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Dear Friend,
It’s Joe Courtney. After another busy week in Washington, I'm back home in eastern Connecticut and here with an update on the latest news. As always, thanks for starting your weekend here with me.
Hosting a Marine Veteran Fired by DOGE for the President’s Address to Congress
On Tuesday, President Trump gave his first address to Congress during his second term. Earlier in the day, he launched a needless and petty tariff war against our neighbors Canada and Mexico. The stock market tanked and business leaders gave clear warnings that costs would soon go up for consumers. The American people rightly wanted to know how this upheaval would improve their lives. Instead, they heard a speech completely detached from reality and full of self-congratulations.
The President provided no relief or guidance for a country on the verge of a government shutdown, declining consumer confidence, shrinking savings accounts, and a weakening job market. The President and Members of Congress have a responsibility to put politics aside and focus on bipartisan ways to lower costs and grow the economy. I’m disappointed by what I heard from the President on Tuesday. His Administration’s policies are sowing chaos and uncertainty into our economy.
For Joint Addresses and State of the Unions, Members of Congress are allowed to bring a guest for the President’s speech. On Tuesday, I hosted Gabriel D’Alatri from Vernon. Gabriel is a Marine Corps veteran, a husband, and a father to a six-month-old baby. He was a top-performing project manager at the IRS until, on February 20th, he was unjustly fired as a result of President Trump, Elon Musk, & DOGE's orders. He was just five days away from completing the standard probationary period and becoming a permanent employee.
Gabriel called my office last month to share the news, and I’m thankful that he took up my invitation to join me at the President's address.
Gabriel should have never been fired. His experience as a veteran, a new father, and a top-performing federal worker at the IRS screams out for action. Gabriel and all of the nearly 6,000 veterans (according to the House Committee on Appropriations Minority) who have been fired from their federal jobs by DOGE should be rehired.
I’m a co-sponsor of the Protect Veteran Jobs Act, which would require any veteran who was removed or otherwise dismissed from civil services since President Trump’s inauguration to be eligible to get their job back. I’m also a long-time co-sponsor of the Saving Civil Service Act to protect federal employees from political attacks.
Resources for federal workers impacted by President Trump, Elon Musk, and DOGE’s actions are available at courtney.house.gov/fedworkers. Federal employees and contractors who have lost their job or were placed on administrative leave may file for unemployment though the Connecticut Department of Labor. Learn more here.
Reading with Students in Vernon
Thank you to Ms. Courtney Binkowski's kindergarten class at Lake Street School in Vernon for welcoming me to read with them this morning. We read Buffalo Fluffalo by Bess Kalb, a book that encourages us to accept ourselves for who we are. It brought some laughs, too!
Earlier this week, we celebrated Read Across America Day, an initiative created by the National Education Association to foster a love of reading among students. What is your family’s favorite children’s book? Send me a reply!
Defending Medicaid
Medicaid provides health care from birth to the end of life and everywhere in between. Here in Connecticut, 42% of live births are covered by Medicaid. Federally qualified health centers rely on Medicaid, which is also called HUSKY in our state. They, and especially our state's nursing homes, are right in the crosshairs of the GOP’s House-passed $880 billion cut to Medicaid.
Yesterday, I joined Governor Lamond, Rep. John Larson, and more Connecticut leaders at Charter Oaks Family Health Center in Hartford. Health centers across eastern Connecticut provide primary care, behavioral care, and dental care. Medicaid makes sure their doors stay open because their mission is to treat people regardless of ability to pay.
Cutting Medicaid to pay for a billionaire tax cut is unconscionable. I voted no on the House-passed bill, which the Senate has not yet voted on. I will continue to work with our hospitals and health centers to share the latest news and discuss how this devastating cut to Medicaid will impact services.
Supporting Innovation in Manufacturing
Eastern Connecticut is a hub for innovation in manufacturing. In Plainfield, Westminster Tool uses advanced technology to deliver manufacturing results across multiple industries. On Monday, I caught up with CFO Colby Coombs to discuss how research and development tax credits have allowed them to expand operations and meet increased industry demand. These tax credits were weakened in the Trump 2017 tax law. Congress must bring them back to full strength. Small businesses in particular need it.
Meeting with Connecticut Foodshare
Americans are still facing high costs at the grocery store, and President Trump’s tariff war will only make things worse, raising costs on produce, meat, and canned goods. Yesterday, President Trump announced another 1 month pause on some of the 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico, a chaotic turn of events amid declining consumer confidence.
On Tuesday, I met with Connecticut Foodshare, which operates food pantries across our state. President and CEO Jason Jakubowski and Chief of Staff Jennie Hirsch briefed me on their work to help ensure no family goes hungry. The President must end his tariffs for good. Americans should not be forced to pay the price for a needless, petty tariff war.
Thanks 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.
Sincerely,
Joe Courtney
Member of Congress
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