Looney & Duff Condemn Trump’s Racist Video

Posted on February 6, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

Looney, Duff Condemn Trump’s Racist Video

“If this isn’t rhetoric that crosses the line, what is?”

HARTFORD — Senate President Martin Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) issued the following statement today, at the start of Black History Month, condemning President Donald Trump’s posting of a racist video:

“President Trump’s racist video depicting President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama as monkeys is abhorrent, disgraceful, and has no place in our political discourse. Whenever President Trump seems to have hit bottom, he always seems to find a new way to shock his fellow citizens and embarrass himself. Whether it is blatantly racist behavior like this or him being mentioned hundreds if not thousands of times in the Epstein files, President Trump would not be tolerated in our politics if we had a normal Republican Party.

“We call on Connecticut Republicans to publicly denounce this racist attack on the first Black president and first lady in our nation’s history. Republican leaders are always quick to call for us to ‘take the rhetoric down’ and ‘lower the temperature’—if this isn’t rhetoric that crosses the line, what is? If a leader stays silent when the head of his political party has normalized an explicitly racist attack, he becomes complicit in that racism. We believe our colleagues in Connecticut are better than that, and we call on them to make their integrity known.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kevin Coughlin | kevin.coughlin@cga.ct.gov | 203-710-0193

Looney & Duff Condemn Trump’s Racist Video

Posted on February 6, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

Looney, Duff Condemn Trump’s Racist Video

“If this isn’t rhetoric that crosses the line, what is?”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kevin Coughlin | kevin.coughlin@cga.ct.gov | 203-710-0193

Senator Miller Votes to Protect Connecticut from Trump Cuts Through Reserve Fund

Posted on February 5, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

Senator Miller Votes to Protect Connecticut from Trump Cuts Through Reserve Fund

Senator Pat Billie Miller, D-Stamford, voted Wednesday to preserve access to emergency response resources, set aside by the state legislature to offset significant funding cuts enacted or threatened by the Trump administration, through June 2027.

Wednesday’s vote ensures that a reserve fund, which contains $313 million, will be an accessible resource as Connecticut continues to face funding cuts by the federal government.

“Connecticut families depend on federal government programs for health care, food assistance, and housing support, and the Trump administration’s reckless cuts have put some of our most vulnerable residents at risk,” Senator Miller said. “By making reserve funding available through 2027, we’re ensuring Connecticut has the resources to step in when Washington breaks its promises. I’m proud to support this critical safety net that protects our communities from the chaos and cruelty of Washington Republicans.”

The Republican federal budget, passed in July, included significant programming cuts with billions stripped from Medicaid and Medicare in the coming years. Other cuts have included the discontinuation of grants helping millions of families afford health insurance and reductions to programs supporting public health, education, clean energy and housing.

These cuts and the administration’s ongoing threats to enact more serious funding reductions, prompted state legislators to create a similar response fund during a special legislative session late last year. That fund has already been used to support investments in response to federal changes and funding cuts including:

$115 million to replace expiring federal health care subsidies for Connecticut residents with plans through Access Health CT, its Affordable Care Act exchange, which will take effect in March
$24.6 million for food banks and food pantries to serve the public after eligibility changes to SNAP ended benefits for thousands of residents
$11.4 million for system upgrades at the Department of Social Services to implement eligibility changes and constituent support
$8.5 million to replace lost federal reimbursement for Planned Parenthood of Southern New England and $1.9 million to replace funding for its frozen Title X family planning and preventive health services grant
$6.88 million to offset expiring Continuum of Care grants for homelessness prevention and housing vouchers formerly funded by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development
$4.7 million for 211, Community Action Agencies to help the public better understand and meet new SNAP eligibility requirements
$4.513 million to replace Community School grants in New Haven, Waterbury and Hartford providing health care and childcare services to children and families
$2 million to expand community health workers’ ability to help the public meet changes to SNAP and Medicaid eligibility
$830,000 to replace funding for mental health counselors to schools in the Northwest region of Connecticut

Senator Hochadel Votes for Reserve Fund to Protect Residents from Trump Cuts

Posted on February 4, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

Senator Hochadel Votes to Shield Connecticut from Trump Cuts Through Reserve Fund

Senator Jan Hochadel, D-Meriden, voted Wednesday to preserve access to emergency response resources, set aside by the state legislature to offset significant funding cuts enacted or threatened by the Trump administration, through June 2027.

Wednesday’s vote ensures that a reserve fund, which contains $313 million, will be an accessible resource as Connecticut continues to face funding cuts by the federal government.

“I’ve seen firsthand what happens when the federal government breaks its promises to our communities. In Meriden, children lost access to vital programs and parents were left scrambling to find child care,” Senator Hochadel said. “The Trump administration’s cuts aren’t abstractions. They’re programs that our residents depend on, food assistance that keeps families fed, and health care that seniors need. This reserve fund gives us the tools to respond quickly when Washington pulls the rug out from under Connecticut.”

These cuts and the administration’s ongoing threats to enact more serious funding reductions prompted state legislators to create a similar response fund during a special legislative session late last year. That fund has already been used to support investments in response to federal changes and funding cuts including:

$115 million to replace expiring federal health care subsidies for Connecticut residents with plans through Access Health CT, its Affordable Care Act exchange, which will take effect in March
$24.6 million for food banks and food pantries to serve the public after eligibility changes to SNAP ended benefits for thousands of residents
$11.4 million for system upgrades at the Department of Social Services to implement eligibility changes and constituent support
$8.5 million to replace lost federal reimbursement for Planned Parenthood of Southern New England and $1.9 million to replace funding for its frozen Title X family planning and preventive health services grant
$6.88 million to offset expiring Continuum of Care grants for homelessness prevention and housing vouchers formerly funded by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development
$4.7 million for 211, Community Action Agencies to help the public better understand and meet new SNAP eligibility requirements
$4.513 million to replace Community School grants in New Haven, Waterbury and Hartford providing health care and childcare services to children and families
$2 million to expand community health workers’ ability to help the public meet changes to SNAP and Medicaid eligibility
$830,000 to replace funding for mental health counselors to schools in the Northwest region of Connecticut

Contact: Hugh McQuaid | hugh.mcquaid@cga.ct.gov

SENATOR ANWAR VOTES TO PROTECT CONNECTICUT FROM TRUMP CUTS WITH RESERVE FUND

Posted on February 4, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969

February 4, 2026

SENATOR ANWAR VOTES TO PROTECT CONNECTICUT FROM TRUMP CUTS WITH RESERVE FUND

$300+ Million Response Fund Shielding Connecticut From Federal Chaos

Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) voted to establish a Federal Cuts Response Fund, continuing an effort started in late 2025 to ensure Connecticut lawmakers are well-positioned to respond to rapid changes to funding and programs made by the federal government.

Today’s vote carries over about $313 million into the new reserve following $186.6 million in investments in November 2025 and January 2026 from a $500 million pool established in 2025. It makes sure those funds remain a vital resource as Connecticut continues to face threats of stripped funding from the federal government.

“For the last year, lawmakers have woken up in a strange land. The federal government, which for decades has supported and protected our residents, is now gutting those programs. It’s nonsensical and will harm our cities and towns if we don’t respond,” said Sen. Anwar. “This fund represents a lifeline for the many Connecticut residents concerned about affording their health insurance, keeping their benefits and continuing to receive the care and support they need. Preserving its power plays a powerful role in protecting our people.”

Since the start of the second Trump presidency, myriad funding cuts and cancellations have been threatened and enacted, with a specific focus on programs in blue states. The Republican-led federal budget passed in July 2025 saw significant cuts to a number of programs, with billions of dollars in cuts to Medicaid and Medicare expected in coming years as just one consequence.

Further cuts to public health, education, clean energy and housing valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars have roiled the state in the last year. Abrupt changes to federal policies for health care, food assistance and housing support potentially disconnect numerous state residents from important and needed aid.

In addition to confirmed cuts, the administration also continues to threaten others, adding increased uncertainty for proposed responses. Most recently, in January 2026, the Trump administration threatened to wipe out millions of dollars in addiction and mental health services in the state, one of several threats that were ultimately rescinded but motivated lawmakers to make proactive responses in an increasingly volatile political environment.

The fund has already been used to support investments in response to federal changes and funding cuts including:

$115 million to replace expiring federal health care subsidies for Connecticut residents with plans through Access Health CT, its Affordable Care Act exchange, which will take effect in March
$24.6 million to support food banks and food pantries’ capacities to serve the public after eligibility changes to SNAP ended benefits for thousands of residents
$11.4 million to support system upgrades at the Department of Social Services to successfully implement eligibility changes and constituent support
$8.5 million to replace lost federal reimbursement for Planned Parenthood of Southern New England and $1.9 million to replace funding for its frozen Title X family planning and preventive health services grant
$6.88 million to support expiring Continuum of Care grants for homelessness prevention and housing vouchers formerly funded by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development
$4.7 million to increase call volume at 211, Community Action Agencies to help the public better understand and meet new SNAP eligibility requirements
$4.513 million to replace Community School grants for New Haven, Waterbury and Hartford public schools providing health care and childcare services to children and families
$2 million to expand community health workers’ ability to help the public meet changes to SNAP and Medicaid eligibility
$830,000 to replace funding for mental health counselors to schools in the Northwest region of Connecticut

SENATOR MARX VOTES TO PROTECT CONNECTICUT FROM TRUMP CUTS WITH RESERVE FUND

Posted on February 4, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

SENATOR MARX VOTES TO PROTECT CONNECTICUT FROM TRUMP CUTS WITH RESERVE FUND

$300+ Million Response Fund Shielding Connecticut From Federal Chaos

Today, State Senator Martha Marx (D-New London) voted to establish a Federal Cuts Response Fund, continuing an effort started in late 2025 to ensure Connecticut lawmakers are well-positioned to respond to rapid changes to funding and programs made by the federal government.

Today’s vote carries over about $313 million into the new reserve following $186.6 million in investments in November 2025 and January 2026 from a $500 million pool established in 2025. It makes sure those funds remain a vital resource as Connecticut continues to face threats of stripped funding from the federal government.

“People need to be able to afford their health care, have food on the table and get the support they need when they’re in trouble. Donald Trump and his friends in the White House seem to disagree,” said Sen. Marx. “This fund represents real-world support for Connecticut residents losing health care subsidies and SNAP benefits and navigating changes to much-needed programs. With constant threats of further funding cuts, it couldn’t be more necessary.”

Since the start of the second Trump presidency, myriad funding cuts and cancellations have been threatened and enacted, with a specific focus on programs in blue states. The Republican-led federal budget passed in July 2025 saw significant cuts to a number of programs, with billions of dollars in cuts to Medicaid and Medicare expected in coming years as just one consequence.

Further cuts to public health, education, clean energy and housing valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars have roiled the state in the last year. Abrupt changes to federal policies for health care, food assistance and housing support potentially disconnect numerous state residents from important and needed aid.

In addition to confirmed cuts, the administration also continues to threaten others, adding increased uncertainty for proposed responses. Most recently, in January 2026, the Trump administration threatened to wipe out millions of dollars in addiction and mental health services in the state, one of several threats that were ultimately rescinded but motivated lawmakers to make proactive responses in an increasingly volatile political environment.

The fund has already been used to support investments in response to federal changes and funding cuts including:

$115 million to replace expiring federal health care subsidies for Connecticut residents with plans through Access Health CT, its Affordable Care Act exchange, which will take effect in March
$24.6 million to support food banks and food pantries’ capacities to serve the public after eligibility changes to SNAP ended benefits for thousands of residents
$11.4 million to support system upgrades at the Department of Social Services to successfully implement eligibility changes and constituent support
$8.5 million to replace lost federal reimbursement for Planned Parenthood of Southern New England and $1.9 million to replace funding for its frozen Title X family planning and preventive health services grant
$6.88 million to support expiring Continuum of Care grants for homelessness prevention and housing vouchers formerly funded by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development
$4.7 million to increase call volume at 211, Community Action Agencies to help the public better understand and meet new SNAP eligibility requirements
$4.513 million to replace Community School grants for New Haven, Waterbury and Hartford public schools providing health care and childcare services to children and families
$2 million to expand community health workers’ ability to help the public meet changes to SNAP and Medicaid eligibility
$830,000 to replace funding for mental health counselors to schools in the Northwest region of Connecticut

Senator Honig Votes to Protect Constituents From Federal Cuts

Posted on February 4, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

Senator Honig Votes to Protect Constituents From Federal Cuts

Senator Paul Honig, D-Harwinton, voted Wednesday to preserve access to emergency response resources, set aside by the state legislature to offset significant funding cuts enacted or threatened by the federal government, through June 2027.

Wednesday’s vote ensures that a reserve fund, which contains $313 million, will be an accessible resource as Connecticut continues to face funding cuts by the federal government.

“When the federal government doesn’t honor its funding commitments to Connecticut residents, the math is pretty straightforward: either the state steps up to protect our residents or our constituents go without vital support. Today, I voted to preserve access to an emergency response fund,” Senator Honig said. “This isn’t political theater and it’s not partisan grandstanding. We’re simply planning for known risks so no one is blindsided by whatever Washington throws at us.”

The federal budget, passed in July, included significant programming cuts with billions stripped from Medicaid and Medicare in the coming years. Other cuts have included the discontinuation of grants helping millions of families afford health insurance and reductions to programs supporting public health, education, clean energy and housing.

$115 million to replace expiring federal health care subsidies for Connecticut residents with plans through Access Health CT, its Affordable Care Act exchange, which will take effect in March
$24.6 million for food banks and food pantries to serve the public after eligibility changes to SNAP ended benefits for thousands of residents
$11.4 million for system upgrades at the Department of Social Services to implement eligibility changes and constituent support
$8.5 million to replace lost federal reimbursement for Planned Parenthood of Southern New England and $1.9 million to replace funding for its frozen Title X family planning and preventive health services grant
$6.88 million to offset expiring Continuum of Care grants for homelessness prevention and housing vouchers formerly funded by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development
$4.7 million for 211, Community Action Agencies to help the public better understand and meet new SNAP eligibility requirements
$4.513 million to replace Community School grants in New Haven, Waterbury and Hartford providing health care and childcare services to children and families
$2 million to expand community health workers’ ability to help the public meet changes to SNAP and Medicaid eligibility
$830,000 to replace funding for mental health counselors to schools in the Northwest region of Connecticut

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Hugh McQuaid | hugh.mcquaid@cga.ct.gov

SENATOR SLAP VOTES TO PROTECT CONNECTICUT FROM TRUMP CUTS WITH RESERVE FUND

Posted on February 4, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

SENATOR SLAP VOTES TO PROTECT CONNECTICUT FROM TRUMP CUTS WITH RESERVE FUND

$300+ Million Response Fund Shielding Connecticut From Federal Chaos

HARTFORD – Today, State Senator Derek Slap voted to establish a Federal Cuts Response Fund, continuing an effort started in late 2025 to ensure Connecticut is well-positioned to respond to rapid changes to funding and programs made by the federal government.

Today’s vote carries over $313 million into the new reserve. It follows $186.6 million in investments in December 2025 and January 2026 from a $500 million pool established in November 2025 and makes sure the remaining funds are available to respond to funding cuts from the federal government.

“Connecticut and our residents have been on the receiving end of billions of dollars of federal funding cuts, despite paying the federal government over $3 billion more in taxes than we receive back,” said Sen. Slap. “Today’s vote ensures that we are able to quickly respond to fund critical programs and organizations like Planned Parenthood, mitigate skyrocketing premiums on Access Health CT, and ensure that Connecticut residents know that we will do everything in our power to insulate them from the impacts of this administration’s recklessness.”

Since the start of the second Trump presidency, Connecticut has been among several blue states that have seen billions of dollars in cuts to previously approved funding for programs ranging from education, to healthcare, clean energy, public health, mental health supports and more. Some programs have been reinstated, while others have not, creating chaos and uncertainty for providers and those who use these programs. The Republican Federal Budget passed in July of last year cut funding to Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, home heating assistance and more.

The fund has already been used to support investments in response to federal changes and funding cuts including:

$115 million to replace expiring federal health care subsidies for Connecticut residents with plans through Access Health CT, its Affordable Care Act exchange, which will take effect in March
$24.6 million to support food banks and food pantries’ capacities to serve the public after eligibility changes to SNAP ended benefits for thousands of residents
$11.4 million to support system upgrades at the Department of Social Services to successfully implement eligibility changes and constituent support
$8.5 million to replace lost federal reimbursement for Planned Parenthood of Southern New England and $1.9 million to replace funding for its frozen Title X family planning and preventive health services grant
$6.88 million to support expiring Continuum of Care grants for homelessness prevention and housing vouchers formerly funded by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development
$4.7 million to increase call volume at 211, Community Action Agencies to help the public better understand and meet new SNAP eligibility requirements
$4.513 million to replace Community School grants for New Haven, Waterbury and Hartford public schools providing health care and childcare services to children and families
$2 million to expand community health workers’ ability to help the public meet changes to SNAP and Medicaid eligibility
$830,000 to replace funding for mental health counselors to schools in the Northwest region of Connecticut

*Source: USAFacts.org

SENATOR NEEDLEMAN VOTES TO PROTECT CONNECTICUT FROM TRUMP CUTS WITH RESERVE FUND

Posted on February 4, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

SENATOR NEEDLEMAN VOTES TO PROTECT CONNECTICUT FROM TRUMP CUTS WITH RESERVE FUND

$300+ Million Response Fund Shielding Connecticut From Federal Chaos

Today, State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) voted to establish a Federal Cuts Response Fund, continuing an effort started in late 2025 to ensure Connecticut lawmakers are well-positioned to respond to rapid changes to funding and programs made by the federal government.

Today’s vote carries over about $313 million into the new reserve following $186.6 million in investments in November 2025 and January 2026 from a $500 million pool established in 2025. It makes sure those funds remain a vital resource as Connecticut continues to face threats of stripped funding from the federal government.

“When the federal government makes decisions that increase the cost of health care and decrease the quality of education in Connecticut, it’s our state’s responsibility to respond,” said Sen. Needleman. “This fund represents our leaders recognizing they need to act to protect and preserve programs and supports that benefit and bolster our state and our residents.”

Since the start of the second Trump presidency, myriad funding cuts and cancellations have been threatened and enacted, with a specific focus on programs in blue states. The Republican-led federal budget passed in July 2025 saw significant cuts to a number of programs, with billions of dollars in cuts to Medicaid and Medicare expected in coming years as just one consequence.

Further cuts to public health, education, clean energy and housing valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars have roiled the state in the last year. Abrupt changes to federal policies for health care, food assistance and housing support potentially disconnect numerous state residents from important and needed aid.

In addition to confirmed cuts, the administration also continues to threaten others, adding increased uncertainty for proposed responses. Most recently, in January 2026, the Trump administration threatened to wipe out millions of dollars in addiction and mental health services in the state, one of several threats that were ultimately rescinded but motivated lawmakers to make proactive responses in an increasingly volatile political environment.

The fund has already been used to support investments in response to federal changes and funding cuts including:

$115 million to replace expiring federal health care subsidies for Connecticut residents with plans through Access Health CT, its Affordable Care Act exchange, which will take effect in March
$24.6 million to support food banks and food pantries’ capacities to serve the public after eligibility changes to SNAP ended benefits for thousands of residents
$11.4 million to support system upgrades at the Department of Social Services to successfully implement eligibility changes and constituent support
$8.5 million to replace lost federal reimbursement for Planned Parenthood of Southern New England and $1.9 million to replace funding for its frozen Title X family planning and preventive health services grant
$6.88 million to support expiring Continuum of Care grants for homelessness prevention and housing vouchers formerly funded by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development
$4.7 million to increase call volume at 211, Community Action Agencies to help the public better understand and meet new SNAP eligibility requirements
$4.513 million to replace Community School grants for New Haven, Waterbury and Hartford public schools providing health care and childcare services to children and families
$2 million to expand community health workers’ ability to help the public meet changes to SNAP and Medicaid eligibility
$830,000 to replace funding for mental health counselors to schools in the Northwest region of Connecticut

SENATOR MAHER VOTES TO PROTECT CONNECTICUT FROM TRUMP CUTS WITH RESERVE FUND

Posted on February 4, 2026 by sdozapier@senatedems.ct.gov

SENATOR MAHER VOTES TO PROTECT CONNECTICUT FROM TRUMP CUTS WITH RESERVE FUND

$300+ Million Response Fund Shielding Connecticut From Federal Chaos

February 4, 2026

Today, State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton) voted to establish a Federal Cuts Response Fund, continuing an effort started in late 2025 to ensure Connecticut lawmakers are well-positioned to respond to rapid changes to funding and programs made by the federal government.

Today’s vote allows for a carry-over of approximately $313 million into an ongoing reserve, following $186.6 million in social investments in November 2025 and January 2026 from a $500 million fund established in 2025. It makes certain the funds will be a vital resource as Connecticut continues to face threats of lost funding from the federal government.

“Random budget cuts, program cancellations and grant recissions have left Connecticut organizations, towns, cities and residents confused and uncertain during the last year. We don’t know if we can trust or rely on the federal government to continue to fund important programs,” said Sen. Maher. “This fund ensures that Connecticut can quickly and effectively respond to any and all future cuts that may come, and we are able to protect our residents from the worst impacts of federal cuts.”

Since the start of the second Trump presidency, myriad funding cuts and cancellations have been threatened, with a specific focus on programs in blue states. The Republican-led federal budget passed in July 2025 saw significant cuts to a number of programs, with billions of dollars in cuts to Medicaid and Medicare expected in coming years.

Cuts to public health, education, clean energy and housing valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars have roiled the state in the last year. Abrupt changes to federal policies for health care, food assistance and housing support disconnect numerous state residents from important and needed aid.

In addition to confirmed cuts, the administration also continues to threaten others, adding increased uncertainty for proposed responses. Most recently, in January 2026, the Trump administration threatened to wipe out millions of dollars in addiction and mental health services in the state, one of several threats that were ultimately rescinded. Lawmakers are motivated proactively to respond in an increasingly volatile political environment.

The funds’ use to date supported:

$115 million to replace expiring federal health care subsidies for Connecticut residents with plans through Access Health CT, its Affordable Care Act exchange, which will take effect in March
$24.6 million to support food banks and food pantries’ capacities to serve the public after eligibility changes to SNAP ended benefits for thousands of residents
$11.4 million to support system upgrades at the Department of Social Services to successfully implement eligibility changes and constituent support
$8.5 million to replace lost federal reimbursement for Planned Parenthood of Southern New England and $1.9 million to replace funding for its frozen Title X family planning and preventive health services grant
$6.88 million to support expiring Continuum of Care grants for homelessness prevention and housing vouchers formerly funded by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development
$4.7 million to increase call volume at 211, Community Action Agencies to help the public better understand and meet new SNAP eligibility requirements
$4.513 million to replace Community School grants for New Haven, Waterbury and Hartford public schools providing health care and childcare services to children and families
$2 million to expand community health workers’ ability to help the public meet changes to SNAP and Medicaid eligibility
$830,000 to replace funding for mental health counselors to schools in the Northwest region of Connecticut