Senator Blumenthal: Week in Review 8/15/2025-8/22/2025

Fighting for Life-Saving Vaccine Programs

[Hartford, CT] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) joined doctors and advocates to slam a proposal to cut federal education funding from states that have narrow vaccine exemption policies like Connecticut. Despite the severity of this year’s measles outbreak in Texas—the worst and deadliest in decades—and the related, dangerous declines in childhood vaccination rates, anti-vaccine groups have called for the federal government to restrict education funds for states and localities that refuse to jeopardize public health and the health of children by expanding vaccination exemptions.

“Nothing has been more important in advancing public health than vaccines—against the more dangerous, sometimes deadly illnesses that can affect children predominantly, but potentially all of us. Vaccines save lives. They are safe and effective. They have been tested in exhaustive settings, and they have been through clinical trials. But we see now a growing threat to the accessibility of vaccines because of some of the rhetoric coming out of the highest levels of responsibility in Washington, DC—namely, the Secretary of Health and Human Services. But even more important, there is the threat that money or education may be withheld from states like Connecticut that have narrow exemptions for vaccines. Education funding should not be used as leverage for the anti-vax conspiracy movement,” said Blumenthal at the press conference.

A video of the press conference is available here.

In a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., Blumenthal urged Kennedy to reject any proposals that weaponize education dollars for this misinformed purpose and instead prioritize public health by investing in vaccination outreach, education, and access. Blumenthal highlighted this letter and the importance of vaccines to protecting public health on Twitter/X.

“I’m writing to the HHS Secretary Kennedy demanding he reject any proposals that weaponize state education funding & use it as leverage for anti-vaccination polices. Instead, we should prioritize public health—investing in vaccination education & access,” wrote Blumenthal with an accompanying video on Twitter/X.

Honoring the Anniversary of Destructive & Deadly Floods

Blumenthal joined local officials to mark the one-year anniversary of the devastating floods that killed two people and destroyed countless homes and businesses in the Naugatuck Valley. Blumenthal attended a Flood Memorial Dedication at Oxford Town Hall, and he joined local business owners at the Klarides Village shopping plaza, including the 67 Family Diner, for a reopening ceremony. The shopping plaza was severely damaged in last year’s flooding.

“In any kind of 100-year flood—and there will be another flood sooner than 100 years because that’s the new normal—we need to make sure the Little River doesn’t become a raging torrent again. You have provided a model here for what we need across Connecticut and across our country,” said Blumenthal.

Blumenthal continued to highlight the resiliency of Naugatuck Valley in their rebuilding efforts after the historic flooding on Twitter/X.

“Honored to join Naugatuck Valley communities to mark the anniversary of last year’s destructive, deadly floods. Towns have come together to rebuild with greater resiliency against future natural disasters,” wrote Blumenthal on Twitter/X.

Combatting Rising Energy Costs with Clean Energy Sources

Blumenthal joined advocates to sound the alarm on recent actions by the Trump Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that threaten affordable solar and wind energy—ultimately increasing energy costs for consumers and threatening meaningful attempts to mitigate climate change. The Trump Administration recently illegally terminated billions of dollars in already-obligated clean energy funding from the Solar for All program, including a $62.45 million grant Connecticut secured last year. This termination means that thousands of Connecticut households will no longer be able to access the financial assistance needed to convert their homes to clean, affordable solar energy.

“What we’re really trying to do here is amplify a message to the people of Connecticut and the country about the importance of solar and wind as sources of energy that are cost-effective. And it can’t be said too many times—solar and wind save money, and they save our health by avoiding air contamination and providing energy at much more affordable rates. And yet, this Administration has gutted a program called Solar for All. Solar for All has been made, essentially, at least in intent, solar for none—that is what this Administration wanted to do. Sources of energy that are cost effective, this Administration is abandoning them,” said Blumenthal at the press conference.

Blumenthal further highlighted the need for clean energy sources and called out the Trump Administration for abandoning the Solar for All program on Twitter/X.

“The Solar for All program has become solar for none. CT was supposed to receive $62.4M that now will be withheld because of Trump’s cuts to clean, affordable renewable energy. Unacceptable. I’ve written to EPA Administrator Zeldin detailing how Republicans in DC have increased energy costs for families through these attacks & am calling for immediate action that will actually support energy affordability in CT & across the country,” wrote Blumenthal on Twitter/X.

Slamming DHS Secretary’s Rent-Free Living in Military Housing

Blumenthal, Ranking Member of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, sent a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem following recent reporting by The Washington Post that she was living for free in a military home typically reserved for the Coast Guard Commandant, the top admiral of the U.S. Coast Guard. In the letter, Blumenthal sought details regarding Noem’s living arrangement and questioned Noem’s reasoning for living in the Coast Guard Commandant’s residence at the expense of taxpayers and service members. Other Cabinet-level officials who live on military installations – such as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and, during President Trump’s first term, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo – pay rent.

“You have apparently been occupying this residence for an undetermined length of time without paying rent, marking a striking departure from other cabinet secretaries. Your spokesperson indicated this was because you felt unsafe in your current apartment, yet you continue to pay rent on that apartment,” wrote Blumenthal. “Like all Americans, you deserve to feel safe where you live, but your position as Secretary does not grant you the special privilege of taxpayer-funded housing.”

Blumenthal also wrote to U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, calling for an oversight hearing to examine Noem’s living arrangement in government housing at the expense of taxpayers and service members.

“The questionable arrangements surrounding Secretary Noem’s rent-free occupancy in the Coast Guard Commandant’s residence demand prompt congressional scrutiny. As the U.S. Senate Committee with primary jurisdiction over the Department of Homeland Security, I respectfully request that you schedule a hearing of the Committee in September where Secretary Noem can testify about the details of her free housing provided by the branch of the armed services over which she has direct authority,” wrote Blumenthal to Paul.

Blumenthal’s letter to Noem can be found here, and his letter to Paul can be found here.

Blumenthal further called out Noem’s living in prestigious, waterfront military housing without paying rent on Twitter/X.

“Sec. Noem has been occupying the Coast Guard Commandant’s residence at the expense of taxpayers & servicemembers. Unlike other cabinet secretaries, she is not paying rent. I’m demanding prompt congressional scrutiny of this deeply questionable living arrangement,” wrote Blumenthal on Twitter/X.

Blumenthal Bulletin

Blumenthal joined MSNBC to discuss the weaponization of the Department of Justice and the danger it poses to our democracy.

Blumenthal joined CNN to discuss Russia’s bloody assault on Ukraine.

Blumenthal demanded DHS rescind new rules requiring religious organizations join the Trump Administration’s immigration enforcement agenda to receive security funding.

Blumenthal showed support for Connecticut State Representative Corey Paris.

Blumenthal joined CNN to discuss the need for stiff sanctions on Russia’s enablers in their attack on Ukraine.

Blumenthal cheered on Fairfield National as they advance in the Little League World Series.

Blumenthal attended the annual Hamburg Fair in Lyme.

Blumenthal attended the Bridgewater Country Fair.

Blumenthal attended the first Annual Dominican Parade in Bridgeport.

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