url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at https://www.murphy.senate.gov/view/senator-murphys-year-in-review-2014,Senator Murphy's Year in Review 2014,2014-12-31,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senator Murphy's Year in Review 2014 Despite the gridlock in Washington, we were able to achieve some big wins for the state of Connecticut this year. From job training to preschool funding, inf... See Video on YouTube Tweet Copy Link",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://delauro.house.gov/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=1784:delauro-applauds-over-11-million-in-additional-sandy-funds-for-3rd-congressional-districtcatid=2:press-releasesItemid=21,DeLauro Applauds Over $11 Million in Additional Sandy Funds for 3rd Congressional District,2014-12-29,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement in response to the Senate passing the Republicans’ bill cutting taxes for millionaires, billionaires, and corporations while raising taxes on middle class families.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://esty.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-elizabeth-esty-releases-her-annual-end-of-year-report,Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty Releases Her Annual End-of-Year Report,2014-12-29,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Elizabeth Esty,E000293,esty.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty’s (CT-05) bipartisan Women in Aerospace Education Act (H.R. 4254) passed the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee by voice vote this morning. The bill would encourage universities applying for Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship grants, which are designed to cover the cost of STEM-degree seeking students who intend to teach in rural and lower income school districts, to incorporate aerospace programs at the National Laboratories and NASA Centers into their teacher training experience. Esty, along with Rep. Steve Knight (CA-25), introduced the legislation to encourage more women to participate in the STEM fields.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://delauro.house.gov/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=1785:delauro-on-bloomberg-ingersoll-rand-reportcatid=2:press-releasesItemid=21,DeLauro on Bloomberg Ingersoll-Rand Report,2014-12-22,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement in response to the Senate passing the Republicans’ bill cutting taxes for millionaires, billionaires, and corporations while raising taxes on middle class families.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://esty.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/connecticut-schools-chosen-for-farm-to-cafeteria-program,Connecticut Schools Chosen for Farm-to-Cafeteria Program,2014-12-22,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Elizabeth Esty,E000293,esty.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty won re-election to the 5th District last November. This hour, the Connecticut Democrat stops by our studios. We wade through national politics and find out what issues top her agenda on Capitol Hill.  Do you have a question for Congresswoman Esty? We want to hear from you, too.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://himes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=A05B0D95-DD11-4D19-8E09-62832DEE3FB4,Himes: New Report Underscores Need for Transportation Investments,2014-12-22,2014,2014-12,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-4) today highlighted a new report that shows how the average driver in the Bridgeport-Stamford area loses almost $1,900 annually due to roads that are congested, deteriorated and unsafe. Himes said the report, released today by the national transportation group TRIP, underscores the need for long-term federal transportation investments to create jobs and improve the safety and efficiency of Connecticut's highway and transit networks. ""This report shows how our region's deteriorated, overburdened transportation system continues to drain precious time and money from Fairfield County commuters and businesses,” Himes said. “Our transportation infrastructure is the foundation on which we build economic growth and create jobs, and we can't afford to neglect it any longer. We need a long-term transportation bill that invests in our crumbling roads, bridges and railways to ensure the safety of our people and make our economy more competitive.” Connecticut drivers lose $4.2 billion each year due to the inadequate condition of the state’s roads and bridges, according to the TRIP report. In the Bridgeport-Stamford area, drivers lose $1,885 annually. The study also found that 41 percent of Connecticut's major urban roads and highways are in poor condition, and more than one-third of the state's bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. The TRIP report found that traffic congestion in the Bridgeport-Stamford corridor costs each driver 42 hours a year in delays and $902 annually in lost time and wasted fuel. “This report does an excellent job quantifying what motorists all over Connecticut can tell you first hand—that our roads and bridges are in need of repair. Governor Malloy has announced that transportation will be a top priority in 2015, and for very good reason. Rebuilding our transportation infrastructure will support a great many jobs, and is essential to the health of our economy and our quality of life,” said Connecticut State Sen. Bob Duff (Norwalk). “Connecticut’s business community is backing Governor Malloy’s commitment to put the state’s transportation system front and center in his second term,” said Jack Condlin, president and CEO of the Stamford Chamber of Commerce. ""Connecticut is doing its part to address our transportation challenges. We need our federal partners to do their part by passing a long-range federal transportation bill.” “These conditions are only going to worsen if greater funding is not made available at the state and federal levels,” said Will Wilkins, TRIP’s executive director. “Congress can help by approving a long-term federal surface transportation program that provides adequate funding levels, based on a reliable funding source. If not, Connecticut is going to see its future federal funding threatened, resulting in fewer road and bridge repair projects, loss of jobs and a burden on the state’s economy.” The efficiency of Connecticut’s transportation system, particularly its highways, is vital to the health of the state’s economy. The Federal Highway Administration estimates that each dollar invested in road, highway and bridge improvements results in an average benefit of $5.20 in the form of reduced vehicle maintenance costs, reduced delays, reduced fuel consumption, improved safety, reduced road and bridge maintenance costs and reduced emissions as a result of improved traffic flow. The federal surface transportation program is a critical source of funding in Connecticut. From 2008 to 2012, the federal government provided $1.76 for road improvements in Connecticut for every dollar the state paid in federal motor fees. In July, Congress approved an eight-month extension of the federal surface transportation program, which will now run through May 31, 2015. The legislation will also transfer nearly $11 billion into the Highway Trust Fund to preserve existing levels of highway and public transportation investment through the end of May 2015. In Congress, Himes is an original cosponsor of legislation that would establish a National Infrastructure Bank (H.R. 2553), which would use federal dollars to leverage private investment through loans and guarantees. This proposal offers a new way to objectively fund our nation’s critical infrastructure projects at a time when fiscal constraints at all levels of government are making financing by conventional means difficult.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-03-30T11:08:25Z http://esty.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/blumenthal-delauro-courtney-himes-esty-15-senators-and-representatives,"Blumenthal, DeLauro, Courtney, Himes, Esty, 15 Senators and Representatives Call for Increased Consumer Protections in Medicare Advantage Plans",2014-12-19,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Elizabeth Esty,E000293,esty.house.gov,,,legacy,"Hartford, CT) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representatives Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), Joe Courtney (D-Conn.), Jim Himes (D-Conn.) and Elizabeth Esty (D-Conn.) today called for increased consumer protections in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. In a letter to Marilyn Tavenner, Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), they urged her to require MA plans fix their provider networks before next year’s annual open enrollment period. Doing so would ensure patients will not have to worry about abruptly and unfairly being cut off from the doctors they know and trust. “Over the last year, thousands of doctors and other providers have been removed without cause from MA plan networks, needlessly disrupting the care of seniors across the country,” the members wrote. “This blatant bait and switch should not be allowed. Therefore we urge you to require that MA plans to fix their provider networks in advance of the annual open enrollment period in you FY 2016 call letter. This will allow Medicare Advantage enrollees to select a plan with a provider network that meets their needs. It will also give MA enrollees security in knowing that their providers cannot be dropped from the network in between enrollment periods.” The writers also outlined several steps Tavenner could take in the event CMS refuses the common sense request, including: a special enrollment period, more advance notice to enrollees about changes in their provider network and up to date provider directories. In addition to Sen. Blumenthal and Reps. DeLauro, Courtney, Himes and Esty, the letter is signed by Sens. Sherrod Brown and Rand Paul and Reps. Steve Cohen, Adam Schiff, Lloyld Doggett, Charles Rangel, Keith Ellison, Doris Matsui, Barbara Lee, Brian Higgins, Chellie Pingree, Lois Frankel, Lujan Grisham, Mark Takano, and Ted Deutch. The full text of the letter is below:   December 19, 2014   Marilyn Tavenner Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20201 Dear Administrator Tavenner: We are writing to ask that you increase consumer protections in the Medicare Advantage (MA) plan offerings in the Fiscal Year 2016 Call Letter. Past Call Letters have reflected a willingness by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to make changes to requirements regarding adequate notice to consumers about provider networks in these plans and offering better options for seniors who have had changes foisted on them mid-plan year. While we appreciate your attention to this matter, we believe much more must be done to provide potential enrollees with adequate information to make decisions about MA plans. Over the last year, thousands of doctors and other providers have been removed without cause from MA plan networks, needlessly disrupting the care of seniors across the country.  This blatant bait and switch should not be allowed.  Therefore we urge you to require that MA plans to fix their provider networks in advance of the annual open enrollment period in you FY 2016 call letter.  This will allow Medicare Advantage enrollees to select a plan with a provider network that meets their needs.  It will also give MA enrollees security in knowing that their providers cannot be dropped from the network in between enrollment periods. If MA Plans continue to be allowed to drop providers during the middle of the plan year, we have several suggestions that we believe are necessary to provide fairness to seniors and should be included in the 2016 Call Letter. Special Enrollment Periods.  We understand that Medicare traditionally provides services rather than access to specific providers; however, because the very nature of MA plans relies on the use of specific networks of providers within plans, CMS has a responsibility to ensure that enrollees will receive the plan as advertised.  If CMS continues to allow insurers to make changes to provider networks mid-plan year, the Agency must strengthen the Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for subscribers whose provider has been dropped, allowing them to change their plan. Criteria for Special Enrollment Periods.  CMS should define the “significant” provider changes that would make an enrollee eligible for a SEP in a way that reflects the needs of individuals, allowing  beneficiaries to change plans if their providers who were a part of the network when they signed up for a specific plan are no longer in-network. At the same time, we ask the agency to carefully monitor the use of such SEPs and any related marketing by health plans, to minimize gaming and other discriminatory practices. These policy changes will preserve beneficiary choice and minimize disruptions in care continuity. Notice to Enrollees.  Adequate notice is essential to making sure that seniors can make informed decisions about how to utilize Medicare to fit their needs.   CMS’ notice to enrollees through the Annual Notice of Change continues to inadequately inform enrollees about the status of provider networks and whether individual providers are still in-network. At a minimum, we urge CMS to adopt the proposal that was initially presented in last year’s draft Call Letter of notifying enrollees 60 days rather than 30 days before the open enrollment period of any changes to the provider network. Up to Date and Practical Directories. CMS must ensure that provider directories, particularly those that are available online, are kept up to date and provide accurate information to enrollees on office addresses, specialty information, languages the providers speak, and whether providers are accepting new patients. Furthermore, CMS should make all provider directories more useable by linking them to the Plan Finder. Network Standards.  Finally, CMS should consider applying network standards for other plans to MA plans. Requiring essential community providers would help ensure that provider networks are indeed adequate to meet the needs of enrollees. Most importantly, the CMS commitment to active annual review of Medicare-Medicaid Plans should be applied to all MA plans. The aggressive changes to plans that have affected our communities over the past few years are simply unacceptable. Additional oversight by CMS of plans that serve the Medicare population is vital to making sure that the plans that seniors select during open enrollment are not gutted by insurers at a time when seniors are left with no options or recourse.  We look forward to working together with you on implementing these ideas and others that will better protect seniors. Thank you very much for your attention to this matter.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-delauro-courtney-himes-esty-15-senators-and-representatives-call-for-increased-consumer-protections-in-medicare-advantage-plans,"Blumenthal, DeLauro, Courtney, Himes, Esty, 15 Senators and Representatives Call for Increased Consumer Protections in Medicare Advantage Plans",2014-12-19,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,,,legacy,"(Hartford, CT) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representatives Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), Joe Courtney (D-Conn.), Jim Himes (D-Conn.) and Elizabeth Esty (D-Conn.) today called for increased consumer protections in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. In a letter to Marilyn Tavenner, Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), they urged her to require MA plans fix their provider networks before next year’s annual open enrollment period. Doing so would ensure patients will not have to worry about abruptly and unfairly being cut off from the doctors they know and trust. “Over the last year, thousands of doctors and other providers have been removed without cause from MA plan networks, needlessly disrupting the care of seniors across the country,” the members wrote. “This blatant bait and switch should not be allowed. Therefore we urge you to require that MA plans to fix their provider networks in advance of the annual open enrollment period in you FY 2016 call letter. This will allow Medicare Advantage enrollees to select a plan with a provider network that meets their needs. It will also give MA enrollees security in knowing that their providers cannot be dropped from the network in between enrollment periods.” The writers also outlined several steps Tavenner could take in the event CMS refuses the common sense request, including: a special enrollment period, more advance notice to enrollees about changes in their provider network and up to date provider directories. In addition to Sen. Blumenthal and Reps. DeLauro, Courtney, Himes and Esty, the letter is signed by Sens. Sherrod Brown and Rand Paul and Reps. Steve Cohen, Adam Schiff, Lloyld Doggett, Charles Rangel, Keith Ellison, Doris Matsui, Barbara Lee, Brian Higgins, Chellie Pingree, Lois Frankel, Lujan Grisham, Mark Takano, and Ted Deutch. The full text of the letter is below: December 19, 2014 Marilyn Tavenner Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20201 Dear Administrator Tavenner: We are writing to ask that you increase consumer protections in the Medicare Advantage (MA) plan offerings in the Fiscal Year 2016 Call Letter. Past Call Letters have reflected a willingness by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to make changes to requirements regarding adequate notice to consumers about provider networks in these plans and offering better options for seniors who have had changes foisted on them mid-plan year. While we appreciate your attention to this matter, we believe much more must be done to provide potential enrollees with adequate information to make decisions about MA plans. Over the last year, thousands of doctors and other providers have been removed without cause from MA plan networks, needlessly disrupting the care of seniors across the country.  This blatant bait and switch should not be allowed.  Therefore we urge you to require that MA plans to fix their provider networks in advance of the annual open enrollment period in you FY 2016 call letter.  This will allow Medicare Advantage enrollees to select a plan with a provider network that meets their needs.  It will also give MA enrollees security in knowing that their providers cannot be dropped from the network in between enrollment periods. If MA Plans continue to be allowed to drop providers during the middle of the plan year, we have several suggestions that we believe are necessary to provide fairness to seniors and should be included in the 2016 Call Letter.  Special Enrollment Periods.  We understand that Medicare traditionally provides services rather than access to specific providers; however, because the very nature of MA plans relies on the use of specific networks of providers within plans, CMS has a responsibility to ensure that enrollees will receive the plan as advertised.  If CMS continues to allow insurers to make changes to provider networks mid-plan year, the Agency must strengthen the Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for subscribers whose provider has been dropped, allowing them to change their plan. Criteria for Special Enrollment Periods.  CMS should define the “significant” provider changes that would make an enrollee eligible for a SEP in a way that reflects the needs of individuals, allowing  beneficiaries to change plans if their providers who were a part of the network when they signed up for a specific plan are no longer in-network. At the same time, we ask the agency to carefully monitor the use of such SEPs and any related marketing by health plans, to minimize gaming and other discriminatory practices. These policy changes will preserve beneficiary choice and minimize disruptions in care continuity. Notice to Enrollees.  Adequate notice is essential to making sure that seniors can make informed decisions about how to utilize Medicare to fit their needs.   CMS’ notice to enrollees through the Annual Notice of Change continues to inadequately inform enrollees about the status of provider networks and whether individual providers are still in-network. At a minimum, we urge CMS to adopt the proposal that was initially presented in last year’s draft Call Letter of notifying enrollees 60 days rather than 30 days before the open enrollment period of any changes to the provider network. Up to Date and Practical Directories.  CMS must ensure that provider directories, particularly those that are available online, are kept up to date and provide accurate information to enrollees on office addresses, specialty information, languages the providers speak, and whether providers are accepting new patients. Furthermore, CMS should make all provider directories more useable by linking them to the Plan Finder. Network Standards.  Finally, CMS should consider applying network standards for other plans to MA plans. Requiring essential community providers would help ensure that provider networks are indeed adequate to meet the needs of enrollees. Most importantly, the CMS commitment to active annual review of Medicare-Medicaid Plans should be applied to all MA plans. The aggressive changes to plans that have affected our communities over the past few years are simply unacceptable. Additional oversight by CMS of plans that serve the Medicare population is vital to making sure that the plans that seniors select during open enrollment are not gutted by insurers at a time when seniors are left with no options or recourse.  We look forward to working together with you on implementing these ideas and others that will better protect seniors. Thank you very much for your attention to this matter.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/lawmakers-celebrate-bill-that-would-help-families-with-autistic-children,Lawmakers Celebrate Bill That Would Help Families With Autistic Children,2014-12-19,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Lawmakers Celebrate Bill That Would Help Families With Autistic Children By:  Tara Joyce Friday, December 19, 2014 On Friday in Hartford, U.S. Senators Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal along with Congressmen John Larson and Elizabeth Esty celebrated the bipartisan passage of the ABLE Act. ABLE, which stands for Achieving a Better Life Experience, is aimed at easing the impact autism has on families across the country. “The able act allows for families to put aside money, tax free, so it can grow and then be taken out to pay for expenses such as education or housing,” said Sen. Murphy. It is a bill Shannon Knall, a Simsbury native and Autism Speaks Connecticut Advocacy Chair, has been waiting for. Knall’s son Jack is autistic and she knows firsthand how hard looking ahead can be. “One of the issues I often talk about when I speak about autism is that we have little to no opportunity to plan for our future,” said Knall. According to Sen. Blumenthal, the bill was one of the most popular in Congress and now Knall is thanking them for their support. “They said that our families matter, our children are important, that there future is a priority,” said Knall. The bill is now waiting for President Obama’s signature. He is expected to sign it before the end of the year.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-schatz-issue-statement-on-department-of-educations-college-ratings-system,"MURPHY, SCHATZ ISSUE STATEMENT ON DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONS COLLEGE RATINGS SYSTEM",2014-12-19,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"MURPHY, SCHATZ ISSUE STATEMENT ON DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION’S COLLEGE RATINGS SYSTEM Friday, December 19, 2014 WASHINGTON –Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) released the following statement regarding the Department of Education’s College Ratings System public notice: “In order for students to get a high quality and affordable education, colleges need to be more transparent about costs and outcomes, and accountable when they aren’t. That's why we introduced the College Affordability and Innovation Act last January. As student debt loads climb ever higher, and college costs continue to skyrocket, students need to be able to make informed decisions about the best place for them to get a quality education. While neither final nor perfect, the proposed ratings system released today focuses on recognizing degree granting institutions that are making college more affordable, more accessible, and delivering a high quality education for all students. That should be celebrated, and we applaud the administration for taking this thoughtful step. In response, colleges should step up to the challenge and use new, innovative practices to reduce costs and deliver quality. This is another good step toward accountability and transparency, and we look forward to working with the administration and the higher education community to make this system even better for students of all backgrounds.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-applauds-cfpb-action-against-predatory-lenders-targeting-military-servicemembers,Blumenthal Applauds CFPB Action Against Predatory Lenders Targeting Military Servicemembers,2014-12-18,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Blumenthal Applauds CFPB Action Against Predatory Lenders Targeting Military Servicemembers Print Tweet Thursday, December 18, 2014 (Hartford, CT) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) today released the following statement after the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) took action against Freedom Stores, Inc., Freedom Acceptance Corporation, and Military Credit Services LLC for illegal debt collection practices against servicemembers. In March and August, Senator Blumenthal led letters calling for CFPB to use its enforcement authority to crack down on companies that abuse judicial and administrative processes to harass service members, exactly the conduct these entities are accused of engaging in. Senator Blumenthal has also repeatedly called on the Department of Defense to reform its allotment system, which the companies appear to have used to collect from servicemembers. “I applaud the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for responding to my request that they do more to protect our brave men and women in uniform from abusive lending practices. “This case points to a broader problem: unscrupulous creditors appear to have used the Defense Department’s own payroll system to prey on servicemembers by garnishing their pay without giving them an adequate opportunity to contest a debt. I call on the Pentagon to immediately reconsider its process for garnishing servicemember pay to ensure that servicemembers’ rights are protected. The Defense Department should stop serving as a collection agency for predatory lenders.” Press Contact Josh Zembik (DC) - 202-224-6452 Josh_Zembik@blumenthal.senate.gov Elizabeth Benton (CT) - 860-729-3589 Elizabeth_Benton@blumenthal.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-senate-passage-of-tax-extenders-bill,Blumenthal Statement On Senate Passage Of Tax Extenders Bill,2014-12-18,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Blumenthal Statement On Senate Passage Of Tax Extenders Bill Print Tweet Thursday, December 18, 2014 (Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) today released the following statement on the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014, which the Senate passed before adjourning this week: “I am pleased that Connecticut taxpayers can now be certain of their ability to rely on important tax provisions for this year. In particular, Connecticut’s business community will benefit from a tax credit for research and development, which will help spur important innovations, and from a deduction for the full cost of new business equipment. I have also heard from many of my constituents about how important a number of individual tax provisions are to them, and I am glad that they will be able to rest easier this holiday season knowing that those have passed as well. The tax extenders package will protect homeowners whose mortgage debt is forgiven from having to pay taxes on that amount. This legislation also provides important tax benefits for teachers who purchase school supplies out of pocket, property owners who seek to conserve their land, and retirees who wish to make charitable distributions from their retirement accounts. “I look forward to working with my colleagues toward more forward-looking tax legislation that will provide stability and allow taxpayers to plan, rather than relying on retroactive, last-minute extensions. And I hope that discussions in the next Congress about comprehensive tax reform will center on protecting working and middle-class families and encouraging innovation and investment in American jobs.” Press Contact Josh Zembik (DC) - 202-224-6452 Josh_Zembik@blumenthal.senate.gov Elizabeth Benton (CT) - 860-729-3589 Elizabeth_Benton@blumenthal.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://himes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=538A30CA-6D48-4F6D-AD2D-FBC971EFF616,"Himes, DeLauro, Blumenthal, Courtney, Esty Call for Increased Consumer Protections in Medicare Advantage Plans",2014-12-18,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,James A. Himes,H001047,himes.house.gov,himes,https://himes.house.gov/press-releases,page_html,"WASHINGTON, DC—Representatives Jim Himes, Rosa DeLauro, Joe Courtney and Elizabeth Esty, and Senator Richard Blumenthal today called for increased consumer protections in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. In a letter to Marilyn Tavenner, Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), they urged her to require MA plans fix their provider networks before next year’s annual open enrollment period. Doing so would ensure patients will not have to worry about abruptly and unfairly being cut off from the doctors they know and trust. Their letter can be read in its entirety below. “Over the last year, thousands of doctors and other providers have been removed without cause from MA plan networks, needlessly disrupting the care of seniors across the country,” the members wrote. “This blatant bait and switch should not be allowed. Therefore we urge you to require that MA plans to fix their provider networks in advance of the annual open enrollment period in you FY 2016 call letter. This will allow Medicare Advantage enrollees to select a plan with a provider network that meets their needs. It will also give MA enrollees security in knowing that their providers cannot be dropped from the network in between enrollment periods.” The writers also outlined several steps Tavenner could take in the event CMS refuses the common sense request, including: a special enrollment period, more advance notice to enrollees about changes in their provider network and up to date provider directories. December 19, 2014 Dear Administrator Tavenner: We are writing to ask that you increase consumer protections in the Medicare Advantage (MA) plan offerings in the Fiscal Year 2016 Call Letter. Past Call Letters have reflected a willingness by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to make changes to requirements regarding adequate notice to consumers about provider networks in these plans and offering better options for seniors who have had changes foisted on them mid-plan year. While we appreciate your attention to this matter, we believe much more must be done to provide potential enrollees with adequate information to make decisions about MA plans. Over the last year, thousands of doctors and other providers have been removed without cause from MA plan networks, needlessly disrupting the care of seniors across the country. This blatant bait and switch should not be allowed. Therefore we urge you to require that MA plans to fix their provider networks in advance of the annual open enrollment period in you FY 2016 call letter. This will allow Medicare Advantage enrollees to select a plan with a provider network that meets their needs. It will also give MA enrollees security in knowing that their providers cannot be dropped from the network in between enrollment periods. If MA Plans continue to be allowed to drop providers during the middle of the plan year, we have several suggestions that we believe are necessary to provide fairness to seniors and should be included in the 2016 Call Letter. Special Enrollment Periods. We understand that Medicare traditionally provides services rather than access to specific providers; however, because the very nature of MA plans relies on the use of specific networks of providers within plans, CMS has a responsibility to ensure that enrollees will receive the plan as advertised. If CMS continues to allow insurers to make changes to provider networks mid-plan year, the Agency must strengthen the Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for subscribers whose provider has been dropped, allowing them to change their plan. Criteria for Special Enrollment Periods. CMS should define the “significant” provider changes that would make an enrollee eligible for a SEP in a way that reflects the needs of individuals, allowing beneficiaries to change plans if their providers who were a part of the network when they signed up for a specific plan are no longer in-network. At the same time, we ask the agency to carefully monitor the use of such SEPs and any related marketing by health plans, to minimize gaming and other discriminatory practices. These policy changes will preserve beneficiary choice and minimize disruptions in care continuity. Notice to Enrollees. Adequate notice is essential to making sure that seniors can make informed decisions about how to utilize Medicare to fit their needs. CMS’ notice to enrollees through the Annual Notice of Change continues to inadequately inform enrollees about the status of provider networks and whether individual providers are still in-network. At a minimum, we urge CMS to adopt the proposal that was initially presented in last year’s draft Call Letter of notifying enrollees 60 days rather than 30 days before the open enrollment period of any changes to the provider network. Up to Date and Practical Directories. CMS must ensure that provider directories, particularly those that are available online, are kept up to date and provide accurate information to enrollees on office addresses, specialty information, languages the providers speak, and whether providers are accepting new patients. Furthermore, CMS should make all provider directories more useable by linking them to the Plan Finder. Network Standards. Finally, CMS should consider applying network standards for other plans to MA plans. Requiring essential community providers would help ensure that provider networks are indeed adequate to meet the needs of enrollees. Most importantly, the CMS commitment to active annual review of Medicare-Medicaid Plans should be applied to all MA plans. The aggressive changes to plans that have affected our communities over the past few years are simply unacceptable. Additional oversight by CMS of plans that serve the Medicare population is vital to making sure that the plans that seniors select during open enrollment are not gutted by insurers at a time when seniors are left with no options or recourse. We look forward to working together with you on implementing these ideas and others that will better protect seniors. Thank you very much for your attention to this matter.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-03-30T11:08:25Z http://delauro.house.gov/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=1777:lt-gov-wyman-gov-malloy-congressional-delegation-applauds-45-million-healthcare-award-to-ctcatid=2:press-releasesItemid=21,"LT. Gov. Wyman, Gov. Malloy, Congressional Delegation Applauds $45 Million Healthcare Award To CT",2014-12-17,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement in response to the Senate passing the Republicans’ bill cutting taxes for millionaires, billionaires, and corporations while raising taxes on middle class families.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-issues-statement-on-pura-final-decision-to-increase-clandp-fixed-charge,Blumenthal Issues Statement on PURA Final Decision to Increase CL&P Fixed Charge,2014-12-17,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Blumenthal Issues Statement on PURA Final Decision to Increase CL&P Fixed Charge Print Tweet Wednesday, December 17, 2014 (Hartford, CT) - U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) issued the following statement today in response to the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority’s final decision granting Connecticut Light and Power an over 20 percent increase in its fixed charge, while also providing the public utility a more than 9 percent guaranteed rate of return. “After sustained public outcry, PURA’s decision today to grant Connecticut Light and Power a more than 20 percent increase in its fixed rate charge is disappointing and unconscionable. CL&P’s fixed charge for residential users will now be the highest in New England, an unacceptable distinction with serious consequences for Connecticut ratepayers—most notably low-income and elderly users. This fee will hit consumers before they even turn on a single light, discouraging and devaluing conservation and efficiency measures and damaging our economy. With PURA signaling future increases, efforts to combat additional fixed rate increases must continue before this disturbing decision becomes a dire trend,” Blumenthal said. Press Contact Elizabeth Benton (CT) - 860-729-3589 Elizabeth_Benton@blumenthal.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-release-of-alan-gross-normalization-of-relations-with-cuba,"Blumenthal Statement On Release Of Alan Gross, Normalization Of Relations With Cuba",2014-12-17,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Blumenthal Statement On Release Of Alan Gross, Normalization Of Relations With Cuba Print Tweet Wednesday, December 17, 2014 (Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) today released the following statement on the release of Alan Gross, an American aid worker imprisoned by the Castro regime in Cuba, and on the President’s announcement on normalization of trade and travel relations with the country: “I welcome home Alan Gross from his illegal and unjust imprisonment in Cuba. Many in Congress – including myself – have said there could be no normalization of relations with Cuba without his release.  “Cuba continues to be oppressed by a dictatorial regime, denying essential rights and freedoms. I welcome any trade and diplomatic discussions currently underway to advance freedom and rights for the Cuban people, and I will carefully review any recommendations to change our relationship with Cuba on that basis.” Press Contact Josh Zembik (DC) - 202-224-6452 Josh_Zembik@blumenthal.senate.gov Elizabeth Benton (CT) - 860-729-3589 Elizabeth_Benton@blumenthal.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://himes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=3815AE6F-CD76-44AA-8487-DDEB0238C64D,Himes Urges Long-Term Extension of Commuter Tax Benefit,2014-12-17,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,James A. Himes,H001047,himes.house.gov,himes,https://himes.house.gov/press-releases,page_html,"Washington, DC — Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) issued the following statement on legislation Congress cleared this week to retroactively increase a tax benefit that helps thousands of employees in Connecticut save money on their commute to and from work. Himes has pushed to restore and increase the benefit, which was included in a larger package (H.R. 5771) that allows individuals and businesses to claim dozens of lapsed tax breaks for the current 2014 tax year. The bill now awaits President Obama’s signature. ""The commuter tax benefit helps thousands of Fairfield County families save money on their commute,” Himes said. “With Metro-North fares set to rise again next year, this benefit has become even more important for Southwest Connecticut residents who depend on mass transit and already face a high cost of living. While I'm pleased Congress provided a retroactive increase, I’ll keep pushing for a long-term solution so that commuters aren’t forced to deal with this uncertainty every year. We ought to be encouraging – not discouraging – people to use public transportation so we can reduce traffic on our roads and improve our environment, and that's what this tax benefit does.” The bill retroactively increases the monthly mass-transit tax benefit to $250 per month for 2014, putting it on par with the current monthly parking benefit. The mass-transit provision expired at the end of 2013, reducing the pre-tax savings from $240 to just $130 in 2014. Meanwhile, commuters who drive to work have been eligible to set aside as much as $250 per month, up from $245 in 2013, for pre-tax parking expenses. Himes has consistently fought to restore the transit benefit. He is a cosponsor of the Commuter Parity Act (H.R. 2288), which would permanently extend the parity between parking and transit and allow for annual cost-of-living adjustments. About 3 million commuters nationwide take advantage of the transit portion of the commuter benefit program, according to Commuter Benefits Work for Us, a transportation advocacy group.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-03-30T11:08:25Z https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-statement-on-us-cuba-relations,MURPHY STATEMENT ON US-CUBA RELATIONS,2014-12-17,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"MURPHY STATEMENT ON US-CUBA RELATIONS Murphy: New engagement and dialogue is more likely to succeed than isolationist policies of the last fifty years Wednesday, December 17, 2014 WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statement after President Obama announced the release of Alan Gross and efforts to normalize trade and travel relations between the United States and Cuba. I applaud President Obama’s announcement today that the United States will finally take steps to re-establish diplomatic relations with Cuba.  Decades of embargo and isolation have not worked to bring fundamental change to Cuba and have instead become a source of friction between the United States and our partners in the Western Hemisphere and across the globe. It is high time that we take a different approach to bring democracy and prosperity to the people of Cuba.  The changes announced by the President today – including increased people-to-people ties and expanded commerce - should help to empower the people of Cuba to improve their lives.  While these new policies will not bring change overnight, I am optimistic that this new engagement and dialogue is more likely to succeed than our hard-line, isolationist policies of the last fifty years. In any event, I look forward to carefully reviewing the details of this policy in the Foreign Relations Committee early in the next session of Congress. I am also pleased that Alan Gross has been released from prison in Cuba and is finally back home with his family.  Cuba has a long way to go, but today marks an important first step in what I hope will be a much brighter future between the peoples of the United States and Cuba.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/congressional-delegation-lt-gov-wyman-gov-malloy-applauds-45-million-healthcare-award-to-connecticut,"CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION, LT. GOV. WYMAN, GOV. MALLOY APPLAUDS $45 MILLION HEALTHCARE AWARD TO CONNECTICUT",2014-12-16,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION, LT. GOV. WYMAN, GOV. MALLOY APPLAUDS $45 MILLION HEALTHCARE AWARD TO CONNECTICUT Affordable Care Act Funding Will Improve Accessibility and Affordability Tuesday, December 16, 2014 (HARTFORD, CT) – The state’s Congressional delegation, Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman, and Governor Dannel P. Malloy, applauded the announcement today by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarding Connecticut $45 million to test health care payment and delivery models. This funding builds upon the State Innovation Model (SIM) design grant that Connecticut received in March 2013 to develop a State Healthcare Innovation Plan, which was completed in December 2013. “In many ways, Connecticut is a proof of concept for the Affordable Care Act. Through committed leadership at the state and federal levels, we have shown that the law can be transformative for individuals and health care providers,” said Senator Chris Murphy. “Our exchange has been one of the most successful and well-run in the country and I’m thrilled that this new funding, for which I was proud to advocate, will give Connecticut the opportunity to once again be a leader. For too long, the health care delivery system in our country has prioritized quantity of services rather than quality. This initiative will demonstrate that by focusing on primary care and rewarding health outcomes will not only mean cost savings over time but also a healthier population.” “This substantial federal grant continues Connecticut’s national leadership in health care payment reform, and will bring improvements in care and health equity to all aspects of the healthcare system,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal. “Connecticut is leading the nation in innovations to transform access to quality healthcare nationwide—delivering better care at lower costs.” “This is excellent news for Connecticut and our residents,” said Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman, Chair of the Healthcare Cabinet. “I thank President Obama and HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell for their support of state-led initiatives to enhance quality, affordable healthcare; and our Congressional delegation for their advocacy on behalf of the state’s application. In particular, I commend the efforts by Mark Schaefer and the Healthcare Innovation team who developed a winning model that emphasizes quality of care—absolutely critical to furthering a strong and vibrant state.” “This funding is great news for Connecticut because it's an important part of continuing our efforts to increase access to quality healthcare,” said Governor Malloy. “Connecticut has been at the forefront of implementing affordable, accessible coverage. When it comes down to it, these efforts are really about improving the quality of life for the people of our state.” The SIM grant will support the ongoing work of the Malloy Administration to improve access to healthcare and behavioral health treatment, and strengthen healthcare delivery by emphasizing quality of care and outcomes. “We could not be more pleased to be awarded a State Innovation Model Test Grant. This award represents the completion of a monumental two-year effort that saw unprecedented collaboration between our various stakeholders,” said Dr. Mark Schaefer, Director of Healthcare Innovation. “We still have a great deal of work ahead, but I am confident that with the continued efforts of our team and the support of our stakeholders we will improve the lives of the residents of our state. I’m grateful for the terrific leadership of Vicki Veltri and the Office of the Healthcare Advocate, which developed the foundation for these much needed reforms.” Connecticut’s plan includes more than $6 million to measure and improve community health and health equity, address increasing rates of obesity and diabetes, and strengthen primary care. The state also plans to implement a Medicaid Quality Improvement Shared Savings Program designed to reward providers that invest in delivering better quality care, more equitable care, and a better care experience for Medicaid beneficiaries. “This grant will improve coordinated care, shift the focus onto personal healthcare goals, and make the quality and cost of treatment more transparent,” said Dr. Tom Raskauskas, Healthcare Innovation Steering Committee member and CEO/President, St. Vincent's Health Partners, Inc. “Helping patients take charge of their healthcare is key— making it easier to communicate with their doctors and build expert coordinated care teams to ensure they have the tools to set healthcare goals and reach them.” “Connecticut has a long tradition of being a center for innovation in health care,” said Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro. “This grant, made possible by the Affordable Care Act, will help improve the way we deliver healthcare in Connecticut. Congratulations to the State of Connecticut for winning this award. I look forward to seeing how Connecticut families benefit from improved health care quality and lower costs.” ""Under the leadership of Governor Malloy, Connecticut has been nationally recognized as being at the forefront of healthcare reform,"" said Congressman John B. Larson. “I applaud the efforts of our Governor, Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman, the Office of the Healthcare Advocate and many others for their efforts to obtain this award. As implementation of this funding begins, I look forward to seeing Connecticut continue to engage stakeholders throughout our health care community to make this a success.” ""The single most important thing we can do for our nation's long-term fiscal stability is to rein in the cost of healthcare,” said Congressman Jim Himes. “This grant will build on the Affordable Care Act by supporting innovative programs designed to help reduce health care costs, save money for individuals and the government, and improve the delivery of care. I was pleased to help push for this grant and I look forward to supporting Connecticut’s continued progress in improving our health care system."" “Connecticut has always been a leader in providing high-quality healthcare services, and today’s grant will help our state continue to expand access to affordable care,” said Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty. “I want to thank Secretary Burwell for her investment in our endeavors. This grant will go a long way in improving the delivery of care, particularly with additional residency opportunities for primary care providers. I commend Governor Malloy, Lt. Governor Wyman, the Office of the Healthcare Advocate, and Mark Schaefer and the entire Healthcare Innovation team for their commitment to a successful implementation of the Affordable Care Act here in our state. I look forward to continuing to work with them to ensure that every Connecticut resident can access high-quality, timely, and affordable healthcare.” “I am very pleased to see recognition that reform of the healthcare delivery system means opportunity for all to improve their health—particularly so for those that have experienced compromised health outcomes due to inequities in the system,” said Patricia Baker, Healthcare Innovation Steering Committee member and President and CEO of the Connecticut Health Foundation. “Connecticut seized this opportunity to ensure this transformation is charged with eliminating health inequities in our state. This grant is a tremendous step forward in building an equitable health care delivery system for the residents of Connecticut.” ""We are committed to partnering with Connecticut to advance the goals we all share: better care, smarter spending, and, ultimately, healthier people,"" said HHS Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell. ""We're seeing states do some very innovative things when it comes to improving the ways we deliver care, pay providers, and distribute information. These funds will support Connecticut in integrating and coordinating the many elements of health care – including Medicaid, Medicare, public health, and private health care delivery systems – to the benefit of patients, businesses, and taxpayers alike."" Nationwide, 11 states were awarded over $620 million in federal funds funded by the Affordable Care Act to test health care payment and service delivery models that will improve health care quality and lower costs.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-statement-on-senate-passage-of-tax-extenders-passage,MURPHY STATEMENT ON SENATE PASSAGE OF TAX EXTENDERS PASSAGE,2014-12-16,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"MURPHY STATEMENT ON SENATE PASSAGE OF TAX EXTENDERS PASSAGE Tuesday, December 16, 2014 WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statement after the Senate voted to pass the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014: The tax extenders package that my colleagues and I passed today falls far short of ideal, but it provides certainty for the thousands of families and businesses in Connecticut and across the country that are counting on these provisions. I’m disappointed that Congress failed to make progress toward comprehensive tax reform, but many of these provisions were too important to allow to lapse: from tax incentives for property owners who choose to conserve their land, to the critical deduction for charitable giving, to the research and development tax credit that helps businesses invest in new ideas. However, I am glad that the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, which I cosponsored, will also be signed into law as part of the package, and that families will now be able to create tax-free accounts to save for the long-term care of their disabled family members. I’m hopeful that this victory will drive significant progress in the fight to pass the Keeping All Students Safe Act – a bill that I introduced to ensure the effective implementation of positive behavioral interventions in our nations’ schools.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-statement-on-talibans-heinous-murder-of-innocent-pakistani-students,MURPHY STATEMENT ON TALIBANS HEINOUS MURDER OF INNOCENT PAKISTANI STUDENTS,2014-12-16,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"MURPHY STATEMENT ON TALIBAN’S HEINOUS MURDER OF INNOCENT PAKISTANI STUDENTS Tuesday, December 16, 2014 WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statement in response to the Pakistani Taliban’s brutal attack on a military-run school in northwestern Pakistan: The brutal slaughter of more than 140 innocent civilians, mostly school children, by the Taliban in Peshawar, Pakistan shocks the conscience. My heart goes out to the victims and their families, to the people of Pakistan and to the Pakistani community in Connecticut and across the United States. The senseless murder of innocent children, whether at a school in Pakistan or here in the United States, ranks among the most heinous and cowardly acts of depravity. The Taliban have once again demonstrated that they have nothing to offer but violence and fear. The United States today stands together with the people of Pakistan in their efforts to counter extremism and to build a better future for their children.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://delauro.house.gov/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=1775:delauro-pingree-amendment-to-ban-chinese-chicken-from-school-lunches-included-in-omnibus-funding-billcatid=2:press-releasesItemid=21,"DeLauro, Pingree Amendment to Ban Chinese Chicken from School Lunches Included In Omnibus Funding Bill",2014-12-15,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement in response to the Senate passing the Republicans’ bill cutting taxes for millionaires, billionaires, and corporations while raising taxes on middle class families.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://esty.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-elizabeth-esty-applauds-senate-confirmation-of-dr-vivek,Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty Applauds Senate Confirmation of Dr. Vivek Murthy as New Surgeon General,2014-12-15,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Elizabeth Esty,E000293,esty.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty’s (CT-05) bipartisan Women in Aerospace Education Act (H.R. 4254) passed the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee by voice vote this morning. The bill would encourage universities applying for Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship grants, which are designed to cover the cost of STEM-degree seeking students who intend to teach in rural and lower income school districts, to incorporate aerospace programs at the National Laboratories and NASA Centers into their teacher training experience. Esty, along with Rep. Steve Knight (CA-25), introduced the legislation to encourage more women to participate in the STEM fields.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://larson.house.gov/index.php/news/press-releases/1936-coltsville-national-historical-park-act,Coltsville National Historical Park Act,2014-12-15,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,John Larson,L000557,larson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington – Today, Rep. John B. Larson joined Senators Blumenthal, Murphy and Mayor of Hartford Pedro Segarra in applauding passage of the Coltsville National Historical Park Act in the U.S. Senate. Following passage in the U.S. House of Representatives last week, the Act now heads to the President’s desk for his signature. “Today marks the culmination of more than a decade of work to preserve the legacy of American innovation and manufacturing that is Coltsville. Connecticut is the cradle of our industrial revolution. The designation made possible by this Act would not only honor the groundbreaking work of Samuel and Elizabeth Colt, but provides Connecticut greater and much-deserved representation in our National Park system. While it has received wide support on both sides of the aisle, I am most excited to bring this news home to the Hartford community and my constituents who will ultimately reap the cultural and economic benefits that will come from Coltsville’s designation as a National Historical Park,” said Congressman John B. Larson. “I commend the hard work of several Mayors, Representatives, Senators and community leaders on this legislation and Governor Malloy for his continued support of Coltsville,” Larson continued. “I want to especially thank Senators Dodd and Lieberman for their determination in starting this process and Senators Blumenthal and Murphy for carrying the torch and seeing it through final passage. There is still work left to see this designation come to fruition and I look forward to working with the National Park Service and continuing efforts with stakeholders throughout our community along with federal, state and local officials to ensure Coltsville is preserved for generations to come.” ""This monumental milestone will drive economic growth and new jobs all around Connecticut by making Coltsville a magnificent, magnetic destination and history hub.  Coltsville will be a national monument to Connecticut's vital role in the industrial revolution and American manufacturing, which helped make our state the arsenal of democracy.  Designation as a National Park will spur tourism, housing, commerce, and economic development in Hartford-- and stand as a lasting living legacy to the ingenuity, vision and grit of Sam and Elizabeth Colt, as inventors and entrepreneurs and patriots.I am tremendously grateful to Congressman Larson for his unwavering commitment to Coltsville, and to Senators Dodd and Lieberman who advocated powerfully for this provision for years before me. As a member of the Armed Services Committee who negotiated the final agreement, I was proud to be part of the team that finally carried this worthy designation across the finish line,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal. “Once a dream, now on the verge of reality, Connecticut is about to have a new national park. Years and years of hard work have gone into this effort, and with this designation, Hartford's Coltsville will get the national recognition it deserves, allowing future generations to appreciate Connecticut’s powerful role in advancing the industrial revolution and strengthening manufacturing in the United States. I’m proud to have helped get this bill through the Senate with Senator Blumenthal, but we all have John Larson to thank when it is signed into law. His crusade of over a decade to get this done will be taught in classrooms as an example of persistence, persistence, and more persistence, paying off in the end,” said Senator Chris Murphy. ""The Colt Manufacturing facility played a critical role in our national defense and promoted the spirit of American business ingenuity around the world,"" said Mayor Pedro Segarra. ""This monumental decision will help shape an ongoing renaissance in the City of Hartford, lead to long-term job growth in the region and increase focus on heritage tourism in our state. I want to sincerely applaud and acknowledge Congressman John Larson of his consistent leadership on this issue and Senators Blumenthal and Murphy for always supporting the advancement of Connecticut's Capital City. "" Coltsville was the Hartford, Connecticut home of Samuel Colt’s industrial enterprise, the Colt Fire Arms Company. In Hartford, Samuel Colt developed the use of the assembly line and highly mechanized techniques that set the stage for mass production of the bicycle, the typewriter, the automobile, and the jet engine. Colt manufacturing not only transformed the firearms industry but was a major contributor to the industrial revolution by pioneering the use of interchangeable parts and precision manufacturing. The site was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2008. Once the bill is signed into law, the National Park Service will initiate the process of implementing the legislation and will lead the process of establishing a park. The Coltsville National Historical Park Act (H.R. 1259/S.615) is known as an ‘authorization bill’, a common and important step in the establishment of other National Parks nationwide. As an authorization bill, the establishment of a National Park at Coltsville is contingent upon meeting the conditions set out in the legislation, as well as the development of a management plan and funding from federal and non-federal sources. ###   In the News: Hartford Courant EDITORIAL: Coltsville Finally A National Historic Park The Day: Moving closer to Coltsville Park, Hartford",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-confirmation-of-dr-vivek-murthy,Blumenthal Statement On Confirmation Of Dr. Vivek Murthy,2014-12-15,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Blumenthal Statement On Confirmation Of Dr. Vivek Murthy Print Tweet Monday, December 15, 2014 Murthy Will Be Country’s  First Senate-Confirmed Surgeon General Since July 2013 (Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) today released the following statement after the Senate confirmed Dr. Vivek Murthy to be the Surgeon General of the United States. There has been no full-time, Senate-confirmed Surgeon General since July 2013 when Dr. Regina Benjamin resigned.  “Doctor Vivek Murthy is a supremely qualified doctor, and he will be a strong and effective Surgeon General. There were no serious questions about his experience or expertise on public health issues. Unfortunately, the NRA has spun a specious smokescreen – even in the face of an Ebola public health crisis – working shamefully and tirelessly to block him simply because he stated the obvious fact that gun violence is a public health issue. Despite the NRA’s negative onslaught, today the United States gets a great surgeon general and a superbly qualified public health leader.” Press Contact Josh Zembik (DC) - 202-224-6452 Josh_Zembik@blumenthal.senate.gov Elizabeth Benton (CT) - 860-729-3589 Elizabeth_Benton@blumenthal.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-metro-north-announcement-of-sleep-apnea-tests-for-engineers,Blumenthal Statement On Metro-North Announcement Of Sleep Apnea Tests For Engineers,2014-12-15,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Blumenthal Statement On Metro-North Announcement Of Sleep Apnea Tests For Engineers Print Tweet Monday, December 15, 2014 (Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) today released the following statement after Metro-North Railroad announced the beginning of a new pilot program to screen all locomotive engineers for sleep apnea, which played a critical role in the crash at Spuyten Duyvil in December 2013. “This step is progress – an urgently needed safety system that I've repeatedly urged. The testing needs to be more than temporary, so I call on Metro-North to commit to and implement immediately a permanent, effective testing regimen as recommended by the National Transportation Safety Board. Sadly, had this type of testing been in place the medical condition that caused a train engineer to fall into a sleeplike ‘daze’ and crash at Spuyten Duyvil in December 2013 likely would have been caught – and lives would have been saved. I also renew my call that the Federal Railroad Administration move forward immediately with implementing a Fatigue Risk Management System for railroads, which will further help curb dangerous conditions tied to sleep disorders.” Press Contact Josh Zembik (DC) - 202-224-6452 Josh_Zembik@blumenthal.senate.gov Elizabeth Benton (CT) - 860-729-3589 Elizabeth_Benton@blumenthal.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/us-sen-murphy-keeps-up-fight-for-gun-control-two-years-after-sandy-hook,U.S. Sen. Murphy Keeps Up Fight For Gun Control Two Years After Sandy Hook,2014-12-15,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Sen. Murphy Keeps Up Fight For Gun Control Two Years After Sandy Hook By:  Nicole Briggs Monday, December 15, 2014 FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. – Two years after the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre that killed 20 children and six adults on Dec. 14, 2012, U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) is making sure nobody forgets that day, or any of the victims killed by violence, reports CNN. For the past two years Murphy has related stories of violence to the Senate, calling his speeches, “Voices of Victims,” relaying who the victims were, where they lived and what they did in life, hoping that by personalizing the victims of gun violence, Congress will take note according to the report. ""There's no more personal issue than gun violence; every one of these stories is a life lost,"" said Murphy. ""I'm hoping that over the long term, as I tell these stories that it will help to open people's eyes.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-highlights-local-connecticut-manufacturer-united-gear-and-machine-company-inc-as-murphys-monday-manufacturer,"MURPHY HIGHLIGHTS LOCAL CONNECTICUT MANUFACTURER, UNITED GEAR MACHINE COMPANY, INC., AS MURPHYS MONDAY MANUFACTURER",2014-12-15,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"MURPHY HIGHLIGHTS LOCAL CONNECTICUT MANUFACTURER, UNITED GEAR & MACHINE COMPANY, INC., AS “MURPHY’S MONDAY MANUFACTURER” Monday, December 15, 2014 SUFFIELD – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) announced that United Gear & Machine Company, Inc. will be recognized as “Murphy’s Monday Manufacturer”. United Gear is a 60-year-old, family-run manufacturer that serves the military and commercial aerospace industries. The company has operated out of Suffield since its inception in 1954. Today, the manufacturer, which is run by the Malec family, employs 11 Connecticut residents, many of whom have been with the company for more than three decades. United Gear recently expanded its manufacturing and inspection capabilities, which has made it increasingly competitive throughout Connecticut and across the United States. In fact, Connecticut’s aerospace and defense companies – including Boeing, Sikorsky, Kaman, Pratt & Whitney, and Bell Helicopter – rely on United Gear’s expertise for parts and services. Because United Gear is widely recognized for its precision manufacturing, the company will receive a unique AS9100 certification identifying it as a quality manufacturer with very specific and detail-oriented management and inspection systems. Earlier this year, United Gear was awarded 1st place in the Hartford Business Journal’s 2nd Annual Family Business Awards. The three generations of company owners were proud to have achieved such an honor, and thanked their dedicated and skilled team of employees, who are all considered to be part of the family. “United Gear has continuously supported and ‘united’ countless communities across Connecticut. Over the last 60 years, the men and women at United Gear have provided Connecticut residents with meaningful and long-term employment, and they have made it possible for other Connecticut manufacturers, like Sikorsky and Pratt & Whitney, to thrive. I’d like to thank United Gear for enabling so many people and businesses in Connecticut to succeed, and for making our great state home to the United Gear family,” said Murphy. “Connecticut has a unique place in the manufacturing industry because so many great aerospace companies are based here and it’s been a pleasure to work with them all for so many years,” said William Malec, President and Owner of United Gear. “On a more personal note, Connecticut has been my home my entire life and I am proud of where I come from, the work I do and of being able to give back to the state that has offered so much to me and my family. Because Connecticut has afforded me the ability to have a strong, successful business, I was – and am – able to raise my family and build my life in this wonderful state!” The manufacturing industry plays a crucial role throughout Connecticut communities, creating new jobs and accelerating our state’s economic recovery. Today, Connecticut’s 4,602 manufacturers account for 10.2% of the state’s jobs and 87% of the state’s total exports. In order to protect and grow manufacturing jobs in Connecticut, Murphy has introduced two pieces of legislation that aim to strengthen existing standards and prioritize the purchase of American-made goods, the 21st Century Buy American Act and the American Jobs Matter Act.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-statement-on-confirmation-of-dr-vivek-murthy-as-us-surgeon-general,MURPHY STATEMENT ON CONFIRMATION OF DR. VIVEK MURTHY AS U.S. SURGEON GENERAL,2014-12-15,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"MURPHY STATEMENT ON CONFIRMATION OF DR. VIVEK MURTHY AS U.S. SURGEON GENERAL Murthy confirmed after over a year of political objections by gun lobby Monday, December 15, 2014 WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statement on the confirmation of Dr. Vivek Murthy as U.S. Surgeon General. Murthy received his M.B.A. and M.D. from Yale University. Over the last 17 months, our country has been without a surgeon general -- all because of the political agenda of a handful of conservative political activists. It’s outrageous that, because of some common-sense statements Dr. Murthy made related to gun violence, we were left without one of our most visible and senior public health officials in the middle of the Ebola crisis. Today’s vote was a proud stand against the fear and confusion propagated by these extreme groups and their allies in Congress. No one should be surprised that the individuals nominated by President Obama to serve in his administration share many of his views. The surprise is that some chose to put their political agenda ahead of public safety and public health in blocking Dr. Murthy’s nomination. The road to confirming Dr. Murthy has been long and bumpy, but today’s result is great news for the country and people in Connecticut. I’ve been a vocal advocate for Dr. Murthy for months. His qualifications and dedication in the service of improving public health in this country are admirable, and his Connecticut education doesn’t hurt either. We can move forward today knowing that our public health preparedness is stronger with Dr. Murthy at the helm. We should also be grateful to the thousands of men and women, many of them health professionals, who made their voices heard in support of Dr. Murthy. Their advocacy for Dr. Murthy as our nation’s “top doc” is a huge reason why we can now call him Surgeon General. Murphy recently wrote an op-ed in the Huffington Post expressing his support for Dr. Murthy’s nomination.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://esty.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-elizabeth-esty-s-statement-on-the-two-year-anniversary-of,Congresswoman Elizabeth Estys Reflections on the Two-Year Anniversary of the Tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School,2014-12-14,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Elizabeth Esty,E000293,esty.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty’s (CT-05) bipartisan Women in Aerospace Education Act (H.R. 4254) passed the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee by voice vote this morning. The bill would encourage universities applying for Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship grants, which are designed to cover the cost of STEM-degree seeking students who intend to teach in rural and lower income school districts, to incorporate aerospace programs at the National Laboratories and NASA Centers into their teacher training experience. Esty, along with Rep. Steve Knight (CA-25), introduced the legislation to encourage more women to participate in the STEM fields.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-omnibus-vote,Blumenthal Statement On Omnibus Vote,2014-12-13,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Blumenthal Statement On Omnibus Vote Print Tweet Saturday, December 13, 2014 (Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) today released the following statement after voting against the omnibus appropriations bill. “The spending bill fortunately keeps the government open and has a number of positive provisions, including some I helped to achieve. It includes increased funds to fight the Ebola epidemic, funding for the Combat Rescue Helicopter, $12 million in grants to fight sexual assault on college campuses, and allowances for advance mandatory funding for veterans benefits. “Sadly, slipped into this measure at the last moment were massive special interest giveaways rolling back taxpayer protections against risky financial maneuvers by banks, reversing transportation safety rules, undercutting pension rights, and opening huge loopholes for billionaires to increase their influence on political campaigns and candidates. That is why I voted against this flawed measure - poisoned by special favors flagrantly contrary to the public interest.  “Such provisions are unwise, unfair and unacceptable, snuck into the bill without debate or public scrutiny.  “I object to packing such poison pills into a critical bill designed to keep our government functioning.”   Press Contact Josh Zembik (DC) - 202-224-6452 Josh_Zembik@blumenthal.senate.gov Elizabeth Benton (CT) - 860-729-3589 Elizabeth_Benton@blumenthal.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://himes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=C767CC53-6E25-4EDE-A0A9-A3FE8EE6540E,Himes Statement on Anniversary of Newtown Tragedy,2014-12-13,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,James A. Himes,H001047,himes.house.gov,himes,https://himes.house.gov/press-releases,page_html,"WASHINGTON, DC— Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) released the following statement today on the second anniversary of the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown. ""Two years ago, 20 children and six courageous educators were murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary School. My thoughts and prayers are with these innocent victims, their families and the Newtown community on this somber anniversary. ""The massacre in Newtown that December day was a heartbreaking example of our nation’s epidemic of gun violence. Two years on, gun violence continues unabated at our schools, workplaces, houses of worship and shopping centers – places where Americans should feel safe. It is shameful that Congress has failed to take meaningful action to curb this scourge of violence that continues to ravage our communities. We must keep pushing Congress to pass common-sense legislation to keep guns out of the hands of criminals, children and the mentally ill, while preserving our Second Amendment rights. The victims of Sandy Hook – and all those who have been affected by gun violence before and since then – deserve no less.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-03-30T11:08:25Z https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/coltsville-national-historical-park-wins-final-approval,Coltsville National Historical Park Wins Final Approval,2014-12-13,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Coltsville National Historical Park Wins Final Approval By:  Gregory B. Hladky Saturday, December 13, 2014 HARTFORD — Final congressional approval came Friday for the creation of a Coltsville National Historical Park dedicated to the accomplishments of Samuel Colt and the role that his firearms and factory played in the Industrial Revolution. Plans for the new national historical park include a 10,000-square-foot visitor center in the old Colt factory under the iconic blue onion dome in Hartford. An elevator and observation platform would give visitors a view of the factory floors below and allow people to visit the dome itself. It's unclear how soon the historical park might open. ""Today marks the culmination of more than a decade of work to preserve the legacy of American innovation and manufacturing that is Coltsville,"" said U.S. Rep. John Larson, D-1st District, who led the effort to create a national historical park in Hartford. ""There is still work left to see this designation come to fruition, and I look forward to working with the National Park Service."" Funding for Coltsville was contained in a $577 billion defense bill approved Friday by the U.S. Senate. The legislation had already cleared the House of Representatives. Larson and Connecticut's two U.S. senators, Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, said they would work to ensure that the National Park Service budget contains money for the Coltsville project. Larson said that federal, state and local officials will also need to work together to provide a detailed plan for the park. ""Everybody's on the same page, everybody's pulling in the same direction,"" said Larson, who was attending a celebratory party Friday at Coltsville. In response to questions about the possibility that it might take years for the park to open, Larson said he doesn't know what the timetable will be, but that efforts would ""begin immediately"" to make it happen as soon as possible. Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra also applauded the federal approval, noting that the city has already contributed more than $7 million for Coltsville improvements, including $5 million in state bond funds for additional residential units in the South Armory building and $2 million for streetscape work. By some estimates, the planned park could eventually draw 200,000 visitors a year, but one Connecticut historian said it is likely to take years for Coltsville to achieve that sort of popularity. The space for the visitor center would be provided in Colt's East Armory by its developers, CG Management, and the project's largest investor, Chevron TCI, an arm of the oil giant, according to CG's owner, Lawrence Dooley. In March, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that creation of a 260-acre Coltsville National Park would cost taxpayers about $9 million over five years for planning, building restoration and landscaping. The area was designated as a national historic landmark in 2008 and advocates have been lobbying hard to win national park status. ""This will be a great step for Connecticut and for Hartford,"" said Blumenthal, praising the efforts of the state's congressional delegation. He said that Larson ""deserves the lion's share of the credit."" Blumenthal said that a Coltsville National Historical Park ""will drive economic growth … for Hartford and Connecticut"" through a combination of tourism, housing development and commerce. Murphy called congressional approval of the park ""a dream come true for Connecticut."" A major difference between a national park such as Yosemite or Acadia, and national historical parks like the one in Lowell, Mass., or what's planned for Coltsville, has to do with size. Most national parks tend to be tens of thousands of acres of open space, while historical parks are normally far smaller and dedicated to a specific theme. Hopes for the Coltsville park go far beyond the East Armory factory building where Colt created his landmark revolver, the ""gun that won the West,"" and a manufacturing system that changed American industry. The proposed park is also expected to include Hartford's Colt Park, as well as the residence of Samuel and Elizabeth Colt, called Armsmear, and the Church of the Good Shepherd and neighboring gardens. Many of the buildings that would become part of the national park are now in private hands. Hartford officials say the goal is to transform the area around Coltsville and Colt Park. There are schools next to Colt Park, but also sections of rundown housing, bland industrial buildings and streets with a reputation for drugs and prostitution, a reputation that Coltsville supporters believe can be changed. ""It would create a neighborhood where people can come and recognize … the character and historical significance of Colt and Hartford,"" said Thomas Deller, the city's director of development services. ""Think of Lowell, Mass.,"" Deller said, citing the national historical park in that city that preserves the textile mills that made Lowell a center of manufacturing in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Deller said that the eventual site of the Lowell national park started out as nothing more than ""a bunch of rundown, underutilized mills,"" but is now a thriving tourist and education center. ""In many ways, what we're trying to achieve at Coltsville is the same sort of thing,"" Deller said. Richard Malley, head of research and collections for the Connecticut Historical Society, called the proposed Coltsville National Park ""a long-term project. … It won't happen overnight."" Malley said the park in Lowell ""took years and years to get to the point where it was recognized as a model for interpreting industrial and cultural history."" Malley said he believes that the Coltsville project can tell ""an important story"" about ""the impact of the Industrial Revolution in Connecticut and elsewhere. ... I think it can symbolize the whole process of innovation in the 19th and 20th centuries."" Friday's U.S. Senate vote was the culmination of years of lobbying by Connecticut's congressional delegation, state and local officials and historians. In a 2009 federal study on the feasibility of creating a Coltsville national park, the researchers noted that the Museum of Connecticut History and Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art ""have collections of Colt firearms, machinery and memorabilia related to Samuel and Elizabeth Colt and Colt Firearms Company."" ""Both museums have indicated an interest in participating in a collaborative effort to interpret Coltsville in partnership with the National Park Service,"" the report noted. Malley said that the Museum of Connecticut History has the most important Colt firearms collection in existence. According to the study, creating a Coltsville National Historical Park would offer a ""unique opportunity"" to offer visitors a learning experience about firearms manufacturing and the roles of Samuel and Elizabeth Colt in transforming American industry. Such a museum would also provide educational experiences about the precision technology developed by Colt and its impact on everything from the making of sewing machines to automobiles. The park would also emphasize the importance of Samuel Colt as an entrepreneur and his skill in marketing his products, as well as showing ""life on an urban industrial community,"" the authors of the report concluded. ""We're very excited,"" said Dooley, owner of the managing partner of the Coltsville development project. He said it now appears that this historical section of Hartford ""is getting the recognition it absolutely deserves."" Chevron TCI (which stands for tax credit investor) has ""committed significant resources, not only in tax credit investments but in equity investments,"" Dooley said.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/_murphy-statement-on-senate-passage-of-omnibus-legislation-to-fund-the-government-connecticut-priorities,"MURPHY STATEMENT ON SENATE PASSAGE OF OMNIBUS LEGISLATION TO FUND THE GOVERNMENT, CONNECTICUT PRIORITIES",2014-12-13,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"MURPHY STATEMENT ON SENATE PASSAGE OF OMNIBUS LEGISLATION TO FUND THE GOVERNMENT, CONNECTICUT PRIORITIES Saturday, December 13, 2014 WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statement on passage of the omnibus appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2015. This bill will fund government operations through September, 2015. Voting for the budget bill today was a tough decision for me. The process that led to this package is another unfortunate example of the dysfunction that has become the norm in Congress, and I’m unhappy with a number of the unrelated policy provisions that were dropped in at the last minute. I’m particularly troubled by a measure that will likely lead to reduced benefits for thousands of beneficiaries of multiemployer pension plans. In short, this is no way to conduct policy, and as an incoming member of the Appropriations Committee, I intend to work with my colleagues in the next Congress to try to reverse the worst of these provisions. But the alternative to passing this bill would be worse— another short-term continuing resolution or a government shutdown. Either would inflict real pain on millions of people in Connecticut and across the country. And while there are a number of things I disagree with in this bill, there are also incredibly important priorities that must not be left behind. For one, the bill appropriates billions of dollars to fight Ebola here and overseas—funding that is nothing short of critical to combat this public health nightmare. If this bill fails, the U.S. cannot fight Ebola effectively.  The bill also supports Connecticut’s economy in major ways, including even more funding than the President originally requested for critical defense programs that are the lifeblood of Connecticut’s economy. This bill will surge manufacturing with more Blackhawk helicopters, F135 engines for the Joint Strike Fighter and research and development for new submarines and Combat Rescue Helicopters. For the hardworking men and women in Connecticut’s defense industry, it’s a bigger win than we even expected. Important initiatives to establish advanced manufacturing centers to help grow Connecticut’s next generation of manufacturing industries, and provisions that will support conservation efforts in Connecticut and elsewhere, are further reason to endorse this bill. The bottom line, however, is that Congress needs to stop lurching from manufactured crisis to manufactured crisis. Once again, members of the Senate were faced with a take-it-or-leave-it deal at the last minute. Because we don’t work together like we should, it’s become nearly impossible to pass appropriations bills on time and to fund the government in a responsible way. It is my sincere hope that next year will see an end to brinksmanship and a return to regular order—and working toward that goal will be one of my top priorities as a new member of the Appropriations Committee next Congress.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://delauro.house.gov/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=1774:delauro-statement-on-second-anniversary-of-sandy-hook-shootingscatid=2:press-releasesItemid=21,DeLauro Statement on Second Anniversary of Sandy Hook Shootings,2014-12-12,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement in response to the Senate passing the Republicans’ bill cutting taxes for millionaires, billionaires, and corporations while raising taxes on middle class families.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://esty.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/esty-blumenthal-murphy-announce-775000-federal-grant-to-newtown,"Esty, Blumenthal, Murphy Announce $775,000 Federal Grant to Newtown",2014-12-12,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Elizabeth Esty,E000293,esty.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty’s (CT-05) bipartisan Women in Aerospace Education Act (H.R. 4254) passed the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee by voice vote this morning. The bill would encourage universities applying for Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship grants, which are designed to cover the cost of STEM-degree seeking students who intend to teach in rural and lower income school districts, to incorporate aerospace programs at the National Laboratories and NASA Centers into their teacher training experience. Esty, along with Rep. Steve Knight (CA-25), introduced the legislation to encourage more women to participate in the STEM fields.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-final-passage-of-defense-authorization,Blumenthal Statement On Final Passage Of Defense Authorization,2014-12-12,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Blumenthal Statement On Final Passage Of Defense Authorization Print Tweet Friday, December 12, 2014 (Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee Airland Subcommittee, today released the following statement upon final passage in an 89-11 vote of the FY15 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which sets policy and spending levels for the Department of Defense. “Today’s vote is a victory for our nation and for Connecticut—for Coltsville, for our state’s proud defense industry, for our men and women in uniform who serve and sacrifice for our country, and for our national security. This landmark bill will expand jobs here and nationwide through smart, sustained investment in Connecticut’s industrial base, which continues to produce the most advanced, capable weapon systems available worldwide. “Today’s vote means workers at Electric Boat will continue to build two Virginia-class submarines a year, workers at Pratt & Whitney will build the engines for more than 30 Joint Strike Fighters, and workers at Sikorsky will build more than 100 helicopters to ensure that our servicemen and women have the best equipment in the world. “Additionally today’s vote brings new critical protections for victims of military sexual assault and an enhanced role for mental health professionals to ensure the fair treatment of military personnel during discharge and dismissal processes. Today’s vote also brings expansion of the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa program to allow Afghans who bravely served as interpreters and translators alongside our servicemen and women the opportunities they deserve to relocate and escape harm and retribution in their homeland. These are provisions I helped to lead, and I am proud of their inclusion in this comprehensive measure.” The measure supports the following priority programs that Blumenthal fought to support:   The bill establishes a new unit of the National Park System within the Coltsville Historic District The bill authorizes $5.9 billion for the procurement of two Virginia-class submarines. Additionally, $1.3 billion is authorized for further research and development into the Ohio-class replacement program.  The bill will authorize $5.9 billion in total funding for the continued development of the Joint Strike Fighter program, to include the acquisition of 34 JSF aircraft, powered by Pratt & Whitney engines. Specifically, the bill includes funding for 26 F-35As for the Air Force, six F-35Bs for the Marine Corps, and two Navy F-35Cs. The bill will authorize over $2.4 billion in funding to procure Sikorsky helicopters, to include 85 UH-60 Black Hawks, 29 MH-60R Seahawks and 8 MH-60S Knighthawks.  This represents a budget request increase of $103 million to procure six additional UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters in order to modernize the Army National Guard.  Additionally, the budget authorizes an additional $573 million in research and development of the Marine Corps CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter. The bill authorizes $351 million for the Iron Dome missile defense system. The bill authorizes $37.3 million for M4 carbines to support the Kurdish and Iraqi security forces combat ISIL.  The bill authorizes $16.3 million for a C-130 Fuel and Corrosion Center at Bradley Air National Guard Base in Connecticut. The bill prohibits the retirement of the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft.    Press Contact Josh Zembik (DC) - 202-224-6452 Josh_Zembik@blumenthal.senate.gov Elizabeth Benton (CT) - 860-729-3589 Elizabeth_Benton@blumenthal.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-to-serve-as-ranking-member-of-senate-veterans-affairs-committee,Blumenthal To Serve As Ranking Member of Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee,2014-12-12,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Blumenthal To Serve As Ranking Member of Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Print Tweet Friday, December 12, 2014 Senator To Continue Serving On Armed Services, Judiciary, Commerce, and Aging Committees (Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) today announced that he will serve as the Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee when the 114th Congress convenes in January. In addition to his new role on the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Blumenthal will maintain his positions on four additional committees: Armed Services, Judiciary, Commerce, and Aging. “No obligation is more sacred than the debt we owe our military men and women. As the number of veterans grows dramatically and our nation winds down wars, our former servicemen and women will face challenges, visible and invisible wounds of war, issues of access to care, and basic questions of navigating the Department of Veterans Affairs. These veterans, and their needs, are diverse and varied, encompassing men and women of widely different ages, eras, and circumstances. The challenges are immense, and I am honored to be leading the effort to tackle them. Protecting veterans has been a priority throughout my career, and I am looking forward to working with my colleagues in both parties on the committee to make our veterans’ transition to civilian life as seamless as possible.”   Press Contact Josh Zembik (DC) - 202-224-6452 Josh_Zembik@blumenthal.senate.gov Elizabeth Benton (CT) - 860-729-3589 Elizabeth_Benton@blumenthal.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/coltsville-national-historical-park-act,Coltsville National Historical Park Act,2014-12-12,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,John Larson,L000557,larson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington Today, Rep. John B. Larson joined Senators Blumenthal,Murphyand Mayor of Hartford Pedro Segarrain applauding passage of the Coltsville National Historical Park Act in the U.S. Senate. Following passage in the U.S. House of Representatives last week, the Act now heads to the President's desk for his signature. Today marks the culmination of more than a decade of work to preserve the legacy of American innovation and manufacturing that is Coltsville. Connecticut is the cradle of our industrial revolution. The designation made possible by this Act would not only honor the groundbreaking work of Samuel and Elizabeth Colt, but provides Connecticut greater and much-deserved representation in our National Park system. While it has received wide support on both sides of the aisle, I am most excited to bring this news home to the Hartford community and my constituents who will ultimately reap the cultural and economic benefits that will come from Coltsville's designation as a National Historical Park, said Congressman John B. Larson. I commend the hard work of several Mayors, Representatives, Senators and community leaders on this legislation and Governor Malloy for his continued support of Coltsville, Larson continued. I want to especially thank Senators Dodd and Lieberman for their determination in starting this process and Senators Blumenthal and Murphy for carrying the torch and seeing it through final passage. There is still work left to see this designation come to fruition and I look forward to working with the National Park Service and continuing efforts with stakeholders throughout our community along with federal, state and local officials to ensure Coltsville is preserved for generations to come. ""This monumental milestone will drive economic growth and new jobs all around Connecticut by making Coltsville a magnificent, magnetic destination and history hub. Coltsville will be a national monument to Connecticut's vital role in the industrial revolution and American manufacturing, which helped make our state the arsenal of democracy. Designation as a National Park will spur tourism, housing, commerce, and economic development in Hartford-- and stand as a lasting living legacy to the ingenuity, vision and grit of Sam and Elizabeth Colt, as inventors and entrepreneurs and patriots.I am tremendously grateful to Congressman Larson for his unwavering commitment to Coltsville, and to Senators Dodd and Lieberman who advocated powerfully for this provision for years before me. As a member of the Armed Services Committee who negotiated the final agreement, I was proud to be part of the team that finally carried this worthy designation across the finish line, said Senator Richard Blumenthal. Once a dream, now on the verge of reality, Connecticut is about to have a new national park. Years and years of hard work have gone into this effort, and with this designation, Hartford's Coltsville will get the national recognition it deserves, allowing future generations to appreciate Connecticut's powerful role in advancing the industrial revolution and strengthening manufacturing in the United States. I'm proud to have helped get this bill through the Senate with Senator Blumenthal, but we all have John Larson to thank when it is signed into law. His crusade of over a decade to get this done will be taught in classrooms as an example of persistence, persistence, and more persistence, paying off in the end, said Senator Chris Murphy. ""The Colt Manufacturing facility played a critical role in our national defense and promoted the spirit of American business ingenuity around the world,"" said Mayor Pedro Segarra. ""This monumental decision will help shape an ongoing renaissance in the City of Hartford, lead to long-term job growth in the region and increase focus on heritage tourism in our state. I want to sincerely applaud and acknowledge Congressman John Larson of his consistent leadership on this issue and Senators Blumenthal and Murphy for always supporting the advancement of Connecticut's Capital City. "" Coltsville was the Hartford, Connecticut home of Samuel Colt's industrial enterprise, the Colt Fire Arms Company. In Hartford, Samuel Colt developed the use of the assembly line and highly mechanized techniques that set the stage for mass production of the bicycle, the typewriter, the automobile, and the jet engine. Colt manufacturing not only transformed the firearms industry but was a major contributor to the industrial revolution by pioneering the use of interchangeable parts and precision manufacturing. The site was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2008. Once the bill is signed into law, the National Park Service will initiate the process of implementing the legislation and will lead the process of establishing a park.The Coltsville National Historical Park Act (H.R. 1259/S.615) is known as an authorization bill', a common and important step in the establishment of other National Parks nationwide. As an authorization bill, the establishment of a National Park at Coltsville is contingent upon meeting the conditions set out in the legislation, as well as the development of a management plan and funding from federal and non-federal sources. ### In the News: Hartford Courant EDITORIAL:Coltsville Finally A National Historic Park The Day:Moving closer to Coltsville Park, Hartford",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/chris-murphy-dedicates-day-to-acts-of-kindness-to-honor-newtown-victims,Chris Murphy Dedicates Day To Acts Of Kindness To Honor Newtown Victims,2014-12-12,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Chris Murphy Dedicates Day To Acts Of Kindness To Honor Newtown Victims By:  Jennifer Bendery Friday, December 12, 2014 WASHINGTON -- As the anniversary of the Newtown shootings approaches, one of Connecticut's senators decided to do something different to honor the memory of those who lost their lives: spend his day on small acts of kindness. Inspired by a Newtown student who performed 26 acts of kindness, each one representing a child or teacher killed by gunman Adam Lanza, Sen. Chris Murphy (D) spent an entire day driving around the state performing the same number of acts. He documented his activities on Twitter, with photos and thoughts about each of the small gestures taken to make someone's day a little better. See below for Murphy's tweets about how he spent his day, which included filling strangers' parking meters and buying coffee for people behind him in line at a Dunkin Donuts drive-thru. I was inspired by Newtown student Ashley Peterson and others who performed#26acts of random kindness in memory of Sandy Hook. So I've decided to spend the whole day doing 26 small acts of random kindness all over CT. Hope that others will follow, by doing small acts of kindness throughout the month of December. 1. Kicked off the day by leaving a small @StopandShop gift card for my @USPSletter carrier in the mailbox to say thank you #26Acts 2. Bought coffee for the car behind me in the @DunkinDonuts drive through line#26acts pic.twitter.com/CixMwnpQsX 3. Parking tickets stink. So I added time to expiring meters in downtown Bridgeport. #26acts https://t.co/49EMYHWgNV 4. Thanks to @Goodwillntl for all the great work u do! Dropped off a few coats.pic.twitter.com/GRzuWHjM6k 5. @chazandaj toy drive is today. Amazing event each yr. Dropped off some Legos (CT company!). pic.twitter.com/Wg4sCMyOEj 6,7. Donated food to St. Paul & St. James pantry, got coffee for guys on the New Haven green. Latest #26acts included book donations in Middletown, coffee for DMV workers, playing board games at Colchester senior center. Thanks to @ctchildrens for making stop number 10 so special. #26actspic.twitter.com/yaAdYjRdgv Learning lots today. Gave donuts to our office parking attendant, told me he lived in Somali refugee camp from age 5-15. Whoa. #26acts 2 pizzas for our everyday heroes at @hfdfiredept Engine 11. #26actspic.twitter.com/hmOV7Sj9di #26acts update: paid for laundry for family at Hartford laundromat; coffee for Wethersfield library workers; made donation to @cthumane Best #26acts of day? Number 18: delivering flowers to my Mom who is laid up w an ankle injury. This was fun. Handed out Westfarms gift cards to the employees at the mall Sbarro's. pic.twitter.com/F5IZVAh2Dh Latest #26acts: bought a round of drinks at the Waterbury VFW bar, pizza for Waterbury police, a tank of gas for a random stranger. Last round of #26acts included donation to @WFP, letting my staff go 45 min early, coffee for our building's security guards. Finished #26acts in #Newtown. Lit a candle at St. Rose. Whispered a little prayer. pic.twitter.com/hH1WBj3OcO",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/murphy-wins-seat-on-senate-appropriations-committee,Murphy wins seat on Senate Appropriations Committee,2014-12-12,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Murphy wins seat on Senate Appropriations Committee By:  Ana Radelat Friday, December 12, 2014 Washington – Sen. Chris Murphy, who is still in his freshman term in the Senate, has been given a seat on the Senate Appropriations Committee in the next Congress, a powerful panel that decides all spending issues and is responsible for the budget that funds all federal departments and programs. “Joining the Appropriations Committee has been a priority for me since I joined the Senate, and I'm honored to have won a slot in just my third year here,” Murphy said. “The Appropriations Committee is so vital to Connecticut— it makes decisions on how much money is spent on submarines, helicopters and jet engines for our military, and it funds work on Connecticut's interstates and rail lines.” Murphy also tweeted he's the first Connecticut senator to sit on an appropriations panel in nearly 30 years. Fellow Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal, meanwhile, tweeted that he will be the top Democrat on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee next year. Murphy and Blumenthal will be in the minority next year because the GOP seized control of that chamber in the last election. Still, membership on the Appropriations Committee affords Murphy a chance to influence spending on projects that may have an impact on Connecticut. Murphy said he will retain his seats on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension (HELP) Committee, and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. But he will lose his seat on the Joint Economic Committee. The Democrats' loss of the Senate means the party will have fewer seats on each committee in the next Congress and the GOP will have more. But a rash of Democratic retirements, and electoral losses has eliminated a number of members on the committee, including Sens. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Tom Harkin of Iowa, Mark Begich of Alaska and Tim Johnson allowed Democratic leaders to seat Murphy on the panel. Murphy has also won a seat on the Democratic Steering Committee in the next Congress. The committee helps the party’s leadership forge the Senate Democrats' agenda, message and strategy. Murphy has distinguished himself in the Democratic Party by volunteering to serve as the Senate Democrats' chief defender of the Affordable Care Act in the 113th Congress.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/sandy-hook-2-years-later-one-senators-push-for-gun-control,Sandy Hook 2 years later: One senator's push for gun control,2014-12-12,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Sandy Hook 2 years later: One senator's push for gun control By:  Ashley Codianni Friday, December 12, 2014 Washington (CNN) -- Sunday marks the second anniversary of the Sandy Hook massacre that killed twenty children and six teachers on December 14, 2012. And though Congress hasn't passed any gun reform laws in its wake, there's one senator who's made it his mission to persistently push for changes, even when no one's listening. For the past two years, Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy, a Democrat, has been traveling to the Senate floor, month after month, to detail the growing numbers of people killed by gun violence. He calls these speeches, ""Voices of Victims."" Asked what drives him to continually make his plea, he said it's to keep ""the drum beat up on the Senate floor."" To him, telling victim's stories, identifying who they were, what they enjoyed, where they lived, personalizes the issue and hopefully makes it harder for his colleagues and state lawmakers to ignore. ""There's no more personal issue than gun violence; every one of these stories is a life lost,"" he said. ""I'm hoping that over the long term, as I tell these stories, that it will help to open people's eyes."" ""It is beyond comprehension that Congress is watching this epidemic of school shootings and chooses to do nothing,"" Murphy added. Murphy's uphill battle for comprehensive gun control reform, however, is met with significant challenges. Since the shooting at Sandy Hook, and the many that followed, there's been no legislation on the issue. After a failed vote on a bill that would have broadened background checks for gun purchasers in April 2013, there's been no sign of any additional legislation. And with Republicans maintaining the House and winning the Senate as a result of the midterm election, Murphy's push for gun control legislation and background checks hasn't gotten any easier. Incoming Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is a staunch supporter of the National Rifle Association and 90 percent of NRA-backed candidates won their seats during midterm elections. ""[The NRA] is absolutely pulling one over on their members,"" Murphy said. ""The NRA was for background checks a decade ago, and they changed their position, despite the fact that their members support background checks."" A new Pew survey released earlier this week indicates additional challenges for gun control advocates. According to the survey, the number of people supporting gun rights now offsets those who support gun control with 52 percent of Americans siding with gun rights, and 46 percent siding with gun control. On Wednesday, Murphy acknowledged the challenges for achieving gun control legislation with the Republican-led Congress during a Senate floor speech, but hinted he might be finding a new way to challenge the issue. ""I get it that we're not going to get a background checks bill passed through the Senate in the next two years, but why not work on mental health funding?"" he asked. Either way, Murphy is not giving up. He acknowledged that fighting for stricter gun laws is a lifelong campaign for the families affected by Sandy Hook. ""It gives me hope that if I stick with this, families will stick with this alongside me,"" he said.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/senate-democrats-lock-in-key-committee-memberships,Senate Democrats lock in key committee memberships,2014-12-12,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senate Democrats lock in key committee memberships By:  Vicki Needham Friday, December 12, 2014 The congressional merry-go-round of committee changes continued on Friday with Senate Democrats locking in their choices for the 114th Congress. With Republicans set to take a 54-46 majority in the Senate next year, Democrats will lose a seat or two on each panel. Democrats are losing two seats seats on Appropriations, Banking, Budget and the Joint Economic Committee. They are losing only one seat on Finance and Small Business. In one of the more interesting moves, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) will become the ranking member on the Senate Budget Committee. Sanders is moving into the slot because Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) opted to take top Democrat's job on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee. Sens. Bill Nelson (Fla.) and Chris Coons (Del.) are leaving the committee for other jobs. The powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, which was hard hit by a mix of retirements and election-year losses, is picking up three new members — Sens. Brian Schatz (Hawaii), Tammy Baldwin (Wis.) and Chris Murphy (Conn.). Murphy tweeted that he is the first senator from Connecticut to serve on the committee in nearly 30 years. Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) is moving into the top Democratic slot after serving as the chairwoman of the panel. On the Senate Banking Committee, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) is taking over ranking member duties. Indiana Sen. Joe Donnelly is joining the panel and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) is leaving for a seat on Senate Commerce. Manchin signaled last month that he was willing to move off Senate Banking so Sen.-elect Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) could join the panel. Capito has spent time on the House Financial Services Committee during her tenure there. Republicans are expected to release their committee memberships next week. Senate Finance is standing pat, losing only retiring Sen. Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia. As expected, Chairman Ron Wyden of Oregon is sliding into the ranking member's seat next year. On the Joint Economic Committee, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (Minn.) is movin into the ranking member's job while Sen.-elect Gary Peters of Michigan, who is coming from the House, is joining the panel. Murphy and Sanders are departing the committee. Finally, Sen. Ben Cardin (Md.) will become the top Democrat on the Small Business Committee, taking over for Sen. Maria Cantwell (Wash.), who is moving into the ranking slot on the Energy panel. The committee is welcoming three new members — Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, Coons and Peters.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-statement-on-final-passage-of-the-national-defense-authorization-act,MURPHY STATEMENT ON FINAL PASSAGE OF THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT,2014-12-12,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"MURPHY STATEMENT ON FINAL PASSAGE OF THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT Bill will designate Hartford’s Coltsville as a national park Friday, December 12, 2014 WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statement on final passage of the FY2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). A large spending authorization bill like the NDAA will always have a lot to be happy about, and a lot to be displeased with too. The inclusion of a provision authorizing U.S. military assistance to Syrian rebel opposition groups is of particular concern, which is why I worked with Senator Schatz on an amendment to strike that language. Unfortunately, that amendment was ultimately not considered, but I supported the overall bill because of several very important provisions for Connecticut, all of which I fought hard to have included in this package. From funding for the submarines made by Electric Boat in Groton, to the Joint Strike Fighter engines built by Pratt & Whitney in Middletown, to Sikorsky’s helicopters in Stratford, this bill not only provides cutting edge military hardware for our Armed Forces, but is also an acclamation of the thousands of men and women who have made Connecticut manufacturing the best in the nation. I fought tooth and nail for each of these provisions on behalf of Connecticut manufacturers, and I couldn’t be more proud of today’s result. The NDAA also supports Connecticut veterans and service members in big ways. For one, we can celebrate authorization to construct a new Connecticut Air National Guard maintenance facility at Bradley International Airport. This facility will support the eight C-130s that recently became the mainstay of the Connecticut’s Air National Guard. The bill also includes increased resources for veterans’ mental health, something I’ve been pushing passionately for alongside mental health advocates across Connecticut. By supporting mental health services for veterans, we’re recognizing the important fact that mental health treatment can save lives and prevent other unfortunate outcomes – like veterans’ homelessness – that result from untreated mental health issues. Finally, I’m glad that a provision to designate Coltsville as a national park was included in this package. Years and years of hard work have gone into this effort, and with this designation, Hartford's Coltsville will get the national recognition it deserves, allowing future generations to appreciate Connecticut’s powerful role in advancing the industrial revolution and strengthening manufacturing in the United States. I’m proud to have helped get this bill through the Senate with Senator Blumenthal, but we all have John Larson to thank when it is signed into law. His crusade of over a decade to get this done will be taught in classrooms as an example of persistence, persistence, and more persistence, paying off in the end. It’s an honor to fight every single day for people in Connecticut. Today is a great day for our state, and I’m so proud that hard work paid off in this NDAA so that Connecticut gets support it deserves. The measure supports the following Connecticut programs: The bill authorizes $5.9 billion for the procurement of two Virginia-class submarines.  The bill fully supports the Block IV multiyear contract completed earlier this year to build ten submarines between 2014-2018 at a rate of two per year. The bill establishes a ""National Sea-based Deterrence Fund"" to finance the construction of new submarines to replace today's Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines. $1.3 billion is authorized for further research and development into the Ohio-class replacement and The bill authorizes $132 million for development of the Virginia Payload Module. The bill authorizes $5.9 billion in total funding for the continued development of the Joint Strike Fighter program, to include the acquisition of 34 JSF aircraft, powered by Pratt & Whitney engines. Specifically, the bill includes funding for 26 F-35As for the Air Force, six F-35Bs for the Marine Corps, and two Navy F-35Cs. The bill authorizes over $2.4 billion in funding to procure Sikorsky helicopters, to include 85 UH-60 Black Hawks, 29 MH-60R Seahawks and 8 MH-60S Knighthawks.  This represents a budget request increase of $103 million to procure six additional UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters in order to modernize the Army National Guard.  The bill authorizes $573 million in research and development of the Marine Corps CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter. The bill authorizes $351 million for the Israeli Iron Dome missile defense system. The bill authorizes $37.3 million for M4 carbines to support the Kurdish and Iraqi security forces combat ISIL (CT based manufacturing). The bill authorizes an additional $450M for the production of five E/A-18 Growlers (CT components). The bill authorizes $16.3 million for construction of the C-130 Fuel Cell and Corrosion Control Facility at Bradley International Airport to support the new 8 C-130 in the Connecticut Air National Guard. Support to Military Personnel and their Families The bill authorizes a 1 percent across-the-board pay raise for all members of the uniformed services, except all flag officers. The bill provides for continued changes to the scourge of sexual assault in the military, including increasing access to special victims’ counsel and enhancement of victims’ rights. The bill requires that mental health professionals participate in boards for correction of military records and on boards for review of discharge or dismissal for all members of the armed forces.  The bill authorizes a pilot program be established to assist members of the military obtain civilian employment upon discharge from service. The bill also directs the military services to enable service members to obtain professional credentials to help translate military training and skills into civilian occupations. Other Priorities: The bill authorizes the Department of Defense to clean up unexploded ordnance on Puerto Rico’s Culebra Island, previously a US Navy live-fire range. Senator Murphy has been a strong supporter of cleaning up this island for the safety of the resident of Culebra. The bill increases to 4,000 the number of special immigrant visas available to be issued to former interpreters and translators who served for at least one year alongside United States military personnel in Afghanistan.  The bill includes provisions forbidding the Department of Defense from entering into contract with Russian helicopter manufacturer, Rosoboronexport, a known munitions supplier to Bashar Al-Assad and the Syrian regime. The bill prohibits the Army from carrying out sweeping cuts to the Army National Guard and freezes Army National Guard force structure in place until an independent commission can assess the validity of the Army’s proposed cost savings.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-wins-seat-on-senate-appropriations-committee,MURPHY WINS SEAT ON SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE,2014-12-12,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"MURPHY WINS SEAT ON SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE Murphy becomes first Connecticut Senator to serve on Appropriations Committee in almost 28 years; Also selected to join Senate Democratic Steering & Outreach Committee; will continue to serve on U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, and U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Friday, December 12, 2014 WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) announced he will join two new U.S. Senate Committees in the 114th Congress. Murphy will join the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations, which is responsible for funding all of the federal government’s agencies, departments, and organizations. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Murphy will focus on securing funding for Connecticut’s priorities, such as defense manufacturing, transportation infrastructure, and federal safety net programs. Murphy will also be a strong voice in pushing back against Republican attempts to defund the Affordable Care Act, anti-gun violence programs, and U.S. diplomatic efforts abroad. Connecticut has not had a U.S. Senator on the Appropriations Committee since 1987. Murphy will also join the Senate Democratic Steering & Outreach Committee. This Committee helps drive the Democratic agenda in the U.S. Senate by convening advocacy groups, intergovernmental organizations, and members of Congress around key policy priorities, like universal health care, comprehensive immigration reform, and affordable higher education. Joining the Appropriations Committee has been a priority for me since I joined the Senate, and I'm honored to have won a slot in just my third year here. The Appropriations Committee is so vital to Connecticut - it makes decisions on how much money is spent on submarines, helicopters, and jet engines for our military, and it funds work on Connecticut's interstates and rail lines. I’m also excited to serve on the prestigious Senate Democratic Steering & Outreach Committee. Democrats had a lot to learn from the last campaign cycle, and this is the place where we can reevaluate our approach to our priorities. I’m looking forward to working with Senate leadership and a host of advocacy groups as a member of this committee so we can identify the best ways for Democrats to fight for the middle class. Finally, it’s a privilege to be able to continue my service on the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee, and the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee. These two committee assignments have been perfect places from which to fight for Connecticut, and I thank Senator Reid for his confidence in me to continue my work to fight for the Affordable Care Act, and a foreign policy that prioritizes diplomacy over military aggression.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://delauro.house.gov/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=1773:delauro-announces-opposition-to-cromnibus-funding-legislationcatid=2:press-releasesItemid=21,DeLauro Announces Opposition to Cromnibus Funding Legislation,2014-12-11,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement in response to the Senate passing the Republicans’ bill cutting taxes for millionaires, billionaires, and corporations while raising taxes on middle class families.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://esty.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-elizabeth-esty-s-statement-on-the-omnibus-appropriations-0,Congresswoman Elizabeth Estys Statement on the Omnibus Appropriations Bill,2014-12-11,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Elizabeth Esty,E000293,esty.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty’s (CT-05) bipartisan Women in Aerospace Education Act (H.R. 4254) passed the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee by voice vote this morning. The bill would encourage universities applying for Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship grants, which are designed to cover the cost of STEM-degree seeking students who intend to teach in rural and lower income school districts, to incorporate aerospace programs at the National Laboratories and NASA Centers into their teacher training experience. Esty, along with Rep. Steve Knight (CA-25), introduced the legislation to encourage more women to participate in the STEM fields.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-issues-statement-on-yale-study-reporting-a-quarter-of-connecticut-high-schoolers-have-tried-e-cigarettes,Blumenthal Issues Statement on Yale Study Reporting a Quarter of Connecticut High Schoolers Have Tried E-Cigarettes,2014-12-11,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Blumenthal Issues Statement on Yale Study Reporting a Quarter of Connecticut High Schoolers Have Tried E-Cigarettes Print Tweet Thursday, December 11, 2014 (Hartford, CT) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) issued the following statement in response to a Yale School of Medicine study that found a quarter of Connecticut high school students have tried an e-cigarette. “These findings are deeply troubling, signaling chronic health problems ahead for thousands of Connecticut youth. Our nation’s timid and tepid regulations are failing to protect children, who are being callously lured into a lifetime of addiction by tobacco companies who continue to entice youth with cynically flavored e-cigarettes. This study confirms and amplifies earlier research that shows children who have not previously used traditional tobacco products are experimenting with e-cigarettes—a glaring alarm bell that should serve as a call to action to lawmakers and regulators. We must act swiftly and strongly to protect children from this growing health scourge,” Blumenthal said. Press Contact Josh Zembik (DC) - 202-224-6452 Josh_Zembik@blumenthal.senate.gov Elizabeth Benton (CT) - 860-729-3589 Elizabeth_Benton@blumenthal.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-bureau-of-justice-statistics-report-on-campus-sexual-assault,Blumenthal Statement On Bureau Of Justice Statistics Report On Campus Sexual Assault,2014-12-11,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Blumenthal Statement On Bureau Of Justice Statistics Report On Campus Sexual Assault Print Tweet Thursday, December 11, 2014 (Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) today released the following statement on a new Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) report on campus sexual assault. The BJS report uses data from the National Crime Victimization Survey to compare the rate of sexual assault between female students and nonstudents. Its findings say that the rate of sexual assault is 1.2 times higher for nonstudents than students, and also that students are less likely to report sexual assault to the police when compared to nonstudents. “This report unfairly and inaccurately demeans the severity and scope of campus sexual assault by understating its frequency,” said Sen. Blumenthal. “The report threatens to cause even less reporting of this horrendous crime than the 80 percent unreported to police now – potentially belittling and dismissing the problem.” Senator Blumenthal has hosted fourteen roundtables on campus sexual assault at schools across Connecticut. Those roundtables informed both a comprehensive report calling for a College Sexual Assault Bill of Rights and bipartisan legislation, the Campus Accountability and Safety Act, which Blumenthal co-led with his colleagues Senators Gillibrand and McCaskill. Press Contact Josh Zembik (DC) - 202-224-6452 Josh_Zembik@blumenthal.senate.gov Elizabeth Benton (CT) - 860-729-3589 Elizabeth_Benton@blumenthal.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-senate-cloture-vote-on-defense-authorization,Blumenthal Statement On Senate Cloture Vote On Defense Authorization,2014-12-11,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Blumenthal Statement On Senate Cloture Vote On Defense Authorization Print Tweet Thursday, December 11, 2014 (Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee Airland Subcommittee, today released the following statement after the Senate invoked cloture – a procedural step – on the FY15 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which sets policy and spending levels for the Department of Defense. The Senate is expected to vote on the NDAA on Friday. “This bill brings us to the brink of a momentous victory at Coltsville, which will finally achieve National Park designation,” said Sen. Blumenthal.  “By clearing this important procedural hurdle, the NDAA moves closer to becoming law, and defense programs that are critical to our national security and Connecticut’s industrial base move closer to reality. Because of this bill, workers at Electric Boat will continue to build two Virginia-class submarines a year, workers at Pratt & Whitney will build the engines for more than 30 Joint Strike Fighters, and workers at Sikorsky will build more than 100 helicopters to ensure that our servicemen and women have the best equipment in the world I will fight strongly for approval of this very significant measure for Connecticut and our national security.” The measure supports the following priority programs that Blumenthal fought to support:  The bill establish a new unit of the National Park System within the Coltsville Historic District The bill authorizes $5.9 billion for the procurement of two Virginia-class submarines. Additionally, $1.3 billion is authorized for further research and development into the Ohio-class replacement program.  The bill will authorize $5.9 billion in total funding for the continued development of the Joint Strike Fighter program, to include the acquisition of 34 JSF aircraft, powered by Pratt & Whitney engines. Specifically, the bill includes funding for 26 F-35As for the Air Force, six F-35Bs for the Marine Corps, and two Navy F-35Cs. The bill will authorize over $2.4 billion in funding to procure Sikorsky helicopters, to include 85 UH-60 Black Hawks, 29 MH-60R Seahawks and 8 MH-60S Knighthawks.  This represents a budget request increase of $103 million to procure six additional UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters in order to modernize the Army National Guard.  Additionally, the budget authorizes an additional $573 million in research and development of the Marine Corps CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter. The bill authorizes $351 million for the Iron Dome missile defense system. The bill authorizes $37.3 million for M4 carbines to support the Kurdish and Iraqi security forces combat ISIL.  The bill authorizes $16.3 million for a C-130 Fuel and Corrosion Center at Bradley Air National Guard Base in Connecticut. The bill prohibits the retirement of the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft.  Press Contact Josh Zembik (DC) - 202-224-6452 Josh_Zembik@blumenthal.senate.gov Elizabeth Benton (CT) - 860-729-3589 Elizabeth_Benton@blumenthal.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/senate-passes-blumenthal-bill-to-require-states-to-report-number-of-people-who-die-in-police-custody-each-year,Senate Passes Blumenthal Bill To Require States To Report Number Of People Who Die In Police Custody Each Year,2014-12-11,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Senate Passes Blumenthal Bill To Require States To Report Number Of People Who Die In Police Custody Each Year Print Tweet Thursday, December 11, 2014 (Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) today applauded last night’s Senate passage of the Death in Custody Reporting Act, bipartisan legislation he sponsored to require states to report to the U.S. Department of Justice how many individuals die each year while in police custody or during the course of an arrest. The House of Representatives approved the Death in Custody Reporting Act by voice vote on December 12, 2013, and the bill now goes to the President for his signature. “Tragic controversies in Ferguson and Staten Island have undercut trust and understanding between law enforcement and the communities they serve,” said Sen. Blumenthal. “Thousands have taken to the streets to protest what they see as unpunished criminal conduct by police. Alarmingly, on an issue this profoundly important and potentially explosive, there is no reliable data on the overall scope of the problem. The stark, staggering fact is that the nation has no reliable idea how many Americans die during arrests or police custody each year. This legislation will fix that unacceptable factual gap. It will ensure that the nation knows exactly how many Americans die in custody, and it will give the information needed to strengthen trust at every level.”  Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.), the sponsor of the House version of the bill, said: “It is clear that the federal government needs to exercise greater oversight of federal, state and local law enforcement personnel to ensure that they are protecting and serving our citizens. To aid in that measure, we need data on deaths that occur within our criminal justice system.  Without accurate data, it is nearly impossible to identify variables that lead to an unnecessary and unacceptable risk of individuals dying in custody or during an arrest.  The passage of the Death in Custody Reporting Act will make this information available, so policymakers will be in a position to enact initiatives that will reduce incidences of avoidable deaths in our criminal justice system.  I appreciate the assistance of Senator Blumenthal and Senator Paul in working with me to pass this important bill before the end of this Congress.” Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) said: “At a time when our Nation is having an important conversation about police encounters that result in the loss of life, we know that hundreds of police-related deaths are unaccounted for in federal statistics. Too many communities across our country are losing faith in our justice system.  This bill provides a step towards accountability, and it is my hope that it may ultimately lead to restoring some measure of trust in these communities.”  Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), a cosponsor of the Senate bill, said: ""Passage of this bill is an important step in Congress assessing and reforming our criminal justice system. As a result, we will for the first time get a true picture of the extent and circumstances of deaths in the criminal justice system. I congratulate Rep. Scott and Sen. Blumenthal on passing this bill and will continue working with them on other necessary reforms.""  Press Contact Josh Zembik (DC) - 202-224-6452 Josh_Zembik@blumenthal.senate.gov Elizabeth Benton (CT) - 860-729-3589 Elizabeth_Benton@blumenthal.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/senate-passes-death-in-custody-reporting-act,Senate Passes Death In Custody Reporting Act,2014-12-11,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,,,legacy,"(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representative Bobby Scott (D-Va.) today applauded last night’s Senate passage of the Death in Custody Reporting Act, bipartisan legislation which requires states to report to the U.S. Department of Justice how many individuals die each year while in police custody or during the course of an arrest. The House of Representatives approved the Death in Custody Reporting Act by voice vote on December 12, 2013, and the bill now goes to the President for his signature. “Tragic controversies in Ferguson and Staten Island have undercut trust and understanding between law enforcement and the communities they serve,” said Sen. Blumenthal. “Thousands have taken to the streets to protest what they see as unpunished criminal conduct by police. Alarmingly, on an issue this profoundly important and potentially explosive, there is no reliable data on the overall scope of the problem. The stark, staggering fact is that the nation has no reliable idea how many Americans die during arrests or police custody each year. This legislation will fix that unacceptable factual gap. It will ensure that the nation knows exactly how many Americans die in custody, and it will give the information needed to strengthen trust at every level.” Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.), the sponsor of the House version of the bill, said: “It is clear that the federal government needs to exercise greater oversight of federal, state and local law enforcement personnel to ensure that they are protecting and serving our citizens. To aid in that measure, we need data on deaths that occur within our criminal justice system.  Without accurate data, it is nearly impossible to identify variables that lead to an unnecessary and unacceptable risk of individuals dying in custody or during an arrest.  The passage of the Death in Custody Reporting Act will make this information available, so policymakers will be in a position to enact initiatives that will reduce incidences of avoidable deaths in our criminal justice system.  I appreciate the assistance of Senator Blumenthal and Senator Paul in working with me to pass this important bill before the end of this Congress.” Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) said: “At a time when our Nation is having an important conversation about police encounters that result in the loss of life, we know that hundreds of police-related deaths are unaccounted for in federal statistics. Too many communities across our country are losing faith in our justice system.  This bill provides a step towards accountability, and it is my hope that it may ultimately lead to restoring some measure of trust in these communities.” Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), a cosponsor of the Senate bill, said: ""Passage of this bill is an important step in Congress assessing and reforming our criminal justice system. As a result, we will for the first time get a true picture of the extent and circumstances of deaths in the criminal justice system. I congratulate Rep. Scott and Sen. Blumenthal on passing this bill and will continue working with them on other necessary reforms.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-2015-consolidated-and-further-continuing-appropriations-act,Larson on 2015 Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act,2014-12-11,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,John Larson,L000557,larson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement today: This measure was rushed to the floor with little time for members to review and included numerous problematic policy provisions unrelated to the appropriations process. ""From language that could potentially increase health insurance premiums to alterations to the Dodd-Frank law, this bill was filled with provisions that do not belong in a bill that is simply supposed to fund our government. This flawed legislation also included a provision to allow wealthy donors to contribute hundreds of thousands of additional dollars to political parties than previously allowed and a last minute deal on multiemployer pension plans that groups like the AARP, IAM, the Teamsters and others have raised serious concerns with. Rather than a long-term solution, this bill also only provided temporary funding for the Department of Homeland Security, holding a vital part of our national security hostage for purely political reasons. On these issues and many others, the American people deserve a full and open debate rather than an eleventh hour deal rushed through at the end of the year. I am extremely disappointed in the process today but remain committed to working on the most pressing issues facing our country, jobs and the economy."" ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-statement-on-vote-for-aumf-in-senate-foreign-relations-committee,MURPHY STATEMENT ON VOTE FOR AUMF IN SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE,2014-12-11,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"MURPHY STATEMENT ON VOTE FOR AUMF IN SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE Thursday, December 11, 2014 WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statement on his vote in the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee in favor of a limited authorization for use of military force (AUMF) against ISIL. Murphy's provision requiring the administration to provide Congress with a clear political and diplomatic strategy was included in the AUMF.    Since September, the United States has been engaged in a military campaign against ISIL without explicit authorization from the Congress. I have said from the beginning that the President does not have unlimited power to wage war, and that only Congress can authorize it. I am pleased that today the Senate Foreign Relations Committee finally lived up to our Constitutional responsibility by debating and voting on an AUMF against ISIL.        I supported this AUMF because, while I agree with President Obama that ISIL is a threat that must be confronted, I strongly believe that we must put strict limits on the use of force to ensure that the United States does not get entangled in another endless war in the Middle East. This AUMF is time-limited and prevents ground combat operations by U.S. troops. It also includes a provision I authored requiring the executive branch to submit a comprehensive strategy that sets forth the political, diplomatic, and military objectives of the United States, and a clear end goal and exit strategy. As the President himself said, “we cannot do for Iraqis what they must do for themselves, nor can we take the place of Arab partners in securing their region.” Our use of military force can only be a shaping mechanism giving space to achieve the ultimate goal of political stability in the region—it cannot be a replacement for the hard work of political and sectarian reconciliation and improved governance that must take place.   Further, this AUMF sunsets the two previous authorizations from 2001 and 2002 that have been used as legal justification for continued hostilities around the world. Those authorizations are woefully out-of-date and were never intended to apply to a new conflict with different aggressors and in additional countries more than a decade later. If this or a future president believes there is a new terrorist threat requiring a military response, they should have to make the case to the Congress and the American people.   It is past time that we learn from the mistakes of our recent history, and recognize that open-ended military campaigns waged against an amorphous terrorist threat may create more enemies than they eliminate. Yes, we must confront an enemy like ISIL, but military force is neither a strategy nor a goal in and of itself, and must only be used in the context of broader political and diplomatic objectives. We cannot continue to authorize unlimited war, and it is completely within Congress’s constitutional bounds to place statutory limits on the military action we endorse. It is ultimately up to the Congress to reassert its constitutional role in foreign policy—a role it has abdicated for too long. The Foreign Relations Committee took a big step in that direction today.   But this bill is not likely to be voted on by the full Congress before we recess.  That is regrettable, as we should not leave this critical issue unfinished before adjourning. I will continue to urge the leaders of the Senate to bring this AUMF up for a vote on the Senate floor as soon as possible.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://esty.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-elizabeth-esty-applauds-increased-funding-for-the-nation-0,Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty Applauds Increased Funding for the National Criminal Background Checks System,2014-12-10,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Elizabeth Esty,E000293,esty.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty’s (CT-05) bipartisan Women in Aerospace Education Act (H.R. 4254) passed the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee by voice vote this morning. The bill would encourage universities applying for Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship grants, which are designed to cover the cost of STEM-degree seeking students who intend to teach in rural and lower income school districts, to incorporate aerospace programs at the National Laboratories and NASA Centers into their teacher training experience. Esty, along with Rep. Steve Knight (CA-25), introduced the legislation to encourage more women to participate in the STEM fields.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://esty.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-elizabeth-esty-applauds-increased-funding-for-the-national,Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty Applauds Increased Funding for the National Criminal Background Checks System,2014-12-10,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Elizabeth Esty,E000293,esty.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty’s (CT-05) bipartisan Women in Aerospace Education Act (H.R. 4254) passed the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee by voice vote this morning. The bill would encourage universities applying for Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship grants, which are designed to cover the cost of STEM-degree seeking students who intend to teach in rural and lower income school districts, to incorporate aerospace programs at the National Laboratories and NASA Centers into their teacher training experience. Esty, along with Rep. Steve Knight (CA-25), introduced the legislation to encourage more women to participate in the STEM fields.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://esty.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-elizabeth-esty-applauds-passage-of-bipartisan-bill-to,Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty Applauds Passage of Bipartisan Bill to Protect Taxpayers from Terrorism Risk,2014-12-10,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Elizabeth Esty,E000293,esty.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty’s (CT-05) bipartisan Women in Aerospace Education Act (H.R. 4254) passed the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee by voice vote this morning. The bill would encourage universities applying for Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship grants, which are designed to cover the cost of STEM-degree seeking students who intend to teach in rural and lower income school districts, to incorporate aerospace programs at the National Laboratories and NASA Centers into their teacher training experience. Esty, along with Rep. Steve Knight (CA-25), introduced the legislation to encourage more women to participate in the STEM fields.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/as-mazda-expands-recall-blumenthal-markey-call-on-takata-to-release-details-of-safety-testing-used-on-defective-airbags,"As Mazda Expands Recall, Blumenthal, Markey Call On Takata To Release Details Of Safety Testing Used On Defective Airbags",2014-12-10,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,,,legacy,"(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) today wrote to Takata Corporation Chairman and CEO Shigehisa Takada, calling on the manufacturer of defective airbags to release documents and information about the company’s adherence to industry standards on design and performance for airbag inflators. “As Mazda expands its recall to include more models with Takata airbags, it has become more important than ever to understand the root cause of this deadly defect,” said Blumenthal and Markey. “Industry testing standards are supposed to guard against the kinds defects in Takata’s airbags that have killed or injured a growing number of drivers. We want to know if those procedures were followed, if the results were provided to Mazda, Honda and other manufacturers and if so, whether the tests need to be made more stringent to better protect the lives of consumers.”   Full text of the Senators’ letter to Takata is below, and as a PDF here: December 10, 2014 Mr. Shigehisa Takada Chairman and CEO Takata Corporation ARK Hills South Tower 4-5 Roppongi 1-Chome Minato-ku, Tokyo, 106-8488 Japan Dear Mr. Takada:           We write seeking documents and information regarding Takata’s adherence to industry standards on the design and performance of airbag inflators. These specifications, known as USCAR24, were developed by the United States Council on Automotive Research (USCAR), a consortium consisting of General Motors Company, Chrysler Group LLC, and Ford Motor Company. Although not required by federal law, the specifications are known to be widely required by the U.S. car manufacturers for which you are a supplier. It is striking that these specifications seem to predict the nature of Takata’s airbag defect. While the public is only just learning that an airbag is capable of exploding into metal shards that can blind, injure, or kill, the authors of USCAR24 seem to demonstrate clear understanding of this potential scenario. During the recent Senate Commerce hearing on the defective Takata airbags, Mr. Hiroshi Shimizu suggested that the problem is likely a combination of inflator aging, exposure to high humidity, and production problems. However, USCAR24 should have guarded against the inflators failing due to aging or high humidity, and any production problems should have been quickly spotted and rectified through standard quality control measures. As you should know, USCAR24 requires inflators to undergo comprehensive testing in a variety of extreme conditions. For example, in order to pass USCAR24, an inflator must pass the high humidity and heat age test, designed to, “evaluate inflator resistance to temperature aging in an environment of high humidity.” Since Takata airbags are thought to be more susceptible to deploying violently in high humidity environments, this test seems particularly critical. Other tests that seem highly relevant to testing for the suspected defect with Takata airbags include the humidity resistance test, leak test, and a variety of aging tests. Many questions have also been raised recently regarding Takata’s choice of ammonium nitrate in its propellant formula, but concerns regarding the stability of this chemical have long been known. In fact, under the propellant stability requirement of USCAR24, propellants containing ammonium nitrate are “required to undergo added stability evaluation for propellant strength and burn rate stability.” It is also well established in the scientific literature and among experts that ammonium nitrate has a tendency to attract and absorb moisture. Given this known property, it would be especially important for inflators to pass stringent tests that make sure the propellant is properly sealed off from potential outside moisture. Hermeticity—the quality of being airtight and waterproof—is a core requirement in the specifications.            We have been deeply troubled by Takata’s apparent inability to pinpoint the root cause of many of the incidents involving the defective airbags. A decade has passed since Takata learned of the first fatality involving a ruptured airbag and it is unacceptable that Takata continues to maintain its complete lack of awareness regarding the cause of the defect associated with many of the incidents. Without a root cause, we have no closure on why airbags are rupturing.  As Takata speeds up its production lines to supply parts to repair the recalled vehicles, it is more critical than ever that Takata act aggressively to determine the root cause. Understanding the root cause is crucial for safety regulators and auto manufacturers to figure out the best path forward for ensuring the safety of all drivers and passengers. Therefore, we write with many questions regarding the role of USCAR24 in the design, testing, and production of Takata inflators, with the hope that this may help shed light on the root cause of the defect. Please provide answers to the following questions by December 22, 2014: 1.      Did Takata test all of its driver and passenger-side airbag inflator designs in accordance with USCAR24 specifications? 2.      Did Takata provide the complete test results to the car manufacturers Takata supplied with airbags? If yes, please provide complete testing observations and results from when the airbags were first designed, as well for any subsequent redesigns. These should include, but not be limited to, the Design Verification Report, Design Failure Modes and Effects Analysis, Production Validation Report, and Process Failure Modes and Effects Analysis. Date of all test results should be clearly indicated. Please also specify the version (i.e. year) of USCAR24 specifications used and the name of any third parties employed to conduct this testing. Please also specify the version (i.e. year) of USCAR24 specifications used and the name of any third parties employed to conduct this testing. If no, please explain why no testing was conducted or provided. 3.      Car manufacturers are responsible for signing off on any deviations from the precise test procedures outlined in the specifications, as well as the additional tests required for propellants containing ammonium nitrate. Were any deviations from USCAR24 specifications considered or permitted by manufacturers? If so, please provide all documentation related to such consideration or permission. Did Takata consult with car manufacturers in all such cases? What, if any, additional testing did Takata conduct to evaluate the stability of its ammonium nitrate based propellant? Please provide all documentation related to communications with manufacturers on such issues. 4.      Which car manufacturers required documentation showing that Takata inflator passed USCAR24 specifications? Does Takata have a policy for providing car manufacturers with complete USCAR24 testing results? Please describe Takata’s procedures. 5.      If Takata inflators fully passed USCAR24 tests, please provide your understanding of how Takata airbags, which are suspected to explode in humid environments, could have been able to pass USCAR24. 6.      What is Takata’s most current understanding on the root cause of the defect? This information will also help us all better understand how critical industry standards can be better enforced and designed to serve the American public and prioritize public safety. Thank you for your prompt attention to this grave and serious matter. Sincerely, ___________________________                                ___________________________ Richard Blumenthal                                                        Edward J. Markey United States Senator                                                      United States Senator",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://himes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=50BBB985-C390-4F88-8D58-E987E30C404E,Himes Statement on Year-End Government Funding Agreement,2014-12-10,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,James A. Himes,H001047,himes.house.gov,himes,https://himes.house.gov/press-releases,page_html,"Washington, DC — Congressman Jim Himes (CT-4) issued the following statement after voting in favor of bipartisan legislation that would keep most of the federal government funded through September 2015. “I believe it's extremely important to avoid another disastrous government shutdown. For the last year, I've heard from constituents of all political stripes about the need for Congress to make government work. If we’re going to restore functionality to our government, then Congress needs to compromise, and that's what this bipartisan agreement does. It is by no means perfect. There are a lot of good things in this bill - it boosts funding for key financial regulators, preserves funding for Pell Grants and strengthens our ability to curb the spread of Ebola, to name a few. But there are also things in this agreement that I find objectionable, including its provisions that weaken our campaign finance regulations and roll back Clean Water Act protections. At the end of the day, I believe the good in this bill outweighs the aspects I disagree with, and it meets Congress' responsibility to ensure our government stays open to meet the needs of the American people.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-03-30T11:08:25Z https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-passage-terrorism-risk-insurance-act,Larson on Passage of Terrorism Risk Insurance Act,2014-12-10,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,John Larson,L000557,larson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement today on passage of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act, S. 2244, in the U.S. House of Representatives: Today, Congress provided needed certainty to main street businesses and communities across the country that insurance would be available to help them recover in the event of terrorist attacks. The losses and financial impact of September 11th devastated the economy and overwhelmed businesses struggling to rebuild with insurance policies unprepared for a terrorist attack. The loss of affordable insurance halted the construction and development of major metropolitan areas as well as recovery around ground zero. In order to help jumpstart the economy, Congress came together in 2002 to provide the federal support necessary to allow insurance companies to continue offering financial assistance to families, businesses, cities, universities, sports leagues, and the construction industry. While it is our hope that this kind of terrorism insurance claim never needs to be fulfilled, we cannot afford to keep businesses suspended in uncertainty and taxpayers on the hook for the total cost of an attack. Providing a government backstop to the work of private insurers in these circumstances is both necessary and fiscally responsible. By reauthorizing TRIA today, we are continuing to provide the security of insurance to developers, building owners and families in the event of a terrorist incident while drastically lowering the ability of those who wish to disrupt our economy through terrorist means. The Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act extends TRIA for six years, providing government assistance in industry losses of over $200 million resulting from a terrorist attack. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20141211052839/http://esty.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/connecticut-wins-competitve-federal-grant-to-expand-high-quality,Connecticut Wins Competitve Federal Grant to Expand High-Quality Preschool,2014-12-10,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Elizabeth Esty,E000293,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy and Connecticut’s Congressional delegation today announced that Connecticut has been awarded nearly $12.5 million in discretionary federal funding to expand high-quality preschool. The funding was awarded by the U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services through a competitive grant process and was announced today by Secretary Burwell of the Department of Health and Human Services and Secretary Duncan of the Department of Education. Connecticut’s application aligns with the state’s strong existing preschool infrastructure to expand access to high-quality state-funded preschool programs for 428 children and to improve the quality of state-funded preschool programs for another 284 children, for a total of 712 four-year-olds who are at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Line in 14 high-need communities. The 14 communities are Bridgeport, Derby, East Haven, Griswold, Groton, Hamden, Hebron, Killingly, Manchester, Naugatuck, Seymour, Torrington, Vernon, and Wolcott. The 14 communities participating in the expansion will have high-quality preschool programs which: offer comprehensive services to children and families; offer teacher compensation equal to K-12 teachers; deepen family engagement practices at the local level; forge a seamless birth-through-third-grade continuum at the local level; and have an enhanced professional development system offering more targeted and individualized coaching, mentoring and consultation designed to meet the unique needs of programs and teachers within the programs. “As a mother of three children, I know how important access to quality education is for our children, especially during their early, formative years,” said Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (CT-5). “Under the leadership of Governor Malloy, Connecticut has significantly expanded preschool opportunities for families. I want to thank Secretary Burwell and Secretary Duncan for their meaningful investment in the future of Connecticut children, and I look forward to continuing to work with them to ensure that every family has access to high-quality, affordable early childhood education.” Thirteen out of 27 states that applied for competitive grants to expand high-quality preschool programs were awarded over $170 million in federal funding. In addition to Connecticut, the states that received funding are Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont and Virginia.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/connecticut-wins-competitive-federal-grant-to-expand-high-quality-preschool,CONNECTICUT WINS COMPETITIVE FEDERAL GRANT TO EXPAND HIGH-QUALITY PRESCHOOL,2014-12-10,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"CONNECTICUT WINS COMPETITIVE FEDERAL GRANT TO EXPAND HIGH-QUALITY PRESCHOOL Wednesday, December 10, 2014 HARTFORD – Connecticut’s Congressional delegation and Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that Connecticut has been awarded nearly $12.5 million in discretionary federal funding to expand high-quality preschool. The funding was awarded by the U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services through a competitive grant process and was announced today by Secretary Burwell of the Department of Health and Human Services and Secretary Duncan of the Department of Education. “My kids are 3 and 6 years old, so right now, my family is particularly appreciative of everything early childhood education does to improve a kid’s well-being” said U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.). “Countless studies have shown that these early years are critical for a kid’s development and success in the long run, so I’m thrilled that Connecticut will now be able to expand the high-quality preschool programs that all families should have access to. I’d like to thank the Department of Education for working so closely with us to secure this funding and for investing in the educational success of kids across Connecticut.” “Early childhood education, and the dedicated teachers who serve in those classrooms, enrich the lives of our youngest citizens and their families,” said Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.). “The investment literally pays of over a lifetime and is a cornerstone of our efforts to close the achievement gap, combat poverty and provide all kids with opportunities to thrive. Low-income children in Derby, East Haven, Hamden, Naugatuck and Seymour should have the same opportunities as their peers and this grant is one step towards ensuring that happens.” “Access to high-quality preschool is one of the most important foundations for lifelong success, and Connecticut has long been a leader in this area,” said U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). “Today’s substantial federal award will give 428 additional children in underserved communities the early start they need to enter kindergarten ready to learn and thrive.” “Every child deserves a high-quality education. I applaud Governor Malloy for his tireless commitment to early childhood education and know this grant will further enhance the efforts he has already set in motion,” said Congressman John B. Larson (D-Conn.). “Providing our children access to high-quality education at an early age should be a top priority for the nation. I am proud to see Connecticut leading the way in achieving the goal of accessible early education for every child and I look forward to seeing the impact of this grant in our communities.” “Access to quality early childhood education is a proven strategy to help children succeed in school from the day they enter kindergarten until the day they graduate high school,” said Congressman Joe Courtney (D-Conn.). “This federal funding will expand on the progress already happening in Connecticut to increase early childhood education, and as a member of the House Education Committee, I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure that every child has the opportunity to get a great education.” “Early childhood education programs are some of the smartest investments we can make as a nation to help children succeed and improve our communities,” said Congressman Jim Himes (D-Conn.). “I was proud to join the state and the city of Bridgeport in pushing for this grant, which will boost the number of pre-school spots for low and middle-income children in Bridgeport. I will keep urging Congress to pass legislation I've introduced - modeled on successful efforts in Bridgeport – to expand and improve early education across the country.” “As a mother of three children, I know how important access to quality education is for our children, especially during their early, formative years,” said Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (D-Conn.). “Under the leadership of Governor Malloy, Connecticut has significantly expanded preschool opportunities for families. I want to thank Secretary Burwell and Secretary Duncan for their meaningful investment in the future of Connecticut children, and I look forward to continuing to work with them to ensure that every family has access to high-quality, affordable early childhood education.” “We have a fundamental responsibility to provide an opportunity for all children to succeed, and one of the best ways to do that is to make sure they have access to a high-quality early learning experience,” said Governor Malloy. “I commend President Obama, Secretary Burwell and Secretary Duncan for their leadership in this effort, and I thank them for their confidence in Connecticut in making this award. These federal funds will allow us to expand high-quality preschool to serve over 400 additional children and improve the quality of preschool for nearly 300 more children in low-income families, giving them the necessary foundation to succeed in school and life. I’d like to thank the Office of Early Childhood and all of our community partners who worked hard on this application and are helping us transform how we address early childhood education in Connecticut.” “Today is a great day for Connecticut children,” said Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman. “This federal award signifies Connecticut’s commitment to better serve our youngest children. Hundreds of additional children across our state will now have a shot at the early start they need to be successful in school and life. We are grateful to the Obama Administration, Secretary Burwell and Secretary Duncan for recognizing our efforts to increase access to high-quality early educational opportunities and for their support of Connecticut children.” Connecticut’s application aligns with the state’s strong existing preschool infrastructure to expand access to high-quality state-funded preschool programs for 428 children and to improve the quality of state-funded preschool programs for another 284 children, for a total of 712 four-year-olds who are at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Line in 14 high-need communities. The 14 communities are Bridgeport, Derby, East Haven, Griswold, Groton, Hamden, Hebron, Killingly, Manchester, Naugatuck, Seymour, Torrington, Vernon, and Wolcott. “This opportunity to use federal funding to expand high-quality preschool in Connecticut comes at a time when we are making great strides toward achieving universal access to preschool for our state’s young children,” stated Dr. Myra Jones-Taylor, Commissioner for the Office of Early Childhood. “This grant will bring us yet another step closer to making high-quality preschool available for all of our children and closer to closing the achievement gap.” The 14 communities participating in the expansion will have high-quality preschool programs which: • offer comprehensive services to children and families; • offer teacher compensation equal to K-12 teachers; • deepen family engagement practices at the local level; • forge a seamless birth-through-third-grade continuum at the local level; and • have an enhanced professional development system offering more targeted and individualized coaching, mentoring and consultation designed to meet the unique needs of programs and teachers within the programs. Governor Malloy added, “I also thank our entire Congressional Delegation, particularly Congresswoman DeLauro, who is the senior Democrat on the Appropriations subcommittee responsible for both departments and who secured funding for this program in last year’s omnibus appropriations act.” Thirteen out of 27 states that applied for competitive grants to expand high-quality preschool programs were awarded over $170 million in federal funding. In addition to Connecticut, the states that received funding are Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont and Virginia. In June, Governor Malloy announced the allocation of an additional 1,020 additional School Readiness opportunities for low-income children in 46 towns and cities throughout Connecticut. The increase is part of a five-year plan to expand state-funded preschool to serve a total of 4,010 more low-income children by 2019. In 2012, Governor Malloy approved a similar expansion of 1,000 School Readiness opportunities for children throughout the state. In addition, Public Act 14-41 established the Connecticut Smart Start Program which is intended to expand preschool opportunities for low-income children in public schools. Connecticut Smart Start will provide grants in FY15 for the renovation of existing public school classrooms to accommodate public preschool programs. Proposals for Smart Start funding are due from local and regional boards of education on December 19.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-harkin-announce-students-before-profits-act,"MURPHY, HARKIN ANNOUNCE STUDENTS BEFORE PROFITS ACT",2014-12-10,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"MURPHY, HARKIN ANNOUNCE “STUDENTS BEFORE PROFITS ACT” Will continue the effort to hold for-profit colleges accountable Wednesday, December 10, 2014 WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) announced that he introduced the Students Before Profits Act to help protect students from deceptive practices and bad actors in the for-profit college sector. Drafted jointly with HELP Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), the Students Before Profits Act will put power back in students’ hands by allowing them to make better informed decisions about what school to attend, while also holding subpar schools accountable. The bill would help to address many of the issues identified in the groundbreaking 2012 investigation of for-profit colleges Harkin led as Chairman of the HELP Committee. “While some for-profit schools are doing a good job of delivering a quality education in innovative ways, too many are putting their bottom lines ahead of students’ best interests,” said Murphy. “When schools leave students with worthless degrees and saddled with debt, while getting the vast majority of their revenue from taxpayer dollars, they need to be held accountable by the federal government. The Students Before Profits Act will let students know what they’re getting from their college, and ensure that there are consequences when schools aren’t transparent about costs, accreditation, job placement, and other metrics. I’m proud to have worked on this important bill with Chairman Harkin, who has been such a champion on this issue for so many years, and I will keep fighting for students in the next Congress.” “My investigation made clear that taxpayers have been making a huge annual investment in for-profit colleges that continue to leave millions of students with high debt but little increased earning potential,” Harkin said. “I am proud to cosponsor the Students Before Profits Act, a bill that takes concrete steps to hold for-profit colleges accountable for their students’ success. This bill builds upon provisions included in my Higher Education Affordability Act, and I am encouraged to see that strong champions in the next Congress will continue to work of ensuring that for-profit higher education companies are accountable to students and taxpayers alike. Senator Murphy has been a strong partner in this effort and his advocacy and action in the next Congress will help continue the work the HELP Committee has led to ensure every family has access to a quality, affordable education.” For too long, some for-profit schools have failed America’s neediest students, despite the fact that the majority of their revenue comes from federal dollars. The for-profit college industry enrolls just 13% of all postsecondary school students, but accounts for nearly half of all student loan defaults across the country. In addition to crippling amounts of student loan debt, too many students leave a for-profit college with worthless credits and degrees, and, ultimately, dismal job prospects upon graduation – if they can afford to complete their course load. In fact, 72% of for-profit programs produce graduates who earn less, on average, than high school dropouts. Instead of using the majority of taxpayer and tuition dollars for academia, for-profit colleges allocate about 23% of revenue to recruiting and marketing, 19% to profit, and just 17% to academic instruction. This track record sets students up for failure, not the success they deserve. The Students Before Profits Act will help protect students from the worst for-profit colleges. By making sure that students have access to important and accurate information and data, strengthening oversight and regulation, and holding schools accountable for violations and poor performance, we can help ensure that taxpayer dollars are being well spent, and that students are receiving a quality, affordable education. The Students Before Profits Act will: Establish a Risk Sharing Commission to develop recommendations detailing how schools should be held financially responsible for poor student outcomes, increasing federal accountability of financial aid; Authorize Enhanced Civil Penalties on institutions and their executive officers if it is determined the institution misrepresented its cost, admission requirements, completion rates, employment prospects, default rates, etc…and ensure at least half of those penalties are deposited into a Student Relief fund to bolster consumer protections for students; Ensure Transparency on Default Rate Manipulation by requiring any school with a default rate above 30% share their plan to lower defaults directly with current students and by requiring any school found to have engaged in default rate manipulation through forbearance abuse or by branching campuses have its rate recalculated.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://himes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=89C4E0EE-F36B-4BA6-83AC-3DA55AA9A138,Connecticut Wins Competitive Grant to Expand High-Quality Preschool,2014-12-09,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,James A. Himes,H001047,himes.house.gov,himes,https://himes.house.gov/press-releases,page_html,"Washington, DC – Connecticut’s congressional delegation and Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that Connecticut has been awarded nearly $12.5 million in discretionary federal funding to expand high-quality preschool. The funding was awarded by the U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services through a competitive grant process and was announced today by Secretary Burwell of the Department of Health and Human Services and Secretary Duncan of the Department of Education. “Early childhood education programs are some of the smartest investments we can make as a nation to help children succeed and improve our communities,” said Congressman Jim Himes (D-Conn.). “I was proud to join the state and the city of Bridgeport in pushing for this grant, which will boost the number of pre-school spots for low and middle-income children in Bridgeport. I will keep urging Congress to pass legislation I've introduced - modeled on successful efforts in Bridgeport – to expand and improve early education across the country.” “My kids are 3 and 6 years old, so right now, my family is particularly appreciative of everything early childhood education does to improve a kid’s well-being” said U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.). “Countless studies have shown that these early years are critical for a kid’s development and success in the long run, so I’m thrilled that Connecticut will now be able to expand the high-quality preschool programs that all families should have access to. I’d like to thank the Department of Education for working so closely with us to secure this funding and for investing in the educational success of kids across Connecticut.” “Access to high-quality preschool is one of the most important foundations for lifelong success, and Connecticut has long been a leader in this area,” said U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). “Today’s substantial federal award will give 428 additional children in underserved communities the early start they need to enter kindergarten ready to learn and thrive.” “Early childhood education, and the dedicated teachers who serve in those classrooms, enrich the lives of our youngest citizens and their families,” said Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.). “The investment literally pays of over a lifetime and is a cornerstone of our efforts to close the achievement gap, combat poverty and provide all kids with opportunities to thrive. Low-income children in Derby, East Haven, Hamden, Naugatuck and Seymour should have the same opportunities as their peers and this grant is one step towards ensuring that happens.” “Every child deserves a high-quality education. I applaud Governor Malloy for his tireless commitment to early childhood education and know this grant will further enhance the efforts he has already set in motion,” said Congressman John B. Larson (D-Conn.). “Providing our children access to high-quality education at an early age should be a top priority for the nation. I am proud to see Connecticut leading the way in achieving the goal of accessible early education for every child and I look forward to seeing the impact of this grant in our communities.” “Access to quality early childhood education is a proven strategy to help children succeed in school from the day they enter kindergarten until the day they graduate high school,” said Congressman Joe Courtney (D-Conn.). “This federal funding will expand on the progress already happening in Connecticut to increase early childhood education, and as a member of the House Education Committee, I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure that every child has the opportunity to get a great education.” “As a mother of three children, I know how important access to quality education is for our children, especially during their early, formative years,” said Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (D-Conn.). “Under the leadership of Governor Malloy, Connecticut has significantly expanded preschool opportunities for families. I want to thank Secretary Burwell and Secretary Duncan for their meaningful investment in the future of Connecticut children, and I look forward to continuing to work with them to ensure that every family has access to high-quality, affordable early childhood education.” “We have a fundamental responsibility to provide an opportunity for all children to succeed, and one of the best ways to do that is to make sure they have access to a high-quality early learning experience,” said Governor Malloy. “I commend President Obama, Secretary Burwell and Secretary Duncan for their leadership in this effort, and I thank them for their confidence in Connecticut in making this award. These federal funds will allow us to expand high-quality preschool to serve over 400 additional children and improve the quality of preschool for nearly 300 more children in low-income families, giving them the necessary foundation to succeed in school and life. I’d like to thank the Office of Early Childhood and all of our community partners who worked hard on this application and are helping us transform how we address early childhood education in Connecticut.” “Today is a great day for Connecticut children,” said Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman. “This federal award signifies Connecticut’s commitment to better serve our youngest children. Hundreds of additional children across our state will now have a shot at the early start they need to be successful in school and life. We are grateful to the Obama Administration, Secretary Burwell and Secretary Duncan for recognizing our efforts to increase access to high-quality early educational opportunities and for their support of Connecticut children.” Connecticut’s application aligns with the state’s strong existing preschool infrastructure to expand access to high-quality state-funded preschool programs for 428 children and to improve the quality of state-funded preschool programs for another 284 children, for a total of 712 four-year-olds who are at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Line in 14 high-need communities. The 14 communities are Bridgeport, Derby, East Haven, Griswold, Groton, Hamden, Hebron, Killingly, Manchester, Naugatuck, Seymour, Torrington, Vernon, and Wolcott. “This opportunity to use federal funding to expand high-quality preschool in Connecticut comes at a time when we are making great strides toward achieving universal access to preschool for our state’s young children,” stated Dr. Myra Jones-Taylor, Commissioner for the Office of Early Childhood. “This grant will bring us yet another step closer to making high-quality preschool available for all of our children and closer to closing the achievement gap.” The 14 communities participating in the expansion will have high-quality preschool programs which: offer comprehensive services to children and families; offer teacher compensation equal to K-12 teachers; deepen family engagement practices at the local level; forge a seamless birth-through-third-grade continuum at the local level; and have an enhanced professional development system offering more targeted and individualized coaching, mentoring and consultation designed to meet the unique needs of programs and teachers within the programs. Governor Malloy added, “I also thank our entire Congressional Delegation, particularly Congresswoman DeLauro, who is the senior Democrat on the Appropriations subcommittee responsible for both departments and who secured funding for this program in last year’s omnibus appropriations act.” Thirteen out of 27 states that applied for competitive grants to expand high-quality preschool programs were awarded over $170 million in federal funding. In addition to Connecticut, the states that received funding are Arkansas, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont and Virginia. In June, Governor Malloy announced the allocation of an additional 1,020 additional School Readiness opportunities for low-income children in 46 towns and cities throughout Connecticut. The increase is part of a five-year plan to expand state-funded preschool to serve a total of 4,010 more low-income children by 2019. In 2012, Governor Malloy approved a similar expansion of 1,000 School Readiness opportunities for children throughout the state. In addition, Public Act 14-41 established the Connecticut Smart Start Program which is intended to expand preschool opportunities for low-income children in public schools. Connecticut Smart Start will provide grants in FY15 for the renovation of existing public school classrooms to accommodate public preschool programs. Proposals for Smart Start funding are due from local and regional boards of education on December 19.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-03-30T11:08:25Z https://nyti.ms/1AbuMGn,"SENATE DEMOCRATS: PASSAGE OF AFFORDABLE CARE ACT WAS OPEN AND TRANSPARENT, WITH HUNDREDS OF HOURS OF PUBLIC HEARINGS AND DOZENS OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS AFTER PASSAGE OF LAW, HEALTH CARE COSTS AND INSURANCE NUMBERS ARE PROOF THAT ACA WORKS",2014-12-09,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,nyti.ms,,,legacy,"SENATE DEMOCRATS: PASSAGE OF AFFORDABLE CARE ACT WAS OPEN AND TRANSPARENT, WITH HUNDREDS OF HOURS OF PUBLIC HEARINGS AND DOZENS OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS – AFTER PASSAGE OF LAW, HEALTH CARE COSTS AND INSURANCE NUMBERS ARE PROOF THAT ACA WORKS Senator Chris Murphy, Leader Of Senate Democrats’ #ACAWorks Campaign: Claiming The Process Was Anything Less Than Completely Transparent Is Misleading And Political… Republicans Should Listen To The Public, Drop Their Crusade To Repeal The Affordable Care Act Tuesday, December 9, 2014 WASHINGTON – Today, as House Republicans continue to vow to repeal the Affordable Care Act and hold a hearing titled, “Examining ObamaCare Transparency Failures”, Senate Democrats released data and key points refuting Republican claims and demonstrating the clear transparency of the process that led to the passage of the ACA. Today’s hearing comes after the latest ACA enrollment numbers show a solid start in the first week of 2015’s open enrollment period and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ release of a new report showing that healthcare spending in the U.S. grew last year at the lowest rate ever recorded, in part due to the ACA. As more reports of the positive effects of the ACA are announced, Republicans, however, continue to promise a vote to repeal the law and strip away affordable coverage from millions of Americans and put insurance companies back in charge.  “Today’s ludicrous hearing in the House of Representatives is just the latest example of Republicans doing whatever it takes to strip affordable health care from millions of people in Connecticut and across America who want and need it,” said U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) leader of the Senate Democrats’ #ACAworks campaign. “The idea that the Affordable Care Act was drafted behind closed doors is false. Between the dozens of hours-long public meetings in the Senate HELP and Finance committees, as well as the countless hours House members spent debating the bill in the Energy & Commerce, Ways & Means, and Education & Labor committees, members of Congress actually spent a historically high amount of time on this legislation. Claiming the process was anything less than completely transparent is misleading and political. If Republicans want to improve health care in this country, they should listen to the public, drop their crusade to repeal the Affordable Care Act and instead work with Democrats to make it even better.”  Contrary to Republican claims, the process that led to the passage of the Affordable Care Act was one of the most transparent in our nation’s history. Below is a selection of points to refute many claims House Republicans are expected to make at today’s hearing.  FACT: The ACA had a historic number of hours of debate and amendments during Committee development of the legislations.         The House process spanned three committees – Energy and Commerce, Ways and means, and Education and Labor – with dozens of hearings over many months. Specifically, the House held 79 bipartisan hearings and markups on the health reform bill over the period of an entire year. House members spent nearly 100 hours in hearings, heard from 181 witnesses from both sides of the aisle, considered 239 amendments (both Democratic and Republican), and accepted 121 amendments. FACT: The Senate held dozens of public meetings and hearings in both the Finance and HELP Committees and accepted hundreds of Republican amendments. The HELP Committee held 14 bipartisan roundtables, 13 bipartisan hearings, and 20 bipartisan walkthroughs on health reform. The HELP Committee considered nearly 300 amendments and accepted more than 160 Republican amendments. The Finance Committee held 17 roundtables, summits, and hearings on health reform. The Finance Committee also held 13 member meetings and walkthroughs and 38 meetings and negotiations for a total of 53 meetings on health reform. [Senate Finance Committee, 5/3/10] The Finance Committee held a seven-day markup of the bill, the longest Finance Committee markup in 22 years, resulting in a bipartisan 14-to-9 vote to approve the bill. [Senate Finance Committee, 5/3/10] The Finance Committee markup resulted in 41 amendments to revise the bill, including 18 by unanimous consent or without objection. [Senate Finance Committee, 10/13/09]  FACT: The financing of the ACA’s coverage provisions was well known and debated. When the bill came to the floor, the Senate spent 25 consecutive days in session on health reform, the second longest consecutive session in history. In total, the Senate spent more than 160 hours considering the health reform legislation. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office issued many reports on the Affordable Care Act’s financing, clearly showing that revenue would be raised by the personal responsibility provision, also known at the individual mandate or free-rider penalty, in every case that it described the law’s coverage provisions. [CBO, 12/10; The Washington Post, 9/24/14; ASPE, 9/24/14] CBO also wrote extensively about how a properly-functioning insurance market would work as designed under the ACA. The entire purpose of insurance is to balance out the risk of healthy and non-healthy enrollees; anyone who believes that this point was avoided during debate of the ACA was simply not paying attention to advocates of the law as they described it during the many public hearings the law received.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/in-advance-of-foreign-relations-committee-vote-murphy-calls-for-commonsense-restrictions-on-aumf-to-defeat-isil,"IN ADVANCE OF FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE VOTE, MURPHY CALLS FOR COMMONSENSE RESTRICTIONS ON AUMF TO DEFEAT ISIL",2014-12-09,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"IN ADVANCE OF FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE VOTE, MURPHY CALLS FOR COMMONSENSE RESTRICTIONS ON AUMF TO DEFEAT ISIL “The U.S. needs to learn from the mistakes of ten years of disastrous war policy in Iraq… That is why a new AUMF must have commonsense restrictions on force, recognizing the failings of the past” Tuesday, December 9, 2014 WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on European Affairs, released the following statement after today’s hearing titled “Authorization for the Use of Military Force Against ISIL”. Today’s hearing with Secretary Kerry underscored the need for an authorization for the use of military force (AUMF) against ISIL. For too long, Congress hasn’t fulfilled its constitutional obligation to the public and engaged in a debate over an AUMF, but I’m glad we’re finally having those discussions, which I’ve called for since last summer. Congress needs to reassert its role in foreign affairs, and we should never kick the can down the road on questions of war. The U.S. needs to learn from the mistakes of ten years of disastrous war policy in Iraq. Indeed, it was the misguided invasion of Iraq and mismanagement of the ensuing conflict that helped create ISIL in the first place. If nothing else, we should have learned by now that the massive deployment of ground forces in the Middle East creates more enemies than it eliminates. That is why I believe a new AUMF authorizing action against ISIL must have commonsense restrictions on force recognizing the failings of the past. I am glad that Secretary Kerry expressed a willingness to engage in a discussion about these types of limitations during his testimony today. But the time is now to pass an AUMF, and we shouldn't let potentially endless backroom negotiations stand in the way of Congress fulfilling its constitutional duty to authorize war before the end of the 2014 session.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-torture-covert-wars-and-illegal-surveillance-more-often-than-not-harm-not-enhance-our-national-security,"MURPHY: TORTURE, COVERT WARS ILLEGAL SURVEILLANCE MORE OFTEN THAN NOT HARM, NOT ENHANCE, OUR NATIONAL SECURITY",2014-12-09,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"MURPHY: TORTURE, COVERT WARS & ILLEGAL SURVEILLANCE MORE OFTEN THAN NOT HARM, NOT ENHANCE, OUR NATIONAL SECURITY “Congress needs to step up and reclaim its role as a co-equal branch to the executive in setting American foreign policy” Tuesday, December 9, 2014 WASHINGTON – Today U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statement in response to the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee’s report on the CIA’s detention and interrogation program. This report makes clear what we’ve known for years. The ‘enhanced interrogation’ techniques used by the Central Intelligence Agency in the years after 9/11 clearly constitute torture, and should never have been authorized by an agency of the U.S. government. Chairwoman Feinstein and her staff have worked tirelessly to reveal the details of this program to the public, and I applaud their efforts. The CIA’s obstructionism and interference with a Congressional investigation have only demonstrated the urgent need for more robust oversight of our nation’s intelligence programs. Now, it is important that this report does not go to the shelf to collect dust. Congress needs to step up and reclaim its role as a co-equal branch to the executive in setting American foreign policy. Torture, covert wars, and illegal surveillance more often than not harm, not enhance, our national security. America cannot be the world’s leader on civil liberties and human rights if our actions don’t match our rhetoric. When this gulf exists between what we claim to stand for, and what the world sees us do, it creates bulletin board material for extremist groups in their effort to recruit against us. Congress needs to set a new course for this country in the world – a course that recognizes the mistakes of the past, like our torture practices of the past decade, and builds a better path for the future.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://delauro.house.gov/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=1770:delauro-statement-on-trans-pacific-partnership-negotiationscatid=2:press-releasesItemid=21,DeLauro Statement on Trans-Pacific Partnership Negotiations,2014-12-08,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement in response to the Senate passing the Republicans’ bill cutting taxes for millionaires, billionaires, and corporations while raising taxes on middle class families.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-highlights-local-connecticut-manufacturer-alinabal-holdings-inc-as-murphys-monday-manufacturer,"MURPHY HIGHLIGHTS LOCAL CONNECTICUT MANUFACTURER, ALINABAL HOLDINGS INC., AS MURPHYS MONDAY MANUFACTURER",2014-12-08,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"MURPHY HIGHLIGHTS LOCAL CONNECTICUT MANUFACTURER, ALINABAL HOLDINGS INC., AS “MURPHY’S MONDAY MANUFACTURER” Monday, December 8, 2014 MILFORD – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) announced that Alinabal Holdings, Inc. will be recognized as “Murphy’s Monday Manufacturer”. Founded in 1960, the Alinabal Group of Milford is a diversified manufacturer with four distinct business divisions that manufacture products for the defense, aerospace, industrial, recreational, and medical industries. Alinabal’s 325 employees work out of three facilities – two in Milford and one in Kensington – and across more than 200,000 square feet of manufacturing and warehouse space. The manufacturer’s four business units - Practical Automation, Inc., DACO Instruments, Engineered Products Group, and Motion Transfer Devices – serve prominent Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies, as well as the U.S. government. They are recognized around the world for producing a variety of items, such as thermal printers used in ticketing kiosk applications, advanced optical shutters and high performance indicators used in aviation applications, precision stampings and mechanical assemblies, rod end bearings, linkage assemblies, and custom motion transfer solutions. Alinabal takes pride in their commitment to quality, which is implemented through their “Alinabal Total Improvement Process”(ATIP). The manufacturer established the ATIP to ensure that they constantly strive to improve the quality of work-life for their employees, employees’ growth and skills, the processes by which products are developed, and the service that they provide their customers. The company’s 55 years of dedication to progress and improvement among employees have undoubtedly led to their great success. “If you’ve ever withdrawn money from an ATM, purchased a movie ticket from an automated kiosk, printed an airplane ticket, driven an ATV or motorcycle, mowed the lawn, or used fitness equipment, then chances are, you’ve used an Alinabal product”, said Murphy. “The ubiquity of Alinabal devices is spectacular, but it’s Alinabal’s persistent pursuit of employee satisfaction that makes them so unique. I’m proud that Connecticut is home to such a respectable company, and I’m excited to recognize them as one of our state’s distinct manufacturers.” “Alinabal businesses face strong domestic and global competition on a daily basis,” said Michael Murphy, Vice President and General Manager of Alinabal. “We are extremely proud of our dedicated employees, who have eagerly embraced Continuous Improvement as the key to maintaining competitiveness, improving our products and services, and exceeding customer expectations.” The manufacturing industry plays a crucial role throughout Connecticut communities, creating new jobs and accelerating our state’s economic recovery. Today, Connecticut’s 4,602 manufacturers account for 10.2% of the state’s jobs and 87% of the state’s total exports. In order to protect and grow manufacturing jobs in Connecticut, Murphy has introduced two pieces of legislation that aim to strengthen existing standards and prioritize the purchase of American-made goods, the 21st Century Buy American Act and the American Jobs Matter Act.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/sen-chris-murphys-26-acts-of-kindness,Sen. Chris Murphys 26 acts of kindness,2014-12-06,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Sen. Chris Murphy’s 26 acts of kindness By:  Beau Berman Saturday, December 6, 2014 WATERBURY- Sen. Chris Murphy decided to deliver 26 acts of kindness in honor of Newtown on Friday. The initiative to do small acts of kindness for those around you was inspired by a Newtown student named Ashley Peterson. Murphy started the day by placing a gift card in his mailbox for his letter carrier. Then he bought coffee for those in the car behind him at Dunkin Donuts. He added time to expiring parking meters in Bridgeport. He also brought coffee for security guards, paid for someone’s laundry bill in Hartford and gave pizza to firefighters. Fox CT caught up with Murphy in Waterbury, where he filled up a man’s gas tank and said hello to veterans at the local VFW Post 201. He ended the day in Newtown completing his 26th act of kindness–lighting a candle at church and whispering a prayer.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-blumenthal-applaud-senate-passage-of-honor-flight-act,"MURPHY, BLUMENTHAL APPLAUD SENATE PASSAGE OF HONOR FLIGHT ACT",2014-12-06,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"MURPHY, BLUMENTHAL APPLAUD SENATE PASSAGE OF HONOR FLIGHT ACT MURPHY'S BILL, THE HONOR FLIGHT ACT, PASSES HOUSE AND SENATE, NOW HEADS TO PRESIDENT OBAMA’S DESK Saturday, December 6, 2014 HARTFORD – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statement after the U.S. Senate passed the Honor Flight Act (H.R. 4812) which he introduced in the Senate. The Honor Flight Act, which was introduced in the House by U.S. Congressman Cedric Richmond (D-La.), will cut down on cumbersome pre-flight screening processes for elderly veterans who participate in the Honor Flight Network - an organization that arranges free trips for U.S. military veterans to visit the DC memorial of the war in which they served. The bill now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) is an original cosponsor of Murphy's bill. ""I introduced this bill when I heard that some older veterans were reluctant to take part in the Honor Flight program because they feared having to deal with the hassle of the TSA process,” said Murphy. “I’m thrilled that the House and the Senate worked so quickly to ensure that the thousands of men and women, in Connecticut and across the nation, who served our country will now be able to visit the memorials constructed in their honor with dignity and pride. This bill – which I’ve been proud to champion with Representative Richmond – is a small but significant signal of respect to our veterans who participate in the Honor Flight program."" ""These brave warriors deserve to be honored and trusted while flying in recognition of their immense service to our nation. Having waited decades to see the memorials erected in their honor-- these heroes have earned a trip unencumbered by unnecessary impediments,"" said Blumenthal. Currently, the Transportation Security Agency (TSA) works with the Honor Flight Network to expedite the pre-flight screening process for Honor Flight program participants. But this partnership is not written into law and can change at any time, forcing Honor Flight veterans to endure a cumbersome screening process. The Honor Flight Act will codify the current partnership into law, ensuring that our veterans can continue to benefit from expedited screening processes and enjoy their visit to the memorials honoring their service.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://esty.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/rep-elizabeth-esty-announces-federal-grants-to-the-hill-stead-museum-in,Rep. Elizabeth Esty Announces Federal Grants to the Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington and the Sharon Historical Society,2014-12-05,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Elizabeth Esty,E000293,esty.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty’s (CT-05) bipartisan Women in Aerospace Education Act (H.R. 4254) passed the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee by voice vote this morning. The bill would encourage universities applying for Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship grants, which are designed to cover the cost of STEM-degree seeking students who intend to teach in rural and lower income school districts, to incorporate aerospace programs at the National Laboratories and NASA Centers into their teacher training experience. Esty, along with Rep. Steve Knight (CA-25), introduced the legislation to encourage more women to participate in the STEM fields.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-nomination-of-ashton-carter-to-serve-as-secretary-of-defense,Blumenthal Statement On Nomination Of Ashton Carter To Serve As Secretary Of Defense,2014-12-05,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Blumenthal Statement On Nomination Of Ashton Carter To Serve As Secretary Of Defense Print Tweet Friday, December 5, 2014 (Hartford, CT) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee Subcommittee on Airland, today released the following statement after President Obama nominated Ashton Carter to be the next Secretary of Defense: “Ash Carter knows the Pentagon inside and out and is a solid choice to lead the Department of Defense and advise the President on military policy. As the former undersecretary of defense for acquisition, he is a real professional who digs and drills down on questions. I have worked with Ash Carter in the past on vital programs, such as the Joint Strike Fighter and the expedited fielding of enhanced body armor to protect our troops in Afghanistan. And I look forward to working with him as he does more to reform the contracting process to eliminate waste and fraud. The enormous challenges ahead at the Pentagon require forceful and thoughtful leadership and resolve.” Press Contact Josh Zembik (DC) - 202-224-6452 Josh_Zembik@blumenthal.senate.gov Elizabeth Benton (CT) - 860-729-3589 Elizabeth_Benton@blumenthal.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20141206051655/http://esty.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/housing-nonprofit-receives-50k-grant,Housing nonprofit receives $50k grant,2014-12-05,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Elizabeth Esty,E000293,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"NEW MILFORD - A local arm of a national nonprofit that has rehabilitated nearly 200 homes in Litchfield County over the past decade has been awarded a $50,000 federal grant to help fund its efforts. Rebuilding Together of Litchfield County, was notified Thursday it will receive a Housing Preservation Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to pay for repairs and renovations to homes of low-income families and senior citizens living in Litchfield County. Ceia Webb, executive director, said the grant is the largest single grant the nonprofit has received. “This grant will go a long way in supporting their mission of building stronger, more resilient communities here in Litchfield County,” said Rep. Elizabeth H. Esty D-Cheshire. Each year 15 to 17 applications are submitted either directly or through local social service agencies for repairs. Webb said only about 10 percent of the applications are rejected and when that happens it is because the project is solely cosmetic, the applicant doesn't own the home or the owner can afford the repairs. “If you don't like the color of your house, oh too bad,” Webb said. “Cosmetics are not OK. Warm, dry safe are our key words. If it is going to help you be warm, dry and safe you are probably going to be good.” Emergency repairs such as a new furnace are handled as they come in. “You can't say wait until April,” Webb said. Webb said she recently received the 183rd application. In October, Rebuilding Together, helped a Plymouth family upgrade its four-room home on Lake Plymouth so pipes don't freeze in the winter. Webb said volunteers work most on projects specific to elderly who need preventive measures done in bathrooms. They replace vanities with pedestal sinks so they are wheelchair accessible and they install walk in showers for people who cannot get over the side of a standard tub shower safely. Recently they rebuilt a chimney and shingled a roof. When the shingles came off the workers found sheathing was rotten and under that they found two rafters were also rotten so they replaced the roof, sheathing and rotten rafters. In other homes old windows have been replaced with new insulated windows. Webb said the organization, which has a board of directors, has as many as 100 volunteers who turn out over two weekends in April when the bulk of the annual projects are tackled.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/another-step-towards-a-national-park-in-hartford,Another Step Towards a National Park in Hartford,2014-12-05,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Another Step Towards a National Park in Hartford By:  Johnna Kaplan Friday, December 5, 2014 On Friday, December 5, the House of Representatives approved the Coltsville National Historical Park Act as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA.) The bill was introduced by Rep. John Larson, whose district includes Hartford, and co-sponsored by Connecticut’s other four congressional representatives. It would allow for the creation of a new national historic park centered around the former Colt Firearms Manufacturing Company in Hartford’s Coltsville Historic District. In a statement, Congressman Larson said, “Today’s vote in the U.S. House of Representatives marks a step forward for Coltsville becoming a national park…I am proud of the efforts of the community I represent. For more than a decade, community, historic, cultural, and literary organizations along with not-for-profits and for-profits have persisted in assuring the legacy of Samuel and Elizabeth Colt would become a national historic destination here in Hartford, Connecticut on the banks of a national historic river.” Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, who introduced and co-sponsored the bill in the Senate, also released a statement, saying “Today’s vote is a huge win for Coltsville, Hartford and the state of Connecticut, and we look forward to leading this measure to a victory in the Senate next week. Coltsville is a historic gem, enshrining Colt’s powerful role in advancing the industrial revolution and manufacturing in Connecticut and nationwide. Designation as a national park will help ensure that generations to come have the opportunity to visit and learn about this important part of our state’s history.” The Coltsville National Historical Park Act is the most recent attempt to have Coltville recognized as a national park, an effort which began over a decade ago. The NDAA, which Larson described as “the first major park service and lands bill since 2009,” will now move to the Senate. Currently, Connecticut’s only national park is the Weir Farm National Historic Site on the border of Wilton and Ridgefield.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/murphy-grows-into-his-job,Murphy grows into his job,2014-12-05,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Murphy grows into his job Youth, inexperience don’t keep senator from speaking out By:  Connor Radnovich Friday, December 5, 2014 On a grimy CT Transit bus heading toward Bloomfield, U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy leans forward on the edge of his seat, listening intently to a woman with a black and white polka-dot scarf around her head and pink Uggs on her feet. He’s just asked her what he should be focusing on in Congress. “Guns,” she says, her tired face wearing more age than its 26 years. The woman, who identified herself only as Tiheesha, says the neighborhood she lives in is dangerous, and she fears for her child’s safety. Tiheesha thinks more regulation of guns is critical. A woman in the back of the bus voices the same concern. But she tells Murphy what would really help is giving kids some economic hope. For nearly an hour on this rainy Monday night, Murphy asks the same question of bus commuters: “What should I be doing?” On the city bus, you don’t hear about the issues blaring over cable news. The concerns that dominate this rolling forum are housing, education, safety and jobs. Every time he visits his home state, Murphy schedules time to ride a city bus and talk to the people he meets. He figures he’s done nearly 20 of the rides since last summer. “People taking the bus in Hartford don’t have a lobbyist, so you have to find them if you want to hear their voices.” U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn. Just two years into a six-year Senate term, Murphy seems as comfortable and articulate on the bus as he is in the halls of power in Washington. And D.C. isn’t going to get any more comfortable soon, as he and his fellow Democrats will be in the minority come 2015. “Part of the problem with Washington is that it’s easy to get disconnected from regular people,” Murphy said. “People taking the bus in Hartford don’t have a lobbyist, so you have to find them if you want to hear their voices.” Undoubtedly one thing on the minds of people on buses in Connecticut this month is the Sandy Hook shooting, as its two-year anniversary approaches. Before the tragedy, Murphy hadn’t spent much time on gun regulation. Afterward, it became a focus. He said the worst day of his career in public service was April 17, 2013 — the day any chance for substantive gun control laws died in the Senate. His wish list includes expanded background checks, outlawing high-capacity magazines and banning assault rifles. None of that has any real chance of becoming law for the foreseeable future. “I’m going to still press for legislative changes, but I’m under no illusion that we’re going to pass a background checks bill in the next two years,” Murphy said. What they cannot do is abandon the fight, said the senior senator from Connecticut, Richard Blumenthal. “The effort has to be sustained and relentless, and (Murphy) has devoted time and energy,” Blumenthal said. “We’ve done basically this whole effort as a team.” Blumenthal called his relationship with Murphy a “seamless partnership,” where they work together on many issues, including the environment, mental-health care and sexual assault. “Ultimately, we’ll get to a place where we’re powerful enough to take on the NRA in the halls of Congress,” Murphy said. “I’m young. I only get a six-year term, but I’m planning to be around the Senate long enough to beat the gun lobby.” He is young. In fact, he is the youngest member of the current Senate — a position he has become familiar with over the years. At 25, he was elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives, defeating 14-year incumbent Angelo Fusco. Four years later, he ran for the state Senate and won. After two terms there, he ran against 12-term Republican incumbent Nancy Johnson in 2006 for the U.S. House of Representatives and defeated her by 12 points. Finally, Murphy was elected two years ago, at age 39, to the U.S. Senate as its youngest member. “I’ve always been playing from behind as far as age and experience are concerned,” Murphy said. He has combatted that by working to achieve expertise in individual fields. He was the co-chairman of the Public Health Committee in the Connecticut Senate at 29, becoming useful despite his age because he understood how Medicaid was financed. “Chris was absolutely an authority in health care,” said state Sen. Gayle Slossberg, D-Milford, who was Murphy’s vice chairwoman on the committee in 2005. “He had a point of view that was based on facts and evidence. You know Chris had done his homework.” U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., said Murphy provides a fresh voice to the Senate — one that’s knowledgeable and articulate. “We don’t always agree, but I always sincerely want to listen what he has to say,” Corker said. “Having people like Chris Murphy in the Senate causes us to have a place for real debate.” Murphy will lose the “youngest” title in January, as two freshman Republican senators will be younger than he is: Tom Cotton from Arkansas and Cory Gardner from Colorado. It’s a label he is happy to relinquish. “You can’t build a career on being the youngest,” Murphy said. His relative lack of age and experience hasn’t kept him from jumping in on some of the most contentious issues in Washington. In addition to his work on gun laws, Murphy has become a steadfast and vocal defender of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. Along with Sens. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., Murphy is one of the leading defenders of Obamacare on the Senate floor. “He’s a tremendous fighter for what he believes in,” Stabenow said. “But he’s able to speak in a way that shows his understanding and his commitment.” Stabenow said Murphy plays a critical leadership role in sharing positive stories that have come out of the new health care law. “He is one of the few Democrats willing to go to the floor ... and I think you have to respect that,” said Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., who often debates the law with Murphy on the floor. Barrasso is a member of the Subcommittee on European Affairs of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which Murphy chairs. The two work closely on the committee and have traveled to Ukraine together, which gave them the opportunity to know each other better. “He’s very smart and an effective communicator and he cares a lot about the people in Connecticut,” Barrasso said. While Murphy may be in lockstep with Obama on health care, they often diverge on foreign policy. He was public and adamant in his disagreement of the United States’ decision to arm and train Syrian rebels to fight the Islamic State group, though he does agree the Islamic State should be confronted. He doesn’t think the administration fully grasps how damaging this country’s surveillance program is to its perceptions overseas. And he is wary of military actions being taken outside the purview of Congress. To Murphy, the most important foreign-policy issue — and another departure from the administration — is how much money the United States spends on military funding versus humanitarian aid. He believes offering aid to at least the same level as the country offers military support should be a priority, and one that does not get a lot of attention in the current foreign policy atmosphere in Washington. “There are places in which the progressive foreign policy community needs to create a proactive vision that stands as an alternative to what John McCain offers, what Rand Paul offers and what President Obama offers,” Murphy said. Back in Connecticut, as expected, foreign policy didn’t come up at all during the bus ride. But, to Murphy’s chagrin, his party will soon lose the ability to act on the issues he did hear about. Issues like gun control and immigration are probably going to have to wait a few years before they are seriously considered again. “You just have to recognize what you can get done and what you can’t get done and be realistic about what’s possible,” Murphy said. So what is possible? A lot of that is up to incoming Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Murphy said. “Hopefully we’re not going to spend two years trying to repeal the Affordable Care Act and reverse the president’s immigration orders and gut the Clean Air Act,” Murphy said. “If that’s what’s on the Senate floor, we’re not going to get anything done.” There are some key issues that have bipartisan support, including tax reform and mental-health care, he said. But, he adds, there is peril in an intentional blockade by Democrats looking to reclaim the majority in 2016. “The danger is that Democrats repeat the obstruction of Republicans because they think that’s the way to get back in power. And that will be tempting,” Murphy said. “It will be tempting for Democrats to say, ‘Well, let’s just shut down the process and we’ll get elected two years from now.’ That would be a terrible outcome from this election.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-blumenthal-issue-statement-on-language-in-ndaa-to-establish-coltsville-as-national-park,"MURPHY, BLUMENTHAL ISSUE STATEMENT ON LANGUAGE IN NDAA TO ESTABLISH COLTSVILLE AS NATIONAL PARK",2014-12-05,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"MURPHY, BLUMENTHAL ISSUE STATEMENT ON LANGUAGE IN NDAA TO ESTABLISH COLTSVILLE AS NATIONAL PARK Friday, December 5, 2014 Hartford – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) issued a statement today after the House of Representatives approved the FY15 National Defense Authorization Act with language to establish a new unit of the National Park System within the Coltsville Historic District: “Today’s vote is a huge win for Coltsville, Hartford and the state of Connecticut, and we look forward to leading this measure to a victory in the Senate next week. Coltsville is a historic gem, enshrining Colt’s powerful role in advancing the industrial revolution and manufacturing in Connecticut and nationwide. Designation as a national park will help ensure that generations to come have the opportunity to visit and learn about this important part of our state’s history. Congressman Larson's leadership on this effort has been extraordinary and we are proud to have him at the helm. John has been working over a decade on this designation and today's passage is a credit to thousands of hours he has put into this crusade. It won't be easy to bring it across the finish line but we will do everything we can to support John's efforts,” Murphy and Blumenthal said.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://delauro.house.gov/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=1767:delauro-applauds-national-endowment-for-the-humanities-grants-for-wesleyan-universitycatid=2:press-releasesItemid=21,DeLauro Applauds National Endowment for the Humanities Grants for Wesleyan University,2014-12-04,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement in response to the Senate passing the Republicans’ bill cutting taxes for millionaires, billionaires, and corporations while raising taxes on middle class families.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://delauro.house.gov/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=1768:delauro-introduces-legislation-to-bolster-government-response-to-public-health-emergenciescatid=2:press-releasesItemid=21,DeLauro Introduces Legislation to Bolster Government Response to Public Health Emergencies,2014-12-04,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement in response to the Senate passing the Republicans’ bill cutting taxes for millionaires, billionaires, and corporations while raising taxes on middle class families.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://delauro.house.gov/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=1769:leading-members-of-congress-call-for-real-and-meaningful-labor-protections-in-tppcatid=2:press-releasesItemid=21,Leading Members of Congress Call for Real and Meaningful Labor Protections in TPP,2014-12-04,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement in response to the Senate passing the Republicans’ bill cutting taxes for millionaires, billionaires, and corporations while raising taxes on middle class families.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://esty.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/esty-blumenthal-murphy-announce-federal-grant-to-help-rebuild-low-income,"Esty, Blumenthal, Murphy Announce Federal Grant to Help Rebuild Low-Income Housing in Litchfield County",2014-12-04,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Elizabeth Esty,E000293,esty.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty’s (CT-05) bipartisan Women in Aerospace Education Act (H.R. 4254) passed the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee by voice vote this morning. The bill would encourage universities applying for Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship grants, which are designed to cover the cost of STEM-degree seeking students who intend to teach in rural and lower income school districts, to incorporate aerospace programs at the National Laboratories and NASA Centers into their teacher training experience. Esty, along with Rep. Steve Knight (CA-25), introduced the legislation to encourage more women to participate in the STEM fields.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-applauds-house-passage-of-national-defense-authorization,Blumenthal Applauds House Passage Of National Defense Authorization,2014-12-04,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Blumenthal Applauds House Passage Of National Defense Authorization Print Tweet Thursday, December 4, 2014 (Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee Airland Subcommittee, today applauded House passage of the FY15 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which sets policy and spending levels for the Department of Defense. The Senate is expected to consider the NDAA next week. “The NDAA funds defense programs that are both critical to our national security and essential components of Connecticut’s industrial base. Because of this bill, workers at Electric Boat will continue to build two Virginia-class submarines a year, workers at Pratt & Whitney will build the engines for 34 Joint Strike Fighters, and workers at Sikorsky will build more than 100 helicopters to ensure that our servicemen and women have the best equipment in the world,” said Sen. Blumenthal. “I am pleased this bill supports the men and women in uniform who serve and sacrifice for our nation. “I will fight strongly for approval of this very significant measure for Connecticut and our national security when it reaches the Senate next week. I am particularly pleased the Congress has recognized the contributions made by our Connecticut workforce to our national security by approving the products and weapons systems made in our state.” The measure supports the following priority programs that Blumenthal fought to support:  The bill authorizes $5.9 billion for the procurement of two Virginia-class submarines. Additionally, $1.3 billion is authorized for further research and development into the Ohio-class replacement program.  The bill will authorize $5.9 billion in total funding for the continued development of the Joint Strike Fighter program, to include the acquisition of 34 JSF aircraft, powered by Pratt & Whitney engines. Specifically, the bill includes funding for 26 F-35As for the Air Force, six F-35Bs for the Marine Corps, and two Navy F-35Cs. The bill will authorize over $2.4 billion in funding to procure Sikorsky helicopters, to include 85 UH-60 Black Hawks, 29 MH-60R Seahawks and 8 MH-60S Knighthawks.  This represents a budget request increase of $103 million to procure six additional UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters in order to modernize the Army National Guard.  Additionally, the budget authorizes an additional $573 million in research and development of the Marine Corps CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter. The bill authorizes $351 million for the Iron Dome missile defense system. The bill authorizes $37.3 million for M4 carbines to support the Kurdish and Iraqi security forces combat ISIL.  The bill authorizes $16.3 million for a C-130 Fuel and Corrosion Center at Bradley Air National Guard Base in Connecticut. The bill prohibits the retirement of the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft.    Press Contact Josh Zembik (DC) - 202-224-6452 Josh_Zembik@blumenthal.senate.gov Elizabeth Benton (CT) - 860-729-3589 Elizabeth_Benton@blumenthal.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-house-passage-coltsville-national-historical-park-act,Larson on House Passage of Coltsville National Historical Park Act,2014-12-04,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,John Larson,L000557,larson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement tonight: Today's vote in the U.S. House of Representatives marks a step forward for Coltsville becoming a national park. ""The House approved today, along with the NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act), the first major park service and lands bill since 2009. It has both bipartisan and bicameral support and demonstrates that Democrats and Republicans can work together for the common good of the nation. ""I am proud of the efforts of the community I represent. For more than a decade, community, historic, cultural, and literary organizations along with not-for-profits and for-profits have persisted in assuring the legacy of Samuel and Elizabeth Colt would become a national historic destination here in Hartford, Connecticut on the banks of a national historic river. ""I commend the efforts of three Mayors of the City of Hartford, four United States Senators and especially Senators Blumenthal and Murphy who - as cosponsors of this bill - have worked tirelessly to honor the history of American manufacturing and innovation, the State of Connecticut, the City of Hartford and the entire region. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20141206052424/http://esty.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/usda-grant-helps-rebuild-homes-for-litchfield-countys-elderly,USDA grant helps rebuild homes for Litchfield County's elderly,2014-12-04,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Elizabeth Esty,E000293,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"NEW MILFORD -- Ceia Webb has high praise for the U.S. Department of Agriculture for its assistance in meeting the needs of low-income senior citizens in Litchfield County. Webb is executive director of Rebuilding Together of Litchfield County, and her organization has received a $50,000 Housing Preservation Grant through the USDA to help with its outreach. The grant can only be applied to work on homes in the rural areas of Litchfield County and is not available in Watertown and Torrington because the USDA classifies them as cities. ""We are very thrilled with receiving these funds,"" Webb said Thursday. ""This is a huge benefit to us. The grant is being used for repairing and renovating the homes of older, single-family homes of people 60 and over."" Rebuilding Together of Litchfield County is based in New Milford. It is an affiliate of Rebuilding Together, a national nonprofit volunteer organization. It works to preserve and revitalize low-income homes, focusing on the households of the elderly, disabled and residents in those categories who are supporting young children. Webb said during the last eight to 10 weeks, her organization has installed a handicap access ramp at the Kent home of an elderly, mentally disabled couple in conjunction with the Kent Community Foundation. It just completed work on a home in South Kent where the roof had been damaged in an ice storm last winter and the chimney needed to be replaced. That homeowner, a woman in her late 60s, is having hip replacement surgery. ""We knew the funds were coming, so we undertook the projects,"" Webb said. ""We've had local masons and contractors working with us on these projects at reduced fees."" The South Kent home was the 179th house Rebuilding Together of Litchfield County has renovated and/or repaired over the last 10 years. ""With the cold winter upon us, many families and seniors are struggling to make necessary repairs to keep them safe in their homes,"" said U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-Conn., who announced the grant award along with Connecticut U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy. ""This grant will go a long way in supporting Rebuilding Together of Litchfield County's mission of building stronger, more resilient communities here in Litchfield County,"" Esty added.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-blumenthal-esty-announce-federal-grant-to-help-rebuild-low-income-housing-in-litchfield-county,"MURPHY, BLUMENTHAL, ESTY ANNOUNCE FEDERAL GRANT TO HELP REBUILD LOW-INCOME HOUSING IN LITCHFIELD COUNTY",2014-12-04,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"MURPHY, BLUMENTHAL, ESTY ANNOUNCE FEDERAL GRANT TO HELP REBUILD LOW-INCOME HOUSING IN LITCHFIELD COUNTY Rebuilding Together of Litchfield County Will Receive a $50,000 USDA Housing Preservation Grant Thursday, December 4, 2014 NEW MILFORD – Today, U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and U.S. Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (D-Conn.) announced that Rebuilding Together of Litchfield County will receive a $50,000 Housing Preservation Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The funds will help low-income families in rural areas in Litchfield County renovate and repair their homes to alleviate health and safety concerns. “Thanks to the hard work of Rebuilding Together of Litchfield, Connecticut families can have comfort in knowing that their homes are safe to live in. The USDA’s grant will help Rebuilding Together provide low-income households with the home improvements they need - whether it’s a new roof or a wheelchair ramp - and I’m grateful for their efforts to prioritize the well-being of our communities,” said Senator Murphy. “Safe and affordable housing is a fundamental human need. I applaud Rebuilding Together for their longtime dedication to ensuring that all Litchfield County residents—particularly the elderly, disabled and those with young children—have the assistance and support they need to preserve and restore the safety and security of their own homes. I welcome this significant federal investment, and look forward to supporting additional efforts in the future,” said Senator Blumenthal. “With the cold winter upon us, many families and seniors are struggling to make necessary repairs to keep them safe in their homes. Thank you to everyone at Rebuilding Together of Litchfield County for your commitment to helping folks and empowering them to live independently. This grant will go a long way in supporting their mission of building stronger, more resilient communities here in Litchfield County,” said Congresswoman Esty. “We are very thrilled with the announcements of these funds. This is a huge benefit to us to be able to have funds which can be used in Litchfield County in the rural areas. The grant will be used for repairing and renovating the homes of older, single family homes, people 60 and over and who have very low or low incomes and who are Litchfield county residents,” said Ceia Webb, Executive Director of Rebuilding Together of Litchfield County. Rebuilding Together of Litchfield County, which is based in New Milford, is an affiliate of the national non-profit volunteer organization, Rebuilding Together. The organization works to preserve and revitalize low income homes, focusing on the households of the elderly, disabled, and those supporting young children. The group plans to use this grant to fix roofs on several seniors’ houses and build a ramp for an individual with physical disabilities. The USDA’s Housing Preservation Grant program provides grants to sponsoring organizations for the repair or rehabilitation of low-income housing. The grants are competitive and are made available in areas where there is a concentration of need.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-statement-on-foreign-relations-committee-commitment-to-debate-and-vote-on-aumf-to-defeat-isil,MURPHY STATEMENT ON FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE COMMITMENT TO DEBATE AND VOTE ON AUMF TO DEFEAT ISIL,2014-12-04,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"MURPHY STATEMENT ON FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE COMMITMENT TO DEBATE AND VOTE ON AUMF TO DEFEAT ISIL Thursday, December 4, 2014 WASHINGTON –Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Chairman of the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on European Affairs, released the following statement regarding Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Menendez’s decision to hold a debate and vote on legislation to authorize the use of military force against ISIL. I continue to strongly believe that Congress must debate and vote on an authorization for the use of military force against ISIL. The constitution vests the Congress with the exclusive power to declare war, and we cannot abdicate this responsibility that we are entrusted with by the American people, especially our men and women in uniform. The existing AUMFs are over a decade old and out-of-date, and not applicable to the current fight against ISIL. While the President’s Article II authorities allow him to protect the nation from imminent threats, this does not include waging a protracted new war in the Middle East. I am heartened that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) today decided to debate an AUMF next week and exercise our constitutional duties. I have long been calling for such a debate, including last month when the president announced his desire to work with the Congress to craft a new AUMF. There is likely to be disagreement in the Congress about the best course of action against ISIL and about the provisions of a new AUMF. Some members of the SFRC have argued that it is unconstitutional and unprecedented to impose any restrictions on the executive branch in an AUMF, such as a limitation on the use of ground troops. But in fact, just last year, in August 2013, the SFRC voted in favor of an AUMF that imposed strict limitations on the executive branch -- allowing the President only to target Bashar al-Assad’s weapons of mass destruction in Syria and only after certain conditions were met. I believe that the United States must protect our vital national security interests. But we would do a disservice to the American people if we simply gave the executive branch a blank check authorization that allows our country to get dragged into an open-ended engagement with no clear end or objectives. I look forward to a serious debate next week on this critical issue for our country.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://esty.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/rep-elizabeth-esty-applauds-today-s-passage-of-the-able-act-that-helps,Rep. Elizabeth Esty Applauds Todays Passage of the ABLE Act that Helps Individuals with Disabilities and Their Families,2014-12-03,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Elizabeth Esty,E000293,esty.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty’s (CT-05) bipartisan Women in Aerospace Education Act (H.R. 4254) passed the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee by voice vote this morning. The bill would encourage universities applying for Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship grants, which are designed to cover the cost of STEM-degree seeking students who intend to teach in rural and lower income school districts, to incorporate aerospace programs at the National Laboratories and NASA Centers into their teacher training experience. Esty, along with Rep. Steve Knight (CA-25), introduced the legislation to encourage more women to participate in the STEM fields.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-applauds-passage-able-act,Larson Applauds Passage of ABLE Act,2014-12-03,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,John Larson,L000557,larson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington- Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement today on the passage of H.R. 647, The ABLE Act of 2014, in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Act would create new savings accounts, known as a 529-ABLE Plan, that would allow families that have a child or children with disabilities save money tax-free to help pay for future costs associated with their child's disability. For years I have heard from constituents like Andrew and Tamara Selinger of West Hartford advocate not only on behalf of their own family, but families across the nation who have children with disabilities. With two children diagnosed with Fragile X Syndrome, the Selingers simply want the same opportunities as other families with existing 529 plans to have a savings mechanism that would enhance their children's lives without minimizing services they already receive, said Larson. I've also heard from individuals like Bob and Rosie Shea, Shannon Knall from my local Autism Speaks Chapter, and many other families and groups advocate on behalf of individuals with disabilities. Their passionate message is clear this legislation is important not only for their children, but for children across Connecticut and the country. Despite the partisan rancor that often dominates Washington, passage of this measure shows that we can come together in a meaningful way to help the American people. I commend the efforts of my colleagues Representative Ander Crenshaw and Representative Chris Van Hollen for their leadership and steadfast commitment to moving this legislation forward. I've been proud to join the hundreds of members of Congress who've supported it as a cosponsor for a number of sessions and applaud its passage in the House today. The 529-ABLE Plans are similar to other 529 plans currently utilized by families to save for education costs. Larson has long advocated for passage of the ABLE Act, previously voting to pass it out of the Ways & Means Committee earlier this year. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-passage-house-tax-extenders-measure,Larson on Passage of House Tax Extenders Measure,2014-12-03,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,John Larson,L000557,larson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement today on the passage of H.R. 5771, the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014': For nearly a year, businesses and individuals across the nation have been lost in the void between expired or expiring tax credits and a Congress unwilling to work together. While the short-term bill passed in the House today was the only option short of inaction, my priority remains tax reform to provide certainty for the American people. I am proud to have fought for many aspects of today's measure, including the bipartisan Research and Development Tax Credit that has long helped Connecticut businesses and manufacturers create jobs and lead the way in innovation. I am also pleased to see the passage of mortgage debt forgiveness provisions that ensure Americans are not taxed on mortgage debt they have already cancelled. I remain disappointed, however, that the bill put to a vote only provides retroactive and short sighted relief. More than 500 local and national organizations have urged the extension, enhancement or permanency of a number of tax provisions including Feeding America, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Habitat for Humanity and more. From the business community and charitable organizations to nonprofits and working families, these tax provisions are crucial across the board. I am disappointed that, despite having the ability to work together towards a solution, Congress could not get a longer-term deal done. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/families-of-uss-oklahoma-sailors-want-navy-to-respect-their-wishes,Families of U.S.S. Oklahoma Sailors Want Navy to Respect Their Wishes,2014-12-03,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Families of U.S.S. Oklahoma Sailors Want Navy to Respect Their Wishes By:  LUCY NALPATHANCHIL Wednesday, December 3, 2014 This Sunday marks the 73rd anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Thousands of Americans died that day, including over 400 sailors aboard the U.S.S. Oklahoma. Guilford resident Tom Gray and his family thought their relative, Edwin Hopkins, was one of the missing. Hopkins was Tom Gray's second cousin, part of a large family from New Hampshire. Gray never met him, but he knows a lot about him. Gray recalled the painful story in his family's history. ""When you grow up with it and you feel the angst in the house when it comes up, it's something that won't go away,"" he said. Hopkins was 18 years old when he enlisted in the Navy. He died just a year later, in 1941, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. He was a fireman on the battleship, and was likely below deck when the Oklahoma was torpedoed. Because Hopkins was missing in action, his mother never fully absorbed the news, believing that he had amnesia, and would one day come home. Gray said she held onto that hope until she died. ""Part of the sadness of this is that neither of his parents ever realized he was discovered,"" he said. ""His brother was 90 when he died in February of 2008, and we [got] the call in March."" That call was from a member of an organization made up of the families of sailors who died aboard the U.S.S. Oklahoma. The member told Gray's cousin, Faye Hopkins Boar, about research by a Pearl Harbor veteran. The veteran, Ray Emory, discovered that 27 sailors who were buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (the Punchbowl) and listed as Unknown had actually been identified by the Navy in 1943. Edwin Hopkins was one of them. The U.S. Navy opened a casket in 2003, and returned five sailors to their families. Since then, it has refused additional requests, saying it doesn't want to disturb any more graves. At his Guilford home, Gray leafed through a thick green binder filled with information about the 27 sailors. ""What is on here is the actual reports from the Navy,"" he said. Since 2008, Gray and his cousin, Hopkins Boar, have been collecting the declassified information and pages of correspondence between his family and the Navy, including details about the graves. He pointed to a copy of a handwritten diagram from the late 1940s. ""This is a list,"" Gray said. ""P-1003, the exact grave where my cousin is buried -- there are two caskets in that grave site. There are five individuals in that casket. We know all of the names of the people that are in there with him."" One of them is Kenneth Jane, also a Fireman Third Class who served on the U.S.S. Oklahoma. His nephew, Long Island resident Kenneth Schultz, was named after him. ""Everybody in our family believed he had perished,"" Schultz said. ""It was just completely amazing to go all these years without knowing this, and then finding this information out."" Gray and Schultz have joined other members of the Oklahoma family who have been writing the U.S. Navy, asking for the identified remains to be disinterred, and sent back to those families who want them. The Navy opened up one of those caskets in 2003, and returned five sailors to their families. Since then, the Navy has refused additional requests, saying it doesn't want to disturb any more graves. Last year, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy heard Gray's story, and led a coalition of senators to request that the family's wishes be honored. Murphy said he heard back from the Department of Defense that there would be a review, but the families have heard nothing since. ""I'm glad the Department of Defense is being very careful about this,"" he said. ""No one should take lightly the issue of exhuming remains and identifying them -- but for far too long, you have a set of families who aren't able to visit their loved ones' graves, and we can solve that."" The senator is asking the DOD to give the families an answer by the end of this year. Gray said he isn't giving up, either. He reads from one of several letters he has sent to the Navy. ""Our family has done all that it's been asked in service to this country, including sacrificing a beloved 18-year-old boy,"" he said. ""My family and I feel we owe it to my cousin not to give up, just as you owe it to all 22 unknown sailors to fulfill your responsibility to bring these heroes home."" The families say they deserve to give their relatives a proper burial. Navy Commander Amy Derrick-Frost of the Department of Defense responded to a request for comment with the following statement: ""The review is still underway. As part of the review, the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (USD(P)) and the Department of the Navy (DON) are in active discussions on how best to fulfill our Nation's commitment to those who perished aboard the Oklahoma and their families. We expect a decision on the matter early next year.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://delauro.house.gov/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=1765:delauro-applauds-new-usda-farm-to-school-grant-for-connecticutcatid=2:press-releasesItemid=21,DeLauro Applauds New USDA Farm to School Grant for Connecticut,2014-12-02,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement in response to the Senate passing the Republicans’ bill cutting taxes for millionaires, billionaires, and corporations while raising taxes on middle class families.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/connecticut-congressional-delegation-announces-11-grants-from-the-national-endowment-for-the-arts,Connecticut Congressional Delegation Announces 11 Grants From The National Endowment For The Arts,2014-12-02,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Connecticut Congressional Delegation Announces 11 Grants From The National Endowment For The Arts Print Tweet Tuesday, December 2, 2014 (Hartford, CT) -  The Connecticut Congressional Delegation today announced 11 grants from the National Endowment for the Arts to support the arts and creativity in communities across the state. The competitive grants were among 1,118 awarded nationwide and were selected from a pool of 3,455 applicants. “From music education and public art to provocative theater and international festivals, these grants will help enrich and enliven communities across Connecticut. Whether it is in the classroom, on the street, or in our parks, museums and theaters, the arts play a vital role in shaping our understanding of who we are as a community. Connecticut is a better place because of the outstanding talent, commitment and creativity of our artists. We look forward to continuing to support and advance their work, as well as opportunities to inspire and foster our next generation of artists, thinkers and dreamers,” the delegation stated. A full list of grantees is listed below.   Organization Name Grant Amount City Project Description Litchfield Performing Arts, Inc. $        20,000 Litchfield Residential and day students of different ages and skill levels will participate in the multi-week program held at the Canterbury School in New Milford, Connecticut. While the focus is on collaborative and improvisational music-making and performance, the core curriculum may include combo coaching, music theory, composition, as well as electives such as ear training and sight reading. All students are expected to participate in jam sessions, weekly concerts, and perform at the festival. Instructors include as many as 40 internationally renowned musicians such as Don Braden, Vincent Gardner, Charli Persip, Claudio Roditi, HartBeat Ensemble $        10,000 Hartford The play will depict the American political climate of the late 1950s and early 1960s through the lens of two significant artists of the time - James Baldwin and Lorraine Hansberry. Following their careers as artists, their call to social activism, and the challenges of balancing an artistic career with politics, Baldwin and Hansberry's lives provide a look at a rich period of political and social upheaval that resonates 50 years later. The play will be directed by Brian Jennings. Eugene O'Neill Memorial Theater Center, Inc. $        55,000 Waterford The project will include the creation and development of new plays and musical theater works by emerging and mid-career artists. Approximately 1,600 manuscripts will be received through an open submission process that will culminate in the selection of seven to ten plays and two to four musicals. The scripts will receive a rehearsal period and staged readings that will be open to the public. Connecticut College $        10,000 New London The college will present diverse productions in contemporary and classical dance and music for audiences from southeastern Connecticut and southwest Rhode Island. Artists will include jazz violinist Regina Carter and Doug Varone and Dancers. I-Park Foundation, Inc. $        10,000 East Haddam The residencies and symposium will focus on site-specific, temporary art. The public symposium will be presented on the I-Park campus and will serve artists working in various creative disciplines, the academic community, and the general public. During the residency and exhibition, filmmakers will document the art in progress as well as the finished works. New Haven International Festival of Arts & Ideas, Inc. $        65,000 New Haven Featured projects will include ""From Bach to Bebop,"" by Imani Winds with Jeff Scott (New York) and poetry by A.B. Spellman (Washington, D.C.), and ""Eve"" from singer-songwriter Angelique Kidjo (Benin) with guest African artists. The festival also will present ""Song of the Jasmine"" by Ragamala Dance (Minneapolis) and jazz saxophonist/composer Rudresh Mahanthappa (New York), and the Mark Morris Dance Group's (Brooklyn) ""Acis and Galatea."". Wesleyan University $        20,000 Middletown Artists may include Chicago's Lucky Plush, Seattle's Zoe/Juniper, and Chicago- and New York-based Darrell Jones. Engagement programs will be tailored to each artist to embed his or her work across the campus. The series also will include a commissioned work by Austin-based Allison Orr, who will work with Wesleyan's College of the Environment and the Middletown community to draw attention to environmental sustainability through the creation of a site-specific community-based work. The performances and residency activities will happen on campus and in the surrounding community. Wesleyan University $        25,000 Middletown Poets to be published include Honoree Jeffers, Rae Armantrout, Heather Christle, Jean Day, Marta del Pozo Ortea, and Evie Shockley. The books will be available in both print and digital formats, and accompanied by online readers for teachers, students, and general readers. Yale University $        40,000 New Haven Commissioned by Yale Rep, the play follows a quartet of characters whose lives become entangled after a fateful blind date between a young woman finishing cancer treatments and an Internet celebrity who is about to sell his identity to a corporation. The play will be directed by Jackson Gay. Callaghan will be in residence at the theater through the rehearsal process, and will collaborate with Gay and the dramaturgical staff on the ongoing refinement of the text. Connecticut Players Foundation, Inc. $        10,000 New Haven Long Wharf Theatre will feature fully produced mini-runs of plays by emerging and established playwrights such as ""Forever,"" written and performed by Dael Orlandersmith, and ""Rodney King,"" a one-man show by Roger Guenveur Smith. Additional festival programming such as staged readings of works-in-progress, post-show conversations, and communitywide conversations will be hosted by the New Haven Free Public Library. Silvermine Guild of Artists, Inc. $        25,000 New Canaan Events will include performances by musicians Caladh Nua (Ireland), multidisciplinary animation and performance artist Miwa Matreyek (United States), and a new co-commissioned work from collaborators Bridgman/Packer Dance (United States) and filmmaker Peter Bobrow (United States). Silvermine also will present Arts Fest, a free, outdoor festival of music, dance, and the visual arts, featuring hip-hop and percussion troupe Street Beat(United States). Press Contact Elizabeth Benton (Blumenthal) - 860-729-3589",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/in-wake-of-nfl-failure-to-address-domestic-violence-blumenthal-introduces-legislation-to-end-permanent-anti-trust-exemption-for-professional-sports-leagues,"In Wake Of NFL Failure To Address Domestic Violence, Blumenthal Introduces Legislation To End Permanent Anti-Trust Exemption For Professional Sports Leagues",2014-12-02,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,,,legacy,"SPORTS Act Would Make Anti-Trust Exemption Renewable Every Five Years, Conditioned On Leagues Acting Consistently With Public Trust (Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) today introduced the Sustained Promotion Of Responsibility In Team Sports (SPORTS) Act, which would sunset the four major professional sports leagues’ (NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA) permanent anti-trust exemption, and replace it with an every-five-years reauthorization conditioned on the leagues acting consistently with the public trust their special status requires. Largely unchanged since 1961, these exemptions have provided significant financial support and other benefits for the leagues regardless of their actions. Under the SPORTS Act, the leagues’ antitrust exemptions would sunset one year after the bill’s enactment. Before the exemptions sunset, Congress will go through an expedited process—comparable to the budget reconciliation process—that guarantees an up or down vote on a five year reauthorization. “When young people see athletes committing acts of violence, and when those acts are excused, glossed over, and given pathetically weak punishments, they learn that domestic violence is not taken seriously,” said Sen. Blumenthal. “They learn that they will not be taken seriously if they report abuse. They learn that they can get away with committing abuse against others. The country affords these teams their special status because of their special role in American culture, but that doesn’t give them the right to abuse this privilege. The era of the blank check for sports leagues must end. “I appreciate the words from the leagues at today’s Commerce Committee hearing, but words are easy. Actions are hard. So far the leagues’ actions have been inadequate and unaccountable. Sunsetting the antitrust exemption helps assure accountability for stronger sanctions against domestic violence and aid to organizations that assist survivors of domestic violence.” The SPORTS Act creates a process that will repeat every time the exemptions are set to sunset, creating a system in which Congress has an up-or-down, majority vote on reauthorization every five years. There will be no filibusters or other dilatory tactics that could delay a reauthorization and inappropriately disrupt the leagues’ operations. And there will be no amendments, so no unjustified policy changes will move through as part of this potentially must-pass legislation. Ninety-five days before each exemption is scheduled to sunset, a special commission, composed of heads of Executive Branch offices with jurisdiction over issues relevant to the leagues, will provide Congress with a report regarding the leagues’ behavior. In particular, the Commission’s report will discuss how the leagues have treated their employees and how they have responded to inappropriate conduct by their employees and owners. The Commission’s report will ensure that before Congress decides whether to grant the leagues a public benefit—their antitrust exemptions—it has access to a thorough, fair, and honest assessment of whether the leagues have served or harmed the public interest.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-connecticut-congressional-delegation-announces-11-grants-national,"Larson, Connecticut Congressional Delegation Announces 11 Grants from the National Endowment for the Arts",2014-12-02,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,John Larson,L000557,larson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Hartford, CT- The Connecticut Congressional Delegation today announced 11 grants from the National Endowment for the Arts to support the arts and creativity in communities across the state. The competitive grants were among 1,118 awarded nationwide and were selected from a pool of 3,455 applicants. From music education and public art to provocative theater and international festivals, these grants will help enrich and enliven communities across Connecticut. Whether it is in the classroom, on the street, or in our parks, museums and theaters, the arts play a vital role in shaping our understanding of who we are as a community. Connecticut is a better place because of the outstanding talent, commitment and creativity of our artists. We look forward to continuing to support and advance their work, as well as opportunities to inspire and foster our next generation of artists, thinkers and dreamers, the delegation stated. A full list of grantees is listed below. Organization Name Grant Amount City Project Description Litchfield Performing Arts, Inc. $20,000 Litchfield Residential and day students of different ages and skill levels will participate in the multi-week program held at the Canterbury School in New Milford, Connecticut. While the focus is on collaborative and improvisational music-making and performance, the core curriculum may include combo coaching, music theory, composition, as well as electives such as ear training and sight reading. All students are expected to participate in jam sessions, weekly concerts, and perform at the festival. Instructors include as many as 40 internationally renowned musicians such as Don Braden, Vincent Gardner, Charli Persip, Claudio Roditi, HartBeat Ensemble $10,000 Hartford The play will depict the American political climate of the late 1950s and early 1960s through the lens of two significant artists of the time - James Baldwin and Lorraine Hansberry. Following their careers as artists, their call to social activism, and the challenges of balancing an artistic career with politics, Baldwin and Hansberry's lives provide a look at a rich period of political and social upheaval that resonates 50 years later. The play will be directed by Brian Jennings. Eugene O'Neill Memorial Theater Center, Inc. $55,000 Waterford The project will include the creation and development of new plays and musical theater works by emerging and mid-career artists. Approximately 1,600 manuscripts will be received through an open submission process that will culminate in the selection of seven to ten plays and two to four musicals. The scripts will receive a rehearsal period and staged readings that will be open to the public. Connecticut College $10,000 New London The college will present diverse productions in contemporary and classical dance and music for audiences from southeastern Connecticut and southwest Rhode Island. Artists will include jazz violinist Regina Carter and Doug Varone and Dancers. I-Park Foundation, Inc. $10,000 East Haddam The residencies and symposium will focus on site-specific, temporary art. The public symposium will be presented on the I-Park campus and will serve artists working in various creative disciplines, the academic community, and the general public. During the residency and exhibition, filmmakers will document the art in progress as well as the finished works. New Haven International Festival of Arts & Ideas, Inc. $65,000 New Haven Featured projects will include ""From Bach to Bebop,"" by Imani Winds with Jeff Scott (New York) and poetry by A.B. Spellman (Washington, D.C.), and ""Eve"" from singer-songwriter Angelique Kidjo (Benin) with guest African artists. The festival also will present ""Song of the Jasmine"" by Ragamala Dance (Minneapolis) and jazz saxophonist/composer Rudresh Mahanthappa (New York), and the Mark Morris Dance Group's (Brooklyn) ""Acis and Galatea."". Wesleyan University $20,000 Middletown Artists may include Chicago's Lucky Plush, Seattle's Zoe/Juniper, and Chicago- and New York-based Darrell Jones. Engagement programs will be tailored to each artist to embed his or her work across the campus. The series also will include a commissioned work by Austin-based Allison Orr, who will work with Wesleyan's College of the Environment and the Middletown community to draw attention to environmental sustainability through the creation of a site-specific community-based work. The performances and residency activities will happen on campus and in the surrounding community. Wesleyan University $25,000 Middletown Poets to be published include Honoree Jeffers, Rae Armantrout, Heather Christle, Jean Day, Marta del Pozo Ortea, and Evie Shockley. The books will be available in both print and digital formats, and accompanied by online readers for teachers, students, and general readers. Yale University $40,000 New Haven Commissioned by Yale Rep, the play follows a quartet of characters whose lives become entangled after a fateful blind date between a young woman finishing cancer treatments and an Internet celebrity who is about to sell his identity to a corporation. The play will be directed by Jackson Gay. Callaghan will be in residence at the theater through the rehearsal process, and will collaborate with Gay and the dramaturgical staff on the ongoing refinement of the text. Connecticut Players Foundation, Inc. $10,000 New Haven Long Wharf Theatre will feature fully produced mini-runs of plays by emerging and established playwrights such as ""Forever,"" written and performed by Dael Orlandersmith, and ""Rodney King,"" a one-man show by Roger Guenveur Smith. Additional festival programming such as staged readings of works-in-progress, post-show conversations, and communitywide conversations will be hosted by the New Haven Free Public Library. Silvermine Guild of Artists, Inc. $25,000 New Canaan Events will include performances by musicians Caladh Nua (Ireland), multidisciplinary animation and performance artist Miwa Matreyek (United States), and a new co-commissioned work from collaborators Bridgman/Packer Dance (United States) and filmmaker Peter Bobrow (United States). Silvermine also will present Arts Fest, a free, outdoor festival of music, dance, and the visual arts, featuring hip-hop and percussion troupe Street Beat(United States).",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://delauro.house.gov/index.php?option=com_contentview=articleid=1762:delauro-carrington-in-connecticut-the-face-of-hunger-may-surprise-youcatid=2:press-releasesItemid=21,"DeLauro, Carrington: In Connecticut, the Face of Hunger May Surprise You",2014-12-01,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement in response to the Senate passing the Republicans’ bill cutting taxes for millionaires, billionaires, and corporations while raising taxes on middle class families.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-issues-statement-on-pura-draft-decision-to-increase-clandp-fixed-charge,Blumenthal Issues Statement on PURA Draft Decision to Increase CL&P Fixed Charge,2014-12-01,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Blumenthal Issues Statement on PURA Draft Decision to Increase CL&P Fixed Charge Print Tweet Monday, December 1, 2014 (Hartford, CT) - U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) issued the following statement today in response to the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority’s draft decision granting Connecticut Light and Power an over 20 percent increase in its fixed charge, while also providing the public utility a more than 9 percent guaranteed rate of return. “This draft decision is unconscionable and unacceptable, granting CL&P a more than 20 percent increase in its fixed rate charge in defiance of the sustained, broad public outcry from consumers.  A fixed charge of $19.25—with signals for future increases—would make CL&P’s residential charge the highest in New England. This fee would hit consumers before they even turn on a single light, discouraging and devaluing conservation and efficiency efforts. Connecticut residents—most notably low-income and elderly residents—cannot afford and should not be asked to finance a nine percent-plus guaranteed rate of return for CL&P,” Blumenthal said. Press Contact Elizabeth Benton (CT) - 860-729-3589 Elizabeth_Benton@blumenthal.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-to-call-on-the-boy-scouts-of-america-to-end-partnership-with-the-right-decisions-right-now-youth-tobacco-prevention-program,Blumenthal to Call On The Boy Scouts of America to End Partnership With the Right Decisions Right Now Youth Tobacco Prevention Program,2014-12-01,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Blumenthal to Call On The Boy Scouts of America to End Partnership With the Right Decisions Right Now Youth Tobacco Prevention Program Print Tweet Monday, December 1, 2014 (Washington, DC) – At 1:15 p.m. today, November 25 in Room 1A of the Hartford Legislative Office Building U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal will call on the President of the Boy Scouts of America, Secretary Robert Gates to reconsider the organization’s partnership with the Right Decisions Right Now (RDRN) youth tobacco prevention program. The RDRN program is funded by the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. Basic economics suggest that it is in these companies’ best financial interest to continue to attract new smokers, and thus big tobacco companies have shown a history of sponsoring ineffective tobacco prevention and education programs. The RDRN program was found to have the same ineffective qualities as other big tobacco prevention programs by a federal court. U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), sent a letter to the Boy Scouts calling the program a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” designed to make it appear that tobacco companies are no longer targeting their products to children. In October, Senator Blumenthal called on the National School Boards Association to end its partnership with the RDRN program, and the association responded affirmatively and dissolved their partnership with the program. The Senators are now writing to the Boy Scouts of America to ask them to reconsider their partnership with the RDRN program, as it has been proven to be nothing more than a PR campaign in disguise as a youth tobacco prevention program. “A wolf in sheep’s clothing, big tobacco has a history of using and promoting ineffective prevention and education programs. Indeed, this RDRN program was one of several described as such a program in a federal court opinion. Evidence from the vast amount of research into scientifically proven methods of preventing youth smoking clearly demonstrates that programs such as the RDRN are little more than PR campaigns designed to make it look like tobacco companies have turned over a new leaf and are no longer targeting their products to children,” Blumenthal, Brown and Harkin state in the letter. “We urge the Boy Scouts of America to immediately end its harmful partnership with R.J. Reynolds to promote the company's sham 'youth tobacco prevention' program,” said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. “The U.S. Surgeon General, the National Cancer Institute, a federal judge and scientific studies have found that tobacco industry 'prevention programs' are ineffective and may even encourage kids to smoke.  The real reason Reynolds and other tobacco companies offer these programs is not to reduce youth smoking.  Rather, it is to create the illusion they are part of the solution to the tobacco problem when in fact they continue to addict our children and to fight real solutions.” “We're grateful to Senator Blumenthal for his leadership on this important issue,” said Robin Koval, CEO and President of Legacy. “Like us, the Senator recognizes that there is an inherent contradiction between the values the Boy Scouts stand for and those that the tobacco industry demonstrate,” she said. “We must be single-minded if we want to effectively safeguard our kids --who RJ Reynolds themselves labeled as 'replacement smokers' for the 1,200 adult smokers who die daily -- from the continuing and very real threat of tobacco-related disease,” she added. The full text of the letter is below: November 14, 2014   Secretary Robert Gates President Boy Scouts of America 1325 West Walnut Hill Lane Irving, Texas 75015-2079       Dear Mr. Secretary:   We write with grave concern about the Boy Scouts of America’s ongoing partnership with the Right Decisions Right Now (RDRN) youth tobacco prevention program. We support proven interventions to prevent young people from starting to use nicotine products, which too often leads to a lifetime of addiction fraught with health risks. However, the RDRN program has not proven to be effective. We urge you to reconsider this decision to partner with RDRN and to explore other options for helping prevent young people from becoming addicted to nicotine.   The RDRN program is funded by the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. With adult smoking rates down to about 18.1 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tobacco companies have had to be creative about ensuring that they have new customers. Basic economics suggest it is in these companies’ best financial interest to attract new smokers. This basic fact should immediately raise red flags about whether they are truly invested in effective methods to prevent or cease smoking.   A wolf in sheep’s clothing, big tobacco has a history of using and promoting ineffective prevention and education programs. Indeed, this RDRN program was one of several described as such a program in a federal court opinion. Evidence from the vast amount of research into scientifically proven methods of preventing youth smoking clearly demonstrates that programs such as the RDRN are little more than PR campaigns designed to make it look like tobacco companies have turned over a new leaf and are no longer targeting their products to children.   Further, although the website describing the RDRN program has been updated to suggest there is some benefit to adults who stop smoking, there are no provisions in this program to educate older students. Finally, this program fails to emphasize the increased rate of death from smoking – both serious concerns that were raised in the final federal court opinion. Yet, R.J. Reynolds continues to promote their program, selectively using some CDC data in some of their materials to suggest legitimacy while downplaying even more damaging findings, such as the fact that cigarette smoking accounts for one in every five deaths each year. The Boy Scouts of America’s partnership with the program, which has already resulted in about 12,000 scouts taking R.J. Reynolds’s “pledge,” further serves to legitimize the disingenuous efforts of big tobacco.   We urge you to work with public health advocates about more effective steps you could take to discourage boy scouts from smoking than the ineffective RDRN program. The Research-Tested Intervention Programs database from the National Cancer Institute offers examples of research-tested programs and the National Institute on Drug Abuse’s Mind Over Matter—Tobacco Addiction materials can provide the Boy Scouts with more effective educational materials related to tobacco prevention education. Better options exist, and we fear that promoting the RDRN program could set us back decades in the fight against youth smoking. Please immediately end your partnership with R.J. Reynolds and eliminate the new patch you have created for scouts who have completed the program. The Boy Scouts, and all American youth, deserve more than a PR campaign.   Sincerely,   Richard Blumenthal United States Senate Sherrod Brown United States Senate Tom Harkin United States Senate Press Contact Josh Zembik (DC) - 202-224-6452 Josh_Zembik@blumenthal.senate.gov Elizabeth Benton (CT) - 860-729-3589 Elizabeth_Benton@blumenthal.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/following-connecticut-action-blumenthal-urges-health-and-human-services-to-recommend-life-saving-newborn-screening-nationwide,"Following Connecticut Action, Blumenthal Urges Health and Human Services to Recommend Life-Saving Newborn Screening Nationwide",2014-12-01,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,www.blumenthal.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Following Connecticut Action, Blumenthal Urges Health and Human Services to Recommend Life-Saving Newborn Screening Nationwide Print Tweet Adrenoleukodystrophy Affects 1 in 17,000 People; Early Screening Gives Best Chance for Healthy Life Monday, December 1, 2014 (Hartford, CT) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) today issued a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell urging that the Department add to its list of recommended newborn screenings a test for Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD). ALD affects 1 in 17,000 people and most severely affects boys and men. Early screening that gives babies the chance to receive immediate treatment before symptoms develop provides the best chance for a healthy life. Last year, Connecticut passed a law requiring health institutions screen newborns for ALD, but similar protections do not exist for babies nationwide. ALD is a genetic disorder that first manifests itself as a behavioral disorder, with affected children showing signs of withdrawal, difficulty concentrating, vision problems and coordination issues. Because children with ALD are frequently misdiagnosed and not screened at birth, acute symptoms of ALD often progress quickly, including blindness, deafness, seizures, loss of muscle control and progressive dementia.   “Although Connecticut has taken important steps to put this screening in place, efforts to implement this requirement in other states has been hindered by the lack of a federal mandate for an ALD screening,” Blumenthal states in the letter. “ALD is a condition that should be screened for at birth in order to give affected children a fighting chance to live a full life.”   ""It is vital to get this test in place as soon as possible. It is proven to be truly lifesaving. Early detection will allow for treatment, setting these boys up for a normal and healthy life. We want to prevent other boys and families affected by ALD from facing the devastating, and life-changing challenges Brian has endured. We look forward to a day when no child will experience the effects of this insidious disease,” said Jean Kelley, a Branford resident and mother of ALD patient Brian Kelley and key advocate for the state’s screening law.   The full text of the letter follows:   November 26, 2014       The Honorable Sylvia Burwell Secretary of Health and Human Services Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20201       Dear Secretary Burwell:             I am writing today in support of the recommendation that Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) be added to the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP). Newborn screenings are critical to ensuring children born in the United States are tested for rare disorders for which there are life-saving treatments available.   Connecticut is currently implementing Public Act 13-242, “An Act Concerning Newborn Screening for Adrenoleukodystrophy,” which requires all health institutions to screen newborns for ALD. As you know, ALD is a genetic disease that destroys myelin, the protective sheath that surrounds the brain's neurons, which are the nerve cells that allow us to think and to control our muscles. ALD affects 1 in 17,000 people and most severely affects boys and men. Screenings would allow for affected babies to receive immediate treatment, before symptoms develop, and have the best chance at a healthy life. Although Connecticut has taken important steps to put this screening in place, efforts to implement this requirement in other states has been hindered by the lack of a federal mandate for an ALD screening.   The Discretionary Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children (DACHDNC) is tasked with advising and making recommendations to you in an effort to reduce morbidity and mortality in newborns and children who have, or are at risk for, heritable disorders. Specifically, DACHDNC provides recommendations on what disorders should be added to the Uniform Screening Panel. This is an immensely important role that impacts the health of American’s children, as an estimated 235 babies will be born this year with ALD. Despite being nominated to be a part of the RUSP in both 2012 and 2013, ALD has not yet been included. I understand that that an advisory group has been named to review the possibility of including ALD on the RUSP. I ask for your full support in ensuring that it is reviewed and included as soon as possible.   ALD is a condition that should be screened for at birth in order to give affected children a fighting chance to live a full life. The RUSP has the responsibility of recommending disorders to be screened and HHS has the authority to make the final determinations. I appreciate your consideration of my request that ALD be approved and added to the RUSP and I respectfully request a timeline for the RUSP's process. Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions.   Sincerely,                                                     Richard Blumenthal United States Senate Press Contact Josh Zembik (DC) - 202-224-6452 Josh_Zembik@blumenthal.senate.gov Elizabeth Benton (CT) - 860-729-3589 Elizabeth_Benton@blumenthal.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-highlights-local-connecticut-manufacturer-austin-organs-inc-as-murphys-monday-manufacturer,"MURPHY HIGHLIGHTS LOCAL CONNECTICUT MANUFACTURER, AUSTIN ORGANS, INC., AS MURPHYS MONDAY MANUFACTURER",2014-12-01,2014,2014-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"MURPHY HIGHLIGHTS LOCAL CONNECTICUT MANUFACTURER, AUSTIN ORGANS, INC., AS “MURPHY’S MONDAY MANUFACTURER” Monday, December 1, 2014 HARTFORD – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) announced that Austin Organs, Inc. will be recognized as “Murphy’s Monday Manufacturer”. In 1893, brothers John T. Austin and Basil G. Austin established the Austin Organ Company with financial backing from Hartford businessmen. Just 6 years later, the manufacturer – which was renamed Austin Organs, Inc. during the height of the Great Depression - moved to its current location along Hartford’s Woodland Street, where it has operated from for the last 115 years. Austin Organs, Inc. designs, builds, services, and repairs pipes and organs. To date, the manufacturer has built 2,796 pipe organs which have been installed in churches, synagogues, concert halls, and schools around the world. Their instruments are played in famous venues like the Irvine Auditorium at the University of Pennsylvania, Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing, and Connecticut’s own Horace Bushnell Memorial Hall in Hartford. Just last year, Austin Organs completed the construction of one of Washington, D.C.’s largest instruments, an organ for the First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C. The organ has 5 keyboards, 118 ranks, and approximately 7,000 pipes. Austin Organs has experienced significant growth since it was acquired by Michael B. Fazio and Richard G. Taylor in 2005. The new owners take pride in their team of more than 20 Connecticut residents, and recognize that the hard work and dedication of their employees have largely contributed to the company’s worldwide success. “For more than a century, Austin Organs has invested in our great state of Connecticut. They have created jobs and a name for themselves around the world, which is good news for Connecticut’s workers and economy. I’m grateful for Austin Organs’ commitment and loyalty to Hartford, and I’m proud to recognize the company as Murphy’s Monday Manufacturer,” said Murphy. ""Austin Organs has proven itself in service to churches, schools and other institutions for more than a century,” said Mike Fazio, President and Tonal Director of Austin Organs, Inc. “We are proud to have a strong presence in the state of Connecticut, and, with God’s help, we will continue to expand and grow into the next generation.""  The manufacturing industry plays a crucial role throughout Connecticut communities, creating new jobs and accelerating our state’s economic recovery. Today, Connecticut’s 4,602 manufacturers account for 10.2% of the state’s jobs and 87% of the state’s total exports. In order to protect and grow manufacturing jobs in Connecticut, Murphy has introduced two pieces of legislation that aim to strengthen existing standards and prioritize the purchase of American-made goods, the 21st Century Buy American Act and the American Jobs Matter Act.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://web.archive.org/web/20141205224441/http://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/newsroom/press/release/blumenthal-statement-on-fra-advisory-on-redundant-signal-protection,Blumenthal Statement On FRA Advisory On Redundant Signal Protection,2014-11-25,2014,2014-11,Democrat,House,CT,Richard Blumenthal,B001277,web.archive.org,,,legacy,"Tuesday, November 25, 2014 (Hartford, CT) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, today released the following statement after the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) released a rail safety advisory concerning redundant signal protection. More than six years ago, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) urged the FRA – the federal agency responsible for rail safety – to require that railroads use redundant signal protection technology, such as shunting, to prevent railroad employees from being struck and killed by trains. According to the NTSB, this technology would likely have saved the life of Robert Luden in West Haven in May 2013 – as well as other railroad workers in the years before and after the NTSB first issued its recommendation. “After years of inexplicable delay and inexcusable foot-dragging in failing to mandate life-saving redundant signal technology, the FRA has issued an anemic advisory devoid of any real teeth or substance. The FRA has issued no requirements whatsoever. It has – yet again – avoided and ducked its responsibility to issue regulations. Its advisory is little more than a meek, underwhelming set of suggestions that are vague on technology and short on substance and detail, lacking any real discussion on shunting and other redundant safety devices. “Sadly and insultingly, the FRA seems ignorant as to where Robert Luden was killed, stating his death occurred in Danbury, nearly 35 miles from where it actually happened in West Haven. “The FRA must be compelled to do its job of making our railroads safe and reliable and issue the numerous regulations that have been irresponsibly withheld – and some illegally delayed. Only regulations have the force of law, and FRA advisories are essentially unenforceable. “Again, I call on the president to immediately appoint a new leader at the FRA, who can end an era of regulatory capture and take action to protect lives. And I urge Congress to approve legislation requiring safety technology, as mandated in my rail safety bill.” Press Contact Josh Zembik (DC) - 202-224-6452 Josh_Zembik@blumenthal.senate.gov Elizabeth Benton (CT) - 860-729-3589 Elizabeth_Benton@blumenthal.senate.gov",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z