Senator Blumenthal Week In Review 04/08/2022—04/15/2022
AROUND CONNECTICUT
— U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), U.S. Representatives Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), John Larson (D-CT), Joe Courtney (D-CT), and Jim Himes (D-CT), and Governor Ned Lamont joined state and local officials in announcing that Connecticut will receive $250 million thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The funding levels will provide nearly 25% more funding enabling transit agencies to modernize and expand services for residents across Connecticut.
“The CT delegation is bringing home millions of dollars in transformative transportation funding. We will be investing in projects to repair & modernize our aging infrastructure while creating jobs, reducing pollution, & making our transit systems work better for the people of CT,” said Blumenthal.
— U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), joined by doctors at Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford, urged Congress to pass the Comprehensive Access to Resources and Education (CARE) for Long COVID Act to help people living with long-term COVID-19 symptoms. This bill would improve research on long haul COVID as well as provide resources for people with long haul COVID. One review estimates that more than half of COVID survivors experience lingering symptoms, including neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory, and mental health symptoms, months after their initial infection.
— U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined by Black and legal community leaders, held a rally celebrating last week’s historic Senate’s confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to be the next Associate Justice to the U.S. Supreme Court. Judge Jackson was confirmed by the full U.S. Senate late last week on a bipartisan 53-to-47 vote.
— U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) joined the Middletown South Fire District, Wesleyan University, Community Health Center, and the Community Foundation of Middlesex County at an event to collect medical and safety supplies and equipment for Ukrainian fire services as they continue to serve their country in the wake of Putin’s brutal invasion.
“Awesome aid to Ukraine—firefighters from all over CT bringing equipment & supplies like boots, hazmat gear, medical kits, & much more to South Fire District in Middletown, for immediate shipping to Ukrainian firefighters.”
“Hearts of CT firefighters go out to Ukrainians braving bullets & bombs to fight fires resulting from murderous Russian shelling & missile strikes aimed at civilians. “The least we can do,” one tells me. Thank you!”
— U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Representative Jim Himes (D-CT) joined Fairfield First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchik, Police Chief Robert Kalamaras, and Deputy Police and Fire Chiefs Keith Broderick and Kyran Dunn in highlighting federal assistance to help replace a portion of the town’s emergency radio network system.
The current network is susceptible to coverage gaps which can hinder emergency response efforts. Funding secured by Blumenthal, Himes, and the Connecticut Congressional Delegation for the new system will help ensure public safety by enhancing communications and expanding coverage for the town’s first responders. The upgrade will also improve collaboration and coordination with surrounding communities, regional, state, and federal emergency response agencies.
“Fairfield’s new communications system—using federal funds we secured—will cover gaps & connect all emergency responders, supporting police & fire service. This grant will bring it into the 21st century,” said Blumenthal.
— U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) joined Newington Director of Facilities Management Joseph Salamone and Newington Chief Information Officer Paul Boutot in announcing a $1 million federal grant to construct the town’s new Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Newington currently does not have an EOC, limiting the town’s ability to coordinate emergency responses. Federal funding secured by Blumenthal and other members of the Connecticut Congressional Delegation will establish a unified command center for police, fire, town officials, and other emergency personnel.
“Newington’s new Emergency Operations Center—to be built with $1 million in federal funds we fought for—will enable the town to better address weather & public safety challenges, & coordinate with state emergency operations. First responders, especially police & fire services, need & deserve this support. Newington earned it!”
— U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), U.S. Representative John Larson (D-CT), and Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin visited Swift Factory in Hartford to announce a $3.7 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration to Community Solutions International for the renovation of its Swift Factory business incubator. This project will support the establishment of a workforce training center and other small business expansion spaces, supporting job creation and economic diversification in Hartford’s North End. These federal funds were made available through the American Rescue Plan.
“The Swift Factory is a juggernaut of economic opportunity & expansion in Hartford’s North End. Fantastic to join Representative Larson, Mayor Bronin & community leaders to announce $3.7 million in federal investment to support small businesses & promote workforce training,” said Blumenthal.
— U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Regional Administrator Mike Vlacich, and SBA Connecticut District Director Catherine Marx visited Stony Creek Brewery in Branford to meet with owner Ed Crowley. Stony Creek recently received federal assistance to mitigate negative business impacts inflicted by the pandemic. Breweries across Connecticut are expecting to see an increase in business and outdoor dining as warm weather approaches
— U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) joined Connecticut Small Business Administrator Catherine Marx to present the Connecticut Small Business Person of the Year to Viron Rondos, the owner of Viron Rondo Osteria. This Italian restaurant has become one of the hottest restaurants in the area.
“Congratulations Viron Rondo Osteria on being named 2022 CT SBA State Small Business Person. Over the past two years Viron & his restaurant adapted & persisted through unprecedented times. His entrepreneurship & ingenuity are truly inspiring,” said Blumenthal.
— U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Connecticut Small Business Administrator Catherine Marx honored United Sewing and Design Owner and Creator Mary Ruth Shields with SBA Connecticut’s Manufacturer of the Year award.
United Sewing and Design is a 100% woman-owned business that employs formerly incarcerated individuals and specializes in a range of products, including apparel, accessories, bags, home decor, patent-related manufacturing, athleisure, pet products, and sporting accessories. The small business also prides itself on its environmental responsibility, as it recycles or repurposes 90% of flexible material scraps and paper waste.
“Delighted to be at United Sewing & Design to recognize & congratulate Mary Ruth Shields on being named SBA CT Manufacturer of the Year. It is clear her & her team put incredible care, craftsmanship, & creativity into each & every one of their products & prototypes,” said Blumenthal.
— U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) visited Liberation Programs Inc. in Bridgeport to announce $153,000 in federal funding to expand family-focused substance abuse treatment services and improve facilities in Fairfield County. The federal grants will provide $137,000 to fund the expansion of family-focused substance abuse recovery services and $16,000 for bathroom renovations at Liberation Programs’ facilities.
As a major Fairfield County behavioral health organization specializing in treatment for various substance use disorders, Liberation Programs serves adults, youth, and families through two inpatient treatment programs, outpatient services, health education, permanent supportive housing for families, and other services.
“Liberation Programs will use $150,000 in federal funds—which we fought for—to add Family Recovery Coaches to its great staff. Peer & family support are vital to treating substance abuse & long term recovery. Thank you for caring so deeply.”
— U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) announced $2.1 million in federal funding to expand substance abuse treatment and mental health outpatient services in Fairfield County. The federal grant will fund the creation of a new outpatient services center in Norwalk. This center is slated to begin providing services later this year. This will be the first phase of a three-phase initiative to improve mental health services delivered in the Nuvance Fairfield County region’s hospitals in Norwalk, New Milford, and Danbury.
— U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) joined Waterbury Mayor Neil O’Leary, Waterbury firefighters, and state and local officials to showcase the 24 Automated External Debrillators (AEDs) and 12 LUCAS Chest Compression Systems purchased with the assistance of $253,563 Federal Assistance to Firefighters’ Grant (AFG).
— U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) visited Oddfellows Community Playhouse Youth Theater in Middletown to announce $48,000 in federal funding to send teaching artists to the lowest income neighborhoods in Middletown and bring youth from these neighborhoods to the theater for afterschool programs.
“Middletown’s Oddfellows Playhouse—a magnificent program of youth performance & culture—is receiving $48,000 in federal funding that we helped secure for a new van. Transportation is vital for the kids to reach the theater & return to their homes. It will have a big impact.”
LEGISLATION, LETTERS, & STATEMENTS
— U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement applauding final rulemaking issued by the Department of Justice to help law enforcement protect the public from untraceable, homemade firearms, known as “ghost guns.”
“Finally, federal regulations recognize the deadly truth: a homemade gun is still a gun. Just ask anyone who has lost a loved one to a so-called ghost gun; they shoot like guns and they kill like guns. But they have not been treated as guns under federal law — until today. The rule finalized today will allow law enforcement to finally take action to stop anyone exploiting a loophole in the law to stockpile weapons commonly used in crime and killing. This measure helps support police efforts to combat crimes by tracing the weapons used to commit them. New technology makes ghost guns one of the biggest emerging threats.”
Last year, Blumenthal chaired a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Constitution Subcommittee on efforts to halt the deadly spread of “ghost guns.” Blumenthal is also the lead Senate sponsor of the Untraceable Firearms Act to permanently include the core building blocks of “ghost” guns – unfinished frames and receivers – in the definition of “firearm” under federal law. The bill also incorporates the Undetectable Firearms Modernization Act, which would prohibit firearms that can be easily modified to be pass through metal detectors undetected.
Blumenthal also welcomed the nomination of Steve Dettelbach to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). ATF has been without a permanent director for the last six years and has had only one Senate-confirmed director since 2006.
“Steve Dettelbach is an excellent choice to lead ATF. In two decades serving with law enforcement on the front lines of the gun epidemic, Steve Dettelbach learned firsthand what works to prevent more gun deaths and protect against violent crime. ATF desperately needs dynamic leadership – a Senate confirmed chief executive with a mandate for vigorous enforcement and vital accountability. I look forward to swift Senate action on this long overdue nomination.”
— Amid alarming reports revealing McKinsey & Company was advising the federal government on opioid matters while working for opioid makers, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) called on the U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to open an investigation into the company’s practices related to this conflict of interest and ensure it does not happen again.
“At the same time that McKinsey was consulting for the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) drug-regulation division on pharmaceutical matters, it was also advising pharmaceutical industry clients, including Purdue Pharma and Johnson & Johnson, on the same or similar issue. In fact, at times, the same consultants were advising both the FDA and the private sector companies it regulated on the same issues,” wrote Blumenthal to HHS Inspector General Christi Grimm.
Citing examples of watered down opioid safety plans released by the FDA following its work with McKinsey, Blumenthal emphasized the significant impacts of this conflict of interest on Americans:
“The breach in policy that resulted in McKinsey’s conflicted consulting work at the FDA may have had a significant impact on Americans—particularly those who have suffered from opioid abuse.”
Blumenthal emphasized that the failure to prevent this conflict of interest raises concerns about existing protocols in place, and urged the OIG’s office to:
“conduct an investigation to understand what happened in this case, identify and hold accountable individuals or entities responsible for the failures, and ensure that such egregious conflicts of interest and breaches of FDA policy do not occur again.”
— U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) introduced a resolution to honor the life and legacy of Venture Smith, a former enslaved person who purchased his family’s freedom and became a successful landowner, businessperson, and author in Connecticut.
To recognize the 257th anniversary of Smith purchasing his freedom, the resolution designates April 10 as, “Venture Smith Freedom Day” and honors Smith’s legacy as:
“a successful landowner, businessman, and author in the United States, generations before Black Americans began to obtain constitutional, legal, social, and economic rights.”
— U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Jerry Moran (R-KS), members of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC), introduced a resolution honoring the veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and civilian volunteers who organized evacuations during the withdrawal of the United States from Afghanistan in August 2021.
“The heroic actions of our nation’s veterans and civilian volunteers saved the lives of countless Afghan allies,” said Blumenthal. “For two decades, these essential translators, interpreters, and guards for the U.S. mission provided our soldiers and diplomats with invaluable support. As they sought refuge from assured torture and death at the hands of the Taliban, Americans back home stepped up to protect the allies that had once protected them. This resolution is a tribute to these veterans and volunteers, and the thousands of Afghan allies still alive today because of their relentless work.”
— U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Data Security, released the following statement in response to Apple CEO Tim Cook’s false comments on the Open App Markets Act.
“Tim Cook seems terrified of increased competition, and Apple does not want Americans to have the option to circumvent their App Store monopoly. We fully agree with the need for comprehensive privacy legislation and have been actively discussing this with our colleagues on both sides of the aisle. However, it misses the mark to say we can’t have both consumer privacy and competition in the app marketplace. As passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee, the Open App Markets Act acknowledges this balance. Suggesting otherwise is a scare tactic to justify closing markets off to competition,” said Blumenthal and Blackburn.
— U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Angus King (I-ME) and U.S. Representatives Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) joined a bicameral, bipartisan group of colleagues in sending letters to seven major manufacturers of naloxone, the opioid overdose reversal medication, urging them to apply for over the counter (OTC) status for their products to help increase access and save lives.
Despite the effectiveness of naloxone to reverse active opioid overdoses and the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) public support for making the product available over the counter, the medication is not currently available over the counter because drug manufacturers have resisted applying. This step is expected to lower the cost of the medication and increase access both at the pharmacy counter and for community organizations working to distribute this life-saving tool.
“One of the most important actions that can be taken right now is for manufacturers to submit applications to make naloxone available over the counter without delay,” wrote the Members of Congress. “Further, a formal switch to OTC status will help reduce stigma and encourage the widespread use of this critical medication.”
— U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) joined U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) in introducing the Oversight to Lower Oil Prices Act to crack down on Big Oil by requiring the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate whether companies are manipulating prices on oil and gas and driving up costs for consumers. The bill requires the FTC to report back to Congress with their findings.
— U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Bob Casey (D-PA) joined U.S. Representatives Gwen Moore (D-WI), Deborah Dingell (D-MI), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Lauren Underwood (D-IL), and Alma Adams (D-NC) in introducing the Mamas First Act, vital legislation to address the maternal mortality crisis by expanding Medicaid to include doula, midwifery, and tribal midwifery care.
The U.S. has been experiencing a maternal mortality and morbidity crisis since prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. People in the U.S. die as a result of pregnancy and childbirth at a higher rate than in any other developed country, and the U.S. is the only country among developed nations with a rising maternal mortality rate. This crisis disproportionately affects women of color, who, in many hospital settings, face systematic barriers and racial biases, including delays in recognizing symptoms, disregard for the patient's pain, failure to clarify treatment options, and higher rates of C-sections.
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