Dear friend,

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

Last week, I joined Democratic Members of the House Agriculture Committee and Northeast in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins for answers on the decision by the Trump Administration to reorganize the Department of Agriculture. The reorganization plan could displace 2,000 workers and impact millions of American farmers and families. Additionally, I joined the members of the Connecticut Delegation in sending a letter to U.S. Coast Guard Acting Commandant Admiral Kevin E. Lunday requesting answers on how the Academy plans to invest and modernize facility infrastructure.

More from the week: Last week, I sent out a priorities survey for the remainder for the first session of the 119th Congress. 56% of respondents indicated addressing executive overreach was their number one priority. The full survey results are included below.

Lastly, I am including an update on the Service Academy Nomination application portal, which will remain open through September 22, 2025.

For my full recap, please read below.  

Protecting the U.S. Department of Agriculture

On July 24, 2025, the Trump Administration announced a plan to reorganize the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The plan would result in the relocation of over 2,000 workers out of Washington, D.C. and could negatively affect several critical USDA programs including the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), and Forest Service. This decision is deeply troubling as the Administration made this announcement without notice or input from Congress or key stakeholders in the agriculture sector.

Last week, I joined members of the House Agriculture Committee in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins for answers on the specific impact of the far-reaching reorganization plan. Additionally, I co-led Members of Congress from the Northeast in sending a letter to Secretary Rollins strongly urging the Administration to revoke the reorganization memo as it would negatively affect the millions of American farmers and families, including those who live in New England, who depend on USDA services. 

Read the House Agriculture Committee letter here.  Text of the letter sent by Northeast Democrats is available here. 

Support for the U.S. Coast Guard Academy

Last week, alongside Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs, and members of the Connecticut Delegation, I sent a letter to U.S. Coast Guard Acting Commandant Admiral Kevin E. Lunday urging the Coast Guard to commit to modernizing infrastructure at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA).

Located in New London, Connecticut, the Coast Guard Academy has served as one of the most important assets for the Coast Guard – commissioning 250 graduates each year and another 250 officers through Officer Candidate School to ensure American waters are safe, secure, and effectively monitored.

Unfortunately, years of deferred maintenance and delayed modernization projects have left the New London campus operating well below capacity. The letter seeks answers on how the Coast Guard will use Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations funding to improve Academy infrastructure, complete backlogged maintenance, and ensure the health and safety of the full academy community.      

Read the full letter here. 

Advancing CT-05 Priorities

Last week, I inquired about your priorities for the remainder of the 119th Congress. 56% of respondents said addressing executive overreach by the Trump Administration is their top priority. 

Since January 2025, I have taken several actions to hold the Trump Administration accountable. I am a cosponsor of the Reduction in Force Review Act, legislation to allow for Congressional review and disapproval via joint resolution of Reductions in Force (RIF) at federal agencies. The bill would also require agencies to report to Congress the specific reasons for RIFs, the impact of the RIF on employees and agency operations, alternatives that were considered and reasons for their rejection, and how the RIF will impact employees who are veterans.

Additionally, I have signed a host of amicus briefs in response to efforts by the Trump Administration to defund the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), grant the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) with unfettered access to sensitive consumer data, cut funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the U.S. Department of Education.

I also joined my colleagues in sending a bicameral letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General demanding answers about the construction and operation of a migrant detention camp in the Everglades, known as Alligator Alcatraz.

I am also working to hold House Republican leadership accountable for ceding the Article I powers of Congress to the administration. 

Most recently, I joined my colleagues in sending a letter to the House Majority Speaker Mike Johnson and House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole expressing opposition to the proposed 50% cut to the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

As Congress prepares to return for the remainder of the first session of the 119th Congress, please be assured I will keep your priorities top of mind. 

Service Academy Nominations

In case you missed it, the 2025 Service Academy Nomination portal is open through September 22, 2025.

A congressional nomination is required to be considered by a Service Academy for admission for a tuition-free college education and more from one of four world-class institutions, including the U.S Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. 

CT-05 students interested in pursuing higher education through one of the academies can learn more about eligibility requirements and the application process here.

And that’s a wrap.  

Thank you for taking the time to read this update. As always, please continue to share your thoughts and priorities with me.

Jahana Hayes

Member of Congress