Dear Friend,

On Wednesday, State Treasurer Erick Russell and I hosted a community conversation in Norwalk where we discussed Connecticut’s economic outlook and the federal budget. I wanted to share a few takeaways for those who were not able to join. 

Connecticut will soon have to confront two challenges created by the Trump Administration: a possible government shutdown and expiring health care tax credits. On September 30^th, the federal government will run out of funding, resulting in a shutdown if a compromise cannot be reached. So far, Republicans have refused to negotiate with Democratic leadership, instead trying to force through a partisan spending bill that has no chance of passing the Senate. Last week, Democrats voted against this conservative proposal that would have entrenched the drastic cuts to Medicaid (HUSKY Health in CT) enacted by President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill this summer. Democrats are not in the business of harming our constituents; we are eager to keep the government open and reverse the Trump Medicaid cuts that will throw 15 million people off their insurance. Both are possible, and both are good for the American people. 

A second health care challenge created by Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill is that it did not extend critical tax credits which help offset some Americans' health insurance premiums. If these credits are not extended, a middle-income family of four living in Southwestern Connecticut and enrolled in an AccessHealth CT insurance plan would see their annual premiums rise more than $20,000; a 60-year-old middle-income couple on an AccessHealth CT plan could see increases greater than $30,000. Health care costs are preposterously high as it is – we cannot allow these credits to expire. 

In the event of a federal government shutdown, my office will share information and resources regarding what services may be impacted. If you are currently experiencing a problem with a federal agency, please contact my office as soon as possible at (203) 333-6600 so a member of my staff can assist you.

Be sure to sign up for my newsletter to receive information about upcoming events and follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Substack for regular updates on how my work in Washington helps you.

Sincerely,

Jim