Dear friend, 

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

Last week, I attended the ribbon-cutting for the Railroad Square Infrastructure Project in Torrington. Also, I participated in the House Committee on Agriculture Member Day hearing. On Thursday, the House Committee on Education and Workforce held a full committee markup on four pieces of legislation. 

More from the week: On Sunday, December 14, 2025, we solemnly marked the 13th anniversary of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School. 

I am also including an update on the bills before the House last week. 

For my full recap, please read below.  

Torrington Railroad Station Ribbon Cutting

Last week, I attended the ribbon-cutting for the Railroad Square Infrastructure Project in Torrington. The project provides critical updates designed to improve mobility, support public space, and enhance the overall downtown experience in the city. 

Specific project upgrades include a new train platform and canopy at the Christmas Village, extension of the Sue Grossman Greenway, and street and pedestrian upgrades: roads, sidewalks, crossings, and trails, and along John and Madison streets.  Also included in the project is a pedestrian promenade walkway that connects the train station, parking areas, and nearby amenities. 

This phase of the Railroad Square Infrastructure Project is supported by American Rescue Plan Act funding. Signed into law by President Biden in 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act provided more than $4.3 billion to go directly to the cities and towns across our state.

I am pleased to see this legislation continuing to have a positive impact on the Fifth District.

House Agriculture Committee Member Day Hearing

Last week, the House Committee on Agriculture held a Member Day hearing. Member Day hearings allow Members both on and off the committee to share their priorities for the upcoming session of Congress. 

I discussed my legislation, the Restoring Food Security for American Families and Farmers Act of 2025, which repeals the devastating cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that were included in the One Big Beautiful Bill. The importance of this critical social safety net program can not be understated. 

During the government shutdown, we witnessed just how disastrous it would be for states to shore up SNAP benefits without support from the federal government. As the Administration withheld Contingency Reserve funding to cover November benefit costs, states scrambled to come up with plans to cover partial benefits. Every state, every congressional district, every community – rural, suburban, and urban – was panicked about how they would feed hungry people in their communities. This is only a microcosm of what will be on the horizon for states if the cost share provisions included in the One Big Beautiful bill go into effect. 

My legislation would repeal this unfunded mandate so states do not have to make the difficult decision about what programs will be lost as a result of federal funding cuts.

Listen to my full remarks during the House Agriculture Committee Member Day Hearing here.

Additional information on the Restoring Food Security for American Families and Farmers Act is available here.

House Committee on Education and Workforce Markup

On Thursday, the House Committee on Education and Workforce held a full committee markup on four pieces of legislation related to the cost and quality of American higher education.

The legislation included the Home School Graduation Recognition Act, Territorial Student Access to Higher Education Act, Student Financial Clarity Act, and College Financial Aid Clarity Act. 

During the markup, I supported the bipartisan legislation that would expand access to higher education – including the Home School Graduation Recognition Act, which legally recognizes home-schooled students as high school graduates for federal purposes, like financial aid and college admissions; and the Territorial Student Access to Higher Education, legislation to guarantee in-state tuition for students from Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

I opposed the College Financial Aid Clarity Act and Student Financial Clarity Act. We cannot simultaneously give the Department of Education more responsibility while the Trump Administration is actively working to dismantle it. 

Additional information on the markup is available here.

Forever in Our Hearts

On Sunday, December 14, 2025, we solemnly marked the 13th anniversary of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School that claimed the lives of twenty children and 6 educators. We continue to honor each of their memories with action. 

On Wednesday, I attended the 13th Annual National Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence, which brings together survivors of gun violence, the families of victims, lawmakers, faith leaders, concerned citizens, and activists across the nation to pay tribute to those 1.3 million Americans who have been killed or injured by guns since Sandy Hook.

I joined the Newtown Action Alliance Foundation to mourn those we have lost and ensure our country does not forget about the issue of gun violence and the dire need to address it.

Additionally, the Connecticut Delegation convened a press conference to reaffirm our commitment to end the gun violence epidemic. Gun violence is the leading killer of children in the United States. A majority of Americans support the passage of common-sense gun laws. We must ensure no community has to endure the impact of an epidemic.

Floor Update

Several pieces of legislation were considered in the House last week, including the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). 

This legislation authorizes $900 billion for the Department of Defense, National Nuclear Security Agency, and other related national security agencies. This is $8 billion more than was originally requested.

I voted no on this legislation.

At a time when President Trump is scrutinizing every federal dollar for critical domestic programs, we continue to increase the defense budget without proper oversight or reform. There is no check on the ballooning military budget. The Department of Defense has failed seven consecutive annual audits. No other agencies would be able to fail audits and simultaneously receive more funding year after year.

Additionally, President Donald Trump and Secretary Pete Hegseth continuing to use our military without regard for the rule of law. Congress must take back our Article I powers and end these unlawful actions.

I acknowledge the wins that were achieved in this legislation, but there comes a point where we have to demand reform of our defense appropriations.

My full statement on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is available here. 

The House also considered the Protect America’s Workforce Act, bipartisan legislation to restore collective bargaining rights to federal employees. 

Specifically, this legislation would reverse the executive order entitled Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs,” which aimed to eliminate collective bargaining rights across multiple federal agencies. The order targeted employees in the Departments of Defense, State, Veterans Affairs, Justice, and Energy, as well as certain employees in the Departments of Homeland Security, Treasury, Health and Human Services, Interior, and Agriculture.

Our country benefits tremendously from the hard-working, patriotic individuals who choose a career in public service. Congress cannot sit by while the President abuses his power to strip rights away from American workers.

I am a cosponsor of the Protect America’s Workforce Act and signed the discharge petition to force a vote on the legislation.

Learn more about the Protect America’s Workforce Act 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