Dear Friend, 

It's Joe Courtney. Here to share an update with the latest news from this week. 

Earlier this week, I underwent a long scheduled knee replacement surgery in Hartford. The operation was successful, and I am recovering at home in Connecticut. I am on pace to resume schedule in Washington and the Second District in the new year. As always, thanks for starting your weekend here with my newsletter. 

Finally, a Breakthrough on a Real Plan to Lower Health Care Costs

On November 12th, I joined 214 House members to sign a discharge petition to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits and lower skyrocketing health care costs for 22 million Americans. This week, four more members signed on, crossing the threshold to force a vote on this measure after months of obstruction by Speaker Johnson. 

The vote on extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits will be a defining moment for a Congress that has turned a deaf ear to pleas of working families, the middle class, and small businesses who are about to be condemned to losing affordable health care. Under House rules, Speaker Johnson must bring the bill for a vote by early January.

Connecticut Shipbuilders Come Through Again with the Delivery of the USS IDAHO

Eastern Connecticut shipbuilders reached another important milestone this week with the delivery of the USS IDAHO (SSN 799), the 26th Virginia-class submarine, to the Navy on December 15th. Congratulations to the skilled men and women at Electric Boat on this incredible achievement.

The IDAHO delivery follows delivery of the USS Massachusetts (SSN 798) in November, matching the two-per-year cadence for 2025 and continuing a strong pattern of progress in the Virginia-class program. With 12 Virginia-class submarines in the construction pipeline in addition to three Columbia-class submarines, which are 2.5x larger than Virginias, more work is still ahead. 

Following passage by the House last week, the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act is now officially signed into law. The annual defense policy bill authorizes procurement for two Virginia submarines, provides funding to keep construction of Columbia submarines on track, replenishes wage improvement funding, and delivers expanded authority for the Navy to contract with shipbuilders for more submarines. 

The Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, where I serve as Ranking Member, developed these provisions over the course of this Congress. The investments are now validated by the USS IDAHO delivery. 

Tariffs Raise the Cost of Cars

I recently met with CT Automotive Retailers Association in East Hartford to discuss the impact that President Trump’s tariffs are having on car costs. The dealers shared with me that the average cost of a new car in Connecticut has risen $50,000. According to a number of industry economists, 10-15% of that cost alone is from the President's "Liberation Day" tariffs on imported cars and imported car parts in domestic vehicles. 

I joined 207 bipartisan members of Congress in a brief to the Supreme Court to overturn President Trump's tariffs, which are simply a tax on imports. I am working across the aisle to reassert Congress’s authority over tariff policy and put an end to these unilateral tariffs.  

Two Major Coast Guard Provisions Included in the National Defense Policy Bill

In addition to boosting submarine production, investing in the shipbuilding workforce, and providing long-overdue checks on White House policies, the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act also includes two major provisions for the Coast Guard.

The bill includes authority for the Coast Guard to use existing funds to support the final construction of the National Coast Guard Museum. This is a major step towards completion of this project. Thanks to the work of the A/Z Corporation, Berlin Steel, and the Connecticut Building Trades, the museum’s construction is making rapid progress. Last month’s “topping-off” ceremony is proof of this. I am eagerly awaiting the museum’s completion and look forward to welcoming people looking for another great reason to visit eastern Connecticut. 

The National Defense Authorization Act also codifies Safe-to-Report protections for the Coast Guard members and cadets who bravely came forward to share their experiences. Sexual assault has no place in the Coast Guard or anywhere else. Codifying these protections into law will be a game changer to ensure that talented Guard members will be able to contribute to the Coast Guard mission in a safe workplace. All Americans will truly benefit from its enactment.

Thank you for taking some time to read my update. If my office can be of any assistance, do not hesitate to call us at (860) 886-0139. 

Sincerely,

Joe Courtney
Member of Congress

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