Dear Friend,

     I wanted to take an opportunity to update you on my recent work during the month of March in Washington, D.C. and Connecticut.

     I know we are living in unprecedented times and for many of you the events of the past several months have been deeply unsettling. I want you to know I am continuing to work to fight back and rein in the Trump Administration’s illegal actions, including the shutdown of federal agencies like the Department of Education and firing of federal employees. I continue to monitor and support litigation aimed at curbing this unlawful activity. Please rest assured, I am battling the worsening cost of living crisis and fighting Musk’s attack on Social Security, Medicaid, and public health.

     On March 4th, I was joined by Connecticut’s 2025 Teacher of the Year, Julia Miller, as my guest at the President’s joint address to Congress. Together, we stood in the defense of public education, which is under attack by Elon Musk and the Trump Administration. You can watch my full reaction to the Joint Address here.

     Amid recent federal funding cuts, freezes, and grant program eliminations, I held a press conference with my Democratic colleagues to highlight the impact of these have on our communities and beyond. You can watch a recorded livestream here.

     I also spoke on the House floor to discuss the Trump Administration’s harm on federal programs directly in our communities across our district. I shared the story and impact of our very own CitySeed, which connects dozens of vendors across Connecticut, from farms to bakeries, with residents who need access to fresh and local food. Unfortunately, because Musk and President Trump indiscriminately shut off funding for wide swaths of federal programs, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Local Food Promotion Program and Farmers Market Promotion Program, CitySeed’s operations were thrown into chaos and uncertainty. Real people are suffering real consequences because of Musk and President Trump. Real people will pay the price of Republicans’ billionaire tax breaks. You can watch my full remarks here.

     At CT FoodShare, I also held a press conference to address significant $1 billion funding cut to the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) Program and the Local Food for Schools Program (LFS). The USDA’s funding reductions to these programs will have a devastating effect on local farmers, food banks, and families who rely on these programs for fresh, nutritious foods. No one should go hungry, especially when there is an abundance of food in our nation. I will continue to fight to get back this crucial funding.

     This month, I also proudly cosponsored two of Congressman John Larson’s bills to protect Social Security from attacks by Musk and President Trump: the Protecting Americans’ Social Security Data Act, which would stop the so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) and political appointees from accessing sensitive beneficiary data systems; and the Keeping our Field Offices Open Act, which requires the total number of Social Security field and hearing offices to stay in operation despite DOGE’s efforts to terminate leases and jeopardize access to hard-earned benefits. Elon Musk has no right to access the sensitive information or data of Americans, especially when it comes to Social Security. Please know I am also alarmed by the illegal and unconstitutional actions to gut the Social Security Administration.

     In New Haven, I spoke in support of our Ukrainian friends and family alongside Mayor Justin Elicker and other community leaders. Every supporter of liberty should be a friend of Ukraine, and every American who desires peace should want Ukraine to set the terms. Please rest assured I will use my role as top Democrat of the House Appropriations Committee to continue to fight for crucial funding to help Ukraine win the war against Russian forces.

     I was deeply disappointed that instead of finishing our work on annual spending bills, Republicans passed a year long, partisan continuing resolution, which freezes federal funds and, in some cases, cuts funding all together for crucial programs that help millions of Americans. I joined CNN’s Dana Bash to discuss the funding for crucial programs cut and the lack of help to lower costs. You can watch my segment here.

     On March 18th, Comptroller Sean Scanlon, CEO of Fair Haven Community Health Care, Suzanne Lagarde, and I discussed the implications of cuts to HUSKY (Medicaid in Connecticut) for our community. I believe conversations highlighting the real impacts of these cuts strengthen our fight to protect these vital programs.

     Education is the foundation of economic opportunity and the American Dream. After President Trump announced an Executive Order to close the Department of Education, I spoke on the House steps about the harms would inflict on the 90 percent of children in this country educated through public education, which you can watch here. I also joined local education leaders at Wilbur Cross High School to discuss our fight for every child’s right to a quality education that powers their dreams. We cannot build a better future for our children by taking opportunities away.

     On average and across all workers, women earn just 75 cents for every dollar men make – with an even greater disparity for women of color. More than five decades after the passage of the Equal Pay Act of 1963, the gender wage gap still exists and has widened for the first time in 20 years. Last week on Equal Pay Day, I reintroduced my legislation, the Paycheck Fairness Act with 216 cosponsors – including every Democratic member of Congress. This bill would ensure all women are paid fairly for their work. Men and women in the same job deserve the same pay.

     I also spoke at the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee hearing regarding the Republican’s proposals to cut SNAP. These cuts will take food off the tables of kids, seniors, and working-class Americans all just to fund tax breaks for billionaires. You can watch my questions to witnesses here.

     In Case You Missed It (ICYMI): I invite high school students (Grades 9-12) in CT’s Third District to enter the 2025 Congressional Art Competition. If you are eligible and interested, please call (203) 562-3718 or visit https://delauro.house.gov/constituent-services/congressional-art-competition for more information. The deadline for all applications is Thursday, April 18th.

     I will continue my efforts in Congress to get results for the families and communities of the Third District. Should you have any questions or if I can assist you with a federal agency, please contact my District office at 203-562-3718. To follow what I'm working on both in Washington and in Connecticut, visit my Facebook page, follow me on Twitter, or follow me on Instagram. You can also now sign up to receive SMS updates here.

                                                                                               Sincerely,