Dear Friends, 

With costs on the rise, families are struggling to make ends meet. Whether I am in Washington or Connecticut, I remain focused on real solutions to make life more affordable for you—and holding President Trump accountable for his continued abuses of power.

For five months, the President has waged an unauthorized, illegal war against Iran. Eighteen U.S. servicemembers have now lost their lives and more than 100 have been injured. At home, working families are being squeezed by skyrocketing energy prices due to this reckless war. Last week, we passed a bill in the House to bring our troops home—for the second time. We must cut off funding for the illegal Iran war and take every available legal action to end it before more people are killed. I introduced a resolution in the House to take the Trump Administration to court and bring this war to an end for good.

  Watch my video calling on the House to enforce the War Powers Act.

When the Connecticut River Valley was hit with severe flooding and frost, I was proud to help lead the charge with our state’s entire Congressional delegation to secure relief that directly accommodates the needs of Connecticut’s specialty crop growers. The Farm Recovery and Support Block Grant is a first-of-its-kind program that delivers relief, without requiring our farmers to first go through mountains of bureaucratic red tape. On Friday, I stood with my colleagues and Governor Ned Lamont to announce that the $53 million in aid we secured in Congress is finally on its way to our local farms. Moving forward, we must act to ensure local farmers are not stuck waiting for the aid they need when disaster strikes. I introduced the Save Our Small Farms Act with Rep. Jahana Hayes to make federal crop insurance more affordable and accessible for small and mid-sized farms and reduce the paperwork burdens growers face. 

Rep. Larson discusses aid for local farmers with Commissioner of Agriculture Bryan Hurlburt and Governor Lamont

I was in Berlin last week with Senator Richard Blumenthal and local leaders to break ground on 70 new, affordable housing units for seniors. The Kensington is supported with $9 million in federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits – a program that I have been proud to champion on the Ways and Means Committee. I will continue to push for new incentives to build more homes and bring down costs. We recently passed the landmark 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a major step forward to expand access to homeownership opportunities and crack down on corporate landlords. I also introduced the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act, which would spur the development of 500,000 homes over the next decade, as well as the American Affordability Act, which would create the first-ever tax credits to support renters and first-time homebuyers. 

Berlin Mayor Mark Kaczynski, State Representative Donna Veach, Rep. Larson, Commissioner of Housing Seila Mosquera-Bruno, and Senator Richard Blumenthal 

I have heard heartbreaking stories from so many constituents who were separated from their loved ones in long-term care during the COVID-19 pandemic, even families forced to miss a parent or grandparent’s final moments. We can never allow the isolation that took place to happen again. That’s why I introduced the Essential Caregivers Act with Senator Blumenthal and Rep. Claudia Tenney, of New York. Our bill would guarantee visiting access during future emergencies and also protect the safety of nursing home residents. Earlier this month, it advanced out of the Ways and Means Committee on a bipartisan, unanimous basis. Congress owes it to the steadfast advocates who have bravely come forward with their stories to pass this bill. You can view my full remarks below. 

To follow what I’m working on both in Washington and in Connecticut, visit my Facebook page, follow me on Twitter, or follow me on Instagram.     

Regards,

John B. Larson
Member of Congress