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Today’s report is a positive sign that the southeastern Connecticut region is on a path to recovery, but there is much more work still to be done,” said Courtney. “As noted in the latest Connecticut jobs report, submarine construction is playing a central role in the regions recovery. This is not just about jobs in the Groton shipyard, but about the network of suppliers and manufacturers that support the increasing submarine workload. There is real work to be done before we can say we are fully recovered from the Great Recession, but the strong growth in jobs recently is encouraging.

This is a topic that does not often get the attention it deserves, but is arguably one of the most critical components of our Nation’s maritime national security. In 2015 alone, Navy Combat Logistics ships transferred nearly 1 million pallets of dry cargo and ordinance, and offloaded 8.3 million barrels of fuel to Navy ships. Our U.S. flagged sealift ships were responsible for the transport of over 900 thousand tons of dry cargo, much of which was being transported to and from combat zones. These critical capabilities are what allow the United States to project power anywhere in the world without having to depend on foreign vessels.

Over the last several weeks, Courtney has heard from a range of witnesses about the growing demand on our submarine forces, the need to reevaluate the current force structure requirement for attack submarines, and urgency of sustaining the current two a year production rate of Virginia Class Submarines. As Courtney heard from the witnesses over the last two months, the submarine force is strained to meet demand for its capabilities at the current force level today, would be severely challenged to do so as the force level dips in the future, and that one of the most impactful actions that can be taken in the near term is to sustain the build rate on Virginia Class Submarines at two a year for as long as possible. As Ranking Member of the House Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, Courtney is utilizing this testimony to ensure that the Navy has the resources and authorities it needs to sustain the two a year attack submarine production rate into the next five year block contract (2019-2023), and beyond, to meet the urgent and growing demand for enhanced undersea capabilities.

“As soon as I heard the voice on the other end say that they were calling from the IRS I became suspicious – I knew it was likely a phishing scam” said Courtney. “The IRS does not initiate contact with tax filers by phone or email in order to prevent just this type of scam. I quickly erased the message and did not provide any of the information they were looking to obtain. My recommendation is never give out personal information over the phone if there is any doubt about whom you are speaking with. If you receive a call out of the blue, hang up the phone, and contact the IRS or the Connecticut Taxpayer Advocate directly.”

“In January, Electric Boat announced 1500 hires this year to accommodate that demand signal from the Navy. And it’s been all hands on deck, which the WIOA Act and the Workforce Board is today prdocugin results which would not have been the case without passage of that law and without the omnibus which has given the workforce innovation funds that are now combining community colleges, tech schools, and the employer who are now working together to fill this huge workforce need. Again, if you go online today there are probably 300 or 400 job openings [at Electric Boat] right now as we sit here in this room, that’s just for the shipyard, as you go further out there are 470+ suppliers in Connecticut and thousands across the country."

“What I think is of concern is you just released new funding through HRSA to community health centers which is much appreciated, but there is no request for emergency funding this year. When you look at Zika [virus] and OCO funding this year, which Chairmen Kline and I will be voting on is billions of dollars in emergency funding for our overseas military operations on the Armed Services Committee, but when you look at that compared to a problem where we are losing 28,000 people per year."

“It is imperative that we support young physicians who want to specialize in underserved medical fields, especially those related to pediatric services,” said Courtney. “We know that there is interest among medical students to enter these fields, but the high cost of obtaining a medical degree often necessitates that they enter a more lucrative specialty. By providing an option for physicians to receive student loan repayments for practicing in an underserved field, my bill would incentivize medical students to enter these high-need areas. I am proud to be working with Rep. Collins, and groups like the Arthritis Foundation, to bring attention to the need for pediatric specialists in underserved fields. I am honored to be receiving the Arthritis Foundation Advocacy Leadership Award tonight. “