Sunday - April 28, 2024
U.S. Congressional Tipoffs Involving Connecticut Newsletter for Sunday March 03, 2024 ( 23 items )  

***Video***Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Releases Alarming Report on the Youth Vaping Epidemic
WASHINGTON, Feb. 29 -- Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chair of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), released the Subcommittee's new report titled "The Youth Vaping Epidemic: Federal Regulation of E-cigarettes and the Rise of Juul and Puff Bar." The report, a culmination of a four-year-long investigation by PSI, found the new youth nicotine addiction epidemic can be traced back to key federal regul  more

Blumenthal & Murphy Praise VA Expansion of Health Care for All Toxic-Exposed Veterans
WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 -- Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: [Hartford, CT] -- Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, and U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) praised the Department of Veterans Affairs' announcement that all veterans who were exposed to toxins and other hazards during their service will be able to directly enroll in VA health care starting March 5. With this new expansion, all veterans   more

Congressional Delegation Statement on Trip to Israel and the Palestinian Territories
WASHINGTON, March 2 -- Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release on March 1, 2024: Today, U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), along with Representatives Mark Takano (CA-39), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Sean Casten (IL-06), and Becca Balint (VT-AL), released a statement on their recent trip to Israel and the Palestinian Territories and outlining changes for future U.S. policy: "What happened in Israel on October 7th was horrifying. On our r  more

Courtney Pushes for Negotiated Ceasefire in Israel, Gaza
WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 -- Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: "The bloodshed of Palestinian civilians--including thousands of children--, the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and the continued captivity of hundreds of hostages makes clear that there must be a change in the Israeli government's rightful operation to degrade Hamas. Even those who want retribution more than anyone for Hamas' October 7th sneak attack agree a change is needed. "Yehuda Beinin, an   more

DeLauro Leads 40 Lawmakers in Sending Letter to Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas Urging Secretary to Address De Minimis Tariff Waivers and Protect American Manufacturers
WASHINGTON, March 1 -- Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release on Feb. 29, 2024: Today, U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) led 40 lawmakers in a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alexander Mayorkas urging the Secretary to provide an enforcement plan to address illegal custom practices that undercut American competitiveness and violate international trade and labor laws. In the letter, the lawmakers urge Secretary Mayorkas to crack down on the de minimis   more

Hayes Statement on Expansion of Accessibility to Healthcare Benefits For Connecticut Veterans
WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 -- Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: Following the United States Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) announcement of an expansion of enrollment eligibility for VA healthcare, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes released the following statement: "The magnitude of this decision from the Biden Administration cannot be understated. Millions of veterans across the country, including in the Fifth District, will be eligible to enroll directly in VA healthc  more

Hayes Statement on the Need for Immediate Action in Gaza
WASHINGTON, Feb. 29 -- Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Jahana Hayes released the following statement on the situation in Gaza: "The events before and after October 7th make one thing clear - the violence and hostilities in the region must end. The reported deaths of innocent Palestinian civilians in Gaza City awaiting desperately needed aid further demonstrate the dire situation and the need for immediate action. It has been reported that the  more

Hayes Statement on Vote to Extend Partial Government Shutdown Deadline
WASHINGTON, Feb. 29 -- Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: Following the conclusion of a fourth vote to extend the deadline to pass an FY2024 budget, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes released the following statement: "Today, the House of Representatives passed a continuing resolution to avert a government shutdown. This legislation will extend government funding for six of the appropriations bills to March 8th and the remainder to March 22nd. In the 118th Congress,   more

ICYMI Video: Blumenthal Speaks on Senate Floor Urging Passage of Access to Family Building Act
WASHINGTON, Feb. 29 -- Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) spoke on the Senate Floor yesterday after Republicans blocked passage of the Access to Family Building Act. The legislation, introduced by U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), works to protect the right to access in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technology services nationwide and would establish a statutory ri  more

Larson Calls on House Republicans to Support Government Funding and Aid to Ukraine on CNN International's "Quest Means Business"
WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 -- Rep. John B. Larson, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) appeared on CNN International's "Quest Means Business," hosted by Richard Quest, to discuss government funding negotiations and the need to support the people of Ukraine in their fight against Russian aggression.  "[President Zelenskyy] summed it up last week that he cannot win without U.S. military support and further aid. He was quite clear about this. At what point do y  more

Larson Votes to Prevent Government Shutdown
WASHINGTON, Feb. 29 -- Rep. John B. Larson, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) voted to extend the government funding deadline to prevent a devastating shutdown that would hurt American families.  "Today, I voted again to prevent a government shutdown," said Larson. "Speaker Johnson and House Republicans appear to have finally reached the conclusion they should have six months ago, that the only path forward is working together with Democrats to fund  more

Murphy Chairs Hearing On Yemen And Red Sea Security: I Believe A Tailored, Time-Bound Congressional Authorization Is Required
WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 -- Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia and Counterterrorism, on Tuesday held a subcommittee hearing on U.S. policy towards Yemen and security issues in the Red Sea with Timothy A. Lenderking, U.S. Special Envoy for Yemen for the Department of State, and Daniel B. Shapiro, Deputy Assistant Secretary of De  more

Murphy Statement On Capital One-Discover Merger
WASHINGTON, March 1 -- Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Friday released the following statement on the recently announced Capital One-Discover merger: "The Capital One-Discover merger would be a disaster for everyone but the executives and wealthy shareholders behind it. It would create the largest credit card issuer and one of the biggest banks in the nation-- and then equip it with one of just four payment netwo  more

Murphy Statement On Deaths In Gaza City
WASHINGTON, Feb. 29 -- Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia and Counterterrorism, on Thursday released the following statement after more than 100 Palestinians were killed on Thursday morning during a delivery of humanitarian aid in Gaza City: "The death of innocent civilians seeking desperately needed food aid is completel  more

Murphy Statement On HELP Committee Vote To Advance Nomination Of Julie Su As Secretary Of Labor
WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 -- Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Tuesday released the following statement after voting to advance Julie Su's nomination for Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL): "In her tenure as Acting Secretary, Julie Su has proved she is eminently qualified to continue leading the Department of Labor. We have seen record-breaking numbers of new good-paying jobs, a huge expansion of workforce d  more

Murphy Statement On Second Anniversary Of Russia's Invasion of Ukraine
WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 -- Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, on Saturday released the following statement on the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine: "As we mark the second anniversary of Vladimir Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine, Republicans need to wake up to the dire situation on the ground and stop playing games. I just spent five days talking  more

Murphy, Blumenthal Praise VA Expansion Of Health Care For All Toxic-Exposed Veterans
WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 -- Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: HARTFORD -- U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) on Tuesday praised the Department of Veterans Affairs' announcement that all veterans who were exposed to toxins and other hazards during their service will be able to directly enroll in VA health care starting March 5. With this new expansion, all veterans who were exposed to toxins, including those who served in th  more

Murphy, Smith Introduce Legislation To Improve Conditions Exacerbating Health Inequalities Among Black, Brown, Indigenous And People Of Color
WASHINGTON, Feb. 29 -- Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) on Thursday introduced legislation to study and address how social, environmental, and economic conditions exacerbate health inequities, which significantly affects Black, Brown, Indigenous, and people of color. These conditions, known as social determinants o  more

Murphy: Father Bob Will Remain A Pillar Of The Newtown Community Long After His Retirement
WASHINGTON, Feb. 29 -- Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Wednesday spoke on the U.S. Senate floor to congratulate Monsignor Robert Weiss of St. Rose of Lima, also known as Father Bob, on his retirement and honor his contributions to the community of Newtown. "He's a hero to many of us, forged by fire and tragedy. But that's not the sum of Robert Weiss, because during his 50 years in the priesthood, he has brought s  more

Murphy: For Donald Trump And The Republicans, The Border Is Just A Moneymaking Grievance Machine That They Refuse To Solve
WASHINGTON, Feb. 29 -- Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, on Thursday spoke on the U.S. Senate floor on Republicans' refusal to work with Democrats to address the crisis at the border they pretend to care about because they would rather help Trump's re-election. Murphy explained why Republicans blocked his bipartisan legislation with U.S. Se  more

Murphy: President Trump's Policy Towards Iran Was A Disaster
WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 -- Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia and Counterterrorism, on Wednesday spoke at a U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on addressing Iran's proxy network in the Middle East with former U.S. Special Representative for Iran and Senior Policy Advisor to the Secretary of State Brian Hook. "I t  more

Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations to Hold Hearing on Use of U.S. Microchips in Russian Weapons Systems
WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 -- Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: Today Tuesday, February 27 at 10:00 AM the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI) will hold a hearing titled "The U.S. Technology Fueling Russia's War in Ukraine: How and Why." The hearing marks the Subcommittee's first public discussion of its ongoing inquiry into how American-manufactured semiconductors continue to be found in Russian weapons systems, despite export controls implem  more

Rep. Larson and Nancy Altman: Voters Want Congress to Expand Social Security -- Not Cut It Behind Closed Doors
WASHINGTON, Feb. 29 -- Rep. John B. Larson, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: Rep. Larson and Nancy Altman, President of Social Security Works, wrote the following op-ed for Data for Progress: When Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) was elected speaker of the House, he immediately called for a "debt commission" designed to slash Social Security and Medicare behind closed doors. In January, the House Budget Committee approved a bill to create such a commission, with every Republican v  more