WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Thursday led 21 Senate Democrats in calling on the U.S. Department of Treasury to formally extend the deadline until July 15 for individuals and businesses to file their 2019 taxes. In a letter to U.S Secretary of Treasury Steve Mnuchin, the senators expressed their worry that the existing plan allowing for extensions just for payments and not filings is undu  more

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report on global health assistance. The report (GAO-20-347) is entitled "Global Health Assistance: Awardees' Declinations of U.S. Planned Funding Due to Abortion-Related Restrictions". The report was sent to Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-New Hampshire, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, Sen. Susan M. Collins, R-Maine, Se  more

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: * * * - Small Business Support Bill in Response to Worsening Coronavirus Crisis * * * U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Senate lead on the FA  more

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: Representative Joe Courtney (CT-02) introduced the Rapid Coverage of COVID-19 Vaccine Act of 2020 (H.R. 6299)--a bold proposal to ensure a future vaccine for COVID-19 is quickly accessible for all Americans covered by private health insurance plans. Courtney was joined in introducing H.R. 6299 by Rep. Don Beyer (VA-8). Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), items or services that receive an "A" or "B" rat  more

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Connecticut, issued the following statement on March 17: Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) released the following statement regarding the U.S. Department of Education's failure to look out for and protect student loan borrowers amid the COVID-19 pandemic. For years, Courtney has called on Secretary DeVos and the Department of Education to allow student loan borrowers to refinance their interest rates down to lower, market rate prices, and has introduc  more

NORWICH, Connecticut, March 19 -- Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Connecticut, issued the following statement: Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) released the following statement after the United States Senate voted to approve the House-passed Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), the House's latest bipartisan legislative package that would provide American families with financial stability and security amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Rep. Courtney voted last week to pass H.R. 6201, and this morn  more

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Connecticut, issued the following statement after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell released Senate Republicans' coronavirus legislation: "After speaking with thousands of eastern Connecticut residents via two remote distance town halls this week, there is no doubt that Senator McConnell's proposed COVID-19 aid package totally misses the mark in terms of supporting working families, small businesses, and frontline health care workers who are dea  more

WASHINGTON, March 17 -- Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: Early this morning, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) voted to pass the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201), an economic relief package that would provide American families with financial stability and security amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. "The ripple effects made by COVID-19 may be felt for months, and we need to help eastern Connecticut families, schools, businesses,  more

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-Connecticut, issued the following statement after Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, filed an amendment to the remove paid sick days and paid leave provisions from the House-passed Families First Coronavirus Response Act: "Senator Johnson's attempt to remove already-weakened paid sick days and paid leave provisions from the House-passed Families First Coronavirus Response Act is reprehensible. Fortunately for him, Senator Johnson does not have to worr  more

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-Connecticut, issued the following statment after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell coronavirus relief bill: "Senate Republicans' latest bill does not go nearly far enough to help working people and our most vulnerable. People have lost their jobs, businesses and schools are closed, and families do not know how they are going to be able to put food on the table and pay their bills. "At a time of crisis, we must be concerned for the solvency o  more

WASHINGTON, March 16 -- Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-Connecticut, issued the following statement on March 14: Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement after voting to pass the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, legislation that will ensure free coronavirus tests, access to paid sick days and longer-term paid leave, and expanded food assistance for children and seniors. If enacted, this would be the first time paid sick days and paid family and medical legislation wil  more

WASHINGTON, March 16 -- Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Hayes and House Democrats introduced the Families First Coronavirus Response Act to address the severe impacts of the coronavirus on Americans' personal safety and financial security. This second relief package by Congress in just two weeks will ensure free Coronavirus testing for all Americans. It will strengthen food assistance for seniors, low-income women and mothers with young childre  more

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, along with U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and U.S. Representatives John Larson (CT-1), Rosa DeLauro (CT-3), Joe Courtney (CT-2), Jim Himes (CT-4) and Jahana Hayes (CT-5) this week sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) urging the Department to sup  more

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- Rep. Jim Himes, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: The government's response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is constantly evolving, so please stay up-to-date on information from verified sources. Learn more online from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the State of Connecticut. By phone, you may contact 1-800-CDC-INFO, call 2-1-1, or text "CTCOVID" to 898211 for more information. To receive updates about the virus and how the   more

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Rep. John B. Larson, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) called for the United States to immediately begin manufacturing ventilators and other medical equipment to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. "As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to worsen, I am urging the President to use all available authorities and resources, including his recent invoking of the Defense Production Act, to ask manufacturers to immediately begin manufactur  more

HARTFORD, Connecticut, March 21 -- Rep. John B. Larson, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release on March 20: Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) sent a letter to President Trump asking him to use Department of Defense (DOD) resources to increase production of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), ventilators, and other essential items. Earlier this week, Larson called for a war-time production of these resources. "I am writing today to ask you to marshal Department of Defense (DOD) resources t  more

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Rep. John B. Larson, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee Chairman John B. Larson (CT-01) announced he's introducing The Emergency Social Security Benefits Improvement Act. This bill will build on the benefit expansions made in the Social Security 2100 Act (H.R. 860) to provide economic relief to those who need it most during the Coronavirus pandemic: the elderly, minority populations, and people with disabil  more

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Rep. John B. Larson, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01), a co-chair of the Congressional Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Caucus, announced record support for the F-35 Program for the second year in the row, with 130 bipartisan signatories for the FY2021 appropriations and authorization letter. The letter requests funding for 98 F-35 fighters and continued investment in the F-35 program. "I am incredibly proud of the overwhelming and  more

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Rep. John B. Larson, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release on March 20: Yesterday, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) met with local small businesses and community leaders to discuss their response to COVID-19. "First and foremost, I would like to applaud the many small businesses and local institutions who are stepping up to lend a helping hand during these difficult times. Yesterday I met with several local leaders, including Carla Squatrito of Carla's Pasta and M  more

WASHINGTON, March 16 -- Rep. John B. Larson, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release on March 14: Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) voted for the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, to provide relief to people and families affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Last week Larson voted on a $8.3 billing emergency funding package to combat the Coronavirus pandemic. "No one should take a financial hit because they needed a Coronavirus test. No worker should have to choose between staying   more

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Rep. John B. Larson, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, along with U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and U.S. Representatives John Larson (CT-1), Rosa DeLauro (CT-3), Joe Courtney (CT-2), Jim Himes (CT-4) and Jahana Hayes (CT-5) this week sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) urging the Department to s  more

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- Rep. John B. Larson, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: The Congressional Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Caucus Co-Chairs, Reps. John B. Larson (CT-01), Marc A. Veasey (TX-33), Martha Roby (AL-02), and Michael R. Turner (OH-10), announced record support for the F-35 Program for the second year in the row, with 130 bipartisan signatories for the FY2021 appropriations and authorization letter. The letter requests funding for 98 F-35 fighters and continued invest  more

NEW HAVEN, Connecticut, March 21 -- Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and Congressman Mark Pocan (WI-02) announced they will introduce two bills to prevent working people from being laid off due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Preventing Layoffs During a Public Health Emergency Act and the Layoff Prevention Act would provide federal support for states' work sharing programs, which give employers the flexibility they need   more

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: Representatives Jahana Hayes (CT-05), John Larson (CT-01), and Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) led a letter to the Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner, Andrew Saul, with support from Representatives Joe Courtney (CT-02), Jim Himes (CT-04), and Jan Schakowsky (IL-09). The letter urges him to protect front-line Social Security employees from unnecessary exposure to Coronavirus COVID-19. Representative   more

WASHINGTON, March 18 -- Rep. John B. Larson, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: Representatives John Larson (CT-01), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), and Jahana Hayes (CT-05), led a letter to the Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner, Andrew Saul, with support from Representatives Joe Courtney (CT-02), Jim Himes (CT-04), and Jan Schakowsky (IL-09). The letter urges him to protect front-line Social Security employees from unnecessary exposure to Coronavirus COVID-19. Representati  more

WASHINGTON, March 14 -- Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, issued the following statement on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, a bipartisan agreement to respond to the ongoing public health crisis passed by the House: "This solid start to confronting a historic national crisis truly puts families first. The Senate - which should be at work right now - must now quickly approve it with the overwhelming bipartisan support that this emergency demands. "This crisis has upended work  more

WASHINGTON, March 13 -- Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: * * * - Senators demand Norwegian Cruise Line stop misleading customers & consider suspending operations until proper health and safety measures are in place * * * U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Edward J. Markey (D-MA), members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, sent a letter to Norwegian Cruise Line CEO Frank Del Rio following reports indicating  more

HARTFORD, Connecticut, March 13 -- Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, joined U.S. Senate Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) at a press conference on Friday to call on the U.S. Senate to quickly pass legislation to provide relief for workers, small businesses, health care providers, and first responders in the  more

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, on Wednesday called for robust legislative measures to aid workers and families across the country who will be directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Murphy laid out what he wants to see in a future relief package to help Connecticut's workers, families, and medical professionals. This includes: (1) imm  more

WASHINGTON, March 13 -- 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 and U.S. Appropriations Committee, on Friday made the following statement after it was reported that the Trump administration plans to issue an executive order that would ban the federal government from using Chinese-made drones: "If these reports are true, this is a big win for our national security and   more

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release on March 18: * * * - When You Pursue an America First Strategy, You are Vulnerable When A Moment Comes That Requires International Cooperation * * * U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S Senate Foreign Relations Committee and U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, joined Crooked Media's Pod Save the World this week with Tommy Veitor to discuss the latest on the economic relief   more

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), top Democrat of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and eight other members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee joined a letter led by Ranking Member, U.S Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo raising serious concerns about Americans struggling to return home after being stranded  more

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release on March 19: U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, led 16 Senate Democrats on Thursday in calling on the health insurance companies to remove barriers to care for Americans who find themselves diagnosed with COVID-19. In a letter to CEOs for Kaiser Permanente, Aetna, Humana, Cigna Corporation, Blue Cross Blue Shield Associa  more

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: * * * - Members: We Hope That Your Agency Can Appropriately Respond to the Serious Circumstances That Our State Is Facing * * * U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, along with U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and U.S. Representatives John Larson (CT-1), Rosa DeLauro (CT-3), Joe Courtney (CT-2), Jim Himes (CT-  more

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) sent an urgent letter to Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue and the Administrator of the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Pam Miller imploring them to provide the state of Connecticut with immediate guidance regarding the implementation of provisions included in the just-approved Families First Corona  more

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: After being contacted directly by Connecticut residents stuck abroad about the difficulty they have returning home as the coronavirus spreads worldwide, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) on Wednesday sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo raising concerns about the State Department's communication with Americans abroad and providing the  more

WASHINGTON, March 20 -- Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: * * * - Senators Urge Importance of Expanding Surge Capacity before Hospitals Get Overwhelmed * * * U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and U.S Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) called on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to activate their authorities to provide hospital care and medical services to civilians and veterans not otherwise enrolled in the VA   more

WASHINGTON, March 19 -- Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: As the economic fallout of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak escalates, U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) joined U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and a group of their colleagues in sending a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer outlining a bold   more

WASHINGTON, March 21 -- Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), on Friday rolled out a proposal that would provide much-needed liquidity for small and medium businesses during the economic crisis caused by COVID-19. The Main Street Emergency Grant Program would allow small businesses to apply for grants through the Treasury Department to cover fixed costs lik  more