February 4, 2026

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

$300+ Million Response Fund Shielding Connecticut From Federal Chaos

HARTFORD – Today, State Senator Christine Cohen 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 a 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 residents, state and community leaders, service providers and more have found themselves caught in the crosshairs of an unstable and hostile federal government,” said Sen. Cohen. “This administration haphazardly cuts funding then changes its mind. It uses food assistance as a political bargaining chip and raises American’s healthcare premiums to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. With this vote, Connecticut residents can rest assured that we will continue to do everything we can to protect them from the cruelty and chaos coming from Washington D.C.”
 
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 also 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

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