Dear John,

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

Last week, I joined my colleagues in introducing the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, legislation to empower workers to exercise their right to form a union and create an economy where every worker can thrive. On Tuesday, the House Committee on Agriculture convened a full committee hearing,  Inflation, Regulations: Challenges for American  Agriculture, where we examined the challenges and disruptions facing producers and the farm and food sectors.

More from the week: I had the pleasure of hosting the finalists for the 2023 National Teacher of the Year. Among this group is Connecticut Teacher of the Year, Carolyn Kielma. Additionally, on Tuesday, I reintroduced the Declaring Racism a Public Health Crisis resolution. This legislation aims to highlight the detrimental effects communities of color face when seeking health care. Lastly, my staff joined First Selectman Doug Thompson and CT State Police Trooper Thomas Nunn in Burlington for an event to honor local first responders. 

For the full recap, please read below.

Protecting the Right to Organize

On Tuesday, I joined my colleagues in introducing the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act of 2023, a comprehensive proposal to protect the rights of workers to form a union, bargain for higher wages, better benefits, and safer workplaces.

Specifically, the PRO Act:

•  Holds employers accountable for violating workers’ rights;
•  Secures free, fair, and safe union elections; and
•  Empowers workers to exercise their right to collectively bargain.

Unions are critical to increasing wages and creating an economy that rewards hardworking people. Support for unions is surging. According to a 2022 Gallup poll, 71% of Americans approve of labor unions – the highest reported by Gallup since 1965. Yet, special interest attacks on labor laws continue to threaten union membership. The PRO Act will ensure workers do not fall prey to these attacks.

I am pleased to be an original cosponsor of this legislation, which will help expand the middle class and support working families.

Additional information on the Protecting the Right to Organize can be found here.

House Agriculture Committee Hearing

Last week, the House Committee on Agriculture convened a full committee hearing: Uncertainty, Inflation, Regulations: Challenges for American Agriculture. The hearing examined the challenges and uncertainty facing farmers, ranchers, and producers due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical unrest, and concerns brought on by inflation.

The 2023 Farm Bill provides the opportunity to allocate the necessary funds to farmers, ranchers, and foresters and will help ease the barriers to production felt in recent years.

Meeting with the National Teacher of the Year (NTOY) Finalists

The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) National Teacher of the Year Program identifies exceptional educators across the country, celebrates their work in and outside the classroom, and, through a one-of-a-kind professional development opportunity, helps them amplify their voices and empowers them to engage in conversations around teaching and learning, communication and advocacy, and education policy and leadership.

Last week, I had the pleasure of hosting the cohort of finalists for the 2023 National Teacher of the Year program, including two educators with ties to the Fifth District, Connecticut Teacher of the Year,  Carolyn Kielma of Wolcott, and Washington, D.C. Teacher of the Year, Jermar Roundtree, who grew up in Waterbury and was educated in the Waterbury Public Schools. I am thrilled to have such great Connecticut representation among the finalists this year.

Declaring Racism a Public Health Crisis

Racial disparities have led to dangerous lapses in our healthcare system, compromising the safety and wellness of communities of color. These deeply-rooted inequities were magnified during the global pandemic, resulting in a disproportionate impact among racial and ethnic minorities. As our nation continues to heal from COVID-19, the only path forward is one in which we finally acknowledge system failures for Black and Brown Americans.

On Tuesday, I reintroduced H.Res. 185, Declaring Racism a public health crisis. Inspired by the overwhelming evidence of the intersection of racism and discrimination within the healthcare system, this resolution aims to highlight the detrimental effects communities of color face when seeking treatment. Disproportionate access to, and quality of care has resulted in shorter life expectancy, worsened health outcomes, and enhanced exposure to harmful or dangerous environments for Black and Brown Americans.

Further, this resolution encourages decisive action to address gaps in health care and inequity across societal sectors. In 2021, Connecticut passed similar legislation, which created a new commission charged with documenting the effect of racism on public health across the state.

Additional information on the resolution is available here.

First Responder Appreciation Night

Last week, my staff joined Burlington First Selectman Doug Thompson and CT State Police Trooper Thomas Nunn for a first responders event to thank the police, fire, emergency medical service (EMS), and the Department of Public Works for the assistance they provide to the town.

We were happy to provide special congressional recognition to these public servants who selflessly keep our communities safe each day.

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