Dear John,

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

Great news! The 2023 Congressional Art Competition is now open. The competition is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation, particularly right here in the Fifth Congressional District.

More updates from the week: On Monday, I joined Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz in Roxbury for a ceremony honoring Vietnam and Korean war veterans. On Wednesday, the House Committee on Education and Workforce held a markup of the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act and the Parents Bill of Rights Act. Lastly, I met with representatives from the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) during their annual legislative conference.

For the full recap, please read below.

Congressional Art Competition

Each spring, a nationwide high school arts competition is sponsored by the U.S. House of Representatives in collaboration with the Congressional Institute. The competition is an opportunity to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation, particularly right here in the Fifth Congressional District.

The winning artwork of our district competition will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol as part of an exhibit with winners from around the country. Second place artwork will be displayed in my Washington D.C. Office, third place will be displayed for one year at the Mattatuck Museum in Waterbury, CT, and fourth place will be displayed in my District Office.

All submissions will be on exhibit at the Mattatuck Museum from May 4, 2023 - May 28, 2023.

For additional participation guidelines, please click here. 

Honoring Veterans in Roxbury 

According to a recent report, 6% of Connecticut residents 18 or older are veterans, with 36% serving during the Vietnam era and 11% during the Korean War. On Monday, I joined Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz in Roxbury at a ceremony to recognize the sacrifices of several Connecticut veterans who served in these wars.

As your Congresswoman, I have been a fierce advocate on behalf of the men and women of our armed forces and for the veterans who have worn the uniform of our country with pride. Most recently, I led the introduction of the bipartisan Caring for Survivors Act to improve access to benefits for surviving families. To learn more about this legislation, click here. 

Standing up for Students 

On Wednesday, the House Committee on Education and the Workforce held the first markup of the 118th Congress. Unfortunately, instead of using this as an opportunity to improve student and parent outcomes, the Republican majority decided to target transgender girls.

The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2023 amends existing law to make it a violation of Title IX for recipients of federal financial assistance to allow transgender girls or women to participate in girls’ and women’s athletic programs. Further, the legislation would ban all trans girls and trans women from participating on school sports teams, depriving them of an important opportunity to be a part of their school community, learn sportsmanship, and challenge themselves.

I firmly oppose this legislation and will continue to use my agency, voice, and power to advocate for all students, including those who identify as transgender.

The Committee also marked up the Parents Bill of Rights Act.

This legislation weaponizes education and absurdly implies that teachers are impeding the success of students. As a teacher and a parent, I know how important the partnership between parents and their children’s teachers is. I will continue to find ways to strengthen that bond.

To listen to my remarks during the markup, please click here.

Support for the International Association of Fire Fighters

Last week, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) held its annual legislative conference in Washington, DC. On Tuesday, I had the opportunity to meet with firefighters from Connecticut to discuss how federal policy continues to impact public safety. 

The group highlighted the need for continued funding of the Assistance for Firefighter Grant (AFG) and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant programs, as well as development of PFAS-free turnout equipment and support for retired public safety professionals. We also discussed ensuring that firefighters who are exposed to toxic materials when they are on the job are able to get the care they need if they become sick.

Each fiscal year, I am happy to support robust appropriations for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program and the Assistance for Firefighter Grant programs. 

The SAFER grant program provides funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations. This funding assists with increasing the number of firefighters to help communities meet industry minimum standards, attain 24-hour staffing to provide adequate protection from fire and fire-related hazards, and fulfill the traditional missions of fire departments. The Assistance for Firefighter grant program helps firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed-equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources necessary for protecting the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards. 

While this funding has been crucial to supporting firefighters in their work to keep our communities safe, more must be done to ensure equipment is PFAS-free and more resistant to chemicals. 

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