Press Releases
May 26, 2016
"Admiral Davidson, it is a pleasure to see you again. You and your entire team did an incredible job hosting me and my staff in Norfolk earlier this year. It was a great chance to see firsthand many of the same issues we will talk about here today. Most importantly, thank you the witnesses here to share their deck plate perspective on the challenges that our Navy faces in operations and readiness. I know we will benefit greatly to get the on the ground view of the challenges facing our Naval forces."
May 24, 2016
"Secretary Ash Carter’s visit to Electric Boat and Naval Submarine Base New London today underscores the high priority the Department of Defense places on boosting our undersea capabilities,” said the delegation members. “Secretary Carter recognizes the great strategic value and role of our submarine force in meeting our current and future national security priorities."
May 23, 2016
"As Members of Congress from states with rich fishing heritage and storied maritime industries, we write today to voice our concerns about the current fishery management structure for the black sea bass, summer flounder, and scup fish stocks,” wrote the delegation members. “As fluctuations in ocean temperatures shift fish populations northward, New England fishermen are unfairly shortchanged when bountiful stocks managed by a Fishery Management Council outside of their region allocates local states low catch quotas."
Issues:
Agriculture
Economy & Jobs
May 19, 2016
“This grant funding is good news for our local fire departments that can use these federal funds to purchase life-saving equipment for their firefighters,” said Courtney. “Our first-responder put their lives on the line each and every day to protect our homes and our communities, and we need to make sure we are doing everything we can to provide them with the appropriate equipment to keep them safe.”
May 18, 2016
“While I have a number of concerns with this bill that I would like to see addressed in conference, I ultimately chose to vote yes because it is a good bill for the defense priorities of our region, state, and nation as a whole,” said Courtney.
May 18, 2016
“I am deeply disappointed that the majority leadership of our committee has decided to squander this opportunity to pass bipartisan legislation on an issue I think we all can get behind like child nutrition, and that’s why I voted against moving this bill forward earlier today,” said Courtney. “Making sure children are provided with adequate, nutritious meals is just as important as providing them with good teachers, and with quality textbooks. We know that children, who cannot get enough to eat at home and in school, cannot succeed to their full potential."
Issues:
Agriculture
Education
May 18, 2016
“While I have a number of concerns with this bill that I would like to see addressed in conference, I ultimately chose to vote yes because it is a good bill for the defense priorities of our region, state, and nation as a whole,” said Courtney. “The bill contains a number of critical items for Connecticut, including full support for the robust submarine production that is driving the economic recovery in my district, restoring critical gaps in aircraft production levels, and further invests in our state’s National Guard C-130 Airwing known as the ‘Flying Yankees’."
May 17, 2016
“I enthusiastically support the Seapower portion of the defense bill, which is a strong bipartisan boost to our security on, below, and above the seas. The Seapower Subcommittee worked hard this year examining the president’s budget, as well as the strategic maritime context we are supporting these programs in. We have determined the following: demand for our naval fleet is higher than ever and so is the strain on the force. A casual review of the force explains why. China’s navy is militarizing the South China Sea threatening good order and commerce on the world’s seaways completely in violation of maritime law, and Russia’s navy is recapitalizing its fleet, particularly its undersea fleet and operating at a level not seen since the Cold War. These are two examples of the up tempo challenges that the Navy faces every single day."
May 17, 2016
“I am pleased to have the opportunity to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to craft legislation to address the growing prescription opioid and heroin epidemic gripping our country,” Courtney said. “I remain disappointed that the bills put forward by Senate and House leadership did not provide any new funding to address the growing drug abuse epidemic, but I am encouraged that the measure does include many well intentioned bipartisan initiatives to address this crisis. I will press my colleagues on the committee to include a provision similar to my bill that would provide emergency funding to stem the growing public health crisis brought about by drug abuse.”
Issues:
Health Care
May 17, 2016
“Plum Island is an incredibly special place, a scenic and biological treasure located right off our coast in Long Island Sound,” said Courtney. “The measure passed today started in 2013 in response to a GSA report that signaled the sale of Plum Island was on the fast track. It has really taken persistence up until the vote today to make sure that we stop that process and send the message loud and clear that Plum Island is not for sale. Because of its unique history that left the island unsuitable for residential or commercial, it has developed an incredibly unique and rich assortment of biodiversity. I have had the opportunity to visit the island - it’s like you are in a different world - and that is something that we can never take for granted, particularly in a part of the country where there is a tremendous amount of sea traffic and economic activity. For us to preserve this 840 acre parcel with its incredible richness is something that really will live on for generations into the future. We really are closer than we have ever been to permanently protecting Plum Island.“
Issues:
Energy & Environment