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Dear Friend,
After a packed week in eastern Connecticut, I’m here with an update on a new jobs and training initiative for the capital region, delivering federal support for eastern Connecticut farmers, and lots more. As always, thanks for starting your weekend here with me.
Political Violence Has No Place in Our Democracy
First this week, I want to express my relief, shared with all Americans of goodwill, that former President Trump is okay after last Saturday’s attempted assassination, particularly given how close he was to being struck full on. My deepest sympathies are with the with the wife and daughters of retired Fire Chief Corey Comperatore, who lost his life at the rally courageously protecting his daughter. As a first responder, Chief Comperatore was clearly a dedicated father and beloved community servant.
Political violence is totally unacceptable. All candidates and public officials must demonstrate by their words and actions that vitriol and violence have no place in a democracy. The fact that President Biden and former President Trump spoke personally after the attempted assassination is a small, but meaningful message that political rivals are not the enemy.
In Congress, I strongly support a substantive independent investigation into the catastrophic breakdown in security at former President Trump’s rally. All Americans deserve the right to be safe in exercising their First Amendment rights to participate in the electoral process – it is fundamental to a healthy democracy.
Expanding Hiring in Hartford
Today and for years to come, there will be thousands of good-paying jobs in Connecticut’s submarine industrial base. Electric Boat hired 5,300 new workers in 2023 and plans to hire 5,200 more this year. And jobs aren’t just on the shoreline – hundreds of small business manufacturers across our state are taking on increased work for our Navy.
On Monday, I joined Rep. John Larson, Navy officials, Electric Boat, and local submarine suppliers to launch Hire Hartford, a new Navy initiative to connect more people in the capital region to shipbuilding careers.
This new initiative, which is funded by the Navy with with resources I helped pass in Congress, recognizes that Connecticut's shipbuilding industry must widen its recruitment area. It's modeled after Project Providence, an initiative launched 18 months ago which has lead to hundreds of new hires at the shipyard and local Rhode Island suppliers. Hire Hartford aims to do the same for the Groton shipyard and Connecticut's small business suppliers.
Visiting Eastern CT Farms with USDA Deputy Secretary Torres Small
I’m working in Congress to keep eastern Connecticut farmers in business and expand their access to new markets. Back in 2022, I helped pass significant federal investments in the U.S. Department of Agriculture programs that eastern Connecticut farmers use to reduce overhead and input costs, and implement climate-smart practices.
On Tuesday, Connecticut Commission of Agriculture Bryan Hurlburt and I welcomed USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small to eastern Connecticut for visits to local farms and to hear from farmers on how they’ve used federal funding.
First, we visited Running Brook Farms in Killingworth. Owners Becky Goetsch and Scott Papoosha have received USDA grants in recent years, which allowed them to install a solar rooftop and save on energy costs. During our visit, we announced new funding for Connecticut Resource Conservation and Development to help more rural small businesses and farmers like Becky and Scott seize grant opportunities.
Then, we visited Long Table Farm in Lyme for a tour with owner Baylee Drown and a roundtable discussion on USDA grants with other local farmers, including Michael Swanson of Broad Brook Acres in Preston, Robert Chang of Echo Farms in Woodstock, Chris Pacheco of Seacoast Mushrooms in Mystic, and Paul Larson, the President of the CT Farm Bureau.
During our conversation, we also discussed the pressing issues of land access and labor for farming businesses. I’ve introduced bipartisan bills in Congress to address land access issues and incentivize agriculture careers for young people by making full-time farmers eligible to student loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
As Congress continues to move toward passage of the Farm Bill reauthorization, the largest piece of agriculture legislation in Congress, I am continuing to push for these bipartisan priorities to be included.
ICYMI: Bipartisanship is Still Alive
In case you missed it in last week’s update, I wanted to re-share the excellent news that 3 bipartisan bills I introduced have now been passed by the House in a 90-day window.
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| In a 90-day window from April to July, the House passed Courtney-led bills to support missing and exploited children, protect Coast Guard Academy cadets from sexual assault, and preserve the Long Island Sound. |
In a divided Congress, which has been bogged down by intraparty fighting, I’m continuing to reach across the aisle and work with my Republican colleagues on bipartisan issues.
Taking Projects Off the "To-Do" List at the Windham Airport
Our regional airports host a ton of economic activity, and the federal Infrastructure Law we passed in 2021 is allowing them to make overdue upgrades. Yesterday, I visited the Windham Airport with the Connecticut Airport Authority and the FAA to discuss new projects made possible by the Infrastructure Law.
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| Rep. Courtney joined CT Airport Authority's Director of Government Affairs Alex Peterson, Director of General Aviation John Moody, Director of Planning, Engineering, and Environmental Services Bob Bruno, and Deputy Regional Administrator of the FAA New England Region Ken Knopp at the Windham Airport. |
The Windham Airport will use new Infrastructure Law funding to install new perimeter fencing for airfield safety, make improvements to the airport’s parking lot, and rehabilitate a portion of the existing access road to extend its useful life.
New Federal Grant Funding for Eastern CT Fire Departments
Great news. Last week, the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) announced that the Scotland Volunteer Fire Department, the Poquonnock Bridge Fire District, and the Bozrah Volunteer Fire Company are set to receive Assistance to Firefighters grants (AFGs).
Earlier this year, I helped pass the Fire Grants Safety Act, which reauthorizes the AFG and more first responder grant programs. After the announcement from FEMA, I stopped by the Bozrah Volunteer Fire Company to meet with Chief Jeff Rheaume and Deputy Chief Jeremy Tarasevich and see where they will use the new grant.
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| The Bozrah Volunteer Fire Department will receive an over $84,000 FY23 Assistance to Firefighters Grant to purchase a personal protective equipment washer/dryer/extractor. Rep. Courtney wrote a letter of support for the Fire Department’s grant application |
Internship Applications Now Open
My Norwich, Enfield, and Washington, DC offices are currently accepting applications for Fall 2024 internships. Interns play a crucial role in our service to Connecticut’s 2nd District, and the program provides unique experiences working in Congress. Visit courtney.house.gov/internships to apply.
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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