Larson, DeLauro, Blumenthal, and Murphy Secure $135.5 Million for Hartford Courthouse

DeLauro, Blumenthal, Murphy, and Larson Secure $135.5 Million for Hartford Courthouse

WASHINGTON, DC – Chair-designate of the House Appropriations Committee Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Congressman John Larson (CT-01) today secured $135.5 million for the restoration of the Federal Courthouse in Hartford, Connecticut, in the fiscal year 2021 omnibus spending package. This funding was included after Senate Republicans only included funding for the Federal Courthouse in Chattanooga, Tennessee, despite Hartford ranking first on the Federal Judiciary Courthouse Project Priorities list for the second year in a row. Failure to include funding for Hartford would have been the first time Congress overrode the Judiciary's recommendation.

"I was proud to work with my colleagues and utilize my position on the Appropriations Committee to protect this funding for the federal courthouse in Hartford," said Congresswoman DeLauro. "When it became clear that the Hartford funding was in trouble of receiving nothing because of an egregious and frankly unfair earmark inserted by Senate Republicans, the delegation was able to come together to make it right to ensure Hartford received its fair share."

"The 57-year-old U.S. District Courthouse in Hartford has simply outlived its sell-by date. There are major structural problems and its design makes providing court security very difficult. A new courthouse will bring judicial civil and criminal operations into the 21st century," said Senator Blumenthal. "The Connecticut district court judges and their staff are to be commended for their dedication to ensuring modern, safe courts. The Connecticut Congressional delegation has been united in our support for this funding, bringing this critical improvement one major step closer to fruition."

"This is a big deal," said Senator Murphy. "Hartford needs a new federal courthouse and the bill we passed today includes funding to start that project. The $135 million we secured will create construction jobs in Connecticut and build a space that will be safer for judges, jurors, plaintiffs, and defendants."

"The federal judiciary has found that the federal courthouse in Hartford is the most outdated in the country," said Congressman Larson. "I'm proud that the Connecticut Congressional Delegation were all able to work together to secure this vital funding to get this project moving."

The text of the spending package, H.R. 133, is available here. A division-by-division summary of the appropriations provisions is here.