Economy

Today, the Connecticut Congressional delegation announced that after months of making the case to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue for expanded federal assistance to Connecticut shellfish farmers, the USDA has finally announced that shellfish farmers will be eligible for financial assistance through round two of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP 2).

Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) released the following statement on the Fiscal Year 2021 Defense Appropriations package that passed the House.

Last Friday evening, the Connecticut Delegation wrote to House and Senate leadership to urge them to provide support for shellfish and aquaculture farmers as they negotiate the next COVID-19 economic relief package. In a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Charles Schumer, the Connecticut delegation asked that $500 million be provided in fisheries assistance, which would include shellfish farmers.

On Friday, U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and U.S. Representatives John Larson (CD-1), Rosa DeLauro (CD-3), Joe Courtney (CD-2), Jim Himes (CD-4), and Jahana Hayes (CD-5) called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (UDSA) to reverse its decision to prohibit shellfish aquaculture from being eligible for direct payments through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) at USDA.

Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and U.S. Representatives John Larson (D-1), Joe Courtney (D-2), Rosa DeLauro (D-3), Jim Himes (D-4), and Jahana Hayes (D-5) applauded $2.3 million in U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funding for assisting communities in cleaning up contaminated brownfield properties in Connecticut.

Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) announced the priorities he will be promoting while serving as a member of the White House’s Congressional Task Force on COVID-19 and reopening the country.