Dear Friends, 

More than 300,000 jobs were created last month, as wages continue to rise, and unemployment is at a 50-year low. In Congress, I remain focused on lowering costs for families and investing in good-paying jobs here in Connecticut. Here’s a look at some of the wins we highlighted in the district last week:   

The Pratt & Whitney F135 engine is the most advanced, reliable, and capable production fighter engine the world has ever known and supports 18,000 Connecticut manufacturing jobs and nearly 100 small suppliers, like Jarvis Airfoil in Portland and AdChem Manufacturing Technologies (ACMT) in Manchester. Last week, I announced that we secured a $497 million investment in F135 modernization in this year’s budget and defeated a costly alternative engine that would cost taxpayers billions and imperil our state’s manufacturing supply chain.

Rep. Larson with Machinists Union (IAMAW) District 26 members, Connecticut AFL-CIO President Ed Hawthorne, and Jill Albertelli and Chris Johnson of Pratt & Whitney   

Over the past twenty years, the Women’s Business Development Council has supported more than 18,000 women-owned small businesses across all 169 towns in Connecticut. After the Hartford’s Women’s Business Center abruptly closed last fall, I worked with Senators Blumenthal and Murphy to secure $150,000 in federal funding to re-open the center, which will be a hub for women entrepreneurs to access the resources and guidance they need to start a business and thrive.

Rep. Larson announces a new Hartford Women’s Business Center with Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam, SBA Connecticut District Director Catherine Marx, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, and Governor Ned Lamont   

Connecticut has been at the forefront of efforts to reduce pollution and unleash American-made clean energy. I worked with my colleagues in Congress to pass the largest investment in our nation’s history to combat climate change, including new funding for the Connecticut Green Bank to invest in green energy solutions. I also met with graduates of Leticia Colón de Mejias' Efficiency for All M=Power career course in Windsor, supported with funding we passed in Congress, that empowers residents with new careers and certifications in the clean energy sector.

Rep. Larson meets with graduates of the Efficiency for All M=Power clean energy career course in Windsor 

To follow what I’m working on both in Washington and in Connecticut, visit my Facebook page, follow me on Twitter, or follow me on Instagram.     

Regards,

John B. Larson
Member of Congress