Working Together for Connecticut

January 2012

Richard Blumenthal
United States Senator for Connecticut

http://blumenthal.senate.gov

A Message from Senator Blumenthal From the first moment in this job my swearing in about a year ago I have been awed and inspired by the amazing opportunity to represent you in the U.S. Senate. Every time I stand on the Senate floor, whether to vote or speak or simply listen, is an exhilarating but humbling moment. Every chance to make a difference working and advocating and, yes, fighting for you is the opportunity of a lifetime. This sense of excitement and responsibility drives me to move our state and country forward despite deep, indeed destructive, partisan divisions. The acrimony and antagonism are daunting obstacles to accomplishing anything. One of my main goals has been to reach across the aisle to seek common ground on issues that serve the publics interest, and which transcend partisan differences. Like many of you, I see divisions deepening in our democracy and engendering dysfunction. Actually, we have so much more in common than in conflict, and my hope is that elected representatives will come together and make democracy work by listening to the American people, who rightly expect action on problems they elect us to solve.

I have worked with senators of both parties to gain congressional approval of the VOW to Hire Heroes Act, which provides significant tax credits to businesses that hire veterans and improves their transition to civilian life. I am committed to fight for veterans employment, housing and health care services through my Honoring All Veterans Act. Several of the provisions in my bill have won committee approval and are awaiting a vote on the Senate floor so we leave no veteran behind. After an official visit to Pakistan and Afghanistan, I helped lead a bipartisan amendment to the recently enacted National Defense Authorization Act to stop the flow of explosive ingredients used to make Improvised Explosive Devices roadside bombs that cause more than 50 percent of all injuries and deaths to our troops. I have also successfully pressed top Pentagon officials to accelerate delivery of the most effective protective gear to all our troops. This equipment will save their lives and limbs. My bill to protect the privacy and security of your confidential information against theft or improper disclosure with strong remedies and penalties was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee. My bill, the Personal Data Protection and Breach Accountability Act, merits bipartisan support by all senators when it reaches the floor for a vote. Along with several of my Republican colleagues, primarily Senator Bob Corker of Tennessee, I wrote and introduced a measure called the Generating Antibiotic Incentives Now (GAIN) Act to help develop new antibiotics against superbugs or mutating germs that cause staph infections, Eschericia coli (E. coli), and other lethal diseases that are resistant to existing antibiotics. The World Health Organization has called antibioticresistant infections one of the three greatest threats to human health and I am pleased that more than 50 organizations have endorsed this bill, including childrens hospitals, physicians, and veterans groups.

Similar stories of my efforts to reach across the aisle are summarized in this newsletter, but as important as any of them is the effort to reform and change Congress itself. One of my first votes in the Senate was to eliminate the 60-vote cloture rule that enables and encourages the current partisan gridlock. My view is that the majority should prevail without requiring a 60-vote threshold that enables a small minority to impede progress. I also support campaign finance reform that will reduce the power of special interests that stalemate the process, as well as legislation to repeal the automatic pay increase for members of Congress and close loopholes that allow insider trading by members of Congress. And I have introduced, with assistance from my Republican colleague, Senator Mark Kirk, a measure to eliminate pensions for members of Congress convicted of public corruption pensions paid with taxpayer money. Most important for me personally has been the work and advocacy for you, individually, no matter how big or small the issue fighting for you, just as I did as Attorney General, often when people had no place else to turn. I have been deeply moved by your calls asking for help and am eternally grateful for your trust and for your messages of gratitude when we fight and win together. Indeed, we have fought and won by securing health insurance coverage for patients who have been wrongly denied, compelling companies to make required refunds owed to consumers, obtaining Social Security or veterans benefits for those who were caught in the bureaucracy, and holding immigration authorities responsible for following the rules of law and fairness, among many other victories. As I begin my second year, I am determined to build on all of this work the big battles to promote our economic recovery and grow jobs, to keep faith with veterans, to protect seniors and to educate and safeguard our children. From my 20 years as Attorney General, I know that few battles are

fought and won overnight. Some, like the battle against big tobacco, or home mortgage and foreclosure abuses are ongoing and I will continue to fight even after significant victories. Together, we can get the job done. That is my promise to you in 2012. I will work relentlessly to fight and win for you every day in the Senate. Now some real stories through the eyes of caseworkers in my office who truly do get the job done.

Caseworker Stories

By Maura Downes, Deputy State Director for Constituent Services

Helping the people of Connecticut has clearly been Senator Blumenthals priority as he has made clear every week in requesting a report on all major cases we receive and as he has done in hiring a great team, including four veterans who work on military/veterans issues. This year our office has worked on more than 1,000 cases ranging from mortgage problems to veterans benefits to health care. In November, Susan Vogel of Branford contacted Senator Blumenthal. Susan is battling a very aggressive form of ovarian cancer at Yale New Haven Hospital (YNHH). After months of treatment, just as hope began to return to the Vogel family, Susans doctors learned that her drug was now in short supply and would no longer be available. Lost and confused about her next step, Susan called our office.

We spoke with Susans doctor and several other officials at YNHH, learning that the hospital had been doing everything it could for patients affected by this drug shortage, unfortunately to no avail. Members of our staff contacted the drug manufacturer and were able to secure an emergency shipment for Susan and, subsequently, for five other patients.
Joanne Webb of Stratford requested Senator Blumenthals help with obtaining Aid and Attendance funds from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for her father, Frank Najpauer. Frank was in declining health, and had a home health aide, but when they came to Senator Blumenthal, his family only had enough

money to pay for three more months of care and they were getting nowhere with the VA. Without the Aid and Attendance money, Joanne and her family would be forced to put Frank in a nursing home. We worked with the VA to secure approval for the Aid and Attendance payments to Franks family. In addition, we were able to get the VA to make a retroactive payment to Frank and his family for more than $62,000, allowing Frank to remain in his home. The Senators caseworkers also helped Jill and Jesse Long of Waterford who contacted Senator Blumenthal after several months of attempting to work with the Internal Revenue Service to obtain a special needs adoption tax credit that they claimed on their 2010 income tax return. The Longs have three biological children and two special needs children whom they adopted from the Department of Children and Families. Mr. Long works two full-time jobs, and Mrs. Long left her job to stay home and care for their adopted children. Money was very tight for the Longs, and the funds owed to them by the IRS were desperately needed heading into the holiday season. We put the Longs in touch with the Taxpayer Advocate Service, an independent agency within the IRS established by Congress to help taxpayers navigate the IRS, and they assigned an advocate to work with the Longs. The Longs' credit was processed and they received their check from the IRS. Mrs. Long called the receipt of these funds "life altering" for her family. -Maura

Legislative Round-Up
Strengthening Our Economy Combating joblessness is critical. My number one legislative priority is economic growth and job creation not merely for the financial well-being, security and self-respect of people who need jobs now, but for all of us. We are inextricably tied to each other in an economy that depends on consumer spending, housing construction, financial market integrity, and private and public investment. No one can succeed alone. That is why I introduced legislation that would provide businesses with incentives and tools for hiring employees, help small businesses compete in a global economy, and reduce barriers that prevent Americans from getting back to work. The Pathways Back to Work Tax Credit Act I introduced would improve employment opportunities for struggling families, provide summer- and year-round youth employment, and offer workforce-training programs that give workers the skills they need to find a good job. More than 70 percent of new jobs are created by small businesses. To help small businesses invest and grow jobs, I introduced the Manufacturing Reinvestment Account Act, creating tax-deferred accounts that businesses can use to save money for new equipment and facilities, as well as workforce training. A survey of Connecticut manufacturers I conducted with Congressman Murphy confirms that jobs are available, but we must equip people with the skills to match them. I have also been working to help Connecticut residents connect directly with employers by hosting job fairs and other events. At a job fair I hosted in East Hartford, more than 1,000 job seekers had the opportunity to network with representatives from 50 different companies seeking to hire workers. I am planning more of these events in the coming months to help bring workers and potential employers together.

Expanding Access to Education Key to turning our economy around in the long run is expanded and enhanced access to education. As I travel around the state, I repeatedly hear from employers that they have job openings, but cannot find workers with the right training and education to fill them. Seeing a great opportunity to advance this issue, I worked for approval of a requirement in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act that would require schools to identify students at risk of dropping out so they can graduate and find a job. In addition, I urged adoption of apprenticeship and internship programs to aid both businesses and students in building a better workforce. Our community colleges are our not-so-secret weapons against joblessness. Visiting Capital Community College in Hartford and Asnuntuck Community College in Enfield, I announced the Community College Innovation Act, which would ensure that community colleges have the resources they need to match students with the skills and training to meet the needs of todays employers. These ideas and proposals are derived directly from conversations around Connecticut with students, faculty, administrators and employers, and I thank them for sharing so generously. Supporting Veterans Some 250,000 veterans live in Connecticut, and not one should be left behind. That is why the first bill I introduced was the Honoring All Veterans Act. Provisions of this legislation would streamline VA health care services, upgrade programs for homeless veterans, and improve treatment for those suffering from traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress. I am proud that the bill is endorsed by many veterans groups, including the

American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars. The current unemployment rate among Connecticut veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan has risen to 15.5 percent, much higher than Connecticuts average unemployment rate of 8.4 percent. I helped pass the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, which offers tax credits to firms that hire unemployed veterans and improves transitional assistance for returning servicemembers. Just last Veterans Day, I announced the formation of a coalition of Connecticut businesses that have made commitments to hire returning veterans.

"Veterans have done their part. It is the duty of companies of all sizes to demonstrate support in return, by helping these brave men and women find employment after military service. We support Senator Blumenthal in urging business leaders to seek new ways to expand the employment opportunities available to those who have served our country," said Michael Kneeland, CEO of United Rentals

Protecting the Health of Our Citizens As a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, I have a unique forum to tackle important

issues like elder care, tobacco addiction, drug shortages, womens reproductive rights, and scientific research and development. Elder Care Elder abuse is a tragic and growing national problem as I know directly from my decades of law enforcement experience. Over 14 percent of non-institutionalized adults experienced physical, psychological, or sexual abuse; neglect; or financial exploitation and seniors are losing at least $2.9 billion per year to financial fraud, an increase of 12 percent from 2008. The fraud and abuse perpetrated on our seniors is unconscionable. I am determined to combine my experience as Attorney General with my new role in the Senate to end these outrageous acts and help assure security and peace of mind to our seniors. To raise awareness and spur action, in August I chaired a hearing in Hartford of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, spotlighting this critical issue. One moving moment came during testimony from 90-year-old Connecticut resident and World War II veteran Robert Matava, who fell victim to elder abuse after entrusting his son with his assets. During the hearing, Mr. Matava recounted his sons abhorrent exploitation of his trust, and dramatically described the embarrassment and shame that can come with elder abuse, which all too often deter victims from reporting it to authorities. Experts say that survivors of even modest forms of abuse have up to 300 percent higher morbidity and mortality rates than nonvictims. The Elder Abuse Victims Act I introduced with Senator Herb Kohl strengthens abuse screening and prevention practices at the state level through increasing support for state training programs. I also worked with Senator Kohl to introduce the End Abuse in Later Life Act, which also strengthens efforts to deal with domestic abuse in a seniors later years. This measure was included in the draft of the Violence Against Women Act

Reauthorization that will soon be considered. Finally, ensuring the protection of early retiree health insurance benefit programs is critical to the over-150 Connecticut companies currently participating in the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program, passed as a part of health care reform, which offers support for those companies that remain committed to providing health benefits for their early retirees aged 55-65. This program is so popular that, unfortunately, it has already exhausted its authorized funds. I have joined with Senators John Kerry and Debbie Stabenow to introduce the Retiree Health Coverage Protection Act that would provide additional resources to strengthen this program and help more Connecticut seniors who are on the verge of losing affordable health care coverage. This bill was strongly endorsed by senior and labor groups, including the AARP and the AFL-CIO. Tobacco Regulation I am continuing my fight against tobacco addiction and disease a battle that I waged vigorously as Attorney General for more than 15 years. This year I worked with Senators Frank Lautenberg, Tom Harkin, and Dick Durbin, along with the Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association, to ban the use of smokeless tobacco at Major League Baseball games. Young males use of smokeless tobacco products often an insidious cause of cancer and other health problems has consistently increased over the last decade. I was very pleased when Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association announced sweeping new prohibitions on the use of smokeless tobacco on the field and in public appearances by players. Most positively impacted will be young men and teenagers who see Major Leaguers as heroes and role models.

Drug Shortages The United States has seen a sudden spike in drug shortages with devastating consequences to patients who are denied medicines that work best for them. In March 2011, I requested a comprehensive investigation by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) into the rapid increase in drug shortages throughout the United States. Last year, the FDA reported 178 drugs in shortage. In addition to the often tragic results for patients, shortages cost the U.S. health care system more than $200 million annually. The result of the GAOs study, accompanied by a list of recommendations to address the drug shortage crisis, was released in December. The study was a catalyst for President Obamas executive order requiring the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services to adopt all of the GAOs recommendations including a doubling of staff and resources at the FDAs Office of Drug Shortages. I continue to work with a bipartisan group of senators to address this growing crisis. Antibiotic Remedies The rise of antibioticWe commend Sen. Blumenthal and resistant drugs is a direct Sen. Corker for their bipartisan leadership and are committed to public health menace. working with them and their Antibiotic-resistant colleagues in the Senate and the House superbugs have been on to pass the GAIN Act, said Sharon the rise for a decade, with Ladin, director of the Pew Health the rate of antibioticGroups Antibiotics and Innovation resistant staph infections Project. The bill creates incentives to approaching 50 percent. spur antibiotic innovation and brings Currently, MRSA us one step closer to delivering new, infections are responsible life-saving medicines to the growing for over 17,000 deaths in number of Americans who urgently the U.S. each need them. year. Antibiotic resistance results in more deaths annually than AIDS or traffic accidents, and

costs the health care system an estimated $26 billion annually. Many veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan have been exposed to a new, highly resistant and contagious strain of Acinetobacter bacteria. About 89 percent of infections caused by mutant strains of Acinetobacter are resistant to at least three classes of antibiotics and 15 percent are resistant to all forms of treatment. These alarming, unacceptable trends have spurred strong bipartisan support for the GAIN Act. Reproductive Rights and Womens Health A womans right to choose and access to safe, affordable birth control have consistently been favorite targets of the extreme right. I was proud to lead the efforts in the Senate to protect provisions in the Affordable Care Act mandating the inclusion of birth control coverage for all women without cost-sharing. Also troubling were threats by several states to cut off Medicaid access to family planning clinics that provide full womens health care services to low- and middle-income women, including abortion care. In response, I organized a letter signed by thirty senators to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, requesting that Medicaid funds not be distributed to states that implement legislation that would prohibit family planning clinics, including Planned Parenthood, from receiving federal funds. Thankfully, our effort was successful, as the Obama administration determined that state efforts to cut off Planned Parenthood and other trusted family planning centers would be a violation of federal Medicaid law. Lyme Disease As many of you know too well, Connecticut currently has one of the highest rates of Lyme disease infection in the country. In July, I joined Lyme disease advocates and researchers at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station in New Haven to announce the introduction of the Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Prevention, Education, and Research Act, a bill to combat the growing

epidemic of Lyme disease in New England and across the country. The most comprehensive Lyme disease legislation to date, my bill improves the development of diagnosis and treatment tools and will help address this growing public health threat. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), reported Lyme disease cases in the U.S. have more than doubled since the CDC began recording cases in 1991, creating the need for an aggressive response on the federal level. In 2009, nearly 30,000 confirmed cases of Lyme disease were reported in the U.S., with the CDC stating they believed only 10-12 percent of all cases had been reported. My legislation would encourage education and reporting so that public awareness grows and people can get their loved ones treated earlier, avoiding pernicious and preventable health risks. Medical Device Patient Safety Act Unsafe medical devices pose severe dangers to patients and impede approval of new, safe devices causing significant growing costs to both our economy and our health. This year I reached across the aisle and introduced a bipartisan measure with Senators Chuck Grassley and Herb Kohl: the Medical Device Patient Safety Act. Serious disabling defects in metal hip implants are an example of the current failures in the medical device approval process, with very costly results in dollars and needless suffering. This bill will protect patients from dangerous unsafe medical devices by demanding more consumer safeguards: stronger oversight and surveillance after products begin use, improving recall management, avoiding costly recalls, and preventing irreversible injury to patients. By removing unsafe devices from the market more quickly and efficiently, we can preserve a faster approval track for safe and effective products to reach patients.

Childrens Hospitals The Childrens Graduate Medical Education Reauthorization Act, which would provide a stable funding source for physician training for freestanding childrens hospitals, like Connecticut Childrens Medical Center, enjoys broad bipartisan support for good reason: it expands access to vital care for sick children in Connecticut and across the country. I was proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with my colleagues Senator Bob Casey and Senators Johnny Isakson and Pat Roberts this past May, and I am committed to moving this legislation forward. Fighting for Consumers As Connecticuts Attorney General, I spent decades fighting relentlessly for consumers. I am proud to continue this work in the Senate, where I have seized upon issues like invasions of online privacy, product safety, unscrupulous business practices, and excessive market dominance. Unfortunately, corporations repeatedly continue to mishandle consumers personal information, allowing for security breaches which improperly disclose sensitive material. An estimated 100 million Sony customers were put at risk when their personal information was compromised in several security breaches last year. Very recently, the personal data of an untold number of consumers were exposed by a similar incident involving the online marketing firm Epsilon. In response to these inexcusable breaches of confidentiality and trust, I introduced the Personal Data Protection and Breach Accountability Act, which requires companies to safeguard consumers personal information, provides remedies to anyone whose data is breached, and allows victims to hold accountable companies that compromise their data. This legislation was passed

by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Sometimes, identity thieves need not even hack or breach a website or server in accessing private, confidential, valuable data, because the sensitive information is otherwise accessible. Constituents, who recently experienced a death in their family, contacted my office about identity theft. They discovered that the deceased family members name and Social Security number had been used to file a fraudulent tax return and collect money meant for the loved ones spouse, parents, or children. After speaking with them and several government agencies, my office learned that some genealogy websites publish virtual dossiers of information on the recently deceased, including a persons name, date of birth, Social Security number, and other information. To protect legitimate uses but forestall misuse of deceased individuals information, I joined several of my Senate colleagues in sending letters to genealogy websites requesting that they remove and no longer post the Social Security numbers of deceased individuals on their websites. I am pleased that several of the companies have agreed to remove the Social Security numbers, and I expect that others will follow suit. Additionally, I have asked the IRS to review its verification methods when processing tax returns and will work with the IRS to help it catch potential fraud before it sends a check to an identity thief. Protecting Our Service Members As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I had the honor of visiting with service members in Afghanistan as well as here in the U.S., and have worked to support defense programs that are vital to our national security and to Connecticuts defense industrial base. Learning first hand about improvised explosive devices (IEDs) the roadside bombs that so horribly maim and kill our war

fighters I traveled to Afghanistan and Pakistan, focusing on the flow of calcium ammonium nitrate and other explosive ingredients, which are smuggled across the border and used in the manufacture of IEDs. The trip was an eyeopening, deeply moving, life-changing experience. After returning to Washington, I joined my colleagues in writing to Deputy Senator Blumenthal watches a Counter Secretary of Defense IED demonstration with Senators Bennet, Ashton Carter, asking Whitehouse and Casey at Camp him to expedite Leatherneck, Afghanistan. shipments of ballistic gear and clothing that provide protection against IEDs. I am pleased to report that our request was granted. This gear, worn at the groin and upper leg areas, will help save lives, and reduce the severity of wounds for amputees. Senator Casey and I also successfully added an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act to require the Secretaries of Defense and State to withhold funds from the Pakistan Counterinsurgency Fund until they certify that the government of Pakistan is implementing a strategy to counter IEDs. The Senate unanimously agreed to our amendment. Obtaining Disaster Relief Mother Nature wreaked havoc on Connecticut in 2011. We were hit hard by winter storms in January, as well as Tropical Storm Irene in August and a rare October snowstorm. Following each of these weather events, I worked with the Connecticut congressional delegation to secure a Presidential Disaster Declaration, making

federal assistance available to individuals and businesses across the state. In the wake of Tropical Storm Irene I pressed Connecticut Light & Power on their unacceptably slow and inadequate performance to restore service to hundreds of thousands left without power. I also pushed CL&P to implement a series of recommendations made by state regulators to dramatically upgrade the utilitys emergency response capabilities. At my request, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is evaluating possible additional federal oversight of the so-called Mutual Aid Groups an industry-led system used by utility companies to bring in crews from other states in the event of an emergency. Protecting Civil Rights The struggle to enhance and enable civil liberties and equal rights should unite us, regardless of party or politics. I have worked in the Senate to achieve marriage equality and to address discrimination in the workplace and at school. I have helped lead the fight to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act to ensure fair treatment under the law for all loving couples. I strongly support both the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which prohibits employment discrimination based on sexual orientation, and the Student Non-Discrimination Act, which prohibits harassment in schools based on sexual orientation and holds schools accountable. Last spring, I joined 13 other senators to record a video to encourage lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) young people not to give up as part of the It Gets Better Project. This project was founded in 2010 after a series of tragic suicides by LGBT youth who were bullied because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Promoting Energy Efficiency Connecticut is a major research and development hub for some of the worlds largest manufacturers of energy efficient technologies. We must continue to support investments in fuel cell and hydrogen technologies. That is why I have vigorously pushed regulators to enact strong new rules that protect consumers from price-gouging and manipulation of energy markets. When funding for important fuel cell and hydrogen energy programs at the Department of Energy was threatened, I fought successfully to ensure that the programs received the resources they needed. Connecticuts cutting-edge work in fuel cell and hydrogen programs not only creates good jobs at home, but also provides a clean, renewable source of energy that reduces our reliance on foreign oil. Every winter, 170,000 Connecticut families rely on the Low Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to stay warm. When the program was under attack, I joined dozens of my Senate colleagues in calling for the full funding of LIHEAP in the FY11 and FY12 appropriations process, resulting in more than $22 million in funds for Connecticut. Preserving the Environment Connecticut is blessed with wondrous beauty and bountiful natural resources bestowing great benefit, but also a responsibility for sound environmental stewardship. We must protect our precious heritage and make it our legacy. Working with my colleagues from Connecticut and New York, I advocated for increased support of important Long Island Sound restoration and conservation programs. I also led the effort in the Senate to sustain key programs that support the Sea Research Foundation and Connecticuts Mystic Aquarium through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Addressing Public Safety When the Senate Judiciary Committee considered important updates to the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, which enhances federal tools for fighting human trafficking both at home and abroad, I successfully fought to add two new provisions to curb the use of exploited victims from foreign countries as modern-day slaves by federal contractors operating abroad. These amendments will help regulate the activities of Department of Defense and Department of State contractors in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere around the world to reduce human trafficking on U.S. military bases and strengthen reporting requirements. Senators Joseph Lieberman, Chuck Schumer, and I introduced Billys Law, which enables better law enforcement action to find missing adults. This legislation, named after Waterbury resident William Smolinski, who disappeared in August 2004, authorizes the Attorney General to maintain a public database of information on missing people, and increases information sharing between the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System and the National Crime Information Center. After meeting with law enforcement officials and doctors in Connecticut to learn more about the threat posed by dangerous unregulated synthetic drugs, I worked in the Senate on legislation to allow federal officials to classify these drugs as controlled substances, which will do more to keep these substances out of the hands of our children. Additionally, these proposals will give the Drug Enforcement Agency more resources to crack down on the use and sale of these life-threatening drugs. Protecting Social Security Amidst the swirl of predictions and prophecies about Social Securitys supposed solvency, you deserve the truth. Even taking worst-case-scenario numbers, Social Security is and will be solvent

for decades to come. Cutting the debt and deficit and reducing federal budgets which we must do need not mean degrading or diminishing Social Security. Indeed, budget reform should be achieved separately, because Social Security is a separate and distinct trust fund, and a promise that we have made to people who pay into it. As Social Security came under attack in 2011, I worked with my colleagues to protect this vital program. I joined Senator Sheldon Whitehouse in introducing a bill to express the sense of the Senate that any deficit-reduction agreement should not include cuts to Social Security or Medicare benefits. Additionally, I joined several of my Senate colleagues in introducing the Keeping Our Social Security Promises Act, which ensures Social Securitys solvency for the next 70 years, without cutting benefits, by applying the payroll tax to individuals who earn over $250,000 each year. Promoting Fairness in the Tax Code Thousands of Connecticut residents work out of home offices for companies located in New York and are hit with taxes from both states. This double hit is unfair. Senator Joseph Lieberman and I introduced the Telecommuter Tax Fairness Act, which bars states from taxing non-residents on the income they earn at home and protects Connecticut residents who work in New York from unfair double taxation on their income. With oil and gas companies receiving more than $40 billion in tax breaks over the last decade as theyve seen record profits, I worked with more than two dozen of my Senate colleagues to end this absurd loophole by introducing the Close Big Oil Tax Loopholes Act. This bill closes tax loopholes that major oil companies use to avoid paying their fair share of taxes.

Ensuring Fair Trade To compete effectively, American workers and Connecticuts products and businesses need and deserve a level playing field that exports now lack. For years, China has manipulated its currency to boost their products at the expense of American jobs and workers. That is why I joined with Senator Chuck Schumer to introduce the Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Act to address Chinas undervaluing of its currency. The bill passed the Senate by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 63-35. The passage of this bill is an important step toward giving Connecticut businesses and manufacturers a better opportunity to grow by increasing their exports. Improving Our States Infrastructure Public investment in all means of infrastructure ports, roads, bridges, airports is a means of creating jobs, raising quality of life, and preparing Connecticut for generations to come. Few public investments produce bigger dividends economically and environmentally than rail transportation. Hundreds of miles of critical rail infrastructure run through Connecticut. Tens of thousands of Connecticut residents use Amtrak service to travel to work or around the region. We must secure significant infrastructure investment in rail as a way of reducing traffic congestion and pollution, and creating good jobs. I have been a strong advocate for the New Haven-HartfordSpringfield High Speed Rail project, and worked with my colleagues in the Connecticut delegation to secure $30 million in additional funding for this critical infrastructure program, with a total federal funding commitment of more than $190 million. This high-speed rail line will create jobs, reduce congestion on our roads, and enhance transit-oriented development. Indeed, it will create an estimated 4,710 construction-related jobs, more than 8,000 total jobs, and save over 3.5 million gallons of fuel a year.

Connecticuts strong, continued commitment to improving highspeed rail is critical to our long-term economic development plan. Fortunately, opposition to cuts in high-speed intercity passenger rail programs has been, impressively, both bipartisan and regional. I was a strong advocate for Connecticuts municipalities during the latest round of competitive applications for the U.S. Department of Transportations TIGER grant program. I worked with the Connecticut congressional delegation to urge Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to provide funding for worthwhile projects in Connecticut that will help reduce traffic congestion, improve our communities, and put people to work. I was very pleased that Stamford ($10.5 million) was selected to receive funding to advance its important transportation infrastructure projects. Fostering Government Reform At the root of many obstacles to positive action by Congress is a lack of transparency and accountability, which I have fought to correct. I worked with my Republican colleague, Senator Mark Kirk, to introduce the bipartisan Congressional Integrity and Pension Forfeiture Act, which ensures that taxpayers no longer have to provide a pension for members of Congress who are convicted of public corruption crimes. Additionally, I am supporting the Campaign Finance Reform Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which overturns the Supreme Courts flawed Citizens United decision that green lights unlimited anonymous corporate spending in elections. Our elections should be decided by citizens casting votes, not by corporations spending millions. Finally, I have advocated for legislation to repeal the automatic pay raise for members of Congress and close loopholes that allow insider trading by members of Congress. These steps would significantly restore public trust in government.

Conclusion Looking forward, I hope to build on this record particularly in promoting job creation and economic recovery, keeping faith with our veterans, protecting our troops, and working on many problems like drug shortages or antibiotic-resistant diseases where the opportunity for bipartisan action is clear, present, and pressing. Two paramount points about the future: first, my service will always be shaped by listening to Connecticuts people, which is why I will continue to return home every weekend and travel the state, visiting communities and fairs, parades, forums, and meetings of all kinds and sizes. Listening has always been a hallmark of my work. And second, I will continue to advocate and fight for Connecticuts interests and people, relentlessly and tirelessly, and, I hope, successfully. Thank you for taking the time to read about our work in the Senate. I am honored and privileged to serve you each and every day.