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Dear Friend,
It’s Joe Courtney. After another busy week in Washington, I’m back home in eastern Connecticut. Here with an update on my continued work to prevent cuts to Medicaid and lots more from the week. As always, thanks for starting your weekend here with me.
New Action to Protect Medicaid & SNAP
I continue to hear from eastern Connecticut residents seriously concerned about cuts to basic needs programs in the GOP’s 10-year budget plan. According to analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the GOP’s plan would make devastating cuts to Medicaid (called HUSKY in Connecticut) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). And for what purpose? To pay for tax cuts to the wealthiest 1% of this country who don't need more tax breaks.
Along with Connecticut's hospitals, nurses, doctors, patient groups, and local food banks, I have fought back against these reckless, harmful measures. This week, I joined as an original co-sponsor of the new Hands Off Medicaid and SNAP Act, which prohibits the use of the reconciliation budget process to cut people off of Medicaid or SNAP. On Wednesday, I signed onto a new discharge petition which would force the House to vote on the bill. The discharge petition currently has 205 signer. We need only 218 to force a vote.
Medicaid and SNAP keep people healthy and nourished. Here in Connecticut, nearly 1 million people receive care through Medicaid and 391 thousand receive food assistance through SNAP. There’s no question that cutting the programs’ funding would restrict services for people in our state.
The fight against these cuts is not over. House Republicans have retreated their original timeline on the reconciliation budget process because of massive, grassroots opposition and cracks in their ranks are showing. I will continue to urge my colleagues to protect Medicaid and SNAP, and I will provide more updates in the coming days. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to call my office.
Tolland Housing Community Makes Improvements with Federal Funding
Good news. The Old Post Village housing community in Tolland recently secured federal funding from Congress to make accessibility improvements for residents with disabilities. The community is home to people aged 62 and older as well as adults with disabilities. It’s overseen by Connecticut housing non-profit organizations New Samaritan Corporation and Elderly Housing Management Inc. I visited last week to meet them, Tolland Town Manager Brian Foley, and more town officials.
This is a great project to ensure seniors and people with disabilities in Tolland have access to quality, affordable housing that meets their needs. Amid Trump Administration cuts at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, it’s an example of the importance of federal support for local housing communities.
Connecting Students to Manufacturing Careers
There are so many good manufacturing jobs in eastern Connecticut, and thanks to expanded federally-funded career and technical education, a new generation of skilled manufacturers is seizing these career opportunities.
Today, I stopped by the Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce’s Manufacturing Career Fair, which connected local manufacturers with high school students in the region. It was an impressive turnout for great companies – big and small – who have openings.
Honoring Gold Star Families
May is Gold Star Awareness Month, a time to honor the military servicemembers who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and their families who sacrificed with them.
Yesterday, Sub Base New London held its annual Flag Garden dedication ceremony at the Gold Star Family Field. Flags placed represent the lives of service of Gold Star Families. Throughout Gold Star Awareness Month, over 300 flags will be displayed in the field.
There is nothing more important and sacred than honoring Gold Star Families. The Groton Sub Base’s Flag Garden is a powerful tradition to recognize their sacrifice.
Supporting Small Farms
Last week, I visited Collinswood Mushrooms in Tolland to catch up with owner Randy Collins. You can find Collinswood Mushrooms on the menu at local restaurants and at farmers’ markets. Randy updated me on his business and plans to expand.
Farming is at the center of eastern Connecticut’s identity. We need to support our small farms and help them expand their markets. Thanks to Randy for hosting me.
Supporting the LGBTQ+ Community
Last weekend, I joined a big turnout at Quiet Corner Pride. So many local organizations came out to Rotary Park in Putnam to show strong support for the LGBTQ+ community and everyone’s right to live freely as who they are.
It's past time we ensure LGBTQ+ Americans are protected from discrimination in every area of their lives. In Congress, I am a co-sponsor of the Equality Act to enshrine long overdue anti-discrimination protections into law.
Update: CT Audubon Society Receives Community Project Funding
More good news. Back in 2024, I worked with the Connecticut Audubon Society and Mrs. Claudia Weicker, Board Chair of the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center, to secure $800,000 in federal Community Project funding for habitat preservation on the Lieutenant River. The funding was passed by Congress and signed into law in 2024, and the CT Audubon Society has now received the funding.
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| Visiting the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center in 2024 |
The Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center connects over 7,000 public school children from along Connecticut’s shoreline with the biodiverse wonders of the Long Island Sound. The grant will uplift the site with trails and storyboards to welcome visitors to its spectacular preserve.
Recognizing Teachers, Nurses, and Public Servants
This week, we celebrate our nation’s teachers, nurses, and public service workers!
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to all of eastern Connecticut’s fantastic, hard working educators! Your work sets students and our entire region up for success.
Happy National Nurses Week to eastern Connecticut’s nurses! We rely on nurses to care for us – it’s past time we do the same for them by ensuring safe workplaces. Congress must pass my workplace violence prevention bill.
And happy Public Service Recognition Week to eastern Connecticut's public service workers; you keep our communities running. Many of these workers, including at the Social Security Administration, the VA, & military bases, are now being subjected to devastating cuts and negative political rhetoric. To all of eastern Connecticut’s public servants, thank you for your tireless work! It’s valued & appreciated.
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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