114th Congress

“Plum Island is a scenic and biological treasure located right in the middle of Long Island Sound. It is home to a rich assortment of rare plant and animal species that need to be walled off from human interference. Nearly everyone involved in this issue agrees that it should be preserved as a natural sanctuary – not sold off to the highest bidder for development. The amendment will prevent the federal agency in charge of the island from moving forward with a sale by prohibiting it from using any of its operational funding provided by Congress for that purpose. This will not be the end of the fight to preserve Plum Island, but this will provide us with more time to find a permanent solution for protecting the Island for generations to come.”

"While the scope and urgency of the opioid crisis would justify this investment being considered emergency spending, we are willing to put Federal budget savings on the table, demonstrating that there is no excuse for inaction when it comes to funding for treatment and prevention of opioid addiction,” said the Democratic Conferees.

"I am very pleased that this important piece of legislation which will help bring kidnapped children home has been signed into law by President Obama,” said Courtney. “My colleague, Rep. Erik Paulsen and I first introduced this bill in 2011, and we have remained strong advocates for it ever since. Missing children investigations are incredibly complex and challenging for law enforcement officials to solve, and we should be providing them with every conceivable tool that can help bring children home safely. We should not be leaving a single rock unturned when it comes to finding and returning missing children to their families."

“The outpouring of support from the public over the past 26-hours, praising the actions of House Democrats, demonstrates that the American people support what we are doing and stand firmly behind us,” said Courtney. “We have known for years that more than ninety-percent of Americans support common sense measures like a mandatory background check on all gun purchases. If you buy a gun at a Walmart, you receive a background check, but go online or walk into a gun show and all bets are off. Moreover, I cannot fathom what the rationale is for allowing people who are banned from flying on airplanes because they are suspected terrorists to continue buying firearms just like any other person."

“It is unconscionable that after 49 people were murdered last week in just the latest mass shooting that the only response by Speaker Paul Ryan and the majority party is a sixteen-second moment of silence,” said Courtney. “My Democratic colleagues and I will not be silent in the face of unrelenting gun violence on a daily basis. The Americans People are with us, with ninety-plus percent supporting the closing gun show and internet sales loophole. We will continue to demand up-or-down votes on common sense legislation until we get this done.”

“Congress’s inaction on protecting Americans and preventing gun violence is shameful, heartless, and irresponsible. The American people overwhelmingly support keeping guns out of the hands of terrorists and other dangerous individuals, yet the House has not held a single vote on gun violence prevention legislation."

"I am very pleased that this important piece of legislation which will help bring kidnapped children home received strong support from Congress and is now headed to the President’s desk,” said Courtney. “My colleague, Rep. Erik Paulsen and I first introduced this bill in 2011, and we have remained strong advocates for its passage since that time. Missing children investigations are incredibly complex and challenging for law enforcement officials to solve, and we should be providing them with every conceivable tool that can help bring children home safely."

“Defense related manufacturing is a central part of our region’s economic recovery and future, and the funding bill passed today invests the resources needed to keep the current trends on track. Coupled with the defense authorization bill I helped craft and pass in the House in May, this bill supports Virginia class submarines, the Ohio Replacement, and a range of other programs vital not just to Connecticut, but to the nation. It is a testament to the exceptional workers who supply and build the most advanced submarines in the world that we are continuing to prioritize these programs, even while making tough budgetary decisions about how to allocate limited resources.”