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Dear Friend,
It’s Joe Courtney. I'm here to share an update on the latest news from Congress and back home in eastern Connecticut. As always, thanks for starting your weekend here with me.
Visiting Full Heart Farm in Ledyard
Today, I visited Full Heart Farm in Ledyard, a producer of fresh herbs, vegetables, and flowers. In 2012, owner Allyson Angelini started the farm at the age of 24 when she purchased 6.25 acres of land in Ledyard. Full Heart Farm produce can be found at their farm stand, local restaurants, schools, small businesses, and in the homes of people who participate in their FarmShare programs. In 2024, Full Heart Farm was awarded a Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grant from the USDA to purchase and install a rooftop solar power system. Allyson showed us her electric bill that covers heating and lighting for farm operations – "no payment due"! Her bill before was $600+/month. That smart investment will keep farms like her's sustainable.
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| Left to Right: Connecticut Commissioner of Agriculture Bryan Hurlburt, Rep. Joe Courtney, Full Heart Farm Owner Allyson Angelini, Connecticut Resources Conservation & Development Agricultural Programs Director Amanda Fargo-Johnson, and Connecticut Resource Conservation & Development Energy & Environmental Programs Coordinator Christian Swanson. |
Farming is at the center of eastern Connecticut’s identity, and federal grant funding through USDA programs is a huge source of support for local farms. The Trump Administration's knee-jerk opposition to solar power and disruption of USDA grant programs, like REAP, has thrown farms into uncertainty they cannot afford. I'm committed to helping our farmers stay in business and expand their markets. USDA grant funding was appropriated by Congress, and I won't stop fighting to get our farmers the smart assistance they need.
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| Full Heart Farm Owner Allyson Angelini shows me a composter. |
Meeting with the EB Metal Trades Council
I had a good visit with the Electric Boat Metal Trades Council this morning and discussed the Navy submarine construction plans, AUKUS, and the wage improvement funding that Congress passed in 2024. That wage improvement has been included in the MTC labor contract. Thank you to President of the MTC Peter Baker and the almost 4,000 MTC members, who are the finest shipbuilders in the world, for all you do.
Urging My Colleagues to Listen to the Warnings on the “Big Beautiful Bill”
This week, Congress returned to session with a big to-do list. While at home, I hosted town halls to hear directly from Second District residents on their concerns and priorities for Congress. Top of mind again and again were the impacts of President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” – namely, the bill’s nearly $1 trillion cut to Medicaid and its $3.4 trillion increase to deficit spending which will trigger $45 billion in cuts to Medicare. Other members of Congress heard the same concerns from their constituents. On Tuesday, I spoke on the House floor, urging them to listen to the warnings and take action to avoid the harm this ugly bill will create.
After signing the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” into law in July, President Trump now says he wants to change the name of the bill. The American people and hospitals are delivering dire warnings that the Medicaid cuts in the bill will severely harm health care services for everyone. According to the final analysis by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, the “Big Beautiful Bill” will strip 10 million people of their health care coverage. This will strain emergency rooms as they become the primary care provider for newly uninsured patients and force hospitals to cut back services for everyone or potentially close. It’s clear that there is nothing “beautiful” about this bill.
Update: Connecticut & Rhode Island Sue to Overturn Revolution Wind Halt Work Order
Two weeks after the Trump Administration abruptly issued a halt work order for the 80% complete Revolution Wind offshore wind project, the Administration still has not provided a clear justification for the order. Given the hundreds of jobs on the line and the need for expanded energy supply to lower Connecticut energy costs, a halt work order without clear justification is reckless and irresponsible. Yesterday, Connecticut and Rhode Island filed a lawsuit challenging the legality the halt work order. I strongly support this lawsuit. 
Signing a Discharge Petition to Force a Vote on Releasing the Epstein Files
The American people have sent a clear message to leaders in Washington that they want transparency on the Department of Justice’s investigation into the heinous crimes committed by Jeffrey Epstein. I strongly support releasing the names of Epstein’s accomplices, and on Congress’ first day back in session this week, I signed a discharge petition which would force a vote on a bill to release the Epstein files.
After promising to release the Epstein files, this week, President Trump called the files a “hoax”. A complete 180 degree turn. Congress must pass a binding law to force the Department of Justice to release the Epstein files in a manner that provides transparency and protects survivors. Currently, the discharge petition has 215 signatures and needs three more to force a vote on the House floor.
Thanks for taking some time to read my update. If we can be of any assistance, don't hesitate to give my Norwich office a call at (860) 886-0139.
Sincerely,
Joe Courtney
Member of Congress
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