Thursday - May 16, 2024
U.S. Congressional Tipoffs Involving Connecticut Newsletter for Sunday April 21, 2024 ( 34 items )  

Archaic Laws Negatively Impacting Teachers, Barrier to Recruiting and Retention
WASHINGTON, April 16 -- Rep. John B. Larson, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: Connecticut Education Association leaders are in today, sending a strong message to Congress about the need to repeal two federal laws that strip teachers and other public servants of hard-earned Social Security benefits and are a barrier to recruiting and retention efforts. At a hearing of the Congressional Subcommittee on Social Security, CEA President Kate Dias and CEA Vice President Joslyn DeLanc  more

Blumenthal & Colleagues Celebrate Supreme Court's Ruling Upholding Educational Benefits for Veterans
WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: [HARTFORD, CT] - Today, Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) celebrated the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Rudisill v. McDonough, Secretary of Veteran Affairs. The Court ruled 7-2 in favor of James Rudisill and held that veterans who served multiple tours have the right to access all educational benefits that they are entitled to under the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Montgomery GI Bill. The ruling fol  more

Blumenthal & Hawley to Hold Oversight Hearing on Election Deepfakes
WASHINGTON, April 15 -- Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Josh Hawley (R-MO), Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law, will convene a hearing on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at 2:00PM titled "Oversight of AI: Election Deepfakes." The Subcommittee's fifth AI-focused hearing comes after deepfakes were used to impersonate President Biden to discourage voters from par  more

Blumenthal & Hyde-Smith Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Hold Natural Gas Companies Accountable for Overcharges & Refund Consumers
WASHINGTON, April 18 -- Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) introduced legislation to correct unfair and costly rates set by natural gas pipeline companies. The Making Pipelines Accountable to Consumers and Taxpayers (MPACT) Act closes a loophole that has allowed natural gas pipeline companies to consistently overcharge consumers. The legislation provides for millions of dollars in   more

Blumenthal & Murphy Applaud Senate Passage of Resolution Honoring Former Senator Lieberman
WASHINGTON, April 19 -- Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: [HARTFORD, CT] - U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy today applauded Senate passage of a resolution they introduced honoring the late U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman. "Joe Lieberman was a monumental figure in Connecticut and national politics and I will always remember him for his unwavering values and willingness to bridge divides. He was ferociously independent and deeply strong wil  more

Blumenthal Delivers Opening Statement at Hearing on Boeing's Broken Safety Culture
WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, Chair of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), delivered opening remarks at a hearing titled "Examining Boeing's Broken Safety Culture: Firsthand Accounts." The hearing--featuring testimony from Sam Salehpour, a current quality engineer at Boeing, and other witnesses--examined firsthand accounts of alarming manufacturing deficiencies and the co  more

Blumenthal Sponsors Legislation to Prevent Youth Suicide Amid Youth Mental Health Crisis
WASHINGTON, April 15 -- Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: [HARTFORD, CT] - U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) joined Senate colleagues in introducing legislation to prevent youth suicide, which is the second leading cause of death for people aged 10 to 24. The Child Suicide Prevention and Lethal Means Safety Act would fund suicide prevention initiatives, ensure health care providers receive training to prevent intentional harm, and create a centraliz  more

DeLauro Statement on Sikorsky Layoffs
WASHINGTON, April 18 -- Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-Connecticut, issued the following statement on April 17, 2024: * * * Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released a statement following an announcement that Sikorsky would lay off workers in Connecticut: "I am extremely disappointed that Sikorsky will be laying off workers in Connecticut. I believe that keeping good, high-skilled manufacturing jobs in Connecticut is essential, and it has been a top priority of mine throughout my career. I have sp  more

Hayes Statement Condemning Iran's Attack on Israel and the Urgent Need to Vote on a National Security Aid Package
WASHINGTON, April 14 -- Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Jahana Hayes released the following statement regarding Iran's attack on Israel: "I condemn Iran's attacks on Israel and their attempts to destabilize the region and will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress to push for the aid our allies so desperately need. I will also continue to support ongoing efforts by the administration to de-escalate this conflict. However, statements   more

Hayes Statement on the Need to Immediately Pass a Security Supplemental Bill
WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) released to following statement regarding the need to immediately pass a security supplemental bill: "Our allies desperately need our help. If Ukraine falls the United States will undoubtedly be plunged into a global conflict. On February 13, 2024, the Senate passed bipartisan comprehensive national security legislation to help our allies in Ukraine, Israel, and the I  more

Himes Statement on Iranian Attack Against Israel
STAMFORD, Connecticut, April 16 -- Rep. Jim Himes, D-Connecticut, issued the following statement on April 14, 2024: * * * Today, Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04) issued the following statement regarding Iran's attacks on Israel: "The United States is resolute in our support for the Israeli people and our condemnation of the Iranian attacks. I applaud President Biden and our men and women in uniform for working so effectively with Israeli and other partners to intercept the vast majority of Irani  more

House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee Advances Hayes Bill to Expand Benefits for Surviving Veteran Families
WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: Today, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held a markup on the bipartisan Caring for Survivors Act of 2023. The legislation passed out of Subcommittee by voice vote. This legislation is led by Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) in the House, and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Teste  more

IAM Joins Congressman Larson to Announce $497 Million F135 Investment, Safeguarding Thousands of IAM Jobs
WASHINGTON, April 16 -- Rep. John B. Larson, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: Rep. John B. Larson (D-Conn.) recently announced $497 million in funding to support F135 engine modernization, which supports thousands of Connecticut manufacturing jobs and nearly 100 suppliers across the state. Thousands of IAM members at District 26, Local 700 in Middletown, Conn., and Local 1746 members in East Hartford, Conn. at both Pratt & Whitney Connecticut facilities manufacture, repair, an  more

ICYMI Video: Blumenthal Highlights Dangers of Artificial Intelligence in Spreading Disinformation with Election Deepfakes
WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: In case you missed it, yesterday, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law, raised significant concerns regarding the threat AI poses to elections through the use of deepfakes during a hearing titled "Oversight of AI: Election Deepfakes." "We are here today at this Subcommittee meeting because a deluge of deception, dis  more

ICYMI: Ranking Member Courtney Makes Clear Procurement is King
WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: At today's Seapower hearing on the Navy's FY25 budget, Ranking Member Joe Courtney made clear that there is no substitute - including additional investments in the submarine industrial base (SIB)--for procurement to further stabilize the industrial base. In the weeks following the Navy's budget release, the Department has tried to tamp down concerns around cutting procurement for the Virginia Class su  more

Larson and Davis Applaud Social Security Administration Rule to Improve Disability Adjudication Process
WASHINGTON, April 18 -- Rep. John B. Larson, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: Today, House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Ranking Member John B. Larson (CT-01) and Worker and Family Support Subcommittee Ranking Member Danny K. Davis (IL-07) applauded the Social Security Administration's (SSA) new rule to improve the disability adjudication process. "Under the leadership of Commissioner O'Malley, SSA has been focused on improving customer service and reducing delay  more

Larson and Democratic Leaders Slam Republican Plan to Cut Taxes for the Wealthy, Slash Medicare and Social Security
WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Rep. John B. Larson, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: Today, House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Ranking Member John B. Larson (CT-01) held a press conference at the U.S. Capitol with Assistant Democratic Leader Joe Neguse (CO-02) and a group of House Democrats to slam the Republican budget plan to slash Medicare and Social Security while delivering another round of tax breaks for the wealthy and corporations. You can view the full press c  more

Larson Demands a Vote on the House Floor for Aid to Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and Civilians in Gaza
WASHINGTON, April 16 -- Rep. John B. Larson, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: Yesterday, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) called for the House of Representatives to vote on the national security supplemental passed by the Senate two months ago to deliver aid to our allies around the globe, including Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and civilians in Gaza. You can view Rep. Larson's remarks here. "The Senate passed the supplemental bill more than two months ago. That bill is sitting in th  more

Larson Opening Statement at Social Security Subcommittee Hearing on the WEP and the GPO
WASHINGTON, April 16 -- Rep. John B. Larson, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As a former public-school teacher in Connecticut, I understand the frustration that so many have with the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset, otherwise known as the WEP/GPO. I have also heard from many teachers in my district that have been impacted, some of whom are here today. Across Connecticut, 70,000 employees work in non-covered employment.   more

Larson Statement Following Social Security Subcommittee Hearing on WEP/GPO
WASHINGTON, April 16 -- Rep. John B. Larson, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: Today, House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Ranking Member John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement after the Social Security Subcommittee held a hearing on the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). You can view Ranking Member Larson's opening statement here. "I am committed to repealing WEP/GPO and paying for it through a comprehensiv  more

Larson Statement on Iran's Attacks on Israel
WASHINGTON, April 13 -- Rep. John B. Larson, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: East Hartford, CT - Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement after Iran launched an attack against Israel. "We stand with the people of Israel in the face of this drone and missile attack from Iran," said Larson. "I commend President Biden for his statement underscoring the United States' ironclad support for Israel! I further applaud Mitch McConnell for calling on Congres  more

Larson Urges Republicans to Vote on Aid to Ukraine
WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Rep. John B. Larson, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: Today, during a House Ways and Means Committee markup, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) demanded Congress act to send aid to Ukraine. You can view Rep. Larson's remarks here. "The Ukrainian people are being bombed by a dictator! We need to bring the supplemental bill forward and pass it in the United States. Listen to Senator Mitch McConnell. Listen to the pleas of the Ukrainian people who have been in   more

Murphy Op-Ed For The Bulwark: Republicans Scapegoat Immigrants But Individualism And Neoliberalism Are The Root Of Americans' Unease
WASHINGTON, April 18 -- Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) co-authored an op-ed in the Bulwark with Ian Marcus Corbin, a philosopher at Harvard Medical School and a Senior Fellow at the think tank Capita, arguing that former President Trump and the Republican party fixate on immigration and border security to preserve their convenient diagnosis for why so many Americans feel abandoned by their country. Murphy and Corbin expo  more

Murphy Statement On Layoffs At Sikorsky
WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statement on Sikorsky's announcement that the company will eliminate as many as 400 jobs in Connecticut: "When it comes to designing and supplying rotary aircraft, the men and women of Sikorsky comprise the most talented workforce in this country and play an irreplaceable role in our national defense - full stop. The layoffs announced at Sikor  more

Murphy Votes to Dismiss Baseless Impeachment of Secretary Mayorkas
WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, on Wednesday released the following statement on the Senate's vote to dismiss the impeachment of U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas: "Republicans see the border as nothing more than a campaign issue. It's more important for them to be able to score political points by   more

Murphy, Blumenthal Applaud Senate Passage Of Resolution Honoring Former Senator Lieberman
WASHINGTON, April 19 -- Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: HARTFORD-- U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) on Friday applauded Senate passage of a resolution they introduced honoring the late U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman. "Few people left a bigger mark on this world than Joe Lieberman. The history books will remember him for his work to combat climate change, fight for gay rights, and protect the homeland, along with his  more

Murphy, Cornyn, Guest, Cleaver Introduce Bill To Address Shortage Of Medical Examiners
WASHINGTON, April 18 -- Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) and U.S. Representatives Michael Guest (R-Miss.) and Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) on Thursday introduced their Strengthening the Medical Examiner and Coroner System Act, which would help increase the number of board-certified forensic pathologists nationwide by encouraging qualified medical graduates to enter the field and providing support to a  more

NEW MEMO: Ranking Member Courtney Sends Memo to Armed Services Colleagues on Submarine Industrial Base, FY25 Procurement
WASHINGTON, April 16 -- Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: Ahead of tomorrow's Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee hearing on the Navy's FY25 budget request, Ranking Member Joe Courtney sent a new memo to his colleagues on the House Armed Services Committee detailing the growing momentum in the submarine industrial base and the importance of maintaining a steady Virginia Class submarine procurement rate. "Ahead of FY25 budget hearings and negotiations  more

Ranking Member Courtney's Opening Statement (As Delivered) at Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee
WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: Today, Congressman Joe Courtney delivered the following opening statement at the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee hearing on the Navy's FY25 budget. Watch the remarks here. Thank you, Chairman Kelly.  Again, I want to thank our witnesses - Assistant Secretary Guertin, Vice Admiral Pitts, and Lieutenant General Heckl - for being with us today. We had an opportunity to speak together recentl  more

Rep. Courtney Celebrates Graduation of the First Australian Sailors from Sub Base New London
WASHINGTON, April 18 -- Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) spoke on the House Floor to mark the graduation of the first three Royal Australian Navy sailors from Submarine Officer Basic Course at Submarine Base New London. The three sailors - Lieutenant Commander Adam Klyne, Lieutenant Commander James Heydon, Lieutenant William Hall - began the course in February 2024 after graduating from Naval Nuclear Power Training Comm  more

Rep. Courtney Statement on Iran's Attacks on Israel
WASHINGTON, April 14 -- Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: NORWICH, CT - Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) issued the following statement. "The successful multinational effort to intercept over 300 drones and missiles indiscriminately launched at Israel saved countless innocent lives. U.S. pilots and reconnaissance crews performed with flawless precision, incurring zero casualties which is a reason for all Americans to express gratitude. The emergency m  more

Rep. Courtney: Eastern CT is the College Basketball Capital of the World
WASHINGTON, April 15 -- Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: Today on the House Floor, Rep. Joe Courtney congratulated the University of Connecticut's men's basketball team for their 2024 national championship win - a back-to-back repeat - and the women's basketball team's 23rd Final Four appearance. Image Download Rep. Courtney's remarks here. *** Original text here: https://courtney.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/rep-courtney-eastern-ct-c  more

Rep. Joe Courtney Leads Colleagues in Urging Biden Administration to Investigate China's Unfair Shipbuilding Practices
WASHINGTON, April 15 -- Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT), Ranking Member of the House Seapower Subcommittee, and 37 of his colleagues in the House of Representatives sent a letter last week to the United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Tai, urging the agency to heed the calls of several unions to investigate China's (PRC) unfair trade practices in the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sector. "Several PRC policies, includ  more

Time Change: Blumenthal, Johnson Announce Witnesses to Appear at Hearing on Boeing's Broken Safety Culture
WASHINGTON, April 15 -- Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: Today, U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI) Chairman Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Ranking Member Ron Johnson (R-WI) announced that the following witnesses will appear at a hearing, Examining Boeing's Broken Safety Culture: Firsthand Accounts, at 11:15 AM on April 17, 2024: * Sam Salehpour, current Quality Engineer at Boeing; * Ed Pierson, Executive Director of   more