Sens. Looney, Duff, Cohen Condemn Trump’s Politicization of Airport Safety Checkpoints

Today, Senate President Martin Looney, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff and State Senator Christine Cohen, Senate Chair of the Transportation Committee, condemn the Trump administration’s politicization of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints here in Connecticut and across the country.

It has been reported that TSA began displaying a 30-second clip of Kristi Noem, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, blaming Democrats in Congress for the government shutdown which has led to paused pay for federal workers, including air traffic control and TSA agents, and travel delays across the country.

Although this video will be playing at Bradley International Airport, according to the Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA) there have not been extensive call outs by FAA or TSA staff at this point, and no operational impacts or safety concerns have been reported at Bradley.

In the video, Secretary Noem addresses the shutdown and blames Democrats for potential delays: “It is TSA’s top priority to make sure that you have the most pleasant and efficient airport experience as possible while we keep you safe. However, Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government, and because of this, many of our operations are impacted, and most of our TSA employees are working without pay. We will continue to do all that we can to avoid delays that will impact your travel, and our hope is that Democrats will soon recognize the importance of opening the government.”

“Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans know that they own this government shutdown, and they are taking extraordinary measures to convince Americans otherwise,” said Senators Looney and Duff. “The Trump administration and its Department of Homeland Security are following a chilling playbook as they continue to utilize government resources for blatant propaganda to paint some of their most unpopular actions in a more flattering light. From ICE recruitment videos that read like a video game advertisement, to now lying to Americans while they experience avoidable travel delays, their dishonesty knows no bounds.”

“While TSA workers and air traffic controllers enter another week without pay, our President is playing politics and subjecting travelers to what I would consider political messaging at best and downright lies at worst,” said Sen. Cohen. “Transportation safety is a critical and nonpartisan endeavor, and this administration’s use of public safety equipment like these monitors to spread disinformation and further division is unacceptable. Connecticut travelers and those across our country deserve better.”

DURING BANNED BOOKS WEEK, SENATORS DUFF, MAHER, REP. DATHAN PROMOTE CONNECTICUT’S PROTECTION OF SCHOOL, PUBLIC LIBRARIES

From left, Sen. Duff speaks as Cunningham, Pentheny, Sen. Maher and Rep. Dathan look on Thursday afternoon in Norwalk.

With libraries across the country recognizing Banned Books Week and growing national efforts to censor and limit the availability of works of literature, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) and State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton) and State Representative Lucy Dathan (D-New Canaan, Norwalk) today visited Norwalk Public Library to promote new laws in Connecticut protecting books in school and public libraries across the state.

As part of the 2025-26 state budget, Connecticut public and school libraries are now required to adopt policies regarding the selection and presentation of materials in their libraries, as well as policies regarding how library staff reviews challenges to books. By having these policies in place, libraries statewide will have a standard – which different libraries can customize to their needs – to review questioned content and make detailed, thorough decisions regarding those books’ content and public access to them.

Sen. Duff, Sen. Maher and Rep. Dathan were joined by Triangle Community Center community education director Cadence Pentheny and Norwalk Public Library children’s librarian Evelyn Cunningham.

“On a national basis, book bans and challenges have tripled in the last five years, and we’ve seen more than a hundred in our state. Let’s be clear about what we’re talking about: we’re talking about librarians being harassed on the job and attempts to get books pulled from shelves because one person decides an entire community cannot handle its content. In some cases, books have been challenged that had never even been checked out of libraries,” said Sen. Duff. “Connecticut’s new policies will still allow for challenges based on books’ content; they simply ensure every library in the state has a proper procedure to review those challenges and better serve their communities.”

“Public libraries serve entire towns and communities, while school libraries are meant to foster and encourage young minds to learn and grow. This law seeks to preserve that,” said Sen. Maher. “In states where culture wars and book bans have run wild like Florida, some schools have stripped their libraries of hundreds of books like “The Diary of Anne Frank”  and “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings,” as well as George Takei’s graphic novel, “They Called Us Enemy,” about his experience incarcerated as a child in an American concentration camp for people of Japanese heritage during World War II. This law keeps books on library shelves and makes sure that if someone challenges a book’s content, that challenge will be taken seriously and reviewed according to the library’s governance documents. What this legislation prevents are efforts to unilaterally strip literature from shelves.”

“I’m grateful to my colleagues for taking up this initiative. Some people see it as controversial; I see it as a First Amendment right,” said Rep. Dathan. “We are limiting, in effect, what people can say and speak in a public environment. We need to ensure everyone in our community, no matter who they are, can be exposed to many forms of literature. That’s how we become more engaged adults in society and how we better hear all ideas. I get disheartened when I hear from librarians in my communities who tell me they’re receiving threats. We need to make sure all of our children are exposed to different ideas as understanding different ideas and points of view is part of growing up.”

The new law was introduced to ensure Connecticut libraries and their staff can do their jobs and support educational connections in their communities. It provides immunity for librarians performing regular work duties and allows librarians legal action if they suffer defamation or reputational damage in doing their duties.

The press conference came during Banned Books Week, and the American Library Association reported that the number of book challenges in the United States has increased nearly 10 times from 2001-2020 to 2024, with the total annual average rising from 273 to 2,452. About 93% of all book challenges take place at school and public libraries; the ALA found that organizations and government entities represented 72% of all censorship demands, with the 120 most-targeted books in its rankings all appearing on partisan political websites.

PEN America noted that national groups such as Moms for Liberty and US Parents Involved in Education are increasing their calls for book censorship and that just 4% of book bans in 2021-22, a recently tracked year, followed recommended steps after challenges were made; more than 2,500 books were removed under pressure against school or public library staff.

Senators Looney and Duff: When Will Connecticut Republicans Wake Up to the Real Crisis Coming from Trump’s Washington?

Today, Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) released the following statement in response to Connecticut Republicans’ calls to change budget oversight and appropriations procedures:

“Connecticut Republicans’ sudden concern about transparency is predictably hypocritical. They’re silent about the massive actual corruption happening in Washington under Donald Trump. Trump’s border czar getting $50,000 in a paper bag to steer contracts, Trump’s foreign bailout for billionaire donors, Trump’s constant leverage of the government for his own enrichment, and Trump’s administration hiding the Epstein files and considering a pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell.

“We are working on a special session to mitigate the economic damage and health care crisis unleashed by Trump’s toxic policies on the people of Connecticut. Our state needs to make critical decisions about how to stop rising insurance premiums, increasing higher education costs, tariffs that are crippling small businesses, and people from losing lifesaving care. The very foundation of our state’s economy and health care system is under attack. What will it take to get Connecticut Republicans to focus on the real damage happening in our state right now?”

Senator Duff and the Norwalk Delegation Welcomes $3.5 Million to Norwalk

Today, the Norwalk Delegation consisting of Senate Majority Leader Senator Bob Duff, state Representatives Lucy Dathan, Travis Simms, Kadeem Roberts, and Dominique Johnson, is welcoming a vote by the Community Investment Fund (CIF) that will bring $3.5 Million to Norwalk to support two transformative projects aimed at improving safety, mobility, and economic vitality in key neighborhoods. A $2.5 million investment will fund pedestrian safety and traffic calming upgrades along Lexington Avenue, while an additional $1 million will support the historic restoration and streetscape enhancement of Washington Street in South Norwalk’s historic district.

“These investments through the CIF are a big win for Norwalk,” said Sen. Duff. “The improvements to Lexington Avenue will make the street safer and more accessible for everyone who walks, bikes, or drives through the neighborhood. At the same time, the restoration and revitalization of Washington Street will help preserve the historic charm of South Norwalk while boosting local businesses and attracting more visitors.”

“This year, we set a record by installing 10.9 miles of sidewalks throughout Norwalk, and we have plans to install more,” said Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling. “We are thrilled to be awarded State funding through the Community Investment Fund grant to improve sidewalks and pedestrian mobility on Lexington Avenue between Ely Avenue and Austin Street. The completed project will include ADA accessible sidewalks and a slight widening of the road to enhance vehicular safety. I want to thank Governor Lamont, Senator Duff, and members of our State Delegation for supporting this funding to ensure we continue to strengthen safety and mobility for all road users, particularly in this historic district of Norwalk, while prioritizing pedestrian mobility.”

“I am proud to join Senator Duff and my colleagues in securing these critical investments for Norwalk,” said Rep. Simms. “The $2.5 million for the Lexington Avenue mobility upgrades and the $1 million for the Washington Street Streetscape represent our commitment to strengthening infrastructure, supporting economic development, and improving quality of life for all residents. This is another example of how working together at the state level delivers real results for our community.”

“I am pleased our delegation continues to deliver critical resources to our district,” said Rep. Dathan. “We are confident these CIF projects will advance through the approval process and reach the final phase. These grants will improve safety and accessibility, making it easier for people of all ages and abilities to walk and bike in our community.”

“These projects will benefit Norwalk in the short and long term,” said Rep. Roberts. “Making pedestrian safety improvements on Lexington Avenue is a big step in terms of equity – once completed, traveling on that street will not be a risky endeavor for those who are not in a car. The streetscape project will modernize parts of Washington Street, which will drive more traffic to the wonderful restaurants and shops in the area. Thank you to the CIF board for their consideration.”

“Infrastructure improvements can transform a good city into an even greater one,” said Rep. Johnson. “Once the Lexington Avenue project is complete, the street will be much safer for all travelers, from those who choose to walk, to cyclists, and individuals behind a wheel. The Streetscape project on Washington Street will contribute to a more welcoming experience for diners, shoppers, business owners, and residents along one of Norwalk’s most vibrant downtown corridors. Thank you to the CIF board, Speaker Ritter, Senate President Looney, and Governor Lamont for their continued investment in Norwalk.

“For the longest time, the narrowness of Lexington Ave has been a constraint for our most productive bus routes in South Norwalk,” said CEO of the Norwalk Transit District Matt Pentz. “Widening of Lexington Ave will enable us to operate two-way service which will improve quality and efficiency by allowing for simpler, safe, bi-directional bus service in one of our most transit dependent areas. When two-way service becomes a reality, riders boarding south of SoNo Station will have a much shorter trip to the station by bus. NTD appreciates the effort by TMP and support from Senator Duff in addressing this issue and looks forward to the positive solutions that the new funding will create.”

“Our streets shouldn’t just accommodate drivers but everyone who needs it for transportation,” said Director of Transportation, Mobility, and Parking Jim Travers. “This investment in Lexington Avenue reflects our commitment to creating safer, more accessible streets for pedestrians, cyclists, and all members of the community. The project not only includes street scape and sidewalk infrastructure but provides a “right sized” roadway that will allow for better public transportation on this heavily used roadway. These improvements will not only enhance safety but also support a more connected and vibrant neighborhood.”

The CIF is allocating $2.5 million to support pedestrian safety and traffic calming improvements along Lexington Avenue in Norwalk. The project will span from Ely Avenue to Knapp Street and aims to enhance mobility and safety for all road users, particularly pedestrians. This funding represents a significant step toward improving local transportation and quality of life in the area.

The CIF is also allocating $1 million to help with historic restoration and streetscape upgrade along Washington Street in South Norwalk’s historic district. This project includes restoring at least 10 building façades by June 2027, installing five outdoor dining parklets by May 2026 (converting 15 of 28 on-street parking spaces), and enhancing the area with string lighting, murals, planters, and other placemaking features.

The CIF fosters economic development in historically underserved communities across the state.