Dear Friends, 

Whether it’s cost-raising tariffs, rising energy bills, or crushing student loan debt, Americans are being squeezed by high prices everywhere they look. In Congress, I’m working to address this cost-of-living crisis and make life more affordable for families. 

The Supreme Court recently overturned President Trump’s tariffs – which cost the average family $1,700 more last year! The President has no right to impose this illegal tax on small businesses and consumers in the first place, but his Treasury Secretary said that the American people shouldn't expect to see any of that money returned. The Trump Administration continues to do everything it can to avoid refunding Americans. I joined Rep. Steven Horsford to introduce legislation requiring automatic tariff refunds within 90 days. 

Last week, I introduced the ACTION for National Service Act with Senator Jack Reed to help students afford a college education and take on our nation's student debt crisis. In his inaugural address, President Kennedy issued his famous call for all Americans to step up and serve their nation. Our bill will make President Kennedy’s call to service a reality for more of our young people by supporting at least one million full-time federal service positions a year. It will also provide volunteers two years of in-state college tuition for every year they serve in an AmeriCorps program – reducing the burden of sky-high college costs and crushing student loan debt too many Americans face. You can view my remarks on ACTION for National Service below.

Watch my video here.

On Friday, I announced $350,000 in new federal funding I secured in Congress to invest directly in manufacturers across the State of Connecticut who are working to produce fuel cells and make hydrogen energy more affordable. Even in the face of cuts by the Trump Administration, I'm proud to work with CONNSTEP to support Connecticut manufacturers, like Infinity Fuel Cell in Windsor, to ensure our state remains a national and global clean energy leader. As a founding member and Co-Chair of the House Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Caucus, I have been proud to support efforts to deploy this clean, affordable, and reliable energy.

Last year, I introduced the bipartisan Technology for Energy Security Act to extend the fuel cell tax credit and support the continued growth of this clean and affordable technology and the American Affordability Act to take on rising prices, including a plan to spur the development of clean hydrogen to help bring down fuel costs. You can view our funding announcement with CONNSTEP and Infinity Fuel Cell below.

I also visited Fire Station 2 in East Hartford last week to announce $1 million in federal funding for the East Hartford Fire Department. $850,000 will support the replacement and modernization of the aging station while another $165,000 will support new training to help our firefighters better understand how to combat intensifying house fires. I will continue to work with our local leaders to support our first responders and equip them with all the necessary tools to stay safe on the job and serve the entire community well. 

Rep. Larson with East Hartford Mayor Connor Martin, Fire Chief Kevin Munson, Assistant Chiefs Eric Munsell and Stephen Alsup, and Town Councilor John Morrison

To follow what I’m working on both in Washington and in Connecticut, visit my Facebook page, follow me on Twitter, or follow me on Instagram.     

Regards,

John B. Larson
Member of Congress