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Congressman Joe Courtney

Representing the 2nd District of Connecticut

Media Center

Latest News

Cross Sound Ferry Receives $500,000 Federal Grant for Pier and Harbor Improvements

August 9, 2018 Press Release
“This award comes at a crucial time for the Cross Sound Ferry which has been rapidly picking up in popularity and the funding will be used to further improve the passenger experience,” said Courtney. “The grant shows that the Department of Transportation has recognized that the Cross Sound Ferry has become an integral part of our regional transportation network. I will continue to work with Cross Sound Ferry as well as regional leaders to further build upon this vital economic link between Eastern Connecticut and Long Island.”
Issues:
Eastern Connecticut

Courtney Leads Bipartisan Effort Opposing New Restrictions on Post-9/11 GI Bill Education Benefits

July 27, 2018 Press Release

(Washington, DC) - Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) sent a letter signed by 83 of his colleagues in the House of Representatives from both sides of the political aisle to Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis strongly opposing a July 12 policy change from the Department of Defense (DOD) that would prevent service members with greater than 16 years of service f

Issues:
Veterans & Military Personnel

Courtney Statement on Final Passage of FY19 Defense Authorization Bill

July 26, 2018 Press Release
“Over the last year, my committee has heard the relentless drumbeat of anxiety and concern about the looming shortfall in our attack submarine fleet. Without timely action by Congress, the Trump administration, and the Navy, the fleet will fall to just 42 submarines within the next decade,” said Courtney.
Issues:
Defense & National Security

Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act Passes the House

July 25, 2018 Press Release
“This bill is about preparing secondary and postsecondary students with the academic and technical skills that are required to be successful in the workforce at a critical time for our economy,” said Courtney. “All across the country there is an exciting and growing need for trade and technical skills to fill jobs that young people can build a career and life around.
Issues:
Education

Courtney, Education Committee Introduce Higher Education Bill That Would Provide Every Student with The Opportunity for A Debt-Free College Degree

July 25, 2018 Press Release
“In a year that has been marked by GOP efforts to roll back federal programs designed to make college more affordable, I am pleased to join my colleagues in introducing our bill that would provide every student with the opportunity to earn a debt-free degree,” said Courtney.
Issues:
Education

Courtney Opposes Cutting Coast Guard Funding to Pay for Operations on the Southern Border

July 23, 2018 Press Release

(Washington, DC) —Friday, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), ranking member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces and co-chair of the Congressional Coast Guard Caucus, joined 15 bipartisan members of the House of Representatives in sending a letter to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB

Issues:
Defense & National Security, Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee

House Approves Larson, Courtney Amendments to Help Residents and Areas At-Risk of Crumbing Foundations

July 20, 2018 Press Release
"Homeowners in more than three dozen towns in north central and northeast Connecticut have reported that their home foundations are failing due to the mineral pyrrhotite that could affect up to 35,000 homes in the area. That is why it is critical to make sure that all municipal, state, federal and private sector measures are taken to address this catastrophe. This week was another small step to help our constituents as two amendments passed in the House of Representatives."
Issues:
Eastern Connecticut, Information For Homeowners With Crumbling Foundations

Courtney’s Office Assists ECSU Professor With Securing Student Loan Forgiveness After Mix-up

July 18, 2018 Constituent Corner
Meredith Clermont-Ferrand is a professor at Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic. Last spring, Meredith contacted my office seeking assistance with FedLoan Servicing, a private company that operates in partnership with the U.S. Dept. of Education. As a professor at ECSU, Meredith is eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program that is designed to reimburse college graduates for student loans if they pursue a career in public service. In addition to working in a public service career, graduates must first make a total of 120 on-time monthly loan payments before qualifying for the PSLF program.
Issues:
Education

Courtney Statement on The Passing of Staff Sgt. Grotjan

July 14, 2018 Press Release
“The untimely passing of Air Force Staff Sgt. Grotjean, while deployed far from home protecting our nation, is a heart-breaking loss for his family, our state, and our entire nation. His critical work in the UAE as part of Operation Inherent Resolve to defend the civilized world deserves our deepest honor and respect. All of Connecticut mourns with his loved ones.”
Issues:
Veterans & Military Personnel

Courtney Statement on Navy Decision to Move USS Indiana Maintenance Availability to Electric Boat in Groton

July 13, 2018 Press Release
“Today’s decision to grant a key maintenance availability to Electric Boat reflects the value the Navy places in the private sector industrial base which has been critical in responding to the needs of the submarine force,” said Courtney. “This decision will help sustain key jobs and skills in the Groton shipyard as we prepare for a surge in submarine construction work. It also ensures that one of our newest submarines, the USS Indiana, will not delay its first deployment. This is good news for the hardworking men and women of Electric Boat and for the national security needs of the United States.
Issues:
Defense & National Security

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In The News

The Day: Submarine Indiana to make Groton its home sooner than expected

August 3, 2018 In The News
By Lindsay Boyle
The Navy’s newest submarine will make Groton its home after its Sept. 29 commissioning, which U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, said is seven months earlier than originally planned. Electric Boat already won a contract to perform maintenance on the USS Indiana, a Virginia-class, fast-attack submarine, beginning in November. The work will correct any defects found during so-called "shakedown" testing before the submarine is deployed.

Norwich Bulletin: The job center’s importance cannot be overstated

July 28, 2018 In The News
Editorial
The full-service center is one of only five of its kind in the state and will include various services and specialists for jobseekers — even a self-service center with computers, Internet service, research material and phones. For the employers who are trying to fill the increasing number of manufacturing jobs being created in this region and throughout the state, American Job Center East is a way to grow the state’s workforce. John Beauregard, the president and CEO of the Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board (EWIB), points to the Eastern CT Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative (MPI) as an example of why the American Job Center East model works.

The Day: Courtney criticizes proposed cuts to Coast Guard to pay for border security

July 23, 2018 In The News

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, is among a group of bipartisan lawmakers criticizing the Trump administration for a proposal to cut funding for the Coast Guard to pay for border security.

Issues:
Defense & National Security, Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee

CT Mirror: U.S. Ed Dept. comes to aid of CT students of shuttered for-profit school

April 13, 2018 In The News
By: Ana Radelat

Washington – The U.S. Department of Education has come to the aid of hundreds of Ridley-Lowell Business & Technical Institute students whose education came to an abrupt end last week when the school shut down without warning.

Issues:
Education

The Bulletin: Griswold residents ready to crank up volume in gun range fight

March 5, 2018 In The News
By Anna Maria Della Costa

GRISWOLD – Residents hell-bent on keeping their town quiet are making quite the noise.

They’re an eclectic bunch – about 80 of whom are a part of the crusading Keep Griswold Quiet/Save Pachaug Forest.　

Issues:
Eastern Connecticut

Defense News: Russia’s resurgent Navy demands a coherent response, not wishful thinking

February 20, 2018 In The News
by Rep. Joe Courtney

As we enter the second year of the Trump administration, the president’s inability to advance a firm, coherent U.S. position toward Russia persists despite a torrent of belligerent behavior by the Kremlin toward the West.

Journal Inquirer: IRS extends foundation fix deductions

February 8, 2018 In The News

By: Eric Bedner

The IRS has determined that homeowners who make repairs to their crumbling foundations within the next three years can amend their 2017 federal tax filings to deduct the cost.

Issues:
Eastern Connecticut, Information For Homeowners With Crumbling Foundations

The Day: Courtney: ‘Clock is ticking’ for Blue Water Navy vets in fight for VA benefits

January 4, 2018 In The News
By Julia Bergman

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, is pushing the House to act on legislation that would restore access to VA benefits for Blue Water Navy veterans exposed to Agent Orange and other toxins during the Vietnam War.

Issues:
Veterans & Military Personnel

COURTNEY CONDEMNS GOP TAX BILL AS ‘HISTORIC MISTAKE’

December 19, 2017 In The News
“This afternoon, Congress made a historic mistake in passing a seriously lopsided tax overhaul the will almost entirely benefit wealthy Americans and corporations at the expense of middle-class and working families,” said Courtney. “This bill will exacerbate our national deficit and sets up the rationale that Republicans will use to launch their long-anticipated attacks against Social Security and Medicare, which Speaker Paul Ryan has already brazenly promised to do. It is also a sneak-attack on the Affordable Care Act that will result in 13 million Americans losing insurance, and will cause health care costs to rise for millions more through the repeal of the individual mandate."
Issues:
Economy & Jobs

Hartford Courant: Courtney, College Students Fear GOP Plan To Overhaul Student Loan Programs

December 18, 2017 In The News
By Gregory B. Hladky

GOP-sponsored bill to revise federal student loan programs would shatter the hopes thousands of Connecticut college students, U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2, and a group of students warned Friday.

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