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Dear Friend,
I’m here with an update on my push to ensure workers are protected during the busy holiday season, a visit to Plumb Island, and more.
First this week, I want to provide an update on Liat Beinin Atzili, a dual American-Israeli citizen with familial ties to eastern Connecticut, and her husband, Aviv Atzili, who were victims of Hamas’ brutal and unprovoked October 7 attack.
On Wednesday, following steadfast commitment from President Biden and his Administration to broker the release of hostages held by Hamas, we received the news that Liat was released and returned to safety. Heartbreakingly, the relief Liat and her family in Israel and in Connecticut experienced upon her release is now buried in grief after we learned yesterday that her husband, Aviv, was killed by Hamas attackers on October 7. The willful inability of Hamas to account for its despicable assault infuriatingly left Aviv’s family totally in the dark about his whereabouts over the last seven weeks.
As Liat’s father powerfully stated last month, “Revenge, anger – certainly not religious fanaticism – are not parts of a viable agenda to end this nonsense in the Middle East. This can’t go on like this.”
Touring Facilities and Operations at Plum Island
Plum Island is a treasure of the Long Island Sound with a rich and unique history. This week, I joined my colleague from New York Congressman Nick LaLota to tour the island’s pristine landscape as well as the Department of Homeland Security facilities. Those facilities which operate in conjunction with USDA are slated to close by 2025.
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| From left to right: Director of the Plum Island Animal Disease Center Dr. Tod Companion, Rep. Nick LaLota, Deputy Center Director John Searing, and Rep. Joe Courtney |
Rep. LaLota and I co-chair the bipartisan Long Island Sound Caucus, and we introduced legislation in this Congress to designate Plum Island as a national monument after the closure – a designation which would guarantee permanent federal support for conservation and preservation work. After a successful years-long effort to prevent the sale of Plum Island, we’ve secured significant federal resources in recent budgets to support the island. Now, it’s time to permanently protect Plum Island for future generations.
Pushing for Safer Workplaces During the Holiday Season
During the holiday season, hundreds of thousands of Americans take on seasonal work with retail businesses – many in warehouses. These workers make sure our economy runs smoothly over the next few weeks. I’m thankful for their work, and we must ensure they remain safe and protected while on the job.
In Congress, I’m leading the push to strengthen workplace protections for America’s workers for the first time in 50 years. Earlier this year, I reintroduced the Protecting America’s Workers Act – a bill which would strengthen and modernize the Occupation Safety and Health Act (OSHA).
Sadly, the pressing need to institute these policies is often highlighted by tragic accidents and deaths. Earlier this year, Amazon employee Caes Gruesbeck was killed in an accident while working in a warehouse. Following an investigation by the State of Indiana which found Amazon failed to ensure a workplace free of life-threatening hazards, the company was fined just $7,000 – the maximum in Indiana.
This was not an isolated incident. Each week, 100 workers in United States are killed due to unsafe working conditions, and in recent years, the rate of injuries suffered by workers in the warehouse and storage industry was nearly double that of all private industries. Under the Protecting America’s Workers Act, the fine for Amazon following the death of Caes Gruesbeck would likely be 10 times what they were actually fined.
In eastern Connecticut, we have felt the tragic consequences of unsafe workplaces. In 2010, at the Keeln Energy Systems Plant in Middletown, a horrifying natural gas explosion caused by unsafe, but legal pipe cleaning process, killed six workers. We should all agree that Americans should come home safely from their shift every day. The Protecting America’s Workers Act will deliver on that goal, and I’m hopeful that my colleagues in Congress will join me in passing it so that it can be signed into law.
Remembering Rosalynn Carter and Her Commitment to Mental Health Care
Rosalynn Carter’s lifelong service to our nation and her community in Plains, Georgia will long be remembered. Following her passing on November 19, her amazing, inspiring life has been honored with an outpouring of tributes for her strong, intelligent caring words and deeds. Her particular passion to create true parity for mental health care, especially for young people, was decades ahead of what is finally being openly talked about and acknowledged now in 2023.
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| Then-First Lady Rosalynn Carter testifies in 1979 before a Senate subcommittee on mental health |
Ten years ago, I saw that up close, when I received an unexpected and unsolicited note from Mrs. Carter, expressing her support for a bill I introduced in the U.S. House to boost the ranks of child and adolescent psychiatry. This note arrived 33 years after she and President Carter had left the White House. I will always treasure this letter (with its flawless cursive handwriting). Mrs. Carter was a beautiful soul, and I wish former President Carter and their family comfort as they mourn this great loss.
One Week Left for Medicare Open Enrollment
There is just one week remaining before Medicare Open Enrollment ends on December 7. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, beneficiaries will save hundreds of dollars each month on insulin and receive costly vaccines for free. In the coming years, more provisions to lower costs for the medications seniors rely on will take effect – made possible by historic Medicare drug price negotiation on commonly-used medications. Visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE to compare plans.
We are also in the Open Enrollment period for health care plans through Access Health CT. This year, enrollment is ahead of pace – 26.3% higher than in 2022. You can compare plans by visiting this webpage. Open enrollment for plans that begin on January 1, 2024 ends on December 15. For plans beginning on February 1, 2024, the enrollment deadline is January 15, 2024.
Holiday Delivery Deadlines for USPS
Particularly during the holiday season, I’m thankful for America’s postal workers. The United States Postal Service has announced dates to ship packages and ensure they arrive before December 25th. Here are the deadlines.
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.
Sincerely,
Joe Courtney
Member of Congress
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