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Dear Friend,
It’s Joe Courtney. After another busy week in Congress, I’m back home in eastern Connecticut. Here to share a quick update on the latest news from the week. As always, thanks for starting your weekend here with me.
Protecting Basic Need Services and Important Programs
This week, the House passed a package of government funding bills (H.R. 7148). In a Congress where the majority leadership has refused to work on a bipartisan basis, these funding bills are the product of a rare negotiation conducted with both sides of the aisle. For education, transportation, and housing funding, these bills protect basic services and important programs that have been undercut by the Trump Administration budget office for the last year.
I’m particularly pleased that the bills in H.R. 7148 protect funding for NIH medical research grants that were canceled with no warning, so that our country can continue to lead the world in fighting cancer, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and other devastating illnesses and also provide funding for federal community health centers in Eastern Connecticut and education programs like Title I that provide foundational support for our local school districts. After a year of uncertainty and instability from the Trump Administration's Departments of Education and Health and Human Services, these spending bills go a great distance to reassert Congress' authority over government funding.
Voting Against a Partisan Bill that Fails to Put Urgently Needed Oversight on ICE
Unlike H.R. 7148, the funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security (H.R. 7147) fell way short of putting urgently needed checks and oversight on the out of control actions of Kristi Noem’s ICE. This bill offered a golden opportunity to enact meaningful protections for U.S. citizens, documented immigrants, and minor children from getting ensnared by indiscriminate ICE arrest quotas. Basic due process protections and protections from searches of homes without a court order have been completely ignored. During its mass sweeps, ICE has shown little or no professionalism or physical restraint as a law enforcement agency, inflaming tension and conflict in the communities they operate in. Sadly, this bill simply perpetuates a dangerous status quo with new funding. I voted “no.”
Good News for Submarine Construction
The defense funding bill that the House passed as part of H.R. 7148 delivers full funding for Virginia and Columbia-class submarines. That includes a $1.9 billion Congressional plus-up for Virginia-class submarines to avoid a funding gap that the President’s budget request would have created.
As Ranking Member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, I worked with my colleagues to address this shortfall through the 2026 budget process, including with a bipartisan amendment to the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act.
With the funding delivered in this defense bill, Connecticut’s statewide defense industry can continue on a growth trajectory.
15 Total Community Projects for Eastern Connecticut
More great news. I worked with our towns and local non-profits to secure federal funding for 10 more Community Projects across Connecticut’s Second District supporting housing development, infrastructure improvements, and expanded child care.
In case you missed it in last week’s newsletter, earlier this month, the House and Senate passed funding for four Community Projects across the District for public safety, infrastructure, and STEM education. In November, Congress also passed funding for a Community Project in North Stonington. You can learn more about all 15 of these projects on the map below.
Voting to Reassert Congress’ Authority Over Military Actions Abroad
Congress must reassert its control over military actions abroad. As a senior Member of the House Armed Services Committee, I’m fighting to pass a War Powers Resolution to prohibit the President from taking military action without approval by Congress.
Yesterday, the House voted on a War Powers Resolution specifically to prohibit further military action in Venezuela without Congressional approval. I’m disappointed that the bill failed in a tied vote. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I will continue fighting to assert Congressional authority.
Meeting with Australia’s Secretary of Defence Greg Moriarty
Australian Secretary of Defence Greg Moriarty recently visited in Washington to catch up on progress with AUKUS, the trilateral security agreement with the U.S., UK, and Australia.
The U.S. and Australian navies are expanding joint training and technology sharing to deter conflict in the Indo-Pacific. A good part of that is happening in southeast Connecticut, the Submarine Capital of the World! Good on ya, mate!
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
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