Press Releases | Congressman Joe Courtney
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Press Releases

September 14, 2016
“Advanced manufacturing opportunities in aerospace, maritime, and even healthcare are happening from coast to coast, and the question of the day for many employers is whether our education and job training systems are ready to fill the need. Recent updates to K-12 and job training programs signed into law by President Obama in 2014 and 2015 built a positive platform to address this challenge, and passage of this bill for tech school programs will add to that capability."

September 13, 2016
“I am excited with the bipartisan support this measure received in the House,” said Courtney. “As their actions during Hurricane Sandy proved, amateur radio operators in Connecticut can be a critical component of disaster response. It is in our communities’ best interest that we give them the capabilities to operate at the highest level, and with the passage of this bill, we’ve taken a strong step in that direction.”

September 9, 2016
“I applaud this move by the VA, streamlining the process for our veterans in need of care for their hearing and sight,” said Courtney. “These are the kinds of improvements that the VA has needed to implement, and I am glad to see them moving toward giving our veterans what they deserve: the finest care as promptly as possible.”

September 9, 2016
“After several high-profile public hearings in Congress and a scathing Inspector General’s report, it is clear that the Departments of Homeland Security and State need to do a much better job of coordinating their efforts to successfully deport the most dangerous criminal aliens,” said Courtney. “In the case of Casey Chadwick, what we now know is that after Haiti repeatedly rejected our requests to deport Jean Jacques, a man with a conviction for attempted murder, the matter was never formally raised with the State department as a means to further pressure the Haitian government to cooperate. These agencies have a responsibility to pursue all the tools and authorities at their disposal to elevate cases like this, and if they will not do so on their own our bipartisan bill will ensure that it occurs.”

September 8, 2016
“In the wake of ITT going out of business nationwide, we should be doing everything we can to make sure students and families are aware of the resources available to them through the Department of Education,” said Courtney. “I am pleased that the Department of Education is going to great lengths to help former ITT students move on with their education and lives. I would encourage all students who attended ITT, whether at one of the physical campuses or online, to review information available through the Department to determine if they may be eligible for relief such as student loan discharge or help with transferring earned credits to new institutions. If students are having trouble finding this information, they can contact my Norwich office and we will help point them in the right direction."
Issues: Education

August 31, 2016

NORWICH, CT —Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) announced that he rode aboard the Virginia-class attack submarine USS Minnesota on Monday into Tuesday morning after setting sail from Naval Station Mayport near Jacksonville, Florida.


August 25, 2016
“The members of the Enfield fire department put their lives on the line for their community every day, and it is critical that they have the upgraded equipment they need to come home safe,” Congressman Courtney said. “By making our firefighters safer we also make our communities safer, and I applaud Chief Richards and his team for their successful request for this funding.”

August 23, 2016
“The dairy industry in Connecticut and across the country is continuing to struggle with tight margins and decreasing milk prices,” said Courtney. “While I appreciate USDA’s quick response to our urgent request for assistance for our dairy farmers, it is clear that this modest first step does not go far enough to make a substantial difference on the ground. I will continue to work with my colleagues to find long-term, comprehensive solutions to lift up our nation’s struggling dairy industry.”
Issues: Agriculture

August 18, 2016
“Accessible and quality mental health services are some of the most urgent needs in the Windham area, and this new facility will ensure that the people of this region have the support and care they need,” Congressman Courtney said. “United Services is on the front lines of providing high quality care in eastern Connecticut, and I am proud to have worked to secure the resources needed to build this new center.”
Issues: Health Care

August 18, 2016
“The USDA ‘beginning farmers’ grant is great news not only for student farmers at UConn, but for the entire Connecticut farming community,” said Courtney. “We should be doing everything we can to support young people who want to enter this field of work in order to maintain Connecticut’s traditional farming industry.”
Issues: Agriculture