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Dear Friend,
I’m here with an update on newest Virginia-class submarine, the current state of the House of Representatives, and lots more from the week. As always, thanks for starting your weekend here with me.
Commissioning of the USS Hyman G. Rickover & a Commitment to Further Support for Shipbuilders
Last Saturday, I joined Navy leaders and Sailors, and Electric Boat shipbuilders to commission the USS Hyman G. Rickover. The Rickover was christened in 2021, and in the last two years, Electric Boat shipbuilders, Captain Matthew Beach and his crew worked tirelessly to deliver the 22nd Virginia submarine to the United States Navy. Their hard work is supported by record investments in the submarine industrial base that we’ve authorized on the Seapower and Projection Forces subcommittee going back to fiscal year 2018. Thanks to this commitment from Congress, we’ve improved the operational availability of our Navy’s undersea fleet, expanded the workforce of our shipyards – highlighted by 4,400 new hires at EB’s shipyard in 2023 alone – and strengthened manufacturing businesses across the supply chain. Now, to keep the momentum in our shipyards going, Congress must double down on these investments.
Today, President Biden called on Congress to pass $3.4 billion in funding to strengthen the U.S. Navy’s submarine fleet and the submarine industrial base. This underscores a clear-eyed commitment to growing U.S. undersea supremacy. The funding request helps the industrial base increase production and capacity to ensure the Navy can meet its own fleet requirements and also enables the AUKUS mission to successfully maintain peace in the Indo-Pacific.
Continued U.S. Support for Israel and Humanitarian Aid
The United States must lead in providing support for essential needs and services to civilians following Hamas’ attack on Israel and Russia’s continued war on Ukraine.
This week, I joined House Armed Services Committee briefing which provided a thorough update on the efforts underway to support Israel's self defense as well as tactics that would reduce the risk of harm to innocent civilians. There’s no question that the President’s funding request to Congress will help achieve those goals. The request includes vital support to Israel as they respond to horrific and unprovoked attack from Hamas by providing Department of Defense assistance to the Israeli Defense Forces and ensures Israel's Iron Dome defense system's readiness.
In addition to security assistance to Israel, the funding package requested includes significant, life-saving humanitarian aid for Palestinian refugees. On Wednesday, President Biden also announced a separate $100 million humanitarian aid package for the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank using already available funding—which I voted in favor of last year—to assist civilians in accessing clean water, food, hygiene support, medical care and more.
Meeting with Future Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti
On Tuesday, I had a great meeting with the future Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti. As the Ranking Member on the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, I look forward to working with Admiral Franchetti to ensure the readiness of our Navy and security for the U.S. and our allies.
Amidst rising global threats, Admiral Franchetti’s experience and proven leadership is needed now to guide our Navy’s ranks. Unfortunately, Senator Tommy Tuberville’s ridiculous "hold” on military nominations is preventing the Senate from confirming her nomination to serve as CNO. This is an extreme tactic and puts our national security at risk. Senator Tuberville must lift the hold and vote to confirm Admiral Franchetti’s nomination and others to fill top positions in our armed forces.
One Week Remaining to Apply for Military Service Academy Nominations
Each year, it’s a great honor to nominate eastern Connecticut high school students to attend our country’s military service academies. The deadline to apply for a 2023 Service Academy Nomination is Friday, October 27th. I encourage interested students and families to learn more about service academy nominations by clicking here or by calling my Norwich office at (860) 886-1039 with additional questions.
An Update on the State of the House of Representatives
This week, legislative business on the House Floor remained stalled while the majority party failed again to elect a speaker. Critical priorities have stacked up during House Republicans' internal debates. On Friday, House Republicans abandoned their Speaker nominee Rep. Jim Jordan after three failed votes on the House floor to elect him as Speaker. This was an inevitable outcome after he lost support on each subsequent vote.
I'm ready to work with the Republican majority on bipartisan arrangement to elect a Speaker of the House so that we can return to business, pass critical funding for our national security, our allies, and avert a shutdown.
A bipartisan agreement on a Speaker candidate is not without precedent. In the Connecticut State Legislature in 1989, when I served as a member, a bipartisan coalition came together after a Speaker was removed to create a better governing process. This year, in 118th Congress, we have followed a similar blueprint. In May, we voted in a center left, center right coalition to protect the the full faith and credit of the United States’ treasury notes and again last month to avert a catastrophic government shutdown. We are now four weeks away from the expiration of the short-term funding bill we passed on September 30th, and I'm hopeful that the majority will return to this obviously needed bipartisan pathway.
The Enfield Train Station Project Gets Underway
One of the most impactful Connecticut projects supported by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is in the Thompsonville section of Enfield. After over a decade of work by the Town of Enfield, members of the Connecticut Congressional Delegation, CTDOT, and local leaders throughout eastern Connecticut, train service will return to town via the new Enfield Train Station.
The Enfield Train Station will be an added stop on the Hartford Line. It's located on the site of the former train station and is a shining example of the U.S. Department of Transportation's commitment to intermodal transportation. Construction is planned to begin next year, and now, you can find a sign marking the project at the site of the future station. Take a look:
Breaking Ground on a New Vehicle Maintenance Center at the Bradley Air National Guard Base
On Monday, I joined my colleagues, Governor Lamont, General Evon, and leaders from the 103rd Airwing to break ground on Bradley Air National Guard Base’s new vehicle maintenance center. This new facility, made possible by investments my colleagues and I brought home, further cements the Air Force’s recent decision to base the C-130J aircrafts at Bradley.
This past decade alone, the Connecticut National Guard has been called upon over and over to perform missions in support of humanitarian and disaster relief, counterinsurgency operations, combat missions, and more. The significant investments Congress and the state have made under General Evon’s leadership in the base’s infrastructure will ensure the Flying Yankees can continue its legacy of excellence.
Strong Support for Create Safer Workplaces for Health Care & Social Service Workers
On Tuesday, I met with the group Impact in Healthcare during their visit to Capitol Hill advocating for my bill, the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act. We discussed the pressing need to create safer workplaces for our nation’s health care and social workers – who face the highest rates of on-the-job violence of any industry.
My bipartisan bill would ensure that employers take meaningful steps to keep workers safe. We must advance it and get it signed into law. Thank you to the over 30 nurses and health care workers who visited Capitol Hill this week to help achieve that goal!
Thank you 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. Have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Joe Courtney
Member of Congress
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