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Dear Friend,
It’s Joe Courtney. Here to share an update on the newest Virginia-class submarine, a bipartisan response to chaotic tariff policies, and more news from the week. As always, thanks for starting your weekend here with me.
The Newest U.S. Navy Submarine
Welcome into the submarine force, USS IOWA!
Last Saturday, we celebrated the commissioning of the 24th boat in the Virginia-class program – built and completed in Groton, Connecticut.
Congratulations Commanding officer Coy, the entire IOWA crew, and the world class Groton shipbuilders who saw construction of the IOWA through from keel laying to delivery. There are four more Virginia-class submarines set for delivery to the Navy in the next two years. The tempo of Virginia-class production continues to get stronger!
A Bipartisan Response to Chaotic Tariff Policies
Over the last week and a half, my office has received many calls and emails from the District expressing alarm at the chaotic roll out of "Trump tariffs" and their impact on retirement accounts, business costs, and consumer costs. Many have raised questions, not only about the confusing formula that was used to target specific products and countries, but also the President's legal authority to impose tariffs so randomly. The answer to that question is very clear. Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution vests that power in the Congress.
President Trump is using national emergency power laws to raise tariffs that are designed to respond to sudden unforeseen threats, not longstanding trade issues.
To rein in this torrent of tariffs being imposed, then partially paused, that the world has experienced in the last 10 days, I am working across the aisle in the U.S. House to restore Congress's role to review and reverse the rash exercise of tariffs power.
This week, I called on Congress to pass the Trade Review Act, a bill introduced by my Republican colleague Rep. Don Bacon, which would require Congressional approval for any unilateral tariffs proposed by the President. The bill is identical to a bill introduced in the Senate last week by staunch Republican Senator Chuck Grassley.
The American people have asked us to bring costs down and create economic growth. It’s clear that President Trump’s tariff policies are rapidly moving us in the opposite direction. Congress needs to act and steer us in the right direction.
Meeting with Health Care Providers After the GOP Paves the Way to Cut Medicaid
Yesterday, House Speaker Mike Johnson and President Trump’s allies completed passage of a 10-year budget resolution, which would add trillions to the national debt and paves the way for an $880 billion cut to Medicaid (according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office) to pay for a tax break for billionaires.
I voted NO, and today, Connecticut Comptroller Sean Scanlon and I sat down with health care leaders, substance recovery providers, and disability rights advocates to highlight how Medicaid is a lifeline for working Americans.
Contrary to a lot of misinformation, 80% of Connecticut residents who rely on Medicaid are gainfully employed, while the remainder are predominately full-time caregivers, people with disabilities, minor children, or students.
Budgets are an expression of our priorities and values in terms of who we believe should receive care in this country. This budget makes clear Speaker Johnson and President Trump put the billionaires coming in out and of Mar-a-Lago over working Americans.
Celebrating the UConn Women Huskies' 12th National Title
The UConn Women Huskies have gotten it done once again! Last Sunday, UConn decisively defeated South Carolina 82-59 to win the program’s 12th National Championship – extending its record for most championships in NCAA history. This team is an amazing group of women student-athletes who, again, rose to the occasion to take the UConn women’s basketball program into further heights. All records are made to be broken, but it is hard to even imagine any other school’s team could come close to 12 national titles.
On Monday, I spoke on the House floor to congratulate the team and Head Coach Geno Auriemma.
Naysayers said the UConn women would never win another title. In 2023, USA Today published the headline “UConn's dynasty is officially dead. That's good news for women's college basketball.” This group proved them wrong. What a team!
Improving Loan Forgiveness for Public Servants
The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program was bipartisan from the start. President George Bush signed it into law in 2007. The program was designed to attract more Americans to public service careers like teaching, health care, and law enforcement with the promise of student loan forgiveness after 10 years of service. Unfortunately, it has failed to live up to the promise for many Americans.
My office had heard from many public servants who worked hard, followed the rules, but were still denied the PSLF relief they were promised. Now, public servants are facing even greater uncertainty following President Trump’s recent Executive Order seeking to renegotiate who is eligible to receive relief. That undermines Congressional intent and our promise to nurses, teachers, firefighters, and more.
In response, this week, I reintroduced the SERVICE Act, a bill which would make PSLF more transparent, fairer, and easier for America’s public service workers to qualify for this patriotic program. To learn more about the bill, click here.
A Rehabilitated Home in New London
Rehabilitating old structures and homes is critical to increasing eastern Connecticut's supply of affordable, high-quality housing. I'm working alongside eastern Connecticut organizations to secure federal funding for rehabilitation projects, and today in New London, I joined the non-profit H.O.P.E. (Housing Opportunities to Promote Equity) Inc. and Mayor Passero for the ribbon cutting of a newly renovated home. Congratulations to H.O.P.E., the City of New London, and new homeowner Tamiequa Knowles.
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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