Dear Friends,

2023 was a big year for Southwest Connecticut. I’m proud of what we accomplished together this year and I want to highlight some of our biggest wins.

Expanding healthcare

This year, we saw key provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act—a landmark law that passed last Congress with my support—go into effect. In January, we celebrated the start of the $35 cap on out-of-pocket costs of insulin for Medicare beneficiaries. In August, we learned which ten drug manufacturers became the first ever to allow the federal government to negotiate drug prices under Medicare Part D.

These key healthcare victories mean that our elderly loved ones, some of our most vulnerable community members, can now access critical, lifesaving medication without incurring exorbitant costs.

Improving our infrastructure

We have all experienced the frustration of traffic and bottlenecks on our roadways this year. That’s why I’m excited that we are seeing federal funds go toward infrastructure improvements in the district, thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

This landmark legislation, which I was thrilled to help pass last Congress, provides nearly $2 billion for passenger rail improvements across Connecticut, over $26 million for a fleet of electric buses to serve local routes in the Stamford-Bridgeport area, and over $2 million for the creation of designated bike lanes, sidewalks, and bus boarding islands on West Main Street in Stamford. These key provisions help connect our community by getting children safely to school and parents efficiently to work.

In Norwalk, we achieved an infrastructure victory that has been a priority of mine in Congress—replacing the Norwalk Walk Bridge. I’m proud to have secured nearly $1 billion in federal funding to widen travel lanes, construct new sidewalks, and add bike lanes on the new Walk Bridge, which will help improve traffic flow and community safety. I also secured nearly $6 million in federal funding for the Wall Street Corridor Improvement project to restructure a key intersection and revitalize Norwalk City Center with an updated transportation system.

Speaking with Governor Lamont and other elected officials at the site of a newly constructed bridge on I-95, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

As we update and improve our road and rail systems, we must also preserve our natural spaces and waterways. I was proud to help secure federal funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for climate resilience projects across Southwest Connecticut.

Bridgeport received nearly $50 million to mitigate risk from storm surge through the Resilient Bridgeport Coastal Flood Defense System and nearly $40 million to address shoaling in Bridgeport Harbor, which helps improve navigation and safety for deep draft vessels. The city was also awarded over $20 million for low-income and affordable housing and homelessness prevention efforts.

Stamford, the fastest-growing city in Connecticut, received a nearly $3 million federal grant to upgrade hurricane protection barriers and pump stations in coastal neighborhoods, which are home to nearly 15,000 people. I also helped secure $1 million to develop bioswales in downtown Stamford to prevent polluted runoff from entering the stormwater system.

I was happy to help bring almost $5 million for the completion of the Norwalk River Valley Trail to connect our towns from Wilton to Ridgefield to Redding, plus $2 million to clean up the Webster Street Lot, a former manufacturing site contaminated with chemicals and harsh metals. With the rapid growth of our communities along the coast, it is more important than ever before to ensure that we invest in sustainable infrastructure.

Touring an aging pump station in Stamford with Mayor Simmons.

Supporting small businesses & community hubs

As your congressman, I have had the privilege of watching our community in Southwest Connecticut grow and prosper. It is especially heartening when I’m able to visit local businesses and experience firsthand completed projects for which I helped secure federal funding.

This year, I was proud to get $500,000 for the Women’s Business Development Council’s Technical Assistance and Microgrant Program, helping empower female entrepreneurs and drive our local economy. In downtown Bridgeport, I secured $1 million for The WorkPlace to execute ProjectRISE, an initiative to teach digital skills and provide support to unemployed and underemployed women of color.

I also visited the brand-new Southwest Community Health Center at the Wakeman Boys & Girls Club in Bridgeport after it received $2 million for its expansion in the last Congress. Now, community residents can visit this central hub to get their yearly dental exams, visit with a primary care doctor, and receive mental health services.

Joining my friends at WBDC for a roundtable discussion.

Navigating global issues

While my top priority in Congress is always serving the constituents of Connecticut’s fourth congressional district, this year I took on the added responsibility of serving as Ranking Member, lead Democrat, on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. This role allows me to work closely with colleagues on both sides of the aisle on some of our most pressing national security problems, so you can imagine that I have been busy.

Along with my colleagues on the House Intelligence Committee, I met with Ukrainian officials to express our unyielding support for their country against Russia’s brutal invasion. The Ukrainian people continue to fight for their sovereignty, and I remain committed to helping President Zelenskyy and his forces achieve victory over authoritarianism. Supporting our Ukrainian friends is not only morally right, but it has generated significant revenue for the United States, including $11 million in manufacturing and production investments right here in Connecticut.  

Leading a bipartisan meeting with my colleagues on the House Intelligence Committee and high-level Ukrainian officials.

As many of us in Southwest Connecticut enjoy meaningful moments with our families this holiday season, we also remember those who are suffering in the Middle East. I have heard from many of you about your devastation over the war between Israel and Hamas, and I share your anguish. That’s why I’ve held listening sessions with impassioned constituents and local Jewish and Muslim leaders from across our community.

I am very troubled by the rising hate we have seen across the United States. This behavior is unacceptable and must end – we must come together to recognize one another’s shared humanity rather than focus on our differences.

Bringing the Tahbaz family home

Many of you know that our very own neighbor in Weston, Morad Tahbaz, was brutally and unjustly detained at Evin Prison in Iran for nearly six years. This year, after my office worked with the Biden Administration to reach a deal, we were finally able to celebrate Morad’s release from prison and joyful reunion with his loving family. It is not often that we can celebrate the correction of a tremendous wrong, so I am grateful to have been part of Morad’s freedom story.

Hearing from you

The most important part of my job as your elected Member of Congress is hearing your input. That’s why it was so rewarding to see so many of you at my town halls in Trumbull and Greenwich this fall. Unfortunately, we had to postpone the Norwalk town hall due to the legislative schedule in Washington, but I am eager to connect with more of you once we reschedule.

Enjoying a town hall. Photo courtesy of Scott Vincent,Trumbull.

If you couldn’t make it to a town hall but have questions or need help with a federal agency, you can always reach me or my staff members at my Bridgeport office at (203) 333-6600 or my Stamford office at (203) 353-9400.

I am especially pleased to highlight that my team helped a record-high number of constituents this year. My office assists with everything from passport renewals to tax returns to Social Security payments, and we are always standing by to help you.

Make sure you are subscribed to receive updates from my office about upcoming town halls, news from Washington, and more to come in 2024.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season and a happy New Year!

Sincerely,

Jim