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“On balance, the 2017 budget appears to make significant investments in order to enhance the capabilities of the naval and projection forces platforms overseen by our panel,” said Courtney. “From expanding the reach and punch of our surface and subsurface forces, to strengthening our ability to project power through long range strike and refueling capabilities, I am pleased with many of the decisions reflected in this budget.”

“While we understand that the FRA is still in the project planning stages of NEC FUTURE and many more steps remain ahead in this process, we believe consistent community involvement will serve as the most important tool for finding agreeable alternatives, increasing local buy-in, and instilling a sense of trust among affected residents,” wrote Courtney, Blumenthal, and Murphy. “As the planning process moves forward, we request that the FRA host listening sessions along the Connecticut shoreline where the proposed Alternative 1 new track segment will be constructed in order to hear the views and concerns of the communities in this area.”

“I am very pleased that Manny has joined our team as the new military and veterans’ representative for the Second District,” said Courtney. “Manny devoted his life to serving his country during thirty-plus years working on submarines for the United States Navy. Now, he has agreed to come out of retirement once more to serve his fellow veterans as an advocate and caseworker in our Norwich office. I know Manny will be an incredible asset to the veterans of eastern Connecticut over the coming years, and I cannot thank him enough for accepting this responsibility on their behalf.”

“When Congress took action to delay the so-called ‘Cadillac Tax’ late last year, it was in recognition of the fact that a 40% excise tax on health plans was going to be an unfair burden on businesses and workers if it was ever implemented,” said Courtney. “While I have always been a strong supporter of the Affordable Care Act, I continue to believe that the Cadillac Tax was ill-conceived when it was first added to the law – and the case against it has only grown stronger with time."

“As communities across the country continue to grapple with rising prescription drug and heroin abuse, we need to provide them with additional resources to improve upon the coordination of public health outreach, treatment and recovery programs, and law enforcement efforts,” said Courtney. “I am pleased to be joining Senator Shaheen, who has been a national leader on this issue, in her efforts to provide additional emergency funding to help communities across the country turn back the rising tide of drug abuse and addiction."

“The Coast Guard occupies a special place in eastern Connecticut and we are excited to be the home of the planned National Coast Guard Museum in New London,” said Courtney. “The measure passed by the House, which is now on its way to the President, today makes clear that Congress stands firmly behind this effort. I am proud to have worked closely with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to get this targeted change in federal law to ensure that the Coast Guard can provide its full support for establishing the museum. This change will now make it possible for the Coast Guard to assist with the design and creation of the exhibits that will be displayed for visitors, which will be a tremendous boost for the national fundraising efforts already underway. There is much more work ahead, but passage of this bill is a tremendous step forward.”

“It seems unreasonable to us that a decision of this magnitude, which will have a significant impact on Connecticut fishermen would be made without any input from stakeholders in our state,” said the delegation members. “This change would prevent Connecticut fishermen and lobstermen from harvesting in waters around Block Island Sound as they have done for decades, unless first obtaining costly permits from New York or Rhode Island. We believe that this misguided legislation was crafted strategically to benefit certain states while disproportionately harming the Connecticut fishing industry. At the very least, any consideration of this bill going forward should include voices from all areas that would be impacted by this change – including from our state.”