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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.
The State of Shipbuilding
It’s Congress’ responsibility in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution to “provide and maintain a Navy”. As Ranking Member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, I’ve worked with my colleagues to set out a bold shipbuilding plan: continued 2-per-year build rate for Virginia class submarines alongside construction of the Navy’s number one acquisition priority, the new Columbia class submarines.
It’s a tall order, but I am confident that, with historic support from Congress for workforce development, supply chains, and facility improvements, eastern Connecticut shipbuilders will meet the demand. This week, before a Seapower Subcommittee hearing on the current state of U.S. shipbuilding, I met with submarine suppliers at a Junior Achievement Maritime briefing in Hartford.
Easter Connecticut shipbuilders and suppliers deserve full support from all corners of Washington. Unfortunately, President Trump’s tariff policies are inserting chaos and uncertainty in the shipbuilding materials market. In Hartford, submarine suppliers shared with me that they are now experiencing a spike on rolled steel, both foreign and domestic, because of President Trump's tariff war. Navy contracts for shipbuilding rightly include "buy American" clauses, but President Trump's tariff policies are impacting the entire market.
I’m glad that President Trump shares our goal of building ships “faster and bigger”, but his chaotic tariff policies are threatening the momentum our shipbuilders have built. For American manufacturers and consumers, the tariff war must end.
Defending Social Security
I consider it my sacred duty to protect Social Security. The American people pay into Social Security their entire working lives. It’s an earned benefit that promises middle-class Americans will be able to retire with dignity.
Given that millions of Americans and 164,000 people in Connecticut’s 2nd District rely on earned benefits every month, I was outraged to hear Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, launch a slanderous attack on Social Security.
Social Security payments have a 99.7% accuracy rate according to annual reports by the Social Security Board of Trustees. Elon Musk is attempting to mislead people by calling the program an “entitlement” and falsely stating that illegal immigrants receive Social Security. Let’s be clear: Social Security is an earned benefit, not an entitlement, and illegal immigrants are not eligible for Social Security benefits.
Elon Musk has been given outrageous powers by President Trump. He has closed six of the ten regional Social Security offices across the country and plans to lay off 7,000 dedicated public servants at the Social Security Administration. Now, he has made it clear that the program is a top target.
Social Security has been a pillar of middle class security for 90 years. Congress has a duty to protect the program for future generations. If you have any questions about Social Security, don’t hesitate to contact my office.
Meeting with Farmers at the Know Your Farmer Fair
Farming is at the core of eastern Connecticut’s identity. The Second District has the biggest number of farms in the state, which provide healthy, fresh food and flowers to consumers far and wide. It’s a privilege to work with farmers to ensure our agriculture industry remains strong for future generations.
Last week, I stopped by the 10th annual Know Your Farmer Fair in Willimantic. It was great to catch up with so many farms: Eastford Farm, Collinswood Mushrooms, Cloverleigh Farms, Double Trouble Acres, Greenwood Holistic Farm, and Speak Friend Farm as well as CLiCK Community Kitchen and the Willimantic Food Co-Op.
Standing with Ukrainian Americans in Eastern CT
Last Sunday, Audrey and I attended 9:00 am mass at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Church in Willimantic. Father Bylich and his devout, hard working congregation prayed for the people and nation of Ukraine. We stayed for coffee and pastries, and I told them, despite what the President says, there is majority bipartisan support in Congress to provide assistance for Ukraine’s defense from Putin’s illegal unprovoked invasion.
Meeting with Eastern CT School Districts
Thanks to school district food service departments from across the Second District for visiting my office this week. Full bellies fuel quality learning. We must expand school lunch programs to ensure no child goes hungry. Unfortunately, this week, the Trump Administration canceled $660 million in funding for the Local Food for Schools program. A massive step in the wrong direction and a cruel disservice to our children.
Welcoming the Prime Minister of Ireland to Congress
On Wednesday, as a proud member of the Friends of Ireland Caucus, I had the honor of welcoming Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin to Congress for an event to celebrate Irish-American heritage.
Happy St. Patrick's Day to everyone celebrating in Connecticut's 2nd District, the most Irish Congressional District in our state!
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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