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Dear Friend,
As you may know, the federal government will shutdown on this Sunday, October 1, if Congress does not pass and the President does not sign into law appropriation bills to fund federal agencies. I'm working with my colleagues to avoid this through a bipartisan agreement.
Tonight, I want to share an update on where we stand right now and share information on how a federal government shutdown may impact eastern Connecticut residents.
Working to Avoid a Government Shutdown – Resources and FAQs
We're now just over a day from a federal government shutdown. There is a clear pathway to avoid this through a bipartisan, House and Senate agreement to fund the government. I stand ready to support this.
In May, I joined a broad coalition of 314 Democrats and Republicans to avoid a catastrophic default through the Fiscal Responsibility Act. That measure set spending caps that will cut the deficit by $1 trillion over 10 years. It also set us on a bipartisan path to fully fund the government and ensured federal workers and servicemembers receive pay without interruption and Americans have sustained access to the services they rely on. Earlier this week, I and many others urged Speaker McCarthy to uphold that commitment.
Instead, Speaker McCarthy abandoned the commitment and tried and failed to approve a short-term spending plan that would cut LIHEAP – heating assistance for low-income families – by 74 percent and Social Security Administration by 30 percent. Cuts like those are a non-starter – for both a Congress with split control and the American people.
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| Click here to watch Rep. Courtney provide an update on his work to prevent a government shutdown. |
Workers, families, and servicemembers across eastern Connecticut would unfairly feel the consequences of a preventable shutdown. In the event of a shutdown, my office will remain open to support constituents and connect them to community services.
Right now, you can visit my webpage at courtney.house.gov/shutdown to learn how a shutdown would impact federal agencies and services you may rely on, like the Social Security Administration and Veterans Affairs. With further questions, please call my Norwich office at (860) 886-0139 or my Washington office at (202) 225-2076.
Celebrating Agriculture in Brooklyn
Last weekend, I had a great time at Brooklyn’s “Celebrating Agriculture” event which is sponsored annually by the Ekonk Community Grange. The event serves as an excellent opportunity for residents to connect with local farmers, non-profits, service providers, small businesses, and elected officials.
I sat down for a “farm breakfast” with Brooklyn First Selectman Austin Tanner – cooked by Sterling First Selectman Lincoln Cooper and others! First Selectman Tanner’s farm, Creamery Brook Bison, also had a food truck serving excellent bison burgers! My office and I stopped by a lot of booths – the Last Green Valley, the Chamberlain Mill – who my office helped with non-profit status – Hull Lumber, Norm’s Sugar House, the Quiet Corner Garden Club – which has a thriving membership, and more.
Later, I visited the new Brooklyn Community Care Center for their open house. The new center was launched by the Brooklyn School District and many volunteers. It provides families in need with food and clothing support. Superintendent Patricia Buell gave me a tour of their services and the booths present for the open house – Eastern Connecticut Head Start, QC Early Childhood Council, and more. Our region is very lucky to have leaders like Superintendent Buell who works hard to support students, parents, and staff with programs like this.
Connecticut VA's Stand Down Event
It was great to see so many organizations providing support to veterans at last Friday’s Veterans Stand Down event – hosted by the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affair and Norwich Easterseals Veterans Rally Point. This was one of five Stand Down events in the state, and was a one stop shop for veterans and their families to access a wide-range of services. I stopped by with my Veterans Caseworker, Manny Menses (USN, Ret.), to promote the services my office provides. Thanks to Easterseals Veterans Rally Point staff and CEO Robin Sharp for hosting another great event.
We're on the cusp of another important deadline for the Honoring Our PACT Act. Before tomorrow, September 30th at 11:59PM, Post-9/11 combat veterans who left service between 9/11/2001 and 10/1/2013 can enroll directly in VA health care without first applying for disability benefits. This enrollment period ends after tomorrow, so don't wait any longer.
Veterans can visit VA.gov/PACT to enroll. Remember, there is no deadline to apply for VA health care. Veterans who miss this enrollment window may still be eligible for enrollment, but they may not be able to receive care unless they meet other criteria.
Improved Access to Behavioral Health Care for Families
On Monday, I visited the Child and Family Agency of Southeastern CT’s new Urgent Crisis Center for Children in New London. This is one of four new centers across Connecticut made possible by $1.7 million in federal American Rescue Plan funding. The centers function as walk-in-clinics to provide families with immediate access to resources to address behavioral health crises – aimed at diverting away from visits to emergency rooms.
Last year, I worked with the Child and Family Agency to secure nearly $700,000 in federal Community Project funding to expand professional and dedicated early childhood mental health care to young students and families in need in New London County. Thanks to Dr. Frank Gregory, CEO Lisa Otto, COO Erin Saylor, and the entire Child and Family Agency staff for updating me on the critically needed resources the new center will provide to families in southeastern Connecticut.
Rehabilitating a Piece of Norwich's Rich History
After my visit in New London, I headed up to Norwich to join the Norwich Historical Society at the David Greenleaf House which they will rehabilitate into an accessible, multipurpose event space. The Norwich Historical Society is working with the Society of the Founders of Norwich to create a campus with the David Greenleaf House and the Leffingwell House Museum. The project has been a goal since 1999, and after decades of committed work, and thanks to $500,000 in federal American Rescue Plan funding and additional state funding, it will finally become a reality.
Thank you to the Norwich Historical Society and its Executive Director Regan Miller for hosting me, Elizabeth Shaprio, the Director of Arts, Preservation and Museums at the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, State Senator Cathy Osten, Norwich City Councilmember Bill Nash, Norwich Public Utilities, and more at the David Greenleaf House. The Norwich Historical Society hopes to complete work on the site and lower basement level by the end of 2024, ahead of the Leffingwell House Museum’s 350th anniversary in 2025. Work on the first floor and second floor will be completed in later phases.
Thank you for taking some time to read my update. If we can be of any assistance, particularly during the potential government shutdown, don't hesitate to give my Norwich office a call at (860) 886-0139.
Sincerely,
Joe Courtney
Member of Congress
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