Act seeks to ensure that our educators are as richly diverse as our communities and country, and I am honored to help reintroduce it.” The members first introduced this legislation in the 117th Congress. In the 118th Congress, the Congresswoman has introduced legislation to expand access to free school meals, address school shootings, fight food insecurity for college students, and strengthen environmental education. Additionally, she delivered $8.8 million in Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding for 28 zero-emission buses in Connecticut. This legislation builds on the efforts of Congresswoman Hayes to ensure students and educators are set up for success when they enter the classroom. Full text of the legislation can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/courtney-blumenthal-beatty-introduce-legislation-address-mold-problems,"Courtney, Blumenthal, Beatty Introduce Legislation to Address Mold Problems at Branford Manor, Improve Housing Safety Nationwide",2023-09-18,2023,2023-09,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,courtney,https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"NORWICH, CT – Today, in the wake of ongoing mold problems at Branford Manor Apartments in Groton, CT, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) introduced bicameral legislation to improve the health, safety, and habitability of our country’s federally-assisted housing. The legislation comes after tenants at Branford Manor, a federally-assisted apartment complex in Groton, CT, cited dangerous and unlivable conditions due to mold. Although the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) new inspection regimen, published this year, has prioritized the potential dangers of mold, more federal action is needed to protect the public from mold and other environmental health hazards. The Healthy at Home Act of 2023 would hold bad actors accountable, improve tenant education, provide financial support to building owners working to improve building safety, set standards to prevent and detect safety hazards like mold, and more. “Branford Manor residents, who have endured unsafe conditions, like mold, in their apartments, have petitioned local, state, and federal officials to reform out of date laws that are woefully inadequate. The fact that Branford Manor passed a recent HUD inspection is a powerful example of how the system is broken and screaming out for change. I applaud the Department of Housing and Urban Development for taking critical steps recently to improve tenants’ health and safety at home, but Congressional action is clearly needed. The Healthy at Home Act of 2023 provides structural changes to prevent unhealthy conditions. The strong support from national housing advocates for this measure validates the efforts of Branford Manor tenants that the system needs to change,” said Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-02). “This important initiative— inspired by Connecticut’s Branford Manor residents— will help make homes healthier throughout the nation. Our Healthy at Home Act requires strong standards for preventing, detecting and remediating indoor mold so that no one has to endure intolerable and unhealthy living conditions. An enforceable, effective standard is key to tenant health and safety,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). “The Healthy at Home Act of 2023 is a bill that prioritizes safety and mitigates risks for tenants who deserve to live healthy and prosperous day to day lives in their homes,” said Congresswoman Beatty (OH-03), a member of the House Financial Services Committee, which has oversight over housing and urban development. “Access to safe and affordable housing is the hallmark of the American dream that my constituents across Central Ohio and Americans across the United States should be afforded. This legislation offers the accountability and transparency for states to disclose health and safety concerns, as well as improve the overall housing habitability. I’m proud to support this legislation with my colleagues, Congressman Joe Courtney and Senator Richard Blumenthal.” For years, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development worked to change the existing inspection protocols and standards through a rulemaking process. On July 15, the Department announced their final inspection standards which, at Congressman Courtney’s urging, classified mold-like substances as a “life threatening deficiency,” which ensures mold is treated like the serious problem it is during inspections. Even still, the Healthy at Home Act of 2023 is critical to codifying improved standards for residential buildings to protect against mold and protect residents from health and safety risks. Specifically, the bill would: support research and standard-setting on mold and mold mitigation; provide federal funding to support building owners as they seek to make the changes needed to improve a building’s safety for tenants; create minimum housing stock quality requirements for federally-assisted housing; create an education campaign for tenants and landlords to reduce health risks; and incentivize states to disclose health and safety concerns in the building to future residents. The bill is endorsed by 22 organizations, including the National Housing Law Project, the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, the American Academy of PAs, the American Lung Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National League of Cities, the Change the Air Foundation, the National Low Income Housing Coalition, and the National Center for Healthy Housing. “The serious impact of mold and water damage on Americans’ health has been overlooked for too long. Exposure to these unhealthy environments can cause significant physical, emotional, and financial hardship to those living within them. Change the Air Foundation applauds Congressman Courtney and Senator Blumenthal for championing the Healthy at Home Act of 2023, critical indoor air quality legislation that will provide updated research, standard-setting, accountability, financial support, and education for both tenants and building owners. It’s time to put mold on the same playing field as lead, asbestos, and radon and give it the attention it deserves,” said Brandon Chappo, Director of Public Policy, Change the Air Foundation. “Indoor mold can cause serious respiratory problems for people with mold allergy and allergic asthma,” says Lynda Mitchell, CEO of Allergy & Asthma Network. “Many people are unaware that mold, hidden inside walls or ceilings in their homes, may be the cause of their allergy or asthma symptoms. We are excited to see indoor mold addressed in this important legislation. We support mold education and research in communities and mitigation efforts to reduce mold in homes and apartments, especially those impacted by flooding due to severe weather.” Click here to read a fact sheet. Click here to read a section-by-section. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-courtney-applauds-517m-federal-contract-awarded-electric-boat,Rep. Courtney Applauds $517M Federal Contract Awarded to Electric Boat to Accelerate Repairs of Attack Submarines,2023-09-18,2023,2023-09,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,courtney,https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"NORWICH, CT – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) issued the following statement after the U.S. Navy awarded Electric Boat a $517,248,825 contract to provide unique parts and specialized materials for the Virginia-class submarine program, supporting efforts to improve operational availability of our attack submarine fleet. The award funding was authorized by the FY23 National Defense Authorization Act, which Courtney helped pass as the Committee’s then-Chairman of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee. “Electric Boat’s new $517 million award from the U.S. Navy, coupled with the company’s record-large workforce, will help turbocharge the Navy’s critical mission to improve the lagging operational availability of existing Virginia-class submarines. “With this new funding, EB will help build a surplus of parts and materials required for submarine maintenance, so that our public shipyards have more spare parts readily available even before maintenance is required. Accelerating the turnaround time for submarine repairs is one of the highest needs of the Navy. This award demonstrates that the Navy and Congress are serious about achieving an 80 percent availability rate for the attack submarine fleet. Once again, this award serves as a testament to Electric Boat’s skilled shipbuilders and their track record of delivering excellence not only for production but also submarine repairs and maintenance.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-courtney-and-lalota-introduce-bipartisan-bill-protect-long-island,Reps. Courtney and LaLota Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect the Long Island Sound,2023-09-18,2023,2023-09,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,courtney,https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"NORWICH, CT - Last week, Reps. Joe Courtney (CT-03) and Nick LaLota (NY-01) , Co-Chairs of the Long Island Sound Caucus, introduced the bipartisan Long Island Sound Stewardship and Restoration Act, which would reauthorize the Long Island Sound Program through 2028 to ensure the protection and preservation of the Sound. This is the House companion to legislation introduced by Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). “The Long Island Sound is a unique ecological resource for eastern Connecticut and is home to a vast array of economic activities in our region. This legislation reauthorizes the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Long Island Sound Program which will ensure the Sound remains a valuable resource for generations to come,” said Courtney. “Last year our region secured an historic new investment for the Long Island Sound from the federal Infrastructure Law and the FY23 government spending package. Reauthorizing the Long Island Sound Program ensures Congress can continue to invest in the preservation and protection of this special region.” “As the Co-Chair of the Long Island Sound Caucus, I am proud to introduce the Long Island Sound Stewardship and Restoration Act. The Long Island Sound is not just a body of water; it's a way of life for our community,” said LaLota. “This legislation underscores the vital importance of preserving this natural treasure, not only for our environment but for the thriving fishing industry that sustains Long Island's economy. Together, we can ensure the continued health and prosperity of Long Island Sound, a resource that defines our region and sustains our livelihoods.” Congressman Courtney has worked to conserve and protect waterways and natural heritage areas in eastern Connecticut and the region throughout his career. In 2007, the House voted to pass Courtney’s legislation to secure Wild and Scenic protections for Eightmile River, which is an integral part of the Long Island Sound Watershed. It was the first bill he introduced upon being elected to Congress. More recently, Courtney has helped secure new protections and federal funding to help conserve eastern Connecticut’s natural heritage for generations to come. For example, in the 2023 federal budget passed in December 2022, Courtney voted to secure $40 million for the Long Island Sound Geographic Program—an increase of $8 million over the previous year’s funding levels. In 2019, President Donald Trump signed into law a public lands package that included the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Wild and Scenic River Act—a bill Courtney helped introduce that designates several waterways within the 300-square mile watershed as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Courtney’s bill officially made the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed eligible for federal funding through the National Park Service’s (NPS) Wild and Scenic Rivers Program to carry out preservation, conservation, and environmental stewardship activities. The 2023 federal budget also included $5.3 million for NPS’s Wild and Scenic Rivers Program. To read the full text of the Long Island Sound Stewardship and Restoration Act, click HERE.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://himes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=7F560A17-FB39-48F2-828D-B01A55FF2A62,Himes Statement on the Release of Morad Tahbaz from Iranian Detention,2023-09-18,2023,2023-09,Democrat,House,CT,James A. Himes,H001047,himes.house.gov,himes,https://himes.house.gov/press-releases,page_html,"Washington, DC — Today, Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04) issued the following statement regarding the release of Morad Tahbaz, a constituent of Connecticut’s Fourth Congressional District, from wrongful detention in Iran: “I am overjoyed to hear that, after almost six years of wrongful detention in Iran, Morad Tahbaz can finally return home to Connecticut. Morad is a father, a cancer survivor, and a wildlife conservationist who was unjustly charged while working to protect endangered wildlife in Iran. “This news brings tremendous relief for Morad’s children, Roxanne, Tara, and Teymoor, who have been their father’s fiercest advocates, and for his wife Vida who has been barred from leaving Iran until now. After nearly six years of tireless work to secure Morad’s release from Evin prison and the return of both Morad and Vida to the United States, I am delighted that the Tahbaz family will finally be reunited. I remain ready to support the family through their reentry and adjustment into American life.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-03-30T11:08:25Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/connecticut-congressional-delegation-governor-lamont-general-evon,"Connecticut Congressional Delegation, Governor Lamont, General Evon Applaud Air Force Decision to Base New C-130J Aircrafts at Bradley Air National Guard Base",2023-09-14,2023,2023-09,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,courtney,https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Air National Guard and the U.S. Air Force selected Connecticut’s 103rd Airlift Wing based at Bradley Air National Guard Base as one of four units to receive a squadron of eight C-130J aircraft. The new aircraft will replace the unit’s current inventory of C-130H aircraft. The decision comes after years of advocacy by the Connecticut Congressional Delegation, Connecticut’s Adjutant General Major, General Evon, and Governor Ned Lamont, as well as over $100 million of Congressional investments over the past decade to improve the infrastructure at Bradley Air National Guard Base. The 32 new aircraft that will be stationed at the four bases were added by Congress in the Fiscal Year 2022 and 2023 budgets. “As we mark the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Connecticut’s ‘Flying Yankees,’ the Air Force’s basing decision announced today ensures an enduring future for Connecticut’s air guard. C-130J’s are the state-of-the-art global platforms for airlift, working hard all over the U.S. and in the Indo Pacific and European theaters” Rep. Joe Courtney said. “As Ranking Member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee with oversight over Air Force and Air National Guard airlift programs, including the C-130J basing process, I, along with my Connecticut colleagues, personally raised the issue with Air Force leadership including Secretary Kendall and advocated on behalf of our National Guard personnel in Connecticut for the Air National Guard to select Bradley as a basing location for these new aircraft. Today’s decision is a result of that advocacy and steady, persistent work to upgrade the base infrastructure that General Evon, his predecessor, Thad Martin, and their talented team have executed over the last decade. This is a proud day for our state.” The recapitalization of our tactical airlift fleet ensures that Connecticut’s Flying Yankees have an essential flying mission well into the future, provides job security for our airmen, and secures the unit’s viability for future generations,” said Maj. Gen. Francis J. Evon, adjutant general of the Connecticut National Guard. “We applaud the tireless efforts of Connecticut’s congressional delegation in advocating on behalf of the Connecticut Air National Guard. The 103rd Airlift Wing proactively modernized Bradley Air National Guard Base over the last 10 years to be ready to accept these aircraft as soon as they are available. This decision is a testament to the hard work and unparalleled performance of the Flying Yankees, who just celebrated their centennial, and sets them up for success in their next 100 years.” “This announcement is big news for Connecticut and for Connecticut’s Flying Yankees. This decision reflects the confidence that the Air National Guard and the U.S. Air Force have in the Flying Yankees and the airmen and airwomen of the 103rd Airlift Wing. It is fitting that Connecticut, a leading aerospace state, will now have the most modern platform for this critical flying Guard Base mission. On behalf of the State of Connecticut, I express my gratitude to the Biden administration, Defense Secretary Austin, Air Force Secretary Kendall, and Air National Guard Director Lt. General Loh for selecting the Connecticut National Guard to receive these aircraft. I also commend Major General Evon on his leadership and ongoing efforts to enhance the abilities of the Connecticut National Guard,” said Governor Lamont. “This fantastic news for Connecticut is a testament to the world class Bradley Air National Guard Base. This top notch facility, which is a national model for other Air National Guard Bases, will be a perfect home for the C-130J. With this recognition, Connecticut continues its proud history of supporting our military as it executes crucial missions and ensures our national security,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal. “This is huge news for the CT Air National Guard and the future of the Flying Yankees. Connecticut has spent years investing in Bradley Air National Guard Base to ensure its position as the best candidate for C-130J basing, and today’s decision is proof that the hard work of our delegation, General Evon, and Governor Lamont paid off. As a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I was proud to fight for the funding for these new planes and look forward to their arrival,”said Senator Chris Murphy. “After more than a decade of preparation, including millions in federal funding we secured in Congress to expand operations and improve the hangar at the Bradley Air National Guard Base, the nationally recognized 103rd Airlift Wing is well-positioned to base new C-130J aircraft,” said Rep. John B. Larson. “Today’s announcement will ensure the Connecticut Air National Guard has the equipment they need to continue their critical mission, which has included hurricane relief efforts, support during presidential visits, and joint NATO exercises. I applaud Rep. Courtney for his tireless advocacy on this issue, leading the entire Congressional delegation in our efforts to urge the Air Force to support Connecticut service members by making this decision.” “I applaud the Air Force’s decision in selecting Bradley Air National Guard Base as the home for the C-130J,” said Rep. Rosa DeLauro. “Connecticut’s workforce is well equipped to deliver on maintaining and staging this aircraft which, in turn provides economic impacts that cascade throughout the entire state economy. As the Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, I know how important the Air Force’s efforts are and they have my absolute support. I will always fight to ensure our military aircraft are well-equipped and best positioned to respond to threats to our national security while safeguarding the well-being of the men and women who serve in the US Air Force."" “The Airmen of the 103rd Airlift Wing deserve the most advanced aircraft offered, and I am pleased that the Bradley Air National Guard Base in Connecticut has been selected as a preferred location for C-130Js. This upgrade will allow the CT Air National Guard to continue humanitarian missions, disaster relief, deployments, and joint exercises with our NATO allies,” said Rep. Jim Himes. “The Connecticut Air National Guard continues to be a leader in support missions for Connecticut, New England, and the country. I thank the Air Force for selecting Bradley Air National Guard Base as a preferred location to base new C-130J aircraft. This selection recognizes the hard work of men and women of the 103rd Airlift Wing, also known as the ‘Flying Yankees,’” said Rep. Jahana Hayes. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/courtney-gallagher-celebrate-two-year-anniversary-aukus-mission,"Courtney, Gallagher Celebrate Two Year Anniversary of AUKUS Mission",2023-09-14,2023,2023-09,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,courtney,https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) and Congressman Mike Gallagher, Co-Chairs of the AUKUS Working Group and Friends of Australia Caucus, issued the following joint statement to mark the two-year anniversary of the trilateral security agreement between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. “This week marks two years since the historic announcement of the trilateral AUKUS security agreement and a path to ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific. Since September of 2021, bipartisan lawmakers in Congress and the Administration have worked together to fulfil the AUKUS mission through record investments in the submarine industrial base, legislation to clear legal roadblocks, development of next-generation technologies, and ongoing engagements with our partners and allies. “These efforts are already paying dividends. Shipyards and submarine suppliers across the nation are aggressively hiring and working to meet demand; the first wave of Australian sailors graduated from Nuclear Power School in South Carolina, thanks to our enabling legislation; and our Australian and British counterparts are making strategic investments in support of the unbreakable alliance to strengthen maritime security in the Indo-Pacific.” “It is time to turbocharge AUKUS to achieve near-term deterrence effects. While we have seen great progress, we have significant work ahead to deliver on AUKUS goals by the ‘earliest possible date’ edict, namely passing and sending Pilar 1 and Pillar 2 enabling legislation to the President’s desk--and adequately resourcing what enables AUKUS’s success. Together, we will continue working expeditiously with our colleagues and partners to achieve that goal, and ensure both our Navy and the AUKUS mission are prepared to deter the security challenges in the Indo-Pacific.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=CD583622-9A29-46BB-9B9A-97D0203AFF26,"Hayes, Grijalva, Booker Introduce Bicameral Legislation to Strengthen Environment Education and Sustainability Literacy In Schools",2023-09-14,2023,2023-09,Democrat,House,CT,Jahana Hayes,H001081,hayes.house.gov,hayes,https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – This week, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Congressman Raúl Grijalva (AZ-07) and Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.), introduced the bicameral Green Ribbon Act, legislation to promote environmental education, health and wellness, and sustainability literacy in schools across the United States. The legislation would build upon the ED-Green Ribbon Schools Program, which was established in 2011 by the U.S. Department of Education. The U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS) is a public engagement initiative for school sustainability structured as a federal recognition award. ED-GRS celebrates these schools, districts, postsecondary institutions, and early learning centers’ cost-saving, health-promoting, and performance-enhancing sustainability practices by bringing more attention to their work. Since its inception, the program recognized schools excelling in environmental leadership, health and wellness, and sustainability literacy. With over 700 schools awarded, including more than 40% from resource-constrained areas, the program incentivizes the adoption of environmentally friendly practices within the national education system. “Making long-term investments in building a cleaner, healthier future now is more critical than ever. Since 2013, 20 Connecticut schools have been recognized as Green Ribbon Schools for their leadership in green practices and initiatives. So many schools in our communities are dedicated to implementing and maintaining school sustainability efforts,” said Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05). “Expanding the Green Ribbon Schools program through the Green Ribbon Act would encourage more students, faculty and administrators to begin to incorporate sustainable practices in schools, especially those in underserved communities.” ""We must ensure schools are better able to adopt environmentally friendly practices which will help foster a healthier learning environment for our children,"" said Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ). ""This bicameral legislation will expand on the successes of the ED-Green Ribbon Schools Program so more schools, especially those from underserved communities, can provide all students with access to facilities that promote a better environment for health and learning. By recognizing the vital role of sustainability practices and incentivizing schools to adopt environmentally friendly standards, we can help create a greener future for all."" “The Green Ribbon Award currently serves as a popular public engagement initiative for school sustainability and helps to curb climate impacts, however, it’s critical we open this program to additional participants,” said Congressman Raúl Grijalva (AZ-07). “That’s why I’m proud to co-lead the Green Ribbon Act which will extend the current program to other learning institutions like museums and zoos as well as strengthen the pipeline of participation. Together, we can work to improve conservation efforts, support health and wellness and encourage environmental and sustainability literacy at institutions across the country.” The Green Ribbon Act includes three major components, supported by $10 million in funding, to enhance the impact of this vital program: State Grant Program: This would provide grants to state departments of education, empowering them to increase their capacity to engage eligible entities in the pursuit of becoming green school. Further, it ensures that not less than 40% of funds are dedicated to supporting under-resourced schools, ensuring that all communities have an opportunity to participate in this initiative. Extends Grants to Nonformal Learning Institutions: Extend the program to include awards for nonformal learning institutions (museums, libraries, zoos and aquaria, etc.), with the award program managed by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Experts estimate that more than 70% of all learning takes place in these nonformal learning settings, underscoring the importance of their inclusion in this program. Green Ribbon School Award Program: This would allocate funding to the U.S. Department of Education to provide small, $10,000 honorariums to each winning entity, enabling them to travel to accept the award and/or for use on green school programming. Additionally, funding will support schools operated or funded by the Bureau of Indian Education. Office of School Infrastructure and Sustainability: This would establish an office within the U.S. Department of Education, tasked with providing in-house facilities and sustainability expertise across the department's activities. This office will play a pivotal role in the execution of the Green Ribbon Schools program, further elevating its impact. “For the past 12 years, schools, districts, and universities have committed time and effort to pursuing the Green Ribbon Schools designation by reducing environmental impact, increasing health and wellness, and teaching their students about sustainability,” said Anisa Heming, Director of the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council. “The Green Ribbon Act recognizes their outstanding efforts and gives this valuable program the resources it needs to expand and succeed.” “As students grow up in a changing world and climate, we want them to think critically and give them access to as much knowledge as possible, including exposing them to ideas and skills about climate policy, which impacts and interests them. Public schools are perfectly positioned to provide intentional, experiential learning to help students understand the realities of climate change and engage them in solutions. The Green Ribbon Schools Act will help strengthen public schools’ and educators’ ability to do just that: provide students with the hands-on experience they need for a future career, college or life in a world grappling with climate change. This bill will expand the successful Green Ribbon program to increase access and provide needed funding to support schools as they engage students through problem-solving, critical-thinking, teamwork and learning by doing so that they’re directly involved in the process of creating sustainable and healthier schools,” said Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers. “As extreme weather events continue impacting communities across the nation and our students demand leaders take actions to address climate change, the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools program helps promote sustainability, STEM education, health and wellness, and reduction in environmental impacts across schools and school buildings. Thanks to these efforts, students are being prepared with the skills needed to take part in the green jobs revolution and to build stronger, sustainable economies and more active, engaged, and healthy communities. Over the last several years, the National Education Association (NEA) has been proud of many of our members’ schools that were named Green Ribbon Schools award winners, as educators and students have worked together to make their schools and communities more resilient. That is why NEA applauds Rep. Jahana Hayes and Rep. Rau´l M. Grijalva on introducing the Green Ribbon Act, which will allow the Department of Education to continue and expand this important work,” said National Education Association President Becky Pringle. “In an era of climate misinformation, Green Ribbon schools are doing the crucial work of advancing climate literacy and building the future generation of young conservationists and climate champions,” said Abby Tinsley, Vice President for Conservation Policy at the National Wildlife Federation. “We are grateful for Congresswoman Hayes’ leadership in expanding the reach of the program so that more young people can benefit from sustainable, healthy schools with expanded environmental learning opportunities.” The legislation is endorsed by the following organizations: American Federation of Teachers, Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council, Campaign for Environmental Literacy, National Education Association, National Wildlife Federation, Action for the Climate Emergency, American Alliance of Museums, American Association for State and Local History, American Institute of Architects, American Public Gardens Association, Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, Association of African American Museums, Association of Science and Technology Centers, Association of Science Museum Directors, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Captain Planet Foundation, EcoRise, Go Green Initiative, Green Schools National Network, Green Schoolyards America, Hip Hop Caucus, International WELL Building Institute, National Center for Science Education, National Indian Education Association, National Science Teaching Association, New Buildings Institute, North American Association for Environmental Education, Parliament of the World's Religions, SEI (Strategic Energy Innovations), State Education and Environment Roundtable, Sunrise Movement, Sustainable Forestry Initiative/Project Learning Tree, 21st Century School Fund, The Cloud Institute for Sustainability Education, The Wild Center, UndauntedK12, US Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development, Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, Alliance for New Jersey Environmental Education, Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education, Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation, Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education, Connecticut Green LEAF, Connecticut Outdoor & Environmental Education Association, Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education, Massachusetts Environmental Education Society, New Hampshire Environmental Educators, Pacific Education Institute, Portland State University Digital City Testbed Center, Rhode Island Environmental Education Association, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Ten Strands, and White Mountain Nature and Wildlife Center and Connecticut Education Association (CEA). The full text of the bill can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://himes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=523D410D-E126-41B5-B3DB-6ED65CCFF949,Himes Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Americans from Foreign Spyware Attacks,2023-09-14,2023,2023-09,Democrat,House,CT,James A. Himes,H001047,himes.house.gov,himes,https://himes.house.gov/press-releases,page_html,"Washington, DC — Today, Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04), along with Congressmen Mike Turner (OH-10), Chris Stewart (UT-02), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), and Rick Crawford (AR-01), introduced the Protecting Americans from Foreign Commercial Spyware Act. This bipartisan legislation would amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to restrict assistance to central governments credibly believed to have used foreign commercial spyware to target U.S. persons. “The United States must take a firm stand against the targeting of our citizens by spyware,” said Congressman Jim Himes. “This legislation sends a clear signal to our foreign governments that this type of invasive behavior will not be tolerated and will come at the cost of our economic support. I have long advocated for broader international guardrails around commercial spyware and am glad to bring this bill to the Floor with strong bipartisan support.” “Now more than ever, the American people need to be shielded from bad actors seeking to access their personal information. Our bipartisan legislation will safeguard U.S. national security and protect individuals’ data from foreign and commercial spyware,” said Congressman Mike Turner. Congressman Himes is Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. He previously led a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo urging them to take critical steps to address the growing national security threat to U.S. citizens and residents posed by foreign commercial spyware. You can read the full text here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-03-30T11:08:25Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-clark-murray-sanders-colleagues-introduce-bill-extend-vital,"DELAURO, CLARK, MURRAY, SANDERS, COLLEAGUES INTRODUCE BILL TO EXTEND VITAL CHILD CARE FUNDING AND SAVE MILLIONS OF FAMILIES' CHILD CARE SPOTS AS FUNDING CLIFF LOOMS",2023-09-13,2023,2023-09,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa L. DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,delauro,https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Democrats saved the childcare sector from collapse during the pandemic with vital stabilization funding—which helped 220,000 providers stay afloat and serve as many as 10 million kids—but with funding set to expire September 30, the childcare sector may once again be pushed to the brink, with potentially dire consequences for families and our economy The Child Care Stabilization Act would extend vital stabilization funding to prevent a potential crisis for families and our economy by ensuring childcare providers can continue serving families across the country Today, Representative Rosa DeLauro (CT-3), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5), Representative Bobby Scott (VA-3), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, and Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-1), Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ-11), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), and Jamaal Bowman, Ed.D. (NY-16) along with Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, introduced the Child Care Stabilization Act to extend vital federal child care stabilization funding—which is set to expire at the end of this month—and ensure that child care providers can keep their doors open and continue serving children and families in every part of the country. When the pandemic pushed the already-fragile child care sector to the brink of collapse, Democrats in Congress responded by delivering historic federal investments to save the sector from collapse and prevent families from losing their child care spots—including $24 billion in child care stabilization funding. The funding has made an enormous difference for families across the country—keeping 220,000 child care providers afloat over the last few years and saving child care slots for up to 10 million kids nationwide—but it is set to run out on September 30, 2023, threatening to once again push the sector to the brink, with dire consequences for families and our nation’s economy. The Child Care Stabilization Act would prevent a potential crisis when funding expires at the end of the month by providing $16 billion in mandatory funding each year for the next five years to continue the successful Child Care Stabilization Grant program. This investment would ensure child care providers continue to receive a stable and reliable source of funding to help them deliver high-quality and affordable child care for working families across the country. “When parents go to work, they need affordable and reliable child care,” said Ranking Member DeLauro. “As the Top Democrat on the Labor Health and Human Services Subcommittee on Appropriations, I understand this intimately and have worked hard to increase the annual appropriation to the Child Care and Development Block Grant by more than 52 percent over the last 4 years. We must work to safeguard and strengthen these investments so families can thrive. That is why I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Child Care Stabilization Act, legislation that will extend grants to help support the child care industry and ensure that children and families have access to the child care they need.” “During the pandemic, Democrats answered the call of parents and providers and invested $39 billion into our child care system. This historic relief funding allowed parents to return to work, businesses to survive, and our economy to recover,” said Democratic Whip Clark. “We can’t turn back now. Child care is economic infrastructure—it is critical to growing the economy by growing the middle class. We must urgently enact the Child Care Stabilization Act to protect the financial security of families and workers and maintain our progress in the fight for affordable, high-quality care for all.” “There was a child care crisis even before the pandemic—and failing to extend these critical investments from the American Rescue Plan will push child care even further out of reach for millions of families and jeopardize our strong economic recovery,” said Senator Murray. “This is an urgent economic priority at every level: child care is what allows parents to go to work, businesses to hire workers, and it’s an investment in our kids’ futures. The child care industry holds up every sector of our economy—and Congress must act now.” “We have a child care crisis in America that we have got to address. If Congress does not act soon, over 3 million kids are in danger of losing their child care slots, over 230,000 child care workers could lose their jobs, and child care facilities all over our country could be forced to close their doors,” said Senator Sanders. “That would be unacceptable. In the richest country in the history of the world, we can and we must make sure that every kid in America has access to high quality, affordable child care. If we can afford to spend over $1 trillion on tax breaks for the top one percent and large corporations making record-breaking profits, we can afford to provide working class families with the child care they desperately need. This legislation is needed now more than ever.” “America’s families are facing a child care crisis – and is imperative that we step up to stop it. Ensuring access to affordable and accessible child care is essential; as our economy strengthens under President Biden, we need to continue to ensure all Americans – especially women – can access the workforce, a critical aspect of which is reliable access to dependable child care,” said Leader Schumer. “The Child Care Stabilization Act will avert the nightmare scenario too many American families stay up at night worrying about by providing mandatory funding to support high-quality childcare. As Majority Leader, I will always fight for America’s children and families.” “Too many families are struggling to find reliable, affordable child care or preschool and feel like they’re on their own. The child care crisis predated the pandemic, but the funding provided in the American Rescue Plan kept centers afloat during their darkest hours,” said Senator Casey. “Without new investments, parents will have a harder time finding care, which in turn impacts businesses and local economies. It’s time for the government to step up and set up our kids and families for success by making a meaningful investment in child care and the child care workforce.” “The lack of affordable child care in America is holding our families, workers, and economy back,” said Senator Kaine. “Parents are locked out of the workforce because they can’t find care for their kids. Workers who are passionate about child care are being squeezed out of their field because they can’t pay their bills. If we let critical child care stabilization funding expire, things are only going to get worse. Millions of families who will otherwise lose their child care are depending on Congress passing this legislation to extend these urgently-needed funds.” “Across the country, affordable child care is out of reach for too many families, stopping parents from getting back to work, hurting our economy, and preventing kids from getting the strong start they deserve,” said Senator Baldwin. “I was proud to help address this crisis and expand access to child care with the American Rescue Plan, delivering long-overdue relief for providers and middle-class families. But now, that progress is on the line. We must pass this legislation to lower costs for working families, help Wisconsin businesses meet the demand for workers, and grow our economy.” “In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress provided critical funding to save the child care sector from collapse and ensure access to affordable child care for working families. This essential relief was a powerful reminder that, when we invest in affordable child care, we improve the strength and future of children, workers, and our economy,” said Ranking Member Scott. “Regrettably, the lack of affordable child care often forces Americans to choose between their careers and caring for their children. The most recent poverty data from the Census Bureau underscore the importance of continuing policies that help families make ends meet. Now is not the time for Congress to abandon the federal investments that kept child care centers afloat and helped families find affordable care. We must pass the Child Care Stabilization Act and provide sustained funding that will support child care workers, expand access to high-quality learning, and empower parents to pursue rewarding careers.” “As the federal child care funding cliff quickly approaches, the Child Care Stabilization Act will protect economic security for New Jersey parents and help keep the doors open for more than 1,000 child care centers across the Garden State,” said Representative Sherrill. “We know that child care isn’t just a women’s issue — it’s an economic issue for families and businesses alike. As a mother of four school-age children, I know firsthand many of the challenges parents navigate when searching for affordable child care, and I’m going to continue fighting for them to bring costs down and keep doors open across New Jersey.” “Ask any parent in America, and they'll tell you that the cost of child care is expensive and out of reach for too many families, disproportionately burdening women who often bear the primary responsibility for childcare. I founded the first-ever Congressional Dads Caucus to do our part to bring fathers' voices to the fight for legislation that uplifts working families—and affordable, accessible, and high-quality child care is an essential part of our agenda,” said Representative Gomez. “Our bill would prevent looming child care funding cliffs that could cause 3.2 million children to lose child care and jeopardize the jobs of 232,000 child care workers. For families' economic success and stability, and for our nation's economy as a whole, we call on House Republicans to join us in extending this funding and making child care affordable for every parent.” “This is an emergency,” said Representative Bonamici. “Child care stabilization grants have been essential for child care providers and the families they serve, and without the grants hundreds of providers will likely close and millions of children could lose their child care slots. This funding demonstrated that federal investment can increase access to quality, affordable child care. We cannot let this funding expire. I’m helping to lead the Child Care Stabilization Act to extend these grants because it’s a good investment for children, families, and the economy.” “House Republicans’ silence and inaction on the impending child care cliff is deafening. In San Diego, it’s already incredibly hard to find and afford child care, but allowing this crucial funding to expire would worsen the already-dire crisis and hurt women the most,” said Representative Jacobs. “It would force caregivers to leave the workforce and child care providers to close their doors, stifling the economic progress that we’ve made since the pandemic. That’s why we need to immediately pass the Child Care Stabilization Act to protect these jobs, this essential care, and our economic recovery. This is so much bigger than politics and I hope our Republican colleagues will join us in immediately passing our bill and extending this emergency child care support.” “Thanks to the American Rescue Plan we were able to save thousands of child care programs and maintain the support and access that they offered for families, but those programs are at risk yet again,” said Representative Bowman. “We know how critical child care is for supporting our kids’ cognitive development and unlocking their brilliance over the long-term, as well as for strengthening whole families and communities. As we continue to recover from the pandemic and build an America that works for all people, we must prioritize the programs that millions rely on so that our kids, families, and economy can thrive. That means maintaining and expanding our investments in child care so that we are not faced with a social and economic disaster caused by leaving 3 million kids without care. I’m proud to join Whip Clark in protecting American families by introducing the Child Care Stabilization Act. With this legislation, we can continue to grow the child care sector and prevent a crisis for families and care workers alike.” Unless action is taken to extend funding for the child care sector, families, providers, and our entire economy will feel the consequences—with fewer families able to find and afford the child care they need to go to work and thrive. A report released by Senators Sanders and Murray in May details how, when stabilization funding expires at the end of the month, child care programs may have to serve fewer children or be forced to raise tuition for families or cut wages for child care workers, who are already paid poverty-level wages. A separate analysis from The Century Foundation finds that if Congress does not provide additional funding for the nation’s child care sector, more than 70,000 child care programs—one-third of those supported by stabilization funding—could close, causing approximately 3.2 million children to lose their child care spots and jeopardizing jobs for 232,000 child care workers. The loss in tax and business revenue could cost states $10.6 billion in economic activity per year. Additionally, millions of parents will likely leave the workforce or reduce their hours, which could cost families an estimated $9 billion each year in lost earnings. 35 Senators are original cosponsors of the legislation, including: Senators Murray, Sanders, Schumer, Baldwin, Blumenthal, Booker, Brown, Cardin, Casey, Cortez Masto, Duckworth, Durbin, Fetterman, Gillibrand, Heinrich, Hirono, Kaine, King, Klobuchar, Luján, Markey, Menendez, Merkley, Murphy, Padilla, Reed, Shaheen, Smith, Stabenow, Van Hollen, Warnock, Warren, Welch, Whitehouse, and Wyden. 78 Representatives are original cosponsors of the legislation, including: Representatives Katherine Clark, Rosa DeLauro, Bobby Scott, Suzanne Bonamici, Jamaal Bowman, Jimmy Gomez, Sara Jacobs, Mikie Sherrill, Alma Adams, Becca Balint, Nanette Diaz Barragán, Shontel Brown, Julia Brownley, Nikki Budzinski, Cori Bush, Yadira Caraveo, Salud Carbajal, Troy Carter, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Yvette Clarke, Gerald Connolly, Angie Craig, Jasmine Crockett, Henry Cuellar, Danny Davis, Donald Davis, Veronica Escobar, Lois Frankel, Josh Gottheimer, Raúl Grijalva, Jahana Hayes, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Sheila Jackson Lee, Pramila Jayapal, Andy Kim, Annie Kuster, Greg Landsman, Barbara Lee, Zoe Lofgren, Stephen Lynch, Seth Magaziner, Kathy Manning, Lucy McBath, Jennifer McClellan, Betty McCollum, Morgan McGarvey, Rob Menendez, Gwen Moore, Jared Moskowitz, Kevin Mullin, Jerrold Nadler, Richard Neal, Donald Norcross, Scott Peters, Brittany Pettersen, Chellie Pingree, Mark Pocan, Katie Porter, Ayanna Pressley, Jamie Raskin, Deborah Ross, Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, Andrea Salinas, John Sarbanes, Mary Gay Scanlon, Jan Schakowsky, Adam Schiff, Terri Sewell, Mark Takano, Rashida Tlaib, Jill Tokuda, Paul Tonko, Lori Trahan, David Trone, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Jennifer Wexton, Susan Wild, and Nikema Williams. The Child Care Stabilization Act is endorsed by: National Women’s Law Center (NWLC), Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), ZERO TO THREE, National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), Children’s Defense Fund, Save the Children, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), National Association for Family Child Care, Child Care for Every Family Network, Family Values at Work, Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy, MomsRising/MamasConPoder, Oxfam America, All Our Kin, Community Change Action, Prevent Child Abuse America, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO, Small Business Majority, First Focus Campaign for Children, Parents Together Action, Prevent Child Abuse America, United Parent Leaders Action Network (UPLAN), YWCA-USA. “The entire country depends on child care. The clock is ticking. Congress must act before stabilization grants expire on September 30,” said Lorella Praeli, Co-President at Community Change Action. “The situation will worsen when another round of ARPA funds for child care expire in 2024. If Congress doesn't act now, child care slots will disappear, child care providers and parents will be at risk for losing their jobs, and there will be more instability in every facet of our lives. As always women, especially women of color, and our kids will be hit the hardest. Our families, youngest kids, and the childcare workforce need a lifeboat. These grants saved nearly 10 million child care slots and protected more than 1 million child care jobs. The choice to pass the Childcare Stabilization Act should be easy.” “The initial childcare stabilization funds were a lifeline for entrepreneurs working to keep their doors open during the pandemic,” said John Arensmeyer, Founder & CEO, Small Business Majority. “These funds proved critical for small business childcare providers, as well as small employers struggling to maintain their workforce. Allowing these childcare investments to expire will disrupt the entire small business community, disproportionately impacting under-resourced and rural small businesses. We proudly support the Child Care Stabilization Act, which will allocate the funding needed to stave off the looming childcare crisis while supporting working parents and small business owners alike.” “Our nation’s child care system is on the verge of collapse and after years of underinvestment, and the stress of the pandemic, millions of working families will be left with few or no options for quality child care. This is not a situation where we can or should simply accept that fate,” said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler. “Working people need solutions and lawmakers must come together immediately to take action and pass the Child Care Stabilization Act now.” “SEIU members are proud to stand with Senator Murray and Senator Sanders who are listening to early childhood educators and families across the country,” said SEIU International President Mary Kay Henry. “The Child Care Stabilization Act can help our country avert the worst of disasters looming over working families by ensuring that children and those caring for them have the child care they need and can avoid disruptions to their lives. This bill also helps ensure childcare workers can continue to use their power to push states to raise standards for the workforce and quality of care.” “We are grateful to Sens. Murray and Sanders and Rep. Clark and their colleagues for introducing the Child Care Stabilization Act, a bill that tackles head-on the challenges facing our nation’s child care system,” said Bruce Lesley, President, First Focus Campaign for Children. “This bill would provide a solid foundation for high-quality, affordable and accessible child care — the kind of system that supports children, families and child care professionals. The kind of system we all want — and know we can have, if Congress makes the good choices that support the best interests of children.” “Investments in the child care sector during COVID led states to make critical improvements in child care affordability, access, and support to providers. But that progress is at risk unless Congress provides additional funding,” said Indivar Dutta-Gupta, President and Executive Director at the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP). “Without added resources, we will further exacerbate long-standing inequities in the child care system and compromise positive improvements. We welcome the Child Care Stabilization Act as an essential solution that would prevent working families from losing access to care and allow states to continue building toward a system that really works for children, families, and providers—and the economy as a whole.” “The Child Care Stabilization Act would help families across the country escape some of the most devastating impacts of the child care cliff and extend a lifeline to parents and providers,” said Julie Kashen, Director of Women’s Economic Justice and Senior Fellow at the Century Foundation. “We know how important it is for children and families, not to mention our economy, to have reliable, affordable child care in every community—and to pay the people who do that vital work a living wage because without them, there is no child care system. I am grateful for Senator Murray, Chairman Sanders, Leader Schumer, Representatives Clark and DeLauro for their leadership on this bill and their partnership in fighting for federal child care investments that our children and their families need to thrive.” “The Child Care Stabilization Act is direly needed by families all over the country, to protect the child care of three million children and keep 70,000 child care providers open,” said Nicole Jorwic, Chief of Campaigns and Advocacy at Caring Across Generations. “We deserve to live in a country where children and caregivers have community, support, and fully funded solutions for all their care needs. Supporting the Child Care Stabilization Act and investing in a better child care system will help millions access the care they deserve, provide good child care jobs, contribute to family stability and financial security, and benefit the economy.” “Early educators, including those caring for children in home-based settings, are facing a crippling loss of funding at the end of this month of September. The Child Care Stabilization Act would provide much-needed resources to prevent millions of families from losing access to child care and thousands of programs from being forced to close their doors,” said Erica Phillips, Executive Director of the National Association for Family Child Care. “The National Association for Family Child Care is grateful to Senators Patty Murray and Bernie Sanders as well as Representatives Katherine Clark and Rosa Delauro for their unwavering support and especially leading this legislation that would make critical investments in our nation’s child care system and prevent a crisis.” “Last fall, more than 12,000 early educators and providers shared with NAEYC the widespread and critical impact that child care stabilization funding had in sustaining their programs and supporting their staff, as well as their anxieties about what would happen to their programs and the families they serve when that funding ran out. With stabilization funding officially expiring at the end of this month, and with many programs having already received their last round of support, we are already seeing their fears play out in real time—early educators are leaving to find other jobs as wages stagnate, programs are closing their doors for good, and families are facing increased challenges in accessing affordable, high-quality care,” said Michelle Kang, NAEYC Chief Executive Officer. “The Child Care Stabilization Act addresses these concerns head-on by extending funding for a program that we already know has worked to keep high-quality early educators open and equipped to serve young children and their families in communities across the country. We thank Senators Murray and Sanders, and Representatives Clark, DeLauro, Scott, Bonamici, Bowman, Gomez, Jacobs, and Sherrill for their leadership in introducing this critically needed legislation, and we look forward to working with them and all Members of Congress who care about the needs of young children and their families to ensure early educators have the supports they need to help families and communities thrive.” “The $52 billion in pandemic-era federal supplemental funding helped hundreds of thousands of child care educators, including family child care educators and small business owners, keep their doors open and serve working families with high-quality, flexible care in recent years,” said Jessica Sager, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of All Our Kin. “If these resources are allowed to expire without any sort of remedy, millions of children and their families around the country will lose access to care, as many of these small businesses will be forced to close. The Child Care Stabilization Act would ensure families, especially those from low-income backgrounds, have access to care for their families, and therefore the ability to stay in the workforce. Our leaders must step up and ensure children and families have access to the crucial high-quality early education opportunities that are key to their development and empower them for success later in life.” “American families are already feeling the pinch of rising costs. Unfortunately, when federal funding for child care runs out this month, parents are going to be forced to pay more or cut back at work, hurting families and our economy,” said Sondra Goldschein, Executive Director of the Campaign for a Family Friendly Economy. “The Child Care Stabilization Act would stave off the worst impacts of the child care funding cliff and make sure working families have the tools and opportunities they need to build a good life. We’re thankful to those who have championed this critical legislation and urge Congress to send it to the president’s desk.” “Now is not the time to play politics with our children’s futures. When the COVID childcare stabilization funds expire, this nation will go over a childcare cliff that will see 3.2 million children lose their child care and 70,000 child care centers closed,” said Josephine Kalipeni, Executive Director of Family Values @ Work. “We are at a pivotal moment in this nation’s history. Will Congress make permanent investments in child care to show working families they value them and their contributions? Or will they refuse to act, displaying a cowardice that will cost children, their families, and the economy? Care work is everyone’s work. We demand that all of our legislators promote care in policy and practice; that they demonstrate the power of care by prioritizing the needs of children and working families. The Child Care Stabilization Act is a strong first step to prevent the childcare cliff, but we also need the creation of a stronger social support network that ensures that all of the resources needed to take time to care––including paid leave with job security and progressive wage replacement, and affordable childcare–are available to all. We call on all political leaders to take action. This is an issue that impacts all families–no matter how they vote, where they work, or where they live.” “YWCAs around the country can attest to the disastrous consequences child care providers and the families they care for will face if Congress fails to invest the resources needed to avert the child care cliff and stabilize funding for this essential sector of our economy and our communities,” said Margaret Mitchell, CEO of YWCA USA. “Child care providers are the backbone of our economy, and it is time we recognize their value by swiftly passing the Child Care Stabilization Act.” “The Child Care Stabilization Act will ensure that the most vulnerable families across the country can continue to access critical child care services, without interruption,” said Javier Martínez, Managing Director of National Policy, Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors. “The risk of more than 3 million families losing child care overnight will reverberate throughout the economy and result in unspeakable hardship to American families, far and wide.” “Access to high-quality childcare is a significant stressor for parents of young children across our country,” said Melissa Merrick, President and CEO of Prevent Child Abuse America. “This is especially true for families with less access to resources. The Child Care Stabilization Act will ensure that childcare is available to more parents so they can stay employed without the worry of their children being nurtured and cared for.” A one-pager on the Child Care Stabilization Act is available HERE.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-statement-new-child-poverty-data-us-census-bureau,DeLauro Statement on New Child Poverty Data from US Census Bureau,2023-09-12,2023,2023-09,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa L. DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,delauro,https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released a statement in response to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau that shows failure to extend the expanded, monthly Child Tax Credit contributed to the childhood poverty rate increasing by nearly 140% in a single year – the largest increase on record. “There has been no modern policy that has been as successful as the expanded, monthly Child Tax Credit. Millions of children were lifted out of poverty, hunger was cut by 26 percent, and families were provided with unprecedented economic security. Families used this money to pay for housing, food, child care so they could go to work, and other basic essentials of everyday life. Moreover, for every $1 invested, the Child Tax Credit provided $8 in social and economic benefits.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:35:26Z