Dear xxxxxx,

Welcome to your Weekly Wrap, a recap of the week in Congress and highlights of my work.  

Last week, I joined Governor Ned Lamont, Senator Richard Blumenthal, and Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garret Eucalitto to announce a series of federal grants for rail improvements across our state, made possible by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Also, the House Committee on Education and Workforce convened for an organizational meeting, formally organizing for the 119th Congress. I also introduced my first piece of legislation this year, The Department of Education Protection Act. This legislation shields the U.S. Department of Education from efforts to dismantle the agency and ensures every student receives the free and appropriate public education they deserve.

More from the week: On Wednesday, I attended a Gun Violence Prevention Task Force meeting, where Members discussed gun technologies and strategies to advance common sense gun reform. On Wednesday, the House passed H.R. 28, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, legislation which opens the door for federal overreach into an issue that schools, states, and sports associations should address. I am also including my statement on the Ceasefire Agreement Between Israel and Hamas.  

For my full update, please read below.

Federal Investments in Connecticut Rail 

On Monday, I joined Governor Ned Lamont, Senator Richard Blumenthal, and Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garret Eucalitto to announce a series of federal grants for rail improvements across our state.

Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CTrail Hartford Line will receive a $11.61 million Restoration and Enhancement Program grant to increase services and enhance connectivity for the region.

Additionally, a $2.4 million Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Grant has been awarded to the Danbury Branch Grade Crossing Engagement, Planning, and Consolidation Program Project. This funding will assist the Connecticut Department of Transportation perform additional studies and develop a plan to eliminate the Taylor Avenue grade crossing and implement significant improvements at Triangle Street and Commerce Avenue.

In June, my office submitted a Letter of Support for the Danbury Line Project following a series of accidents along many of the rail crossings. These federal investments will reduce delays, improve reliability, and expand services.

More information on the Danbury Line Project is available here.

Organizing the Committee on Education and Workforce

The House Committee on Education and Workforce is officially organized!

I am honored to continue serving on this important committee and look forward to advocating for policies that benefit American educators, students, and workers.

Learn more about the Education and Workforce Committee here. 

The Department of Education Protection Act

On Wednesday, I introduced the Department of Education Protection Act. This legislation shields the U.S. Department of Education from efforts to dismantle the agency and ensures every student receives the free and appropriate public education they deserve.

Specifically, the Department of Education Protection Act would prohibit the use of appropriated funds to be used to decentralize, reduce the staffing level of, or alter the responsibilities, structure, authority, or functionality of the Department of Education. This bill also emphasizes the importance of maintaining the current organization of the Department of Education and reiterates the fundamental role of Congress in shaping and reshaping the agency.

Public education is a right – any efforts to compromise the integrity of our education system would be a grave disservice to the nearly 50 million public school students and the entire nation.  Given the troubling rhetoric around public education from the incoming Administration, it felt necessary that my first bill of the 119th Congress be to safeguard this federal pillar.

Learn more about the Department of Education Protection Act here. 

Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Meeting 

On Wednesday, the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force convened for the first meeting of the 119th Congress.  

During the meeting, David Pucino, Legal Counsel and Deputy Chief Counsel at Giffords and Jim Yurgealitis, Retired Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent provided Members with a briefing on gun technologies such as ghost guns and bump stocks. The discussion also focused on strategies for promoting common sense gun reform.

I remain committed to supporting strong, commonsense action to require safe and responsible gun ownership.

H.R. 28, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act 

Last week, the House considered H.R. 28,  this legislation opens the door for federal overreach into an issue that schools, states, and sports associations should address. This dangerous and discriminatory legislation would leave many women and girls susceptible to invasive medical exams.

Contrary to its name, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act does nothing to protect women and girls in sports or address the increasing lack of athletic opportunities for women at the collegiate level or provide resources for equipment and coaches. School districts and athletic associations are better prepared to understand the sports they regulate and how to guarantee both respect for transgender people and fairness in sports—not federal government politicians. It is not the role of Congress to dictate to competitive and non-competitive sports leagues of all ages their rules for participation.

I voted against the H.R. 28. It is my goal to protect all children, and I hope to work with my colleagues in Congress to come up with commonsense legislation that achieves this goal.

My full statement on the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act is available here. 

My Statement on the Ceasefire Agreement Between Israel and Hamas 

Last week, President Biden announced a ceasefire agreement negotiated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt that would lead to the end of the Israel-Hamas War. The ceasefire mirrors a previous proposal brokered by President Biden in May of 2024 and unanimously approved by the United Nations Security Council.

 The proposed agreement includes an end to hostilities and the release of hostages who have been held captive by Hamas for over 15 months. This deal will also allow critical humanitarian aid to enter Gaza and assist the millions of people who this conflict has impacted.

Since the beginning of this conflict in October of 2023, I have repeatedly called for the release of all hostages and that Israel allow humanitarian aid to reach the people of Gaza. I am pleased the proposed ceasefire accomplishes both goals.

 I am grateful to President Biden and Vice President Harris for their tireless efforts to find a deal that will bring peace to the region and see the hostages, including American citizens, reunited with their loved ones.

Thank you for taking the time to read this update. As always, please continue to share your thoughts and priorities with me. 

And that’s a wrap. 

Jahana Hayes
Member of Congress