Dear friends,

I wanted to update you on some of the recent work being done in Washington, D.C. and the district that may be of help to you.

I am proud to have introduced the Infant Formula Made in America Act, which would create a new tax credit program to support new or expanding small U.S. infant formula producers to diversify and expand and incredibly fragile and consolidated market. I am committed to ensuring families never have to worry about a shortage of formula, like we faced in 2022, and investing in local, American manufacturers. You can read my statement on the bill here.

Throughout the past month, I participated in a number of Appropriations Committee hearings where I had the opportunity to hear from the Cabinet and other officials about the President’s budget request. As the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, one of the many highlights was a discussion I had with Connecticut native and Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona regarding how we can improve education in our state and across the country. You can watch my full remarks here and read a transcript here.

I also proudly stood up for Ukrainians and America’s role on the global stage when arguing for increased national security funding. Centered at the St. Michael, the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church in New Haven, the district’s Ukrainian community has been dedicated to collecting and sending humanitarian assistance to their fellow Ukrainians while advocating for Congress to do its part. It was time for Congress to act decisively on America’s national security interests and support our allies against Russia and China, as well as ensure that billions in humanitarian aid is delivered to Gaza, Sudan, and other conflicts around the world. You can read my full statement in front of the House Rules Committee here and watch my Rules testimony in defense of Ukraine funding here.

This month, I was able to award $2 million to Connecticut Foodshare in Wallingford – this funding will enable Connecticut Foodshare to increase their storage abilities, resulting in the capacity to potentially serve an additional estimated 2 million meals to families throughout Connecticut in the upcoming years.

On April 14th, I attended the Cherry Blossom Festival in Wooster Square – this event, which my parents were instrumental in founding, reminds us of the importance of our community and how beautiful it is.

I would like to congratulate YMCA of Northern Middlesex County on receiving $1.1 million in Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding, which I proudly fought for in the appropriations process. The project addresses the most critical capital needs – it improves handicap accessibility and adaptability of the Y, supporting the Y’s strategic vision to expand youth development programs, childcare, and community wellness services and providing equitable access to programs and services that improve individual and family life.

I had the opportunity to sit down and talk about the Child Tax Credit, improving child care, helping families with impossible prices, and how to cut child poverty with the hosts of the podcast “Speaking of Kids,” which you can listen to here.

At home in New Haven last month, I had the honor of visiting the Yale Peabody Museum days before its reopening. We are so lucky to have such amazing exhibitions in our community.

In Case You Missed It (ICYMI): This month my staff introduced me to Beyoncé’s new album, Cowboy Carter, and I loved it!

And last but certainly not least…go Huskies! Congratulations to the UConn Men’s Basketball Team for winning the NCAA Championship two years in a row as well as the UConn Women’s Basketball Team for making it to the Final Four yet again. You continue to make us proud!

I will continue my efforts in Congress to get results for the families and communities of the Third District. Should you have any questions or if I can assist you with a federal agency, please contact my District office at 203-562-3718. 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.