Courtney Votes Against Funding Deal That Sets Up Health Care Cost Hike & Shortchanges Columbia-class Submarine Construction
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) released the following statement after voting “no” on a government funding deal which paves the way for health care costs to increases for an estimated 142,000 Connecticut residents and excludes critical funding for the Columbia-class submarine program.
“Hundreds of thousands of Connecticut residents are seeing their health care costs skyrocket right now. Over the past few weeks, I have heard from constituents at town halls and office visits whose premiums are skyrocketing up hundreds and thousands of dollars and will now be forced to spend $820 per month, $1,800 per month, or $3,100 per month for their health care premiums. Copayments and deductibles will run out of pocket costs even higher. With the first payment for 2026 Access Health CT plans due on December 15th, Congress must vote now to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits. Failure to address health care costs in a government funding bill shows that despite promises made on the campaign trail, leaders in Washington are doing nothing to lower costs. Health care costs have been too high for too long. I will not support a bill that kicks the can down the road on health care while eastern Connecticut residents are forced to make impossible decisions about their budgets and coverage.
“Additionally, despite requests from the White House and the Navy, this funding deal excludes any additional funding for the Columbia-class submarine program to address shortfalls. We are at a critical time for submarine construction. With submarine yard tonnage near all-time highs, our industrial base is working to construct the new Columbia-class submarines, while also ramping up delivery of the Virginia-class submarines. The exclusion of a Columbia program plus-up from this funding bill against the Navy’s wishes, will disrupt the nation’s top national security priority and will undoubtedly slow shipbuilding momentum.
“Lastly, the revelation that the bill contains a last-minute, sweetheart ‘private cause of action’ for U.S. Senators to sue the federal government with a minimum cash award of $500,000, without the slightest public discussion of debate, simply shocks the conscience. This is back-room self-dealing at its worst and deserves to be resoundingly rejected.”
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