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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
May 16, 2016
WASHINGTON, D.C. —Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) released the following statement today after the House of Representatives passed a number of bills that address the growing opioid crisis nationwide, but did so without any resources.
Issues:
Health Care
May 13, 2016
WASHINGTON, D.C. —Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) announced the he has received the U.S. Navy League’s annual ‘Sea Service Award’ for his efforts to promote shipbuilding and support our maritime services as the ranking member of the Seapower and Projection Force Subcommittee.
May 12, 2016
“The news that interest rates for federal student loans will drop is a direct benefit of the 2013 Bipartisan Student Loan Certainty Act,” Courtney said. “The new rate of 3.76% is not just a reduction from the current rate, but is also a full 3% savings from the rate hike we blocked in 2013. For the 15 million students who rely on Stafford, this will result in thousands of dollars in savings over the life of the loan. We must continue to do more, however, to address the growing education debt crisis in this country – and this news should not be an excuse for Congress not to take the action we know is needed to address this challenge.”
Issues:
Education
May 11, 2016
"I am pleased that this important piece of legislation was able to gain strong bipartisan support in the House,” said Courtney. “My colleague Rep. Erik Paulsen and I first introduced this bill in 2011, and have remained strong advocates for its passage since that time. Missing children investigations are incredibly complex and challenging for our law enforcement officials to solve. This bill will provide them with important tools and make new information available that can help to generate leads in these difficult cases. I hope the Senate will now quickly take up this legislation so that we can get law enforcement the resources they need to bring these children home safely."
“Critical information that would help locate abducted children is right at law enforcement’s fingertips, but they aren’t able to access it,” said Paulsen. “The Recovering Missing Children Act fixes this problem by allowing investigators in missing children cases to use resources that could lead directly to the child and abductor. This bill is about bringing these children home and reuniting them with their loved ones.”