Dear John,

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

Last week, I joined the United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut to share that I secured $150,000 in community project funding to expand the United Way Readers Program and start the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in New Britain. This funding is a direct investment in educating our children. Additionally, I joined the Waterbury Regional Chamber of Commerce for the 2023 Legislative Summit, where state and local officials laid out  their focus in the upcoming legislative session. Federal, state and local partnerships are crucial in the work of improving the lives of Connecticut residents.  Lastly, I led the re-introduction of the Caring for Survivors Act. This bipartisan legislation would adjust monthly benefits for family members and survivors of veterans who lost their lives in service to our country.

For the full recap, please read below. 

United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut

According to a recent report, nationally, about a third of students in kindergarten through third grade are missing reading benchmarks. No less concerning, only 22% of elementary students in the New Britain school district tested at or above grade level for reading. Literacy is critical in building strong futures for our children. Studies show there is close connection between illiteracy and poverty.

As part of the Fiscal Year 2023 Federal Budget, I secured $150,000 in Community Project Funding to expand the United Way Readers Program and start the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in New Britain. Last week, I joined United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut CEO Eric Harrison to announce this Community Project funding. These federal funds are a direct investment into our children.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library will launch in 2023 to provide free age-appropriate books sent by mail every month to children in New Britain from birth through age five. This service allows families to build a home library of 60 books for their children by the time they start kindergarten.

The United Way Readers program is a supplemental, volunteer-based program designed to improve the reading proficiency of students in grades K-3.

To learn more about this and other community project funding I have secured, please click here.

Waterbury Regional Chamber Breakfast

Last Monday, the Waterbury Regional Chamber of Commerce convened their 2023 Legislative Summit. During the conference, state and local leaders discussed pressing issues driving the upcoming legislative session – including labor, energy, and health.

The conference featured breakout sessions for legislators to brainstorm effective ways to continue improving outcomes for residents of the Waterbury region and beyond. Federal, state and local partnerships are vital as we work to improve the lives of Connecticut residents.

I am pleased to have joined Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, Waterbury Mayor Neil O’Leary, Connecticut General Assembly Speaker of the House Matt Ritter, Chamber President Lynn Ward, and many esteemed colleagues for this important event.

Caring for Survivors Act

On Friday, I re-introduced the Caring for Survivors Act, bipartisan legislation to adjust monthly benefits for family members and survivors of veterans who lost their lives in service to our country.

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)—the rate of compensation paid to survivors of service members who die in the line of duty or veterans who die from service-related injuries or diseases—has been minimally adjusted since its establishment in 1993. Additionally, under current law, DIC restricts benefits for survivors if the veteran was disabled for less than ten years before their death. The bipartisan Caring for Survivors Act will bring parity to payments for DIC recipients, which currently lag behind other federal program payments by nearly 12 percent. 

I remain committed to honoring our service members by ensuring their families can access the benefits they have earned. The outdated policies surrounding DIC have created unbearable stress for surviving families. The Caring for Survivors Act increases those benefits, reduces barriers to access, and lessens the financial burden placed on veterans, service members, and the families they have left behind.

For additional information on the Caring for Survivors Act, please click here.

Casework Highlight

“I would like to thank you so much for everything and all the help you have given me. I passed my test yesterday and I got my citizenship. Also, I was able to go out and get myself a job. My orientation starts on the 17th, and I am unbelievably so happy to start my new adventure." 

          -    Mala, Waterbury 

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