Dear friend,

I wanted to take a moment to pause, amidst the chaos of the world we live in, to reflect on all we have accomplished this year.

Despite the many challenges we faced this year, I remain focused on the issues that matter to my constituents. I hear your concerns and will continue to push back against the harmful cuts of this administration.

This year, we held ten town halls and community conversations across the Fifth District, where I had the opportunity to speak directly to many of you. I look forward to many more impactful conversations in the coming year.
 
Please join me in looking back on the highlights of 2025.    

Constituent Services:

In 2025, my casework team returned over $4 million to constituents through assistance from federal agencies, successfully closing more than 880 cases. My office hosted 36 “Casework on Your Corner” events in Meriden and Danbury City Halls, and Simsbury Eno Memorial Hall. This initiative brings caseworkers closer to constituents across the district, answering questions and opening cases to assist in real time.

I am dedicated to making federal resources more accessible to all who call the Fifth District home. My office is available to assist constituents in navigating problems with a federal agency, including:

    •    Social Security Administration (SSA)
    •    U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
    •    Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
    •    U.S. Department of State
    •    U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
    •    U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and other federal programs and agencies.

I encourage constituents to call 860-223-8412 for more information on how to obtain congressional assistance. More information can also be found here.

Passport Day:

In April, we hosted a Passport Day where 152 passport applications were processed within 4 hours. Current routine processing times for passports are 4-6 weeks. By holding events such as Passport Day, my office was able to provide a swift, in-person solution to address fluctuating application processing times.

Community Projects:

This year, one of the Community Project Funding (CPFs) requests from my office was included in the FY26 budget signed into law this year.

$500,000 was secured to assist in the construction of a new Firehouse for the Town of Norfolk. The old firehouse was outdated and lacked many of the health and safety features common in new firehouses. This grant will help cover the costs of constructing a new facility. I recently attended the groundbreaking for the new firehouse last month and am looking forward to its completion.

Leading Critical Legislation:

Developing and introducing legislation is one of the most powerful tools we have as Members of Congress to enact real change.

This year, I introduced 19 pieces of legislation, 5 resolutions, and cosponsored 301 bills focused on defending the Department of Education, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and supporting veterans, gun violence prevention, and more.

In January, I introduced my first piece of legislation of this Congress, the Department of Education Protection Act to shield the U.S. Department of Education from efforts to dismantle the agency. The Department is vital for providing equal educational opportunity for all and protecting the rights of students and educators. Public education is a right; instead of depleting this vital agency of its resources, we must invest in its ability to promote student achievement and ensure equal access.

I also introduced the Caring for Survivors Act of 2025. This bill would increase the monthly Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits for surviving families of veterans. DIC benefits were established by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in 1993. There have been minimal updates to the program, leaving survivors without the benefits they deserve. My hope is that this legislation could ease some financial burdens for the families of our fallen heroes. You can read more about how this legislation would expand DIC benefits here.

In February, I introduced the Respect, Advancement and Increasing Support for Educators (RAISE) Act to improve financial compensation for public servants. This bill would create a tax credit of up to $15,000 for public school teachers to close the wage gap facing the profession.

In April, I introduced the Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Bill of Rights, a resolution calling for dignified wages, benefits, and working conditions for paraeducators, classroom assistants, bus drivers, custodial workers, and other essential school staff who far too often work for low wages, few benefits, and without job security. Paraprofessionals and education support staff are an invaluable part of student success, it is imperative that we recognize their work.

In June, I introduced the School Violence Prevention Act to provide organizations with grants to create or expand school-based programs to support children at the highest risk for involvement in gun violence. The frequency of gun violence in our schools continues to rise, there is a dire need to pass legislation to disrupt this horrific cycle of gun violence.
 
In November, I introduced the Restoring Food Security for American Families and Farmers Act of 2025, which would repeal the devastating cuts to SNAP enacted by the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” That legislation cut SNAP by 20 percent or $187 billion, the largest cut in the history of the program. These cuts will hurt hard-working Americans, farmers, ranchers, producers and grocers across the country, this bill is an attempt to stop that.

In December, I introduced the School Modernization and Efficient Access to Lunches for Students (MEALS) Act to create greater access to free school meals by reducing administrative hurdles, expanding eligibility, and simplifying the certification process for students in need, while also addressing the issue of unpaid meal debt. Hungry children do not learn. This bill would cut through the red tape keeping students from the lunches they need to succeed in the classroom.
 
I intend to continue introducing bills to improve the lives of my constituents and the residents of Connecticut. It is my great privilege to serve as your Member of Congress. I wish you and your loved ones peace and joy as we go into this new year.


Jahana Hayes
Member of Congress