Dear friend,

Welcome to your Weekly Wrap, a recap of the week in Congress and highlights of my work. 

Last week, I joined the Avon community to honor Civil War Veteran Pvt. Leverett Holden with a dedicated spot on the Connecticut Freedom Trail. Additionally, we marked the beginning of Gun Violence Awareness Month. Each June, we honor and remember the victims of gun violence and recommit ourselves to the important work of calling out all forms of gun violence. On Wednesday, I joined Sandy Hook Promise for the Annual Promise Champions Gala. Their work supports violence prevention programs in schools. 

More from the week: On Wednesday, the House Committee on Education and Workforce convened a full committee hearing, Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Department of Education. The hearing featured testimony from U.S. Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon. On Thursday, the House Committee on Education and Workforce convened again for a full committee hearing entitled, Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Department of Labor with testimony from U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer. 

I am also including an update on the 2025 Congressional App Challenge.

For my full recap, please read below. 

Connecticut Freedom Trail Dedication Site

On Monday, I joined the Avon community to honor Civil War Veteran Pvt. Leverett Holden. 

Pvt. Holden, a resident of Avon and veteran of the U.S. Civil War, served in the 29th Connecticut Infantry Regiment, from 1863 through 1865. The 29th Regiment was a unit of African American soldiers that fought in the Civil War. The unit was created in 1863 and consisted of African Americans who fought in the war and helped bring an end to slavery. Holden was one its 900 members.

The Avon Historical Society honored the life and service of Pvt. Holden with a spot on the Connecticut Freedom trail. During the event storytellers shared insights on the significance of Juneteenth and the ongoing fight toward freedom & equality.

Thank you to Avon Historical Society, Avon Congregational Church, Avon Free Public Library and Avon Senior Center for your work. 

National Gun Violence Awareness Month

Too many lives in the United States are tragically ended or irrevocably altered by gun violence every year. 

During June, we mark Gun Violence Awareness Month, a time to honor and remember the victims of gun violence and recommit ourselves to the important work of calling out all forms of gun violence.

During the first week of Gun Violence Awareness Month, communities also come together to #wearorange. Inspired by the life of Hadiya Pendleton, the #wearorange campaign honors gun violence survivors and encourages participants to demand a future free from gun violence. 

I am committed to working with my colleagues in the House Democratic Caucus to end the gun violence epidemic once and for all.

On Tuesday, I joined Sandy Hook Promise as an honorary co-chair of the Annual Promise Champions Gala. Sandy Hook Promise was founded to honor the lives lost at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012. Their work supports violence prevention programs in schools, youth organizations, and communities nationwide. 

Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Department of Education

On Wednesday, the House Committee on Education and Workforce convened a full committee hearing, Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Department of Education. The hearing featured testimony from U.S. Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon.

Unfortunately, the Secretary did not come prepared to answer important questions about the work of the Department and offered no explanation for how the Department intends to support teachers, students, and their families amidst severe budget cuts.

The Trump Administration and my Republican colleagues have repeatedly claimed closing the Department of Education was about returning local authority back to the states. During the hearing, Secretary McMahon, herself, commented that states already have control over education decisions. The role of the Department of Education includes the civil rights enforcement of federal law. Defunding the Office of Civil Rights and zeroing out certain civic education programs is hypocritical.

It would behoove the Secretary to defer to teachers, parents who sit on curriculum committees, local Boards of Education and states who actually do the important work of supporting students. 

Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Department of Labor

On Thursday, the House Committee on Education and Workforce convened another full committee hearing entitled, Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Department of Labor and testimony was offered from U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer.

My remarks focused on Job Corps, a critical career training program that serves more than 22,000 young Americans, many as young as 16 years old who are out of school or not working. Last week, the Trump Administration announced its intention to eliminate the program. On Wednesday, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order, directing the government not to stop work at Job Corps centers until a further ruling in the case. 

 Listen to the full Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Department of Labor hearing here. 

2025 Congressional App Challenge Open

The 2025 Congressional App Challenge is now open for submissions.

The Congressional App Challenge is a nationwide event designed to engage students in creativity and encourage participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields.

Students can compete with their peers by creating and exhibiting an original software application. Students can compete as an individual or in teams up to four. Two teammates must reside or attend school in the Fifth Congressional District.

My office looks forward to highlighting the STEM talent across the Fifth District.

And that’s a wrap.

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

Jahana Hayes

Member of Congress