Dear Friends, 

I hope you and your family are well. Connecticut has done an admirable job with COVID-19 vaccination rates and keeping our communities safe. It is more important than ever to get vaccinated as highly contagious variants are circulating and the daily positivity rate is rising. If you have not already received the COVID-19 vaccine, you can find information on how to schedule an appointment here.  

Here are some highlights from this last week in Washington:  

House Votes: 

• On Wednesday I voted for the PFAS Action Act, which would require the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate and contain PFAS chemicals. In 2019, Windsor, CT was exposed to these proven-dangerous chemicals when 50,000 gallons of firefighting foam spilled into the Farmington River. The designations made in this bill will give the state of Connecticut and our communities resources to undertake remediation efforts and ensure our drinking water is safe. 
• We’ve all likely received calls from scammers and many Americans are defrauded by them every day. I voted for the Consumer Protection and Recovery Act so the Federal Trade Commission can go after these scammers and get victims’ money back. 
• Brave Afghans risked their lives and defied the Taliban to work with our men and women. Now, it is our time to help them. I voted for the ALLIES Act because it would allow our Afghan partners to get out of harm's way and find safety in the country that they helped. 

Funding for Connecticut’s First District: 

• I’m happy to announce that my funding request for La Bodeguita de la Gente and Connecticut Food Bank/Foodshare is included in the House Appropriations package.  These organizations provide valuable resources, like food and baby products,  to the Hartford community and deserve this support. 
• Additionally, live entertainment venues in Connecticut’s First District received $10.4 million in relief funding. I worked to include this funding in COVID relief to help venues reopen. Live venues were some of the first businesses to close their doors when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and I am glad they will receive this funding to come back strong.  

As a reminder, special enrollment is open for health care coverage now through August 15th. The American Rescue Plan has made health insurance coverage more affordable by eliminating or significantly reducing premiums. You can find more information at AccessHealthCT.com.  

Next week, I will be back in Washington, ready to vote on appropriations bills that will bring funding to our district! 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