John Larson

A COLA is always welcome news for seniors, but it won't be enough to keep pace with rising costs. While Republicans scheme to slash and privatize Social Security, Democrats have a plan to enhance benefits by making the wealthy pay their fair share. It's time for Congress to act. https://t.co/136xQrQW31

Donald Trump promised to bring down prices on Day One. Gas has been over $4/gallon for 158 days, a new record. The President might not care, but families struggling to make ends meet sure do. Congress needs to end his illegal war in Iran and suspend the gas tax NOW. https://t.co/K80HJ15Gg9

Inflation is soaring. The average family has been forced to spend $4,200 thanks to President Trump. His tariffs are driving up grocery bills. His illegal war is hiking costs at the gas pump. Democrats are fighting to stop his failed agenda and make life more affordable for you.

Donald Trump and his cronies would rather sow debunked lies about voting than defend their failed agenda. Local elections officials in East Hartford and across the state are some of the best in the country, operating with the utmost integrity and ethics. https://t.co/MDm4dnrLJn

Italian Americans have made lasting contributions in Connecticut’s First District and across the country. This month, we celebrate their unique heritage, stories, and traditions which continue to enrich our communities. https://t.co/Qo0mMJOHAM

With oil prices on the rise, more and more families are struggling to afford their utility bills. We’re proud to announce $75.3 million in federal funding to help Connecticut residents heat their homes. Learn more about eligibility and apply for aid at https://t.co/tX4Ic5H0NC.

On Indigenous Peoples' Day, we honor the enduring cultures of Native peoples and the lasting contributions they have made, and continue to make, in Connecticut and across the country. https://t.co/Ch6Mmta2du

Donald Trump has targeted Rep. Ilhan Omar with inflammatory and racist rhetoric for years, now sending federal agents from his weaponized DOJ to raid her home. No president should abuse their power to threaten or intimidate their political opponents. I stand with @Ilhan.

Taking care of your mental health should never be something to hide or feel ashamed of. This World Mental Health Day, we're working to end the stigma and expand access to support and care for all. You are not alone, and there is always hope. https://t.co/2XezoDstn0

Even after the Supreme Court rejected Donald Trump’s illegal power grab at the Fed, he's still targeting Lisa Cook. As Americans struggle to make ends meet, he should focus on ending his costly tariffs and reckless war in Iran, not petty score-settling. https://t.co/a6KaE1ld1f

Pete Hegseth put our troops in danger by leaking classified information and he's overseeing an illegal war in Iran that has cost lives. Now, he wants to stage an unprecedented public execution, exposing it to American families and children. Secretary Hegseth should be impeached.

“The Trump Administration has proven time and time again that they cannot be trusted with the American people’s confidential information,” said Larson. “Our local officials—in East Hartford and across the state—are some of the best in the country, administering our elections with the utmost integrity and ethics. The administration must explain why they are after this data, and local officials should not be bullied to comply with these potentially unlawful demands for sensitive records. From attempts by ‘DOGE’ employees to hand data from Social Security to a political group trying to alter elections, to using inaccurate data to pressure states to remove citizens from the voter rolls, their goal is clear. Donald Trump and his cronies would rather sow misdoubts about a free and fair election than defend their failed agenda or do anything to lower costs for working families.” Rep. Larson continues to oppose any effort to make it harder for citizens to cast their ballots, leading efforts to stop the President’s attempts to weaponize federal agencies as part of a national election takeover. He introduced the Stop ICE Election Militarization Act to prevent the federal government from deploying immigration enforcement to the polls, a Resolution of Inquiry probing illegal election interference efforts at the Social Security Administration and joined Rep. Joyce Beatty (OH-03) to introduce the Voter Purge Protection Act, which would put protections into federal law to prevent anyone from improperly removing an eligible voter from the rolls.

President Trump's tariffs are driving up costs everywhere you look. A new report found that without these tariffs, prices would have gone down. While Republicans rubber-stamp the failed Trump agenda, Democrats want to end these tariffs and make life more affordable for you. https://t.co/NaKyHmhyKi

Connecticut continues to lead the nation as a hub for clean hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. As we recognize National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day, we must continue to build on the progress we've made to boost clean energy production, lower fuel costs, and reduce emissions. https://t.co/JsbA2s7Pk9

Washington, D.C. - Today, Reps. John B. Larson (CT-01), Jim Costa (CA-21), Paul Tonko (NY-20), David Valadao (CA-22), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), and Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) introduced H. Res. 1611, a bipartisan resolution designating October 8, 2026, as "National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day." National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day is observed annually on October 8 in recognition of hydrogen’s atomic mass of 1.008. The day highlights the role hydrogen and fuel cell technologies play in American energy production, transportation, grid reliability, and economic growth. As Co-Chair of the bipartisan Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Caucus, Rep. Larson has long championed fuel cell technology and has been a forceful advocate for extending the Investment Tax Credit for fuel cells and linear generators, securing its extension in both 2018 and 2022 as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. He co-led introduction of the bipartisan Technology for Energy Security Act to extend the tax credit for another eight years and the American Affordability Act, to bring down costs for households, including a plan to spur the development of American-made clean energy by providing a tax credit to companies that reduce carbon emissions by producing "green" and "blue" hydrogen and fuel cells. "Connecticut continues to lead the nation as a hub for the research and development of clean hydrogen and fuel cell technologies," said Larson. "For years, I have worked across the aisle to enact tax incentives to boost hydrogen production and invest federal funding to grow our fuel cell economy, unleash the power of American-made clean energy, and reduce emissions. As we recognize the twelfth annual National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day, we must work together on real solutions to lower costs for consumers and grow the clean energy supply chain across the country." The United States produces and uses approximately 10 million metric tons of hydrogen each year. Hydrogen can be derived from a variety of domestic resources and used to store energy, while fuel cell technologies are used for transportation, stationary power, and backup power. Larson, Costa, Tonko, Valadao, Fitzpatrick, and Bilirakis are co-leads of the House Resolution, with Reps.Mike Lawler (NY-17), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), and Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) joining as original co-sponsors. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) led the introduction of the Senate Resolution, with Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Chris Coons (D-DE), and Chris Murphy (D-CT) joining as original cosponsors. "Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies are an important part of America’s energy future,” said Costa. "By investing in American innovation, we can strengthen our energy security, build a more reliable and resilient grid, create good-paying jobs, and reduce emissions. The United States has long been a leader in developing these technologies, and this bipartisan resolution recognizes the work being done across the country to ensure we continue leading the way." "Supporting clean hydrogen unlocks a wealth of benefits — boosting our economy, protecting energy security, and reducing emissions," said Tonko. "Throughout my time in Congress, I’ve worked to advance legislation that invests in energy innovation and lowers costs, which is why I’m proud to join my colleagues to introduce this bipartisan resolution and support a stronger, healthier, more competitive nation." "I’m proud to join my colleagues in reintroducing a bipartisan resolution designating October 8th as National Hydrogen Fuel Cell Day. Advancing these technologies is critical to strengthening our nation’s energy independence, driving continued innovation, and enhancing our energy security. An all-of-the-above energy strategy will help lower energy costs for Central Valley communities while ensuring our farms, businesses, and homes have access to the reliable energy they need to thrive," said Valadao. "The question is not whether America will need more energy—it is whether we will lead in producing it. Hydrogen and fuel cell technologies can strengthen our energy security, reinforce the reliability and resilience of our grid, create good-paying American jobs, and help meet growing demand through cleaner, innovative solutions. National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day recognizes the incredible scientists, engineers, manufacturers, and workers driving that progress, and reaffirms our bipartisan commitment to ensuring America continues to lead the world in energy innovation," said Fitzpatrick. "Congress has long recognized how hydrogen seamlessly fits into so many of the energy tools in America’s energy portfolio," said Frank Wolak, President and CEO of the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA). "Whether a feedstock for low-carbon fertilizer and export fuels such as ammonia or used directly as a fuel on its own to power data centers, heavy-duty trucks, and everything in between, hydrogen helps the U.S. meet growing power demand at home while sustaining leadership in energy markets abroad. We thank Representative Costa and the resolution’s co-sponsors for supporting Hydrogen Day and the U.S. industry at large.”

Hartford, CT – Today, members of the Connecticut Congressional delegation joined Governor Ned Lamont to announce a disaster declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for Fairfield County and the contiguous counties of New Haven County and Litchfield County in response to the flash flooding event that impacted the region on September 13, 2026. The approved declaration means that homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofits in the impacted counties can apply for low-interest loans from the SBA to aid in their recovery. “This declaration makes low-interest loans available to homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofits so they can recover and rebound from these flash floods,” Governor Lamont said. “I am glad that we’ve been able to secure this funding and encourage anyone who was impacted by this storm to look into this assistance and determine whether it can help you in the recovery process.” “As communities continue to recover from severe flooding that hit our state last month, I am glad that the Small Business Administration granted our request for a disaster declaration," said Congressman John B. Larson. "This declaration is a crucial step forward, so small businesses, local organizations, and homeowners can get the help they need to repair and rebuild after incurring damage—including in Litchfield County. Our delegation will keep working with the governor and state leaders to ensure the federal government is responsive to the towns and cities that were impacted by this storm.” “This disaster declaration is a strong step toward bringing federal aid to Connecticut following severe floods last month. This step allows Connecticut state agencies to work with federal partners like the SBA to continue recovery efforts and potentially unlock more federal assistance to rebuild local businesses. I am grateful to the SBA for their swift response to Governor Lamont and our delegation’s request,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal. “Connecticut communities were hit hard on September 13 by sudden and intense flooding. I encourage all small business owners in the counties covered by this disaster declaration to take advantage of the available assistance from the Small Business Administration,” said Congressman Joe Courtney. “Extreme weather events like flash flooding are damaging our communities more often and more unexpectedly. I am glad that federal support is on its way through this SBA disaster declaration for the businesses, residents, and communities that were impacted by devastating flash floods last month. I will continue to fight for federal resources so that Connecticut has the support necessary rebuild after disasters like this one,” said Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro. “I’m glad the federal government is stepping up to assist Connecticut residents and businesses, especially those in Fairfield County, in recovering from last month’s flooding. I encourage anyone whose residence or business was impacted by the severe weather to look into these resources. I will continue fighting alongside the rest of Connecticut’s Congressional delegation to bring home the federal support our constituents need to rebound,” said Congressman Jim Himes. “Extreme weather continues to impact our state. I am pleased to see the U.S. Small Business Administration approve federal assistance for parts of the Fifth District and our state. These federal resources will help alleviate the financial losses of business leaders and homeowners from the recent flooding,” said Congresswoman Jahana Hayes. The following groups may be eligible for low-interest SBA disaster loans: Homeowners: Up to $500,000 to repair their primary residence. Homeowners and renters: Up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property. Business owners: Up to $2,000,000 for the replacement of real property, inventories, machinery, equipment, and other physical losses. Businesses and nonprofits: Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2,000,000 to provide necessary working capital until normal operations resume after a disaster. “We know there are people with uninsured losses. These low-interest SBA loans are a means for people to rebuild and recover from the flooding. Additionally, our Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster—independent faith-based and nonprofit groups—remain engaged in helping people needing cleanup,” saidConnecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins. How to apply for low-interest SBA disaster loans Under this declaration, the application deadline for physical damage loans is December 1, 2026, and the application deadline for economic injury loans is July 2, 2027. Applications may be submitted to the SBA through the following methods: In-person: A temporary, in-person SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center will open at the Margaret E. Morton Government Center at 999 Broad Street in Bridgeport beginning October 7, 2026. It will operate Mondays through Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; and it will be closed on Sundays. Due to prior engagements, it will have adjusted hours of 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on October 9, 2026; and 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on October 20 and 21, 2026. It will be closed on October 12, 2026, due to the Columbus Day holiday. It is expected to permanently close at 4:00 p.m. on October 21, 2026. Online: The MySBA Loan Portal at https://lending.sba.gov provides applicants with the ability submit applications online, view loan details, check balances, make payments, and access statements.

After severe flooding hit our state last month, this disaster declaration from @SBAgov is a crucial step forward for residents to get the help they need to recover. We'll keep working to deliver federal relief to the communities impacted by this storm.

As inflation and unemployment continue to rise, President Trump is more focused on his illegal war and taxpayer-funded vanity projects. Congress needs to act. It's time to cancel his costly tariffs, reverse his healthcare cuts, and end the war in Iran. https://t.co/50bOEQii2L

After Trump officials shut down the LGBTQ+ youth suicide hotline, we demanded a reversal to this cruel decision—and secured new funding to restart this critical resource. Specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth in crisis have officially resumed. Keep speaking out. It matters.

During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we stand with survivors and reaffirm our commitment to supporting them with the help they need. Everyone deserves to live free from violence, fear, and abuse. If you or a loved one is suffering, call 800-799-SAFE for free, 24/7 help. https://t.co/kVhLbUTNri

Hartford, CT – Today, members of Connecticut’s Congressional delegation and Governor Ned Lamont announced that the State of Connecticut is being awarded a $584,250 grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to support its planned expansion of the Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown, which will complement $294,250 in state funding that has already been allocated for the project. This expansion, which is being overseen by the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), will support the creation of 1,510 additional grave sites for buried cremains on a parcel of land located contiguous to the existing cemetery at 317 Bow Lane. This property was previously used by the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) for the operations of Connecticut Valley Hospital and was recently transferred to DVA to support the cemetery’s expansion. The state’s portion of the funding will be used to support the demolition of the vacant Connecticut Valley Hospital building on the property known as Cottage 22. The federal funding will be used to provide cremains burial plots, an entry gate, fencing, landscaping, irrigation components, concrete block storage bays, site furnishings, and supporting infrastructure. “Our veterans put their lives on the line to protect the freedoms we hold dear—we owe it to them to properly honor their service and sacrifice,” said Congressman John B. Larson. “I am pleased to announce this grant from the VA with my colleagues and Governor Lamont to expand the Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown. We will continue to work together to make sure the state has the resources it needs to recognize our state’s veterans and their families, so the cemetery remains available to them for years to come.” “This cemetery provides an invaluable resource in honoring the lives and service of our military veterans and their families, and it is important that we continue to see that this option remains available to them for decades into the future,” said Governor Lamont. “As we explore options to support these needs over the long-term, this expansion of the existing cemetery in Middletown will provide immediate support to ensure that veterans and their families have uninterrupted access to these services over the coming years.” “The Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery is a sacred place where our nation’s heroes are laid to rest,” Senator Richard Blumenthal, ranking member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, said. “I am thrilled that this $584,250 in federal funding will allow for 1,510 additional final resting places for Connecticut veterans, ensuring families have options for their loved ones for years to come.” “Connecticut’s Second Congressional District is the proud home to over 47,000 veterans—the highest population of any of the five districts in Connecticut,” Congressman Joe Courtney said. “The expansion of the Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery will mean more families are able to lay their loved ones to rest at a site that honors and remembers their service to our nation. I will continue working with my colleagues in our state’s Congressional delegation to support the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs’ mission to honor our state’s veterans.” “We owe it to our veterans to honor them both in life and after their passing,” Congressman Jim Himes said. “I’m heartened that the federal government will serve as a partner in expanding Connecticut’s State Veterans Cemetery and look forward to working with the delegation to provide additional resources to Connecticut veterans.” “Those who have honorably served our nation deserve to be laid to rest with respect and dignity,” Congresswoman Jahana Hayes said. “I am pleased that federal funding will help make this a reality for more veterans and military families by expanding the Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery. I look forward to the completion of this project and am committed to ensuring our veterans have the resources they need to live full, healthy lives and a safe final resting home.” “Our Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery provides hallowed grounds for the final resting place of our Connecticut veterans,” Connecticut Veterans Affairs Commissioner Ron Welch said. “It is our privilege and honor to maintain the cemetery as a perpetual shrine to their selfless service. We look forward to the expansion of the cemetery and further to the establishment of a new cemetery in the future.” The Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery was established in 1985 and provides a final resting place for military veterans from generations of conflicts, along with their eligible spouses and minor children. There are currently 14,718 burial plots and 3,000 columbarium niches at the cemetery. DVA estimates that the existing cemetery will be depleted of available cremation burial plots around January 2028. With this expansion, the agency projects that cremation burial plots will remain available through at least December 2033. Importantly, this will align the estimated depletion dates of all three burial options (casket, buried cremains, and columbarium niches), enabling DVA to build all three options in its plans to develop a new cemetery that will support veterans and their families over the coming decades.

Hartford, CT – Today, Reps. John B. Larson (CT-01), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Jim Himes (CT-04), and Jahana Hayes (CT-05) responded to reporting from The Atlantic that President Trump is entertaining a plan to ease sanctions on Russia: “When we voted against the Senate’s sanction bill this month, we warned that stripping out the enforcement language would leave every decision about punishing Putin to a president who keeps siding with the Kremlin. It took less than two weeks and President Trump is entertaining a plan to ease sanctions on Russia. “Just last week President Trump went to the United Nations and bragged about the ‘enormous new tariff authorities’ this bill handed him. So, the one part of the law he seems eager to enforce will needlessly raise costs on Americans by continuing his reckless trade policies, while the power he was given to cripple Putin’s war machine he is already looking to sign away. “That is exactly why the House-passed bill, H.R. 2913, required the president to act on sanctions. Without that requirement, sanctions are dependent on President Trump’s will to impose them – and President Trump has shown us time and time again he would rather be a friend to Putin than hold him accountable. “We will keep fighting for military assistance for Ukraine and real sanctions that no president can waive away as a favor.”

Glad to join my colleagues and @GovNedLamont to announce a new federal grant to expand the Connecticut State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown. We'll continue to ensure the state has the resources it needs to properly recognize veterans and their families. https://t.co/22fpKyYTYK

As we recognize Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate the rich cultures, traditions, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities across Connecticut and the country. We are a nation of immigrants, and our diversity only makes us stronger. https://t.co/r1JDUcj5Y1

For 50 years, the Hyde Amendment has blocked access to safe and legal abortion for low-income women. No one should be denied the care they need because of who they are or where they live. Let's pass the #EACHAct to end this discriminatory coverage ban on reproductive care.