Media Center

"“It’s clear that families preparing to send their kids off to college are worried about what the changes in President Trump’s budget might mean for their bottom line,” said Courtney. “With the level of student debt soaring right alongside the cost of a college degree, there is simply no excuse for undermining federal programs that are intended to relieve some of the burdens on families. Keeping college affordable must be a top priority in Washington. I am urging President Trump to reconsider many of the proposals in his budget, particularly those impacting access to college aid, and to uphold his campaign promises to fight for the middle-class rather than cutting their lifelines."

“Today’s decision puts the United States squarely on the wrong side of history,” said Courtney. “The United States is the second largest carbon emitter in the world, and the Paris Climate Accord proved that our nation, and the global community as a whole, has recognized that a zero-emissions, clean energy economy is the only path forward for a sustainable, sound future. In Connecticut, we’ve taken this to heart: over half of all electric power generation jobs are in the solar sector—more than natural gas or any other fuel. These jobs are not only going to dominate our economy in the future – they are already a major part of our economy today. Turning our back on the Paris Climate Accord leaves our nation without a seat at the table as the world determines climate and clean energy policies, raises troubling questions about whether our nation stands by its commitments, and undermines states like Connecticut that have longstanding commitments to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions.”

"The tankers, bombers, and airlift programs that fall under the “projection forces” side of our panel’s oversight serve as the backbone of our nation’s ability to bring and sustain the power that preserves our nation’s interests around the world. As we know all too well, however, these important aircraft all share the common enemy of age. The tankers and bombers in service today are largely legacy aircraft. These aircraft, in most cases, are much older than the airmen and women who fly and service them. That is why it will be critical that we ensure that the 2018 budget properly invests in the refueling, mobility, maritime patrol and long-range strike programs under our purview."

“UCFS has become an indispensable component of our local healthcare community and I am very pleased that HHS has awarded them a substantial federal grant to support their work,” said Courtney. “I am very glad that we were able to help UCFS gain recognition as a Federally Qualified Health Center in 2015 and that designation is clearly paying dividends for them and our local community. I will continue to work with UCFS to review opportunities for federal support.”

We are encouraged that the National Taxpayer Advocate has committed to working with our offices and the IRS to secure relief for Connecticut homeowners impacted by crumbling foundations through the tax code. We still have a lot of work to do, but having a key federal official publicly acknowledge the merits of casualty loss tax assistance for local homeowners is an encouraging development. Our offices remain committed to investigating every possible source of federal assistance that could be used to homeowners with crumbling foundations.

“The CBO analysis released today – 20 days after the GOP recklessly passed their healthcare bill – confirms that 23 million Americans will lose coverage and older, sicker Americans will pay more than they currently do under any scenario,” said Courtney. “This report should act as an emergency brake on the Senate, and stop this headlong rush to a healthcare catastrophe. Americans want the existing system fixed, not intentionally crippled.”

“Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We are joined today by three distinguished witnesses to discuss the fiscal year 2018 budget request for the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps. Before we get into the substance of the hearing, I think it is important to remember the context in which we are considering the budget request submitted yesterday. In December of last year, the Navy under President Obama and Secretary Mabus released an updated Force Structure Assessment (FSA) that laid out a requirement for increasing the fleet from 308 ships to 355. Among other factors, the FSA noted that increased operations, lengthened deployments, and changing conditions around the globe necessitated the boost. Then, in the early days of the Trump Administration, the Navy submitted an accelerated fleet plan that, in the words of Acting Navy Secretary Sean Stackley, “offers a first step towards a framework to develop strategic guidance and identify the investments needed to reinvigorate our naval forces.” That plan identified 29 additional ships that the Navy found could be accelerated in support of the larger fleet identified in the FSA."

“While Donald Trump built his campaign message around standing up for middle class and working class families, the draft budget he released today clearly shows that he is intent on doing the opposite,” said Courtney. “The budget he proposed today would make unprecedented cuts to public education and after school programs, undermine higher education affordability, decimates USDA Rural Development funding that is vital for infrastructure improvements in eastern Connecticut, cuts job training funds which are helping to close the skills gap in manufacturing, and most appalling, eliminates thousands of medical research grants at the National Institute of Health aimed at curing a wide range of illness and disease. If the framework the President proposed today were ever to become law, it would deliver a devastating blow to our economy and working families across this country.