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Dear Friend,
After a another busy week in Congress, I'm back home in eastern Connecticut. Here with an update on the latest news. As always, thanks for starting your weekend here with me.
The Future Leaders of Our Submarine Force
Yesterday, I had the honor to meet with the Submarine Junior Officers of the Year, the future leaders of the U.S. Navy’s submarine force. We met in the U.S. House Armed Services Committee room, where our Committee carries out Congress’ Constitutional duty to “provide and maintain a Navy.” We had a lively exchange on the enduring mission of the submarine force. Congratulations to the Junior Officers of the Year on this earned recognition of seamanship!
Don't Touch Social Security
This month, in a Fox News interview, President Trump made a promise to America’s seniors: “I’m not going to touch Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid.” Now, we are finding out that the opposite is true.
Just two months since President Trump’s inauguration, Elon Musk is planning to close 47 Social Security offices and layoff 7,000 staff, and will cut phone service for beneficiaries starting April 1st, leading to longer wait times.
On Wednesday, I spoke on the House floor to send one message: keep your promise – don’t touch Social Security.
Let's set the record straight on efficiency. Social Security payments have a 99.7% accuracy rate, according to the Social Security Board of Trustees. And Social Security is not an entitlement. It's an earned benefit that Americans pay into over the course of their working lives.
Many seniors are only one missed Social Security payment away from skipping medicines they need or missing a rent payment. If Elon Musk's policies continue, seniors will miss checks. They won’t be able to get the benefits they worked for, and they will be forced to choose between paying rent and buying food. That's not government efficiency, that's theft.
Every member of Congress has a responsibility to ensure the program remains fiscally strong and benefits remain reliable for future generations. I will keep fighting in Congress.
Breaking Ground on New Housing
Housing costs are way too high in eastern Connecticut and across the nation. We must build more homes to increase supply and lower costs across the board. I’m working with homebuilders and local non-profit organizations to support new, high-quality housing construction in our towns. I recently joined two groundbreakings in New London County.
Last week, I joined Habitat for Humanity of Eastern CT in Norwich for the groundbreaking of a two-home construction project supported by federal funding. Then, I joined Connecticut Housing Finance Authority for the groundbreaking for the new Stonington Village apartments, which includes 230 multi-family apartments. The apartments will be built at the site of the to-be-demolished old Regal theater in Pawcatuck.
Congress must keep our focus on lowering costs for Americans, and the high cost of housing is right at the top of people’s priorities. This should not be a partisan issue. I have worked in a bipartisan fashion before to incentivize new housing construction, and I am ready to do so again with my colleagues in Congress. It’s what the American people are asking of us.
A Shocking Breach of Protocol Puts Airmen & Sailors at Risk
This week, I heard from many constituents rightly outraged by the Trump administration's shocking breach of protocol that put at risk our airmen, sailors, and their mission in Yemen.
Fortunately, the Administration’s blundering did not cause serious harm of American servicemembers. Following additional reporting from The Atlantic yesterday, it is clear Secretary of Defense Hegseth shared sensitive operational details including sequencing, targets, and weapons in an unsecure group chat with a journalist that has no security clearance.
Any member of the military, particularly in leadership, who shared this same information would be court-martialed and discharged. Secretary Hegseth is not above the law. He needs to resign or be fired.
So far, there are no signs that the Trump Administration will hold him accountable.
At the very least, Secretary Hegseth needs to testify before the House Armed Services Committee so lawmakers like myself – and the public – can get a full understanding of what took place and ensure it does not happen again. This week, I joined my colleagues on the House Armed Services Committee to demand Chairman Rogers hold a hearing with the Secretary as soon as possible. I'll share more as I have it.
Abolishing the Department of Education Would Set Learning Back
I believe all Americans agree that the federal government should work to improve education and learning outcomes across the country. President Trump's recent Executive Order to abolish the Department of Education does the opposite. And at the same time, the Trump Administration has laid off about half of the Department’s workforce. This is justifiably causing serious concern.
This week, I took the time to debunk to some of Secretary of Education Linda McMahon’s flawed arguments in favor of abolishing the Department of Education. Watch here.
The whole idea of wiping out the Department of Education is based on a flawed legal theory that the President has the power to do so. Congress created the Department of Education in the 1970s, and it would take an act of Congress to abolish it.
When this issue comes to Congress, as a member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, I will do everything I can to ensure we protect kids, keep education as a national priority, and maintain the tools we need to better education.
Meeting with the Polish Head of Mission to the United States
This week, I had a great meeting with Polish Head of Mission to the U.S., Bogdan Klich. Poland is a strong NATO ally who continues to show steadfast support for Ukraine. Poland spends 4.7% of their GDP on defense – more than any other NATO member, including the United States. Thank you to our allies for their commitment to democracy and the international rule of law.
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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