Congressman Joe Courtney was elected in 2006 to represent the Second Congressional District of Connecticut in the House of Representatives. He serves on the House Armed Services Committee, and House Education and Labor Committee.
Congressman Courtney is the Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces. According to a review by House Historians Office, Courtney is the first known member from Connecticut to lead a naval oversight panel in the House of Representatives since 1873, when Stephen W. Kellogg of Waterbury served as Chair of the Committee on Expenditures in the Navy Department in the 42nd Congress (1871-1873). Prior to that, Samuel Ingham, a two-term Congressman with connections to Hebron, Jewett City (Griswold) and Essex, served as chair of the Committee on Navy Affairs in the 25th Congress (1837-1839).
Grants are a monetary award given to an organization or local government to implement public initiatives. As you explore the world of grants, keep in mind that grants are one funding option. Federal agencies also offer direct loans, loan guarantees, and tax credits. Many projects can be accomplished with funds from a variety of sources.
Your first step in the grants search is to define a project and then begin the research process. Every day, my office helps community groups, nonprofits, municipalities, and other organizations navigate the process to obtain federal support. If your organization has an idea and a vision for implementation, I would welcome the opportunity to assist you in identifying sources of federal funding.
Grant Basics
There are four primary types of federal grants.
Begin your search at www.grants.gov
This official portal is an E-Government initiative operating under the governance of the Office of Management and Budget. Chartered to deliver a system that provides a centralized location for grant seekers to find and apply for federal funding opportunities, the Grants.gov system houses information on over 1,000 grant programs and vets grant applications for federal grant-making agencies.
Registration
Common Areas of Assistance
First Responders
Assistance is available to help address the training and equipment needs of our local fire and police departments.
Rural Development
A number of programs are aimed at investing in critical infrastructure and systems for rural regions like eastern Connecticut.
Housing
Grants, loans, and tax credits may be available for the development of affordable housing in your community.
Small Business
From startup loan guarantees to disaster recovery assistance, there may be help for your qualified small business.
Resources:
Rep. Courtney has submitted funding requests for important community projects in Connecticut's Second District to the House Appropriations Committee.
Under guidelines issued by the Appropriations Committee, each Representative may request funding for up to 10 projects in their community for fiscal year 2022 – although only a handful may actually be funded. Projects are restricted to a limited number of federal funding streams, and only state and local governments and eligible non-profit entities are permitted to receive funding. Additional information on the reforms governing Community Project Funding is available here.
In compliance with House Rules and Committee requirements, Rep. Courtney has certified that he his spouse, and his immediate family have no financial interest in any of the projects she has requested.
Project Name: Purchase of Fluoroscopy Equipment
Requested Amount:$540,000
Intended Recipient: Day Kimball Hospital; Putnam, CT
Explanation and Purpose of Request:Funding would be used to purchase and install an NW XP Agile Max for purposes of performing fluoroscopy procedures that the hospitalcurrently does not have the capability to perform and to improve patient and staff safety. Funded equipment would improve health services in the northeastern section of Connecticut.
Financial Disclosure Letter:Click here.
Project Name:Career Pathways Program
Requested Amount:$140,000
Intended Recipient: Groton Public Schools; Groton, CT
Explanation and Purpose of Request:This project envisions a new Career Pathways Program to connect students to careers in local in-demand industries. The funding would be used to hire a part-time career counselor, fund a summer teacher externship program to improve CTE professional development, a summer student internship program, redesign 2000 sq ft of CTE classroom space, and produce new marketing materials for the revitalized Career Pathways Program.
Financial Disclosure Letter:Click here.
Project Name:Digital Innovation Hub for Educational Excellence
Requested Amount: $555,000
Intended Recipient:Mitchell College; New London, CT
Explanation and Purpose of Request:This program envisions a new Digital Innovation Hub at Mitchell College to provide new credentialing and coursework in STEM and behavioral health careers for traditional and non-traditional students. The funding would be used to purchase equipment and hire one staff member. Equipment would support in-person and virtual learning as well as STEM education. The additional personnel would partner with college officials and professional organizations to develop new programming.
Financial Disclosure Letter:Click here.
Project Name:Recovery Coaches
Requested Amount: $120,000
Intended Recipient:Reliance Health
Explanation and Purpose of Request:The funding would be used to hire two additional recovery coaches serving the New London County region. Recovery coaches work with people with Substance Use Disorder to plant a seed of hope that recovery is possible, empower the person to engage in their own recovery plan, shorten time connecting individuals to treatment, increase access to basic needs, and lengthen amount of time the person sustains recovery.
Financial Disclosure Letter:Click here.
Project Name:Emergency Dispatch Center Upgrades
Requested Amount:$700,000
Intended Recipient:Norwich Police Department; Norwich, CT
Explanation and Purpose of Request:Funding is requested to purchase a new Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) and Records Management System (RMS) to replace the 18 year old existing CAD/RMS. This has been identified as a community need by both the Norwich Police Department and the Norwich Fire Service and will enable the Department to use the statewide Enhanced 911 call system to better target dispatching in emergencies.
Financial Disclosure Letter:Click here.
Project Name:Crumbling Foundations Remediation and Restoration
Requested Amount: $2 million
Intended Recipient: Capitol Region Council of Governments
Explanation and Purpose of Request:Requesting $2,000,000 to provide assistance to homeowners and condominium owners impacted by crumbling concrete foundations due to the mineral pyrrhotite. This project would provide the Capitol Region Council of Governments in collaboration with the Northeastern Connecticut Council of Governments with funds to help administer a pyrrhotite remediation program for constituents in the impacted towns.
Financial Disclosure Letter:Click here
Project Name: Hockanum Mill Roof Replacement and Hazardous Material Removal
Requested Amount:$792,000
Intended Recipient:New England Motorcycle Museum
Explanation and Purpose of Request:The New England Motorcycle Museum is housed within the historic Hockanum Mill. The former textile mill, comprised of 10 buildings, was first constructed in 1814. Neglect and natural elements have led to the serious degradation of all ten buildings resulting in blighted property that imposes a significant public safety concern for the surrounding community. The requested funds will allow for the breached roofs to be repaired and stabilize the remaining infrastructure, which is critical to the preservation of these historic buildings. We are requesting $792,000 for the construction work on these essential repairs.
Financial Disclosure Letter:Click here.
Project Name:Town Hall Renovations
Requested Amount:$700,000
Intended Recipient:Town of Scotland, CT
Explanation and Purpose of Request:This funding would support the renovation of a 127 year old historic building that serves as the town hall in Scotland, CT. This building has fallen out of compliance with building, fire, and accessibility codes. The renovation would improve the services offered to the people of Scotland, improve safety and accessibility, and avoid the need for more costly construction of a new town hall.
Financial Disclosure Letter:Click here.
Project Name:Enfield Rail Station Public Facilities Roadway Access, Sidewalks, and Parking Lot Improvements
Requested Amount:$2,500,000
Intended Recipient:Connecticut Department of Transportation
Explanation and Purpose of Request:This funding will support the Enfield Rail Station, which will be a new stop along the successful CTrail Hartford Line. The proposed funds will provide the station with dedicated commuter parking areas separate from the surroundings, a roundabout to provide a necessary turn around to allow commuters' station access, and sidewalks will be added along Commerce Street and will be replaced on Main Street to complete pedestrian access to the station and tie the station to the immediate community. Pavement on both Commerce Street and Main Street will also be upgraded to complete this work. This project will contribute to Transit Oriented Development and economic revitalization in the Thompsonville section of Enfield, CT and will contribute to the overall Rail Station project, which will increase ridership on the Hartford Line and provide access to jobs throughout the region.
Financial Disclosure Letter: Click here.
Project Name: Water Safety and Quality Infrastructure Improvement, Stonington, CT, District 2
Requested Amount:$1,952,130
Intended Recipient:Town of Stonington
Explanation and Purpose of Request:The funding would be used for new water main construction, as well as cleaning and lining the water mains and creating a connection so there are no longer ‘dead ends' in the system. This is new water main construction for public safety, but also has positive economic development impacts. The project also provides for long-term climate change and sea level rise resilience and will help ensure proper levels of sodium in the water.
Financial Disclosure Letter: Click here.
A Crisis Affecting More Than Three Dozen Towns Across North-Central Connecticut
In recent years, more and more homeowners in our region have discovered that their home foundations are crumbling due to the presence of a mineral called pyrrhotite in the stone aggregate originally used to mix the concrete. During this time, I have met with affected homeowners, attended community forums, and discussed the matter with town officials and state legislators from the impacted regions. The high cost of repairs for homeowners, the prevalence of the problem in our region, and the potential economic impact to the state require a comprehensive response. I have been a persistent advocate for such a collaborative approach and I will continue to organize state and local officials, federal agencies, private industry, and other stakeholders to address this crisis head-on.
Courtney speaks to a homeowners group about crumbling foundations in 2015
Resources for Homeowners
Courtney hosts a seminar at Ellington High School with a senior certified public accountant (CPA) at the IRS, Joseph S. McCarthy, for homeowners and contractors to learn more about the IRS Casualty Loss Deduction procedures in May 2018
What I am Doing
OnNovember 22, 2017, Congressman John Larson and I announced that the IRS approved our request for a "revenue procedure," a guidance document that allows homeowners with crumbling foundations to deduct the cost of repairs from their federal taxes as a casualty loss. In the months leading up to this decision, we discussed this problem with key federal officials, including former IRS Commissioner John Koskinen, National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson, and Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin, who made it clear that federal agencies understand the deep impact of this problem. The guidance issued by the IRS will now allow homeowners to deduct the cost of repairs made to home foundations for pyrrhotite-related damage on returns, and amended returns, moving forward. Homeowners can read the guidance here and consult with their professional tax preparer to determine whether their repairs qualify.
In August 2016, I received confirmation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that federal grant programs including the Community Development Block Grant and the HOME Investment Partnership program could be used to support housing remediation costs in communities affected by crumbling foundations. Connecticut already receives funding through this program annually to support housing initiatives across our state, and some of the funding has been targeted to support our region's response. I have worked extensively with local legislators, state agencies, and HUD staff to share information and assist in using this funding to alleviate the burden of crumbling foundations.
In addition to those two programs, in September 2017, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed three amendments I authored along with Congressman Larson. These amendments would support our efforts with the IRS and HUD, as well as the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which could issue standards for pyrrhotite content in residential construction to help prevent a similar pyrrhotite-related problem in the future. While the amendments have not become law, this vote was the first time a chamber of the U.S. Congress expressed support for assisting Connecticut homeowners.
The response to this crisis must address the central problem of damaged homes as well as related issues, including questions regarding property-casualty policy changes, outstanding mortgage debt held by homeowners, and the impact of this problem on municipal budgets. I remain committed to investigating every possible source of federal assistance that may be available to local homeowners who need help, and I will continue my regular communications with state and local officials to develop the comprehensive solution this crisis requires.
As the state coordinates further assistance and information for homeowners, my office is always available as a resource for eastern Connecticut constituents. Please feel free to call my office at 860-886-0139 or email me with any questions.
The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provides a five-year reauthorization of federal surface transportation programs and will help improve and repair Connecticut's highways, bridges, public transportation, and water infrastructure. The IIJA also includes new resources to improve Connecticut's ports, waterways, and high-speed internet access. The law is the result of months-long bipartisan negotiations in the House and Senate and represents the largest reinvestment in America's transportation infrastructure in more than twenty years.
Helpful resources:
The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) plans to advance surface transportation authorization legislation later this spring, building on H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act, from the 116th Congress. Chairman Peter DeFazio announced that the T&I Committee will formally accept requests for projects from House Members.
The T&I Committee process for considering member projects is separate and distinct from the House Committee on Appropriations' process for considering Community Project Funding requests. Projects funded through the surface transportation authorization will be funded directly from the Highway Trust Fund, and they do not require a separate or subsequent appropriation.
Submission of member designated projects begins the process of evaluating projects and determining eligibility for inclusion in a bill. It does not guarantee funding.
Congressman Courtney's requests for Member-Designated Transportation Projects
Project Sponsor:  Town of Coventry, CT
Project Name/Location: Coventry Main Street Sidewalk Project - Final Extension / Coventry, CT
Requested Amount: $1.2 million
Project Sponsor:  Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (in partnership with the National Coast Guard Museum Association)
Project Name/Location: New London Pedestrian Bridge and Public Access Project / New London, CT
Requested Amount:  $4.9 million
Project Sponsor: Connecticut Department of Transportation
Project Name/Location: East Haddam/Haddam Swing Bridge Rehabilitation Project / Haddam/East Haddam, CT
Requested Amount: $5 million
Project Sponsor:  Connecticut Department of Transportation
Project Name/Location:Enfield Station – Amtrak Rail Bridge over Main Street Replacement Project / Enfield, CT
 $4 million
Project Sponsor:  Town of Essex, CT
Project Name/Location: Essex River Road Bridge and Sidewalk Project / Essex, CT
 $2.4 million
Project Sponsor:  Town of Groton, CT
Project Name/Location: Groton Quaker Farm Road Culvert Replacement / Groton, CT
Requested Amount: $1.2 million
Project Sponsor: Town of Mansfield, CT
Project Name/Location: CT-195 (Storrs Road) Pedestrian Safety Improvements / Mansfield, CT
 $2.3 million
Project Sponsor: Town of Plainfield, CT
Project Name/Location: Quinebaug River Trail - Plainfield Section / Plainfield, CT
Requested Amount: $2.2 million
The PACT Act expands VA health care and benefits for nearly 3.5 million Veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances, providing generations of Veterans – and their survivors – with the care and benefits they deserve.
THE HONORING OUR PACT ACT:
EXPANDS THE PRESUMPTION OF EXPOSURE TO TOXIC SUBSTANCES FOR VETERANS WHO SERVED IN LOCATIONS BEYOND VIETNAM:
Veterans who have not yet applied for benefits, have been denied benefits, or are pending a final determination are all eligible for their claim to be reviewed under the Honoring our PACT Act.
ADDS TWO NEW ILLNESSES TO THE LIST OF AGENT ORANGE PRESUMPTIVE CONDITIONS CAUSED BY EXPOSURE DURING MILITARY SERVICE:
MONOCLONAL GAMMOPATHY OF UNDETERMINED SIGNIFICANCE (MGUS)
HYPERTENSION
Congress has worked for decades to right the wrongs committed against our servicemembers through their exposure to the toxic Agent Orange defoliant during their service in Vietnam and elsewhere. Unfortunately, some of our servicemembers have been left behind.
Of the fourteen diseases currently recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs as being linked to Agent Orange exposure, three have an additional requirement that a veteran demonstrates that the disease manifested within a year of their service in Vietnam. These manifestation periods create avoidable legal struggles and a fundamental unfairness for many of our Vietnam veterans. The dangers of Agent Orange were not well understood until years after the end of the Vietnam War and Congress did not act to require compensation for exposed veterans until the Veterans' Dioxin and Radiation Exposure Compensation Standards Act passed in 1984, nearly a decade after the end of the conflict in 1975.
I believe it was unreasonable in 1984 to require a veteran to provide documentation of when their symptoms began so long after the fact and so long before a connection to Agent Orange was established. It is even more unreasonable to ask them to do so today.
That's why I have introduced H.R. 566, the Agent Orange Exposure Fairness Act, which would simply remove these one-year manifestation requirements from the three diseases already linked to Agent Orange exposure. This bipartisan bill is strongly supported by major Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) including the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Information about the Agent Orange Exposure Fairness Act:
Support for the Agent Orange Exposure Fairness Act:
Agent Orange Exposure in the Republic of Vietnam Waters (Blue Water Navy)
Blue Water Navy Veterans are now entitled to a presumption of service connection for conditions related to Agent Orange exposure. This extension of the presumption is a result of Public Law 116-23, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019, signed into law on June 25, 2019. The law takes effect January 1, 2020. The law states that Veterans aboard a vessel operating not more than 12 nautical miles seaward from the demarcation line of the waters of Vietnam and Cambodia as defined in Public Law 116-23, between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, are presumed to have been exposed to herbicides such as Agent Orange and may be entitled to service connection for conditions related to that exposure. To be entitled to disability compensation benefits, these Veterans must have one or more of the conditions associated with Agent Orange exposure that are listed in 38 Code of Federal Regulations section 3.309(e).
What conditions are related to Agent Orange exposure?
Agent Orange presumptive conditions are:
Where/How do I apply?
When applying, make sure to:
Do I need to prove contact with Agent Orange?
No. You don't need to show that you came into contact with Agent Orange. Congress has provided that conditions on the list of presumptive diseases will be deemed to have been caused by contact with Agent Orange through service in the Republic of Vietnam, including offshore waters as defined by the Blue Water Navy Act of 2019.
What will the effective date for Benefits be for Blue Water Navy Veteran claims?
Presumptive Agent Orange conditions granted for Blue Water Navy Veterans may be retroactive to the date VA received your original claim. If you had a previously denied claim and you resubmit your claim, the effective date will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
When do the Blue Water Navy presumptions go into effect?
The Blue Water Navy Act of 2019 will take effect on January 1, 2020. Veterans can file claims at any time, and they will be decided after the law is implemented. Blue Water Navy claims and appeals currently in process have been placed on hold (stayed) until the new rules go into effect. The bipartisan Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act gives VA until Jan. 1, 2020, to begin deciding Blue Water Navy related claims. By staying claims decisions until that date, VA is complying with the law that Congress wrote and passed.
How will the previously denied claims be handled?
If you had an Agent Orange claim with one or more presumptive conditions denied in the past, you are urged to file a new claim. Provide any new and relevant information regarding your claim such as dates you believe your ship traveled within 12 nautical miles of the Republic of Vietnam, or updated medical information. Claims that are currently in the VA review process or under appeal will be reviewed under the new policy.
If a Blue Water Navy Veteran has not applied for benefits in the past, but would like to apply now will the presumption of exposure be extended to them?
Yes, VA will apply the provisions of the law to Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans who file new claims based on presumption of exposure to Agent Orange.
What happens if the Veteran dies before his or her claim is decided?
If the claimant dies while his or her claim is pending, a living dependent, such as a spouse or child, may file a request to be substituted as the claimant.
May the surviving spouse of a Blue Water Navy Veteran who passed away from a condition related to Agent Orange exposure, and who was previously denied compensation for such condition, become entitled to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)?
If the Veteran served on a Navy or Coast Guard ship that that operated not more than 12 nautical miles from the demarcation line of the waters of Vietnam and Cambodia as defined in the Blue Water Navy Act of 2019 and the cause of death was from a condition related to exposure to Agent Orange, then VA may award entitlement to DIC on that basis.
Where can I get additional information on disability compensation for Agent Orange?
Veterans with questions about benefits or filing a claim can visit the VA Agent Orange website www.va.gov/ disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/agentorange/navy-coast-guard-ships-vietnam/. They can also call the disability benefits call center at 800-827-1000.
I have worked for several years to secure federal tax relief from the IRS for homeowners with crumbling foundations.
If you are a homeowner affected by crumbling foundations, and who has made repairs to your home foundation, you may be eligible for a casualty loss deduction from the IRS. The IRS has published two "Revenue Procedures" on taking a crumbling foundations casualty loss deduction.
If you have made a repair to your home's foundation and are eligible for the casualty loss deduction, you may also be eligible to "carry back" or "carry forward" that loss. Specifically, you may be eligible for federal tax relief for up to twenty years, depending on when your repair was made and the amount spent on your repairs. To this end, with my urging, the IRS issued a clarification on taking a "Net Operating Loss", spreading your casualty loss over many years – a win for average homeowners. Additionally, after contacting the IRS about this issue, the IRS confirmed that homeowners may take the casualty loss deduction to cover repairs that the Connecticut Foundations Solutions Indemnity Company, Inc. is not permitted to cover.
The first Revenue Procedure published by the IRS is available at: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rp-17-60.pdf.
The second Revenue Procedure is available at: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rp-18-14.pdf
To read the "Net Operating Loss" clarification from the IRS, click here: /sites/evo-subsites/courtney-evo.house.gov/files/IRS%20Letter.pdf
To view the IRS webinar from several years ago on the casualty loss deduction and net operating losses due to crumbling foundations, click here:
https://www.irsvideos.gov/Business/DisasterInformation/DeterioratingResidentialConcreteFoundations
To view the IRS PowerPoint presentation from the February 10th 2020 webinar, click here.
/sites/evo-subsites/courtney-evo.house.gov/files/CF%20Power%20Point%20_0.pdf
I would highly recommend that you consult with a tax preparer to determine if you are eligible for the deduction or the net operating loss.
The Captive Insurance Company
As a result of funding from the State, state legislators, municipal officials, and private sector leaders established the Connecticut Foundations Solutions Indemnity Company (CFSIC), or a "captive" insurance company. My staff and I continue to be in close communication with CFSIC leadership. To visit the Connecticut Foundations Solutions Indemnity Company's website and apply for relief through their portal, click here: https://crumblingfoundations.org/.
It is important to note that CFSIC may not cover all expenses necessary to fix a foundation, and is capped at providing $175,000 per home. For example, CFSIC may not cover repairs or removal of landscaping features, such as gardens or walkways. To this end, I wrote to the IRS and received a response that homeowners with crumbling foundations may be able to apply for federal casualty loss deduction to certain repairs linked to fixing their crumbling foundation that are not covered by CFSIC.
For more information on legislation on the State level for crumbling foundations, please visit the Connecticut Department of Housing's crumbling foundations page at https://www.ct.gov/doh/cwp/view.asp?a=4513&Q=599270&PM=1.
The Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) and the State of Connecticut continue operate a foundation testing reimbursement program, allowing eligible homeowners to receive a 100% reimbursement, up to $400, from a licensed engineer for visual testing. To receive this funding, the home must have been built after 1983 and must have been built within a 20-mile radius of the location of J.J. Mottes Concrete Company in Stafford Springs. In addition, homeowners are eligible for a 50% testing reimbursement, up to $2,000, for core sample testing.
For more information, visit https://foundationtesting.org/.
CRCOG has a list of qualified engineers, available at: http://crcog.org/concrete-vendors/.
Additionally, I have worked closely with the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to explore how funds from the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) can be used to assist homeowners with crumbling foundations. In September of 2016, I received information from HUD that funds from the CDBG program may be used to assist homeowners. Specifically, CDBG funds can be used for crumbling foundations testing. A municipality that establishes a crumbling foundations with CDBG funding may cover 100% of the costs to test a foundation for pyrrhotite, up to $5,000. Since I have helped open up this avenue to homeowners, additional towns have recieved CDBG funding for pyrrhotite testing.
To submit a complaint to the State Department of Consumer Protection, please visit https://portal.ct.gov/dcp/Trade-Practices-Division/Deteriorating-Concrete-Foundations. For additional information or questions, contact the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection at 1-800-842-2649 or email dcp.concrete@ct.gov. The Department of Consumer Protection has also issued a warning to homeowners to be wary of scams to repair or replace faulty concrete. I urge consumers to take precautions before making any payments or signing contracts. Click here to read the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection's brochure for homeowners.
Reassessment: The State of Connecticut passed Public Act No. 16-45 in May of 2016, which allows Connecticut residents with crumbling foundations to request a reassessment of their home's value from a licensed engineer. Call your town assessor for assistance with this process. Click here to read the law.
Some municipalities in the affected region have decided to waive local building and permitting fees associated with construction and repairs to homes with crumbling foundations. Call your town officials for further information on your town's policies.
Schools: One elementary school in Connecticut has tested positive for pyrrhotite in the concrete used to pour the school. I have worked with my colleagues on the House Committee on Education and Labor to pass legislation out of the committee that would provide funding for K-12 schools with crumbling foundations due to pyrrhotite. As this legislation moves through the House, additional information will be posted here. To read more about crumbling foundations assistance for schools, click here.
Pyrrhotite Mapping and Financial Regulators Study
I am also working on other initiatives on the federal level to support homeowners impacted by crumbling foundations. During consideration of the House's Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies' spending bill in July of 2018, I joined Rep. John Larson in introducing several crumbling foundations amendments, one which would direct the U.S. Geological Survey to create a nationwide map showing where pyrrhotite can be found, and another which would direct the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study examining the financial impact of pyrrhotite in concrete home foundations and to provide recommendations on regulatory and legislative actions needed to mitigate the impact on banks, mortgage lenders, homeowners, and tax revenue. These amendments passed the House with bipartisan support and are now law.
The U.S. Geological Survey expects the pyrrhotite map to be completed by February 2020, and the Comptroller General of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has begun work on this study. This page will be updated as the studies' conclusions are distributed to Congress.
Pyrrhotite Research at the National Institute of Standards and TechnologyGiven the far-reaching scope of this issue, it is important to understand the amount of pyrrhotite in concrete that causes degradation. I have heard from many homeowners that live within the region most affected by crumbling foundations due to pyrrhotite who do not have any visible cracking in their foundationsbut have concrete that has tested positive for pyrrhotite. Right now, now standard exists to establish a cut-off point for pyrrhotite, so any amount – no matter how small – is considered a cancer on a property.
To this end, I worked to secure $4 million in the recent government funding bill that passed the House for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to conduct pyrrhotite research. NIST is the leading expert on cement and concrete standards, and if this amendment becomes law, will be required to develop a cost-effective and standard testing method for pyrrhotite, as well as a risk-rating scale to determine what quantity of pyrrhotite presents danger to the property's structural integrity. I will continue to encourage the Senate and the President to sign this legislation as soon as possible.
Legislation to Restore the Casualty Loss Deduction
I have introduced bipartisan legislation, the Casualty Loss Restoration Act, which would restore the personal casualty loss tax deduction to all victims of theft and disaster, not just those who have been fortunate enough to have received a Presidential disaster declaration. Because of the tax law passed at the end of 2017, the casualty loss deduction was dramatically limited – only permitting taxpayers to claim a casualty loss deduction in future tax years if the loss was due to a Presidentially-declared disaster. Fortunately, homeowners with crumbling foundations were grandfathered in to the previous law, and can still take the casualty loss deduction through April 2021. However, after that date, the law will need to be changed to allow homeowners with crumbling foundations to utilize this important tax relief. My bill would allow all victims of disaster – not just Presidentially-declared disasters – to take advantage of this long-standing tax provision. For more information on the bill, click here.
My office frequently receives questions about the feasibility of FEMA disaster declaration for the crumbling foundations crisis, and whether FEMA could provide assistance to homeowners. Under the Stafford Act (which establishes the procedure for disaster declarations, and which can only be triggered by the governor), former Governor Malloy submitted two requests for a preliminary disaster determination for crumbling foundations and both weredenied on the grounds that crumbling foundations do not fit within the definition of natural disaster, terrorist event, or explosion. This issue, however, is still being actively investigated by the Army Corps of Engineers, and there was a briefing held on October 19th, 2018 at the state armory that provided an update regarding their scientific analysis of pyrrhotite. There was no change in FEMA designation reported at that briefing, but the FEMA disaster option is still being investigated, and the attention from the Army Corps demonstrates that federal stakeholders from a number of agencies are taking this issue seriously. I was at this briefing, along with my staff, and we are closely following the state's efforts on this front.
It is important to note that homeowners, businesses, and non-profit organizations in Hartford, New Haven, Fairfield, Litchfield, and Middlesex counties affected by the storms and tornadoesofMay 2018 are only eligible for low-interest Small Business Administration (SBA) loans for property reconstruction. These counties were denied a FEMA disaster declaration twice despite the magnitude of damage from the storms. Again, the only assistance they were able to receive was in the form of loans, through the SBA, not FEMA.
An article published by the Hartford Courant on this issue is available here.
I have also received notification that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is willing to extend a low-interest loan program to help USDA mortgage holders -an opportunity to obtain resources for home repairs. After requesting information from USDA for several months, they confirmed in a letter to me that their customer service representatives would work closely with homeowners with USDA mortgages to discuss possible service options, as well as loans for home repairs that may be available through USDA programs. To read the letter from USDA, please click here. To contact the USDA Customer Service Center, you can call 1-413-253-4300.
In August 2016, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) confirmed to me that the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program as well as the HOME Investment Partnerships program could be used for testing and remediation of homes with crumbling foundations. Connecticut already receives funding through this program annually to support housing initiatives across the state, and some of the funding could be targeted to support our region's response. While the State of Connecticut is using a small portion of its federal CDBG funding for crumbling foundations response, I continue to believe that more can be done to better utilize the funding and authority available to the state under federal law. To this end, I wrote several letters to the Connecticut Department of Housing, raising concerns that the Connecticut Department of Housing has used only $250,000 out of the $1 million in CDBG funding that the state set aside for crumbling foundations. In response to my concerns, the agency re-opened the CDBG crumbling foundation application process, allowing the towns of Vernon, Stafford, and Ellington to now pursue additional funding for CDBG crumbling foundations testing reimbursement. I am continuing to work with towns to make sure that they can take advantage of every funding opportunity, and have met with HUD Regional Administrator David Tille, HUD Secretary Ben Carson, and have attended hearings on efforts to secure CDBG funding through HUD. Also, by working with HUD, I verified that HUD Section 108 funding is another possible funding source to assist homeowners with crumbling foundations.
The Courtney-Larson-Higgins plan would allow Americans age 50-64 to buy-in to Medicare, the system with the highest satisfaction rate of any health insurance program, according to a 2016 Gallup poll. By leveraging the power of Medicare, its wide provider network, and low administrative costs, those approaching retirement could see significant savings.
Participants could buy into Medicare, including Part A, B, and D, for an annual premium potentially as low as $8,212, compared to the $13,308 it would cost a 60 year old to buy a Gold plan on the exchange (before any subsidies are applied).
Our plan also proposes important common sense solutions to bolster stability. Establishing a reinsurance program, strengthening the Cost Sharing Reduction program, and investing in ways to reduce long-term costs to the system are simple but important actions we must take in order to ensure a healthy and affordable insurance market for all.
There are ways to improve quality while also reducing the financial burden on Americans. We encourage you to join us in showing the American people the way forward for our health care system.
Medicare Buy-In for those ages 50-64
HHS is also authorized to negotiate volume discounts on prescription drugs (Part D) to achieve even greater savings in the system and to the benefit of all Medicare beneficiaries
Market Stabilization
Bending the Cost Curve
Additional Information:
On April 28th, 2015, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-2) unveiled new legislation that would repeal the excise tax on high-cost health insurance plans scheduled to go into effect in 2018. Also known as the “Cadillac tax,” the policy would apply a 40 percent tax on health insurance expenditures over $10,200 per person and $27,500 per family. The excise tax was established in a later version of the Affordable Care Act, but its scheduled implementation was delayed five years by an effort led by Courtney with 191 House colleagues in 2010. Studies of the policy have indicated that it will have a disproportionate and rapidly increasing impact on older workers, women, and workers in high-cost regions.
Economists and actuaries from the Economic Policy Institute, TowersWatson and Milliman, the consulting firm, have projected that the tax would unfairly impact older workers, women, and—most disproportionately—workers living in high-cost areas, including the Northeast. A recent Milliman study reported that nearly 70 percent of variance in health insurance premiums is explained by geographic location, while just six percent of variance is due to the comprehensiveness of the benefits. Since the excise tax is determined solely by premium cost—not the quality or “richness” of a plan’s benefits—it will unfairly impact older workers, women, and people who live in areas where health care costs are high.
Courtney's bill, the Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act, would repeal the excise tax, protecting workers, families, and employers from this unnecessary burden. The bill has more than 120 bipartisan co-sponsors in the House of Representatives, and has earned endorsements from business, labor, and health policy advocates.
April 28, 2015 WASHINGTON–Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-2) unveiled new legislation that would repeal the excise tax on high-cost health insurance plans scheduled to go into effect in 2018.
Although the tax does not go into effect until 2018, employers are already changing plans and reducing benefits today. Uncertainly over how the tax will be implemented, as well as shortcomings in the law with regards to adjustments for inflation, age, gender and other factors, are leading employers to consider and in many cases already implement a range of options to avoid the tax by reducing the value of health care coverage, which could include increasing deductibles, copays, coinsurance and out-of-pocket limits.
Congressman Joe Courtney's legislation, the Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act, has earned the endorsement of more than 30 business, labor, and health groups:
Employees in the health care and social service industries experience the highest rates of injuries caused by workplace violence of any industry. Going to work as a social worker, an emergency room nurse, or a psychiatrist shouldn’t mean risking your physical safety. This legislation compels OSHA to do what employees, safety experts, and Members of Congress have been calling for years – create an enforceable standard to ensure that employers are taking these risks seriously, and creating safe workplaces that their employees deserve.
Learn more about my bill, the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act below.
Click here for a Section by Section of the legislation.
Click here for bill text
Incidents of violence against health care and social service workers is on the rise. A 2016 GAO study reported that rates of violence against health care workers are up to 12 times higher than rates for the overall workforce, and 70% of nonfatal workplace assaults in 2016 occurred in the health care and social assistance sectors. Recently released data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics found a sharp increase in serious injuries as a result of workplace violence among health care workers last year. Front line employees in these settings interact with a range of patients, clients, and their families, often with little training or direction for how to prevent or handle interactions that become violent. The Workplace Violence Prevention in Health Care and Social Services Act would ensure that health care and social service workplaces adopt proven prevention techniques and are prepared to respond in the tragic event of a violent incident.
In 2013, Courtney requested that the Government Accountability Office study the trends in healthcare workplace violence and identify options for OSHA to curtail it, and in 2015 he and other members asked OSHA to develop a workplace safety standard to protect health care workers from this rising violence. In recent years, OSHA agreed to undergo rulemaking on health care workplace violence, but action has stalled under the Trump Administration. In the absence of voluntary action from OSHA, this legislation is necessary to ensure that nurses, doctors, medical assistants, emergency personnel, and social service workers are not subjected to needless preventable acts of violence on the job.
“We extend our gratitude to Congressmen Courtney for championing this important legislation. It reinforces the urgency to end the cycle of violence and prevent incidences of abuse and harm that nurses routinely face in the workplace,” said Loressa Cole, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE, chief executive officer of the American Nurses Association (ANA). “At the heart of this widespread epidemic are existing workplace cultures that discourage nurses from reporting for fear of retribution. This bill is a step in the right direction to ensure that employers not only develop and implement plans to protect their staff, but that they also begin addressing existing barriers to reporting. A safe work environment that promotes physical and psychological well-being is essential to provide quality care and drive positive health outcomes for patients, families and communities.”
"I am pleased that Representative Joe Courtney has introduced legislation to reduce workplace violence. Legislation to protect healthcare and social service workers from violence is long overdue,” said Helene Andrews, RN of Newtown, CT. “During the last eight years that I worked, I was assaulted three times, including on my last day of work. The three assaults resulted in three major surgeries and in lengthy and painful recoveries each time. I suffered for months with each injury and still have residual pain and disabilities. Preventing violent workplace injuries should be given the highest priority, and I salute Rep. Joe Courtney for his efforts."
“Recent patient violence against staff at my hospital has led to nurses with broken jaws, open facial wounds, back injuries requiring surgery, and injuries from a chair being smashed over a nurse’s head,” said Judy Danella, a registered nurse and member of the United Steelworkers union at a hospital in New Jersey. “Injuries from combative patients shouldn’t just be part of the job. Health care workers need strong protections so they can provide quality patient care without fear of violence and injury.”
“As a union of healthcare professionals and educators, we welcome this legislation as it outlines protections and specific safety standards for the people who care for the sick, treat the injured, and work in other front line care jobs. Millions of Americans in the healthcare profession go to work every day care for the sick, the elderly and mentally ill, yet they don’t feel safe or protected themselves from the preventable and often tragic workplace-related assaults that occur in hospitals and other healthcare-related settings. With this bill, we can change that," said American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten.
“This bill shatters the dangerous myth that workplace violence is essentially random, unpredictable and therefore unavoidable. We applaud Congressmen Scott and Courtney for pressing for a federal OSHA standard that will call upon employers to identify the clear patterns and risk factors that put mental health professionals, hospital and EMS workers, and too many others at a high risk of experiencing workplace violence. AFSCME members in these professions work hard every day to make their communities healthier and stronger, and for that they deserve respect and protection on the job,” said AFSCME President Lee Saunders.
“We applaud Rep. Courtney and the cosponsors of the Health Care and Social Service Workers Act for listening to the concerns of workers and moving forward with legislation that will prevent injuries and save lives,” said Co-President of National Nurses United, Jean Ross, RN. “Registered Nurses are often threatened, punched, kicked, beaten, and assaulted on the job, sometimes with deadly consequences. Many of these incidents would be preventable if this legislation was enacted. Under this proposed federal standard, employers would need to develop comprehensive workplace violence prevention plans that are implemented at all times, and ensure that health care and social service workers are directly involved in the development, implementation and assessment of these plans. We look forward to working with Congress to pass this legislation and ensure a comprehensive workplace violence prevention standard to protect health care and social service workers and our patients, clients and their families.”
Full List Of Endorsing Organizations:
American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
AFSCME
AFL-CIO
Public Citizen
American Federation of Government Employees
International Association of Fire Fighters
United Steelworkers
National Nurses United
AIHA
Teamsters
American Nurses Association
American Psychiatric Nurses Association
New London — Federal money is aiding the city fire department in taking preventative measures against cancer rates, as well as training for technical rescues in anticipation of upcoming work under the Gold Star Memorial Bridge.
U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney announced the department was awarded a $251,799 grant from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant program through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The city is contributing $25,179.