Senator Blumenthal Week In Review 05/27/2022—06/03/2022

ADDRESSING AMERICA’S GUN VIOLENCE EPIDEMIC

— U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) joined gun violence prevention advocates in Hartford to call for action on gun safety legislation following the tragic shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Blumenthal and Murphy and their colleagues continue to discuss a path forward on bipartisan gun violence prevention measures following shootings in Buffalo, Uvalde, Tulsa, and countless communities nationwide.

“As I went around the state this weekend at Memorial Day ceremonies and parades, the most common – the most passionate – comment to me was ‘do something.’ Americans are saying, ‘do something.’ Inaction is not an option. Inaction is complicity,” said Blumenthal. “It’s a put up or shut up time for the United States Senate.”

“We’re developing compromises right now. Literally moments ago I was on the phone to Republican colleagues forging – or seeking to do it – a compromise on various aspects of, for example, red flag laws,” Blumenthal continued. “But compromise requires commitment. And my hope is that we are on the verge of a step, a bipartisan step. I’m more hopeful than ever since Sandy Hook that we can take that step, which could well lead to other steps. Because once we open the door to action, others may follow.”

“We need to do what is within our power, and that is to prevent similar kinds of incidents – whether they are at schools or theaters or houses of worship. Over the forty-eight hours of this weekend, there were twelve mass shootings. People died. None of them in the headlines. And the hundred people – actually more than one hundred – that die every day are part of the epidemic of gun violence in this country even though there is no mass reporting about them,” Blumenthal concluded.

Blumenthal provided an update on the ongoing bipartisan talks.

“While I remain clear-eyed about past failures on this issue, today’s conversation on gun violence prevention legislation was productive & encouraging.”

“Senator Graham & I are continuing to work through the details of a provision focusing on red flag laws, & I appreciated the thoughtful feedback we received from our colleagues on that issue. I am also working with colleagues on a safe storage measure.”

“We are all speaking multiple times a day. There is still significant work to do & hurdles to overcome. I look forward to continuing these conversations & moving these negotiations forward.”

Blumenthal, Murphy, and U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) also joined state and local leaders at Connecticut Against Gun Violence’s Wear Orange Rally in New Haven to honor victims, celebrate survivors, and renew the pledge to work to end gun violence.

Blumenthal reacted to President Joe Biden’s address to the nation on gun violence.

“President Biden met the moment—providing leadership to a nation in crisis. His solutions to gun violence are sensible & essential. Now Congress must heed & meet his call to action.”

FEDERAL FUNDING WINS FOR CONNECTICUT

— U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy (D-CT) joined the CT Council of Family Service Agencies, Inc. (CCFSA) to announce $368,900 in federal funding for early intervention and screening to address the grave youth mental health crisis.

As Connecticut experiences an urgent demand for youth mental health care services, the $368,900 in funding will help CCFSA identify up to 900 low-income children at an elevated risk for mental health disorders and connect the children with the treatment and care they need for free.

“To counter the youth mental health crisis, early intervention, counseling, & treatment is key. Today I joined CCFSA Senator Chris Murphy to announce a $370,000 federal grant to connect more kids to the care & support they urgently need,” said Blumenthal.

— U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) announce $461,000 in federal funding for United Services Inc. in Killingly to expand critically needed mental health care services in northeastern Connecticut.

The $461,000 in congressionally directed spending will allow United Services Inc., a non-profit community behavioral health center for 21 towns in northeastern Connecticut, to integrate primary care services within the agency’s behavioral health offerings at its Dayville and Mansfield Center outpatient clinics. With integrated primary care, United Services’ clients would receive health care that addresses both their mental and physical health in one location. 

The agency provides more than 30 programs, including outpatient mental health services for adults, children and families, substance abuse treatment, family programs, crisis services and the region’s only domestic violence program. The agency served more than 3,500 people last year.

“The United Services team is deeply dedicated to creating healthy communities in NE Connecticut through mental health & social services—one person, one family, one community at a time. I'm proud to announce $461,000 in federal funding—enabling them to expand their critical care.”

— U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) and U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) joined U.S. EPA Deputy Administrator Janet McCabe, New England Regional Administrator David Cash, CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Commissioner Katie Dykes, and Waterbury Mayor Neil O’Leary in announcing a $150,000 Brownfield Cleanup and Assessment Grant for the former site of Waterbury’s Button Factory.

Sitting on 2.5 acres of land, the abandoned complex is the former home of the 19th century Waterbury Button Company brass mill. Using funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the $150,000 grant will be used for the cleanup of potential hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants at the former Button Factory, and will allow for the expansion, redevelopment, and use of the site for future economic activity.

The grant is one of six Brownfield Cleanup and Assessment Grants that have been awarded to sites around Connecticut, and part of a larger $6,965,000 environmental revitalization investment in the state using funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In addition to this site-specific grant, the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments will also receive $3,900,000 to provide loans and sub-grants for cleanup activities at brownfield sites in the Naugatuck Valley area.    

— U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT), along with U.S. Representative Joe Courtney (D-CT), Governor Ned Lamont, Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Joseph Giulietti, Enfield Mayor Bob Cressotti, and others announced the official award of more than $13.8 million in federal funding to construct the new Enfield Train Station. The announcement comes after more than a decade of work to restore rail service to Enfield and northeastern Connecticut, and thanks to new federal funding the Enfield Train Station will become the newest stop on the CTrail Hartford Line.

“This rail station is only the beginning of a transportation transformation that is happening in Connecticut,” said Blumenthal. “This $13.86 million in federal funds our delegation fought for is not only an economic boon, it’s an environmental boost as well. Enfield’s new, accessible station will spur development and put the area on the map, leading to more homes, more access to places of work, more pedestrian and bicycle-friendly paths, and lower emissions. This investment will make a huge difference in the lives of people in Enfield and northeast Connecticut.” 

PROTECTING CONNECTICUT CONSUMERS

— Following thousands of flight cancellations and delays over Memorial Day weekend, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) demanded answers from the airline industry about the cause of these disruptions and steps taken to notify and refund passengers for flights canceled by airlines, as required by law. Blumenthal and Markey called on airlines and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to take action to mitigate future delays and cancellations as consumers return to traveling, including earlier notifications to fliers in case of expected inclement weather.

“We are concerned by reports that thousands of flights were delayed and cancelled this past weekend, adding to the mass delays and cancellations that snarled air travel in recent months,” wrote the senators in a letter to airline industry group Airlines for America after nearly 2,800 flights were cancelled over Memorial Day weekend by multiple airlines. “We understand that some of these factors are outside of the airlines’ control and appreciate the airlines’ efforts to staff up as passenger air travel volumes increase and to notify passengers as early as possible of flight delays and cancellations, but thousands of passengers are still turning up at airports only to have their flights cancelled at the last minute, preventing them from reaching their destinations. Such occurrences pose significant hardships to the travelling public, and we are disappointed that these delays and cancellations are occurring so frequently that they are becoming an almost-expected part of travel. We urge the airlines to take all necessary steps to mitigate those disruptions.”

In a letter to DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Blumenthal and Markey urged DOT action to ensure airlines are held accountable and comply with the law, writing:

“Given these recent flight disruptions and the impending surge in summer travel, please provide information on the steps DOT is taking in response to this past weekend’s cancellations, both to reduce the likelihood of sweeping delays and cancellations from reoccurring and to ensure impacted consumers receive full compensation, including refunds.”

The full text of the letter to Airlines for America can be found here. The full text of the letter to DOT can be found here.

— U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) alongside the AARP of Connecticut called on the U.S. Senate to take swift action to lower prescription drug prices, as seniors on fixed incomes across America struggle to afford lifesaving medications.

Blumenthal and the AARP urged the Senate to pass legislation allowing Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices. Blumenthal is a co-sponsor of both the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Act and the Empowering Medicare Seniors to Negotiate Drug Prices Act which would allow Medicare to negotiate directly with pharmaceutical companies to determine the prices of drugs for millions of Medicare beneficiaries, lowering costs for Connecticut seniors and families and putting money back in their pockets.

Prescription drug prices have continued to rise and Americans pay as much as four times more for prescription drugs than consumers around the world. As a consequence, millions of Americans have reported rationing their medication, choosing not to fill their prescriptions or going without food because of the high cost of their prescription drugs.

— U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) joined addiction treatment and prevention providers and youth advocates to urge Big Tech and federal action as deadly drug deals soar on social media.

Reports indicate that drug deals via popular social media apps like Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok are the primary way teens and young adults buy drugs, with apps like Venmo and Cash App used for payments. A growing number of overdose deaths have been linked to counterfeit fentanyl-laced pills sold via these sites.

— U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) joined Cindy Iodice at a rally to raise awareness of Slow Down, Move Over efforts and to promote road safety. Blumenthal discussed Congressional efforts on Slow Down, Move Over laws to ensure safety of motorists and emergency vehicles stopped on the road.

In 2020, Iodice’s brother Corey, a tow truck operator for his family’s business, was assisting a driver when he was tragically struck and killed. At Thursday’s event, Iodice will announce the launch of a new non-profit organization Flagman to reduce struck-by-vehicle injuries and fatalities across the country.

All 50 states and the District of Columbia have Slow Down, Move Over laws that direct motorists to reduce speed or change lanes for stopped emergency and maintenance vehicles. Despite these laws being in place, many motorists are unaware of them and roadside fatalities and injuries continue.

CELEBRATING PRIDE MONTH

— U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) joined all 50 Senate Democrats in introducing a Senate resolution recognizing June as LGBTQ Pride Month. On the first day of LGBTQ Pride Month, the senators’ resolution highlights the contributions LGBTQ individuals have made to American society, notes several major milestones in the fight for equal treatment of LGBTQ Americans, and resolves to continue efforts to achieve full equality for LGBTQ individuals.

The resolution also recognizes how the U.S. Supreme Court’s pending decision to overturn Roe v. Wade could potentially undermine and erode other constitutional rights also grounded in privacy, including the right for same-sex couples to marry or engage in consensual relationships without the risk of criminal prosecution.

Blumenthal also joined a Pride flag raising event in Middletown with local leaders and activists.

“Wonderful to join Middletown’s Pride flag raising to celebrate CT’s vibrant LGBTQ+ community. This month we recognize the progress made towards equal rights & recommit to creating a future where people can openly live their truth free from fear, discrimination, & violence.”

MEMORIAL DAY PARADES & EVENTS AROUND CONNECTICUT

— U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) attended Memorial Day parades in Wethersfield, Milford, Orange, Monroe, Torrington, and Stratford.

“Marching in Wethersfield’s wonderful Memorial Day Parade was a stirring start to a weekend of honoring our nation’s heroes. In a dangerous world, we should appreciate more than ever their sacrifice & service defending our precious freedoms & democracy.”

“An early morning Memorial Day ceremony in Milford was a powerful way to start this beautiful day. Thank you for reminding us what is most important about this holiday—a tribute to heroes who have fought & died to protect our freedom & independence.”

“Proud to participate in Orange’s moving Memorial Day ceremony & then march in its wonderful parade—great spirit & gratitude to America’s fallen heroes. Under cloudless blue skies, patriotism shone brightly as the sun.”

“Monroe’s parade & ceremony—inspiring & exciting—brought big crowds & enthusiasm on a sun filled perfect day. We honor our fallen heroes by caring for the living—veterans who need & deserve jobs, education, skill training, &, yes, health care. Often they bear the invisible wounds of war.”

“Thanks to Torrington for your warm Memorial Day welcome at the parade today—a wonderful salute to the heroes who’ve kept us free & strong. I was proud to be with so many great vets & excited to see so many cheering them.”

“The Stratford ceremony & parade—always among my Memorial Day favorites—were especially meaningful this year as they returned to rousingly patriotic spirited events. Thanks to all, especially the vets who marched or watched, for making it memorable.”

— U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) attended the commissioning ceremony for the USS Oregon.

“Being part of USS Oregon’s Commissioning, bringing it “to life,” was inspiring—a reminder of how critical our submarine force is to undersea superiority & deterrence. Even more amazing than the boat, is its skilled, dedicated crew & their families & the unmatched EB shipbuilders.”

— With start of summer outdoor activities, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), alongside the Connecticut Forest and Parks Association and the Connecticut Land Conservation Council, announced the reintroduction of the “Complete America’s Great Trails Act,” which will provide tax credits to landowners who voluntarily contribute their land to the completion of America’s trails, including two trails that run through Connecticut — the Appalachian Trail and the New England Trail.

This Blumenthal-led bill will encourage and reward Americans who donate their property to the national trail system, protecting existing trails and adding more opportunities for more people to enjoy the great outdoors. The Appalachian Trail extends 52 miles across Connecticut from Sherman in the south to Salisbury in the north, and the New England Trail extends 117 miles across the state from Guilford in the south, to Suffield in the north.

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