Dear Friend, 

It’s Joe Courtney. After another busy week in Congress, I’m back home in eastern Connecticut. Here to share an update on boosting submarine production, passing long-overdue checks and balances, and more from the week. As always, thanks for starting your weekend here with me. 

Boosting Submarine Production in the Annual Defense Policy Bill 

This week, Congress passed the final Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, the annual defense bill that sets priorities for our national security, our military, and the defense industrial base. The final NDAA reflects months of bipartisan work on the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, where I serve as Ranking Member, and delivers for eastern Connecticut shipbuilders. 

I took to the House floor to highlight these wins. 

To watch, click here.

The FY26 NDAA fixes glaring shortfalls in the 2026 budget process for our submarine programs that were left by a chaotic budget process. My bipartisan amendment to boost Virginia-class submarine funding to ensure a two-per-year build rate is included in the bill alongside critical funding to keep Columbia-class submarine construction on track and authority for the Navy to buy five new Columbia submarines. 

The NDAA also continues support for wage improvements for submarine shipyard workers and boosts investment in submarine industrial base. With submarine yard tonnage output near all-time highs, a new generation of shipbuilders are rising to meet unprecedented demand for submarine construction. The new investments made by the NDAA will strengthen workforce hiring and retention, shipyard facilities, and the submarine supply chain.  

Long-Overdue Checks and Balances 

In addition to shipbuilding, this year’s NDAA takes important steps to provide long-overdue checks on the President’s policies. Nearly one year into the Trump Administration, the House and Senate majorities have rarely acted as a check and balance on the President’s agenda. Passage of these bipartisan oversight measures and modifications of the Trump budget is a refreshingly healthy moment in the 119th Congress. 

All together, these provisions strengthen our national defense while reaffirming Constitutional authorities. Congress has a responsibility to provide oversight, and this bill is an important step in that direction.  

Taking Every Step to Lower Health Care Costs 

In just a few days on December 15th, Connecticut residents who enroll in health care coverage through Access Health CT have their first payment due for 2026 plans. For an estimated 142,000 enrollees in Connecticut, monthly premiums have skyrocketed because Congress failed to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits. We are talking about $1,000, $2,000, and $3,000 per month increases in costs. At a time when the cost of living is already squeezing budgets, for many people, these are impossible cost hikes to afford, and they will be forced to go uncovered. 

On Monday, I visited Middlesex Health in East Hampton to meet with Dr. Domenic Casablanca and physicians to discuss the urgent need for Congress to lower the cost of health care coverage. 

It is going to take bipartisan support in Congress to pass an extension of the Affordable Care Act tax credits. Last month, I signed onto a discharge petition to force a vote on extending the tax credits, and today, I signed onto two more bipartisan discharge petitions to do the same.  

Recommitting to End Gun Violence

The Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy will never be forgotten. It shattered the belief that some spaces were forever safe from gun violence. This week, on the 13th anniversary of the Sandy Hook shooting, survivors of gun violence and family members once again showed the moral courage to come to Congress and bear witness to our nation that we must act to prevent senseless killings. 

Holding a Town Hall with Residents & Staff at Harrington Court in Colchester 

Thanks to everyone who joined me for a town hall at Harrington Court in Colchester on Monday. I spoke with residents and staff about the huge cuts to Medicaid in the misnamed “Big Beautiful Bill” and the devastating impacts they will have on long-term care facilities that are already under stress. The President signed the “Big Beautiful Bill" into law in July. It makes a nearly $1 trillion cut to Medicaid to offset in part huge tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy. It also demoted nurses' status as "professionals" at the Department of Education, making masters level education more expensive. It’s not too late for Congress to listen to the warnings from caregivers and reverse these cuts.  

Meeting with Polish Allies

This week, I had a great meeting with Senators Grzegorz Schetyna and Tomasz Grodzki from the Polish Delegation during their U.S. visit. We discussed the importance and strength of the partnership between our two countries, as well as our shared commitment to resisting Putin’s unprovoked, illegal invasion of Ukraine.  
 
By GDP, Poland spends more on defense than any other NATO member including the United States. I am grateful for their commitment to democracy and the international rule of law.  

Thank you for taking some time to read my update. If my office can be of any assistance, do not hesitate to call us at (860) 886-0139. 

Sincerely,

Joe Courtney
Member of Congress

OFFICE LOCATIONS