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“We are trying to get out the word that the IRS is holding thousands of checks for Connecticut residents that will disappear if they go unclaimed on Tax Day,” the members said. “The IRS believes it is holding about $12.7 million in 2014 refunds for taxpayers in Connecticut who did not file their returns that year. We want these residents to know that it is not too late to file for 2014 and collect that money, but the final deadline is approaching.”

“Following the release of grim statistics from the office of the Chief Medical Examiner on drug overdoses state-wide in 2017, I met with the police chiefs from across the region to determine what the most critical needs are to combat drug addiction. Time and again I hear the same refrain, they need more funding to hire police officers and fund drug treatment facilities,” said Courtney. “I was very pleased yesterday that after months of debate in House, we were able to pass a bill with robust federal funding targeted to help local communities hire police officers and educate youth about the acute dangers of prescription opioid and heroin abuse. Our local police officers are out working the front lines of the crisis each day and they deserve our full support for leading this fight.”

“For months, we have been hearing from military leaders about the critical need for budget certainty to move forward on a wide range of programs and priorities. Now, with this bill, Congress has finally provided them with that certainty,” said Courtney. “As ranking member of the Seapower subcommittee, I am pleased that this measure reflects many of the priorities I have worked on including robust investment in our undersea forces. I am proud to have fought for key investments in programs important to Connecticut that will contribute to our state’s growing manufacturing resurgence.

“This bill marks the end of a year-long process to secure a bipartisan deal to fund the federal government, and end the persistent threat of looming government shutdowns,” said Courtney. “This deal is great news for both Connecticut’s defense industry and our overall economy. The bill contains strong support for all of Connecticut’s defense manufacturing priorities, including my amendment to authorize the Navy to sign an agreement with Electric Boat and its partners to build up to 13 Virginia-class submarines under the next block contract. This will help meet urgent national security needs and further expand on the growing impact that submarine construction is having in our state.

Our subcommittee responded to this clear demand signal by giving the Navy the authority to procure up to 13 Virginia class submarines in the next block contract – three more than was planned. This plan, which passed on a bipartisan basis starting with this panel and is now law, was crafted to take advantage of capacity in the industrial base between years that we are building the Columbia class SSBN.

“With imported seafood making up 90% of American seafood consumption, our nation should be focusing on programs to expand and improve our domestic aquaculture industry,” wrote the members. “Sea Grant is a program that does just that—helping fishermen and shellfish farmers navigate a complex patchwork of state and federal coastal zone management regulations through technical assistance. Sea Grant works with local producers to grow and sustain their business models while connecting them to local resources to share best practices.”

The 2019 budget request for these programs reflects the challenging balancing act facing the Air Force and the Congress. For instance, the budget continues significant investment in major replacement programs like the B-21 bomber and the KC-46 tanker. At the same time, a large portion of the request also covers a range of modernization efforts aimed at keeping older legacy bombers and tankers operational and relevant for years to come.