Dear Friends,

As 2022 comes to a close, I want to take a few moments to reflect on what we accomplished together this past year. I am proud to say that despite the divisive times we are in, the House managed to get a lot of work done this year.

Hearing From You
Hearing from constituents is the most important part of my job as a Member of Congress. After the coronavirus pandemic put large gatherings on pause, it was especially gratifying to once again have the opportunity to hold in-person town halls across the district and hear from you directly. Please know you can always reach me or my staff members at my Bridgeport office at (203) 333-6600 or my Stamford office at (203) 353-9400.

Delivering for the Fourth District
Securing federal funding for projects in our community remains a priority of mine. In March of 2022, I was proud to have fought for and won almost $12.4 million for ten local community projects. From building new sidewalks in Norwalk and Stamford to expanding a safe house for victims of domestic violence, these investments will make our communities even better places to live, work, and raise a family.

Just last week, Congress passed a government funding bill that included nearly $24 million for an additional fourteen projects in the district. These funds are an investment not only in our state’s infrastructure, but in our women-owned businesses, our recovering veterans, our district’s working families, our schoolchildren, and many more.

Advancing Southwest Connecticut's Priorities 
Every town hall, I hear from a constituent concerned about rising health care costs, and rightfully so. Americans pay ten times more for insulin than citizens of other developed nations. With the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, starting in 2023 the out-of-pocket cost of insulin for Medicare beneficiaries will be capped at no more than $35 for a month’s supply. 

This legislation will bring down the cost of other drugs as well. The U.S. government will start negotiating with pharmaceutical companies, saving billions of dollars for Medicare beneficiaries.

The Inflation Reduction Act did more than lower health care costs – it was also the largest investment in fighting climate change the United States has ever made. The Fourth District is home to several beautiful, coastal towns, and the memory of hurricane devastation is still fresh. This legislation allocates $2.6 billion for projects to protect coastal communities like ours from extreme storms and build more resilient infrastructure.

Congress also tackled American innovation, research and manufacturing with the CHIPS and Science Act. This legislation is creating a pipeline for a stronger, more diverse domestic manufacturing workforce, while also supporting Connecticut companies like ASML in Wilton which makes the machines that produce microchips.

Honoring our Promise to Veterans
Voting for the PACT Act was one of my proudest moments in Congress this year. The veterans who risked their lives for this country deserve our utmost respect, support, and care. The PACT Act means that America is finally keeping its promise to those who sacrificed so much in the line of duty by expanding and extending healthcare eligibility for veterans with toxic exposures. To find out if you or someone you know might be eligible for these benefits, visit VA.gov/PACT.

Making our Community Safer
The passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act marked the first time in three decades that Congress was able to advance significant legislation addressing America’s epidemic of gun violence. While there is still work to be done, this commonsense legislation is a meaningful step toward protecting our communities. Among its critical provisions, it requires enhanced under-21 background checks, invests in state crisis intervention programs, and provides nearly $15 billion in new funding to grow, strengthen, and improve mental health services in our schools and communities.

Protecting Fundamental Rights
I was very proud to stand with Americans across the country and vote to defend marriage equality. The Respect for Marriage Act protects same-sex and interracial marriages, ensuring long-term stability for these families by providing important statutory protections under federal law. I will continue to fight for the safety, dignity, and rights of all Americans.

This year also saw the Supreme Court overturn almost 50 years of precedent set by Roe v. Wade in the Dobbs v. Jackson case. Though the House acted decisively time and time again to protect a woman’s right to choose, inaction in the Senate has left too many women without the ability to access an abortion. I will continue to fight to ensure that women have the right to make their own healthcare decisions.

Strengthening American Democracy
In 2020, we saw a serious attempt to subvert America's democracy and overturn the results of a free and fair election. The Vice President's role in the transition of power is widely understood to be purely ministerial. Elections are decided by the will of the people - not state legislators, or the Vice President. Last week I voted to pass the Electoral Count Act, which eliminates ambiguity in our system and strengthens the core element of our democracy: the people's voices.

Wrapping Up 2022
It is always an honor to serve you in Congress, and I’m deeply grateful that so many of you have reached out to share your perspective this year. I hope you will continue to stay in touch through a call, email or letter in the new year. 

Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season and a happy New Year!

Sincerely,

Jim