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Dear Friend,
After another busy week in Congress, I’m back home in eastern Connecticut.
Here with an update on restoring the second Virginia submarine in the 2025 budget, improving quality of life for servicemembers and their families, and lots more. As always, thanks for starting your weekend here with me.
Committee Passed Defense Bill Restores Submarine Funding and Delivers for Servicemembers
On Wednesday, I joined my colleagues in passing the annual defense bill, the FY2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), out of the House Armed Services Committee by a strong bipartisan vote of 57-1. For eastern Connecticut, this bill includes two major highlights.
After months of scrutiny by my colleagues and I, on the Seapower Subcommittee, the committee-passed NDAA restores the second Virginia-class submarine in the 2025 budget, after the initial budget plan had eliminated it.
This overwhelming commitment to maintain steady funding for the Virginia program comes at a time of high demand for our Navy’s submarine fleet and as we prepare to support our allies through the AUKUS security agreement.
Also included in the committee-passed NDAA are generational investments in our servicemembers and their families. Quality of life improvements are sorely needed and will be welcomed among the thousands of submariners and their families in eastern Connecticut.
The next step for the FY2025 NDAA is a full vote on the House floor. I’m hopeful that the House will pass the annual defense bill in a bipartisan fashion for the 64th consecutive year.
A Milestone for Veteran Health Care
Back in 2022, Congress passed the Honoring Our PACT Act – a bill that fills longstanding gaps in coverage for veterans exposed to toxins in the Vietnam War, Gulf War, & Post 9/11 era. The PACT Act has correctly been referred to as the largest expansion in veterans’ health care benefits ever, and this week, its implementation by the Department of Veterans Affairs reached a milestone: 1 million toxic-exposure claims approved nationwide.
On Tuesday, I spoke on the House floor to highlight this excellent news and the importance of providing tangible support for those who served our nation.
Observing Memorial Day
Memorial Day is our nation's most solemn holiday. On Monday, we pause to honor the men and women who died while serving our nation.
There is no better way to honor fallen servicemembers than by caring for their families and our veteran population. I will continue to make it my mission to do so.
Honoring Civil War Veterans in Vernon
Last night, I joined Vernon's Decoration Day ceremony at the Grove Street Cemetery. We placed flags to honor the 145 Civil War veterans buried at the cemetery.
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| Lieutenant Colonel Thomas F. Burpee, a Vernon resident, was killed at the Battle of Cold Harbor |
Last weekend, I visited the New England Civil War Museum, which is located in the historic town hall, Grand Army of the Republic Room. The museum has one the finest collections of Civil War articles, curated and maintained by decedents of volunteers.
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| The New England Civil War Museum received $10,000 of federal American Rescue Plan funds which was used to upgrade the heating and ventilation systems to improve air quality and better preserve the prized artifacts on display. |
Executive Director Dan Hayden gave me a brief on the never ending efforts he and his devoted group are making to make its collection a national destination for young and old to learn about New England’s critical contribution to preserving the Union and abolishing slavery. It’s open on weekends, free of charge, but always welcomes donations.
Long-Overdue Renovations at Vernon's Grove Court Housing Community
On Monday, I visited the Grove Court housing community in Vernon for a tour of the long-overdue building renovations underway for residents. Grove Court has received significant federal funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to make the upgrades possible, and I caught up with the Vernon Housing Authority on the project, which is being completed one building at a time.
In addition to building new housing, restoring affordable housing in prime locations like the Grove Court community is critical to meeting our towns' housing needs and lowering housing costs for everyone.
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. Have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Joe Courtney
Member of Congress
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