Senator Blumenthal: Week in Review 7/11/2025-7/18/2025
Fighting Against Republican Cuts to Public Broadcasting & Foreign Aid
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumental (D-CT) released the following statement after the Senate approved a so-called “rescissions package” that makes devastating cuts to local news stations, slashes funding for emergency alert systems, and eliminates bipartisan foreign policy investments:
“Everything about this bill reeks of cruelty, from cutting off educational television to letting children starve. I am especially angry about the devastating cuts Republicans have made to public broadcasting – outlets that hold politicians accountable, produce local news in a vast wasteland of social media, and provide a lifeline during natural disasters. Republicans are killing Elmo and canceling local emergency alerts because they’re too thin-skinned to handle a couple of tough questions from the free and independent press. It’s pathetic and it’s harmful — an act of cowardice.”
Blumenthal discussed the rescissions package on MSNBC’s Morning Joe. The full interview can be found here.
Urging Russian Sanctions
Blumenthal continued to advocate for his bipartisan bill with Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) imposing bone-crushing sanctions on Russia. Blumenthal joined Kate Bolduan on CNN to discuss the importance of his sanctions bill as Ukraine continues to defend against Russia’s invasion.
“The President's decision to shift and to provide these kinds of very robust military aid, along with economic sanctions, are a good start. I agree with President Zelenskyy that more should be done. Putin is a thug, and he understands only force. And the President's economic sanctions, for example, delayed by 50 days and only 100% secondary sanctions on India, China, or Brazil, are a good start. I think that economic hammer ought to be supplemented by sledgehammer, which is what Senator Graham and I have proposed and 85 co-sponsors have supported as well—both sides of the aisle, bipartisan. It would be a force multiplier because European sanctions may well follow as well as a result of that impetus and momentum,” said Blumenthal on CNN.
A video of the full interview can be found here.
Blumenthal also joined MSNBC’s Morning Joe and CNN’s Kaitlan Collins to discuss his Russia Sanctions bill.
On Twitter/X, Blumenthal further highlighted the need for the tough sanctions against Russia laid out in his Russia Sanctions bill, as President Trump threatens to punish Russia with tariffs.
“The President’s announcement is a breakthrough step—committing to both substantial military aid & strong sanctions. It recognizes the urgency of showing sledgehammer strength—because peace through strength is the only viable strategy with a thug like Putin. We’ll continue to push for Senator Graham & my Russia Sanctions bill with even tougher penalties to deter India, China, Brazil & others from fueling Putin’s war machine. Congressional action sends a powerful message of support,” wrote Blumenthal on Twitter/X.
On the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee
Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Blumenthal joined Chairman Jerry Moran (R-KS), House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost (R-IL), and Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-CA) to applaud Senate passage of bipartisan, bicameral legislation to ensure veterans and servicemembers using Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home loans can keep their homes.
“This bipartisan and bicameral legislation will assist veterans who are facing financial hardships and provide VA with a tool to better help veterans stay in their homes and avoid foreclosure. The VA Home Loan Program provides one of the best benefits VA has to offer, and has helped veterans and their families build home equity since its inception in 1944. Today, we are empowering VA to establish a partial claim program as an option of last-resort, which will preserve veteran homeownership and save taxpayer dollars by avoiding preventable foreclosures. This legislation will also allow VA to provide critical funding to grantees offering transitional housing to homeless veterans through the Grant and Per Diem program,” said the Senate and House Veterans’ Affairs Committee leaders.
The Committee leaders continued, “We appreciate the efforts of mortgage servicers and holders for their work during the Congressional process and their commitment to providing VA loan services to veterans during these challenging times. We encourage the VA and mortgage servicers to continue their collaboration as this program is implemented, ensuring that they help mitigate any impact on veterans facing financial hardship while VA takes the necessary steps to establish the new partial claims program properly. We commit to working together to pass into law additional measures to build upon this legislation to offer veterans similar foreclosure mitigation measures available to other federally backed mortgage programs. No veteran should fall through the cracks or risk losing their home while a last-resort program is being implemented.”
The VA Home Loan Program Reform Act now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law, and will establish a partial claim program to help veterans using the VA home loan and experiencing severe financial hardship avoid foreclosure and stay in their homes.
Blumenthal and U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) recently introduced the Advancing VA’s Emergency Response to (AVERT) Crises Act—legislation to strengthen the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) response to natural disasters, pandemics, and other emergencies.
“With 100-year storms happening every year and increasing disasters, like the recent tragedy in Texas and the LA wildfires, we need to make sure VA is prepared to respond to these crises given its size and reach nationwide,” said Ranking Member Blumenthal. “Our legislation will help ensure the Department is prepared to respond to these increasingly common weather disasters and other emergencies while continuing to provide quality care to the veterans it serves.”
The AVERT Crises Act would help ensure continuity of VA medical care for veterans during emergencies and make sure the Department is better prepared to activate its Fourth Mission authority—VA’s role in improving the nation’s response to emergencies. It would require VA to increase coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) during emergencies, analyze ways to streamline VA’s disjointed emergency management offices, and examine whether the Department’s Regional Readiness Centers are being used to their fullest potential.
Demanding Fully Resourced FEMA & Weather Service
At a press conference in Hartford, Blumenthal demanded updates from the Trump Administration on how staffing reductions at the National Weather Service (NWS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will impact future disaster preparedness efforts in Connecticut and around the country following the tragic and deadly floods in Texas. Blumenthal also urged the restoration of key resiliency and disaster mitigation funding, specifically under the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program— a grant program that provides funding for recovery efforts after a disaster and forward-looking prevention measures. Connecticut had over $50 million of BRIC funding cancelled earlier this year.
“This Administration is canceling grants that are absolutely necessary to prepare for weather emergencies and to make our communities more resilient. This kind of cancellation is cruel, and it’s dumb. It is literally counterproductive and more costly to cancel grants for resilience and prevention of damage due to weather disasters because ultimately, the cost will be higher in having to repair. So, better to fund the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant program. This BRIC program has been around for years. Connecticut is due $50 million for projects all around the state of Connecticut that will provide for greater resilience and stronger prevention of damage due to weather disasters. But that 50 million has been cancelled. That is inexcusable,” said Blumenthal at the press conference.
A video of the press conference is available here.
On Twitter/X, Blumenthal further called out the Trump Administration for its dangerous cuts to the NWS and FEMA that threaten communities across the country.
“The Trump Admin's cruel cuts to the National Weather Service & FEMA harm communities nationwide—including in CT. With 100-year storms happening every year & increasing disasters—like the recent tragedy in TX—we need adequately staffed agencies to mitigate damage & build resilience,” wrote Blumenthal on Twitter/X.
Blumenthal Bulletin
Blumenthal released a statement on the passing of former Stamford State Representative Christel Truglia.
Blumenthal hosted a passport and TSA Pre-Check enrollment or renewal event in Hartford.
Blumenthal announced a nearly $1 million in funding for three Connecticut airports.
Blumenthal demanded the Trump Administration release nearly $7 billion for K-12 education and afterschool programs.
Blumenthal announced a new bill requiring ICE agents to display clear identification and stop hiding behind masks and plainclothes.
Blumenthal advanced the National Defense Authorization bill for Fiscal Year 2026, securing wins for Connecticut.
Blumenthal put VA Secretary Doug Collins on blast for his lack of transparency and accountability.
Blumenthal joined Face the Nation to discuss his Russian sanctions bill.
Blumenthal slammed the FDA’s decision allowing JUUL to continue selling tobacco and menthol e-cigarettes.
Blumenthal attended the annual West Haven VA barbecue.
Blumenthal attended the East Hampton Old Home Days Parade.
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