Veterans & Military Personnel

Congressman Courtney Votes to Pass the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act

May 14, 2019

“For 17 years, Blue Water Navy veterans have been forced to endure an insult on top of the injuries they sustained due to exposure to Agent Orange,” said Congressman Courtney.

Issues: Veterans & Military Personnel Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act

Courtney, Thompson, Pascrell Reintroduce Fire Police Fairness Act

May 14, 2019

Press Release

“Fire police across eastern Connecticut serve critical roles protecting both the public and their fellow public safety officers by securing the areas around dangerous emergencies,” said Congressman Courtney.

Issues: Health Care Veterans & Military Personnel

WENY News Special Report: Fighting for a Change

May 10, 2019

In The News

By Brandon Menard

SPECIAL REPORT: Fighting for a Change

Decades after their service, several local Vietnam veterans say they are dealing with the side effects from their contact with Agent Orange. Under current VA regulations, 14 presumptive conditions are related to its exposure. Of those 14, three of those conditions have end dates and must be at least 10% disabling within 1-year of contact with the herbicide. Those conditions are Cloracne, which is a skin condition, Porphyria Cutanea Tarda, which is liver dysfunction, and Peripheral Neuropathy, which causes a variety of things like tumors and cancers.

Issues: Veterans & Military Personnel Agent Orange Exposure Fairness Act

Courtney To Support Legislation Opposing Trump’s National Emergency Declaration

February 17, 2019

Press Release

NORWICH, CT – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, released the following statement signaling support for upcoming legislation that would disapprove of President Trump's recently announced national emergency declaration:

Issues: Defense & National Security Economy & Jobs Veterans & Military Personnel

Courtney Statement on President Trump's National Emergency Declaration

February 15, 2019

Press Release

NORWICH, CT – Today, Representative Joe Courtney (CT-02), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement on President Trump's declaration of a national emergency and plans to divert critical military construction funding to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border.

Issues: Defense & National Security Public Safety & Homeland Security Veterans & Military Personnel

Courtney Applauds Court Decision Favoring Blue Water Navy Veterans

January 29, 2019

Press Release

“It is welcome news that the Court corrected a 17-year injustice today,” said Congressman Courtney.

Issues: Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee Health Care Veterans & Military Personnel Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act

Courtney Reacts to President Trump’s Announcement to Accept Deal to Temporarily End Partial Government Shutdown, Continue Border Security Negotiations Separately

January 25, 2019

Press Release

Washington – Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, released the following statement on President Trump and Republicans' decision to accept a deal to temporarily reopen the federal government following 35 days of a partial government shutdown:

Issues: Defense & National Security Economy & Jobs Public Safety & Homeland Security Seniors and Retirement Security Transportation & Infrastructure Veterans & Military Personnel

Congressman Courtney Responds to President Trump’s Proposal to Adjudicate Deportations in Exchange for Border Wall Funding

January 19, 2019

Press Release

Vernon, CT –Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) issued the following statement after President Donald Trump's speech today:

Issues: Defense & National Security Economy & Jobs Public Safety & Homeland Security Veterans & Military Personnel

Courtney Reintroduces Bipartisan Agent Orange Exposure Fairness Act

January 15, 2019

Press Release

“Forty-three years after the end of the Vietnam War, our government is still failing to properly care for servicemembers who were exposed to the toxic chemical known as Agent Orange,” said Congressman Courtney. “The Agent Orange Exposure Fairness Act is a long overdue reform to the way the Veterans Administration recognizes the claims of Agent Orange victims. This bill would not be possible without the tireless efforts of one of my constituents, Mr. Gerry Wright, who has singlehandedly crisscrossed the country to raise the alarm about untreated Agent Orange cases. It’s a commonsense bill which will remove one of the most frustrating and onerous barriers that has denied veterans critical assistance for decades. It’s time to correct an injustice, it’s time to pass this bill.”

Issues: Veterans & Military Personnel Agent Orange Exposure Fairness Act

Congressman Courtney Votes to Ensure Retroactive Pay for Federal Employees Working Through Shutdown

January 11, 2019

Press Release

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) voted to ensure that federal workers who have been furloughed or who have worked without pay during the current partial government shutdown are compensated fairly and expeditiously.

Issues: Defense & National Security Economy & Jobs Eastern Connecticut Veterans & Military Personnel