Dear Friend, 

I just wrapped up a busy week in eastern Connecticut. Here with an update on visits to submarine supply companies across the region, and my work to support our seniors and lower health care costs. 

As always, thanks for starting your weekend here with me.

Boosting Sub Production & Creating Jobs

From Vernon to Groton, there are over 120 submarine industrial base suppliers, providing the parts and equipment for Electric Boat’s shipbuilders to construct the Navy’s Virginia and Columbia class submarines.

I visited three suppliers this week to see firsthand the work they have on deck and share how I’m working in Congress to keep momentum strong across the submarine industrial base.

In Marlborough, I caught up with MPS Plastics’ Plant Manager, Richard Kos, who gave me a tour of the plant floor where they make the valve caps for submarines. In Norwich, I stopped by American Systems – a 100% employee owned company – whose talented engineers build and install technology systems for submarines. 

Finally, in Essex, I met with Ed Rosacker who founded Divers Cove. People may know Divers Cove for its recreational scuba shop and school, but it is also a long-time supplier of tanks, regulators, and dry suits for Electric Boat, the Navy submarine base in Groton, and our region’s first responders. Right now, Ed and his team are servicing the tanks for sailors on the USS INDIANA. 

Thank you to Richard, John, Ed, and their teams for great visits.

Rep. Courtney receives a tour of MPS Plastics from Plant Manager Richard Kos.	Rep. Courtney visits American Systems with Engineering Services Director John Ketcham (left).

Rep. Courtney tours Divers Cove where founder Ed Rosacker shows the tanks they are servicing for sailors on the USS INDIANA.

There’s no question that there is already a heavy workload at both the Groton shipyard and the supply chain companies that support Electric Boat.

Now, more work is on the way.

On Tuesday, the Department of Defense released a $1.3 billion contract to Electric Boat, which last year’s annual defense bill authorized. As Ranking Member of the Seapower Subcommittee, I crafted language to build up to 13 Virginia submarines. This funding is the first down payment in that effort, and it will provide stability – and a slew of work – to supply chain companies across the nation.
 
Promoting that stability was the clear intent of Congress when we passed the annual defense bill.

To read the article in The Courant, click here.

To keep up with the Navy’s demand signal, we are seeing a full-throttled push to hire more workers.

Congressman John Larson and I launched the Hire Hartford campaign last month to deliver on that goal. This new campaign, led by the U.S. Navy, will expand the radius of hiring and recruitment efforts beyond the shoreline and into Connecticut’s capital region and connect workers to good-paying careers. If you or a family member is interested in learning about career opportunities, visit buildsubmarines.com. 

To read the full article in CT Mirror, click here.

Visiting with Seniors in Enfield 

I sat down with seniors at Enfield Senior Center on Wednesday. There, I met Ruth who is celebrating her 89th birthday next month, alongside the upcoming 89th anniversary of the Social Security program! Happy Birthday, Ruth.

Rep. Courtney and Ruth at the Enfield Senior Center. Rep. Courtney shares the story of Ida May Fuller, pictured above in the poster, who was the first Social Security recipient in 1940.

Like Ruth, most people don’t know a time when Social Security was not there for them. For 89 years, Social Security has guaranteed seniors can retire with dignity after a lifetime of hard work. But it is also our most effective anti-poverty program not just for seniors, but for children and veterans, too.

Right here in eastern Connecticut, over 155,000 retirees, children, an veterans, receive Social Security benefits every year. Unfortunately, if Congress does not act to strengthen benefits, workers who retire after 2034 will receive only 77 percent of their full Social Security benefits.

At the senior center, we had a great dialogue on my work to protect the program for years to come through the Social Security 2100 Act.  The bill, led by my friend Congressman John Larson, will strengthen Social Security’s finances and the program’s benefits, not cut benefits as some in Congress have proposed. 

If you need assistance receiving social security benefits or working with the Social Security Administration, please reach out to my Enfield office at (860) 741-6011.

Bringing Federal Funding Back Home 

Bringing federal funding back home to help organizations serve our region is one of my top priorities. Over the last five years, I’ve secured over $1 billion for organizations, municipalities, and the state to execute vital projects from opioid prevention to infrastructure improvements.
 
This week, my office hosted a federal funding fair at Eastern CT State University to help town, state, and organization leaders learn how to access these funding opportunities. Hundreds of people came out from libraries, police departments, veterans organizations, and more, and connected with state and federal agencies who can support their missions.

Rep. Courtney hosts a federal funding fair at Eastern CT State University.

If you’re interested in learning more about federal grant opportunities for your organization or business, please check out this guide or call my Norwich office and ask to speak to our grants specialist, Julia.  To receive regular updates on grant opportunities, sign up for our grant’s newsletter here.

Lowering Health Care Costs & Improving Access

This week, I met with several health care advocates from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Alzheimer’s Association, and National Multiple Sclerosis Advocates who shared their battles with life-threatening illnesses and the work they are doing to improve outcomes for patients. These leaders are doing admiral work.

Rep. Courtney meets with members and leaders of the the Alzheimer's Association, including Liz Shilosky, a Volunteer Ambassador from Lebanon, CT, and Christy Kovel, Director of Public Policy at Alzheimer's Association's CT Chapter.

In Congress, I am working to support their efforts by lowering health care costs and improving patients' access to high-quality care. My bipartisan Hidden Fee Disclosure Act passed the House earlier this year as part of a larger package which works to reduce the cost of medications.

The Inflation Reduction Act also takes significant action to reduce costs and ensure patients receive the care they need. Right now, the average annual out of pocket spending for Medicare beneficiaries with MS is almost $7,000. Starting in 2025, the Inflation Reduction Act will cap out of pocket costs at $2,000. That cap won’t just help people with MS but well over 1 million Medicare beneficiaries.

I am ready to vote in Congress to extend Rx cost-saving benefits to all Americans.

Thank you, again, to the advocates who shared their stories and work every day to support patients and their families.

Rep. Courtney meets with Laura Gregory from Old Saybrook and Jessica Sormrude from Norwich, members of the National Multiple Sclerosis Advocates.

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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