Senator Blumenthal Week In Review 06/30/2023—07/07/2023
EXAMINING THE PROPOSED PGA TOUR-LIV GOLF AGREEMENT
— U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI) Chairman Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Ranking Member Ron Johnson (R-WI) announced that the following witnesses will appear at a hearing, The PGA-LIV Deal: Implications for the Future of Golf and Saudi Arabia’s Influence in the United States, on July 11, 2023:
- Ron Price, Chief Operating Officer, PGA Tour; and
- Jimmy Dunne, Board Member, PGA Tour.
The hearing will examine the planned agreement between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Arabian government’s Public Investment Fund, as well as the future of the PGA Tour and professional golf in the United States.
Blumenthal and Johnson also requested testimony from Greg Norman, CEO of LIV Golf, and Yasir al-Rumayyan, who as Governor of the Public Investment Fund will oversee Saudi Arabia’s financial investments in the new golf entity and serve as the chairman of its board. Representatives for both Norman and al-Rumayyan informed the subcommittee that they are unavailable to testify on July 11, due to scheduling conflicts.
“We appreciate the PGA Tour working with us and look forward to a robust, thoughtful exchange with both Ron Price and Jimmy Dunne on July 11, focusing on the details and background of this deal and what it means for this cherished American institution,” said Blumenthal and Johnson in a joint statement.
“We regret that Governor al-Rumayyan and Mr. Norman’s scheduling conflicts will prevent them from attending the July 11 hearing. Both Governor al-Rumayyan and Mr. Norman have valuable information to share about the operations of the Public Investment Fund, the future of LIV Golf, and Saudi Arabia’s plans to invest in golf and other sports. Consistent with our subcommittee’s practice, we look forward to working with both witnesses to find a mutually agreeable date for them to appear in the very near future.”
PROTECTING KIDS ONLINE
— Blumenthal held a roundtable with New Haven teens, clinicians, and advocates to discuss the dangers young people face online and urge the importance of passing the Kids Online Safety Act. The Blumenthal-led comprehensive, bipartisan legislation would empower young people and parents with the tools and safeguards they need to protect themselves online and would hold Big Tech accountable for harms to kids.
Blumenthal and Blackburn first introduced the Kids Online Safety Act in February 2022 following reporting and after spearheading a series of five subcommittee hearings with social media companies and advocates on the repeated failures by tech giants to protect kids on their platforms and about the dangers kids face online. In July 2022, the Kids Online Safety Act passed the Commerce Committee on a unanimous, 28-0 vote. The Kids Online Safety Act is supported by hundreds of advocacy and technology groups.
INVESTING IN THE NORWALK RIVER VALLEY TRAIL
— Blumenthal and U.S. Representative Jim Himes (D-CT) joined the Western Connecticut Council of Governments and the Norwalk River Valley Trail to announce a $4.528 million federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant to complete planning and engineering work to connect 55 miles of multi-use trail from Norwalk to New Milford.
“Congrats to Norwalk River Valley Trails & WestCog on $4.5 million in federal funds moving forward this treasure—55 miles of walking, biking, & running through Fairfield County from Norwalk’s beaches to Danbury’s hills & beyond. Proud to announce it with Congressman Himes.”
SUPPORTING WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FOR HOMELESS VETERANS
— Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, announced $154,000 for Veterans Inc, to help homeless veterans re-enter the workforce and find meaningful employment. The $154,000 for Veterans Inc. is part of a $58 million in grants from the Department of Labor to organizations across the nation aimed to assist homeless veterans find work.
“Enabling homeless vets to reenter the workforce—with housing & services—will be expanded by a $154,000 grant from US DOL to Vets Inc. It provides skill training, transportation, & more—to heroes who deserve it.”
ASSISTING OUR FIRST RESPONDERS
— Blumenthal announced $2.2 million in federal funding for the City of New London to purchase new emergency communication equipment for first responders. This funding will be utilized to replace New London Police Department’s outdated communication system, giving emergency responders the tools needed to serve their community most effectively.
“A $2.2 million grant to New London for new state of the art communications equipment will help fire, police, & EMS to answer the call more swiftly & safely. Proud to announce it today with dedicated leader Mayor Passero.”
— Blumenthal announced a $203,489 grant for the City of West Haven to train firefighters and purchase new CPR devices and rescue equipment.
“Proud to be with West Haven firefighters to announce a $203,489 grant for CPR devices, rescue equipment, & training. These brave heroes, who keep our communities safe, deserve nothing but the best.”
WARNING CONSUMERS ABOUT MISLEADING MEAT LABELS
— Blumenthal joined local meat raisers to applaud a recent step by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to address meat companies’ use of misleading food labels and alert consumers to how 50 percent of meat label claims like “humanely raised” or “grass fed” lack proof.
A recent report by the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) shows that labels like “humanely raised” and “sustainably farmed” are often unsubstantiated and poorly vetted, with up to 50% of labels lacking proof to back up their claims. Following the report, Blumenthal wrote a letter to USDA urging action by the Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS). FSIS recently announced that it is implementing a multi-step effort aimed at strengthening the substantiation of animal-raising claims. The agency is now strongly encouraging producers to use a third-party verification system to ensure labels using “humanely raised” or “sustainably farmed” are accurate.
LABELING FOOD ALLERGENS IN MEDICATIONS
— Blumenthal joined UConn Health doctors and pharmacists to introduce new legislation to require labeling of major food allergens or gluten-containing grain on medications.
The Allergen Disclosure in Non-Food Articles (ADINA) Act would amend the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require labeling of major food allergens including milk, eggs, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soy, and sesame or gluten-containing grains on drugs intended for human use. An estimated 93% of medications, including common over the counter drugs like Tylenol, Benadryl, and Claritin contain common food allergens but companies are not required to disclose that on their labels putting consumers at grave risk.
“I was stunned to learn that 93% of all medications—including common over-the-counter products including Tylenol & Claritin have allergens like lactose, eggs, peanut oil, & more. No hint of these potent potential dangers on labels.”
“Drug labels must alert consumers—most totally unaware now—about allergens. My Allergen Disclosure in Non-Food Articles Act would impose that duty. It can help save lives & avoid trips to ER’s.”
ENDING ROADWAY FATALITIES
— Blumenthal stood with Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto and pedestrian safety advocates to introduce his “Road to Zero Resolution” to reduce traffic fatalities and improve roadway safety for all drivers, passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists and others on the road.
Traffic fatalities are the leading cause of death for Americans under 54, killing over 100 people a day. In Connecticut, 73 pedestrians were struck and killed in 2022 by vehicles and 228 pedestrians had serious injuries in 2022.
— Blumenthal and U.S. Senator Chris Murphy joined U.S. Representative John Larson (D-CT) in announcing a $19 million Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant for the City of Hartford’s North Main Street Streetscape and Multimodal Transportation Project. The funding will support streetscape improvements in Northeast Hartford to make it easier to walk or bike on North Main Street and better connect residents to employment, educational, and recreational opportunities.
“CT’s pedestrian deaths are at an all-time high. Too many families have lost relatives & friends. This $19M US DOT investment in one of the most underserved communities will help make critical safety improvements to Hartford’s roads.”
ENSURING ACCESS TO CLEAN DRINKING WATER
— Blumenthal announced $1.2 million for the Town of East Windsor to connect 31 homes and 87 residents to Connecticut Water. The current residents have a deficient well that is contaminated with nitrates and falls below federal and state drinking water standards.
INVESTING IN BRIDGEPORT’S PUBLIC SCHOOLS
— Blumenthal, Murphy, and U.S. Representative Jim Himes (D-CT) announced that Bridgeport Public Schools will receive a $3.62 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Renew America’s Schools program to lower energy costs, create healthier and safer learning environments, and promote workforce development. This grant is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
“Connecticut children deserve to breathe clean air. This significant federal funding will help Bridgeport upgrade their outdated HVAC systems to create safer, more energy efficient environments for kids to learn and thrive. On top of all that good, this funding will allow Bridgeport to fund clean energy apprenticeship programs for students—doubling the impact of this $3.6 million investment. I am proud to see this funding headed to Bridgeport and I look forward to continued investments to support infrastructure upgrades in our schools,” said Blumenthal.
SUPPORTING OUR ALLIES IN UKRAINE
— Blumenthal reacted to the risk of a meltdown at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
“If Putin is “planning a nuclear disaster,” he needs an unmistakable message. Significant harm to NATO allies from radiation dispersed by his use of tactical nuclear weapons or damage to a nuclear plant will be regarded as an Article V attack.”
“Our bipartisan Sense of the Senate Resolution—cosponsored by me & Sen. Graham—sends exactly that message. Emphatic & unequivocal, it aims to prevent Putin’s possible miscalculation.”
“Providing Ukraine with weapons it needs to win, & deterring Putin from more murderous escalation will help avoid a wider war. Putin is an unspeakably cruel criminal thug, who understands only self-interest.”
— Blumenthal and U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) released the following statement on providing additional weapons to Ukraine and their plans to introduce a resolution asking for a roadmap for Ukraine to become a future member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO):
“As Ukraine continues its counteroffensive against the Russian invaders, it is clear to us that longer-range weapons and modern fourth-generation fighter aircraft are needed to help ensure victory for Ukraine.”
“The Ukrainians have continually requested long-range weapons, specifically the Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS). This weapon will greatly increase the capability of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and enable them to reach Russian command and control centers, logistics hubs, and other sensitive military targets. ATACMS will also enable Ukraine to neutralize Russian missile systems that continue to target innocent civilians.”
“It is also past time to provide Ukraine modern fourth-generation fighter aircraft, like F-16s, and long past time to begin training Ukrainian pilots in the United States. While the U.S. has announced that it will permit the transfer of U.S. made F-16s and that it supports joint training programs for Ukrainian pilots, the jets have yet to arrive. We call upon the Biden administration to push for modern fourth-generation fighter aircraft, like the F-16, and appropriate pilot training in the United States to be provided to Ukraine as soon as possible.”
“The Ukrainian people have fought and continue to fight with determination and grit. Our assistance has been critical to their efforts and they have repeatedly expressed their gratitude.”
“Ukraine did not start this war. The blame and responsibility for that falls solely and squarely on Putin’s Russia. But today, more than 498 days since the conflict began, it is in our own national security interest to ensure that Ukraine emerges victorious. Ukrainians are fighting for their homes, their families and their way of life. We must supply them the tools they need to liberate their homeland from the Russian invaders.”
“We plan to introduce a Sense of the Senate resolution calling for a roadmap to Ukrainian NATO membership as soon as practicable. It is only through NATO membership that Ukraine can experience true security in the face of repeated Russian aggression. The peace Ukraine wins must be permanent. Their fight has been a stand against corrupt crony authoritarianism and they have earned a secure and lasting peace within NATO.”
“Glory to Ukraine!”
AROUND CONNECTICUT
— Blumenthal visited Modern Plastics, a plastic distributor specializing in high-performing engineering grade and medical grade plastic materials, to hear how he can support their efforts to expand their export business.
With over 75 years in business, Modern Plastics provides custom fabrication services to major corporations, government agencies, and business owners both domestically and internationally. During the pandemic, the company produced plastic face shields to help keep healthcare workers, first responders, and the public safe.
— Blumenthal celebrated the birthday of U.S. Army veteran Joseph Grates.
“Wonderful to honor Joseph Grates, U.S. Army veteran, on his 90th Birthday—celebrating with his son & fellow vets at the annual BBQ held at the W. Haven VA facility. Special thanks to Antonio St Lorenzo & W. Haven Lions.”
— Blumenthal marched in the Bridgeport Barnum Parade.
“Bridgeport’s rollicking Barnum Parade was big & boisterous—a great tradition bringing together all of this welcoming city’s diverse communities. Proud to march & wish everyone a very Happy July 4th.”
— Blumenthal reacted to the passing of Jim Wade.
“Jim Wade leaves an enduring legacy—his community engagement & legal achievements, his dedication to the public interest & politics, his endless good humor & generosity of spirit. He touched a lot of lives.”
— Blumenthal marched in the WILI Boombox and Columbia July 4th parades.
“At WILI July 4th Boombox Parade with Wayne Norman, founder of this rollicking, raucous spectacular celebration of USA independence. Thanks & Happy 4th!”
“Threatening skies but no rain in Columbia’s beautiful July 4th parade. The town turned out in red, white & blue—classic, iconic American celebration. Very special. Thanks to all!”
— Blumenthal visited Ragozzino Foods in Meriden.
“A fantastic family food business—Ragozzino Foods makes fabulous Italian & American meals sold by major retailers under their own brands & US DOD. Congrats to them on 70 years & being the Hartford Business Journal Family Business for 2023!”
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