Friends,

Tonight, I will attend President Biden’s third State of the Union address. This speech comes as Congress stands poised to finally pass a budget and remains deeply divided over our national security priorities, including supporting the fight in Ukraine.

Although much of this Congress has been marked by Republican dysfunction and chaos, there are still accomplishments to celebrate. The funding bill I helped pass yesterday includes over $14 million for 15 community projects in Connecticut’s 4th District. Alongside the ongoing efforts supported by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this funding will enhance our community’s safety, vibrancy, and health, improving traffic conditions, increasing access to affordable housing, and expanding co-curricular resources for our youngest students.

President Biden’s Administration continues to make historic investments in local infrastructure, support working families, and respond to the climate crisis. I look forward to hearing tonight about how we will continue to deliver in the coming years.

This is also a difficult moment for our national politics. In a time of global instability, Republicans continue to withhold critical aid for our allies. We must do more to help Ukraine defeat Putin, provide security assistance to Israel, address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and support our partners in the Indo-Pacific. This evening, I expect President Biden to speak to the immediacy of these concerns and our duty to support our international partners in their efforts to sustain peace, stability, and democracy.

Tonight, I have invited Dr. Vrunda Desai to join me as my guest. A resident of Shelton, Dr. Desai is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist, adjunct professor in obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences at Yale University, and women’s health advocate. Dr. Desai and her colleagues see every day the horrendous consequences of the nationwide Republican effort to eliminate women’s reproductive freedom.

I am thankful to medical experts like Dr. Desai who use their skills to help their patients thrive and to ensure that the rights afforded to all in Connecticut remain available nationwide. With voices like hers and the staunch support of President Biden’s Administration, I have faith that we will persevere in our efforts to restore protections for women in every state.

I hope you’ll tune in at 9 pm tonight as President Biden delivers the 2024 State of the Union.

Sincerely,

Jim