Dear friend,

After another busy week, I am writing with your Weekly Wrap, a recap of the week in Congress and highlights of my work.  

In another attempt by the Trump Administration to deny Americans the necessary services provided by federal agencies, the President signed an Executive Order to dismantle the Department of Education. I am working to ensure this overreach does not go unchecked. On Monday, I was joined by federal, state, and local leaders for a press conference at the Connecticut State Capitol to condemn the recent Executive Order concerning the Department of Education. Education and Workforce Democrats also introduced a Resolution of Inquiry to demand transparency and information from the President and Secretary of Education regarding the efforts of the Administration to dismantle the Department. On Tuesday, I spoke in support of my legislation the Department of Education Protection Act during the Previous Question, which would have brought the legislation to the floor for a vote. Additionally, the House considered the DETERRENT Act. I voted no on the bill. 

More from the week: I introduced the SOS Farms Act, legislation to improve the farm safety net, and expand federal crop insurance for small farms. Also, I participated in a Democratic Steering and Policy Committee hearing to discuss how funding cuts proposed by the Republican budget will be felt by families across the country and attended a Congressional Black Caucus press conference to amplify the importance of SNAP for food-insecure families. 

Lastly, the House Committee on Agriculture convened a full committee hearing entitled, The CFTC at 50: Examining the Past and Future of Commodity Markets. My remarks focused on the risk management tools offered by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).  
 
My full recap is available below. 

Protecting the Department of Education

In another attempt by the Trump Administration to cut Americans off from federal agencies and necessary services, on March 20, 2025, the President signed an Executive Order, “Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities,” directing the Secretary of Education to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education. This action by the President is illegal. While only Congress has the power to eliminate a federal agency, an Executive Order can directly impact an agency, including the termination of all programs and initiatives. 

I joined Education and Workforce Democrats in introducing a Resolution of Inquiry (ROI) to demand transparency and information from the President and Secretary of Education regarding the efforts of the Administration to dismantle the Department and its potential impact on students nationwide. The Resolution of Inquiry will request all documents related to the closure, including legal memoranda, emails, and communications concerning reductions in force, downsizing measures, and decisions that could affect the ability of the Department to fulfill its responsibilities under critical education laws. If the Committee does not act within 14 legislative days, such a motion would allow the full House to vote on the matter, ensuring Congress does not let this overreach go unchecked. 

On Monday, I held a press conference at the Connecticut State Capitol to condemn the recent Executive Order by President Trump to eliminate the Department of Education. I was joined by Connecticut leaders, including Senator Richard Blumenthal, Governor Ned Lamont, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Early Childhood Commissioner Beth Bye, State Representatives, parents, teachers, religious leaders, education advocates, and concerned community members. 

The executive order to dismantle the Department of Education fails our children. There is no merit to the argument of returning power to the states- the states already have complete control of local educational decisions. Everyone should be asking very valid questions about the next steps, delivery of critical services, and plans for filling the funding gaps created by this order. 

The Department of Education Protection Act 

Instead of reaffirming the integrity of the Department of Education or pursuing real plans to explain to parents how services will continue, House Republicans were again fixated on appliances. On Tuesday, I spoke on the floor during the Previous Question to bring my legislation, the Department of Education Protection Act to the floor for a vote. 

The Department of Education Protection Act would shield the Department from efforts to dismantle the agency and ensure every student receives free and appropriate public education mandated by law. 

The Administration has not developed or articulated a clear plan for how these programs would continue to function without disruptions.  

We need the Department of Education to enforce federal law and protect the civil rights of students across the country. 

The DETERRENT Act 

Last week, the House considered the Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions (DETERRENT) Act. 

The legislation imposes unnecessary burdens on universities by requiring them to report gifts of any value from individuals in “countries of concern.” The bill also risks overwhelming an already understaffed Department of Education and discriminating against international faculty. 

I voted against this legislation because it would hinder participation in research by signaling to researchers and institutions that scientific collaboration is discouraged and effectively deterring academic institutions from engaging with immigrant colleagues and peers from countries of concern out of fear or heightened scrutiny. 

SOS Farms Act

Last week, I was joined by Congressman John Larson (CT-01), Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), and Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04), in reintroducing the Save Our Small (SOS) Farms Act.  

This legislation improves the farm safety net and expands federal crop insurance by allowing small farms to better access crop insurance policies often limited to large commercial farms to protect their business. 

Extreme weather and other disasters can cause severe losses for farms lacking crop insurance, forcing them to depend on disaster relief. This disproportionately affects small farms, which often cannot access insurance. A recent survey by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture revealed that Connecticut farmers have lost over $50 million due to weather-related events in 2023 and 2024. The SOS Farms Act aims to provide a stronger safety net by expanding the number of farms eligible to purchase crop insurance, lowering coverage costs for small farms, and directing the USDA to develop more responsive coverage options for farmers during extreme weather. 

Additional information on the SOS Farms Act is available here.  

Steering and Policy Hearing on SNAP

On Tuesday, I participated in a hearing convened by House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar and the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee.  

The hearing focused on how cuts to SNAP will negatively affect the millions of Americans who rely on the program to put food on the table and uplifted the stories of a cross section of recipients. The House Republican Budget Resolution would cut at least $230 billion from Agriculture Committee programs through 2034. A reduction of this magnitude can not happen without cuts to SNAP and would have a direct impact on the 88,000 people in the Fifth District of Connecticut who depend on SNAP.  

SNAP is a lifeline for people from all walks of life. As the cost of basic necessities like food and energy go up, many turn to the program to continue putting food on the table for their loved ones. If House Republicans succeed in cutting SNAP, many would lose the food assistance that helps them make ends meet.   

I am working alongside my Democratic colleagues to ensure families are able to access the food assistance programs they need.  

CBC Press Conference

Food insecurity continues to be a rampant issue for many families, particularly Black households. About 1 in 4 Black American households were food insecure in 2016, compared with 1 in 8 for all U.S. households.

On Tuesday, the Congressional Black Caucus hosted a press conference to further discuss how cuts to SNAP would be felt across the country.  

The CFTC at 50: Examining the Past and Future of Commodity Markets

Last week, the House Agriculture Committee convened a full committee hearing entitled, The CFTC at 50: Examining the Past and Future of Commodity Markets.  

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) maintains orderly markets for physical commodities like agricultural and energy products, as well as interest rates, foreign exchange rates, and digital assets. It also provides risk hedging mechanisms that help protect consumers from price volatility.  

During the hearing, I discussed how consumers might be affected if community-owned gas utilities could not offer risk management tools currently available at the CFTC. In cold-weather states, like Connecticut, eliminating these tools would mean more price volatility and higher energy bills.  

Connecticut already has one of the most expensive energy rates in the country, and on average, residents pay $76 per month for heating oil and $39 per month for natural gas.  

The work of the CFTC is critical to help protect consumers from surging costs.  

The full hearing is available here.  

Thank you for taking the time to read this update. Please be assured I will continue to advocate for your priorities.  

That’s a wrap. 

Jahana Hayes 

Member of Congress