Senator Blumenthal Week In Review 11/28/2022—12/02/2022

PROTECTING MARRIAGE EQUALITY

— U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) released the following statement after the Senate approved the Respect for Marriage Act, which would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, enshrine marriage equality for the purposes of federal law, and provide additional legal protections for marriage equality:

“Confronting a real and urgent threat, this measure guarantees the right of all Americans to marry the person they love. At this historic moment, the bill guarantees marriage equality for gay and interracial couples – assuring them that their marriage in Connecticut will be accorded full protection and legal standing in every state, regardless of its own laws. This law is important, but should not have been necessary; there is still so much work ahead of us to combat bigotry. But I am relieved and grateful that thousands of loving couples across the country will no longer have to live in fear of this activist Supreme Court’s intolerance.”

Blumenthal also joined LGBTQ+ advocates in Hartford to celebrate Senate passage of the legislation.

“The Respect for Marriage Act—soon to be law—codifies & reinforces the fundamental truth that love is love. I’m proud to stand with CT LGBTQ+ advocates who have been the powerful force behind this historic win for marriage equality.”

COMBATING BOTS IN THE ONLINE TICKET MARKETPLACE

— After Ticketmaster claimed a high volume of bot attacks forced them to cancel Taylor Swift ticket sales, Blumenthal and U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Data Security, sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair Lina Khan. The senators requested answers on how the FTC is combatting the use and operation of bots in the online ticket marketplace.

“The Better Online Ticket Sales Act gave the FTC and state attorneys general the tools they need to crack down on parasitic online ticket bots – now they need to use them. Without adequate enforcement of this anti-consumer software, regular fans are still being unfairly priced out of seeing their favorite singer or hometown sports team. We’d like to know what steps the FTC plans to take to ensure that consumers have fair access to the events they want to see,” said Blumenthal.

In 2016, President Obama signed Blumenthal and Blackburn’s legislation, the Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act, into law to prohibit ticket scalpers from using software to purchase high volumes of tickets. The senators believe fully enforcing the BOTS Act is an important step toward ensuring a level playing field for ticket consumers.

PROTECTING CONSUMERS & WORKERS FROM CORPORATE CRIMINAL CONDUCT

— Blumenthal joined U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and U.S. Representative Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA) in introducing bicameral legislation to hold corporate wrongdoers accountable for knowingly withholding information that risked the lives or safety of consumers and workers. Under the Hide No Harm Act, a corporate officer who conceals information about an action or product that poses the danger of serious physical injury or death would face up to five years in prison as well as potential fines. The legislation would also safeguard corporate whistleblowers by protecting from criminal liability those who chose to report potential dangers to federal regulatory agencies.

“Corporate actors that knowingly endanger their workers or the public deserve more than a slap on the wrist,” said Blumenthal. “Corporations and employees aware that products may cause serious harm have a responsibility to report it. Faulty auto parts, defective kids’ toys, and contaminated infant formula are among the many products that have cost lives when kept on the market for too long. Our legislation will hold accountable corporate executives who prioritize profits over public safety and protect brave whistleblowers from retaliation. I’m proud to join Senator Casey and Representative Scanlon in this bicameral effort to stop corporate greed and negligence.”

Irresponsible corporations have repeatedly endangered their workers and the general public by covering up information about potential risks and harms associated with their products. Automakers hid the dangers of faulty ignition switches and airbags, pharmaceutical companies pushed their opioids knowing they’ll be abused, toy manufacturers continued to sell rockers that caused infant deaths, and infant formula executives were slow to improve safety standards before selling their products to parents. The Hide No Harm Act would hold corporations responsible for these preventable, high-level failures where corporate executives knew of the risks.

— Blumenthal and Scanlon also joined U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) in introducing the Corporate Crime Database Act, bicameral legislation that requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to collect, aggregate, analyze, and publish comprehensive data on federal corporate criminal enforcement actions.  Currently, there is no comprehensive national data collection on corporate crime and no centralized database of federal enforcement actions against corporations that the public can view. 

“This legislation will aid efforts to fight criminal corporate conduct.  Collecting and reporting data on enforcement actions against white-collar criminals are essential to holding wrongdoers accountable.  By providing this critical information, the Corporate Crime Database Act will deter future crimes and protect victims,” said Blumenthal.             

Introduction of the legislation comes after the group sent a letter to Attorney General Garland urging him to begin collecting, analyzing, and publishing Department-wide data on corporate criminal enforcement actions.  

RESOLVING FORD DEALERS’ CONCERNS OVER THE MODEL E PROGRAM

— Following multiple meetings with Connecticut Ford dealers, Blumenthal wrote to the Ford Motor Company urging them to extend the Friday, Dec. 2 deadline for dealers to decide whether or not to opt in to the Ford Model e program until it can resolve outstanding concerns about the program’s costly requirements.

In a meeting last week and again at a press conference on Wednesday, Ford dealers in Connecticut expressed concerns about the Model e program, which mandates dealers opt into costly new requirements to continue selling the company’s electric vehicles. Connecticut Ford dealers have said this program will adversely affect dealers and stifle the distribution of electric vehicles in Connecticut — harming consumer choice and competition.

“While I commend the effort to promote electric vehicle use, it is clear the Ford Model e program requires further discussion before implementation…instead of locking dealers out from selling electric vehicles after Friday, I urge you to work with these dealers to find a future for the program that enables all dealers to sell electric vehicles without onerous requirements for doing so,” Blumenthal wrote.

HONORING OUR VETERANS

— Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, joined Conley Monk Jr., a Black veteran of the Marines Corps, and the Yale Law School Veterans Legal Services Clinic to announce a lawsuit against the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for failing to address longstanding racial disparities in veterans’ benefits.

Blumenthal called on the VA to address these longstanding disparities — highlighted in two recent reports — and step up oversight to ensure that all veterans receive the care they deserve.

“Proud to join veteran Conley Monk Jr. & the Yale Vets Clinic to announce a lawsuit against the VA for failing to address longstanding racial disparities in benefits. Any discrimination must be corrected.”

— Blumenthal also released the following statement after a recent report showed the West Haven VA did not implement critical health and safety improvements following a deadly steam explosion in 2020.

"This investigation's findings are astounding and alarming. The West Haven VA must take immediate action to address management oversight failures and lack of safety training for employees.  The VA must swiftly implement these health and safety improvements to protect their patients, workers and health care providers before another needless tragedy occurs,” Blumenthal said.

REAUTHORIZING THE FIREFIGHTER CANCER REGISTRY

— Blumenthal joined local firefighters to call on Congress to reauthorize the firefighter cancer registry, which requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop and maintain a voluntary registry of firefighters to track cancer rates so as to improve workplace safety.

Blumenthal, an original co-sponsor of the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act of 2018, called on Congress to swiftly reauthorize the act, which expires in 2023. It is critical that the CDC be able to collect the data necessary to complete more precise studies on the occupational risks of firefighters. Once completed, the registry will help researchers, stakeholders and others, advance the research into cancer risks for our nation’s first responders and provide a more comprehensive picture of the causal links between firefighting and cancer.

“Cancer too often is a killer for firefighters. Congress must reauthorize the firefighter cancer registry so researchers & advocates have the data to continue to improve workplace safety & long-term health—helping save the lives of those who help save ours.”

BREAKING GROUND ON AFFORDABLE HOMES FOR WORKING FAMILIES

— Blumenthal attended the Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven (NHS) groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of four affordable family homes in the Newhallville neighborhood.

With the scarcity of affordable homeownership opportunities for low-and moderate-income families, NHS works to strengthen neighborhoods by developing affordable opportunities for first-time homebuyers. The organization has helped over 300 families buy and keep their homes in New Haven. 

APPLAUDING THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE’S APPROVAL OF JUSTICE MARIA KAHN

— Blumenthal and U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) applauded the Senate Judiciary Committee’s approval of Justice Maria Araújo Kahn, President Biden’s nominee to fill a vacancy on the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. The Second Circuit is one of thirteen appeals courts across the country and exercises appellate jurisdiction over federal district courts within Connecticut, New York, and Vermont. With the bipartisan 12-10 vote, the nomination of Kahn, a Justice on the Connecticut Supreme Court and a former Appellate and Superior Court judge, Assistant U.S. Attorney, public defender, and attorney for individuals with disabilities, will now advance to the full Senate.   

“Maria Kahn’s immense integrity and intellect are reflected in today’s bipartisan approval of her nomination,” said Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “She has extraordinary experience as a prosecutor, public defender, judge, and justice that will enrich and strengthen the Court of Appeals. She also has an inspiring American immigrant story, distinguished by hard work and perseverance. I am proud to have championed her as a nominee and look forward to her confirmation in the coming weeks.”

PREVENTING ENERGY DISRUPTIONS AS WINTER APPROACHES

— As the winter months approach, Blumenthal and Murphy joined U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Angus King (I-ME) in a letter urging the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to proactively develop a plan to prevent energy disruption and price hikes. In a letter to Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, the senators asked the Secretary to work with stakeholders to mitigate the risk of price hikes and a shortage of natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and heating oil.

“ISO New England, the region’s grid operator, has warned that colder-than-usual conditions could put the reliability of the grid at risk - perhaps even leading to extreme measures like rolling blackouts. This could be devastating, particularly during the coldest days of winter. While the region’s overreliance on natural gas has long been an issue, the continued global disruption caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine means the risk is more urgent than ever,” the senators wrote.

“Given the gravity of these concerns, we urge you to convene key stakeholders, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), ISO New England, New England governors, public utility officials, generators, suppliers, and utilities to mitigate these risks. Additionally, we ask that you leverage resources within the Department of Energy to identify barriers to bringing non-fossil fuel energy online as quickly as possible. Lastly, we ask that you work across the Executive Branch to review the emergency powers available to the Department of Energy and other agencies to ensure New England has the resources needed to get through the winter without major supply disruptions or price spikes,” the senators concluded.

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF THE CPSC PROTECTING CONSUMERS

— Blumenthal and Blackburn joined U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) in introducing a resolution to mark the 50th anniversary of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

“The CPSC plays a vital role in keeping consumers safe. With an increase of dangerous products in homes across the country over the holiday season, the importance of this small but mighty agency in protecting kids and adults alike is even more apparent,” said Blumenthal. “I am proud to introduce this resolution alongside my colleagues to recognize 50 years of CPSC’s service. I will continue advocating for additional authorities and resources for this critically essential agency to bolster product safety.”   

The lawmakers’ resolution celebrates the history of the CPSC and the work the agency does to protect consumers by developing product safety standards and removing dangerous products from the market. The Consumer Product Safety Act was enacted into law on October 27, 1972 and established the CPSC. In the 50 years since it was established, the CPSC’s efforts have resulted in lowering consumer product-related deaths and significantly reducing injuries involving young children and adults, including reducing or nearly eliminating refrigerator door entrapments, garage doors deaths, crib deaths, and pediatric poisonings.

THANKING MAYOR BRONIN FOR HIS SERVICE TO HARTFORD

— Blumenthal released the following statement after Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin announced he would not seek another term.

"Mayor Luke Bronin has been a superbly inspiring and effective leader — bringing vigor and vision to a truly tough job. He has governed with insight and humanity in combining fiscal responsibility with improved services. Mayor Bronin has stood strong for public health and education during the pandemic’s most severe challenges. His record of courage and wisdom in Hartford should lead to future opportunities for leadership,” Blumenthal said.

SPEAKING OUT AGAINST VIOLENT CRACKDOWNS ON PEACEFUL PROTESTORS IN CHINA

— Blumenthal joined U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and 39 of their colleagues in a bipartisan letter to the Chinese ambassador to the United States warning the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regime of the consequences of a violent crackdown on peaceful protesters. Demonstrations have erupted across China in response to the CCP’s severe measures restricting freedoms to contain rising COVID-19 infections.

“We are following the current peaceful protests in China over your government’s policies very carefully. We are also closely watching the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) reaction to them,” the senators wrote. “We caution the CCP in the strongest possible terms not to once again undertake a violent crackdown on peaceful Chinese protesters who simply want more freedom. If that happens, we believe there will be grave consequences for the US-China relationship, causing extraordinary damage to it.”

PROMOTING ALTERNATIVE FORMS OF ENERGY IN PUERTO RICO

— Blumenthal and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) urged Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi to consider alternative forms of energy as the island seeks to extend its contract with LUMA Energy, the company that maintains and operates the electrical grid of the island. The senators asked Governor Pierluisi to address concerns about frequent and prolonged power outages despite the fact that island residents pay nearly twice as much on their electric bills as US households on the mainland.

While the senators acknowledge that some deficiencies were caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, Puerto Rico has only spent a fraction of the billions of federal dollars available to rebuild the power grid in the last five and a half years. Efforts to modernize the island's electrical grid have been met with limited success, as Puerto Ricans continue to deal with island-wide blackouts and frequent long-term outages.

“To ensure the well-being of so many families throughout the Island, we strongly urge you to explore the proven alternatives for delivering reliable, sustainable, and affordable electricity to the Puerto Rican people,” wrote the senators. “Through this much-needed clean energy transition, the Island can serve as a successful model and leader for the United States, the Caribbean, and beyond.”

UPDATING STANDARDS FOR COMMERCIAL DOG BREEDING FACILITIES

— Blumenthal and Durbin joined 22 of their Democratic colleagues in a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack urging him to update standards for commercial breeding facilities regulated under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). In the letter, Durbin calls on Secretary Vilsack to implement the strong standards for veterinary care, housing, and breeding of dogs suggested in Durbin’s Puppy Protection Act.

“American consumers assume that ‘USDA-licensed’ dog dealers meet high standards for raising dogs.  However, too many American consumers have been disappointed to find out their dog lived in substandard conditions before purchase, and often deal with the repercussions of a sick puppy once they’ve purchased the dog.  We are hopeful that USDA will take the long-overdue step of ensuring its regulatory standards of care for dogs meet the expectations and demands of the American public,” the senators wrote.

HELPING WOMEN ACCESS REPRODUCTIVE CARE

— Blumenthal joined U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and seven of their colleagues in introducing the Women’s Health Patient Navigators Act to create a federal grant program to fund patient navigators who help women access reproductive health care. Modeled on similar programs for cancer patients, the grant program would support organizations, like abortion funds and community health clinics, that help connect women to reproductive health care resources. The Women’s Health Patient Navigators Act also protects patient navigators from retaliation.

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