Larson Secures $10.45 Million for Local Infrastructure Projects, Votes for New Investments in Medical Research, Affordable Housing, and Special Education
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) voted for a bipartisan government funding package, which includes $10.45 million for community projects in the First Congressional District, defeats the Trump Administration’s plan to eliminate the Department of Education, restores 'DOGE' cuts to lifesaving medical research, and supports new investments in affordable housing.
“This bipartisan funding package we passed today is a complete and total rebuke of Trump’s attempts to slash everything from medical research to heating assistance for low-income households,” said Larson. “I commend Rosa DeLauro for her leadership in defeating every single one of President Trump and House Republicans’ efforts to undermine these vital services. Together, we reversed their cuts to lifesaving research, defeated his plan to close the Department of Education, and stopped his cuts to affordable housing programs – preventing the eviction of four million families nationwide. I’m proud to both secure the future of these programs and deliver more than $10 million in federal funding to support local infrastructure projects across Connecticut’s First District, including the first playground for kids in Hartland, new streetlights for East Hartford’s historic Main Street, and funding for cutting-edge resources to support our brave firefighters and police officers in Bristol. I will continue to work with our state and local partners to defend the resources families rely on from this reckless administration, support our communities with new investments, and advance solutions to make life more affordable for Connecticut residents.”
The bipartisan funding package provides Fiscal Year 2026 funding for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Defense, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development. Rep. Larson again secured language ensuring no federal funding is used to pursue a costly alternative engine to the Pratt & Whitney F135 as well as increased investments in engine spare production, protecting thousands of Connecticut jobs. He also helped secure a $366 million increase in funding for Homelessness Assistance Grants, which support programs at Mercy Housing and Shelter, the Community Renewal Team, and the YWCA of Hartford. Rep. Larson also secured $10.45 million in funding for the following First District projects:
$4.85 million for the Town of East Hartford to replace streetlights and refurbish historic buildings on Main Street, expand the Hockanum Linear Park Trail, and support a new fire station
$3.15 million for the Bristol Fire and Police Department to construct an active-shooter training facility, including an indoor shooting range and a Candidate Physical Agility Test Center
$1.95 million for the City of Hartford to improve stormwater drainage systems in the North End, restore the Hartford Public Library after it was flooded in 2022, continue to build the Hartline trail by linking Market Street to Edwards Street
$250,000 for the Town of Hartland to construct the town’s first and only playground, to be accessible to children of all abilities
$250,000 to fund the design and early development of the new CTRA Magnet Middle School for Hartford-area students
Larson and his Democratic colleagues defeated the Trump Administration’s plan to eliminate the Department of Education, restored cuts to lifesaving medical research, and secured new funding for affordable housing.
“My daughter lives with Cystic Fibrosis and because of the NIH, my daughter is able to take a lifesaving modulator that without the hard work of the scientists, researchers, and medical professionals who played a role in the development and testing of that medication, she wouldn’t otherwise have access to,” said Berlin resident, Kara Satalino. “We are extremely lucky that she has benefitted from the work of the NIH and will forever be grateful for their dedication to the research and development of medications and lifesaving therapies for my daughter and so many others who rely on their work!”
“HUD Continuum of Care funding allows providers in Greater Hartford to offer shelter, case management, and permanent housing to people experiencing homelessness, including individuals with disabilities and families with children,” said Kara A. Capone, Chief Executive Officer of Community Housing Advocates, Inc. “Without it, the entire homeless service system collapses. This change ensures that even when federal funds are delayed, services will continue and our most vulnerable citizens won’t lose housing or support. We are incredibly grateful to Rep. Larson and the rest of the CT delegation for helping to ensure providers can maintain staff, operate programs, and continue helping people achieve long-term stability and success.”
The bipartisan funding package:
Increases funding by $415 million for the National Institutes of Health, including cancer, Alzheimer’s, ALS, diabetes, and Cystic Fibrosis research – rejecting President Trump and Secretary Kennedy’s across-the-board cuts to lifesaving medical research and clinical trials.
Rejects President Trump and Secretary McMahon’s plan to eliminate the Department of Education, preserving student support programs and increasing funding for special education by $23 million.
Provides $150 million for Full-Service Community Schools, including a program in Hartford that serves over 20,000 students across four local school districts.
Sustains rental assistance to prevent the eviction of 4 million low-income families, defeating the Trump Administration’s proposed cuts, and increases funding by $130 million to support affordable housing for low-income seniors and people with disabilities.
Provides a $366 million increase in homeless assistance grant funding, while adjusting the Continuum of Care (CoC) program administration to ensure community homelessness assistance partners in Connecticut aren’t subjected to catastrophic lapses in funding by the Trump Administration.
Provides $1.8 billion for Job Corps, $395 million for the Senior Community Service Employment for Older Americans Program, and $1.3 billion for AmeriCorps programs, protecting national service and job training programs the Trump Administration tried to eliminate.
Increases funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) that serves over 100,000 Connecticut households, rejecting President Trump’s call to end federal home heating assistance.
Provides $2.5 billion for the Administration for Community Living, the agency that manages services for seniors and disabled Americans, including Meals on Wheels – defeating the Trump Administration’s plan to dismantle the office entirely.