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Dear Friend,
It’s Joe Courtney. After another packed week in Washington, I’m here with an update on the latest news and major events. As always, thanks for starting your weekend here with me.
Hearing Your Concerns in a Telephone Town Hall
Thank you to the over 10,000 people who tuned into my telephone town hall on Wednesday night. Connecticut’s Attorney General Willam Tong joined me to discuss the latest news on how we are serving as a check on the unprecedented overreach by the Trump Administration and Elon Musk. I shared the latest actions I believe Congress must take and Attorney General Tong provided an update on the legal challenges currently underway.
There is always change with a new administration, and I've worked with new Republican and Democrat presidents before. But the last three weeks have been completely different. At this point in the first Trump administration back in 2017, President Trump had issued one executive order. In the last three weeks, President Trump has issued 89 executive orders. People in eastern Connecticut are intensely concerned, and the phones in my office continue to ring off the hook. Thank you for making your voices heard.
Many of President Trump's executive orders are being challenged in the courts. You can use this tracker to stay up to date on the status of those legal challenges.
Meeting with Police & Firefighters
Despite a court order to halt President Trump's freeze on all federal funding, many organizations who rely on federal funding are still struggling to access funds – including health care organizations and research experts at the University of Connecticut. Congress appropriated this funding by law, and I recently met with public safety grantees in Washington and at home to discuss the latest.
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| Left to right: Enfield Police Chief Alaric Fox, Rep. Courtney, Deputy Chief Steven Kaselouskas |
In Enfield, Police Chief Alaric Fox, Deputy Chief Steven Kaselouskas, and I caught up on the terrific work they are doing in the largest municipality in the Second District. They have benefitted from the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program, a leading source of local police federal funding. The program supports equipment upgrades and modernization to keep local communities safe. In Congress, I've supported expanding this very cost effective program. It should not be collateral damage to the wave of executive orders released in the last three weeks.
Then, this week, I met with Connecticut fire chiefs in my Washington office to discuss the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. Fire districts across the Second District use AFGs to purchase new equipment that helps keep themselves and the public safe. I helped pass a five year reauthorization of the program last year.
Police and firefighters work tirelessly to keep us safe. Any freeze on the funding they rely on is totally unacceptable.
Upholding Congress' Role as a Check on Power
As one of the three co-equal branches of government, Congress is supposed to serve as a check on the executive branch. It’s our duty in the constitution. I’ve co-sponsored commonsense bills to do just that.
Reminding the Administration: Tariffs Would Raise Costs for Americans
The Wall Street Journal, which is by no means a left-leaning newspaper, has accurately deemed President Trump’s 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico “the dumbest trade war in history”. Tariffs on our two closest trading partners would raise costs for Americans, especially on groceries and housing. America’s farmers and homebuilders have said so themselves.
President Trump has delayed the tariffs, but they are now set to take effect in three weeks. On Monday, I spoke on the House floor to echo the concerns of homebuilders and farmers. When so many Americans are struggling with the high cost of living, these tariffs would just increase costs further – the complete opposite of what voters asked for in the last election.
Welcoming Students to Congress During Black History Month
On Thursday, I had a great meeting with Connecticut College students who are visiting Washington as part of a Black History Month retreat. I spoke about my day-to-day work as a Member of Congress and encouraged them to stay active in their local community. These students are totally engaged with what is happening in our government. I know our future is bright with them leading the way.
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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