Senator Blumenthal: Week in Review 11/7/2025-11/14/2025
Voting Against Stopgap Funding with No Support for Health Care Costs
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) released the following statement after voting against a stopgap spending measure that does not address rising health insurance costs:
“My position has always been: no affordable healthcare, no deal. I am unwilling to accept a vague promise for a vote at an indefinite time on an indeterminate bill. Millions of Americans and tens of thousands in Connecticut are forced to make impossible choices right now about what health insurance they can afford. The urgency of this moment demands action now to reduce health insurance costs.”
Honoring Veterans Day by Fighting for Veterans’ Health Care
Blumenthal honored our nation’s veterans and thanked them for their dedication to our country on Twitter/X. Blumenthal attended Veterans Day ceremonies across Connecticut, including in Derby, New Haven, and Middletown.
“On Veterans Day, we honor our nation’s heroes for their service & sacrifice. Their unyielding courage & strength always inspire us. Today & every day, we must recommit to providing the support, care & benefits they’ve earned & deserve,” wrote Blumenthal on Twitter/X.
Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Blumenthal demanded answers from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins on data showing Connecticut veterans are experiencing longer wait times for critical mental health care at VA clinics across the state.
“Veterans seeking care for mental health conditions—many of whom have urgent and acute needs—deserve timely access to treatment with the highly qualified providers at VA who have unique knowledge and experience working with veterans and coordinating the wide variety of related services available exclusively through VA. The reports of significant delays are deeply troubling and raise urgent questions about the Department’s management of mental health access,” wrote Blumenthal in a letter to VA Secretary Collins.
Blumenthal continued pressing Collins: “My staff has heard reports from veterans and their families who have been forced to wait weeks or even months for an initial mental health appointment. Such delays are not only inconsistent with VA’s stated access-to-care standards but also pose serious risks to the health and safety of those who served our nation.” After speaking with Connecticut veterans and advocates who raised concerns about long wait times and collecting data directly from VA’s website, the Senate Veterans Affairs’ Committee Minority staff have found serious delays in care. It is especially critical for veterans to be able to access this care at VA facilities, which have providers with unique knowledge and experience working with veterans and coordinating the wide variety of related services available exclusively through VA.
The Senator’s full letter can be found here.
Blumenthal held a press conference in West Haven highlighting the critical issue of long wait times for VA mental health care and his demand for answers from VA Secretary Collins for the delay in care for veterans.
Blumenthal cited evidence, based on VA’s own wait-time data (available HERE), signaling unacceptable wait times for Connecticut veterans seeking mental health care at the following facilities:
- Orange VA Clinic—average wait time greater than 100 days for a new patient mental health appointment since May 2025;
- Willimantic VA Clinic—average wait times over 100 days for a new patient mental health appointment in September and October; and
- McGuirk, Winsted, Stamford, Waterbury and Danbury VA Clinics—times well above 50 days for a new patient mental health appointment.
Slamming the Trump Administration as Data Centers Drive Up Utility Prices
Blumenthal wrote to White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Michael Kratsios and U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick about rising utility costs facing American consumers due to the buildout of power-hungry data centers. In a letter sent to Kratsios and Lutnick, Blumenthal and U.S. Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ron Wyden (D-WA), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) demanded answers about the steps the Trump Administration is taking to protect consumers from the burden of new data centers that have driven up electricity demand and threatened water supplies in communities across the country.
“As American families face soaring electricity bills caused by the Trump Administration’s sweetheart deals with Big Tech companies, we write to demand information about the failure of the Administration to prevent consumers from being forced to subsidize the cost of data centers — costs compounded by the Administration’s reckless abandonment and assault on new, clean energy sources,” the Senators wrote.
The Senators continued, “Since his second inauguration, President Trump has cozied up to Meta, Google, Oracle, OpenAI, and other Big Tech companies, fast-tracking and pushing for the buildout of power-hungry data centers across the country. The power demands of these new data centers are staggering and unprecedented: for example, Meta’s new data centers, promoted during the President’s dinner with tech executives, will consume up to 5 gigawatts each: the equivalent to nearly four million homes. National power consumption from data centers is projected to rise from around 5% to 12% within three years and adding to fears of more blackouts on burdened grids.”
The Senators are also seeking information from the Trump Administration about any legal arrangements made with Big Tech companies to ensure that new data centers do not increase electricity rates or risks of blackouts. The full text of the Senators’ letter is available here.
Honoring the 250th Anniversary of the Marine Corps
A bipartisan resolution commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps led by Blumenthal and U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) passed the U.S. Senate. The Senators spoke on the Senate Floor, ahead of the Marine Corps anniversary on November 10th, highlighting the important history of the Marine Corps and honoring the service and sacrifice of Marines in dedication to our country.
“Telling the story of America is impossible without telling the story of the United States Marine Corps. Their sacrifices have safeguarded our freedom. Their discipline has inspired generations. Their traditions of toughness, honor, duty have stood the test of time. This milestone, 250 years, is an opportunity to reflect, to honor, and to recommit. We honor every Marine past and present who has earned the title with sweat, sacrifice, and a fierce sense of purpose. As we look to the next 250 years of the greatest nation in the history of the world, let's ensure that our policies, our resources, our commitments match the trust we place in all of our military, including our United States Marines. Let us rededicate ourselves to the ideals they uphold—freedom, justice, service above self,” said Blumenthal.
A video of the Senators’ remarks can be found here.
Blumenthal further highlighted the anniversary of the Marine Corps on Twitter/X.
“Happy Birthday Marines! For 250 years you have answered the call with courage & conviction not because it was easy, but because it was right. I was proud to lead a resolution honoring your service to the nation,” wrote Blumenthal with an accompanying video on Twitter/X.
Blumenthal Bulletin
Blumenthal slammed the Trump Administration for backtracking on consumer protections for the flying public.
Blumenthal joined the swearing in ceremony for New Britain’s new Mayor Bobby Sanchez.
Blumenthal introduced a bipartisan bill to restore VA employees’ collective bargaining rights.
Blumenthal highlighted the need for his SAFE Bet Act.
Blumenthal highlighted a bipartisan coalition of former FCC chairs petitioning the agency to repeal the News Distortion policy.
Blumenthal joined Stew Leonard’s 46th Turkey Brigade, providing support to those who need help putting Thanksgiving dinner on the table.
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