Dear friend,

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

Last week, I joined House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig and Committee Democrats for a press conference on the Farm and Family Relief Act. On Tuesday, the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education convened a hearing entitled, Who’s Watching the Kids? How Employers, Innovators, and Parents are Solving America’s Child Care Crunch, and I organized members of the Democratic Caucus for a Special Order Hour on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

More from the week:  The House Education and Workforce Committee convened a full committee hearing entitled, Building an AI Ready America. Also, I participated in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Member Day Hearing. 

I am also including an update on appropriations legislation ahead of the January 30, 2026, government funding deadline.  

For my full recap, please read below. 

Farm and Family Relief Act

Last week, I joined House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig and Committee Democrats for a press conference on the Farm and Family Relief Act, legislation to support farmers and families to navigate unprecedented losses because of the policies imposed by the Trump Administration. 

Specifically, the legislation would delay the unfunded mandates levied upon states through cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), provide payments to family farmers affected by the trade policy, and reassert congressional authority over tariffs. 

Relief for families and farmers must move in tandem. We cannot provide billions to one group while leaving the other behind. Alongside my colleagues in the House Democratic Caucus, I am committed to bringing down the cost of living and delivering relief for farmers and families who are hurting right now.

Who’s Watching the Kids? How Employers, Innovators, and Parents Are Solving America’s Child Care Crunch”

On Tuesday, the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education convened a hearing entitled, Who’s Watching the Kids? How Employers, Innovators, and Parents are Solving America’s Child Care Crunch. 

My remarks focused on Head Start, the most successful federal program in our nation, providing comprehensive early childhood education. Parents cannot work if their children are not safe. By growing and expanding programs like Head Start, we can ensure parents can enter the workforce and move out of poverty. 

Listen to the Who’s Watching the Kids? How Employers, Innovators, and Parents are Solving America’s Child Care Crunch, hearing here.

Special Order Hour on IDEA

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the federal law that ensures all children with disabilities receive a free and appropriate public education tailored to their learning needs. Over 7.5 million children with disabilities receive special education services under IDEA. However, efforts by this administration to dismantle the Department of Education threaten the vital services these students receive. 

Last week, I organized Members of the Democratic Caucus for a Special Order Hour on IDEA to highlight this landmark legislation and what it means for students with disabilities. 

To listen to the Special Order Hour on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), please click here.

Building an AI-Ready America

On Wednesday, the House Education and Workforce Committee convened a full committee hearing entitled, Building an AI Ready America.

While AI is rapidly advancing, we must thoughtfully consider implementation in schools to ensure educators can focus on strategies proven to promote academic success.

During the hearing, witnesses highlighted beneficial professional development tools to support educators in effectively integrating AI in the classroom. Equally as important, witnesses identified the areas where more attention and resources should be allocated to ensure proper support in taking on new responsibilities. 

Listen to the full Building an AI Ready America hearing here. 

Transportation and Infrastructure Member Day Hearing

On Wednesday, I participated in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Member Day Hearing. During the hearing, I spoke of the need to invest in aging water infrastructure.

Last month,  as Connecticut families were bracing for some of the coldest temperatures of the season, a high-pressure water main failed in the city of Waterbury. The water main break disrupted water service to more than 60% of the city, with the nearby towns of Watertown and Wolcott also affected. Over 100,000 people were left without water. Surgeries were put on hold; restaurants were forced to close their doors ahead of the holiday season, and public schools were closed. With the help of the National Guard and state and local partners, water distribution sites were set up across the city while repairs were completed at a cost of $3 million. 

Another water main break occurred days later in Danbury, disrupting service to 30,000 people on Christmas Day. 

Water Infrastructure failures are not inevitable. Federal resources are available to help states replace outdated pipes and other essential infrastructure components. 

During the hearing, I urged the Committee to continue to fund programs like the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, the Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund, and programs supported by the Water Infrastructure. Ahead of the Water Resources Development Act of 2026, I also urged the Committee to prioritize flood mitigation and climate resilience programs. 

To listen to my full remarks during the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Member Day Hearing, please click here.

The Financial Services and General Government and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026 

Last week, the House passed another series of appropriations bills ahead of the January 30, 2026, funding deadline. 

H.R. 7006, the Financial Services and General Government and National Security Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026, passed the House by a vote of 341 to 79. While this appropriations package does not include all of my priorities for the Fifth District, the legislation takes important steps to undo the harmful cuts passed in previous budget legislation and includes key investments for Connecticut families and communities across the country. 

Specifically, H.R. 7006 provides $1 billion for the Small Business Administration, protects investments in low-income communities by providing $324 million for Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), and increases election security grant funding by $30 million. The bill also provides $5.5 billion for humanitarian assistance and protects funding for United Nations Programs. 

Additional information on the H.R. 7006, the Financial Services and General Government and National Security Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act of 2026 is available 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