url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at http://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-highlights-biohaven-pharmaceuticals-as-murphys-innovator-of-the-month,MURPHY HIGHLIGHTS BIOHAVEN PHARMACEUTICALS AS MURPHYS INNOVATOR OF THE MONTH,2019-12-30,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"MURPHY HIGHLIGHTS BIOHAVEN PHARMACEUTICALS AS MURPHY'S INNOVATOR OF THE MONTH Monday, December 30, 2019 HARTFORDU.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.)announced on Monday that New Haven innovator Biohaven Pharmaceuticals has been named Innovator of the Month. Founded in 2013, Biohaven is arapidly growingcompany focused on neurological-innovation and developing products that address several of the most disabling and devastating neurological disorders, such as migraines, Alzheimer's disease, and anxiety. The company was created to fill what the founders saw as a void in neurology research in the pharmaceutical industry. This is Connecticut innovation at its best. Migraines can be a nightmare and hamper people's ability to function, and Biohaven is leading the way in finding an innovative cure. I'm proud to highlight Biohaven as this month's innovator and encourage investment in treating neurological conditions. I look forward to watching this company continue to grow right here in Connecticut,said Murphy. Vlad Coric, M.D., CEO of Biohaven said,Biohavenisgrateful to Senator Murphy for this recognition and for his strong commitment to supporting innovation toimprove lives andstimulate economic development.Biohavenhasthrivedin theentrepreneurial spirit and strong sense of community herein New Haven, Connecticut.Our goal atBiohavenwas to create an organization that is focused on unmetmedicalneedsand add value for our patients and shareholders while maintaining an efficient and high performing culture. New Haven has beenan ideal location forBiohavengiven its proximity to Yale and highly skilled pharmaceutical talent that sits in the geographic corridor between New York and Boston. Biohavencurrently is seekingFood and Drug Administrationapproval forits first medicine,rimegepant, acalcitoningene-relatedpeptide (CGRP) antagonist that targets the body's neurotransmitter that is the root cause of a migraine headache.Migraines are a leading cause of disability worldwide andBiohaven'sdata published in theNew England Journal of MedicineandThe Lancetshow thatrimegepantworksfor many patientswithin minutes,restores normal functioningandits effectcanlastfortwo days after a single dose. Biohaven'sportfolio also includes a widepipelineof innovative late-stage product candidates includingtroriluzole, a glutamate modulator being studied for the treatmentof mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease(AD), andverdiperstat, a myeloperoxidase inhibitor being studied for multiple neurodegenerative disorders. The company recently received encouraging news thatitsstudyoftroriluzolein ADpassed an interim futility analysis after the first 100 patients completed 6 months of treatment. Biohavenstarted smallwith only a few employeesin the back office of a clinicandwas initially foundeduponintellectual property related to Dr.Coric'swork on glutamate modulating agents licensed from Yale University.Biohavenwent public in 2017 and their common sharesarelisted on the New York Stock Exchange traded under the tickersymbolBHVN.Biohavenhas grown to over 600 employees andhas raised over $1.1 billion to funditsresearch and developmentactivities.Biohavenhas established an impressive presence in New Haven byrenovating a building just off the Yale University campus in the heart of theNew Havenfinancial district. Murphy believes entrepreneurship and innovation are the building blocks for a strong economy. In the U.S. Senate, he has introduced two bipartisan pieces of legislation to incentivize angel investors to put more money into startup companies the Angel Tax Credit Actand theHelping Angels Lead Our Startups (HALOS) Act.Startup companies create an average of 2 million jobs each year. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-statement-rep-john-lewis,Larson Statement on Rep. John Lewis,2019-12-30,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,John Larson,L000557,larson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Hartford, CT Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement on the news that Rep. John Lewis (GA-05) has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer: John Lewis continues to be an inspiration. Even in the midst of his diagnosis, his focus continues to be on the beloved community he represents and in this season, helping those with the least amongst us. He's been through many fights throughout his life and neither Bull Connor nor the Ku Klux Klan could stop him. Knowing his drive and determination, neither will cancer. We all stand united with the conscious of the United States Congress and the soul of America. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://larson.house.gov/media-center/op-eds-and-letters/putins-gambit-why-i-voted-impeach-president,Putin's Gambit: Why I Voted to Impeach The President,2019-12-23,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,John Larson,L000557,larson.house.gov,,,legacy,"The impeachment of Donald J. Trump has been brought on by the actions of the president himself. In the aftermath of the impeachment vote on Wednesday, we should reflect on how we got to this point. The president took two unconstitutional actions: First, he directly solicited a foreign government to gather information on his political opponent. Second, and more troubling, he chose to obstruct a co-equal branch of government from performing its Constitutional responsibilities of oversight and review even though he had the ability to correct the record, clear his name and offer explanation for his actions. He did so by ignoring Congressional subpoenas for witnesses and documents. President Trump further sought to promote a false narrative that it was Ukraine, and not Russia, that interfered with the elections in 2016. This was all brought to light by a whistleblower whose complaint the Trump-appointed inspector general of the intelligence community called urgent and credible. Brave men and women came forward during the impeachment inquiry to provide evidence that the president jeopardized our national security by withholding military aid to Ukraine. The impeachment vote puts Russia on notice: Don't interfere with our elections. Russia tried to divide the country in 2016. Some would say they succeeded, but the hard truth is they can only succeed if America turns a blind eye to the rule of law. If the House of Representatives had ignored the evidence, Putin would have achieved his goals. The Mueller Report found no evidence that the Trump campaign colluded with the Russian government, but the intelligence community and the report found there was interference. The Russian intelligence operation and the KGB are very sophisticated and as demonstrated can co-opt elections and manipulate them. Their goal? Divide a nation against itself. As President Abraham Lincoln noted, A house divided against itself cannot stand. The Russians interfered in 2016 and will do so again in 2020 unless we act. The House has passed three election security bills that the Senate has refused to take up. Additionally, President Trump's overreach has placed the nation in a state of ongoing paralysis. If the House of Representatives did not stand against this abuse of power, we would be condoning and encouraging Russian interference. Some Republicans have excused the president's behavior by saying, Donald Trump isn't a politician, he's a businessman. This is Trump being Trump, this is how he's used to doing business. That may be true, but he is still the president of United States, and in a constitutional democracy, no one, including Donald Trump, is above the law. I realize there are people who feel differently than I do on impeachment, but to do nothing, to take no vote, is condoning behavior that disregards our Constitution. Putin is still trying to interfere. As we move forward, we must stand united as a Congress in defending our democracy, including holding accountable a president who is in denial of his actions. For a democracy to work, it requires a system of checks and balances. The president takes an oath of allegiance to the United States Constitution; there are no exceptions for the art of the deal. Democrat John B. Larson represents Connecticut's 1st District in the U.S. House of Representatives.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-johnson-kinzinger-keating-applaud-passage-of-bipartisan-bill-to-combat-russian-influence-aid-transatlantic-security,"MURPHY, JOHNSON, KINZINGER, KEATING APPLAUD PASSAGE OF BIPARTISAN BILL TO COMBAT RUSSIAN INFLUENCE, AID TRANSATLANTIC SECURITY",2019-12-20,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"MURPHY, JOHNSON, KINZINGER, KEATING APPLAUD PASSAGE OF BIPARTISAN BILL TO COMBAT RUSSIAN INFLUENCE, AID TRANSATLANTIC SECURITY Friday, December 20, 2019 WASHINGTONU.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.)andRon Johnson (R-Wis.),along with U.S. Representatives Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) andWilliam Keating (MA-09)on Friday applauded passage of theirEuropean Energy Security and Diversification Actthat was included in the appropriations packageand will head to the president's desk to become law. This legislation, for the first time, allows the United States to help finance strategic energy projects in Europe and Eurasia. This is a substantial new tool for the United States to combat malign Russian influence and create economic opportunities at home and abroad. For too long, Vladimir Putin has weaponized Russia's oil and energy resources to strong-armnations on its periphery, including NATO membercountries. This legislation responds to this national security challenge by promoting energy security and diversification of supply so these nations canbecome energyautonomous. Thislegislation greatly increases NATO security, and we're glad to have worked with the administration and across the aisle to make this law,said the Members. The European Energy Security and Diversification Act of 2019 as included in the FY20 omnibus would: Provide approximately $1 billion in financing from FY20-FY23 to catalyze public and private sector investment in strategically important energy projects in European and Eurasian countries. This is a new tool to counter Russia's predatory energy policies and promote the energy security of U.S. allies and partners; Authorize funding for the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) for FY20 to help connect American companies to business opportunities and provide feasibility studies, reverse trade missions, pilot projects, and technical workshops to support projects in the earlier stages of development; and Encourage the State Department to ramp up its political and diplomatic support to eligible countries such as by facilitating negotiations for cross-border energy infrastructure and assisting eligible countries improve their energy markets and regulatory environments. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-votes-help-connecticut-homeowners-restore-salt-deduction,"DeLauro Votes to Help Connecticut Homeowners, Restore SALT Deduction",2019-12-20,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC (December 19, 2019)Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement after voting for the Restoring Tax Fairness for States and Localities Act (H.R. 5377), which would restore the state and local tax deduction (SALT). President Trump and Republican's 2017 tax bill cut the deduction, causing 87,800 households to face property tax increases in the Third District. Two years ago, President Trump and Congressional Republicans raised taxes on hardworking homeowners in Connecticut. Their partisan tax bill took direct aim at people in states like Connecticut, punishing people who fund better schools, health care, transit, and social services through their state and local taxes. Capping the SALT deduction is an unreasonable and bad policy, it hurts working people and middle-class families who are struggling to make ends meet with rising costs, and I am glad to have voted to reverse it today. I urge the Senate to pass this important bill. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://hayes.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-hayes-senator-booker-introduce-legislation-supporting-student-childcare,"Rep. Hayes, Senator Booker Introduce Legislation Supporting Student Childcare",2019-12-20,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Jahana Hayes,H001081,hayes.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON This week, United States Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced H.R. 5475, the Preparing and Resourcing Our Student Parents and Early Childhood Teachers (PROSPECT) Act. This important legislation would invest heavily in federal grants supporting childcare for student-parents at community colleges and Minority Serving Institutions (MSI's). The bill was cosponsored by Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01). There are over 4 million college students in the United States who are raising children while attending school. While the number of student parents has been on the rise, the share of community colleges and four-year institutions with campus child care has been in decline. In Connecticut, 44 percent of all residents live in a child care desert. In the Fifth District, care for children 0-3 is prohibitively expensive at an average cost of $279 per week, amounting to an estimated $14,508 annually. The PROSPECT Act would help students enrolled in Connecticut community colleges fight costly barriers to degree completion and make sure more young people in Connecticut have the tools they need to learn and succeed. Rep. Hayes said: I was a student-parent while I pursued my bachelor's, master's, and graduate degrees. I know first hand the struggles of being a young parent, while trying to study and earn a degree. The PROSPECT Act would provide student-parents with much-needed assistance, which removes one more barrier to success. I thank Senator Booker and Congressman Norcross for joining me in this effort to support student-parents. Sen. Booker said: Today's college students are faced with realities that are very different than the idyllic assumptions we have of them. Millions are raising kids and have enrolled in college to improve their life circumstances for their children, but too many are forced to drop out because quality child care is unavailable or unaffordable, leaving them without a degree and saddled with student debt. This legislation will address this crisis by investing in campus child care and infant-toddler educator preparation programs, making our college campuses better equipped to help today's students succeed. Rep. Norcross said: Today, many student-parents are forced to choose work over their education because they cannot afford child care. Access to quality, affordable child care for college students impacts the strength of our economy and the diversity of our workforce. The PROSPECT Act will help provide student-parents with a level playing field. South Jersey is a leader in higher education, and this legislation will ensure that parents, their children and educators are afforded the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. The PROSPECT Act is endorsed by the following organizations: American Federation of Teachers (AFT), CLASP, Education Reform Now Advocacy, Generation Hope, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), National Black Child Development Institute, National Women's Law Center (NWLC), Public Advocacy for Kids, UNCF, UnidosUS, and Zero to Three. Randi Weingarten (President, American Federation of Teachers) said: Representative Jahana Hayes' bill addresses two essential family needs - the cost of child care, and the need to meet the appetite children have to learn and thrive. Children are always learning, particularly in the months and first few years of life, which means finding ways to help nurture this learning will help the children who receive that. At the same time child care costs pose an undue burden for working parents that immediately hamstring kids whose parents work to earn a living. Child care for infants and toddlers costs parents roughly 60 percent more than child care for a 3- or 4-year-old. Finding and affording child care is even harder for parents who are in college themselves. Rep. Hayes' Preparing and Resourcing Our Student Parents and Early Childhood Teachers Act takes bold steps to address the reality that in today's economy, most parents are working parents, and many are also in school. It will make infant and toddler child care more affordable and accessible on college campuses, enabling student parents to finish their degrees and access a better a better life for their families. By funding high-quality child care programs with well prepared and compensated early childhood educators, this bill helps parents and educators address take care of themselves, and their families. Nicole Lynn Lewis (Founder & CEO, Generation Hope) said: In 1999, I started as a full time freshman and teen mother at the College of William & Mary, struggling to find childcare for my three-month-old daughter while adapting to the new world of college and the academic rigor of a prestigious school. I founded Generation Hope in 2010 to ensure young, parenting college students have all of the supports that I lacked, and the PROSPECT Act builds upon this work in an innovative way by providing childcare and opportunities for students across the country who are working incredibly hard to become college graduates. Dr. Michael L. Lomax (President & CEO, UNCF) said: Every student deserves a fair chance at completing a college degree and pursuing their American Dream, Dr. Michael L. Lomax, President and CEO of UNCF, said. This is something that HBCUs know all too well given their unique mission and continued efforts to ensure that our neediest of students are not ignored. The PROSPECT Act builds on the invaluable approach lead by HBCUs to make sure students with children are also taken care of and able to achieve their dreams. UNCF is proud to support such common-sense legislation and urges Congress to act swiftly and pass the PROSPECT Act. Eric Rodriguez (Senior Vice President, Policy and Advocacy, UnidosUS) said: Latinos are enrolling in college in record numbers. But support services are needed to help them finish on time, such as expanded access to quality early childhood education for student-parents. The PROSPECT Act will lift up entire families by expanding child care at college campuses, helping with college completion and providing young children a strong start in early education and life.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=8B56645E-9654-4570-85A7-538C1204FC46,"Rep. Hayes, Senator Booker Introduce Legislation Supporting Student Childcare",2019-12-20,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Jahana Hayes,H001081,hayes.house.gov,hayes,https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – This week, United States Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced H.R. 5475, the Preparing and Resourcing Our Student Parents and Early Childhood Teachers (PROSPECT) Act. This important legislation would invest heavily in federal grants supporting childcare for student-parents at community colleges and Minority Serving Institutions (MSI’s). The bill was cosponsored by Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01). There are over 4 million college students in the United States who are raising children while attending school. While the number of student parents has been on the rise, the share of community colleges and four-year institutions with campus child care has been in decline. In Connecticut, 44 percent of all residents live in a child care desert. In the Fifth District, care for children 0-3 is prohibitively expensive at an average cost of $279 per week, amounting to an estimated $14,508 annually. The PROSPECT Act would help students enrolled in Connecticut community colleges fight costly barriers to degree completion and make sure more young people in Connecticut have the tools they need to learn and succeed. Rep. Hayes said: “I was a student-parent while I pursued my bachelor’s, master’s, and graduate degrees. I know first hand the struggles of being a young parent, while trying to study and earn a degree. The PROSPECT Act would provide student-parents with much-needed assistance, which removes one more barrier to success. I thank Senator Booker and Congressman Norcross for joining me in this effort to support student-parents.” Sen. Booker said: “Today’s college students are faced with realities that are very different than the idyllic assumptions we have of them. Millions are raising kids and have enrolled in college to improve their life circumstances for their children, but too many are forced to drop out because quality child care is unavailable or unaffordable, leaving them without a degree and saddled with student debt. This legislation will address this crisis by investing in campus child care and infant-toddler educator preparation programs, making our college campuses better equipped to help today’s students succeed.” Rep. Norcross said: “Today, many student-parents are forced to choose work over their education because they cannot afford child care. Access to quality, affordable child care for college students impacts the strength of our economy and the diversity of our workforce. The PROSPECT Act will help provide student-parents with a level playing field. South Jersey is a leader in higher education, and this legislation will ensure that parents, their children and educators are afforded the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.” The PROSPECT Act is endorsed by the following organizations: American Federation of Teachers (AFT), CLASP, Education Reform Now – Advocacy, Generation Hope, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), National Black Child Development Institute, National Women's Law Center (NWLC), Public Advocacy for Kids, UNCF, UnidosUS, and Zero to Three. Randi Weingarten (President, American Federation of Teachers) said: “Representative Jahana Hayes’ bill addresses two essential family needs - the cost of child care, and the need to meet the appetite children have to learn and thrive. Children are always learning, particularly in the months and first few years of life, which means finding ways to help nurture this learning will help the children who receive that. At the same time child care costs pose an undue burden for working parents that immediately hamstring kids whose parents work to earn a living. Child care for infants and toddlers costs parents roughly 60 percent more than child care for a 3- or 4-year-old. Finding and affording child care is even harder for parents who are in college themselves. Rep. Hayes’ Preparing and Resourcing Our Student Parents and Early Childhood Teachers Act takes bold steps to address the reality that in today’s economy, most parents are working parents, and many are also in school. It will make infant and toddler child care more affordable and accessible on college campuses, enabling student parents to finish their degrees and access a better a better life for their families. By funding high-quality child care programs with well prepared and compensated early childhood educators, this bill helps parents and educators address take care of themselves, and their families.” Nicole Lynn Lewis (Founder & CEO, Generation Hope) said: “In 1999, I started as a full time freshman and teen mother at the College of William & Mary, struggling to find childcare for my three-month-old daughter while adapting to the new world of college and the academic rigor of a prestigious school. I founded Generation Hope in 2010 to ensure young, parenting college students have all of the supports that I lacked, and the PROSPECT Act builds upon this work in an innovative way by providing childcare and opportunities for students across the country who are working incredibly hard to become college graduates.” Dr. Michael L. Lomax (President & CEO, UNCF) said: “Every student deserves a fair chance at completing a college degree and pursuing their American Dream,” Dr. Michael L. Lomax, President and CEO of UNCF, said. “This is something that HBCUs know all too well given their unique mission and continued efforts to ensure that our neediest of students are not ignored. The PROSPECT Act builds on the invaluable approach lead by HBCUs to make sure students with children are also taken care of and able to achieve their dreams. UNCF is proud to support such common-sense legislation and urges Congress to act swiftly and pass the PROSPECT Act.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://himes.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/himes-votes-passage-usmca-salt-fix-end-historic-week,"Himes Votes for Passage of USMCA, SALT Fix at End of Historic Week",2019-12-20,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Jim Himes,H001047,himes.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Congressman Jim Himes released the following statement on the House passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, commonly known as USMCA, and the Restoring Tax Fairness for States and Localities Act, which would raise the cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions that were instituted in the 2017 Tax bill, at the end of a week which also saw passage of a sweeping government-funding deal: This was an historic week as Democrats in the House of Representatives advanced several measures that directly serve the interests of the American people. The funding packages we passed prevent a government shutdown and represent growth in priority areas for American families, especially here in Connecticut. The bill boosts our state economyby providing more than $12 billion of funding for maritime construction and investment, addressing the crumbling foundations crisis, and supporting workforce training and development programs in Connecticut. It also secures $25 million for gun violence research at the CDC and NIH for the first time in more than 20 years, provides $21 million in funding to help clean up the Long Island Sound, invests in education, repeals the Cadillac Tax' on health insurance plans, and provides money for election security. Today, the House passed the USMCA, which I support because it's good for the American (and Mexican and Canadian) people. It has brought together the most unlikely of allies in support of a truly modern and progressive trade agreement. The agreement, dramatically improved by Democrats, has strong protections for labor and the environment and will benefit the Connecticut economy. In Connecticut, 1,046 manufacturing firms, representing 27 percent of manufacturing firms, export to Canada and Mexico. This number includes 861 small- and medium-sized manufacturing firms and represents 8,821 manufacturing jobs which depend on North American trade. We also voted to raise the limit on SALT deductions, which were capped at $10,000 by the 2017 tax bill, disproportionately injuring Connecticut families. In 2015, 483,790 Connecticut tax filers claimed more than $10,000 in these SALT deductions and are adversely affected by this provision. The average SALT deduction in Fairfield County before the change was $33,400,meaning families who itemize deductions are on average being taxed twice on an additional $23,400 of income each year. Connecticut officials estimated that the change in SALT deductions raised tax liabilities for Connecticut taxpayers by $2.8 billion. By eliminating the cap entirely for two years, we will put more money back into the hands of Connecticut workers, who already pay more than their fair share of federal taxes. This bill will require action in the Senate before it heads to the President's desk and becomes law. This has been a very productive year for the House of Representatives, which has passed more than 400 bills are now languishing on Senate Majority Mitch McConnell's desk, and any partisan talking points that claim otherwise are detached from reality. In the new year, I will continue finding any way to move forward with a positive agenda for the benefit of Connecticut families and the American people. I urge the Senate and the President to do the same.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://himes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=BD66722D-5F96-430A-A628-96B7C34E09DA,"Himes Votes for Passage of USMCA, SALT Fix at End of Historic Week",2019-12-20,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,James A. Himes,H001047,himes.house.gov,himes,https://himes.house.gov/press-releases,page_html,"Washington, D.C. — Congressman Jim Himes released the following statement on the House passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, commonly known as USMCA, and the Restoring Tax Fairness for States and Localities Act, which would raise the cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions that were instituted in the 2017 Tax bill, at the end of a week which also saw passage of a sweeping government-funding deal: “This was an historic week as Democrats in the House of Representatives advanced several measures that directly serve the interests of the American people. “The funding packages we passed prevent a government shutdown and represent growth in priority areas for American families, especially here in Connecticut. The bill boosts our state economy by providing more than $12 billion of funding for maritime construction and investment, addressing the crumbling foundations crisis, and supporting workforce training and development programs in Connecticut. It also secures $25 million for gun violence research at the CDC and NIH for the first time in more than 20 years, provides $21 million in funding to help clean up the Long Island Sound, invests in education, repeals the ‘Cadillac Tax’ on health insurance plans, and provides money for election security. “Today, the House passed the USMCA, which I support because it’s good for the American (and Mexican and Canadian) people. It has brought together the most unlikely of allies in support of a truly modern and progressive trade agreement. The agreement, dramatically improved by Democrats, has strong protections for labor and the environment and will benefit the Connecticut economy. In Connecticut, 1,046 manufacturing firms, representing 27 percent of manufacturing firms, export to Canada and Mexico. This number includes 861 small- and medium-sized manufacturing firms and represents 8,821 manufacturing jobs which depend on North American trade. “We also voted to raise the limit on SALT deductions, which were capped at $10,000 by the 2017 tax bill, disproportionately injuring Connecticut families. In 2015, 483,790 Connecticut tax filers claimed more than $10,000 in these SALT deductions and are adversely affected by this provision. The average SALT deduction in Fairfield County before the change was $33,400, meaning families who itemize deductions are on average being taxed twice on an additional $23,400 of income each year. Connecticut officials estimated that the change in SALT deductions raised tax liabilities for Connecticut taxpayers by $2.8 billion. By eliminating the cap entirely for two years, we will put more money back into the hands of Connecticut workers, who already pay more than their fair share of federal taxes. This bill will require action in the Senate before it heads to the President’s desk and becomes law. “This has been a very productive year for the House of Representatives, which has passed more than 400 bills are now languishing on Senate Majority Mitch McConnell’s desk, and any partisan talking points that claim otherwise are detached from reality. In the new year, I will continue finding any way to move forward with a positive agenda for the benefit of Connecticut families and the American people. I urge the Senate and the President to do the same.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-03-30T11:08:25Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-courtney-votes-provide-support-eastern-connecticut-homeowners,"Rep. Courtney Votes to Provide Support to Eastern Connecticut Homeowners, Restore Full SALT Tax Deduction",2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) voted to pass the Restoring Tax Fairness for States and Localities Act (H.R. 5377), which would restore the state and local tax deduction (SALT) to its full effect in future tax years, and removes the marriage penalty for the 2019 tax year. The partisan 2017 tax bill capped the deduction at $10,000, causing many homeowners in Connecticut's Second Congressional District to face significant increases in their federal tax bills. The lopsided tax overhaul passed by the previous House majority in 2017 was a historic mistake, said Congressman Courtney. The plan benefited wealthy Americans and corporations by a longshot, at the direct expense of working and middle-class families in part by capping the State and Local Tax Deduction at $10,000, which hurt eastern Connecticut homeowners already struggling to make ends meet, and punished state and local communities that are working to provide high-quality public schools and public safety to their citizens. H.R. 5377 temporarily reduces, and then outright eliminates the cap on SALT deductions, and that's why it's supported by our public school teachers, fire fighters, police officers. I was proud to vote today to reverse this harmful and shortsighted policy. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-courtney-votes-support-connecticut-dairy-farmers-newly-negotiated,"Rep. Courtney Votes to Support Connecticut Dairy Farmers in Newly Negotiated, Bipartisan USMCA Trade Deal",2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) and the U.S. House of Representatives voted in bipartisan fashion to pass the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act (USMCA) (H.R. 5430). The final USMCA makes substantive changes to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which was negotiated between the Trump Administration and the governments of Canada and Mexico earlier this year, and represents months of improvements as a result of House Democrats' advocacy on areas of enforcement, the environment, prescription drug prices, and labor rights. The USMCA passed the House today on a bipartisan basis by a margin of 385-41. The USMCA takes an existing flawed agreement, and overhauls it by establishing an enforcement regime with real teeth. It's the first trade agreement that I've supported since coming to Congress, and it's the strong changes from the original version of the bill that convinced me to vote yes, said Courtney. This deal allows our Departments of Labor and State to conduct on-site inspections to guarantee compliance with labor and environmental standards, and removes the exclusivity provisions for pharmaceuticals that would have stripped Congress of its ability to modify patent law. It also helps open up new markets to our dairy farmers, correcting a longstanding unfairness that will provide relief for a sector that has really taken it on the chin with lowered prices caused by the tariff wars. On December 10, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal announced changes negotiated with the Trump Administration to the USMCA, which strengthen the trade agreement's rules and enforcement mechanisms for labor and for environmental protection, and revise the pharmaceutical provisions to promote competition and drive down the high cost of prescription drugs. Highlights of Improvements to the House-passed USMCA include: More Market Access to U.S. Exporters of Dairy Products The USMCA calls for Canada to increase market access specifically to U.S. exporters of dairy products. Specifically: Expands market access into Canada for American dairy producers through duty-free quotas for additional products Eliminates Canadian Class 6 and 7 milk price system, which discriminated against American dairy producers and disproportionately impacted northeast dairy cooperativesspecifically, the Class 7 price system had excluded American producers from selling U.S. specialty products such as ultra-filtered high-protein milk from being sold in Canada Ends Canadian practice of subsidizing export sales of milk powder and milk protein concentrates Strengthens food safety standards and creates a framework to resolve future food safety disputes Stronger Rules for Workers The labor rules in U.S. trade agreements have proven difficult, if not impossible, to enforce. The USMCA makes key changes to strengthen the rules: Creates a presumption that a labor violation affects trade and investment and will require the other government to prove otherwise Creates an interagency committee that will monitor Mexico's labor reform implementation and compliance with labor obligations Requires ongoing reporting to Congress Establishes key benchmarks for Mexico's labor reform implementation process, and failure to comply with these benchmarks will lead to enforcement action under the agreement Establishes Labor Attachs that will be based in Mexico and will provide on-the-ground information about Mexico's labor practices State-to-state dispute settlement by itself has not been effective to ensure that U.S. trading partners live up to their labor commitments. In recognition of this concern, the USMCA establishes a new and enhanced labor-specific enforcement mechanism that: Takes immediate effect upon entry into force of the agreement Provides for facility-based enforcement of labor obligations in the agreement within a rapid timeframe Covers all manufactured goods and all services traded between the United States and Mexico Requires verification of compliance by independent labor experts, and Leads to penalties on goods and services that are not produced in compliance with the freedom of association and collective bargaining obligations Stronger Protections for the Environment The USMCA includes much-improved environmental standards over NAFTA. Top provisions include: Creates a presumption that an environmental violation affects trade and investment and will require the other government to prove otherwise Adds commitment that each country must maintain seven multilateral environment agreements (MEAs), and includes additional language that allows the countries to agree to add to the list of covered MEAs allowing the U.S., Mexico, and Canada to add the Paris Agreement to the list of the MEAs under a different Presidential Administration in the future The USMCA creates new mechanisms and allocates additional resources to monitor whether environmental protections are being applied. The agreement: Creates an interagency committee that will: Conduct an assessment of the current environment landscape of Canada and Mexico; Monitor implementation of the environment obligations and recommend enforcement actions in connection to the new NAFTA; and Provide a platform for better coordination, utilization, and funding of U.S. Government efforts to strengthen environment practices amongst NAFTA countries Establishes environment-focused attachs in Mexico City that will regularly monitor Mexico's environment laws, regulations, and practices To hold partners and actors accountable to the agreement, the USMCA creates enhanced relevant mechanisms, resources, and commitments: Establishes a new customs verification mechanism to ensure that only legally harvested and taken flora and fauna are traded through Mexico Re-authorizes the North American Development Bank and funds EPA grants under the Border Water Infrastructure Program to address pollution on the U.S.- Mexico border; and Provides for additional funds to the Trade Enforcement Trust Fund to be used for environment focused enforcement efforts Prescription Drugs The final USMCA completely removes provisions from the original draft that would have contributed to high prescription drug prices. As a result, the new agreement preserves Congress's ability to change U.S. law to improve access to affordable medicines. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-statement-renegotiated-nafta-agreement,DeLauro Statement on the Renegotiated NAFTA Agreement,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 19, 2019)Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) sent a letter to her colleagues regarding the renegotiated North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), also known as the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). A signed copy of the letter can be found here, and the full text is below: Dear Colleague I write to let you know that I have decided to support the re-negotiated North American Free Trade Agreement (USMCA). As you know I led the House Trade working group for the last several years. I took on this responsibility to ensure the United States did not continue to lose manufacturing jobs. I worked to ensure that wages and income in the United States and our trading partners did not get further suppressed. I worked to ensure labor and environmental standards were protected and strengthened. I was determined to make sure that any new trade agreements did not undermine U.S. wages and salaries, accelerate outsourcing, or continue to hurt working people. Earlier this year, I was honored to be appointed by the Speaker to the House Working Group on NAFTA Renegotiation. The group, chaired by Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal, was charged with re-negotiating the agreement signed by the President in 2018. The agreement was deeply flawed. It enshrined the status quo that in the past had failed American workers, while also adding extended monopoly protections for brand name pharmaceutical companies that would lock in high medicine prices. I was focused on: Crafting effective and meaningful labor standards and protecting worker rights; Constructing an enforcement mechanism for the U.S. and Mexico (given their labor law reform); Raising, strengthening, protecting, and enforcing environmental standards; Protecting access to affordable medicines I worked closely with my colleague Terri Sewell on enforcement issues as well as with Jimmy Gomez and Mike Thompson on issues related to labor standards. I was pleased that the principles we presented to U.S. Trade Representative Lighthizer on these critical issues are reflected in the final agreement. Those gains include: Establishment of a labor specific enforcement mechanism that takes immediate effect and allows for quick, facility-based enforcement and company-wide enforcement of key new labor standards included in the agreement. Establishment of an independent review body to ensure that Mexico is implementing its labor reform and is complying with its new NAFTA labor obligations and is meeting the required timelines. Allow for imposition of penalties on goods and services that are not produced in compliance with key labor standards. Escalating levels of penalties target non-compliant companies to create direct incentives to meet the new standards and include, for repeat offenders, blocking non-compliant goods at the border. Committing robust resources to monitor and enforce the re-negotiated NAFTA, as well as provide capacity building to support Mexico's labor reform. Requiring all parties to adopt, maintain, and implement their obligations under Multilateral Environment Agreements (MEA), requiring the U.S. government to assess whether Mexican and Canadian environmental laws and regulations are in compliance with the agreement, and creating enhanced enforcement and verification measures in this agreement. These are some of the provisions that John Larson and Suzanne Bonamici fought tirelessly to include. In addition to these important issues, I worked closely with Jan Schakowsky and Earl Blumenauer on provisions related to access to medicines. I was proud to fight tirelessly with them to ensure it did not provide giveaways to pharmaceutical industries. We were successful in that fight and I am proud of the work that was accomplished. The new NAFTA also largely eliminates NAFTA's Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) regime, which has incentivized job outsourcing and allowed corporations to attack countries environmental and health policies. This important change will eliminate many future ISDS cases against public interest policies and remove one of the original NAFTA's outsourcing incentives. It is vital, however, to remember that in many important ways this agreement falls short. It lacks the robust climate standards that Democrats know our planet needs, the labor and environmental terms could be even stronger, and the agreement should exclude limits on consumer protections for food and product safety. It is important to understand that regardless of the President's rhetoric, this agreement will not bring back U.S. manufacturing jobs. Over time, the labor standards and enhanced enforcement terms we forced into the new NAFTA may help raise wages in Mexico, and this may also reduce U.S. corporations' incentives to outsource more U.S. jobs to Mexico to pay workers less. However, even if the new NAFTA reduces incentives for corporations to outsource jobs to Mexico, it cannot counteract the outsourcing incentives in President Trump's Tax bill. If a firm operating in the United States shuts production down and relocates production to Mexico, the firms federal tax rate is cut in half (a firm in the United States would pay a 21 percent corporate tax rate while offshore income is taxed at a 10.5 percent rate.) USMCA is not a model moving forward, but it establishes important principles we can build from. I do not believe the popular national view that wage stagnation in America today including trade agreements, is the inevitable result of globalization and technology. Special interests have shaped government policies that have held down wages and increased inequality. As Nobel winning economist Joe Stiglitz has written, Inequality is not inevitable. It is a choice we make. Major progress has been made on this agreement. I pledge to continue working with my colleagues to deal with the important issues relating to globalization and trade policy that we are facing today. Sincerely, Rosa L. DeLauro ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://hayes.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-hayes-votes-eliminate-salt-cap,Rep. Hayes Votes to Eliminate SALT Cap,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Jahana Hayes,H001081,hayes.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Today, United States Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed legislation eliminating the cap on state and local tax (SALT) deduction for 2020 and 2021. The bill also doubles the cap for 2019 for couples filing jointly. As leaders, one of our most important duties is to design a fair and equitable tax system. The tax code should never be used as a means to score political points. Implemented as part of the GOP tax bill in 2018, the $10,000 SALT cap has directly hurt people in Connecticut. The cap unfairly targeted heavily-populated states. Eliminating the cap will provide much-needed relief to hardworking taxpayers in my state and my district and it is the right thing to do. This vote is a victory for the people of Connecticut. I urge the Senate to take up this critical legislation as soon as possible. ### Rep. Jahana Hayes has been a public school teacher in Connecticut for more than 15 years and was recognized in 2016 as the National Teacher of the Year. Currently serving her first term in the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Hayes sits on the Committees on Education & Labor and Agriculture and proudly represents Connecticut's 5th District.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=91761B93-A4FD-4954-83BF-8DF37924AF77,Rep. Hayes Votes to Eliminate SALT Cap,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Jahana Hayes,H001081,hayes.house.gov,hayes,https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, United States Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed legislation eliminating the cap on state and local tax (SALT) deduction for 2020 and 2021. The bill also doubles the cap for 2019 for couples filing jointly. “As leaders, one of our most important duties is to design a fair and equitable tax system. The tax code should never be used as a means to score political points. Implemented as part of the GOP tax bill in 2018, the $10,000 SALT cap has directly hurt people in Connecticut. The cap unfairly targeted heavily-populated states. Eliminating the cap will provide much-needed relief to hardworking taxpayers in my state and my district – and it is the right thing to do. This vote is a victory for the people of Connecticut. I urge the Senate to take up this critical legislation as soon as possible.” ### Rep. Jahana Hayes has been a public school teacher in Connecticut for more than 15 years and was recognized in 2016 as the National Teacher of the Year. Currently serving her first term in the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Hayes sits on the Committees on Education & Labor and Agriculture and proudly represents Connecticut’s 5th District.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-statement-republican-efforts-continue-dismantle-affordable-care,Larson Statement on Republican Efforts to Continue to Dismantle the Affordable Care Act,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,John Larson,L000557,larson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement on the 5th Circuit Court of Appeal's decision that upholds a previous district court decision that struck down part of the Affordable Care Act. The 5th Circuit sent the case back down to a lower court to decide the constitutionality of the law. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) remains law while the lower court reaches a decision. Yesterday's ruling by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals is deeply troubling. Despite the American people speaking up in 2017 that they wanted to keep the ACA, Republicans are still trying to dismantle it. They are jeopardizing access to health care and coverage for 130 million Americans with pre-existing conditions. This is yet another example of the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans attempting to repeal the ACA through the courts, since they were unable to do so in Congress. Democrats in Congress will continue to fight these attempts to undermine health care coverage in the courts and in the Congress. While we await a final decision from the courts, Americans should know that their current health plans are protected. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-statement-usmca,Larson Statement on USMCA,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,John Larson,L000557,larson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement on the renegotiated United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA). The original USMCA negotiated by the Trump Administration fell way short of being a good deal for the American people. In particular, it failed to include adequate labor standards or enforcement, harmed Congress's ability to lower drug prices, and contained harmful environmental provisions. It is because of the work of House Democrats that a number of key changes were made to USMCA to substantially improve the deal. This is not a perfect agreement. More must be done particularly on climate but it is an improvement over the current NAFTA and over the original agreement negotiated by the Trump Administration. It makes substantial progress in leveling the playing field for American workers including the strongest labor enforcement mechanism we've had in any trade agreement. In the words of AFL-CIO President, Richard Trumka, this is now an agreement that working people can proudly support.' I voted for this agreement because on the whole, it is a positive outcome for U.S. workers, and it sets a new floor for labor standards in future trade agreements. I commend Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal for their skillful negotiations. The key improvements achieved by House Democrats came about because of their leadership. Rep. Rosa DeLauro in particular deserves credit for getting the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to agree to strong and enforceable labor standards. I thank Richard Trumka for working hand in glove with House Democrats to achieve these wins for working Americans. House Democrats improved the USMCA in a number of key areas. We removed a harmful provision that would have prevented Congress from being able to act to lower prescription drug prices. We added strong monitoring and enforcement of labor violations, including on-the-ground labor personnel in Mexico, and key benchmarks to ensure Mexico implements its labor reforms. We ensured a new labor-specific enforcement mechanism is included that covers all manufactured goods, provides for facility-level inspections, requirements for independent verification, and penalties on goods and services that aren't in compliance. We also removed harmful language that has prevented the enforcement of past trade agreements. I am disappointed this agreement does not go further on the environment and especially addressing climate change. The reality is that we were negotiating with an Administration that doesn't believe in science and a Senate majority that does not prioritize the environment. While these are not the environmental provisions I would have written into an agreement, there are tangible areas of improvement. Unlike the original NAFTA, for the first time, USMCA includes environmental rules, monitoring, and enforcement mechanisms within the agreement. It includes a commitment for the parties to adopt some of our most critical international environmental agreements (multilateral environmental agreements). It allows the parties to tackle some of the most potent greenhouse gases through the Montreal Protocol. It creates an interagency task force to spearhead environmental monitoring efforts, including the deployment of environmental monitoring personnel in Mexico. It has customs verification measures to prevent the importation of illegally taken flora and fauna. We removed language from the original agreement that would have prevented the enforcement of environmental violations. Critically, we secured more than $600 million in dedicated funding to address border pollution and other environmental infrastructure projects. I want to commend the tireless work of Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, who was my partner in the Working Group on the environment and was instrumental in securing these key improvements over the Trump Administration's original agreement. This is a better agreement because of her efforts along with the Working Group as a whole. I want to commend the environmental community for lending their expertise along the way during these negotiations. In particular, the Connecticut Chapter of the Sierra Club and the Connecticut Fair Trade Coalition have been steadfast advocates for the environment and provided invaluable input throughout this process. The work doesn't end here. We have to fight to rejoin the Paris Accords, to enact historic investments in clean energy, and we have to implement a carbon tax. More on the improvements made by House Democrats can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-votes-end-double-taxation-ct-residents,Larson Votes to End Double-Taxation of CT Residents,2019-12-19,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,John Larson,L000557,larson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) voted for the Restoring Tax Fairness for States and Localities Act, which would restore the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction that was capped by the Republican Tax Law in 2017. Click here to watch Larson's floor remarks. The Restoring Tax Fairness for States and Localities Act will end the double-taxation of Connecticut residents and families. 83 percent of the benefits from the 2017 Republican Tax Law went to the nation's wealthiest 1 percent. At the same time it caused Connecticut's middle-class families' taxes to go up because it capped the State and Local Tax Deduction at $10,000. On average, Connecticut residents were deducting $19,500 a year in state and local taxes. I'm proud to vote today to reverse this outrageous policy, said Larson. The bill was reported out of the Ways and Means Committee last week. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/blumenthal-murphy-call-for-stronger-gun-locks,"Blumenthal, Murphy call for stronger gun locks",2019-12-18,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Blumenthal, Murphy call for stronger gun locks Wednesday, December 18, 2019 NEWTOWN - Connecticut's top lawmakers have called for stronger standards for gun locks and firearm safes to keep weapons out children's hands. U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, both Democrats, introduced a bill calling on the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission to announce standards for gun locks and safes after a survey showed 54 percent of gun owners reported storing firearms unsafely. Blumenthal noted the 2018 death of 15-year-oldEthan Songof Guilford, who was killed accidentally while playing with a .357 magnum he found in a cardboard box at a neighbor's house. Our bill will help responsible gun owners keep weapons out of the hands of children or people who pose a danger to themselves or others, Blumenthal in a prepared statement. This bill complements additional legislation we have introduced to create federal requirements for safe gun storage, said Blumenthal. I will fight for these vital gun violence prevention measures in honor and memory of Ethan Song, whose family has been a model of courage and public service in their advocacy. The Newtown-based trade association for the firearms industry said the Consumer Product Safety Commission already oversees firearm lock standards. Federal mandates to make these locks stronger would inevitably make them more expensive and would discourage people from buying a simple device to prevent firearms from being handled by those who should never possess them, including unsupervised children, said NSSF spokesman Mark Oliva. The senators could demonstrate their commitment to safe and responsible firearms storage by supporting the firearms industry's proven and effective Project Childsafe campaign. Oliva was referring to an NSSF program that has given out 38 million firearms safety kits with gun locks nationwide. Blumenthal and Murphy's bill follows legislationpassed this summerin Connecticut that mandates the safe storage of all firearms, whether loaded or unloaded, in a home with a minor under eighteen years of age. The law makes a gun owner liable for criminal negligence if an injury or death results from unsafe storage. Introduction of the federal bill, which has companion legislation in the House of Representatives, follows Saturday's7th anniversaryof the Sandy Hook massacre, when a 20-year-old gunman took his mother's AR-15-style rifle from an unlocked closet, and killed 20 first-graders and six educators at Sandy Hook School.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-statement-on-historic-house-impeachment-vote,MURPHY STATEMENT ON HISTORIC HOUSE IMPEACHMENT VOTE,2019-12-18,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"MURPHY STATEMENT ON HISTORIC HOUSE IMPEACHMENT VOTE Wednesday, December 18, 2019 WASHINGTONU.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) made the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives voted to impeach Donald J. Trump, the 45th president of the United States: Every senator took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution, and now that a trial of the president is coming to the Senate, we need to recognize that conducting a fair, fact-centered trial is central to that oath, said Murphy. I don't want a trial that drags on for months, but I also want to make sure every senator has all the information relevant to the weighty decision before us. Rushing to a vote, with no witnesses and no demands for documents, would be an affront to our constitutional duty. Murphy continued: The bottom line is this: President Trump abused his authority by using taxpayer funded aid to pressure a foreign government to help him win re-election in 2020. Since then, he has beentrying to cover up his corruption. If there are no consequences for such blatant attempts to rig an election, or such brazen resistance to congressional oversight, then I fear for the future of the rule of law. I am deeply sorry that our nation has to go through this, but now we have to focus on rising above petty politics and conducting a process that puts our nation's interests first. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/courtney-announces-more-21000-federal-funding-support-homeless-veterans,"Courtney Announces More Than $21,000 in Federal Funding to Support Homeless Veterans in Enfield",2019-12-18,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) today announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded a federal grant totaling more than $21,000 to the Housing Authority of the Town of Enfield. The federal investment will support a housing program coordinated through HUD that combines HUD's Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance for homeless veterans program with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The Enfield Housing Authority previously supported five housing vouchers for homeless veterans, with this new federal funding they will be able to support an additional five vouchers. These federal vouchers have always made a real difference for the men and women who served our country bravely, said Congressman Courtney. These folks protected us, and they served our country proudly each of them deserves to live an honorable, dignified life after their service, and we must do more as a nation to ensure they have the ability to do so. I have always been proud to represent a Congressional District that's home to more veterans than anywhere else in Connecticut, and I'm glad to see these federal resources coming home to eastern Connecticut where they'll be put to use assisting some of our veterans who need it most. HUD is pleased to join Congressman Courtney in congratulating the Enfield Housing Authority along with all the CT Housing Authorities receiving new VASH funding this week. The HUD-VASH program, which combines HUD rental assistance with VA case management and clinical services,has been an invaluable tool in CT's fight to ensure that all Veterans experiencing homelessness, have a safe place to call home, said David E. Tille, HUD Regional Administrator for New England. The Enfield Housing Authority is very pleased to be awarded five additional Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers, said Scott Bertrand, Executive Director of the Enfield Housing Authority. This will enable the EHA to double the number of homeless veterans and their families that we can assist in accessing affordable housing opportunities and the important supportive services. The EHA will coordinate with recipients to identify quality apartments in the area which may include housing solutions within our existing and planned housing developments. It is important that we get the word out to those in need. Individuals who are facing hardship should contact our VA partner in West Haven. Local rental property owners who are interested in participating in the program should contact the Enfield Housing Authority. I would like to thank Congressman Courtney and our local HUD Office for expanding this vital program in North Central Connecticut. The Housing Authority of the Town of Enfield will receive a federal grant award of $21,420 through the HUD's Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program. The HUD-VASH program combines HCV rental assistance for homeless veterans program with case management and clinical services provided by the VA. The VA provides these services for participating veterans at VA medical centers and community-based outreach clinics. Click here to learn more. ###WASHINGTON, DC Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) today announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded a federal grant totaling more than $21,000 to the Housing Authority of the Town of Enfield. The federal investment will support a housing program coordinated through HUD that combines HUD's Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance for homeless veterans program with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The Enfield Housing Authority previously supported five housing vouchers for homeless veterans, with this new federal funding they will be able to support an additional five vouchers. These federal vouchers have always made a real difference for the men and women who served our country bravely, said Congressman Courtney. These folks protected us, and they served our country proudly each of them deserves to live an honorable, dignified life after their service, and we must do more as a nation to ensure they have the ability to do so. I have always been proud to represent a Congressional District that's home to more veterans than anywhere else in Connecticut, and I'm glad to see these federal resources coming home to eastern Connecticut where they'll be put to use assisting some of our veterans who need it most. HUD is pleased to join Congressman Courtney in congratulating the Enfield Housing Authority along with all the CT Housing Authorities receiving new VASH funding this week. The HUD-VASH program, which combines HUD rental assistance with VA case management and clinical services,has been an invaluable tool in CT's fight to ensure that all Veterans experiencing homelessness, have a safe place to call home, said David E. Tille, HUD Regional Administrator for New England. The Enfield Housing Authority is very pleased to be awarded five additional Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers, said Scott Bertrand, Executive Director of the Enfield Housing Authority. This will enable the EHA to double the number of homeless veterans and their families that we can assist in accessing affordable housing opportunities and the important supportive services. The EHA will coordinate with recipients to identify quality apartments in the area which may include housing solutions within our existing and planned housing developments. It is important that we get the word out to those in need. Individuals who are facing hardship should contact our VA partner in West Haven. Local rental property owners who are interested in participating in the program should contact the Enfield Housing Authority. I would like to thank Congressman Courtney and our local HUD Office for expanding this vital program in North Central Connecticut. The Housing Authority of the Town of Enfield will receive a federal grant award of $21,420 through the HUD's Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program. The HUD-VASH program combines HCV rental assistance for homeless veterans program with case management and clinical services provided by the VA. The VA provides these services for participating veterans at VA medical centers and community-based outreach clinics. Click here to learn more. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-calls-fda-hhs-recall-drug-commonly-found-zantac,"DeLauro Calls on FDA, HHS to Recall Drug Commonly Found in Zantac",2019-12-18,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC (December 18, 2019)Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) sent a letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Stephen Hahn and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar to recall drugs containing ranitidine due to high levels of N-Nitrososdimethylamine (NDMA), a probable human carcinogen. Due to a historically very high perception of safety, ranitidine is heavily prescribed to adults and infants and sold over-the-counter. Yet, Valisure, an analytical pharmacy based in my District, has detected extremely high levels of N-Nitrososdimethylamine (NDMA), a probable human carcinogen, in every lot tested, across multiple manufacturers and dosage forms of the drug ranitidine, wrote DeLauro. It is my understanding that ranitidine's carcinogenicity has not been fully vetted by the FDA. Valisure's data, in combination with four decades of scientific research, strongly suggests that ranitidine is a fundamentally unstable molecule and all products containing this drug have a risk of cancer. It is incomprehensible that FDA is fully aware of this fact, yet, it continues to allow this drug to remain on the shelves, continued DeLauro. FDA's failure to stop companies from selling ranitidine makes the United States government complicit in exposing infants and adults to the risk of cancer. I urge you to act and uphold the mission of the FDA, as well as the Department of Health and Human Services, by immediately removing ranitidine from shelves and banning all sales. A signed copy of the letter can be found here. DeLauro serves as Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee that funds HHS, as well as the Vice-Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee that funds FDA. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-votes-impeach-president-donald-j-trump,DeLauro Votes to Impeach President Donald J. Trump,2019-12-18,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC (December 18, 2019) Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement after voting to impeach President Donald J. Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. President Donald Trump's actions are a dangerous departure from his oath of office and his duty to uphold the Constitution. As with many of my colleagues, I was reluctant to call for impeachment because I feared it would further divide our country, be perceived as overturning the 2016 election, and go to the United States Senate where Republicans would acquit President Trump regardless of the evidence. But the President's unchecked actions gave the Congress no other choice. Today, the House of Representatives upheld its duty to protect the Constitution of the United States. Our founders set up a system of checks and balances, separation of powers, and rule of law so that no person would be above the law. That includes the President of the United States. The Constitutional recourse for treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors' is clear: impeachment. It is a heavy priceintended only for matters of grave consequence to our republic. President Trump's actions meet that high bar, and that is why I voted in favor of the articles of impeachment. The facts of the case against President Trump are indisputable. On July 25, 2019, President Trump called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and asked him to look into' 2020 Presidential candidate Vice President Joe Biden and his sonan investigation solely for his own personal and political gain. In the weeks leading up to that call, the President withheld Congressionally-appropriated foreign aid to Ukraine, as well as a meeting between the two countries' presidents in the White House, as leverage. The President's abuse of power has been corroborated before the Congress by brave public servants over the last few months. Facing a Congressional investigation into these matters, President Trump directed the unprecedented, categorical, and indiscriminate defiance of subpoenas issued by the House of Representatives pursuant to its sole Power of Impeachment.' In doing so, President Trump obstructed Congress's Constitutionally-authorized investigation. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-applauds-critical-funding-bolster-service-social-security,Larson Applauds Critical Funding to Bolster Service at Social Security Administration,2019-12-18,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,John Larson,L000557,larson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, Chairman John B. Larson (CT-01) of the Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee applauded the House passage of H.R. 1865, the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 which included a $100 million increase for the Social Security Administration to strengthen front-line service delivery for the American public. This funding is an important step towards strengthening the Social Security Administration's ability to reduce benefit delays and improve customer service. The $100 million increase in funding will help to ensure Americans are able to access their earned benefits. This bill will first and foremost improve customer service, help address long benefit delays, and reduce waiting times. It will also fight back against harmful Administration proposals, such as attempts to deny Americans the right to an in-person disability appeals hearing, or to close local field offices. It also urges SSA to reinstate telework for certain employees, which SSA recently and abruptly terminated after 6 years. I thank Chairwomen Nita Lowey (NY-17) and Health and Human Services Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) for their unwavering leadership on this. Rosa fights day in and day out for families in Connecticut and across the country. This additional funding for the Social Security Administration is a win for all Americans, said Larson.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-votes-articles-impeachment,Larson Votes for Articles of Impeachment,2019-12-18,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,John Larson,L000557,larson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) voted for the two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. As we vote today, I think it is instructive that Americans reflect on how we got to this point. The impeachment of Donald J. Trump has largely been brought on by the President himself. The President took two specific actions: he directly solicited a foreign government to gather information on his political opponent. He then further sought to promote a false narrative that it was Ukraine, and not Russia, who interfered with the elections in 2016. With the ability to correct the record, clear his name, or offer explanation for his actions, he chose instead to obstruct a co-equal branch of government from performing its Constitutional responsibilities of oversight and review. He did this by refusing testimony, ignoring Congressional subpoenas, and not providing Congress with any pertinent information or data. Today we're putting Russia and other adversaries on notice, don't interfere with our elections. Russia tried to divide the country in 2016, but they only succeed if America turns away from the rule of law. Some Republicans have excused the President's behavior by saying, Donald Trump isn't a politician, he's a businessman. This is Trump being Trump, this how he's used to doing business.' That very well may be true, but in a constitutional democracy, no one, including Donald Trump, is above the law. I realize there are people who feel strongly and differently than I do, but to do nothing, to take no vote, is in essence condoning this behavior that disregards our Constitution. Republicans may see today differently, but as we look forward, we must stand united as a Congress in defending our democracy. For a democracy to work in a system of checks and balances, no one is above the law. The President takes an oath of allegiance to the United States Constitution; there are no exceptions for the art of the deal. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/murphy-report-criticizes-ncaa-as-broken-system-exploiting-college-athletes,Murphy Report Criticizes NCAA As Broken System Exploiting College Athletes,2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Murphy Report Criticizes NCAA As Broken System' Exploiting College Athletes Tuesday, December 17, 2019 U.S. Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut plans to convene a bipartisan working group this week to consider the rights of student athletes. He released on Monday his third and finalreportabout the challenges facing NCAA athletes. Murphy says it's a civil rights issue. These are largely young African American athletes that are playing at the big-time college sports programs, and the adults who are getting rich off their exploits are largely white. That fact can't be ignored. Murphy says the disparity is an injustice that needs to be corrected. The report also highlights concerns about student access to healthcare. When coaches are making multimillion-dollar salaries, they unfortunately see students as commodities, and they press those commodities into service even when they have serious injuries to deal with. Senator Mitt Romey is partnering with Murphy to lead the group, along with Cory Booker, Marco Rubio and David Perdue. They plan to introduce legislation next year.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/two-us-senators-appear-to-be-taking-aim-at-ncaa-even-beyond-image-likeness-controversy,"Two U.S. senators appear to be taking aim at NCAA even beyond image, likeness controversy",2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Two U.S. senators appear to be taking aim at NCAA even beyond image, likeness controversy Tuesday, December 17, 2019 WASHINGTON Two U.S. senators taking an interest in the compensation and other benefits provided to college athletes met with NCAA President Mark Emmert on Capitol Hill Tuesday and said afterward they would like to hear from athletes and are interested in taking a federal legislative approach that may address issues beyond athletes' ability to make money off their name, image and likeness. California recently enacted a law that will allow college athletes in that state to be compensated for their name, image and likenessbeginning in 2023. Legislators in nearly 20 other stateshave introduced similar bills or intend to. There has beenlegislation pending the U.S. House of Representatives since March that would have the same impact nationally as California's law. That has prompted concern from the NCAA about the existence multiple and differing laws around the issue. And it brought Emmert here to meet withSen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn)and Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), who have formed a bi-partisan working group to examine issues in college sports. Rep. Mark Walker (R-N.C.), who introducedthe House bill, criticized Tuesday's meeting, releasing a statement that called it""an ignominious start"" because it was withEmmert, ""the chief apologist for an exploitative system and not with the student athletes that are being exploited."" Later, at an event here staged by the Aspen Institute, Walker said the NCAA has ""refused"" to arrange a meeting between him and Emmert, even thoughhe has tried for one ""multiple times."" Walker added that he met with a lobbyist for the NCAA last winter and was immediately asked: ""What do you think you're trying to accomplish here?"" He went on to say: ""I have my doubts that the NCAA really has a desire to resolve this."" Also at the Aspen Institute event, Emmertsaid the NCAA Board of Governors the association's top policy-making group recently formed a group of school presidents to answer the question of what exactly the NCAA wants from a potential Congressional legislative solution. The goal is to have specifics for the full board to discuss at the NCAA's annual convention in January. The board memberswant very much to have a model that protects the integrity of the recruiting process,"" Emmert said.""That probably means that it's not the schools that are out there themselves creating these opportunities (for athletes) that they're truly organic, coming out of the marketplace, whatever that might look like. (Presidents) are interested in creating some framework around a group-licensing model whether it's around video games or anything else that might create some novel solutions."" Under a group-licensing setup, the goal would be for all athletes to share in the revenue from a given source for example, the royalties from a video game. Emmert also said the NCAA hastalked with some folks at the White House about this issue and they don't seem opposed to the idea of Congressional legislation. Referring to White House officials, Emmert added: I know they're talking with some member of Congress,both in the House and on the Senate side, but I don't know what their particular interest is. Murphy, who has released three reports this year on a variety of problems in college sports indicated he would like to see more addressed than name, image and likeness. I'm a supporter of the California law, but I also acknowledge that this is a national endeavor and it really can't ultimately work with 50 different state laws, he said. So I would like to see us work with the NCAA and work with student-athletes to try to come up with a federal solution that not only addresses the issue of having access to revenue from name, image and likeness but also speaks to issues of broader compensation and perhaps a fairer mechanism of compensation that simply making money off of endorsement deals. ""Personally, I'm very open to a number of different ways to get there, and I'd rather do that in concert with the NCAA than without. Murphy also said: I think it's time for us to recognize that student athletes need to get a little bit more than they are today to receive a little bit more protection financially and otherwise and I'm really grateful that the NCAA is willing to be part of this conversation."" Romney also said he was concerned about differing rules across states, adding ""there probably needs to be some kind of national standard or series of guidelines, although at this stage I don't know what those will look like, and one of the areas of my personal interests is to see a way not just for the very top athletes to be able to take advantage of the name, image and likeness which is appropriate but also athletes that are in sports not quite as visible.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-federal-legislation-is-needed-and-student-athletes-must-be-front_center,MURPHY: FEDERAL LEGISLATION IS NEEDED STUDENT ATHLETES MUST BE FRONT CENTER,2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"MURPHY: FEDERAL LEGISLATION IS NEEDED & STUDENT ATHLETES MUST BE FRONT & CENTER Tuesday, December 17, 2019 WASHINGTONU.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Mitt Romney (R-Utah) on Tuesday met with Dr. Mark Emmert, President of the NCAA, for the inaugural meeting of the bipartisan working group created this month on student athlete compensation and related issues. The meeting covered: 1) the need and potential for federal action in the area of college athletics and athlete compensation; 2) growing agreement from all parties that change is needed; 3) what federal legislation could look like; and (4) the imperative to put athlete rights and their voices in the center of these discussions. This is the right first meeting to have. But of course, there are lots of other voices that need to be heard: first and foremost, student athlete voices, said Murphy. On Monday, Murphy released his third and final report in a series that considers the range of problems within college athletics. The report, Madness, Inc.: How College Sports Can Leave Athletes Broken and Abandoned, examines the ways in which colleges and the NCAA neglect athletes' health. Murphy's first report, released in March during the annual men's basketball March Madness tournament, examined the billions in revenues produced by college sports and how that money enriches nearly everyone but the athletes themselves. Coaches, former athletes, and advocates have spoken out in support of Murphy's first report. Murphy's second report examined the ways in which colleges fail in providing athletes the education they deserve. This report similarly received praise from coaches, former athletes and advocates. This month, Murphy and Romney created the working group along with U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), David Perdue (R-Ga.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) in order to facilitate ongoing discussions about student-athlete compensation and related issues among members, as well as with collegiate partners, athletes, and experts who wish to engage lawmakers. A transcript of Murphy's remarks at the brief media availability with Romney and Emmert held after can be found below: MURPHY: Well, thank you very much Senator Romney. Thanks for convening us. I think it's going to be a really important forum for us to try to make sure that this conversation inside the Senate remains a bipartisan one. I think there's not a lot of [ideological] debate over some of the questions about what the future of college athletes' rights should be. And I'm really grateful to have Dr. Emmert here with us. ListenI've been a critic of the current structure of college athletics. I think it's time for us to recognize that student athletes need to get a little bit more than they [have] today, that they receive a little bit more protection, financially and otherwise. And I'm really grateful that the NCAA is willing to be part of this conversation. I think Senator Romney is right. This is the right first meeting to have. But of course, there are lots of other voices that need to be heard: first and foremost, student athlete voices. And I'm looking forward to, once we get back in the new year, to continuing this discussion and continuing to work with colleges and universities...to try to find a way forward that recognizes what I think a lot of Americans desirewhich is to have more of the bounty coming out of college athletics accrue to the benefit of the kids who are showing up every day, working hard, and putting on a pretty good show for an increasing fan base all around the country. Dr. Emmert, very glad to be in discussions with you today. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-measure-to-combat-russian-influence-increase-transatlantic-security-included-in-appropriations-bill,"MURPHY MEASURE TO COMBAT RUSSIAN INFLUENCE, INCREASE TRANSATLANTIC SECURITY INCLUDED IN APPROPRIATIONS BILL",2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"MURPHY MEASURE TO COMBAT RUSSIAN INFLUENCE, INCREASE TRANSATLANTIC SECURITY INCLUDED IN APPROPRIATIONS BILL Tuesday, December 17, 2019 WASHINGTONU.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on Tuesday applauded the inclusion of his measure, the European Energy Security and Diversification Act, in the government spending bills to be voted on this week. This legislation, for the first time, allows the United States to help finance strategic energy projects in Europe and Eurasia. This is a substantial new tool for the United States to combat malign Russian influence and create economic opportunities at home and abroad. The bill was introduced by Murphy, along with U.S. Senators Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Europe Subcommittee, Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), ranking member of the Europe Subcommittee, Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Cory Gardner (R-Colo.). Putin would be far less powerful if Europe and surrounding countries were not highly dependent on Russian oil and gas. Russia may hesitate to invade a NATO country, but they are actively pushing a predatory energy policy to gain political and economic leverage. That's exactly why we should help finance energy independence projects in and around Moscow's periphery, especially those that contribute to renewable energy goals. This is the smart thing to do for transatlantic security and redresses an asymmetry that's a choiceAmerica and its allies don't have to be powerless in the face of Russian energy dominance. I'm glad we'll have a chance to vote on this legislation through the spending bills, said Murphy. The European Energy Security and Diversification Act of 2019 as included in the FY20 omnibus would: Authorize approximately $1 billion in financing from FY20-FY23 to catalyze public and private sector investment in strategically important energy projects in European and Eurasian countries. This is a new tool to counter Russia's predatory energy policies and promote the energy security of U.S. allies and partners; Increase funding for the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) by $31.5 million for FY20 to help connect American companies to business opportunities and provide feasibility studies, reverse trade missions, pilot projects, and technical workshops to support projects in the earlier stages of development; and Encourage the State Department to ramp up its political and diplomatic support to eligible countries such as by facilitating negotiations for cross-border energy infrastructure and assisting eligible countries improve their energy markets and regulatory environments. This legislation cleared the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee last week. Murphy questioned State Department's Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale and Assistant Secretary for International Security and Nonproliferation Christopher Ford this month when they appeared before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee about the need to create energy independence from Russia. Murphy also gave remarks this month at the Atlantic Council's conference on U.S. strategic interests in Ukraine, where he addressed the need to support energy independence in Europe as a way to combat Russian influence. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murphy.senate.gov/view/senators-murphy-and-romney-meet-with-dr-mark-emmert-president-of-the-ncaa,"Senators Murphy and Romney Meet with Dr. Mark Emmert, President of the NCAA",2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"hartford Colt Gateway 120 Huyshope Avenue Suite 401 Hartford, CT 06106 P: (860) 549-8463 F: (860) 524-5091 Get Directions",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-courtney-secures-second-district-priorities-final-negotiated,Rep. Courtney Secures Second District Priorities in Final Negotiated Spending Packages for FY2020,2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) voted to passthe finalnegotiatedspending packagesto fund the government in Fiscal Year (FY) 2020. Together, these measurescontain severalinitiatives to support programs and priorities in eastern Connecticut that Congressman Courtney fought for in the bill, and throughout theyear-longbudget process. Today's passage of a bipartisanappropriations packagethat avoids a costly shutdown and keeps America open for business is a clear sign that the House of Representatives is continuing to produce real results for the American people,said Congressman Courtney.This package makes long-overdue progress on some of my top priorities in Congress, such as repealing the so-calledCadillac Tax', supporting the ramp-up in submarine constructionandinvestment, and supporting communities in our region facing the crumbling foundations crisis. With passage of these bills, we are closing the year out strong for eastern Connecticut, and I am proud of the year-longwork this measure represents in our first year in the new House majority. Throughout the year, the House completed work ontenthe twelvefunding measures included in this package, in addition toother legislative measures attached to the final agreement today. The Senate, however, passed only four of the twelve funding measures contained in today's legislative package. Some of Congressman Courtney's top highlights in the packagesinclude: Supports our Region's Undersea PrioritiesThe agreement backs Congressman Courtney's efforts to invest in the growing workload and workforce at the Groton shipyard and its state-wide supply chain, andlargely reflects the funding levels authorized in the 2020 Defense Authorization Conference Report he helped pass last week. As Chairman of the HouseSeapowerand Projection ForcesSubcommittee, Courtney worked with Houseappropriatorsto ensure strong support for these priorities during deliberation of the budget this year. These include: Virginia-ClassSubmarine -$8.4 billionfor two Virginia-classsubmarines in 2020 and advanced procurement for additional submarines in 2021 and 2022, aligned with the recent Block V contract announcement. Like the 2020National Defense Authorization Act Conference Report, the agreement also provides $200 million in advanced procurement specifically to support the tenth option boat in the contract and an additional $100 million to accelerate development of additional capabilities in future submarines. Columbia-ClassSubmarine -nearly $2.4 billion for the Columbia-classsubmarine, including $1.8 billion in advanced procurement to support construction start of next year and $548 million for continued research and development. The total includes an additional $123 million for continued development of the submarine supplier base, matching a provision Courtney helped secure in the 2020 NDAA. Academic Partnerships for Undersea Research -$10 million, matching the 2020NDAA, to support partnerships with academic institutions that conduct research on undersea unmanned warfare and energy technology. This could support efforts like the National Institute for Undersea Vehicle Technology, a collaborative program between the University of Connecticut and the University of Rhode Island. Submarine industrial base workforce training- $8 million to support workforce training programs to help support expansion of the skilled submarine workforce as the industrial base ramps up construction of the Columbia-class program. Courtney led a bicameral letter of the Connecticut and Rhode Island delegations in support of this fundingclick hereto read his letter. Pier 32Replacement at SUBASE New London -$72.3 million to replace the aging Pier 32 at the base. The new pier will be longer and wider that than the existing pier, allowing adequate space to fully support modern Virginia-classsubmarines. Bolsters Supports for Workforce Development The spending agreement increases supports for workforce initiatives across eastern Connecticut by increasing funding for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programming to $2.8 billion and Registered Apprenticeships to $175 million. The bill also invests in financial aid for low-income students, by increasing by $150 the maximum Pell Grant award, for a total of $6,345 for the 2020-21 school year. Invests in K-12 Education The spending agreement includes major investments in K-12 education supports, which is welcome news to school districts across the region. The package increases funding for Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies by $450 million, for a total of $16.3 billion, and boosts IDEA Grants to States by $400 million, for a total of $12.8 billion. Boost for Federally Protected Rivers and Watersheds-$3.6 million for the PartnershipWild& Scenic River Program, the largest amount of money the program has ever received. Courtney worked to include funding for the program to ensure that funding would support every river in the program. This funding level will increase funding for older Wild & Scenic Rivers, like theEightmileRiver, and willprovide new funding forthose added to the program in February liketheWood-Pawcatuck Watershed. Earlier this month, Courtney joined Senator Menendez (D-NJ) in leading a bicameral letter of support for this funding levelclick hereto read their letter. Protects Plum Island The agreement retains a bipartisan amendment Courtney joined Representatives Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Lee Zeldin (R-NY) in passing in the House in June to block the federal government from taking steps to sell Plum Island to the highest bidder.Read more about the amendment here. Supportfor Crumbling Foundations The final agreement includes three provisions Courtney advocated for to continue federal efforts to support eastern Connecticut's crumbling foundations crisis: Federal Funding for PyrrhotiteResearchThe agreement includes $1.5 millionfor the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to conduct research on the effects of the mineral pyrrhotite on concrete aggregate. NIST is the leading federal expert in cement and concrete standards, and this federal funding will help NIST to develop a cost-effective and standard testing method for at-risk homes and other structures for the presence of the mineral pyrrhotite. The amendment also requires NIST to create a risk-rating scale so that homeowners, businesses, and local government have a better understanding of what quantity of pyrrhotite poses a danger to their foundation's structural integrity.Click herefor a statement from Rep. Courtney, Rep. Larson, and Senators Blumenthal and Murphy on the inclusion of this funding. Extension of the Mortgage Debt Forgiveness Tax Deduction The measure includes an extension of themortgagedebt forgiveness tax provision,which protectsthose who have foreclosed or had a short sale on their homes from having the forgiven debttreated as federal income for tax purposes. The provision, which is extended back to 2018 and prospectively through 2020, is one way that homeowners who are facing crumbling foundations can seek federal relief. Earlier this year, Courtney joined Rep. Ron Kind (D-WI) in introducinglegislation, HR 1977, to extend this provision. Increased Federal Housing Funds for Connecticut The package totally rejects the Trump Administration's proposal to eliminate theCommunity Development Block Grant(CDBG) program. Instead, the measure increases the CDBG program by $100millionfrom FY2019 levels.According to an analysis by the House Appropriations Committee, Connecticut is slated to receive $1.2 million in additional CDBG funds in 2020as a result of this funding increase. In 2016, Congressman Courtney's office identifiedtheCDBGprogram asan optionfor the state to utilize federal funds to respond to Crumbling Foundations, and has repeatedly urged State officials to maximize the use of thisannualfederal funding to respond to the crisis. Increases funding forSea Grant-The package includes $87 million--a nine percent increase in overall funding--for the National Sea GrantCollege Program and the Marine Aquaculture Program.Sea Grantis a national network comprised of 33 Sea Grantprograms based at flagship universities in coastal and Great Lake states throughout the United States. Connecticut Sea Grantis based out of UCONN Avery Point and utilizes its NOAA funding to support fisheries and aquaculture education and outreach throughout the state.In April, Courtney led a bipartisan letter in support of funding for the Sea Grantprogram click hereto see that letter. Continues Funding for the National Coast Guard MuseumThe package includes $5 million in federal funds to continue supporting development of exhibits and preservation of artifacts at the future museum in New London. Courtney helped secure a critical change in law in 2016to ensure that the Coast Guard can provide funding for the design, fabrication, and installation of exhibits or displays in which such artifacts are included. InNovember, Courtney wrote to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees urging inclusion of the Senate-passed funding, secured by Senator Chris Murphy, in the final measure.Clickhereto read that letter. Supports Volunteer First Responders and Gold Star Families The agreement includes the text of the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act of 2019, which includes a one year restoration of thevolunteerfirefighter and medical first responders benefits tax exclusion, supported by Courtney and led by Rep. John Larson (CT-01) and provides a fix for Gold Star families that were hit with new taxes on their survivor benefits as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the 2018 tax reform package. Largest Military and Civilian Pay Increase in a Decade The agreement codifies a 3.1% pay increase for military servicemembers and federal civilian employees in 2020. While the Trump Administration has repeatedly attempted to limit or cancel federal civilian pay raises, Courtney has backed efforts to reject these proposals and provide adequate support for our hard-working federal civilians. Repeals the Cadillac Tax -The agreement includes Congressman Courtney's legislation to repeal the so-called Cadillac Tax on health plans. For nearly a decade, Courtney has led a bipartisan effort, backed by a broad range of labor, business and patient groups, to repeal this misguided policy. The House backed his bill in June in a 419-6 vote, and the language in the agreement today is identical to that bill.Click here to read his statement about inclusion of the repeal in the end of the year agreement. You can also find more information about Congressman Courtney's work to repeal the Cadillac Tax at his website,https://courtney.house.gov/issues/repeal-the-Cadillac-Tax. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-delauro-s-labor-health-and-human-services-education,"House Passes DeLauros Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Appropriations Bill",2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DCCongresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, today released the following statement after the House passed her FY2020 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Appropriations bill by a vote of 297-120. For years, the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education funding bill has been shortchanged. We are making up for lost ground. We fought the Senate to win crucial investments that will help people at every stage of their life. This bill provides additional funding for groundbreaking medical research, opioid programs, nutrition assistance, home heating assistance, child care, job training, registered apprenticeships, Head Start, Pell Grants, and the list goes on. I am particularly proud to have secured $25 million for gun violence prevention research for the first time in more than two decades. The epidemic of gun violence is a public health emergency, and evidence-based research at the CDC and the NIH will help us save lives. Taking action should never have taken more than 20 years, and the significance of this achievement cannot be understated. Yesterday, DeLauro testified before the House Rules Committee on her bill. A video of her testimony can be found here. A summary of the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education bill can be found here. Notable wins include: Health and Human Services $25 million for gun violence prevention researchsplit between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health $2.6 billion increase for the National Institutes of Health, including: $2.8 billion (total) for Alzheimer's disease research $3.1 billion (total) for HIV/AIDS research $195 million (total) for the Cancer Moonshot research initiative $200 million (total) for research to develop a universal flu vaccine. $637 million increase for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including: $50 million (total) modernization of public health data surveillance and analytics $63 million (total) for food safety $140 million (total) reduce new HIV infections $10 million (total) for the establishment of a suicide prevention program. $50 million increase for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) $550 million increase for the Child Care and Development Block Grant $550 million increase for Head Start $25 million increase for Preschool Development Grants $5 million increase for the National Child Traumatic Stress Network $30 million increase for Senior Nutrition programs Labor $48 million increase for Worker Protection Agencies $15 million increase for Registered Apprenticeships $30 million increase for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act State Grants $25 million increase for Job Corps $40 million for a new grant program for community colleges to train people for in-demand jobs Education $450 million increase for Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies $400 million increase for Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) State Grants $123 million for a new Social-Emotional Learning initiative to support whole child approaches to education $93 million increase for Minority-serving Institutions $150 dollar increase to Pell Grant max award (new maximum award is $6,345) ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://hayes.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-hayes-votes-fund-government,Rep. Hayes Votes to Fund Government,2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Jahana Hayes,H001081,hayes.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Today, United States Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) voted to pass two bipartisan appropriations packages, H.R. 1865 and H.R. 1158, which fund the federal government through fiscal year 2020. The two minibuses contain numerous victories for Congresswoman Hayes' priorities, notably allocating $25 million to fund gun violence research for the first time in more than two decades, investing record high funding in critical education programs such as Head Start and Title I, and putting more than a billion dollars to help states combat the opioid crisis. Without legislative action to authorize necessary operating expenses, the government was set to shut down on December 20th. A shutdown would have resulted in a freeze in military pay, critical health and safety programs across the country being halted, and billions of dollars in lost revenue from the economy. If signed into law, H.R. 1865 and H.R. 1158 would avoid that shutdown, while making much-needed investments in long-term priorities. One year ago, we witnessed the longest government shutdown in American history, said Congresswoman Jahana Hayes. This is not a game. When the government shut down, people in Connecticut suffered. I am glad we were able to avoid that, all while investing in key priorities for my district, such as funding gun violence research, aggressively addressing the opioid crisis, and investing in our nation's education system. I am pleased Republicans and Democrats came together to make this happen, and strongly urge the president to sign both packages into law as soon as possible. Other Priorities of Rep. Hayes Included in the Funding Agreement: HEALTH CARE: In addition to allocating $1.5 billion in grants for states to combat the opioid epidemic, the funding agreement provides for more than $40 billion in medical research and repeals the widely-disliked Cadillac Tax. EDUCATION: The funding agreement contains increases the maximum Pell Grant, allocates more than a billion dollars to Minority Serving Institutions (MSI's), and restores previously-cut Special Olympics funding. HUNGER: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition program are all fully funded under the agreement. ENVIRONMENT: Funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is increased by more than $50 million from fiscal year 2019 and the National Flood Insurance Program is reauthorized under the agreement. Both programs are critical to Connecticut. ### **To learn more of the domestic priorities and international assistance funded, click here **To learn more about the national security priorities funded, click here Rep. Jahana Hayes has been a public school teacher in Connecticut for more than 15 years and was recognized in 2016 as the National Teacher of the Year. Currently serving her first term in the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Hayes sits on the Committees on Education & Labor and Agriculture and proudly represents Connecticut's 5th District.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=E404EE58-9C37-48DF-BD8A-A59EE267F659,Rep. Hayes Votes to Fund Government,2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Jahana Hayes,H001081,hayes.house.gov,hayes,https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, United States Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) voted to pass two bipartisan appropriations packages, H.R. 1865 and H.R. 1158, which fund the federal government through fiscal year 2020. The two “minibuses” contain numerous victories for Congresswoman Hayes’ priorities, notably allocating $25 million to fund gun violence research for the first time in more than two decades, investing record high funding in critical education programs such as Head Start and Title I, and putting more than a billion dollars to help states combat the opioid crisis. Without legislative action to authorize necessary operating expenses, the government was set to shut down on December 20th. A shutdown would have resulted in a freeze in military pay, critical health and safety programs across the country being halted, and billions of dollars in lost revenue from the economy. If signed into law, H.R. 1865 and H.R. 1158 would avoid that shutdown, while making much-needed investments in long-term priorities. “One year ago, we witnessed the longest government shutdown in American history,” said Congresswoman Jahana Hayes. “This is not a game. When the government shut down, people in Connecticut suffered. I am glad we were able to avoid that, all while investing in key priorities for my district, such as funding gun violence research, aggressively addressing the opioid crisis, and investing in our nation’s education system. I am pleased Republicans and Democrats came together to make this happen, and strongly urge the president to sign both packages into law as soon as possible.” Other Priorities of Rep. Hayes Included in the Funding Agreement: HEALTH CARE: In addition to allocating $1.5 billion in grants for states to combat the opioid epidemic, the funding agreement provides for more than $40 billion in medical research and repeals the widely-disliked “Cadillac Tax”. EDUCATION: The funding agreement contains increases the maximum Pell Grant, allocates more than a billion dollars to Minority Serving Institutions (MSI’s), and restores previously-cut Special Olympics funding. HUNGER: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition program are all fully funded under the agreement. ENVIRONMENT: Funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is increased by more than $50 million from fiscal year 2019 and the National Flood Insurance Program is reauthorized under the agreement. Both programs are critical to Connecticut. ### **To learn more of the domestic priorities and international assistance funded, click here **To learn more about the national security priorities funded, click here Rep. Jahana Hayes has been a public school teacher in Connecticut for more than 15 years and was recognized in 2016 as the National Teacher of the Year. Currently serving her first term in the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Hayes sits on the Committees on Education & Labor and Agriculture and proudly represents Connecticut’s 5th District.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-applauds-bipartisan-approval-national-security-appropriations,Larson Applauds Bipartisan Approval Of National Security Appropriations,2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,John Larson,L000557,larson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement after the House approval of Defense funding in the National Security Appropriations Minibus (HR 1158): I was proud to support this bipartisan agreement that provides the full-year funding for our national security programs, delivers key priorities for Connecticut's manufacturing base, and eliminates the looming threat of a funding lapse, said Larson. The bill boosts our military readiness, funds a 3.1 percent pay raise for our military, and provides $34 billion for health programs (including $492 million to support cancer research). The agreement also makes significant investments in the F-35, submarine, and helicopter programs that support hundreds of small to large manufacturers across our state. Earlier this year, the F-35 Program saw unprecedented support. This overwhelming bipartisan backing is clearly reflected in today's agreement that provides $13.4 billion for our nation's only 5th generation fighter. Our men and women overseas deserve the best equipment to ensure the United States maintains its air dominance as they fight to protect our national security. The F-35 program alone supports over fifteen thousand jobs across the state. Today's vote is a win for Connecticut manufacturing and our servicemembers. Highlights of Connecticut's defense manufacturing priorities: $9.3 billion for purchase of 98 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters (20 more than the President's Budget Request), $1.8 billion in advance procurement and modifications, $1.5 billion in continued research and development, and $757 million in spares. $3 billion for development of the B-21 Long Range Strike Bomber. $5.4 billion for procurement of Virginia class submarines including $3 billion in advance procurement for the third submarine. $2.1 billion for 12 KC-46A Tankers. $1.8 billion for advanced procurement of the Ohio Replacement Program, including $548 million for continued research and development as well as $123 million for supplier development. $1.4 billion for 74 UH-60 Blackhawks. $847 million for purchase of 6 CH-53K Heavy Lift Helicopters and $507 million for continued development. $1 billion for purchase of 6 E-2D ADV Hawkeye. $851 million for procurement of 12 Combat Search and Rescue Helicopters. $641 million for 6 VH-92 Presidential helicopters. $18.5 million for research and development of the unmanned K-MAX helicopter. Last week, the House approved the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Conference Report. For more information, please see Larson's statement here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-applauds-passage-bill-protect-patient-access-complex,Larson Applauds Passage of Bill to Protect Patient Access to Complex Rehabilitation Technologies (CRT),2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,John Larson,L000557,larson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) applauded the inclusion of his Protecting Access to Wheelchairs Act (H.R. 2293) in the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020. His bill passed the Ways and Means Committee earlier this year as part of the HEARTS and Rural Relief Act (H.R. 3429) and a similar version passed the House last year. I am thrilled that the Protecting Access to Wheelchairs Act passed the House with bipartisan support. This legislation will help companies, like Rocky Hill's, Numotion, provide people suffering from degenerative diseases like ALS or who have become paralyzed with the needed equipment to provide them with the tools to live their lives with maximum mobility and independence. Earlier this year, Todd Johnson, a constituent from Portland visited my office. He uses a specially designed wheelchair since an accident at age 22 left him with a spinal cord injury. This bill will help people like Todd have access to equipment they need to live their lives independently and with dignity. I'm glad that this legislation will finally be signed into law, said Larson. Background on the CRT Issue: In 2008, Congress passed the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA), which excluded Complex Rehabilitation Technologies (CRT) wheelchairs and accessories from the CMS' competitive bid process. In November 2014, CMS issued a rule that ignored Congressional intent and would have reduced payments and harmed patient access to CRT wheelchair accessories. This rule was delayed multiple times by Congress through legislation, but only temporarily. Reps. Larson and Lee Zeldin (R-NY) introduced H.R. 1361 (an earlier iteration of H.R. 2293) to protect CRT wheelchair accessories (power or manual) from having their reimbursement rates reduced. On July 23, 2017, CMS agreed to make the changes the Zeldin/Larson bill called for, but only for CRT power wheelchair accessories. Therefore, the members introduced H.R. 2293 to protect reimbursement rates and patients' continued access to CRT manual wheelchair accessories. These efforts have also been supported by the ALS Association, Muscular Dystrophy Association, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Paralyzed Veterans of America, VetsFirst, and the United Spinal Association. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-reed-introduce-bill-help-victims-identity-theft,"Larson, Reed Introduce Bill to Help Victims of Identity Theft",2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,John Larson,L000557,larson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Chairman John B. Larson (CT-01) and Ranking Member Tom Reed (NY-23) introduced the Improving Social Security's Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act (H.R. 5446). This bill would require the Social Security Administration (SSA) to provide identity theft victims with a single point of contact within SSA when the misuse of their Social Security number (SSN) results in the need to resolve one or more issue(s) with SSA. In this day and age when we are increasingly vulnerable to hacking of our identities, it is critical that people have a single point of contact they can reach out to for assistance when identity theft has caused problems with their Social Security number or benefits. That is why I, along with Ranking Member Reed, have introduced the Improving Social Security's Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act. This legislation will provide a single point of contact in the Social Security Administration that will be responsible for resolving Social Security-related issues in connection with the theft. This will hopefully ease the burden for people who are victims of identity theft, said Larson. It's not fair to compound the stress of identity theft with bureaucracy. We care about ensuring that victims don't have to deal withadifferentpersonduring every call to the Social Security Administration, or have to explain their situation repeatedly while worrying if theSSA employee they are working withis a fraudster.SSA should make it easier, not harder to undo the damage, and having a single point of contact for victims ensures peace of mind, said Reed. On behalf of our nearly 38 million members and all older Americans nationwide, AARP is pleased to endorse the Improving Social Security's Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act. Your legislation would streamline the assistance provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to individuals who have their Social Security number stolen, said Bill Sweeney, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, AARP. The bill comes after a strong history of bipartisan agreement on this issue. An identical bill passed the House easily in the 115th Congress, and earlier this month, Larson and Reed sent joint letters to SSA and its Inspector General requesting a review of the agency's actions to address fraudulent Social Security robocalls. These robocalls falsely appear to be from SSA and seek to get people to hand over money or their SSNs, potentially leading to identity theft. The bill has been endorsed by: The bill text can be found here. A fact sheet on the bill can be found here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-s-tax-benefit-volunteer-first-responders-included-end-year,Larsons Tax Benefit for Volunteer First Responders Included in End of Year Package,2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,John Larson,L000557,larson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) voted for H.R. 1865, Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, which included Larson's Volunteer Responder Incentive Protection Act(VRIPA). The bipartisan legislation would exempt from taxation the benefits volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel receive from their communities for tax year 2020. Our first responders put their lives on the line every time they respond to a call to protect our communities. They take these risks and volunteer on behalf of their neighbors, yet have been forced to pay federal taxes on the small tokens of gratitude their communities bestow in return. I'm proud that this bipartisan bill will now become law. This is the least we can do for these brave men and women, said Larson. Larson authored a similar bill that was signed into law in 2007, but the exemption expired in 2010. Currently, volunteers must pay federal income tax on these modest incentives. VRIPA would allow volunteer first responders to exempt from federal taxation any property tax reductions and up to $600 per year in other benefits in tax year 2020. In recent years, the number of volunteer firefighters in the United States has declined by nearly 41,000 while the number of volunteers over the age of 50 has steadily increased. To boost recruitment and retention, many volunteer fire and EMS agencies provide minor financial and non-monetary incentives, including but not limited to uniforms, annual award ceremonies, and reduced property taxes. The services donated by volunteer first responders are estimated to be worth approximately $46.9 billion annually. Without these services, many communities would be unable to provide firefighting and emergency medical services. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-secures-critical-priorities-first-district-appropriations-package,Larson Secures Critical Priorities for First District in Appropriations Package,2019-12-17,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,John Larson,L000557,larson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement after voting for the two Fiscal Year 2020 appropriation packages. I was proud to vote for the bipartisan, bicameral appropriations bills today funding the federal government through the rest of the fiscal year. Today's appropriations bills provides funding for top priorities in the First District, from continuing to strengthen our manufacturing sector to funding critical research programs National Institute of Health (NIH), and tax relief for volunteer first responders. While this legislation provided critical funding for many programs important to Americans, it wasn't perfect. I was disappointed by the inclusion of funding for the President's needless border wall and hope we address this in the new year. Top Priorities for the First District: A breakdown of all the funding secured can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/sen-chris-murphy-accuses-mitch-mcconnell-of-trying-to-rig-senate-impeachment-trial-in-trumps-favor,Sen. Chris Murphy accuses Mitch McConnell of trying to rig Senate impeachment trial in Trumps favor,2019-12-16,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat, said he agrees with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer that four key witnesses, including Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney and former National Security Adviser John Bolton should be called to appear at the trial. They did not participate in the impeachment proceedings in the House. If I were the prosecutor here, and I was a prosecutor for quite a few years, I could rest my case, based on the evidence we have now the president's own words, plus powerful, moving testimony from dedicated career professionals whose credibility has never been questioned, Blumenthal said in an interview Monday. If the president has evidence that shows his innocence, I have a duty to hear it, and I will. So far, he has blocked 12 witnesses who have been asked to appear [in the House inquiry] and every single document that has been requested. He has provided not a single document. He said he hopes Senate Republicans will not ""rig a sham reality show'' that would in effect, do the White House's bidding. The nation, as well as Congress, has been split over impeachment. For months, lawmakers have predicted that Trump would be impeached by the Democratic-controlled House but not convicted in the Republican-controlled Senate. A Quinnipiac University Poll released Monday showed that 45% of respondents believe that Trump should be impeached and removed from office, compared to 51% who oppose impeachment. Those results are the same as one week ago. At the same time, Trump reached a tie for his best job approval ratings since taking office, at 43%. A Fox News poll Sunday said 50% of those polled want Trump impeached and removed from office while 41% said he should not be impeached. Trump blasted the Fox News poll in a message on Twitter, saying, The @foxnewsPolls, always inaccurate, are heavily weighted toward Dems. So ridiculous same thing happened in 2016. They got it all wrong. Get a new pollster!",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/sen-chris-murphy-calls-for-ncaa-to-improve-athletes-health-care-meeting-with-emmert-set,Sen. Chris Murphy calls for NCAA to improve athletes health care; meeting with Emmert set,2019-12-16,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Sen. Chris Murphy calls for NCAA to improve athletes' health care; meeting with Emmert set Monday, December 16, 2019 Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) issued a report Monday morning that calls for the NCAA to makedramatic changes in how it handles athletes' health care, including demands that schools pay for complete coverage of costs related to current athletes' participation in sports and unspecified restitution to former athletes suffering from the effects of head trauma. On Monday afternoon, the office of Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah)announced that Romney and Murphy will be meeting with NCAA President Mark Emmert on Tuesday in Washington, D.C. The meeting likely will be related to the issues surrounding college athletes' ability to make money off their names, images and likenesses. Murphy and Romney recently announced the formation of a bi-partisan Senate working group related to college sports and Emmert has begun openly discussing the association'sinterest in Congressional actionas legislators in nearly 20 states look at joining California in enacting measures that wouldallow athletes to make money from their names, images and likenesses. Emmert spoke about this during a public appearance in New York last week, and he is likely to cover it again during a non-Capitol Hillappearance hepreviously had been scheduled to make inWashington on Tuesday. But it's reasonable to believe that Murphy and federal lawmakers will use their meeting with Emmert as an opportunity to press their concerns in areas beyond name, image and likeness. Concerning health care, at present, athletes' medical costs can end up being covered at least in part by their parents' insurance. Health care coverage shouldn't depend on the athletes or their families but should be considered part of the cost of having an athletic program, states Murphy's newreport, which also said long-term care should be covered. The report saysbooming revenue increasesshould give schools the money they need to provide this and they should put that money to better use than lavish facilities ormore bonusesfor overpaid coaches. As for the notion of assistance to former athletes, the report says, a century of negligence has resulted in many athletes facing the consequences of repeated head trauma that could have been prevented. We must account for that harm. This is the third in a series of reports on issues in college sports that Murphy has issued. The first addressed athlete compensation, and the second the quality of education that athletes receive. The new report cites numerous previous media reports in documenting specific episodes of injuries and fatalities suffered by athletes and athletes' travails in dealing with or attempting to get away from abusive behavior from coaches. The report also calls for athletes to receive scholarships that are guaranteed regardless of injury; for complete protection for whistleblowing about abusive and dangerous decision-making by coaches and trainers; and for athletes to have less difficulty transferring to leave programs with abusive cultures or when coaches demonstrably do not put their well-being first.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/senator-honors-southingtons-sign-pro,Senator Honors Southington's Sign Pro,2019-12-16,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"HARTFORD, CT U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) announced Monday that Sign Pro, Inc. of Southington is this week's ""Murphy's Monday Manufacturer."" Founded in 1990, Sign Pro, Inc. is a turnkey manufacturer, systems integrator, designer and installer of interior and exterior signage, custom structures, and marketing materials. The company specializes in corporate and individual signage for a diverse portfolio that includes: the State of Connecticut, local municipalities, colleges and universities, health care organizations, public safety organizations, professional sports and recreation facilities, restaurants, and more. One of Sign Pro's most notable creations is the steaming cup displayed atop the scoreboard at Dunkin' Donuts Park in Hartford and the incredible City of New Britain Beehive Bridge. Sign Pro custom manufactured the large colorful side wall enclosures, four large bee sculptures as well as the Beehive sculpture on the bridge. ""Sign Pro is the perfect example of Connecticut manufacturing prominently on display,"" Murphy said. ""Their innovation and creativity can be seen across the state in places both big and small. I also want to applaud Sign Pro for their dedication to workers in Connecticut. I'm proud to highlight them."" ""We have an amazing staff,"" Sign Pro Owner Pete Rappoccio said. ""From account managers, designers, fabricators, painters, project managers and support staff who all work as a team. Sign Pro implemented LEAN Manufacturing principles and solutions for constant ongoing improvements. We embrace our Connecticut universities and graduates who we have hired through the years and Sign Pro has provided internship programs to develop the students to full-time employees, ""We are also looking to be innovative and with the latest technologies and solutions to better our clients. We have recently taken delivery of a massive 3D printer for our new Innovation Center. We are proud of Connecticut, the support and talent that is here and would not want to be anywhere else."" Sign Pro, Inc. is a family owned and operated business, and next year will be celebrating 30 years in business. The company's more than 70 employees work out of a 45,000-square-foot facility in the Plantsville section of Southington. Sign Pro, Inc. is also very active in the community, routinely working with the Klingberg Family Center, Southington YMCA, Southington Bread for Life, LAZ Foundation, Joey Logano Foundation, public safety organizations and local schools.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/funding-for-crumbling-foundations-research-sought-by-connecticut-congressional-delegation-included-in-final-appropriations-bill,FUNDING FOR CRUMBLING FOUNDATIONS RESEARCH SOUGHT BY CONNECTICUT CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION INCLUDED IN FINAL APPROPRIATIONS BILL,2019-12-16,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"FUNDING FOR CRUMBLING FOUNDATIONS RESEARCH SOUGHT BY CONNECTICUT CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION INCLUDED IN FINAL APPROPRIATIONS BILL Monday, December 16, 2019 WASHINGTONU.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and U.S. Representatives Joe Courtney (CT-02) and John Larson (CT-01) on Tuesday, announced that funding they have fought for to provide federal resources to conduct research on Connecticut's crumbling foundations crisis has been included in the final, conferenced version of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020. The bill text includes $1.5 million in funding sought by the delegation for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to conduct research on the effects of the mineral pyrrhotite on concrete aggregate. NIST is the leading federal expert in cement and concrete standards, and this federal funding will help NIST to develop a cost-effective and standard testing method for at-risk homes and other structures for the presence of the mineral pyrrhotite. The amendment also requires NIST to create a risk-rating scale so that homeowners, businesses, and local government have a better understanding of what quantity of pyrrhotite poses a danger to their foundation's structural integrity. Thousands of homeowners in Connecticut and Massachusetts have crumbling foundations,said the delegation in a joint statement.We need a better understanding of the scope of the crisis and of the mineral pyrrhotite, and homeowners and others need a clear understanding of the risks of pyrrhotite, and the levels at which it poses a true danger to the integrity of a concrete foundation. The funding we've fought for on both sides of the Capitol will help NIST conduct the research needed to answer these questions, and we look forward to final passage of the bill later this week. The Connecticut delegation has worked together towards securing federal funds for research into eastern Connecticut's crumbling foundations crisis throughout the duration of the bicameral budget negotiation process. In June, the amendment that Rep. Courtney authored, and which was co-sponsored by Rep. Larson, to provide NIST with federal funding to conduct research on the effects of the mineral pyrrhotite on concrete aggregate was included as part of H.R. 3055, a five-bill appropriations minibus for FY 2020. The House passed H.R. 3055 later that month. In October, the amendment that Murphy and Blumenthal authored to allocate federal funding to NIST to partner with academia to create a reliable and cost-effective standard for testing for pyrrhotite in concrete in residential, commercial and municipal structures passed in the Senate as part of the Senate FY 2020 CJS Appropriations Bill. Following passage in the Senate, the bill moved to conference with the House of Representatives. Currently, no standard has been established for the amount of pyrrhotite that must be present in a concrete foundation in order to qualify for financial assistance. Inclusion of the crumbling foundations research funding sought by the Connecticut delegation in the final, conferenced version of the CJS Appropriations Bill for FY 2020 will help NIST to create a risk-rating scale, which is urgently needed to understand the scope of the crumbling foundations crisis, and which will help homeowners to understand the risks pyrrhotite poses to their home. NIST has previously sent representatives to eastern Connecticut to tour sites impacted by the crumbling foundations crisis. In October, Rep. Courtney was joined by a representative from NIST to tour Birch Grove Primary School in Tolland, which discovered that it had a crumbling foundation in late 2017. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-highlights-southington-manufacturer-sign-pro-inc-as-this-weeks-murphys-monday-manufacturer,"MURPHY HIGHLIGHTS SOUTHINGTON MANUFACTURER, SIGN PRO, INC., AS THIS WEEKS MURPHYS MONDAY MANUFACTURER",2019-12-16,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"MURPHY HIGHLIGHTS SOUTHINGTON MANUFACTURER, SIGN PRO, INC., AS THIS WEEK'S MURPHY'S MONDAY MANUFACTURER Monday, December 16, 2019 HARTFORDU.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.)announced on Monday that Sign Pro, Inc. of Plantsville is this week's Murphy's Monday Manufacturer. Founded in 1990, Sign Pro, Inc. is a turnkey manufacturer, systems integrator, designer and installer of interior and exterior signage, custom structures, and marketing materials. The company specializes in corporate and individual signage for a diverse portfolio that includes: the State of Connecticut, local municipalities, Colleges & Universities, health care organizations, public safety organizations, professional sports and recreation facilities, restaurants, and more. One of their most notable creations is the steaming cup displayed atop the scoreboard at Dunkin' Donuts Park in Hartford and the incredibleCity of New Britain Beehive Bridge. Sign Pro custom manufactured the large colorful side wall enclosures, four large bee sculptures as well as the Beehive sculpture on the bridge. Sign Pro is the perfect example of Connecticut manufacturing prominently on display, said Murphy. Their innovation and creativity can be seen across the state in places both big and small. I also want to applaud Sign Pro for their dedication to workers in Connecticut. I'm proud to highlight them. We have an amazing staff. Stated Sign Pro Owner, Pete Rappoccio. From account managers, designers, fabricators, painters, project managers and support staff who ALL work as a TEAM. Sign Pro implemented LEAN Manufacturing principles and solutions for constant ongoing improvements. We embrace our Connecticut universitiesand graduates who we have hired through the years and Sign Pro has provided internship programs to develop the students to full-time employees. Rappoccio added We are also looking to be innovative and with the latest technologies and solutions to better our clients. We have recently taken delivery of a massive 3D printer for our new Innovation Center. We are proud of Connecticut, the support and talent that is here and would not want to be anywhere else. Sign Pro, Inc. is a family owned and operated business, and next year will be celebrating 30 years in business. The company's over 70 employees work out of a 45,000 square foot facility in Plantsville. Sign Pro, Inc. is also very active in their community, routinely working with the Klingberg Family Center, Southington YMCA, Southington Bread for Life, LAZ Foundation, Joey Logano Foundation, public safety organizations and local schools. This year, Sign Pro, Inc. was recognized by the Hartford Courant as a Best Place to Work. The manufacturing industry plays a crucial role throughout Connecticut communities, creating new jobs and accelerating the state's economic recovery. Today, Connecticut's thousands of manufacturers account for 10% 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, theBuyAmerican.govActand theAmerican Jobs Matter Act. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-releases-third-and-final-madness-inc-report-focuses-on-how-colleges-and-ncaa-neglect-athletes-health-,"MURPHY RELEASES THIRD AND FINAL MADNESS, INC. REPORT, FOCUSES ON HOW COLLEGES AND NCAA NEGLECT ATHLETES HEALTH",2019-12-16,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"MURPHY RELEASES THIRD AND FINAL MADNESS, INC. REPORT, FOCUSES ON HOW COLLEGES AND NCAA NEGLECT ATHLETES' HEALTH Monday, December 16, 2019 Link WASHINGTONU.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, on Monday released his third and final report in a series that considers the range of problems within college athletics. The report, Madness, Inc.: How College Sports Leave Athletes Broken and Abandoned, examines the ways in which colleges and the NCAA neglect athletes' health. College sports rely on athletes to entertain and captivate us with their talentputting their bodies on the line in the process. It's only fair that in turn, we prioritize their health. But this report found the opposite, said Murphy. Too many athletes leave college sports with far less than they started. This is a result of coaches and trainers pushing athletes beyond their limits, putting their health at risk just to win a game, and ignoring what's good for their long-term health. It's time we fix this broken system, and I'm working on federal, bipartisan legislation to do just that. This is the third and final report in Murphy's Madness, Inc. series that considered a range of problems within college sports. Murphy's first report, released in March during the annual men's basketball March Madness tournament, examined the billions in revenues produced by college sports and how that money enriches nearly everyone but the athletes themselves. Coaches, former athletes, and advocates have spoken out in support of Murphy's first report. Murphy's second report examined the ways in which colleges fail in providing athletes the education they deserve. This report similarly received praise from coaches, former athletes and advocates. Click here to download Madness, Inc. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-statement-on-securing-25-million-in-gun-research-funding-included-in-appropriations-bill,MURPHY STATEMENT ON SECURING $25 MILLION IN GUN RESEARCH FUNDING INCLUDED IN APPROPRIATIONS BILL,2019-12-16,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"MURPHY STATEMENT ON SECURING $25 MILLION IN GUN RESEARCH FUNDING INCLUDED IN APPROPRIATIONS BILL Monday, December 16, 2019 WASHINGTONU.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, helped secure $25 million to fund gun violence research in this year's Labor-HHS-Education funding bill that the Senate will vote on this week. The bill specifically includes $12.5 million for the Center for Disease Control and $12.5 million for the National Institute for Health to research the causes of gun violence in the United States: The politics of gun violence are literally shifting beneath our feet,said Murphy. The small steps forward on gun safety in this budget billincluding the funding for research I fought for and securedare really good news. But we can't stop here. We need to continue urging Mitch McConnell to schedule a debate and vote on universal background checks legislation in the Senate. We also came really close to an agreement with the White House to expand background checks earlier his year, and we have to remind Trump that we're ready to pick those negotiations back up at any time. In April, Murphy joined members of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee in urging the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies to include $50 million in the FY2020 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill for CDC gun violence research. In November, Murphy joined U.S. Senators Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) in authoring an op-ed for the USA Today about their bipartisan background checks talks with the White House this summer and fall. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-the-ncaa-and-colleges-must-do-more-to-make-sure-athletes-health-comes-first,MURPHY: THE NCAA AND COLLEGES MUST DO MORE TO MAKE SURE ATHLETES HEALTH COMES FIRST,2019-12-16,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"MURPHY: THE NCAA AND COLLEGES MUST DO MORE TO MAKE SURE ATHLETES' HEALTH COMES FIRST Adults in the system are making millions and millions of dollars and leaving behind athletes who remain poor, and whose bodies are broken in the process Monday, December 16, 2019 WASHINGTONU.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, on Monday released his third and final report in a series that considers the range of problems within college athletics. The report, Madness, Inc.: How College Sports Can Leave Athletes Broken and Abandoned, examines the ways in which colleges and the NCAA neglect athletes' health. At a press conference today to discuss the report, Murphy was joined by Allen Sack, former President of the Drake Group, a think tank focused on reforming college sports, and Connecticut State Senator Derek Slap. Today's report talks about all of the various ways that college athletes' health is not well served by the current state of college athletics, particularly in the sport of football. As we learn more and more about the dangers of concussions and the long-term damage that can be done to athletes' brains through repeated head traumas, it is astounding that the NCAA has not taken firmer steps to make sure that all of its members put the health of its athletes first, Murphy said. Murphy continued: The NCAA Division One Manual is 400 pages long. In it, 38 pages are dedicated to stopping student athletes from being able to make money. One page, of 400, is dedicated to protecting the health of college athletes. That speaks to the misplaced priorities of the NCAA today. They were formed as an organization to protect the health of athletes. But today, they are almost completely absent from the conversation about how you make sure, especially in football, that students are protected from what could be life altering trauma. Murphy's report offers several recommendations to remedy the problem of NCAA's neglect for the health of its athletes(1) give college athletes healthcare coverage; (2) give college athletes access to independent health care providers who aren't answering to their coaches; (3) guarantee students' scholarships; (4) allow students to transfer, with immediate eligibility, out of programs where they think their health is at stake; and (5) enforce real consequences for schools that don't follow their health protocols. Murphy also discussed the groundswell of support on the issue since he authored his first report: Since I released the first report in the spring, we made a lot of progress in Washington. I was, at the time, the only member of the Senate who was raising issues around the compensation and health of student athletes. I'm grateful that since that first report was released, a number of my colleagues have stepped forward, who want to develop legislation to protect student athletes. This is the third and final report in Murphy's Madness, Inc. series that considered a range of problems within college sports. Murphy's first report, released in March during the annual men's basketball March Madness tournament, examined the billions in revenues produced by college sports and how that money enriches nearly everyone but the athletes themselves. Coaches, former athletes, and advocates have spoken out in support of Murphy's first report. Murphy's second report examined the ways in which colleges fail in providing athletes the education they deserve. This report similarly received praise from coaches, former athletes and advocates. A full transcript of Murphy's remarks can be found below: All rightgood morning everyone. Thank you very much for joining us here today. My name is Chris Murphy and I have the honor or representing Connecticut in the United States Senate. I'm joined here today by my friend and colleague, State Senator Derek Slap. As well as Allen Sack, who's former President of the Drake Group, a former college athlete, and a longtime activist on the issue of better resourcing athletes in amateur athletics, who with the necessary rights to protect themselves and their health. Today, my office is releasing the third in a series of reports on the state of college athletics today. This report is entitled, How College Sports Can Leave Athletes Broken and Abandoned, and it details the often grave health risks that are presented to many college athletes and how profits, and the drive for profits in college athletics, are pushing coaches to press athletes into service even though their body's in many cases are very badly, badly broken. I am a sports fan, a college sports fan. I'm a former athlete. I wasn't good enough to play in college, but I frankly would have paid money to play college athletics. I know how important athletics is to the development of a young person and I think it has a very important role to play in colleges today. Unfortunately, college athletics [have] become professionalized. And increasingly, adults in the system are making millions and millions of dollars, and leaving behind athletes who remain poor, and whose bodies are broken in the process. Today's report talks about all of the various ways that college athletes' health is not well served by the current state of college athletics. Particularly in the sport of football, as we learn more and more about the dangers of concussions and the long-term damage that can be done to athletes' brains through repeated head traumas. It is astounding that the NCAA has not taken firmer steps to make sure that all of its members put the health of its athletes first. The NCAA Division One Manual is 400 pages long. In it, 38 pages are dedicated to stopping student athletes from being able to make money. One page, of 400, is dedicated to protecting the health of college athletes. That speaks to the misplaced priorities of the NCAA today. They were formed as an organization to protect the health of athletes. But today, they are almost completely absent from the conversation about how you make sure, especially in football, that students are protected from what could be life altering trauma. 19% of athletic trainers working for colleges today report that coaches played students who they had deemed to be medically ineligible. That's a damning statistic. 20% of athletic trainers report that students who were so injured, in many cases with head traumas, that they shouldn't have been out in the field, were actually pressed into service. That is because these coaches are driven to win by the immense amounts of money that are involved in college athletics. When coaches are making multimillion-dollar salaries, when their offensive coordinators are making a million dollars a year, they unfortunately see students as commodities. And they press those commodities into service, even when they have serious injuries to deal with. Every year, there are 20,000 different football injuries. And my report, in the end, offers several recommendations. One: it recommends that college athletes be given health care coverage. There are some colleges that are doing that today, but not enough. That seems to be a pretty common-sense step for the NCAA to take. Two: college athletes should have access to independent health care providers that aren't answering to their coaches. The reason that a lot of student athletes are pressed onto the playing field, especially with head injuries, is because the doctors that they're seeing work for the athletic department. That's an inherent conflict of interest. Third: scholarship should be guaranteed. The NCAA says that these are student-athletes. Well, the problem is as soon as they stop being athletes, the colleges don't let them be students any longer. Some schools guarantee four-year scholarships to students that they recruit, but all Division One schools should guarantee those scholarships. If a student believes that playing basketball or football isn't in their best interest any longer, they shouldn't be forced to drop out of school. Fourth: students should be allowed to transfer out of programs where they think their health is at stake. Right now, the transfer rules punish students who are trying to get into a better environment for their health. Transfer rules should allow for students to move from school to school. And then lastly, there should be real consequences for schools that don't follow health protocols. The NCAA should develop detailed concussion protocols, and deliver consequences to schools and athletic programs that don't follow them. That's simply not happening today. Since I released the first report in the Spring, we made a lot of progress in Washington. I was, at the time, the only member of the Senate who was raising issues around the compensation and health of student athletes. I'm grateful that since that first report was released, a number of my colleagues have stepped forward, who want to develop legislation to protect student athletes. And we just announced the formation of a working group. Senator Romney and I are organizing it. Senator Rubio, Senator Perdue and Senator Booker are members of it. We are hopefully going to get together and meet for the first time this week and be looking at different kinds of legislation that we could introduce next year to properly protect student-athletes. Before I introduce Derek and Allen, let me just put a caveat on all of this. This isn't the most important issue in Connecticut or the country. There are a dozen issues that are more important. But to me, this is an issue of civil rights. These are largely young, African American athletes that are playing in the big-time college sports programs and the adults who are getting rich off their exploits are largely white. That fact can't be ignored. And so, I think when you see an injustice like this, when you see a[n] unaddressed civil rights issue, you need to speak up and be active on it. And as a sports fan, somebody who really likes watching college sports, I think I speak on behalf of a lot of fans of college sports that want to see this system be a little bit more just to the players that we follow so closely on a weekly and daily basis. With that, let me introduce to you, Senator Derek Slap, who is championing the issue of athlete rights here in Connecticut, who's going to be introducing legislation in the upcoming session on some of the topics that we're talking about today, Senator Slap. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murphy.senate.gov/view/senator-murphy-hosts-press-conference-on-third-ncaa-report,Senator Murphy Hosts Press Conference on Third NCAA Report,2019-12-16,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"hartford Colt Gateway 120 Huyshope Avenue Suite 401 Hartford, CT 06106 P: (860) 549-8463 F: (860) 524-5091 Get Directions",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/courtney-s-effort-scrap-looming-cadillac-tax-included-final-2020-budget,Courtneys Effort to Scrap Looming Cadillac Tax Included in Final 2020 Budget Package,2019-12-16,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) announced that his 10-year effort to repeal the looming 40% excise tax on certain employer-sponsored health insurance plans, known as the Cadillac Tax, has been included in the final negotiated spending package to fund the government in Fiscal Year (FY) 2020. The bill text, made public this afternoon, includes the provision Rep. Courtney has fought for to repeal the Cadillac Tax through his bill, the Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act (H.R. 748). Repeal of the Cadillac Tax is a huge win for middle class families who were facing a misguided tax on their hard-won health benefits, Rep. Courtney said. For nearly a decade, a broad and bipartisan coalition of members of Congress, labor organizations and business groups, and patient advocates have been united in their efforts to stop this tax from ever going into place. Our message has been clear since day one: at a time when American families face increasing anxiety about rising health care costs, Congress should not compound the problem by taxing the health benefits they rely on. The results of those efforts were seen on the House floor earlier this year, when the House voted resoundingly 419-6 to scrap this tax once and for all. Congress now has a chance to finish the job by bringing this misguided policy to an end once and for all this week. I commend House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richie Neal for their support in helping to achieve this victory for working families and employers across the country. Rep. Courtney has sought to eliminate this damaging tax on health care for American families since 2009, and has introduced legislation to bring about its repeal since the 114th Congress. Earlier this year, Rep. Courtney secured a victory for his effort to repeal the Cadillac Tax when the House voted in an overwhelmingly bipartisan fashion to pass H.R. 748 by a margin of 419-6. The House and Senate are expected to vote on the final negotiated spending package for FY2020 later this week. A recent report from the Kaiser Family Foundation found 31% of employers offering health benefits would face this tax in 2022, and that number would increase to 46% by 2030. Employers are already shifting health costs on to families deductibles on employer-sponsored plans have risen 212% over the past 10 years. This trend has exacerbated the growth in the underinsured, with the majority of newly underinsured Americans being those with employer sponsored insurance. Taxing health insurance will worsen and accelerate this trend. Rep. Courtney has worked to stop the implementation of the Cadillac Tax since 2009, when he led a coalition of 190 Members of Congress in writing to Speaker Nancy Pelosi urging her to reject the imposition of an excise tax on high-cost insurance plans. Congressman Courtney has introduced legislation to repeal implementation of the tax in three different sessions of Congress dating back to 2015. In 2015, Courtney's inaugural Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act garnered 188 co-sponsors; in 2017 the number of co-sponsors rose to 304; this year, Congressman Courtney's legislation garnered 369 bipartisan co-sponsors. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/funding-crumbling-foundations-research-sought-connecticut-congressional,Funding for Crumbling Foundations Research Sought by Connecticut Congressional Delegation Included in Final Appropriations Bill,2019-12-16,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC Today, Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Representatives Joe Courtney (CT-02) and John Larson (CT-01) announced that funding they have fought for to provide federal resources to conduct research on Connecticut's crumbling foundations crisis has been included in the final, conferenced version of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020. The bill text, made public this evening, includes $1.5 million in funding sought by the delegation for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to conduct research on the effects of the mineral pyrrhotite on concrete aggregate. NIST is the leading federal expert in cement and concrete standards, and this federal funding will help NIST to develop a cost-effective and standard testing method for at-risk homes and other structures for the presence of the mineral pyrrhotite. The amendment also requires NIST to create a risk-rating scale so that homeowners, businesses, and local government have a better understanding of what quantity of pyrrhotite poses a danger to their foundation's structural integrity. Thousands of homeowners in Connecticut and Massachusetts have crumbling foundations,said the delegation in a joint statement.We need a better understanding of the scope of the crisis and of the mineral pyrrhotite, and homeowners and others need a clear understanding of the risks of pyrrhotite, and the levels at which it poses a true danger to the integrity of a concrete foundation. The funding we've fought for on both sides of the Capitol will help NIST conduct the research needed to answer these questions, and we look forward to final passage of the bill later this week. The Connecticut delegation has worked together towards securing federal funds for research into eastern Connecticut's crumbling foundations crisis throughout the duration of the bicameral budget negotiation process. In June, the amendment that Rep. Courtney authored, and which was co-sponsored by Rep. Larson, to provide NIST with federal funding to conduct research on the effects of the mineral pyrrhotite on concrete aggregate was included as part of H.R. 3055, a five-bill appropriations minibus for FY 2020. The House passed H.R. 3055 later that month. In October, the amendment that Senators Blumenthal and Murphy authored to allocate federal funding to NIST to partner with academia to create a reliable and cost-effective standard for testing for pyrrhotite in concrete in residential, commercial and municipal structures passed in the Senate as part of the Senate FY 2020 CJS Appropriations Bill. Following passage in the Senate, the bill moved to conference with the House of Representatives. Currently, no standard has been established for the amount of pyrrhotite that must be present in a concrete foundation in order to qualify for financial assistance. Inclusion of the crumbling foundations research funding sought by the Connecticut delegation in the final, conferenced version of the CJS Appropriations Bill for FY 2020 will help NIST to create a risk-rating scale, which is urgently needed to understand the scope of the crumbling foundations crisis, and which will help homeowners to understand the risks pyrrhotite poses to their home. NIST has previously sent representatives to eastern Connecticut to tour sites impacted by the crumbling foundations crisis. In October, Rep. Courtney was joined by a representative from NIST to tour Birch Grove Primary School in Tolland, which discovered that it had a crumbling foundation in late 2017. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-murray-urge-dol-withdraw-misguided-tip-regulations,"DeLauro, Murray Urge DOL to Withdraw Misguided Tip Regulations",2019-12-16,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC (December 16, 2019)Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, sent a detailed letter to the United States Department of Labor (DOL) Secretary Eugene Scalia outlining their objections to DOL's proposed tip regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The proposed regulations follow DeLauro and Murray's amendment to the 2018 Consolidated Appropriations Act, which were written and enacted to ensure workers maintained ownership of their tips. As the authors of the 2018 amendments, we find the proposed rule is contrary to both the congressional intent and plain language of the 2018 amendments to the FLSA, wrote the Members. First, it proposes to allow employers to keep employees' tipsboth by keeping employees' tips to offset back-of-the-house workers' wages generally and to offset tipped workers' wages specifically when they perform non-tip-producing work. Second, it proposes to impermissibly narrow which workers are prohibited from keeping employees' tips as managers or supervisors.' Third, it restricts civil penalties to only those employers who steal tips repeatedly or willfully. We request DOL withdraw its proposed rulemaking and, instead, faithfully enforce the FLSA's protections regarding employees' tips that we wrote in the 2018 amendments, continued the Members. Thank you for your consideration of these views. A signed copy of the full letter can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-secures-25-million-gun-violence-prevention-research-funding,DeLauro Secures $25 Million in Gun Violence Prevention Research Funding,2019-12-16,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC (December 16, 2020)Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, today released the following statement after securing $25 million in gun violence prevention research funding in this year's Labor-HHS-Education funding bill. Nearly 7 years to the day after we lost 20 beautiful children and 6 adults at Sandy Hook Elementary, we are finally making progress in Congress to reduce gun violence. I am proud to say that I was able to secure $25 million for gun violence prevention research in this year's Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education funding bill. The epidemic of gun violence is a public health emergency. Yet, for more than two decades, Congress has failed to provide any meaningful reforms. The funding for evidence-based research at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health will help us better understand the correlation between domestic violence and gun violence, how Americans can more safely store guns, and how we can intervene to reduce suicide by firearms. Taking action should never have taken more than 20 years. The significance of this achievement cannot be understated, and it follows on the progress we made earlier this year by holding the first hearing on gun violence research in more than two decades. This is a major step forward to helping reduce the pain and suffering families endure every day due to the scourge of gun violence. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/warren-delauro-colleagues-reiterate-urgent-concerns-border-protection,"Warren, DeLauro, Colleagues Reiterate Urgent Concerns With Border Protection Agency's ""Unconscionable"" Failure to Provide Flu Vaccines for Migrants in Custody",2019-12-16,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. - (December 16, 2019)United States Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), Chair of the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Related Agencies, led a letter to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) expressing their disappointment and alarm about the failure of CBP to provide recommended flu vaccinations to migrants in its custody. The lawmakers' letter -- which follows disturbing revelations about the deaths of three children in CBP custody over the past year due at least in part to the flu: Wilmer Josue Ramirez Vasquez (2 years old), Felipe Gomez Alonzo (8 years old), and Carlos Gregorio Hernandez Vasquez (16 years old) -- comes as the flu season is officially underway and after repeated requests by members of Congress for CBP and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide flu vaccinations to detainees. In August 2019, Chair DeLauro requested information from DHS and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on flu vaccinations, screening, testing, surveillance, and post-exposure prophylaxis. In September 2019, thirteen Senators -- led by Senator Warren --wrote to DHS and HHS urging CBP to implement a flu vaccination program for detainees and asking a series of questions about the agency's failure to do so. In a separate letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Chair DeLauro requested information on CDC's coordination and communication with CBP regarding its flu vaccination program. However, despite these repeated requests from Congress and the clear risk of flu transmission to migrants and CBP agents, CBP is still not vaccinating migrants in its custody against the flu. Instead, CBP has failed to respond to House appropriators, and its response last month to the senators' inquiry failed to provide an adequate rationale for its unwillingness to vaccinate detainees. In response to Chair DeLauro's letter, the CDC revealed that it made specific recommendations to CBP in January 2019 to implement a robust flu vaccination program for detainees -- making the CBP's ongoing inaction even more inexplicable. CDC provided additional information in a response to the senators' inquiry to HHS. In their latest letter to CBP, the lawmakers sharply criticized CBP for ignoring the CDC's recommendations, and raised questions about CBP policies for detection and treatment of flu in its facilities. ""CBP acknowledges that there is an 'unprecedented' humanitarian crisis at the Southwest Border, and yet, despite this admission, insists on adhering to its 'long-standing practice' of not conducting vaccinations for the flu in its facilities,"" the lawmakers continued. ""This decision is unconscionable and continues to endanger the health and safety of migrant families, CBP personnel, and the American public."" The lawmakers called on CBP to immediately reverse its decision, and asked the agency to answer a series of questions about its ongoing failure to provide recommended flu vaccines to detainees. The lawmakers requested a response to their letter by December 30, 2019. CBP's response to Senator Warren and colleagues' initial inquiry can be read here. CDC's response to Chair DeLauro's inquiry can be read here. CDC's response to Senator Warren and colleagues' initial inquiry can be read here. Joining Senator Warren and Chair DeLauro in sending the letter are Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Kamala D. Harris (D-Calif.), Jeffrey A. Merkley (D-Ore.), Cory A. Booker (D-N.J.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), and Thomas R. Carper (D-Del.), and Representatives Juan Vargas (CA-51), Filemon Vela (TX-34), Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05), Grace Napolitano (CA-32), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Judy Chu (CA-27), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), John Garamendi (CA-03), Rick Larsen (WA-02), James P. McGovern (MA-02), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), John B. Larson (CT-01), Norma Torres (CA-35), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11), Derek Kilmer (WA-06), C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-02), Cedric Richmond (LA-02), Frederica Wilson (FL-24), Jos E. Serrano (NY-15), Dina Titus (NV-01), Ral M. Grijalva (AZ-03), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Cheri Bustos (IL-17), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Donna E. Shalala (FL-27), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Jackie Speier (CA-14), Mark Takano (CA-41), Mike Levin (CA-49), James A. Himes (CT-04), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Ben Ray Lujn (NM-03), Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Jess G. ""Chuy"" Garca (IL-04), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Adam Schiff (CA-28), Linda T. Snchez (CA-38), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11), and Pete Aguilar (CA-31). ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://hayes.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-hayes-statement-usmca,Rep. Hayes Statement On USMCA,2019-12-16,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Jahana Hayes,H001081,hayes.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Today, United States Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) released the following statement after the House of Representatives successfully passed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Congresswoman Hayes voted in favor of the agreement. Today I voted to pass the revised USMCA. The updated agreement contains several provisions critical to Connecticut's Fifth District, notably supporting dairy farmers by eliminating milk pricing schemes in Canada and increasing market access for dairy, poultry, and egg products. USMCA would also strengthen protections for labor, enforce more stringent environmental standards, and remove provisions contributing to the skyrocketing prices of prescription medication. Under this agreement, American goods, labor, and intellectual property will be protected as they continue flowing into the global marketplace. The USMCA is an example of both parties working together for the American people. This agreement is the result of months of negotiations and collaboration and is significantly better than what was originally proposed. ### Rep. Jahana Hayes has been a public school teacher in Connecticut for more than 15 years and was recognized in 2016 as the National Teacher of the Year. Currently serving her first term in the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Hayes sits on the Committees on Education & Labor and Agriculture and proudly represents Connecticut's 5th District.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=F0984CA2-7798-4318-8FFC-E596F05F2F7C,Rep. Hayes Statement On USMCA,2019-12-16,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Jahana Hayes,H001081,hayes.house.gov,hayes,https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, United States Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) released the following statement after the House of Representatives successfully passed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Congresswoman Hayes voted in favor of the agreement. “Today I voted to pass the revised USMCA. The updated agreement contains several provisions critical to Connecticut’s Fifth District, notably supporting dairy farmers by eliminating milk pricing schemes in Canada and increasing market access for dairy, poultry, and egg products. USMCA would also strengthen protections for labor, enforce more stringent environmental standards, and remove provisions contributing to the skyrocketing prices of prescription medication. Under this agreement, American goods, labor, and intellectual property will be protected as they continue flowing into the global marketplace. The USMCA is an example of both parties working together for the American people. This agreement is the result of months of negotiations and collaboration and is significantly better than what was originally proposed.” ### Rep. Jahana Hayes has been a public school teacher in Connecticut for more than 15 years and was recognized in 2016 as the National Teacher of the Year. Currently serving her first term in the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Hayes sits on the Committees on Education & Labor and Agriculture and proudly represents Connecticut’s 5th District.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://himes.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/wilton-high-school-student-wins-2019-congressional-app-challenge,Wilton High School Student Wins 2019 Congressional App Challenge,2019-12-16,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Jim Himes,H001047,himes.house.gov,,,legacy,"Bridgeport, CT Congressman Jim Himes is pleased to announce Avni Gupta is the 2019 Congressional App Challenge winner with the creation of her app, the Food Allergy Scanner. Avni is a freshman at Wilton High School, and her innovative program uses a cellphone's camera to scan food item barcodes to notify the user if there are any present allergens associated with the user's profile. Her winning app will be featured in the U.S. Capitol building and can also be seen on House.gov. Every year, I am inspired by the talented and thoughtful submissions through the Congressional App Challenge, Himes said. The advanced programming and digital skills our students are learning in today's schools are preparing them to succeed in future STEM careers. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House as well as with Connecticut educators to continue advancing these important lessons. This annual challenge is hosted by the House of Representatives to inspire high schoolers to explore coding with hands-on practice and to include underrepresented communities and women into the technology field. In its third year in Connecticut's Fourth District, the competition drew a record number of entries. For more information about the challenge or to learn how to compete next year, visithttps://www.congressionalappchallenge.us.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://himes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=B82DDACA-1C82-42F3-A8C9-7477C1962B40,Wilton High School Student Wins 2019 Congressional App Challenge,2019-12-16,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,James A. Himes,H001047,himes.house.gov,himes,https://himes.house.gov/press-releases,page_html,"Bridgeport, CT — Congressman Jim Himes is pleased to announce Avni Gupta is the 2019 Congressional App Challenge winner with the creation of her app, the Food Allergy Scanner. Avni is a freshman at Wilton High School, and her innovative program uses a cellphone’s camera to scan food item barcodes to notify the user if there are any present allergens associated with the user’s profile. Her winning app will be featured in the U.S. Capitol building and can also be seen on House.gov. “Every year, I am inspired by the talented and thoughtful submissions through the Congressional App Challenge,” Himes said. “The advanced programming and digital skills our students are learning in today’s schools are preparing them to succeed in future STEM careers. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House as well as with Connecticut educators to continue advancing these important lessons.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-03-30T11:08:25Z https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/funding-crumbling-foundations-research-sought-connecticut-congressional,Funding for Crumbling Foundations Research Sought by Connecticut Congressional Delegation Included in Final Appropriations Bill,2019-12-16,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,John Larson,L000557,larson.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC Today, Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Representatives John Larson (CT-01) and Joe Courtney (CT-02) announced that funding they have fought for to provide federal resources to conduct research on Connecticut's crumbling foundations crisis has been included in the final, conferenced version of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020. The bill text, made public this evening, includes $1.5 million in funding sought by the delegation for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to conduct research on the effects of the mineral pyrrhotite on concrete aggregate. NIST is the leading federal expert in cement and concrete standards, and this federal funding will help NIST to develop a cost-effective and standard testing method for at-risk homes and other structures for the presence of the mineral pyrrhotite. The amendment also requires NIST to create a risk-rating scale so that homeowners, businesses, and local government have a better understanding of what quantity of pyrrhotite poses a danger to their foundation's structural integrity. Thousands of homeowners in Connecticut and Massachusetts have crumbling foundations,said the delegation in a joint statement.We need a better understanding of the scope of the crisis and of the mineral pyrrhotite, and homeowners and others need a clear understanding of the risks of pyrrhotite, and the levels at which it poses a true danger to the integrity of a concrete foundation. The funding we've fought for on both sides of the Capitol will help NIST conduct the research needed to answer these questions, and we look forward to final passage of the bill later this week. The Connecticut delegation has worked together towards securing federal funds for research into eastern Connecticut's crumbling foundations crisis throughout the duration of the bicameral budget negotiation process. In June, the amendment that Rep. Courtney authored, and which was co-sponsored by Rep. Larson, to provide NIST with federal funding to conduct research on the effects of the mineral pyrrhotite on concrete aggregate was included as part of H.R. 3055, a five-bill appropriations minibus for FY 2020. The House passed H.R. 3055 later that month. In October, the amendment that Senators Blumenthal and Murphy authored to allocate federal funding to NIST to partner with academia to create a reliable and cost-effective standard for testing for pyrrhotite in concrete in residential, commercial and municipal structures passed in the Senate as part of the Senate FY 2020 CJS Appropriations Bill. Following passage in the Senate, the bill moved to conference with the House of Representatives. Currently, no standard has been established for the amount of pyrrhotite that must be present in a concrete foundation in order to qualify for financial assistance. Inclusion of the crumbling foundations research funding sought by the Connecticut delegation in the final, conferenced version of the CJS Appropriations Bill for FY 2020 will help NIST to create a risk-rating scale, which is urgently needed to understand the scope of the crumbling foundations crisis, and which will help homeowners to understand the risks pyrrhotite poses to their home. NIST has previously sent representatives to eastern Connecticut to tour sites impacted by the crumbling foundations crisis. In October, Rep. Courtney was joined by a representative from NIST to tour Birch Grove Primary School in Tolland, which discovered that it had a crumbling foundation in late 2017. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/sen-murphy-on-remembering-sandy-hook,Sen. Murphy on remembering Sandy Hook,2019-12-14,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"...on December 14 each year, the loss hurts more. It just does, Sen. Chris Murphy said in a statement that revisits the final morning that seven-year-old Daniel Barden spent at home. Barden was one of 20 children and six adults killed when a gunman opened fire at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown on Dec. 14, 2012. ""Seven years ago today, a little seven year old boy woke up earlier than he ever had before during his first grade year, the statement reads. Murphy describes a boy who paid special attention to his family that day, one who was able to say goodbye to his siblings and mother as they left the house because he woke up earlier than usual. Daniel Barden didn't come home on the bus that day... But what he did that morning-run down the driveway to say goodbye to his brother, hug his mother and sister, cuddle and hold hands with his dad, are perhaps the most important things he ever did in his life, Murphy's statement says. The senator goes on to speculate whether Barden's unusually early rise that day might not have been a coincidence, since it became the last day he spent with his family. If it's not a coincidence, Murphy continues, maybe it's an intentional reminder from a higher power of the capacity that we all have, inside us, to do small things each and every daykind words, easy compliments, small favors, hugsthat provide a gift to the recipient so much bigger than the effort required to do the deed. Daniel reminds us that for all the big, scary, seemingly insurmountable things that we worry and obsess over each day, there are so many small gestures that we can make, all totally within our control, that can change the world in unexpected ways. Other statements from across the state reflected on the seventh anniversary of the shooting, calling on folks to remember the lives lost. Hard to believe it's been 7 years. But, we remember and we will never forget, Mayor Mark Boughton of Danbury said in aTweet. Our hearts and prayers are with the families of those affected by the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School seven years ago today. Please take a moment to remember not only the 20 children and six educators who died on 12-14-2012, but the many others touched by this tragedy, a Tweet from CT State Police said. Some emphasized the need for further gun reform. I have also continued to call for funding for gun violence prevention research, as well as a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines...We have a moral obligation to honor those killed in Newtown with action, and we will enact legislation that saves lives no matter how long it takes, said a release from Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-03). Though Murphy also reiterated his intent to fight for tighter gun regulations, he spoke of something else: kindness, like the kindness Barden showed his family on that Friday morning 12 years ago. ...Sandy Hook reminds us that the small acts of kindness that require no national political movement to generate, are often life changing too, Murphy said. The senator's emphasis on the impact of kindness in the wake of the Sandy Hook massacre is nothing new. Onlast year's anniversary, he helped deliver groceries to clients of FISH of Greater New Haven, a nonprofit organization that provides free, nutritious food to homebound residents in the New Haven area. Nothing we do can ever bring those kids back, but we should be inspired by Newtown's efforts to make the world a kinder, more loving place, Murphy said in last year's release, urging others to perform acts of kindness in their communities to honor the Sandy Hook victims.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-statement-on-the-7th-anniversary-of-sandy-hook,MURPHY STATEMENT ON THE 7TH ANNIVERSARY OF SANDY HOOK,2019-12-14,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"MURPHY STATEMENT ON THE 7TH ANNIVERSARY OF SANDY HOOK Saturday, December 14, 2019 WASHINGTONU.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Saturday released the following statement on the seventh anniversary of the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School: ""Seven years ago today, a little seven year old boy woke up earlier than he ever had before during his first grade year. Daniel Barden saw his older brother, his idol, waiting for the bus at the end of the driveway. He ran down the driveway, in his pajamas and flip flops, and gave his brother a big goodbye hug. His dad remembers it was so odd that Daniel was up so early. The only time that ever happened,' remembers his dad. Once back at home, Daniel's father told him he could go back to sleep to catch another hour of sleep before his bus to school was due to leave. But Daniel didn't want to go back to bed. He wanted to cuddle with his dad. And so that's what they did. When his sister went to school, and his mother left for work, they were glad to find Daniel unexpectedly awake. He gave them big hugs goodbye. On the walk to the bus stop with his dad, Daniel didn't want to play their normal game of tag. Can we just hold hands today?' he asked.And so that's what they did. Daniel Barden didn't come home on the bus that day. He was shot to death in his classroom along with nineteen other first graders. But what he did that morningrun down the driveway to say goodbye to his brother, hug his mother and sister, cuddle and hold hands with his dad, are perhaps the most important things he ever did in his life.Maybe it wasn't a coincidence that the only day in Daniel's first grade year that he got up early enough to say goodbye to each of his family members was the last day of his life. Maybe that's not an accident. If it isn't, maybe it's an intentional reminder from a higher power of the capacity that we all have, inside us, to do small things each and every daykind words, easy compliments, small favors, hugsthat provide a gift to the recipient so much bigger than the effort required to do the deed. Daniel reminds us that for all the big, scary, seemingly insurmountable things that we worry and obsess over each day, there are so many small gestures that we can make, all totally within our control, that can change the world in unexpected ways. To Daniel's family, those last moments were a gift. So too, of course, was Daniel's entire life. As were the lives of the nineteen other children, and six educators who died that day. They were all miraculous and, on December 14 each year, the loss hurts more. It just does. I won't rest until we change the laws of this nation to make sure our country doesn't knowingly facilitate the mass murder of children. That is my charge. But I also know that Sandy Hook reminds us that the small acts of kindness that require no national political movement to generate, are often life changing too."" ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-statement-on-trumps-trade-agreement-capitulation-to-china,MURPHY STATEMENT ON TRUMPS TRADE AGREEMENT CAPITULATION TO CHINA,2019-12-13,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"MURPHY STATEMENT ON TRUMP'S TRADE AGREEMENT CAPITULATION TO CHINA Friday, December 13, 2019 WASHINGTONU.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on Friday slammed the president's trade agreement capitulation to China: The deal Trump just announced with China is the exact outcome we feared. Trump single-handedly took down the U.S. economy with tariffs that killed 300,000 jobs, and this deal doesn't commit China to any serious structural reforms. What on earth did Trump put us through this economic hell for? said Murphy. U.S. farm exports to China plummeted last year by $12 billion, and then Trump made taxpayers shell out $28 billion in emergency farm payouts. The promises China is making in this deal don't come close to making up for the billions we have already lost and spent on Trump's nonsensical trade war. Murphy continued: This is classic Donald Trumpescalating a crisis for show and ratcheting it down with no wins for the U.S. when it's politically-expedient. This is what he always does, and it's American families who pay the price. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/courtney-leads-bipartisan-delegation-urging-navy-support-blue-water,Courtney Leads Bipartisan Delegation Urging Navy to Support Blue Water Submarine Veterans Seeking Care Through the VA,2019-12-13,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), Chairman of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, made public a letter he led along with a bipartisan coalition of 45 Members of Congress to Acting Secretary of the Navy, Thomas Modly, encouraging the Navy to provide maximum possible support to the VA as the VA works to confirm the eligibility of Vietnam veterans who served aboard submarines for benefits under the Blue Water Vietnam Veterans Act (PL 116-23), which is set to go into effect on January 1, 2020. The VA relies on information and records from the Navy to confirm which vessels served in the waters in and around Vietnam during the time period prescribed in the law. Rep. Courtney was joined by 45 of his colleagues in sending the letter, which can be viewed here and below. I was proud to see Congress at last take action on this critical issue related to the exposure of our Blue Water veterans to chemicals commonly known as Agent Orange when the House passed H.R. 299 in May, with the Senate following shortly thereafter, said Congressman Courtney. As we approach the effective date of this legislation, however, the VA is not yet prepared to include submarines in the ship locator tool' that VA employees will use to confirm eligibility for affected veterans. This means that our submarine veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War will have to wait even longer to receive care under this new law. I'm committed to ensuring that our submariners are treated on parity with their shipmates who served aboard surface ships to the greatest extent possible, and that's why I led this letter to Acting Secretary Modly urging him to give this issue the highest possible consideration. The ship locator tool and the current challenges in confirming the eligibility of submarine veterans for the Blue Water Vietnam Veterans Act were discussed in an October 30th hearing of the House Veterans Affairs subcommittee on Disability Benefits & Memorial Affairs. The letter requested that the Navy provide a response on its plan for how it will assist the VA on this issue to Congress within 30 days of receipt. Courtney has been a lead cosponsor of the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act every session since the 112th Congress. Rep. Courtney has also created a resource page for veterans who may qualify for benefits under the new law which provides guidance on how to apply or reapply, as necessary. You can view the page online here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-statement-ahead-seventh-anniversary-sandy-hook-shooting,DeLauro Statement Ahead of Seventh Anniversary of Sandy Hook Shooting,2019-12-13,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC (December 13, 2019)Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement ahead of the seventh anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Seven years ago, we bore witness to an unspeakable massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary. We lost 26 beautiful souls on that cold December dayand nothing has been the same since. We can never make those who lost a child, a sibling, or a parent whole again, but their enduring strength is what keeps me going to stop the gun violence epidemic. Earlier this month, I stood shoulder-to-shoulder with students who attended Sandy Hook Elementary during the shooting as we advocated for stronger gun violence prevention policies. Their courage and commitment is unparalleled, and no one is going to be able to stand in their way. This year, the House of Representatives passed a bipartisan expansion of background checks, which would help keep guns out of the wrong hands. I have also continued to call for funding for gun violence prevention research, as well as a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. The gun lobby and Senate Republicans have stonewalled our efforts, but we will never give up. We have a moral obligation to honor those killed in Newtown with action, and we will enact legislation that saves lives no matter how long it takes. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://hayes.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-hayes-senator-blumenthal-introduce-bipartisan-resolution-reaffirming,"Rep. Hayes, Senator Blumenthal Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Reaffirming Federal Support For Disabled Americans",2019-12-13,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Jahana Hayes,H001081,hayes.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON On the anniversary of the United Nations adopting the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, United States Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) and United States Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced H. Con. Res 80, which declares federal government support of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act as well as legislation from 1968 requiring all infrastructure built with public funds to be made fully accessible to disabled individuals. This bipartisan resolution was cosponsored by Representatives Susie Lee (NV-03), Jim Langevin (RI-02), Jim Himes (CT-04), John Larson (CT-01), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), David Cicilline (RI-01), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Donald Payne (NJ-02), and Don Young (AK-AL). Adopted in 2006, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities became global law in May 2008. It has become one of the most widely-supported global treaties, having been ratified by more than 85% of United Nations member states. The Convention recognized global disability rights in a variety of areas including infrastructure design, communications, and accessibility. Rep. Hayes said: Throughout our history, we have worked to expand the protection of the law all. This resolution is the latest step on that journey a pledge that our government and the buildings that house it - must work for all Americans. I thank Senator Blumenthal and all of my colleagues for joining me in this bipartisan effort to commit to equality under the law. Sen Blumenthal said: While we've made tremendous progress because of landmark laws, we still have far more to do to ensure every American has equal opportunity, access and rights. We must tear down all barriers preventing people with disabilities from striving for the American Dreamincluding physical barriers that make federal buildings and federally-funded housing inaccessible to them and keep them away from vital services and opportunities. Rep. Lee said: When one of my constituents comes to me with a problem, I'll do everything in my power to help them. That's just what happened here. A Boulder City resident and member of the Nevada advocacy group, Nevadans For The Common Good, Bruce Benke, wrote to me and told me their local Post Office didn't have automatic doors. Swinging a door open is something able-bodied people take for granted, but a resident with a physical disability doesn't have that luxury. After a back-and-forth with USPS, it was made clear they just don't have the funding for automatic doors. Unfortunately, there are Post Offices and federally-funded buildings throughout the country with inadequate physical access just like in my district. A society is measured by how it looks after its most vulnerable populations, and this bipartisan resolution is an important step in our duty to guarantee all Americans have access to federally-funded resources like the postal service. Rep. Langevin said: Our nation has made good progress in expanding access, but it is clear that we must do more to build an inclusive future for all. On the anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, we recommit ourselves to building public infrastructure that is welcoming to everyone. I thank my colleagues for coming together to show bipartisan support for this important cause. Rep. Himes said: The contributions and voices of our neighbors with disabilities are vital to enabling American success in the future. To ensure that all people have access to the public square it's imperative we make our buildings accessible and open. I'm proud to support Congresswoman Hayes' resolution to show that the Connecticut delegation is unified in this priority. Rep. Larson said: I'm proud to join Representative Hayes in introducing this resolution. We have made many strides in ensuring our nation's buildings are accessible to all, but more must be done. On the anniversary of the UN resolution, we are proud to affirm our support of the Americans with Disabilities Act and our pledge to make universal and inclusive design part of all infrastructure projects. Rep. DeLauro said: I am proud to recognize our nation's commitment to the principles of inclusion and expanding access and opportunities for all. All Americans deserve the ability to live and work with dignity, as well as contribute to their communities and our country. Rep. Courtney said: I'm grateful to Congresswoman Hayes for introducing this resolution, and I'm proud to join her in pressing ahead for a more complete realization of the goals set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act especially so on the anniversary of the historic United Nations resolution adopting the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. We must continue to ensure that inclusivity and accessibility are at the core of planning when it comes to future infrastructure projects. Rep. Payne said: The Americans with Disabilities Act was crucial to the protection of civil rights for disabled Americans. It was a way to make sure every American had access to jobs, transportation and public facilities. Democracy works best when all citizens have equal protection under the law. I am proud to support this bipartisan resolution and thank Congresswoman Jahana Hayes as well as Senator Blumenthal for drafting it. Rep. Young said: ""People living with disabilities come from all walks of life. They are our family members, friends, and neighbors. We should be doing all that we can to affirm the inherent worth and dignity of those with disabilities. This resolution is an important one, as it makes clear that all people -- regardless of ability -- are created equally, and deserve the same access to public places as anyone else. I sincerely thank my colleagues for their work on this important effort. ### Rep. Jahana Hayes has been a public school teacher in Connecticut for more than 15 years and was recognized in 2016 as the National Teacher of the Year. Currently serving her first term in the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Hayes sits on the Committees on Education & Labor and Agriculture and proudly represents Connecticut's 5th District",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=CA64CBDD-F028-4938-8F50-B818EA3BAA8B,"Rep. Hayes, Senator Blumenthal Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Reaffirming Federal Support For Disabled Americans",2019-12-13,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Jahana Hayes,H001081,hayes.house.gov,hayes,https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – On the anniversary of the United Nations adopting the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, United States Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) and United States Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced H. Con. Res 80, which declares federal government support of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act as well as legislation from 1968 requiring all infrastructure built with public funds to be made fully accessible to disabled individuals. This bipartisan resolution was cosponsored by Representatives Susie Lee (NV-03), Jim Langevin (RI-02), Jim Himes (CT-04), John Larson (CT-01), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), David Cicilline (RI-01), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Donald Payne (NJ-02), and Don Young (AK-AL). Adopted in 2006, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities became global law in May 2008. It has become one of the most widely-supported global treaties, having been ratified by more than 85% of United Nations member states. The Convention recognized global disability rights in a variety of areas including infrastructure design, communications, and accessibility. Rep. Hayes said: “Throughout our history, we have worked to expand the protection of the law all. This resolution is the latest step on that journey – a pledge that our government – and the buildings that house it - must work for all Americans. I thank Senator Blumenthal and all of my colleagues for joining me in this bipartisan effort to commit to equality under the law.” Sen Blumenthal said: “While we’ve made tremendous progress because of landmark laws, we still have far more to do to ensure every American has equal opportunity, access and rights. We must tear down all barriers preventing people with disabilities from striving for the American Dream—including physical barriers that make federal buildings and federally-funded housing inaccessible to them and keep them away from vital services and opportunities.” Rep. Lee said: “When one of my constituents comes to me with a problem, I’ll do everything in my power to help them. That’s just what happened here. A Boulder City resident and member of the Nevada advocacy group, Nevadans For The Common Good, Bruce Benke, wrote to me and told me their local Post Office didn’t have automatic doors. Swinging a door open is something able-bodied people take for granted, but a resident with a physical disability doesn’t have that luxury. After a back-and-forth with USPS, it was made clear they just don’t have the funding for automatic doors. Unfortunately, there are Post Offices and federally-funded buildings throughout the country with inadequate physical access just like in my district. A society is measured by how it looks after its most vulnerable populations, and this bipartisan resolution is an important step in our duty to guarantee all Americans have access to federally-funded resources like the postal service.” Rep. Langevin said: “Our nation has made good progress in expanding access, but it is clear that we must do more to build an inclusive future for all. On the anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, we recommit ourselves to building public infrastructure that is welcoming to everyone. I thank my colleagues for coming together to show bipartisan support for this important cause.” Rep. Himes said: “The contributions and voices of our neighbors with disabilities are vital to enabling American success in the future. To ensure that all people have access to the public square it’s imperative we make our buildings accessible and open. I’m proud to support Congresswoman Hayes’ resolution to show that the Connecticut delegation is unified in this priority.” Rep. Larson said: “I’m proud to join Representative Hayes in introducing this resolution. We have made many strides in ensuring our nation’s buildings are accessible to all, but more must be done. On the anniversary of the UN resolution, we are proud to affirm our support of the Americans with Disabilities Act and our pledge to make universal and inclusive design part of all infrastructure projects.” Rep. DeLauro said: “I am proud to recognize our nation’s commitment to the principles of inclusion and expanding access and opportunities for all. All Americans deserve the ability to live and work with dignity, as well as contribute to their communities and our country.” Rep. Courtney said: “I’m grateful to Congresswoman Hayes for introducing this resolution, and I’m proud to join her in pressing ahead for a more complete realization of the goals set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act – especially so on the anniversary of the historic United Nations resolution adopting the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. We must continue to ensure that inclusivity and accessibility are at the core of planning when it comes to future infrastructure projects.” Rep. Payne said: “The Americans with Disabilities Act was crucial to the protection of civil rights for disabled Americans. It was a way to make sure every American had access to jobs, transportation and public facilities. Democracy works best when all citizens have equal protection under the law. I am proud to support this bipartisan resolution and thank Congresswoman Jahana Hayes as well as Senator Blumenthal for drafting it.” Rep. Young said: ""People living with disabilities come from all walks of life. They are our family members, friends, and neighbors. We should be doing all that we can to affirm the inherent worth and dignity of those with disabilities. This resolution is an important one, as it makes clear that all people -- regardless of ability -- are created equally, and deserve the same access to public places as anyone else. I sincerely thank my colleagues for their work on this important effort.” ### Rep. Jahana Hayes has been a public school teacher in Connecticut for more than 15 years and was recognized in 2016 as the National Teacher of the Year. Currently serving her first term in the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Hayes sits on the Committees on Education & Labor and Agriculture and proudly represents Connecticut’s 5th District",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z http://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-if-trump-administration-successfully-kills-the-aca-20-million-people-will-lose-health-insurance,"MURPHY: IF TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SUCCESSFULLY KILLS THE ACA, 20 MILLION PEOPLE WILL LOSE HEALTH INSURANCE",2019-12-12,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"MURPHY: IF TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SUCCESSFULLY KILLS THE ACA, 20 MILLION PEOPLE WILL LOSE HEALTH INSURANCE Thursday, December 12, 2019 WASHINGTONU.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, on Thursday delivered remarks on the floor of the U.S. Senate on the importance of the Affordable Care Act as open enrollment season comes to a close on December 15th. Murphy said: We've seen more and more people go without insurance since this administration started to wage what is a pretty consistent, remarkable war on the Affordable Care Act. As we speak today, the Trump administration is in court trying to get the court system, the federal court system, to strike down the entirety of the Affordable Care Act. Murphy continued: If they are successful in that endeavor, then next year's deadline won't matter because the Affordable Care Act will be gone, 20 million people will lose their health insurance, insurers will once again be able to charge you more because you have a pre-existing condition, or your kid has cancer, or you're a woman. But as we fight that court case, we need to remember that the Affordable Care Act is still out there and it's still very affordable for millions and millions of Americans. 70% of enrollees who go on to healthcare.gov find that they qualify for financial help, meaning that the sticker price is not actually what you pay. The tax credits in Obamacare will help you get that premium lower. And in fact, on average, folks are getting pretty sizable [credits], in the neighborhood of $500. That can make healthcare incredibly affordable, Murphy concluded. A full transcript of Murphy's remarks can be found below: Thank you very much, Mr. President. Mr. President, I'm on the floor briefly today to remind my colleagues to remind their constituents that December 15th is the open enrollment deadline for health care at healthcare.gov. This is incredibly important because if you are uninsured or you are currently on a Affordable Care Act plan, if you don't renew or sign up by the 15th, then you'll be frozen out of the marketplace unless you have what's called a qualifying event. And I just want to make sure that we, as we head back for the weekend, make sure that we do everything we can to make sure that there aren't more people that go into the new year without insurance than is absolutely necessary. This is especially important because we've seen a big decline in the number of people who have insurance in this country since President Trump took office. Obviously, we made enormous progress after the passage of the Affordable Care Act. We were able to get the percentage of Americans without insurance down to around 5%. That's really, really extraordinary. And yet we have seen that progress reverse. We've seen more and more people go without insurance since this administration started to wage what is a pretty consistent, remarkable war on the Affordable Care Act. As we speak today, the Trump administration is in court trying to get the court system, the federal court system, to strike down the entirety of the Affordable Care Act. If they are successful in that endeavor, then next year's deadline won't matter because the Affordable Care Act will be gone, 20 million people will lose their health insurance, insurers will once again be able to charge you more because you have a pre-existing condition, or your kid has cancer, or you're a woman. But as we fight that court case, we need to remember that the Affordable Care Act is still out there and it's still very affordable for millions and millions of Americans. 70% of enrollees who go on to healthcare.gov find that they qualify for financial help, meaning that the sticker price is not actually what you pay. The tax credits in Obamacare will help you get that premium lower. And in fact, on average, folks are getting pretty sizable [credits], in the neighborhood of $500. That can make health care incredibly affordable. Even if the sticker price looks out of your range. A woman in Hartford named Deborah visited a local enrollment fair after receiving a letter saying that her premiums actually might be going up and she said this. She said, that scared me a little bit. So I wanted to come in and have someone explain to me whether it was going to go up, decrease, you know, what were my options? What ended up happening is that actually my premium went down, for the same plan. But I also learned that just because they renew you, I had the opportunity to go in and say, no, I don't want that plan. I want to choose this plan. I'm ecstatic with my new plan. I got educated on the insurance process and I like that.' And so you can still get that help. You can still get somebody on the phone to walk you through your choices. And I'd really encourage people to do that by this Sunday. But for folks that do find that affordable plan, I hope that you'll also step up and try to help us maintain the protections and the coverages that we have. We've been fighting a battle with the Trump administration that doesn't like the Affordable Care Act simply because the president's name is on it, despite the fact that Americans don't want the Affordable Care Act repealed. But the administration has been doing everything within its power to try to make it harder for people to sign-up. The administration has rolled back the advertising for the Affordable Care Act, so this is what qualifies for advertising todaycharts on the floor of the United States Senate. The administration has rolled back the money for the navigatorsthe people that help you pick which plan is right for you. The administration for a period of time threatened to stop paying insurance companies, which chilled the interest of insurers to actually offer plans on these exchanges. And now, as I mentioned, the administration is going to court to try to unroll and unwind the entirety of the act through a court case. Lastly though, what you will find if you go and enroll in some states, are plans that look like Affordable Care Act plans on these websites that actually aren't. That are what we call junk plansshort-term plansplans that don't really cover anything. They might not cover, maternity care, addiction care, mental health or prescription drugs. Some of these junk plans don't cover you if you get admitted to the hospital on a Friday or Saturday. Be careful of those plans because the sticker price is going to look really low, but that's for a reason. It's because they don't cover anything. And the president has allowed for those junk plans to be sold right next to the Affordable Care Act plans. So make sure that you're signing up for an Affordable Care Act regulated plan. That's a plan that's bronze or silver or gold, not one of these junk short-term plans, that is not going to be right for the vast, vast majority of Americans. Not too late. Sunday is the deadline. If you're in Connecticut, make sure to go to Access Health CT, or your state exchange if your state runs an exchange. If not, you can get health care through www.healthcare.gov. Thank you, Mr. President. I yield the floor. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murphy.senate.gov/view/murphy-highlights-importance-of-affordable-care-act-in-floor-speech,Murphy Highlights Importance Of Affordable Care Act in Floor Speech,2019-12-12,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"hartford Colt Gateway 120 Huyshope Avenue Suite 401 Hartford, CT 06106 P: (860) 549-8463 F: (860) 524-5091 Get Directions",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-courtney-helps-pass-landmark-drug-pricing-bill-hr-3-lower-drug-costs,"Rep. Courtney Helps Pass Landmark Drug Pricing Bill, H.R. 3 the Lower Drug Costs Now Act",2019-12-12,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-02), a senior member of the House Education and Labor Committee, voted in favor of the Lower Drug Costs Now Act (H.R. 3). Americans are paying disproportionately high prices for prescription medications compared to other countries, and the Lower Drug Costs Now Act would give Americans a better, fairer deal on prescription drug costs by finally allowing for Medicare to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies for lower, market-rate prices. The American people pay far more for prescription drugs than any other country in the world by wide, unacceptable margins, said Rep. Courtney. We're paying twenty five percent more per capita for prescription drugs than Switzerland, the country with the next-highest drug costs. A vial of insulin in the U.S. is $300 the same vial in Canada is $32. An EpiPen two-pack in the U.S. has a list price of $608 in the U.K., $69. One quarter of Americans say that it's difficult for them to afford their prescription, and one third of Americans say that they haven't taken their medicine as-prescribed due to trouble affording it. People are skipping dosages and cutting pills in half just to try and square their wallets with their doctors' orders Americans are being used as piggybanks by certain pharmaceutical manufacturers, and it's time for it to end. 2018 saw the largest voter turnout to any American election in over 100 years as the new majority was elected to the House of Representatives by over ten million votes. Health care, and more specifically the rising cost of prescription drugs, was the driving issue behind that historic turnout. That's precisely what we're addressing with H.R. 3. The Lower Drug Costs Now Act will finally allow for Medicare to negotiate for lower, fairer drug prices, and those prices won't be exclusive to seniors on Medicare they'll be available to the roughly 50% of Americans who receive health care through their employer, too. This is what America voted for last fall, and after working with my colleagues on the House Education and Labor Committee to craft this bill and see it through my committee, I'm proud to vote for its final passage in the House today. On October 17, Rep. Courtney and his colleagues on the House Education and Labor Committee voted to approve the Lower Drug Costs Now Act during a legislative markup session. Click here to watch Rep. Courtney's opening remarks during that day's markup. On November 6, Courtney convened a panel discussion and community conversation at the Groton Senior Center to address the skyrocketing cost of prescription medication, and to highlight the Lower Drug Costs Now Act and the work being done in Congress to give Americans a better deal on prescription drugs. Courtney was joined on the panel by regional health care experts Nora Duncan (Director, AARP Connecticut), Laura Hoch (Manager of Advocacy, National Multiple Sclerosis Society), and Judy Stein (Executive Director, Center for Medicare Advocacy). Together, the group outlined the growing problem of prescription drug price hiking, and expressed mutual support for H.R. 3. Click here to read their statements. The Lower Drug Costs Now Act finally levels the playing field for American patients and taxpayers: Gives Medicare the power to negotiate directly with the drug companies,and creates powerful new tools to force drug companies to the table to agree to real price reductions, while ensuring seniors never lose access to the prescriptions they need. Makes the lower drug prices negotiated byMedicare available to Americanswith private insurance,not just Medicare beneficiaries. Stops drug companies ripping off Americans while charging other countries less for the same drugs,limiting the maximum price for any negotiated drug to be in line with the average price incountries like ours, where drug companies charge less for the same drugs andadmit they still make a profit. Creates a new, $2,000 out-of-pocket limit on prescription drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries,and reverses years of unfair price hikes above inflation across thousands of drugs in Medicare. Reinvests the hundreds of billions of dollars in savings in the most transformational improvement to Medicare since its creation delivering vision, dental and hearing benefits and turbocharging the search for new cures. You can click here to learn more about the Lower Drug Costs Now Act on Congressman Courtney's website. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-courtney-statement-articles-impeachment-against-president-trump,Rep. Courtney Statement on Articles of Impeachment Against President Trump,2019-12-12,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02)released the following statement outlining his position on the two articles of impeachmentintroduced by the House Judiciary Committee against President Donald Trump: Therelease of two articles of impeachment on December 10, 2019 is the culmination of two and a half months of depositions, public hearings and legal analysis conducted under the House rules, H.Res. 660 passed by the House, and the Constitution. These activities were initiated after President Trump's Inspector General Michael Atkinson notified Congress of a credible' and urgent' complaint that centered around actions taken by President Trump that had serious ramifications to US national security. As someone who has voted three times since 2017 against Privileged Motions for impeachment brought in the House, and who had initially opposed commencing an impeachment process based on the Mueller Report, Mr. Atkinson's report, made pursuant to the law, raised a far different issue than before. It concerned actions by President Trump, not candidate Trump - and thus was not about relitigating the 2016 election' and also concerned the suspension of military assistance to Ukraine that the House Armed Services Committee, on which I proudly serve, had directly supported on a bipartisan basis. On the committee, we have tracked Russia's illegal occupation of Crimea, invasion of the Donbass region, and seizure of three Ukrainian navy vessels along with 20 sailors in international waters in 2018. The desperately needed military assistance that was suspended by President Trump was for an ally who is actively fighting a war against Russian aggression. Pages 67 through 82 of the Intelligence Committee's Impeachment Inquiry report clearly lay out the timeline of the 55-day suspension of aid that the Office of Management and Budget suddenly ordered despite the unanimous objections of the Departments of Defense, State, and NSC. During that time, the Los Angeles Times reported that 25 Ukrainian soldiers lost their lives in combat. The gravity of this feckless decision is clear and stunning. Pages 114 through 134 also make clear that during that 55-day hiatus, President Trump wanted a favor' before the assistance would be released namely, a public announcement by a foreign leader, Ukrainian PresidentZelensky, that he would commence an investigation aimed at former Vice President Biden and the widely de-bunked claims of Ukrainian interference in the 2016 election (page 121). Contrary to the President's assertions, this is not about a single call but instead reflects a sustained campaign by this President, his aides, and outside actors to use US assistance to solicit foreign involvement in our elections. After having read the 110-page Republican minority views on the intelligence committee impeachment inquiry report a number of times, it is clear that no meaningful rebuttal of those facts exists, partly because the White House indiscriminately barred key officials from testifying before the Intelligence Committee. It is also clear that the delayed release of the support to Ukraine on September 11, 2019 was due to the public revelation of the suspension in late August and the public furor it caused, as well as growing knowledge within the administration and in Congress of the existence of the whistleblower's complaint. That the aid was ultimately released, as required by the law, is not a compelling defense given all we now know about the events leading up to this decision. Article One of the impeachment resolution states President Trump abused the powers of the Presidency by ignoring and injuring national security and other vital interests to obtain an improper personal benefit.' Unfortunately, based on uncontested facts, the President's actions did cause harm to an ally, contradicted the clear bipartisan intent of Congress who approved the military assistance, and did so for his own benefit. This article does not relitigate' the actions of Candidate Trump in 2016, but is aimed squarely at President Trump's actions while in office. The Impeachment power of the Congress is reserved in Article One of the Constitution to regulate precisely this type of behavior. As Alexander Hamilton stated in Federalist No. 65,' the subject of impeachment is for those offences which proceed from the misconduct of public men, or in other words, the abuse or violation of the public trust.' His words describe accurately the situation addressed in Article One, and I intend to vote in support of it. Article Two of the impeachment resolution concerns the indiscriminate refusal of President Trump to recognize the Impeachment powers of the Congress. Article One, Section Two of the Constitution, clearly vests that power solely' in the House of Representatives. The blanket order of the President to defy the House is unprecedented, and no coherent explanation or defense has ever been offered to justify that decision. All of the President's aides who brazenly defied the impeachment inquiry could have claimed privilege to individual questions, but are not entitled to just refuse to appear. Once again, it is my intention to support the rule of law and uphold Congress's constitutional role as a coequal branch of our government, and vote in favor of Article Two. Our constitutional system of government relies on the President's faithful execution of laws duly passed by Congress in service of the national interest, not personal political benefit. Based on the evidence and testimony in the impeachment inquiry, it is clear to me that the President has failed to uphold that constitutional duty. Therefore, I willsolemnly support the articles of impeachment introduced this week when they come before me for a vote in the House. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-statement-white-house-paid-leave-summit,DeLauro Statement on White House Paid Leave Summit,2019-12-12,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC (December 12, 2019)Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement on the White House's so-called Paid Leave summit. Working families in America need comprehensive paid family and medical leave now. Too many people are being forced to lose weeks' worth of pay in order to care for an ill loved one or a newborn child. That is a false choice, and we can fix it with bipartisan legislation: the FAMILY Act. In the absence of federal action, states and businesses are leading the way through generous paid leave programs modeled on the FAMILY Act. Other proposalswhich disregard medical leave even as 75% of all workers who take unpaid leave do so to address health concerns for themselves or a loved onewould rob people of critical benefits like Social Security, the Child Tax Credit, and state unemployment insurance. That is the wrong path. The FAMILY Act is comprehensive, bipartisan, and has over 200 cosponsors in the House of Representatives. The choice is clear. All that remains is the willingness to take action for working people. The Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act (FAMILY) Act would create a universal, gender-neutral, national paid family and medical leave program. The FAMILY Act is the gold standard for paid leave legislation in Congress and would ensure that workers can take up to 12 weeks of paid leave for a pregnancy, the birth or adoption of a child, recovery from a serious illness, or to care for a seriously ill family member. Specifically, the FAMILY Act would: Provide up to 12 weeks of partial wages to working people who need to take time away from their jobs to address a serious personal or family health issue, to care for a newborn or newly adopted child, or for circumstances arising from a loved one's military deployment or serious injury; Be self-funded through payroll contributions from employers and employees of just two-tenths of 1% each (two cents per $10 in wages), or about $4 a week total, split between employers and employees; Guarantee portable coverage so that workers who have multiple jobs, change jobs, or are self-employed are provided with the same security as traditional employees; and Provide 66% wage replacement, capped at $4,000 a month. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://hayes.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-hayes-my-constituents-cannot-wait-change,Rep. Hayes: My Constituents Cannot Wait For Change,2019-12-12,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Jahana Hayes,H001081,hayes.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Today, the United States House of Representatives passed H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, a major piece of legislation set to address the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs in America. Included in H.R. 3 was the Supporting Trauma Informed Education Practices Act, which directs money recouped from drug companies involved in the opioid crisis to grants supporting mental health care for children in schools. This legislation was sponsored by Congresswoman Hayes. Before the bill's passage, Congresswoman Hayes spoke on the floor of the House urging her colleagues to support H.R. 3, saying patients in rural communities, the student in Meriden, and the 22,000 residents diagnosed with cancer each year cannot wait for change. WATCH ### *To hear more from Congresswoman Hayes on the H.R. 3 and other legislative matters, please click here. Rep. Jahana Hayes has been a public school teacher in Connecticut for more than 15 years and was recognized in 2016 as the National Teacher of the Year. Currently serving her first term in the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Hayes sits on the Committees on Education & Labor and Agriculture and proudly represents Connecticut's 5th District.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://hayes.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-hayes-statement-voting-favor-impeachment,Rep. Hayes Statement On Voting In Favor Of Impeachment,2019-12-12,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Jahana Hayes,H001081,hayes.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Today, United States Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) released the following statement: My commitment has always been to be honest and transparent with the people of Connecticut's 5th District on my thinking and the decisions I make. Impeachment is not a course I wanted to pursue. I came to Congress to make a difference, not to impeach a President. After extensive review of the articles of impeachment and the available evidence, I will vote in favor of impeaching the President of the United States. I do not take this action lightly and understand the gravity of the moment. As the impeachment discussion progressed, I remained committed to not weighing in publicly, believing it was important that everyone had the chance to examine the case for themselves. As the investigation proceeded, I deliberately chose not to comment without having had a chance to review all the evidence and study the full articles as drafted. I have now had the chance to thoroughly consider all the evidence and the articles of impeachment being considered on the floor of the House of Representatives. It is clear to me that the president attempted to use the Office of the President to demand a foreign leader investigate an American citizen for political gain. As I listened to the testimony, I became more concerned about the actions of the president. While some may argue these actions do not merit impeachment, to do nothing and normalize this behavior would be a dereliction of my oath of office. This is a moment where I must lead, and I will vote yes when the articles of impeachment are brought to the floor of the House. ### Rep. Jahana Hayes has been a public school teacher in Connecticut for more than 15 years and was recognized in 2016 as the National Teacher of the Year. Currently serving her first term in the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Hayes sits on the Committees on Education & Labor and Agriculture and proudly represents Connecticut's 5th District.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=680BBF66-5820-4C6A-8526-87D2A9F8ADF1,Rep. Hayes Statement On Voting In Favor Of Impeachment,2019-12-12,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Jahana Hayes,H001081,hayes.house.gov,hayes,https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, United States Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) released the following statement: My commitment has always been to be honest and transparent with the people of Connecticut’s 5th District on my thinking and the decisions I make. Impeachment is not a course I wanted to pursue. I came to Congress to make a difference, not to impeach a President. After extensive review of the articles of impeachment and the available evidence, I will vote in favor of impeaching the President of the United States. I do not take this action lightly and understand the gravity of the moment. As the impeachment discussion progressed, I remained committed to not weighing in publicly, believing it was important that everyone had the chance to examine the case for themselves. As the investigation proceeded, I deliberately chose not to comment without having had a chance to review all the evidence and study the full articles as drafted. I have now had the chance to thoroughly consider all the evidence and the articles of impeachment being considered on the floor of the House of Representatives. It is clear to me that the president attempted to use the Office of the President to demand a foreign leader investigate an American citizen for political gain. As I listened to the testimony, I became more concerned about the actions of the president. While some may argue these actions do not merit impeachment, to do nothing and normalize this behavior would be a dereliction of my oath of office. This is a moment where I must lead, and I will vote yes when the articles of impeachment are brought to the floor of the House. ### Rep. Jahana Hayes has been a public school teacher in Connecticut for more than 15 years and was recognized in 2016 as the National Teacher of the Year. Currently serving her first term in the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Hayes sits on the Committees on Education & Labor and Agriculture and proudly represents Connecticut’s 5th District.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=9E6525B4-FDBB-465D-8027-5FC5A660B976,Rep. Hayes: My Constituents Cannot Wait For Change,2019-12-12,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Jahana Hayes,H001081,hayes.house.gov,hayes,https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, the United States House of Representatives passed H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, a major piece of legislation set to address the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs in America. Included in H.R. 3 was the Supporting Trauma Informed Education Practices Act, which directs money recouped from drug companies involved in the opioid crisis to grants supporting mental health care for children in schools. This legislation was sponsored by Congresswoman Hayes. Before the bill’s passage, Congresswoman Hayes spoke on the floor of the House urging her colleagues to support H.R. 3, saying “patients in rural communities”, “the student in Meriden”, and the “22,000 residents diagnosed with cancer each year” cannot wait for change. [[{""fid"":""264054"",""view_mode"":""default"",""fields"":{""class"":""media-element file-congress-small"",""data-delta"":""1"",""format"":""default"",""alignment"":""center"",""field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]"":false,""field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]"":false},""link_text"":null,""type"":""media"",""field_deltas"":{""1"":{""class"":""media-element file-congress-small"",""data-delta"":""1"",""format"":""default"",""alignment"":""center"",""field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]"":false,""field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]"":false}},""attributes"":{""class"":""media-element file-default media-wysiwyg-align-center"",""data-delta"":""1""}}]] WATCH ### *To hear more from Congresswoman Hayes on the H.R. 3 and other legislative matters, please click here. Rep. Jahana Hayes has been a public school teacher in Connecticut for more than 15 years and was recognized in 2016 as the National Teacher of the Year. Currently serving her first term in the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Hayes sits on the Committees on Education & Labor and Agriculture and proudly represents Connecticut’s 5th District.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-votes-lower-prescription-drug-costs-americans,Larson Votes to Lower Prescription Drug Costs for Americans,2019-12-12,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,John Larson,L000557,larson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) voted for the H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act. Larson is a cosponsor of the legislation. Prescription drug prices have skyrocketed over the years. A woman from Wethersfield wrote in to me to say, The cost of the Epi-Pen is outrageous. Even with my insurance it is so expensive I couldn't get the prescription filled and took my chances. When I had an allergic reaction I called 911 instead.' This is not how it should be in America. I'm proud to vote for this vital legislation today, said Larson. H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act: Gives Medicare the power to negotiate directly with the drug companies. Larson's Medicare Buy-In and Health Care Stabilization Act also allows this. Makes the lower drug prices negotiated byMedicare available to Americanswith private insurance, not just Medicare beneficiaries. Creates a new, $2,000 out-of-pocket limit on prescription drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries, and reverses years of unfair price hikes above inflation across thousands of drugs in Medicare. Includes dental, hearing, and vision coverage for Medicare Part B for the first time. Reinvests in innovation and the search for new cures and treatments, by investing $10 billion for biomedical research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Provides $10 billion in direct funding over five years to address the opioid epidemic. Addresses the maternal mortality crisis, by doubling the investment in the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting program, a proven tool to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-harris-applaud-house-passage-of-legislation-to-help-protect-coastal-communities,"MURPHY, HARRIS APPLAUD HOUSE PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION TO HELP PROTECT COASTAL COMMUNITIES",2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"MURPHY, HARRIS APPLAUD HOUSE PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION TO HELP PROTECT COASTAL COMMUNITIES Wednesday, December 11, 2019 WASHINGTONU.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Kamala D. Harris (D-Calif.) this week applauded the House of Representatives after it passed theLivingShorelinesAct,legislation that invests in protecting coastal communities from rising sea levels and stronger storms by creating a new grant program for nature-based shoreline protection projects known asliving shorelines. In June, Senators Murphy and HarrisintroducedtheLivingShorelinesActin the Senate.Representative Frank Pallone (NJ-06) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. As a sponsor of the Senate version of this bill, I want to applaud my friends in the House of Representatives, led by Congressman Pallone, for passing this important legislation. The Living Shorelines Act helps protect coastal communities along Long Island Sound, by sending money to towns that are working on environmentally friendly projects to fortify against future storms and rising sea levels. Senator Harris and I will work hard with our colleagues in the Senate to get this bill across the finish line,said Murphy. The United States is facing a climate crisis,said Harris.As severe storms and flooding become more common made worse by rising sea levels and increasing temperatures we must take bold action to protect our coastal communities. And as we take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we must also prepare communities for the climate change impacts we are already facing. That is why I am grateful for Congressman Pallone's partnership on this issue and I applaud the House of Representatives for prioritizing the creation oflivingshorelinesin order to protect our coasts. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to pass this legislation immediately. The Living Shorelines Act will help us protect our coastal communities from the effects of climate change, including more flooding from sea level rise and stronger hurricanes, by harnessing proven natural infrastructure solutions. The passage of this legislation by the U.S. House sends a clear message to Americans that Congress is serious about protecting coastal communities from the effects of the climate crisis, Congressman Pallone said. Since Superstorm Sandy, we have invested hundreds of millions of dollars to make my home state of New Jersey more resilient against the effects of climate change. This legislation will provide additional help so communities can use living shorelines to effectively mitigate future flooding while benefiting local economies. Strengthening living shorelines will also improve the local environment by supporting water quality and habitats for local wildlife and fish as well as provide enhanced opportunities for recreation. Livingshorelinesare a type of green infrastructure that protect and stabilize coastal edges by using natural materials such as plants, sand, shell, or rock. Unlike a concrete seawall or other artificial structure, which impedes the growth of plants and animals,livingshorelinescan grow over time, allowing them to adapt to changing conditions. Using green and natural infrastructure, communities can create a buffer that mitigates the impacts of shoreline flooding by reducing wave energy and decreasing erosion. Green infrastructure is cost-effective and can also provide benefits such as improved local water quality and ecology. TheLivingShorelinesActwill: Establish a grant program to help states, towns, and NGOs implement climate resilientlivingshoreline projects and encourage the use of natural materials in the protection of coastal communities; Direct NOAA to develop criteria to select grantees based on the potential of the project to protect the community, and the ecological benefits of the project, among other things; Prioritize areas that have received a Stafford Act disaster declaration or areas that have a documented history of coastal inundation or erosion; and Authorize $50 million a year for these grants. Supporters of theLivingShorelinesActinclude The Nature Conservancy, the National Wildlife Federation and the American Society of Landscape Architects. Full bill text can be foundhere ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-measure-to-combat-russian-influence-clears-committee-heads-to-senate-floor,"MURPHY MEASURE TO COMBAT RUSSIAN INFLUENCE CLEARS COMMITTEE, HEADS TO SENATE FLOOR",2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"MURPHY MEASURE TO COMBAT RUSSIAN INFLUENCE CLEARS COMMITTEE, HEADS TO SENATE FLOOR Bill Provides New Tools for U.S. to Create Economic Opportunities in Energy Sector to Aid Transatlantic Security Wednesday, December 11, 2019 WASHINGTONU.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on Wednesday joined the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee's markup of several pieces of legislation, including bills that would sanction Turkey for expanding its incursion into northeastern Syria and a Murphy-led bill that combats Russian influence and increases transatlantic security by supporting energy independence from Russia. The European Energy Security and Diversification Act would, for the first time, allow the United States to help finance strategic energy projects in Europe and Eurasia. This is a substantial new tool for the United States to combat malign Russian influence and create economic opportunities at home and abroad. The bill was introduced by Murphy, along with U.S. Senators Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Europe Subcommittee, Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), ranking member of the Europe Subcommittee, Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Cory Gardner (R-Colo.). ""This is a piece of legislation that seeks to redress what has been an asymmetry in the way in which we try to combat Russia's attempts to curry favor in the region with its oil and gas, Murphy said. This would set up a capacity inside the new Development Finance Corporation to finance projects in and around Russia's periphery that would make those nations energy independent of Russia. Murphy continued: Projects done in Europe would be done in consultation with Europe's priority list of projects that they are planning to put money into as well. And I think that this, frankly, is the best way ultimately to hurt Putin where it matters. If we are able to help make countries truly energy independent of Russia's energy largesse, then it effectuates so many U.S. national security goals in the region. Last week, Murphy gave remarks at the Atlantic Council's conference on U.S. strategic interests in Ukraine. Murphy also pressed the State Department's Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale and Assistant Secretary for International Security and Nonproliferation Christopher Ford about the need to create energy independence from Russia to help strengthen national security. In 2015, Murphy authored Rethinking the Battlefield, providing a comprehensive blueprint for how America can protect its citizens. A transcript of Murphy's remarks in Committee can be found here, as delivered: MURHY: ""I do have a revised first-degree amendment. But let me just thank all of my co-sponsors, in particular Senator Johnson, Senator Rubio, Senator Gardner, Senator Cardin, Senator Shaheen. ""This is a piece of legislation that seeks to redress what has been an asymmetry in the way in which we try to combat Russia's attempts to curry favor in the region with its oil and gas. This is I think, a compliment in many ways to Senator Barrasso's legislation, which I am glad passed. This would set up a capacity inside the new Development Finance Corporation to finance projects in and around Russia's periphery that would make those nations energy independent of Russia. ""This is energy resource nonspecific, and so it would allow the Development Finance Corporation, in consultation with the Department of State, to make decisions about which projects would merit this kind of financing. Projects done in Europe would be done in consultation with Europe's priority list of projects that they are planning to put money into as well. And I think that this, frankly, is the best way ultimately to hurt Putin where it matters. If we are able to help make countries truly energy independent of Russia's energy largesse, then it effectuates so many U.S. national security goals in the region. ""I supported Senator Barrasso's bill specific to LNG. This would allow the United States to finance a much larger scope of projects in the region. Again, I thank Senator Johnson for his work. I have a clarifying amendment to the manager's package, Murphy first degree revised, that I asked to be adopted."" [] MURPHY: ""I certainly appreciate the spirit with which the Senator offers this amendment. I would oppose it. We have crafted language in this bill that frankly reflects previous legislation passed by this committee investing in energy security. This language mirrors that which was in the Power Africa Act. ""And as I noted in my opening statement, I share the same concerns that Senator Merkley does and Senator Markey do, about trying to make sure that we are financing projects that [are] indeed confronting the crisis of climate change. But I do note that in several parts of this bill, we prioritize projects that are part of the EU's Strategic Investment Plan and the EU is of course prioritizing projects that are combating climate change. ""So, I think in the underlying language we give the kind of preference that Senator Merkley is looking for. I don't think that this amendment, nor Senator Markey's if he should offer it, is necessary."" [] MURPHY: ""Thank you. Again, I'd object to this amendment on the same grounds. I think the underlying language achieves that prioritization by deferring and including a reference to European energy prioritization; we are inevitably going to be in the business of funding projects that lean towards renewables and away from fossil fuels. And given that the underlying goal here, is really a national security goal, to try to break Russia's energy grip on its periphery, I think having some degree of flexibility here is important. ""I imagine this vote lines up very much like the other one, and I oppose the amendment."" [] ""Again, I believe that, that prioritization is already included in the underlying legislation because of the specific references that we have built into financing projects that have been already prioritized by the EU. The EU in their own energy financing goals, clearly state that renewables and projects that will reduce global warming emissions meet their criteria. So again, I think that we've done the work of this prioritization [in] the underlying bill."" [] MURPHY: ""So this bill, which has taken a long time to get to this Committee, is a carefully constructed compromise between the sponsors of the legislation and you can probably guess where my sentiments would ultimately lie. But in interest of getting this bill through this Committee and getting it through the Senate, it's already passed the House of Representatives, and onto the president's desk, I'm going to oppose this amendment. Because I believe very legitimately, that the goals of this amendment are addressed in the underlying statute and to try to hold together the carefully crafted compromise. I'm going to oppose the amendment. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-statement-on-coast-guard-commandants-refusal-to-appear-at-congressional-hearing-on-harassment,MURPHY STATEMENT ON COAST GUARD COMMANDANTS REFUSAL TO APPEAR AT CONGRESSIONAL HEARING ON HARASSMENT,2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"MURPHY STATEMENT ON COAST GUARD COMMANDANT'S REFUSAL TO APPEAR AT CONGRESSIONAL HEARING ON HARASSMENT Wednesday, December 11, 2019 WASHINGTONU.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Wednesday criticized the Coast Guard's failure to adequately respond to harassment and bullying at the United States Coast Guard Academy and for attempts by senior Coast Guard leaders to cover up and avoid accountability for those responsible.In addition, Murphy criticized Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Schultz for failing to appear before the U.S. House of Representatives Homeland Security and Oversight Committees to discuss how the U.S. Coast Guard is addressing sexual harassment and bullying. Over a year ago, I demanded that Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Schultz hold responsible the Academy officers who harassed, bullied, and attempted to cover up their actions. By refusing to appear at today's hearing, I fear that the Coast Guard is telegraphing that it does not treat this issue with the seriousness it deserves. We must reaffirm our commitment to protecting the women and men at the Coast Guard Academy by making sure this kind of abusive behavior isn't tolerated, said Murphy. The Coast Guard must immediately implement the House Report recommendations on harassment, bullying, and retaliation. I will continue to insist on full transparency and holding those Coast Guard officers accountable for their actions. In June, following an OIG Whistleblower Retaliation Investigation and other reports of bullying, harassment and retaliation at the United States Coast Guard Academy, Murphy wrote a letter to Admiral Schultz asking for a tougher response to reform the Academy's climate of bullying, harassment and retaliation. In his letter, Murphy also raised the issue of underrepresentation of minority and female faculty at the Coast Guard Academy, and requested that Admiral Schultz give a higher priority to addressing and reforming the way the Coast Guard handles complaints of bullying, harassment and retaliation against female and minority members specifically. In June 2018, Murphy along with U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-02) wrote to Admiral Schultz seeking information on racial disparities at the Coast Guard Academy. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-vandykes-radical-opinions-on-guns-are-outside-the-conservative-mainstream,MURPHY: VANDYKES RADICAL OPINIONS ON GUNS ARE OUTSIDE THE CONSERVATIVE MAINSTREAM,2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"MURPHY: VANDYKE'S RADICAL OPINIONS ON GUNS ARE OUTSIDE THE CONSERVATIVE MAINSTREAM Wednesday, December 11, 2019 WASHINGTONU.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), on Tuesday delivered remarks on the floor of the U.S. Senate in opposition to Lawrence VanDyke, nominee for U.S. Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit. During his remarks, Murphy called out VanDyke's history of opposing common sense gun laws and cozying up to the National Rifle Association (NRA). Murphy said: I do not believe that Mr. VanDyke is within the mainstream when it comes to his positions on the issue of gun violence. As Solicitor General of Montana, he argued that the federal government should not have the power to regulate gun ownership in his state of Montana. Now, this is a political cause that is picking up steam in some conservative circles around the country, but it is still a radical notion, Murphy continued. I come to the floor to just point out a handful of ways in which Mr. VanDyke's record, I believe, is outside of the conservative mainstream when it comes to guns. I think he holds positions that would make even NRA endorsed Republicans in this body a little uncomfortable, especially this idea that states can nullify federal firearms laws, Murphy continued. Murphy concluded: This is someone who's going to bring some pretty radical ideas on what the Constitution allows states to do, and what the Constitution allows this body to do when it comes to keeping our constituents safe. VanDyke's nomination is opposed by six former Montana Supreme Court Justices and more than 200 outside groups including the Alliance for Justice; Coalition to Stop Gun Violence; Giffords Law Center; Lambda Legal and 24 Advocacy Organizations; League of Conservation Voters; NARAL; Human Rights Campaign and the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights which is coalition of more than 200 national organizations including Planned Parenthood Federation of America, AFL-CIO; NAACP; National Education Association; People for the American Way, and National Council of Jewish Women. In November, Murphydemanded the U.S. Senate bring up a vote on the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 (H.R.8) just as reports surfaced of a school shooting in California. Senate Republicans objected to the unanimous consent request. A full transcript of Murphy's remarks can be found below: Thank you very much, Mr. President. Mr. President, I am here to join my colleague from Connecticut, Senator Blumenthal and others, in urging my colleagues to oppose the nomination of Lawrence VanDyke. And I may risk repeating some of the ground covered by Senator Blumenthal, but I think it's important enough that we reiterate over and over the dangerous nature of this particular nomination. I have come down to speak on the floor in opposition to maybe only a handful of the president's judicial nominees. And in fact, if you look up the voting record, I probably am amongst a very small handful of Democrats that have routinely voted for the president's nominees. Not just judicial nominees, but also his appointments to positions in his administration. Often in committee, I'm the only Democrat supporting some of the president's nominees and appointments. And that's because I've come to the conclusion that this body should give deference to the administration and to the president, when it comes particularly to filling out those that work for him in political appointments, but to a degree, as well in the judiciary. And so, I've put my votes where my test is, and probably with only two or three exceptions of the Democratic Caucus, I voted for more of the president's nominees than the rest of my colleagues on this side of the aisle. My test is pretty simple: One, I want individuals who are qualified, and obviously, qualifications are sometimes in the eye of the beholder. But I want folks who know something about the job that they're about to undertake or have some set of skills that will be relevant. And second, I want to make sure that the candidates that we are reviewing for judgeships or for administration posts are not out of the mainstream. And I mean, the conservative mainstream. I don't want folks who have radical points of view. Mr. VanDyke doesn't pass that test, as far as I'm concerned. And that's why I chose to come down to the floor and express my opposition to his nomination. And in particular, I do not believe that Mr. VanDyke is within the mainstream when it comes to his positions on the issue of gun violence. Obviously, this is a personal issue, not just to me but to everybody in this chamber. And we have a lot of disagreement, maybe a narrowing set of disagreements, on the policy surrounding what we should do to better protect this country against the growing scourge of gun violence. But Mr. VanDyke has held a position that would take away from this body the ability to keep our friends and our neighbors and our constituents safe. Mr. VanDyke's record, as a candidate for the Supreme Court and as a solicitor general, was to endorse views outside of the mainstream, that would take away from us the ability to pass laws to keep people safe. Let me tell you what I'm talking about. First and foremost, he was a vocal proponent of something called the Firearms Freedom Act. As Solicitor General of Montana, he argued that the federal government should not have the power to regulate gun ownership in his state of Montana. Now, this is a political cause that is picking up steam in some conservative circles around the country, but it is still a radical notion. The idea that Congress can pass a law restricting who can own a gun or what kind of guns can be owned and then a state can just claim that those laws are not valid in their state. That's what Montana was attempting to do and that's what Mr. VanDyke was pushing. The idea that that state was just going to conveniently avoid enforcing Federal Firearms Act and laws. Now, that position is unconstitutional and federal courts have held that it is unconstitutional, but it didn't stop Mr. VanDyke from pushing what is essentially a political cause. The idea that one of the ways to stymie federal action on guns is to just convince states to pass laws saying that they won't enforce federal laws. That's a really slippery slope to go down, certainly on the issue of enforcement of firearms laws, but it's a slippery slope to go down with respect to any federal laws that states may want to ignore or invalidate. Second, Mr. VanDyke has taken a position of posing the constitutionality of restrictions on the sales of certain types of weapons. We have big disagreements here as to what kind of weapons should be sold commercially and which kind of weapons should be reserved for law enforcement and the military. I believe that these semi-automatic assault style weapons like the AR-15, they are best left in the hands of those they were designed for: soldiers, law enforcement. Many of my Republican colleagues don't agree. But that should be a debate that we have here. And I simply do not believe that our founding fathers would accept the premise that the constitution restricts our ability to decide what kind of weapons should be in civilian hands, and what kind of weapons should be in the hands of the military. There was all sorts of gun regulation happening at the time of the passage of the United States Constitution. They were not unfamiliar with the idea that government was going to have a hand to play in regulating firearms. And I reject the idea that the Constitution bars us from having those debates. Mr. VanDyke has spent a lot of time arguing that the Constitution prohibits Congress from acting to keep dangerous weapons out of the hands of civilians. It's one thing to have a policy objection, it's another thing to put somebody into the federal court system that doesn't think that we should have ownership as a political body of a question which is inherently political, not constitutional. And so, I come to the floor to just point out a handful of ways in which Mr. VanDyke's record, I believe, is outside of the conservative mainstream when it comes to guns. I think he holds positions that would make even NRA-endorsed Republicans in this body a little uncomfortable, especially this idea that states can nullify federal firearms laws. And so, though there are many reasons, I think, to draw an issue with this particular nominee, I put this set of issues at the top of the list. And, again, this is coming from someone who has spent a lot of time supporting the president's nominees, with whom I have big policy disagreements. This is, I think, beyond a question of policy disagreements. This is someone who's going to bring some pretty radical ideas on what the constitution allows states to do, and what the constitution allows this body to do when it comes to keeping our constituents safe. I would urge us to oppose Lawrence VanDyke's nomination and I would yield the floor. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/courtney-effort-preserve-gi-bill-transferability-adopted-final-defense,Courtney Effort to Preserve GI Bill Transferability Adopted in Final Defense Authorization Bill,2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC Congressman Joe Courtney(CT-02)today highlighted the inclusion of his amendment to block a Department of Defense (DOD) plan to restrict service members with greater than sixteen years of service from transferring their Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits to eligible family members as part of the final National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference report. Courtney has worked since July 2018 to block this misguided plan. I proudly helped pass the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill back during my first term to honor the service and sacrifice of our veterans by providing them and their loved ones with educational opportunities,said Congressman Courtney.TheDefense Department's plan to restrict our longest-serving servicemembers from transferring those G.I. Bill benefits falls far short of honoring their sacrificeit would have wrongedthose vets who are willing and able to continue their service. Ending this plan once and for all is the right thing to do, and I am grateful for the bipartisan support that has made this possible. IAVA commends Congressman Courtney for having veterans' backs and rallying his colleagues to stand at the forefront of the fight to defend the GI Bill, said Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) CEO Jeremy Butler. In 2008, IAVA fought to create the Post-9/11 GI Bill and it has proven to be one of the most transformative federal benefits in history. When DoD moved to limit access to the GI Bill, IAVA responded by delivering a petition signed by nearly 55,000 of our members in strong opposition. We are grateful that our voices were heard. In July of 2018, the DOD announced a policy change that would prevent service members with greater than sixteen years of service from transferring their Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits to eligible family members. Following the announcement,Courtney led a bipartisan lettersigned by 83 of his colleagues in the House to Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis strongly opposing the announced policy change. A number of veterans' organizations have also called for a reversal of the DOD's policy, including the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA),who submitted a petition to the Pentagon requesting that the DOD reconsider the policy with the signatures of more than 54,000 supporters, veterans, and IAVA members. During committee consideration of the FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, Congressman Courtneywon bipartisan support for an amendmentwhich would prevent the Secretary of Defense from restricting the ability of servicemembers with more than sixteen years of service to transfer their Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits to eligible dependents. The FY 2020 NDAA was ultimately passed out of committee by a vote of 33-24. With the adoption of Courtney's amendment in the committee's final version of the bill, Courtney led another letter to DOD in June, signedby 29 members of the House Armed Services Committee,requesting that the department delay the planned July 12, 2019implementationof the policy until Congress has fully weighed in on this issue in completing its work on the FY2020 NDAA. In response, theDOD informed Courtney that they would delay implementationof the plan until January 12, 2020. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/courtney-statement-passage-fy-2020-national-defense-authorization,Courtney Statement on Passage of FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Conference Report,2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), Chairman of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, made the following statement today after voting to pass the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference report. Courtney was a conferee appointed to the committee responsible for negotiating the final bill. The FY 2020 NDAA conference report passed the House on a bipartisan basis by a vote of 376-48. This bipartisan and bicameral agreement sends a clear and powerful message that the House is getting its work done, Courtney said. I'm proud to see the results that the House Armed Services, led by Chairman Adam Smith, has achieved for our servicemembers and their families in this final bill. The inclusion of paid parental leave for our federal employees is a great step in achieving parity between members of the military and the civilian workforce that supports them. And, the repeal of the Widow's Tax, sought for two decades, will bring long overdue fairness to our military survivors. Chairman Smith fought hard for these priorities, and I am proud to support this agreement. I'm particularly proud that as I close out my first year as Chairman of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, this agreement includes many of the priorities I fought for to invest in our nations capabilities on, above and under the seas, Courtney added. In addition to fully backing the recently announced Block V submarine contract, this agreement provides full throated support for the tenth option' boat to address the consistent and urgent needs of our combatant commanders. This agreement also largely endorses the subcommittee's work to address the future of our domestic sealift capabilities, which are the backbone of our nation's ability to respond around the world. Overall, this agreement reflects the hard work and bipartisan input of our subcommittee, and I am proud to have led the panel in making a strong mark on our nation's seapower and projection forces priorities. Key provisions that Courtney championed in the 2020 NDAA: Seapower and Projection Forces Priorities In his first year as Chairman of the Seapower and Projection Forces subcommittee, Courtney has advocated for Navy, Air Force, and maritime priorities important to Connecticut and the nation, including: Virginia Class Submarine The agreement authorizes $8.5 billion for two Virginia class submarines in 2020 and advanced procurement for additional submarines in 2021 and 2022. The conference report reflects adjustments to the budget request needed support the recently-announced Block V contract, including $522 million to restore the Virginia Payload Module removed from one of the 2020 submarines in the President's budget request. The conference report includes a strong statement in Congressional support for construction of ten boats across the 2019-2023 contract, and authorizes an additional $200 million in advanced procurement specifically to support the tenth option boat. The agreement also authorizes an additional $100 million to accelerate development of additional capabilities in future submarines. Columbia Class Ballistic Missile Submarines The conference report authorizes nearly $2.4 billion for the Columbia class submarine, including $1.8 billion in advanced procurement to support construction start of next year and $548 million for continued research and development. The total includes an additional $123 million Courtney helped to secure for continued development of the submarine supplier base to shore up critical suppliers in preparation for the growth in submarine construction work in the coming decade. Submarine industrial base workforce training - the agreement authorizes $8 million to support workforce training programs to help support expansion of the skilled submarine workforce as the industrial base ramps up construction of the Columbia class program. Courtney has strongly supported workforce development efforts in the region to support hiring at Electric Boat and the supply chain. Submarine Maintenance The final report authorizes an additional $653 million to support Navy ship and submarine depot maintenance requirements, including much-needed depot-level maintenance on three Los Angeles-class submarines - the Hartford, Boise and Columbus. Two of these submarine maintenance availabilities are planned be completed in private shipyards, an option Courtney has long pressed the Navy to take advantage of as our public shipyards are above capacity and private shipyards are ramping up for construction of the first Columbia class submarine. C-130H Modernization The measure continues Congressman Courtney's efforts to accelerate the modernization of the C-130H cargo aircraft fleet, like those flown by the Connecticut Air National Guard. In addition to fully supporting the efforts to upgrade and modernize the avionics of the fleet, the final agreement retains the House-passed authorization Courtney secured for $134 million for critical modernization upgrades, including $79 million for higher efficiency engines and $55 million for procurement of new NP2000 propellers, built by UTC Aerospace, that will improve performance of the fleet. Long Range Strike Bomber The bill fully supports the requested $3 billion for continued development of the B-21 Raider. Pratt & Whitney is a partner in the next-generation long range strike bomber program. KC-46A Tanker The bill authorizes about $2.2 billion for 12 KC-46A tanker aircraft, which are powered by Pratt & Whitney engines. KMAX The bill responds to an unfunded priority request from the Marine Corps by included Courtney's request for authorization of $18.5 million to continue development of unmanned logistics capabilities with the CQ-24A helicopter manufactured by Bloomfield-based Kaman Aerospace. Navy Shipbuilding Overall, the final report authorizes more than $23 billion to procure 12 battle force ships. The bill authorizes the procurement of two Virginia-class submarines, three DDG 51 Arleigh Burke destroyers, one Guided Missile Frigate, one LPD Flight II amphibious ship and one LHD amphibious ship, both through incremental funding authority, two T-AO 205 oilers, and two T-ATS towing, salvage, and rescue ships. In addition, the report restores funding for the refueling of the USS Harry S. Truman to allow the carrier to continue to contribute to our national defense over its full, 50-year service life - the Trump Administration proposed retiring the carrier with nearly half its service lift left, and later reversed the plan in the face of bipartisan opposition in Congress. Recapitalization of our Domestic Sealift Capabilities The report includes several Courtney-led investments in the recapitalization of our domestic sealift and maritime response capabilities, responding to increasingly urgent testimony from leaders at the Maritime Administration and Transportation Command. The bill includes a long-term reauthorization of the Maritime Security Program, establishment of a new-build domestic sealift vessel program based on an existing design and well-established shipbuilding practice, and requires a report on or nation's dependence on foreign-flagged tanker vessels to support our fleet. This conference report also rejects the Administration's efforts to cut funding for the National Security Multi-mission Vessel (NSMV), a program Courtney helped to initiate in 2016 that is critical to training the pipeline of mariners needed to support our sealift capabilities. Improving Safety in the Maritime Sector The report includes a provision championed by Courtney to permanently establish the Maritime Occupational Safety and Health Advisory Committee (MACOSH). This committee makes recommendations to the Secretary of Labor on matters related to the health and safety of workers in the maritime sector, including shipbuilding, ship repair, and longshoring. The provision would mean that this important committee does not need to be reestablished every two years as previously structured. Academic Partnerships for Undersea Research The report retains the House-passed authorization for $10 million to support partnerships with academic institutions that conduct research on undersea unmanned warfare and energy technology, such as the National Institute for Undersea Vehicle Technology, a collaborative program between the University of Connecticut and the University of Rhode Island. Additional Courtney priorities included: Preserving GI Bill Transferability The agreement includes Courtney's amendment that would prevent the Secretary of Defense from restricting the ability of servicemembers with more than sixteen years of service to transfer their Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits to eligible dependents. In June, Courtney led a letter to Secretary of Defense Mark Esper encouraging the Department to delay the implementation of a planned policy that would restrict these servicemembers with more than sixteen years of service from transferring their benefits, which the Department agreed to do until January 12, 2020. Now that Courtney's provision is set to become law, our longest-serving servicemembers will be able to continue to make use of this critical benefit. Pier Construction at New London Submarine Base The report includes $72.3 million to replace the aging Pier 32 at Naval Submarine Base New London. The new pier will be longer and wider that than the existing pier, allowing adequate space to fully support modern Virginia-class submarines and allow vehicle traffic to traverse the pier more safely. Defense Impact Aid authorizes $50 million for the DOD Supplemental Impact Aid program, which provides support to local school districts with high proportions of military children, including Groton public schools. No funding was requested in the Trump Administration's budget. This program is in addition to the primary Impact Aid program funded through the Department of Education, which does not fall within the jurisdiction of the House Armed Services Committee. Joint Strike Fighter The report authorizes $9.05 billion for the procurement of 90 F-35s, 12 more than requested by the Trump Administration, and includes additional flexibility to procure additional aircraft within the authorized amount if production savings are found. Blackhawks The report authorizes about $1.4 bullion for 73 UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, a significant increase over FY19. CH-53K The report authorizes $808 million for the new Marine heavy-lift helicopter, the procurement of 6 aircraft, and $517 million for continued research and development. Combat Search and Rescue Helicopter The report includes total funding of $1.1 billion for procurement of 12 aircraft and continued development of the HH-60W Air Force search and rescue helicopter. VH-92A Presidential Helicopter The report supports the Administration's request for $647 million for procurement of 6 replacement presidential helicopters, and continued development of the aircraft. Countering Russia The report reverses President Trump's cuts to the European Deterrence Initiative (EDI), providing $6.4 billion an increase of $734 million over the budget request - for military construction, anti-submarine warfare, and other urgent priorities to deter Russia and work with U.S. allies and partners. The agreement also increases funding for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which provides support and assistance to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, by $50 million, to a total of $300 million. Procurement Technical Assistant Program The agreement follows a Courtney request to increase support for Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs) to $45 million from the requested level of $25 million. PTACs, like the one based in Groton, help small businesses understand and meet the requirements in order to do business with the Department of Defense. Other Notable Provisions Paid Leave for Federal Workers The agreement provides 12 weeks of paid family leave to all federal employees. This provision, which was originally included in the House-passed bill, would benefit nearly 8,000 federal workers in Connecticut. Repeal of the Widow's Tax - After more than 20 years of advocacy by veterans organizations, the agreement repeals the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)/Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) offset, commonly known as the Widows' Tax. This report includes a 3 year incremental phase-out of the offset, which will allow our surviving spouses and families to receive both the SBP and DIC benefits in full beginning on January 1, 2023. Military Housing Reform The agreement includes several provisions to improve oversight of privatized military housing, including a requirement that the Department of Defense develop a health and safety hazard assessment tool for housing and that a summary report be made available to potential occupants. The report would also ban the use of non-disclosure agreements in privatized military housing leases. BRAC The report does not authorize a base closing round. Military Pay Raise The report provides a 3.1% pay raise for the military, in line with a statutory requirement to keep pace with private sector wage growth. Climate Change Resiliency The report requires DOD to consider the potential effects of climate change on military installations in current and future military construction projects to ensure responsible energy use and resilience against possible future extreme weather events. Defense Community Infrastructure Program Authorizes $75 million for the program, allowing DOD to help states and local governments fund off-base infrastructure projects that support operations and the base community. Infrastructure improvements could include transportation projects, schools, first responder facilities, and utility projects. Reduce the Environmental and Health Risks of Fluorinated Compounds around Military installations The agreement bans the DOD's use of firefighting agents containing perfluorooctanoic acid and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by 2024 and mandates that the DOD prioritize the effort to find a safer alternative. This bill also bans the use of PFAS chemicals in the packaging of Meals Ready to Eat (MREs), keeping our servicemen and women healthier when consuming meals in the field or in training. Finally, this year's NDAA would require the DOD to ensure that when disposing of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) and supplies used to remediate PFAS contamination, such as water filters, it does so in a manner that is safe and ensures that disposal does not create further contamination. Afghan Special Immigrant Visas This year's NDAA would allocate an additional 4,000 visas to allow Afghans and their families, whose service to our warfighters puts them at great personal risk, to immigrate to the United States. Facing local reprisal for a variety of services such as translation that often proves invaluable to men and women in combat zones, these special visas will demonstrate our commitment to the men and women who jeopardized their safety to support U.S. troops and our partners. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/courtney-votes-pass-farm-workforce-modernization-act,Courtney Votes to Pass Farm Workforce Modernization Act,2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-02) voted to pass the Farm Workforce Modernization Act (H.R. 5038), a bipartisan bill that seeks to address the growing labor crisis in the agriculture industry by creating a new pathway to legal status for undocumented citizens working in the U.S. agriculture industry. Due to the diminishing supply of U.S. workers participating in farm labor, American farmers are increasingly reliant upon foreign workers to meet labor demands. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act will help to stabilize the agriculture sector and preserve rural heritage by ensuring that farmers can meet their labor needs well into the future. H.R. 5038 represents the first major agriculture labor reform since 1986. Eastern Connecticut is home to some of the most productive dairy farms in the country it's part of our heritage in New England, said Congressman Courtney. Shortages in labor availability for them can cause ripple effects across our entire economy, and only serves to increase America's reliance on foreign food. We've got to find more ways to work together to get things done in Washington, and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act is another example of the critical work we can accomplish here to help solve the real problems facing our agriculture industry. On behalf of Connecticut's hard-working dairy farmers, I was proud to help pass this bipartisan bill. We applaud House passage today of the bipartisan Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which takes significant strides to make badly needed improvements to agriculture immigration policy that address dairy's unique workforce challenges, said Jim Mulhern, President and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation. Congressman Courtneyhas been a longtime champion on this important issue forConnecticutdairy farmers and we thank him for championing this effortand providing momentum to move this important bill through the House. We can no longer function without the necessary workers required to take care of our animals and tend to our crops, said Seth Bahler, Owner of Oakridge Dairy Farm, the largest dairy farm in the State of Connecticut. TheFarmWorkforceModernizationActaddresses theworkforceneeds for our dairy and wesupport this legislation and our excited about this bill. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2019 will stabilize the agricultural sector by ensuring that farmers can meet their labor needs well into the future.Importantly, this bill expands access to H-2A temporary agricultural worker program, to dairy farmers. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-introduces-bill-expand-food-safety-oversight-corporate-confined,"DeLauro Introduces Bill to Expand Food Safety Oversight of Corporate, Confined Animal Feeding Operations",2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC (December 11, 2019)Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today introduced the Expanded Food Safety Investigation Act of 2019, which would grant new authority to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate corporate livestock feedlots and confinement operations implicated in foodborne illness outbreaks. Over the past several decades, consolidation in agriculture has decimated family farms and resulted in large, corporate-owned operations, whose practices negatively impact the safety of our nation's food. Antibiotic sales for cattle and hogs as tracked by the FDA increased in 2018 due to the corporate livestock practices. At the same time, international public health agencies have warned of the rising threats from antibiotic resistance. Just last year, evidence in the Yuma romaine lettuce outbreakwhich killed 5 people and hospitalized 96 peopleled investigators to a large cattle feedlot previously owned by corrupt multinational meat conglomerate JBS. Because the FDA does not have authority to conduct microbial testing on farms, FDA's environmental assessment report acknowledged limited sampling at the feedlot and was ultimately unable to draw statistically valid conclusions in the traceback investigation. For far too long, the federal government has been unable to hold the largest corporate agribusinesses accountable for the problems their industrial practices have caused throughout our food system, said Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro. The negative consequences of corporate feedlots and confinements are clearfrom overuse of antibiotics resulting in dangerous antibiotic resistant bacteria to increased contamination of food. Under current law, multinational corporations have the power to stop an FDA foodborne illness investigation in its tracks. That is alarming, and it is why the Expanded Food Safety Investigation Act gives the FDA the authority to investigate corporate agribusinesses and uphold its mission to protect public health. Food safety regulators work hard to ensure that when we sink our teeth into a delicious cheeseburger or pork chop, we aren't putting ourselves at risk of infection or death, said Congresswoman Jackie Speier. That's why I'm proud to support the Expanded Food Safety Investigation Act, which will give investigators at the Food and Drug Administration reasonable access to farms to collect information needed to stay ahead of evolving risks of bacteria. This kind of on-the-ground investigation is all the more important given the recent evolution of frightful antibiotic-resistant superbugs' that are many times more harmful than normal bacteria. The legislationalso introduced by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)is supported by a broad coalition of consumer and food groups, including Center for Science in the Public Interest, the Consumer Federation of America, Food & Water Watch, Consumer Reports, the Food Animal Concerns Trust, and the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition. This bill gives federal investigators a critical new tool to trace germs that spread from large concentrated animal feeding operations back to the source, said Sarah Sorscher, Deputy Director of Regulatory Affairs at Center for Science in the Public Interest. Understanding more about how these disease-causing organisms enter the food system is the key to preventing repeated outbreaks of foodborne illness. By giving food safety regulators the authority they need to protect consumers, this bill helps to put public health ahead of industry profits, said Thomas Gremillion, Director of Food Policy for the Consumer Federation of America. Transparency and accountability are the foundation of a safe food supply, and investigators should be able to take samples to determine whether the bacteria that caused a foodborne illness outbreak originated in a nearby animal feeding operation. ""The proximity of concentrated animal feeding operations to farms that are growing fruits and vegetables is a legitimate area of regulation because of the potential of contamination. There have been food borne illness outbreaks where the location of a CAFO was the subject of investigation by FDA, yet the agency was thwarted. This bill would correct that glaring hole in the FDA regulatory tool box,"" said Wenonah Hauter, Executive Director of Food & Water Watch. ""This bill would give the FDA a critical tool it needs to protect public health,"" said Michael Hansen, Ph.D., Senior Scientist at Consumer Reports. ""Right now, food safety officials simply cannot get to the bottom of many outbreaks without changes to federal law. That's why all members of Congress should support the Expanded Food Safety Investigation Act."" The Expanded Food Safety Investigation Act of 2019 gives FDA a clearly needed tool for fighting foodborne illness. In addition to allowing FDA to more quickly find the source of an outbreak, this bill will be useful for determining what went wrong and help farms identify ways to stop future outbreaks. FACT is happy to support the bill, said Steve Roach, Food Safety Program Director, Food Animal Concerns Trust. DeLauro serves as Vice-Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, which is has jurisdiction over the FDA. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-testifies-family-act-oversight-and-reform-committee-hearing-paid,DeLauro Testifies on FAMILY Act at Oversight and Reform Committee Hearing on Paid Family and Medical Leave,2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 11, 2019)Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) testified at the House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing on ""Examining the Need for Comprehensive National Paid Family and Medical Leave"" to discuss the FAMILY ACT, her legislation that would create a universal, gender-neutral, national paid family and medical leave program. A full video of her testimony can be found here, and below are her remarks as delivered: Thank you very, very much for your kind words. This morning we honor the memory of our colleague Elijah Cummings and we offer our sincere congratulations to you, Madam Chair on ascending to this position and I am delighted to be here. I want to recognize and thank the Ranking Member, Mr. Jordan, for welcoming me here today and all the members of the committee. As Members of Congress, I believe it is our duty to level the playing field for middle-class families and working people. Especially now. Why now? People's pay is a serious economic challenge that people have in their lives and their pay does not keep up with the costs, skyrocketing costs, that they face every day. So, it is sadly no surprise, that very few can afford to lose several weeks of wages, whether for an ill loved one or the birth of a child. It would push them over the edge. In fact, 62 percent of working people cannot access unpaid leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act, according to researchers from Brandeis University, Either because they are ineligible or they cannot afford to. But, those moments come regardless. In 1986, I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Went to my employer and told him that I was going to be hospitalized and that I did not really know whether or not that I would be returning. My employer was Senator Christopher Dodd. Senator Dodd introduced what became the Family and Medical Leave Act that same year. But what he said to me on that day when I went into his office was Rosa, go get yourself well. Your job is here, your salary is here, just take care of yourself. With the support of my family and friends, and by the grace of God and biomedical research, I recovered, and have been cancer-free 30 years. Two years ago, my mother, at age 103happy to tell you she served on the city council in New Haven for 35 years. She was dying and I got to spend every day and every night with her for six weeks. No one told me as a Member of Congress, that I would not receive a salary, no one told me that my job would not be waiting for me. That was such a blessing in both cases. A blessing that cannot just be for Senate staffers or for Members of Congress. The United States needs a national paid leave policyto provide paid time off for working people who are welcoming a new child, caring for a seriously ill or injured family member, or recovering personally from a serious illness. For everyone. So, after three years of careful deliberation and coalition building, I introduced the FAMILY Act with my partner in the Senate, Senator Gillibrand and we did that in 2013: it is the gold standard. We have reintroduced it in every Congress since as we did earlier this year, with 700 groups in virtually every state endorsing it. The FAMILY Act allows employees to receive up to 60 days, or 12 weeks, of partial income, 66% of their income, for a health condition; injury or sickness to a child, parent, spouse, or domestic partner; the birth or adoption of a child; the injury of a family member in the military; or exigencies arising from a service member's deployment. It creates an independent and self-sustaining national insurance fundby havingemployees and employers pitch in together, with payroll contributions of two cents for every $10 in wages. It is equivalent to less than $2.00 per week for a typical worker. It would be managed under a new Office of Paid Family and Medical Leave within the Social Security Administration. But, it is separate and independent from the Social Security Trust Fund so it does not impact the solvency of Social Security. It has a record 201 cosponsors in the House and 34 in the Senate. And, it is bipartisan, as were similar proposals in the states. So far, nine states, including the District of Columbia have passed paid leave programs. They go even further in terms of leave duration, family members covered, wage replacement offered or employment protections. We can learn from these innovations. And, we can learn from the businesses who support paid leave. From the Main Street Alliance to the American Sustainable Business Council, close to 100 businesses or business leaders nationwide support the FAMILY Act. It is no surprise that a 2017 study by the Boston Consulting Group found that 250 companies offering paid family and medical leave reported better ability to attract and retain talent, higher productivity, more diverse company leadership teams, and increased profitability. Considering the benefits of paid leave for families and for businesses, I am so glad to that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle support this in some form. But, proposals need to be, not deal with harm, because that would be unacceptable. And, many of the programs as currently written force trade-offs between a worker's current self and their future self. They are being asked to dip into their social security funds, and most only provide income support for new parents. But, we applaud, and should provide support for new parents-the birth of a child is glorious. But income support for new parents is not enough. 75 percent of workers who take FMLA, Family and Medical Leave currently do so to address the serious health condition of their own or of a loved one. So, let us provide the paid leave that families and workers need and deserve. Not only for Senate staffers and House staffers, and not only for Members of Congress, but for everyone in this country to provide them with economic security. We need to alleviate economic insecurity of middle-class families, of working people. We must not only celebrate them, we must elevate them. And, we can do that with the FAMILY Act. Thank you so much for allowing me to come before the committee this morning. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://hayes.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-hayes-statement-ndaa-vote,Rep. Hayes Statement on NDAA Vote,2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Jahana Hayes,H001081,hayes.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON Following her vote in favor of the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), United States Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) released the following statement. This annual package contains all the funding for the coming fiscal year for the Department of Defense. The fiscal year 2020 NDAA contains numerous important provisions, including 12 weeks of paid family leave for all federal employees, a pay increase for service members, and the repeal of the so-called widow's tax', whereby Gold Star families were losing hundreds of dollars a month in benefits. I have been a strong advocate of eliminating this undue burden on Gold Star families since coming to Congress and introduced legislation to address the offset earlier this year. I am happy to see it finally eliminated. Unfortunately, several bipartisan provisions I supported in the House bill we passed in July were not contained in the final package, including repealing the 2002 Authorization of Military Force (AUMF), preventing unauthorized war with Iran, and ending American support for the war in Yemen. No piece of legislation is perfect and this one is no different. While I am disappointed in the exclusion of previously agreed to bipartisan items, I remain committed to moving forward on these important issues. ### Rep. Jahana Hayes has been a public school teacher in Connecticut for more than 15 years and was recognized in 2016 as the National Teacher of the Year. Currently serving her first term in the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Hayes sits on the Committees on Education & Labor and Agriculture and proudly represents Connecticut's 5th District.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=7CF3A550-192C-4A00-A026-387184129555,Rep. Hayes Statement on NDAA Vote,2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Jahana Hayes,H001081,hayes.house.gov,hayes,https://hayes.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Following her vote in favor of the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), United States Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) released the following statement. This annual package contains all the funding for the coming fiscal year for the Department of Defense. “The fiscal year 2020 NDAA contains numerous important provisions, including 12 weeks of paid family leave for all federal employees, a pay increase for service members, and the repeal of the so-called ‘widow’s tax’, whereby Gold Star families were losing hundreds of dollars a month in benefits. I have been a strong advocate of eliminating this undue burden on Gold Star families since coming to Congress and introduced legislation to address the offset earlier this year. I am happy to see it finally eliminated. Unfortunately, several bipartisan provisions I supported in the House bill we passed in July were not contained in the final package, including repealing the 2002 Authorization of Military Force (AUMF), preventing unauthorized war with Iran, and ending American support for the war in Yemen. No piece of legislation is perfect and this one is no different. While I am disappointed in the exclusion of previously agreed to bipartisan items, I remain committed to moving forward on these important issues.” ### Rep. Jahana Hayes has been a public school teacher in Connecticut for more than 15 years and was recognized in 2016 as the National Teacher of the Year. Currently serving her first term in the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Hayes sits on the Committees on Education & Labor and Agriculture and proudly represents Connecticut’s 5th District.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-06-27T23:45:33Z https://himes.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-himes-statement-usmca-agreement,Congressman Himes Statement On USMCA Agreement,2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Jim Himes,H001047,himes.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington D.C. Today, Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04) released the following statement on the House Democratic Caucus announcing a USMCA trade agreement: This agreement represents a new standard for U.S. trade agreements and ensures that American workers emerge with a win. The trade agreement that Democrats negotiated and fought for, ensures standards for enforcement of labor violations, increases environmental protections, and removes provisions that raise prescription drug prices for hard-working Americans. With this state of the art deal, Democrats demonstrate that we can legislate and investigate at the same time. The USMCA is another example of our ability to carry out our constitutionally mandated oversight duties and pass legislation that benefits all Americans. This agreement isn't about which party wins or loses. It's about doing what's right for American workers and American families. Democrats will never torpedo a policy that is good for the American people because it has the President's name on it. Instead, we will legislate for the good of the country. The USMCA implements effective and enforceable labor standards, ensures we are acting as responsible stewards of our environment and addresses the issue of rising prescription drug costs, all while strengthening our economy. It is a true feat of bipartisanship and I thank the Speaker and all of those who worked hard to get a deal done.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://himes.house.gov/press-releases?ID=2DC2046C-A21E-4D11-B7F0-9030130D02AB,Congressman Himes Statement On USMCA Agreement,2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,James A. Himes,H001047,himes.house.gov,himes,https://himes.house.gov/press-releases,page_html,"Washington D.C. – Today, Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04) released the following statement on the House Democratic Caucus announcing a USMCA trade agreement: “This agreement represents a new standard for U.S. trade agreements and ensures that American workers emerge with a win. The trade agreement that Democrats negotiated and fought for, ensures standards for enforcement of labor violations, increases environmental protections, and removes provisions that raise prescription drug prices for hard-working Americans.” “With this state of the art deal, Democrats demonstrate that we can legislate and investigate at the same time. The USMCA is another example of our ability to carry out our constitutionally mandated oversight duties and pass legislation that benefits all Americans.” “This agreement isn’t about which party wins or loses. It’s about doing what’s right for American workers and American families. Democrats will never torpedo a policy that is good for the American people because it has the President’s name on it. Instead, we will legislate for the good of the country. The USMCA implements effective and enforceable labor standards, ensures we are acting as responsible stewards of our environment and addresses the issue of rising prescription drug costs, all while strengthening our economy. It is a true feat of bipartisanship and I thank the Speaker and all of those who worked hard to get a deal done.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-03-30T11:08:25Z https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-applauds-committee-passage-know-your-social-security-act,Larson Applauds Committee Passage of the Know Your Social Security Act,2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,John Larson,L000557,larson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement after the Know Your Social Security Act was reported favorably out of the Ways and Means Committee. Larson introduced the bipartisan, bicameral legislation alongside Ways and Means member Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Senate Finance Committee member Bill Cassidy (R-LA). Larson's opening remarks can be viewed here. Social Security is our nation's most important retirement program. It is also our nation's number one anti-poverty program. No matter what happens in the stock market, Social Security will always be there for beneficiaries. Americans who contribute to Social Security should receive an update every year so they know what benefits they are earning and can plan for their retirements and possible disability or death of a spouse or parent. The Social Security Statement informs workers about their projected Social Security benefits and past earnings. Since 2011, the Social Security Administration has not been mailing the statements to roughly 140 million workers. This bipartisan bill will clarify that the Social Security Administration must deliver these annual statements by mail. As a result, Americans will learn about their Social Security benefits and earnings, and that more must be done to strengthen Social Security in the future. For the first time, Social Security will begin paying out more in benefits than it receives in contributions. Congress needs to have a rendez-vous with reality, it needs to act to for the program to remain solvent. It's imperative that the House take up the Social Security 2100 Act to expand benefits and make Social Security solvent beyond this century. Today's Committee vote is a good step forward showing Americans that Congress can work together, Democrats and Republicans, House and Senate, but the longer we wait to address the Social Security shortfall, the harder it will be to address. Action is needed now. Larson is the author of the Social Security 2100 Act which expands benefits and makes the program sustainably solvent. The bill has over 200 cosponsors and has had six hearings this Congress. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-passage-defense-bill-good-news-ct-defense-manufacturing,Larson: Passage of Defense Bill is Good News for CT Defense Manufacturing,2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,John Larson,L000557,larson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement after the House passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020. I was proud to vote for the NDAA today. The Conference Agreement strengthens our national security, makes important investments to restore our military readiness, and provides the largest pay raise for our military in a decade, in addition to making key reforms to better support service members and their families. It fortifies the First District as a leader in defense manufacturing. Both large manufacturers like Pratt & Whitney and smaller companies like Birken Manufacaturing Co. in Bloomfield will continue to grow with this authorization. Connecticut will continue to provide our military with Connecticut-made aircraft engines, submarines, and helicopters that provide our military with unmatched supremacy in the air and at sea. As co-chair of the Joint Strike Fighter Caucus, I am proud that we were able to secure 90 F-35 aircraft. In 2019, manufacturing on the F-35 alone supports over fifteen thousand jobs across the state. Our men and women overseas deserve the best technology and protection in the world as they serve our nation, and I am proud of the First District's role in supporting them, said Larson. Congressman Larson has always supported a strong national defense and those of us supporting the warfighter in the aerospace manufacturing sector. His support over the years, including championing the increased production levels of the F-35, Joint Strike Fighter, has allowed our Company to hire and retain talent in Connecticut and assure that the quality of our fighter aircraft and armaments are second to none in the world, said Gary Greenberg, President of Birken Manufacturing Co. in Bloomfield. Highlights of Connecticut's defense manufacturing priorities: $8.9 billion to purchase 90 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters (12 more than the President's Budget Request), $2.1 billion in spares, and additional $440 million to purchase fighter jets originally ordered by Turkish government. $3 billion for advance procurement of B-21 Long Range Strike Bomber $5.5 billion for procurement of Virginia class submarines including $2.9 billion in advance procurement for the third submarine $2.2 billion for 12 KC-46A Tankers $1.8 billion for advanced procurement of Ohio Replacement Program and 125 million for supplier development $1.4 billion for 73 UH-60 Blackhawks $807 million for purchase 6 CH-53K Heavy Lift Helicopters $900 million to purchase of 5 E-2D ADV Hawkeye (+190 $876 million for procurement of 12 Combat Search and Rescue Helicopters $647 million for 6 VH-92 Presidential helicopters $18.5 million for research and development of the unmanned K-MAX helicopter ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-votes-restore-salt-tax-deduction-ct-working-families,Larson Votes to Restore SALT Tax Deduction for CT Working Families,2019-12-11,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,John Larson,L000557,larson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today in the Ways and Means Committee Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) voted for the Restoring Tax Fairness for States and Localities Act, which would restore the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction that was capped by the Republican Tax Law in 2017. The bill was reported favorably out of committee. I am proud to vote today for this legislation that rights one of the many wrongs made in the 2017 Republican Tax Law. 83 percent of the benefits from that law went to the nation's wealthiest 1 percent. At the same time it caused middle-class families in Connecticut's taxes to go up because it capped the State and Local Tax Deduction. On average, Connecticut residents were deducting $19,500 a year in state and local taxes, now they're paying more for a tax cut for the rich. I thank Representatives Bill Pascrell and Mike Thompson for pushing this legislation forward for working-class families, said Larson. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murphy.senate.gov/view/murphy-speaks-against-us-circuit-judge-nominee-and-his-allegiance-to-the-gun-lobby,Murphy Speaks Against U.S. Circuit Judge Nominee and His Allegiance to the Gun Lobby,2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"hartford Colt Gateway 120 Huyshope Avenue Suite 401 Hartford, CT 06106 P: (860) 549-8463 F: (860) 524-5091 Get Directions",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-holds-member-forum-youth-vaping-epidemic,DeLauro Holds Member Forum on the Youth Vaping Epidemic,2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 10, 2019)Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) held a Member Forum with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NAASP) to hear from those who are facing the youth vaping epidemic directly: students and principals. A full video of her testimony can be found here, and below are her opening remarks as delivered: I really am so honored to be hosting this Member Forum along with the National Association of Secondary School Principals. And let me recognize Robert Motley, who is the President-Elect of the NASSP. He is also the Principal of Atholton High School. I want to thank you for the work you do in bringing together school principals nationally in an effort to protect our children. I want to give a shout out to Pete Emerson, who at our last hearing he suggested that what was very important for us to do was to bring together principals and students who are literally on the front lines on this critical issue. I'm honored, we expect colleagues will come in and out, I'm honored to welcome my colleague Jim Langevin from the great state of Rhode Island. We anticipate Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, Congresswoman Lois Frankel, and Congressman Steve Cohen. And all of the individuals that I have mentioned are tireless leaders on this issue, and I believe that together we are making progress. So, it is particularly exciting to hear from school leaders and from students. And I again want to welcome Principals Adam Fine, of East Hampton High School and Brian Zahn, of Southampton High School. I also want to recognize some very very special people and that's our students who are here today. Samantha Rose Prince, Valeria Guevara, Olivia Grace Davis, and Lauren Heaney. Lauren had founded a local chapter of SADD, that's Students Against Destructive Decisions. Lauren's mother, Kristin. These young people, I want to just say, because I had the chance, Congressman Langevin, to chat with them earlier today, are extraordinary. And to quote you know what my grandkids would say, they're awesome. They really really are awesome, and we need to follow their lead on this critically important issue. I just want to say first and foremost so that you understand that the United States Congress is an institution that responds to external pressure. Lots of well-meaning people internally, but you, it responds to the external pressure. You are that external pressure. So, we need you to keep making your voices heard. And my mom taught me two things one is do not take no for answer and never give up. So, the strength of your advocacy is critical for all of us. There is a youth vaping epidemic that is causing a national public health crisis, linked to problems with brain development and respiratory health. Within the last decade, vaping has skyrocketed and eroded decades of progress to reduce teen smoking. In my home state of Connecticut, vaping e-cigarettes is the most common form of youth smoking used by high school students. The cover of Time Magazine in September I think said it all with their quote, The New American Addiction: How Juul Hooked Kids and Ignited A Public Health Crisis. And, what they are inhaling is frightening. Not too long ago I met with Dr. Pnina Weiss who is the medical director for Pediatric Pulmonary Function Laboratory at Yale New Haven Children's Hospital. She described the chemicals: Ethylene glycol, which is used in anti-freeze. Propylene glycol, used as toner for laser printers. Vitamin E oil, implicated in the outbreak of lung illnesses; Fine particles and carcinogens; Fruit flavorings to attract youth; And, then, Nicotine, the addictive chemical that hurts children's brain development. One Juul pod has as much nicotine as a pack of cigarettes. I am part of the bipartisan Congressional Caucus to End the Youth Vaping Epidemic and I chair the subcommittee that funds our public health agencies. I continue to urge Health and Human Service and the Food and Drug Administration to exercise their existing authority to regulate new tobacco product before they enter the market. That includes e-cigarettes. They have not done so. So now, there are thousands of e-cigarette products on the market with no independent, science-based assessment of either the long-term health risks, the safety of their ingredients, or the impact on youth tobacco initiation. So, the Congress is acting. In late October, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill, which I introduced. The Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act. It's to close loopholes that exempt online e-cigarette retailers from federal age verification requirements. It's an important first step, we urge the Senate to take it up immediately. However, it is not a silver bullet. So, I've called for a ban on all e-cigarette products because I believe the health of our children and our communities is at risk. Now, we are going to get to our panel, and I will turn it over to them to introduce themselves and to share their stories: First, we have Principal Adam Fine of East Hampton High School. Next, we have Samantha Rose Prince, Student at East Hampton High School. Next, we have Olivia Grace Davis, who is right there, Student at East Hampton High School. Appreciate all the time you've taken to be with us today, all of you. Next, Valeria Guevara, Student at East Hampton High School. Thank you to Lauren Heaney, Student at Southampton High School and Founder of the local Chapter of Students Against Destructive Decisions. And also, is Principal Brian Zahn, of Southampton High school. Last but not least, we have Robert Motley, the President-Elect of National Association of Secondary School Principals and a Principal himself. So, I am just going to try to begin with you Principal Fine ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-pocan-house-dems-push-extended-comment-period-proposed-rule,"DeLauro, Pocan, House Dems Push for Extended Comment Period on Proposed Rule Allowing Discrimination in HHS-Funded Programs",2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC (December 10, 2019)Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Congressman Mark Pocan (WI-02), Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, led a letter with House Democrats to Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Secretary (HHS) Alex Azar and Acting Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources at HHS Jennifer Moughalian regarding their rule allowing discrimination in HHS-funded programs. Currently the comment period will only last 30 daysmuch shorter than the typical 90 days. This [Notice of Proposed Rulemaking] will allow discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and, in some cases, religion in HHS-funded programs, wrote the Members. Despite the administration discussing this rule primarily in the context of permitting foster care and adoption agencies to deny same-sex couples the opportunity to provide a safe and loving home to children, the NPRM as written will allow discrimination for many other HHS-funded programs that serve millions of Americans. Given the number of programs that will be impacted by this rule change and complexity of the proposed rule, we are concerned that the current comment period does not provide sufficient time for a thorough and thoughtful examination and response from the public, continued the Members. Thirty days does not provide states, agencies, and impacted Americans the time that is needed to sufficiently analyze and assess the proposed rule's effect. We urge you to extend the comment period to February 17, 2020, and it is well within your authority to do so. Since the administration intends to discriminate in grantmaking for HHS-funded programs, it is imperative you give all affected parties the time to comment. A signed copy of the letter can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-supports-articles-impeachment-against-president-trump,DeLauro Supports Articles of Impeachment Against President Trump,2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC (December 10, 2019)Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement after the House Judiciary Committee introduced two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. While I was reluctant to pursue impeachment about the 2016 election, President Trump's unchecked efforts to get foreign powers to intervene in the next presidential election and unchecked attempts to block any investigation by the United States Congress left me with no choice. What would the founders have thought, if Congress did nothing? How could they have upheld their oath of office, if Congress did nothing? Over the last few months, brave public servants have come forward to testify that the President withheld Congressionally-appropriated aid to Ukraine in order to leverage an investigation into a political opponent for his own personal and political gain. Witness after witness confirmed this abuse of the power. At the same time, the President has refused to comply with lawful Congressional requests and subpoenas, and directed others in the executive branch to defy these lawful requests. In doing so, he has obstructed Congress's investigation. The President's actions are a dangerous departure from his oath of office and his duty to uphold the Constitution. That is why I support the articles of impeachment against President Trump. Congress must uphold its duty to protect the Constitution. Our founders set up a system of checks and balances, separation of powers, and rule of law so that no person would be above the lawincluding the President. As with many of my colleagues, I have been reluctant to call for impeachment because I feared it would further divide the country, be perceived as overturning the 2016 election, and go to the United States Senate where Republicans would acquit President Trump regardless of the evidence. But the President's unchecked actions mean Congress had to act to stop his abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://delauro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/delauro-testifies-medicare-america-energy-commerce-health-subcommittee,DeLauro Testifies on Medicare for America at Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee Hearing on Universal Coverage,2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Rosa DeLauro,D000216,delauro.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 10, 2019)Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) testified at the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health's hearing on ""Proposals to Achieve Universal Health Care Coverage"" to promote Medicare for America, legislation introduced by herself and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) to ensure universal, affordable, high-quality healthcare coverage. A full video of her testimony can be found here, and below are her remarks as delivered: Thank you so much, and to Congressman Pallone, to Congresswoman Eshoo, Ranking Members Walden and Burgess. I am delighted to be here this morning. It's an honor for me to join with the members of this committee and also to be with all of my colleagues here this morning on what is a critical, critical discussion on what are the pathways that we can move forward to universal care. I am here this morning to advocate for Medicare for America, which I first introduced with my dear friend and my colleague, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. We did this in December 2018, and we reintroduced it this May. Medicare for America achieves universal, affordable, high-quality health coverage by creating a program based on Medicare and Medicaid. It covers all Americans through auto-enrollment starting at birth, while maintaining high-quality, affordable, employer coverage. Medicare for America moves every individual currently enrolled on the individual exchanges and Medicare beneficiaries onto the program. Individuals and children enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP are transitioned onto Medicare for America over time to ensure that their care is not disrupted as we transform our health care system. We made this deliberate choice after working with members of the disabilities community who know all to well about disruptions in the face of budget cuts and other complications. For those with employer-sponsored coverage, two things can be true and are true. Employers have shifted many Americans to high-deductible plans with less generous coverage; and, many are very satisfied including those union members that negotiated very good coverage in lieu of wages in lean budget years. So, Medicare for America allows high-quality, affordable private employer-sponsored coverage to remain or employers can enroll their employees in Medicare for America and continue to pay a contribution. Or those employees who work for these employers that continue to offer private coverage can choose Medicare for America, and their employer contributes toward the premium. This way no one is locked into employer sponsored coverage. Let me touch on something that I hear from most of my constituents, and that is cost. For individuals, seniors, families living below 200% of the Federal Poverty level, they will have no premiums and no cost-sharing. There are never any out of pocket costs for children under 21 and for maternity services, for preventive and chronic disease services, for Long Term Services and Supports, and for prescription drugs. There are also zero deductibles. Zero. Annual out of pocket costs are no more than $3,500 for individuals, $5,000 for families on a sliding scale. And premiums are capped: no more than 8% of income for enrollees, and are determined on a sliding scale. And additionally, on the topic of cost of the program, our bill includes pay-fors. I ask you to read it. I won't enumerate all of them, but the pay-fors are there. Let me discuss what is innovative about Medicare for America. Today, health care benefits are too dependent on your zip code. Universal coverage must be universal. So, Medicare for America is explicit in the benefits covered especially with respect to long-term services and support. We are in a crisis. Families spend themselves into poverty to get the care their aging loved ones need. Hundreds of thousands of individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities that wait years for services that may never come. So, Medicare for America establishes the gold standard for Long Term Services and Supports. We partnered with members of the disabilities community on the entire bill in order to ensure their needs. The resulting coverage: home health aides, personal attendant care services, hospice, care coordination, respite services. To name a few. We prioritized those supports and services for workforce development. Raising the reimbursement rates for direct care workers and ensuring a career pipeline, credentialing, and worker rights. Then, in the interim, the bill recognizes the central role that family caregivers play by compensating them for their work. Because it is work. Beyond the LTSS workforce, Medicare for America preemptively raises reimbursement rates for primary care and mental and behavioral health and cognitive services. Far too many individuals face roadblocks because reimbursement rates are too low. Far too many providers are weighed down or scared off because of mounting debt and choose only private insurance. So, Medicare for America establishes all-payer rate setting. Private insurance pays the Medicare for America rate. It all comes back to getting patients the care they need. That is why we ban private contracting. Current law allows providers to cover individuals, and private coverage, they also talk about paying out of pocket for care, even if their insurance covers the benefit. It's a two-tiered system that must not continue. Patients deserve to be treated fairly to get the care they need. We acknowledge the crippling of the student loan debt so that in many [sic] health care workers face that often leads to private contracting. So, we say to providers: pay our rates, see our patients, and we forgive 10% of your student loan. By making smart investments up front, the American people save a great deal of money in the long-run. At its core, Medicare for America is about ensuring that every American has health care. And as we debate into the future on universal healthcare coverage, my view that Medicare for America is the best way forward in providing historic change. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://himes.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/congressman-himes-statement-usmca-agreement,Congressman Himes Statement On USMCA Agreement,2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Jim Himes,H001047,himes.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington D.C. Today, Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04) released the following statement on the House Democratic Caucus announcing a USMCA trade agreement: This agreement represents a new standard for U.S. trade agreements and ensures that American workers emerge with a win. The trade agreement that Democrats negotiated and fought for, ensures standards for enforcement of labor violations, increases environmental protections, and removes provisions that raise prescription drug prices for hard-working Americans. With this state of the art deal, Democrats demonstrate that we can legislate and investigate at the same time. The USMCA is another example of our ability to carry out our constitutionally mandated oversight duties and pass legislation that benefits all Americans. This agreement isn't about which party wins or loses. It's about doing what's right for American workers and American families. Democrats will never torpedo a policy that is good for the American people because it has the President's name on it. Instead, we will legislate for the good of the country. The USMCA implements effective and enforceable labor standards, ensures we are acting as responsible stewards of our environment and addresses the issue of rising prescription drug costs, all while strengthening our economy. It is a true feat of bipartisanship and I thank the Speaker and all of those who worked hard to get a deal done.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-reed-request-review-social-security-s-efforts-combat-robocalls,"Larson, Reed Request Review of Social Security’s Efforts to Combat Robocalls",2019-12-10,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,John Larson,L000557,larson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. Today, House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Chairman John B. Larson (CT-01) and Ranking Member Tom Reed (NY-23) sent letters to Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner Andrew Saul and SSA Inspector General Gail S. Ennis asking them to review and address fraudulent Social Security robocalls. In the letter to Commissioner Saul the members wrote: We are deeply concerned about the ongoing Social Security-related telephone imposter scams affecting people across the United States. While SSA has taken steps in recent months to prevent and raise public awareness about these imposter calls, we are alarmed that the scams continue to be widespread and severe. In light of our concerns, we are asking the OIG to review SSA's response to telephone imposter scams. In the letter to Inspector General Ennis the members wrote: We write to request that the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) review the Social Security Administration's (SSA's) efforts to address ongoing Social Security-related telephone scams. Over the past year, SSA has been handling an increasing volume of telephone calls from the public regarding calls threatening arrest or other legal action due to Social Security number or account problems. SSA provides critical benefits to seniors, individuals with disabilities, and their families, so any interruption in service, confusion about the agency's communication with the public, or changes to public confidence when interacting with SSA is of great concern. The letter to Commissioner Saul can be viewed here and the letter to Inspector General can be found here. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://www.murphy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/murphy-highlights-branford-manufacturer-accurate-wire-as-this-weeks-murphys-monday-manufacturer,"MURPHY HIGHLIGHTS BRANFORD MANUFACTURER, ACCURATE WIRE, AS THIS WEEKS MURPHYS MONDAY MANUFACTURER",2019-12-09,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Christopher Murphy,M001169,www.murphy.senate.gov,,,legacy,"MURPHY HIGHLIGHTS BRANFORD MANUFACTURER, ACCURATE WIRE, AS THIS WEEK'S MURPHY'S MONDAY MANUFACTURER Monday, December 9, 2019 WASHINGTONU.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.)announced on Monday that Accurate Wire of Branford is this week's Murphy's Monday Manufacturer. Founded in 1988, Accurate Wire specializes in the manufacturing of square, flat, and special shaped wires for a variety of applications. Their wires are commonly found in the aerospace, automotive, consumer products, electronics, medical and springs industries, and are available to companies all around the world. Currently, Accurate Wire's 32 employees work out of a 70,000 square foot facility in Branford. The company maintains a high quality of standard for compliance as an ISO 9001:2008 registered company. Accurate Wire was acquired by metals manufacturing company Luvata in 2016. Accurate Wire represents the best that Connecticut manufacturing has to offer. For over 30 years, their high quality wire components have stood out in the wiring industry, making them a reliable manufacturer to companies all around the world. I'm proud to highlight them today, said Murphy. Accurate Wire is a recurring gold sponsor of the Branford Festival and routinely sponsors a child or family each year for the holidays through Connecticut's Department of Children and Families. The manufacturing industry plays a crucial role throughout Connecticut communities, creating new jobs and accelerating the state's economic recovery. Today, Connecticut's thousands of manufacturers account for 10% 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 BuyAmerican.govActand theAmerican Jobs Matter Act. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/heinrich-rounds-courtney-and-kelly-urge-house-and-senate-leadership,"Heinrich, Rounds, Courtney, and Kelly Urge House and Senate Leadership to Fully Repeal 40% Tax on Employer-Sponsored Health Plans and Control Out of Pocket Costs for Patients",2019-12-09,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,Joe Courtney,C001069,courtney.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, Senators Heinrich (D-NM) and Rounds (R-SD), and Representatives Courtney (D-CT) and Kelly (R-PA), wrote to House and Senate leadership to strongly urge against further delay of repeal of the so-called Cadillac tax on high premium employer-sponsored health insurance. Legislation introduced by Rep. Joe Courtney and Rep. Mike Kelly (H.R 748) to fully repeal the tax passed the House of Representatives by an overwhelming 419-6 vote earlier this year. Identical legislation introduced by Senators Heinrich and Rounds (S. 684) has 63 bipartisan cosponsors. In their bipartisan, bicameral letter, the Members wrote: The status quo creates uncertainty as employers, and employee representatives negotiate benefits packages that extend well into 2022, when the tax is currently set to go into effect. A fourth delay is not a viable option. The ongoing uncertainty is already threatening the quality of employer sponsored health insurance. The time is now to act in the best interest of the American people and repeal the Cadillac Tax. The Members' full letter has been included below, and you can click here to read it online. Last week, more than 1,000 employers and stakeholders sent a similar letter, underscoring the breath of support for repeal. On Wednesday of this week, the Members will be available on a conference call with reporters to discuss the urgent need to fully repeal the 40% Cadillac Tax before the start of the new year. The call will begin promptly at 4:00pm on Wednesday, December 11. Interested members of the press can join Wednesday's conversation by phone at (202) 228-0808, or toll free at (855) 428-0808. Once dialed-in, use Conference ID 89616. On the call, the Members will also discuss new polling that shows the American public is deeply concerned about rising out-of-pocket health costs, and the impact the 40% tax has on their deductibles and cost sharing. WHO: Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) Representative Joe Courtney (D-CT) Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) WHAT: Press call to discuss need to fully repeal 40% excise tax and new polling on the American public's views on taxation of employer sponsored health insurance WHERE: By phone at (202) 228-0808, or toll free at (855) 428-0808; Conference ID: 89616 WHEN: Wednesday, December 11, 4:00pm ET ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://larson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/larson-statement-passing-denise-d-ascenzo,Larson Statement on the Passing of Denise D’Ascenzo,2019-12-08,2019,2019-12,Democrat,House,CT,John Larson,L000557,larson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Hartford, CT - Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement on the passing of longtime Channel 3 anchorDenise D'Ascenzo: I am heartbroken to learn of Denise D'Ascenzo'spassing. For over 30 years she was a pillar of Connecticut news. Not only was she talented and a great journalist, but she was also incredibly friendly and kind. My sympathies go out to her family, friends and her Channel 3 colleagues. She will be missed. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z