Congratulations to Norwalk Community College (NCC) • Norwalk, CT for their designation as a White House Healthy Campus! Among other things, NCC was successful in keeping students, alumni and employees informed about open enrollment and how to secure health care. The White House Healthy Campus Challenge is a joint effort between the White House, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Education.
One of the great honors of my life will always be coming into office at the same time as President Obama and having the opportunity to serve with him as my President for eight years. I mean it without a shred of irony when I say #ThanksObama.
More for Connecticut's birthday week. Take a look at this collection of historical #maps of #Connecticut from the #LibraryofCongress.
Last month, I had the honor of sitting down with Ed Spires as part of the Veterans History Project of the Library of Congress American Folklife Center. It fills my heart with pride and joy to see his discharge changed from "undesirable" to "honorable." No one, including the brave men and women of our armed forces, should be penalized or discriminated against for loving someone of the same sex. I wish Mr. Spires and his husband many more happy years together and thank him once again for his service.
Happy birthday, Connecticut!
On January 9, 1788, Connecticut became the 5th state to join the United States.
Check in all week to see more about our great state's history.
Tip for the New Year: With all of the hacking in the news, it's easy to forget that the way most bad guys get into networks and personal accounts is by tricking people into giving away their passwords and information. I'll be sending around a more extended list of tips to keep yourself safe in the near future. But, for now, follow these rules:
- Don't know an email sender? Don't open the email.
- Don't recognize a link? Don't click on it.
- Anyone asks for your credit card, s...ocial security number or other information? Don't share it.
I know it's common sense, but trust me, even these simple procedures can reduce your risk immensely.
Jim Himes added 2 new photos.
Fun Fact: Justin Paul, who won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song at last night's ceremony, went to Staples High School in Westport. Here's Justin last night and during his high school days. Congratulations!
As we learn more about the tragic shooting in Fort Lauderdale, we grieve for the lost, are grateful for the first responders, hopeful that the injured make a full and speedy recovery, and committed to finding ways to ending violence of this type.
FACT: All of Congress, and our staff, gets our insurance through the health care exchanges of the Affordable Care Act.
We all have to do our duty to fight false stories on the Internet. This week, I have been especially surprised at how many people have suggested that I should be forced into Obamacare and saying that Congress has an exemption.
I'm already on Obamacare. ...
Congress doesn't have an exemption.
If we can't even agree on the facts, how are we going to make progress on policies to help the American people?
A behind-the-scenes look at a TV appearance. It's been a very busy week here, and I'd always rather be listening than talking, but we have an obligation to speak out against policies that will harm American citizens. That's what you sent me here to do.
I'm not afraid to defend the #ACA. I know there are parts that could work better, but I wish that Congress had put effort into fixing it over the past few years rather than trying to tear it down again and again.
We're not giving up the fight to save it. But, if it is repealed, I will look to support a replacement proposal that covers all Americans and works to control costs. We haven't seen a proposal like that in 7 years that the GOP has had to bring something forward, but, maybe, with millions of lives depending on them, that will change.
Gun violence is a daily occurrence in our country. Looking at all the causes and symptoms of this epidemic is part of sensible and effective gun reform.
A group at Yale examined violence in Chicago to learn more about gun violence and how we can intervene.
http://www.ctpost.com/…/Yale-study-confirms-gun-violence-is…
More on Obamacare. Here are my thoughts after meeting with President Obama. The price of repealing health care is going to be high in terms of the suffering of our fellow citizens, the disruption to our insurance markets, and the backlash faced by members of Congress who leave their constituents twisting in the wind.
Obamacare has some problems which need fixing, but it has extended coverage to millions of Americans and provisions like letting young people stay on their parents' insurance and preventing insurance companies from denying coverage to pre-existing conditions are very popular. #Repealanddelay is going to harm millions and millions of Americans and shake the insurance market in a very damaging way.
I spoke about these misguided attempts to repeal healthcare progress as well as President-elect #Trump's continued assault on our intelligence agencies and the House Republicans' bungled ethics fiasco on CNN this morning.
Congratulations to these Wilton High School students! They recently launched the Learning Fund, a student-run tutoring service that donates 90% of profits to local organizations.
http://www.ctpost.com/…/Students-create-tutoring-service-th…
Back on MSNBC this afternoon to talk about the GOP back and forth on #ethics. This is not exactly a move that inspires confidence, especially from the people who are asking you to trust them as they prepare to dismantle Obamacare, tear down Dodd-Frank and repeal important environmental protections.
It's dangerous fantasy to think that we need fewer #ethics protections in Congress. To repeal ethics as the FIRST item of business on the FIRST day of Congress shows that the #GOP majority's priorities out of step with what the American people, both Democrat and Republican, want.
Tune in to MSNBC today at 2:30 where I will be discussing it more after the vote.
Spent some time yesterday on MSNBC to talk about ISIS in Turkey and the recent tragic attacks as well as the Republicans' forthcoming efforts to repeal Obamacare, leaving millions out in the cold without insurance.
I strongly support the retaliatory actions against Russia announced today by President Obama. The measures laid out by the President, including actions against Russian intelligence agencies, high-ranking individuals and the closing of certain Russian facilities in the United States, send a strong message that targeting the United States in cyberattacks intended to affect our elections, or for any reason, brings sure and serious consequences.
Our response, while comprehensive..., is only the tip of the iceberg. We will not reveal the full extent of our retaliatory abilities, but our allies and adversaries alike should know that the United States is unmatched in our our global reach and ability in this arena.
As we move forward, we should work with the international community to make it clear to all, including both sovereign states and individual actors, that this type of response will follow cyberattacks on the United States as sure as day follows night and that the we will always fiercely protect the security of the United States and its citizens.
- Government Official
- Government Official
- Government Official