Senator Blumenthal Week In Review 06/24/2022—07/01/2022
STANDING UP FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
— Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s devastating decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) visited Planned Parenthood in New Haven to stand with advocates to protect reproductive freedom and access to abortion in America.
In overturning Roe, the Supreme Court has stripped women of the freedom to make their own healthcare decisions. While abortion remains legal in Connecticut, millions of women across the nation no longer have the right to decide when and whether to bear children, and a threatened national ban on abortion would override Connecticut’s law.
“A profound thank you to staff at New Haven's Planned Parenthood for all you are doing to keep abortion care accessible. I'll continue to stand strong with providers & advocates to fight to protect reproductive freedom.”
“While abortion remains legal in CT, millions of Americans no longer have the right to decide when & whether to have kids. The threat of a national ban—overriding CT law—remains a real danger.”
Blumenthal also joined activists at rallies in New London, Norwalk, and Westport.
“The Dobbs decision has evoked anger, outrage, & fear. Proud to stand with dedicated advocates in New London as we fight to protect reproductive freedoms & make sure CT remains a safe harbor for abortion care.”
“Amazing rallies—yesterday in Norwalk & today in Westport—standing up for women’s freedom & reproductive rights. Anger, anguish, deep fear & more, galvanizing a movement against this assault on basic liberties. There will be even more coming from this right wing, outcome driven SCOTUS.”
— Blumenthal and Chris Murphy (D-CT) joined Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) and 31 of their fellow Democratic Senators in a letter to President Joe Biden urging “bold action” to protect the right to abortion after the Supreme Court’s devastating decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
“We appreciate that in your speech yesterday, you acknowledged the reality that the ‘health and life of women across this nation are now at risk.’ Now is the time for bold action to protect the right to an abortion. You have the power to fight back and lead a national response to this devastating decision, so we call on you to take every step available to your Administration, across federal agencies, to help women access abortions and other reproductive health care, and to protect those who will face the harshest burdens from this devastating and extreme decision,” wrote the Senators.
Seven states have abortion bans in effect as of Friday and 22 states have laws already in place to ban or severely restrict access to abortion that are triggered by the court’s decision. Meanwhile, Republicans have made clear they will not stop with overturning Roe: next, they will push for a national abortion ban.
“There is no time to waste: nearly half of the states already had laws in place to ban abortion or severely restrict access as soon as the Supreme Court decision came down. Many states enacted those laws immediately, and at least a dozen are set to follow suit in the coming days and weeks. Those laws will leave millions of Americans without access to essential reproductive health care. The chilling reality is that our daughters and granddaughters now have fewer rights than their mothers and grandmothers. Women across the country are now being told by states what choices they can and cannot make when it comes to their own health and reproductive choices. This is dangerous and horrifying and it will endanger women’s lives,” continued the Senators. “We cannot stand idly by as Republicans rip away women’s rights. And we know they will not stop with this decision—they are already eyeing a national abortion ban.”
— Blumenthal joined U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and six of their colleagues in urging the Department of Defense to take immediate steps to support and protect female servicemembers seeking abortion services following the Supreme Court’s dangerous and deeply harmful decision to overturn Roe. As a result of the decision, hundreds of thousands of troops, dependents and DoD civilians have lost access to safe abortions and now face threats of criminal prosecution depending on their duty station.
In a letter sent to Secretary Austin, the members highlighted that it is Secretary Austin’s responsibility to protect the health and safety of these individuals, as well as ensure they are free from retaliation, influence and retribution for seeking abortion care.
“The men and women who join the military sacrifice an incredible amount in order to serve their country. We owe it to these servicemembers to look after them and ensure they have the ability to continue accessing safe reproductive health care no matter where their military service sends them,” the members wrote.
The members requested Secretary Austin provide answers to a series of questions, including how DoD will protect servicemembers from legal prosecution, how this decision will impact access to leave and travel regulations for abortion care, and how DoD will protect a woman’s right to privacy and protect women from retaliation, influence or retribution as a result of seeking abortion care.
“As a result of the ruling, a servicemembers’ reproductive and health care rights have become dependent on their duty station,” wrote the members. “Many of the states expected to prohibit or greatly limit abortions are home to military installations including Arizona, Florida, Georgia and Texas. In Missouri, even in cases of ectopic pregnancies, doctors are forced to wait to the point at which a mother's life is threatened before lifesaving abortion procedures can be performed. These law could force servicemembers in these states to face criminal prosecution or life-threatening circumstances.”
PROTECTING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS THROUGH THE BIPARTISAN SAFER COMMUNITIES ACT
— Blumenthal and domestic violence prevention advocates visited the Susan B. Anthony Project in Torrington to highlight the lifesaving provisions in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act that strengthen protections for survivors of domestic violence.
Survivors of domestic violence are five times more likely to be killed if their abuser has access to a firearm. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act shrinks the federal partner loophole, making it more difficult for people convicted of domestic abuse to own a gun, and incentivizes states to adopt Red Flag laws, and supports states like CT that already have them, with hundreds of millions of dollars. Red Flag laws enable court orders to separate people from guns when they imminently threaten themselves or others. The bill also increases funding for family mental health services and support after traumatic events.
The Susan B. Anthony Project was founded in 1983 in Torrington and promotes safety, healing, and growth for all survivors of domestic and sexual abuse and advocates for the autonomy of women and the end of interpersonal violence. They operate crisis and support services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, including an emergency shelter, transitional housing and support, counseling and a 24/7 crisis line.
“The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act protects survivors of domestic violence from gun violence. Today I was proud to join the Susan B. Anthony Project to highlight the lifesaving provisions that will help stop domestic abusers from purchasing & possessing firearms.”
Blumenthal also stood with advocates in New London and Hartford.
“Shrinking the ‘boyfriend’ loophole on a federal level wouldn’t have been possible without our fierce CT advocates. Lives will be saved thanks to the tools & protections for domestic violence survivors in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.”
CELEBRATING BRADLEY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’S NEW GROUND TRANSPORTATION CENTER
— Blumenthal and Murphy joined state officials for the ribbon cutting for the new $210 million ground transportation center at Bradley International Airport. The new transportation hub is scheduled to open in mid-July and will offer streamlined rental car services, more parking and improved public transit access to the airport. The hub was funded by a public private partnership, but $64 million in federal funds from the CARES ACT, Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act allowed the airport to continue the project without interruption throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
DEMANDING ANSWERS FROM AIRLINES ON DELAYS & CANCELLATIONS
— Blumenthal demanded answers from airlines ahead of the July Fourth weekend as rampant flight cancellations and delays continue to plague air travelers. In a letter with U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) to 10 major domestic airlines, Blumenthal urged the companies to prioritize their passengers and address flight issues ahead of the July 4th holiday weekend, when an estimated 3.5 million Americans will be flying. Over Memorial Day weekend, airlines cancelled nearly 2,800 flights and delayed another 21,000. Over Father’s Day weekend and the Juneteenth holiday, nearly 3,700 flights were cancelled and another 26,000 were delayed.
Airlines have blamed the flight disruptions on poor weather and air traffic control issues, but data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics indicates that roughly 40 percent of delays in the first four months of 2022 were due to circumstances within the airlines’ control.
Blumenthal has repeatedly urged airlines to prioritize passengers over the last two years. In today’s letter, Blumenthal demands answers from the companies on the reasons for flight disruptions and what they are doing to address the issues.
FIGHTING CHILDHOOD FOOD INSECURITY
— Blumenthal joined advocates to applaud the critical extension of the child nutrition waivers that will allow schools to continue offering free meals for 220,000 Connecticut children through the end of September.
In 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress authorized the U.S. Department of Agriculture to waive school meal program requirements and increase reimbursement rates so that schools could continue feeding children who were attending school remotely and during the summer. These critical waivers were set to expire on June 30, 2022, but the Keep Kids Fed Act was passed by the Senate last week and signed into law by President Biden just ahead of the deadline, ensuring millions of American children will have access to healthy food all summer long. According to a University of Connecticut study, 12.2% of Connecticut households experienced food insecurity between 2015 and 2017. Experts believe these numbers have risen due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the rising costs of food.
Blumenthal is also a co-sponsor of the Support Kids Not Red Tape Act, which would extend nutrition waivers until September 2023.
“Rumbling empty stomachs stymie student success—which is why I so strongly supported the Keep Kids Fed Act, passed last Thursday, extending & expanding nutrition programs. CT will receive hundreds of millions of dollars to deliver more than 70 million meals, like here at Weaver.”
COUNTERING GAS PRICE HIKES
— Blumenthal visited a gas station in New Haven to support President Biden’s call to suspend the federal gas tax and urge that those savings be returned directly to Connecticut consumers. Blumenthal has repeatedly called for a suspension of the federal gas tax and has called for more federal action to lower gas prices for consumers and to stop profiteering by oil giants. As gas prices at the pump have risen, Big Oil companies have pocketed billions in profits, with the 25 top oil and gas companies announcing an astonishing $237 billion in profits in 2021 alone.
WARNING PARENTS OF SUMMER DANGERS
— Blumenthal joined doctors and first responders at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center to remind parents of ways to keep children safe during the summer months. Summer is known as “trauma season” in the injury prevention community because of the dramatic spike in the number of children injured compared to the rest of the year. On average 2,000 children under the age of 15 will be injured by fireworks, 38 children will die after being left in hot cars, and 3,300 children will be rushed to emergency rooms after falling out of windows.
“Summer should be full of fun, but it’s important to put safety first. Today I joined Connecticut Children’s to highlight the tragic consequences of unsupervised pools, unsafely used fireworks, & unwatched hot cars.”
CELEBRATING THE OPENING OF HARTFORD’S CLOVER GARDENS HOUSING PROJECT
— Blumenthal joined state and city officials for the opening celebration of the Clover Gardens Housing Project. The project brings 32 affordable housing units to Hartford’s Asylum Hill neighborhood — eight of which will house individuals with intellectual disabilities served by HARC, Inc.
The Clover Gardens project rehabilitated and converted four uninhabited, historic buildings in Hartford’s Asylum Hill neighborhood. Chrysalis Center, Inc., a Connecticut non-profit which provides a multitude of support services for individuals and families across the state, led the fundraising initiative.
“Fantastic opening of Clover Gardens Housing in Hartford—with huge thanks to the Chrysalis team & all the great community leaders & groups that led it. Exquisitely restored historic buildings & wonderful apartments.”
CONDEMNING THE SUPREME COURT’S HARMFUL DECISION IN WEST VIRGINIA V. EPA
— Blumenthal released the following statement after the Supreme Court gutted the authority of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in West Virginia v. EPA:
“This senseless misstep strait jackets our fight against the climate crisis. It imposes catastrophic constraints on public health protections, with huge human costs. Its supposed “major questions” doctrine is concocted from legal thin air— an outcome-driven bogus jurisprudential tenet. Once again, the Court’s misguided majority have shown that they are politicians with robes, pushing a far-right fringe agenda that they disclaimed as nominees before the American people.”
Blumenthal also joined U.S. Representative John B. Larson (D-CT) and Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin at a press conference denouncing the decision.
ADDRESSING HUMAN RIGHTS CONCERNS IN SAUDI ARABIA
— Ahead of President Joe Biden’s upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) expressed concerns about LIV Golf, the new league funded by Saudi oil revenue.
“LIV is entirely funded by Saudi Arabia’s Pubic Investment Fund, Saudi oil revenue that is dependent on the whims of a monarch whose nation has an atrocious human rights record and has at times acted in a brutal and hostile way to the United States and our citizens,” Blumenthal wrote to Biden.
While promoted as a way to diversify the Saudi economy, Blumenthal called the league, “an attempt by the Saudi government to “sports-wash” its reputation by focusing the American public’s attention on Saudi Arabia’s association with a popular U.S. sport and away from its government officials’ links to abhorrent acts.”
Citing the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, the war in Yemen, ties to the September 11th hijackers, refusal to disclose information to 9/11 families, and evasion of accountability for supporting terrorist activities, Blumenthal urged President Biden to make human rights, democracy, and the rule of law a focus of his upcoming trip to the country.
“[W]hile I recognize the value of your upcoming trip, I strongly urge you keep your focus on human rights. Stand firm on truth, accountability, and justice by urging the Saudi Arabian government to reset its conduct through respect for human rights and the rule of law,” Blumenthal concluded.
— Blumenthal also joined U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) in a letter to President Biden ahead of his trip to Saudi Arabia urging him to use this moment to center the conversation around human rights concerns in the region.
“With Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, or MBS, unchastened and continuing his ruthless campaign against dissenters, we strongly urge you to, at a minimum, put human rights at the center of your meetings,” wrote the Senators.
While acknowledging that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has created exigencies and that the U.S. needs global partners to address the humanitarian and economic impacts, the Senators urged Biden not to allow those imperatives to obscure the country’s longer term interests.
“In order for the United States to achieve long-term national security we must reduce our dependence on corrupt, ruthless authoritarians, not grow more beholden to them. Mercurial autocrats that are willing to flout international norms and laws cannot be expected to then stabilize that same international order. And shifting our reliance from one such leader to another, most notably due to our addiction to fossil fuels, won’t solve the problem.”
EXPANDING DENTAL HEALTH CARE & EXTENDING ACA SUBSIDIES
— Blumenthal and Murphy joined U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) in urging the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to expand dental health coverage under Medicare. In a letter to CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure with 19 of their Senate colleagues, the senators stressed the need to expand coverage of medically necessary oral and dental health services to improve the health of Americans enrolled in Medicare and potentially cut costs for the program.
“Oral health is a critical, but often overlooked, factor in ensuring a healthy life, yet is unaffordable and inaccessible for far too many of the over 64 million Americans enrolled in Medicare,” said the senators. “Therefore, we urge you to use existing statutory authority to expand coverage of medically necessary oral and dental health care for eligible Medicare beneficiaries.”
Nearly half of all Medicare beneficiaries – 24 million people – do not have dental coverage. Oral health is closely linked to physical health and it’s been found that poor oral health can increase risk of many chronic conditions that Medicare beneficiaries already face, including heart disease, kidney disease, cancer, and diabetes. Expanded dental health coverage could reduce costs to Medicare by strengthening treatment of some of the most persistent medical conditions covered by the program.
— Blumenthal and U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) joined 11 of their colleagues in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA-12), urging congressional leadership to prioritize making permanent the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits in upcoming reconciliation legislation, which are set to expire at the end of this year.
“Americans deserve a stable health care market that provides access to high-quality care coverage for all, and American Rescue Plan Act’s (ARPA) enhanced premium tax credits must be extended to ensure that we can maintain our progress on closing the coverage gap. Failure to do so will leave millions with increased costs for vital health insurance, undoing Democrats’ progress in ensuring that every American has access to affordable, meaningful coverage,” the senators wrote.
The lawmakers went on to underscore how critical 2022 has been for the ACA, with a record 14.5 million Americans signed up for Marketplace plans. Of those 14.5 million, 13 million Americans received subsidies that helped low- and middle-income individuals and families purchase previously unaffordable coverage. It also eliminated premiums for those making 150 percent of the federal poverty level and guaranteed comprehensive coverage costs no more than 8.5 percent of a family’s income.
SUPPORTING OUR ALLIES IN UKRAINE
— Blumenthal joined U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Rob Portman (R-OH) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) in introducing a bipartisan resolution recognizing the United States’ commitment to rebuilding Ukraine after the impacts of Putin’s war.
“This resolution reaffirms our long-term commitment to our Ukrainian allies. Aid, weapons, and humanitarian assistance have helped counter Putin’s war of aggression, but Russia’s brutal, unprovoked assault has had devastating consequences across the country. The United States will continue to stand with the people of Ukraine as we help rebuild and restore their home to the vibrant nation it once was. I’m proud to join my colleagues in this bipartisan effort,” said Blumenthal.
EXPANDING VOTING REGISTRATION ACCESS
— Blumenthal joined U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) in a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra, requesting an update on the commitments the Department made in response to President Biden’s March 2021 executive order on expanding and promoting access to voting, including the Department’s commitment to expand voting access through HealthCare.gov.
“The Biden Administration’s most recent update on the implementation of the Voting EO indicates that all agencies, including HHS, have made important progress in enhancing Americans’ access to information on elections and voter registration. But HHS can do more to fulfill its commitments under the President’s Voting EO. In particular, it should expeditiously implement changes to HealthCare.gov to facilitate access to voter registration services for millions of Americans,” said the lawmakers.
In March 2021, President Biden issued an Executive Order entitled “Promoting Access to Voting,” which required the various federal agencies to examine the ways they could expand access to voter registration and election information and present their strategic plans within 200 days of the order’s issuance. In late 2021, HHS pledged to launch a new voting access hub and make it easier for consumers using HealthCare.gov to connect to voter registration services and also made a commitment to work with states to improve voter registration accessibility.
EVENTS AROUND CONNECTICUT
— Blumenthal attended the Grand Opening of the Katharine Hepburn Museum at “The Kate,” The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center in Old Saybrook. The museum displays the cultural and historic impact Katharine Hepburn and her family had on Connecticut and beyond, including a collection of artifacts from her early years and summers spent in Old Saybrook.
— Blumenthal attended the investiture of U.S. District Court Judge Sarala V. Nagala, the first judge of Asian and South Asian descent to serve in the District of Connecticut. Judge Nagala was nominated by President Biden and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in October 2021 by a vote of 52 to 46.
— Blumenthal attended Orange’s Bicentennial Parade.
“Wonderful Bicentennial Parade in Orange—lots of tractors, fife and drum corps, floats, and enthusiastic well wishers, all followed by a town picnic. And of course a perfect weather day. Congrats!”
— Blumenthal attended the celebration for Milford Bank’s 150th anniversary.
“Inspiring celebration last night of Milford Bank’s 150th year of community commitment & service. A wonderful tribute to a financial institution that has supported entrepreneurs & small businesses, job creation & charitable giving, new careers, & much more.”
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