Richard Blumenthal

Richard Blumenthal

Richard Blumenthal is the Senior Senator for Connecticut. Sworn in on January 5, 2011, Blumenthal is serving his first term as a United States Senator.

Senator Blumenthal served five terms as Connecticut’s Attorney General, "fighting for people against large and powerful special interests. His aggressive law enforcement for consumer protection, environmental stewardship, labor rights, and personal privacy, has helped reshape the role of state attorneys general nationwide, and resulted in the recovery of hundreds of millions of dollars for Connecticut taxpayers and consumers each year".

Education

Senator Blumenthal graduated from Harvard College (Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude), and Yale Law School, where he was Editor-in-Chief of the Yale Law Journal.

Political career

Blumenthal served in the Connecticut House of Representatives from 1984 to 1987, and the Connecticut State Senate from 1987 to 1990. As a volunteer attorney for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Senator Blumenthal saved the life of an innocent, wrongly convicted death row inmate, who came within hours of execution. From 1977 to 1981, Senator Blumenthal served as a U.S. Attorney for Connecticut, prosecuting drug trafficking, organized and white collar crime, civil rights violations, consumer fraud, and environmental pollution.

Prior to his position as U.S. Attorney, Senator Blumenthal also served as Administrative Assistant to U.S. Sen. Abraham A. Ribicoff, aide to former U.S. Sen. Daniel P. Moynihan when Moynihan was Assistant to the President of the United States, and law clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Harry A. Blackmun.

Supported Yale militancy

Yale-New Haven Hospital (YNHH) is 650 miles from the notorious anti-worker Smithfield Foods livestock processing factory in Tar Heel, N.C. On Smithfield’s killing floors and in New Haven’s healing wards, the workers have something in common. Their employers use illegal, anti-democratic union-busting tactics to deny a voice on the job.

In December 2006, the YNHH administration outraged workers, elected officials, clergy, the media and the entire community when they defied a conduct agreement and undermined a union election they were certain to lose. The hospital became the new poster child for why the Employee Free Choice Act (HR 800) is a top priority in the 110th Congress.

Under CEO Marna Borgstrom, YNHH stepped up violations of the Community Benefit Agreement. Management held meetings with all supervisors to coordinate an escalated anti-union campaign. Supervisors held one-on-one meetings with workers. They falsely claimed that a union contract would not allow supervisors to give time off to go to the doctor or attend to other emergencies. They threatened that benefits would be cut and job security would be eliminated.

To get around the fact that management was prohibited by the fair election agreement from forcing workers to attend anti-union meetings, supervisors scheduled compulsory meetings to discuss department business. After a few minutes, they would announce that they were going to talk about the union. Workers were now “free” to leave, but anyone who did would be fingered as a union supporter.

In this atmosphere, members of Locals 34 and 35 and 1199 food service workers showed consistent courage and determination.

A noontime rally of Local 34 members heard that YNHH supervisors were meeting in a nearby university building to plan anti-union strategy. Over 100 Local 34 members marched into the meeting room, holding signs and singing union songs. After a few minutes, the supervisors had to give up and walk out.

On a daily basis, food service workers, proudly wearing their 1199 union buttons, refused to be intimidated. They spent their breaks in the cafeteria and lobby talking to other workers about their own positive experience as union members.

But after two weeks of all-out war by YNHH management, enough workers had been bullied, intimidated, isolated and lied-to that the union concluded there could no longer be a fair election. By deliberately creating an atmosphere of polarization and fear, management had “poisoned the well.”

The union appealed to the arbitrator overseeing the Community Benefit Agreement, Margaret Kern. On Dec. 13, after hearing the evidence, Kern ruled in favor of the union’s request to indefinitely postpone the election because “the employer has engaged in serious violations of federal law, the election principles agreement, and prior arbitration awards.” The hospital had succeeded in subverting the democratic process.

The hospital’s actions created a storm of protest. The anti-union New Haven Register editorially blasted the hospital for its conduct, as did Yale University President Richard Levin, who sits on the hospital board. State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal called for the hospital to abide by card-check neutrality. The mayor and Board of Aldermen are considering what actions they will take.

Instead of sitting down at the bargaining table with 2,000 newly organized members, Ray Milici and his brothers and sisters are once again bargaining on behalf of 140 dietary workers, as their contract runs out. “We’ll just have to wait a little longer,” said Milici. “In the end, it’s truth to power and we will win.”

Supported Progressive Health Care Reform

In late 2009, Richard Blumenthal was one of more than 1,000 state legislators to sign a letter entitled "State Legislators for Progressive Health Care Reform". The letter was a project of the Progressive States Network and was developed in consultation with national health care reform advocates, including the AFL-CIO, AFSCME, Community Catalyst, Families USA, Herndon Alliance, National Women's Law Center, Northeast Action, SEIU, and Universal Health Care Action Network. The letter reads in part,

"Failure to pass national comprehensive health reform now will further jeopardize state and local budgets, undermining public services like education, public safety, and transportation infrastructure... We, the undersigned, call on President Obama and the Congress to enact bold and comprehensive health care reform this year – based on these principles and a strong federal-state collaboration – and pledge our support as state legislators and allies in pursuit of guaranteed, high quality, affordable health care for all."

Senate campaign team

In February 2010, Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal announced his campaign team for the U.S. Senate - including some of the same individuals who had known him since his first race for attorney general in 1990.

While Blumenthal has hired an extensive team, some political insiders say that the campaign manager for all of Blumenthal's campaigns has been Dick Blumenthal.

The team was as follows:

• Michael J. Cacace - campaign chairman. While not widely known to the general public, Cacace has led each of Blumenthal's campaigns for more than two decades. A graduate of Fordham, he founded a law firm in Stamford that bears his name. Connecticut Magazine has named him among the top lawyers in the state on real estate and zoning matters. A former president of the Italian Center of Stamford and president of the United Way of Stamford, he has held a wide variety of volunteer positions through the years.

• State Representative Jim Shapiro - vice chairman. A Stamford resident, Shapiro will oversee operations in the newly opened Stamford office and handle fundraising and legal issues.

• Justin Kronholm - director of political operations. A Hartford native, he will oversee the office in the capital city - mainly handling political issues. Kronholm is best known from his previous job as the state Democratic Party's executive director.

• Liz Donohue - deputy director of operations and political affairs. A Farmington resident, she will work with both Kronholm and Shapiro on a variety of issues. A former deputy policy director for the state House Democrats, Donohue has experience in direct-mail and holds an MPA from the Kennedy School at Harvard.

• Maura Downes - communications director. A former scheduler for John B. Larson's 1994 gubernatorial primary campaign, Downes also worked on Larson's first successful campaign for Congress - in which he defeated Miles Rapoport, Joe Suggs, and state Rep. James R. McCavanagh in a four-way Democratic primary in September 1998. Since then, she has worked for a wide variety of officials and candidates, including political consultant Roy Occhiogrosso.

• Ashley Codianni - deputy communications director. Working directly with Maura Downes, she previously worked on NBC's political desk in Washington, D.C. and served on msnbc.com's political page, "First Read."

• Scott Bates - senior policy advisor. Well known for his television and radio appearances, Bates is the vice president at the Washington-based Center for National Policy and has made numerous trips to hot spots overseas.

• Tom Kelley - director of new media. After working on Barack Obama's 2008 campaign, Kelley was the deputy new media director for the unsuccessful 2009 reelection campaign of New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine.

• Ivy Mackin - finance director. A former finance director for U.S. Rep. Joseph Courtney in the 2006 and 2008 campaigns, Mackin also served as a legislative assistant for Courtney in Connecticut and in Washington, D.C.

• Melissa Ozols - scheduler. A former member of the House Democratic press office, she also held a policy post under former House Speaker James Amann.

• Jeff Long - special assistant to the candidate, meaning that he will be Blumenthal's driver. He has had internships with the DCCC in the 2006 campaign and in the Office of the President under President Bill Clinton.

In addition to hiring these 11 individuals, Blumenthal returned to the same media and political consultant that has helped him for two decades, known as The Campaign Group. The Philadelphia-based operation has been involved in more than 40 winning campaigns for Congress and governor, including well-known Democrats Bill Richardson of New Mexico and Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania.

Labor support 2010

New Britain, Ct, Nov. 4, 2010 – A massive get-out-the-vote campaign targeted to Council 4 AFSCME members and their families made the difference in helping Dannel Malloy and other pro-worker candidates get elected in Connecticut, the union said today.

“Connecticut voters echoed what our union members were saying as they headed tothe polls: everyone deserves quality affordable health care, secure retirement and fair taxes,” Council 4 Executive Director Sal Luciano noted.

All of Council 4’s endorsed candidates prevailed in races for Governor (Malloy), Lt. Governor (Nancy Wyman), Attorney General (George Jepsen), Comptroller (Kevin Lembo), Treasurer (Denise Nappier and Secretary of State (Denise Merrill). Council 4- endorsed candidates also won their races for U.S. Senate (Richard Blumenthal) and Congress (John B. Larson, Joe Courtney, Rosa DeLauro, Jim Himes and Chris Murphy).

“We used people power to counteract corporate and wealthy donors pushing their anti-union agenda,” Luciano said.

Anna Montalvo, President of AFSCME Local 1522 in Bridgeport, said union members grasped the high stakes in the election:

“Right from the start of this campaign we had our boots on the ground, whether for Dan Malloy or Jim Himes or Chris Murphy. Connecticut staved off the anti-working family tide that swept the nation,” said Montalvo, who co-chairs Council 4’s political action committee.

Anti "speculator" bill

in April 2012 Ben Cardin joined a group of his Senate colleagues in sponsoring a bill, S. 2222, which "will give federal regulators immediate authority to invoke emergency powers to rein in speculators who are responsible for rapidly rising gasoline prices".

There is broad agreement among energy experts and economists that speculators are one of the causes for the rapidly rising price of gas. Domestic oil production has risen to its highest level in a decade, oil supplies are greater today than they were three years ago and demand for oil in the United States is lower today than it was in 1997. Yet gas prices continue to soar.

There is something wrong with this equation. There is no logical reason why gas prices should continue to rise if oil supplies are up and demand is down.

The American Trucking Association, Delta Airlines, the Petroleum Marketers Association of America, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, and other experts all say excessive oil speculation in the futures markets significantly increases crude oil and gasoline prices. A Feb. 27, 2012 article in Forbes Magazine cited a recent report by the investment bank Goldman Sachs pointing out that excessive oil speculation adds 56 cents to the price of a gallon of gas.

This "speculators" bill would set a 14-day deadline for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to take emergency steps to stop excessive speculation by Wall Street traders in the crude oil, gasoline and other energy futures markets. Also co-sponsoring the measure were: U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Al Franken (D-MN), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Bill Nelson (D-FL).

Equal Opportunity for All Act

Job-hunters are increasingly being asked to agree to allow potential employers to view their personal credit information, a development that Sen. Elizabeth Warren says is unfairly keeping people out of the job market who've had financial setbacks or have reports that contain inaccurate information.

December 17, 2013 Warren introduced The Equal Opportunity for All Act in Congress, which would outlaw such credit checks in many cases except in areas such as national security. Warren told reporters in a conference call sponsored by the Demos Foundation, a liberal think-tank, that the legislation was long overdue.

"This is about basic fairness," said the first-term legislator, adding that many people have had their credit records tarnished during the recent economic downturn. "There is little to no evidence of any correlation between job performance and a credit score."

The bill is co-sponsored by by Sens. Patrick Leahy, D.-Vt., Edward Markey, D-Mass., Sherrod Brown, D.-Ohio, Jeanne Shaheen, D.-N.H., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.

Multimillion Dollar Corporate Bonuses Act

In 2013, U.S. Sens. Jack Reed (D-RI) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced the Stop Subsidizing Multimillion Dollar Corporate Bonuses Act, S. 1476, which would restrict the tax deductibility of executive pay for all employees of publicly traded corporations to $1 million and eliminate the exception for commission- and performance-based compensation. U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX,35) introduced a companion bill in the House, HR 3970, in January 2014]

Corporate Accountability

The Corporate Accountability Coalition is an alliance of organizations whose work includes a focus on issues of corporate accountability and transparency, abuse of power by corporations, responsible business practices, and the rights of people.

Organizations include leftist groups the Center for Corporate Policy , the Institute for Policy Studies , CorpWatch, Corporate Accountability International , the International Corporate Accountability Roundtable, and EarthRights International

The report card is based on 17 actions (9 in the House and 8 in the Senate) that form a good litmus test of whether lawmakers are working for the narrow interests of large corporations or for all of us.

According to the Coalitions first-ever Congressional Report Card on Corporate Accountability issued in 2013, only two Representatives and four Senators scored higher than 87 percent. The top scores went to former Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) and Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) in the House and Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Al Franken (D-MN), Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).

2021 Amistad Awards

Senator Richard Blumenthal gives special recognition to honorees at the Connecticut Communist Party’s annual awards ceremony. Connecticut People’s World Committee presented its annual Amistad Awards on Saturday December 12 to mark the 102nd anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party USA, with awards being presented to Sen. Julie Kushner, D-Danbury, Pastor Rodney Wade of Waterbury and SEIU activist Azucena Santiago.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, joined the program as a surprise guest to offer his congratulations and present the award winners with certificates of special recognition from the United States Senate. “I am really excited and honored to be with you today and share in this remarkable occasion,” Blumenthal said.

Blumenthal said one doesn’t have to agree with everything the party or the unions stand for and said he was there to acknowledge “the great tradition of activism and standing up for individual workers that is represented by the three honorees.”

Blumenthal also used his time to pitch support for the Build Back Better plan, voting legislation, a national $15 minimum wage, ending the filibuster and re-electing Democrats to Congress.

“There’s a lot to be working for in economic justice, in racial equity, in establishing a $15 minimum wage,” Blumenthal said, “and holding corporations accountable for the basic treatment of the American people. We need to look at our entire tax system, beginning with Build Back Better.”

Kushner, a former labor organizer for the United Auto Workers and co-chair of the General Assembly’s Labor and Public Employees Committee, received the award for her work on passing Connecticut’s $15 minimum wage, the paid family and medical leave program and her previous union organizing efforts to bring more diversity to the UAW.

Kushner’s award was presented by her Labor Committee co-chair, Rep. Robyn Porter, D-New Haven, and previous Amistad Award winner.

Kushner said she became involved in union organizing at a young age, working with employees at the casinos, as well as organizing graduate students at universities giving her friendships and “deep bonds that will never go away.”

“What I found in the state senate is an incredible opportunity,” Kushner said. “When we elect people who prioritize working families, when we elect people who share our values then the possibility for making change for so many is real.”

The other awardees included Pastor Rodney Wade of Long Hill Bible Church in Waterbury for his support in the Recovery for All campaign, which included union labor and community activists pushing for higher wages, increasing taxes on the wealthy and more social spending in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Azucena Santiago of SEIU 32BJ, who pushed unionization efforts at fast food restaurants in Connecticut Service Plazas.

“We invite you to join the Communist Party in this epic time as we make good trouble to uproot systemic racism, retool the war economy, tax the rich, address climate change, secure voting rights and create a new socialist system that puts people, peace and planet before profits,” event emcee Ben McManus said.

ARA connections

2011 press conference

Joe Courtney, Richard Blumenthal, Kevin M. Lynch

Rep. Joe Courtney, and Senator Richard Blumenthal addressed a Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans Press Conference 4.28.11., with Kevin Lynch.

2011 award

Mary Elia, Senator Blumenthal, Kevin M. Lynch

In August 2011, Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans presented Senator Blumenthal with a Social Security and Medicare Award. Blumenthal said he wanted to continue working with the Alliance.

2013 office meeting

Elizabeth Marafino, Blumenthal, and Win Heimer

July 19, 2013, 13 Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans president Elizabeth Marafino and VP Win Heimer with Senator Blumenthal, at his Hartford CT office.

Social Security Anniversary

Social Security Anniversary

August 2013, Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans, Seniors West Hartford Activist Team co-host Senator Blumenthal at West Hartford Senior Center to celebrate Social Security Anniversary (78)! Senator Blumenthal pledged his continued support for Social Security and suggested that millionaires pay their fair share!

October 2016 membership meeting

CARA activist

Senator Richard Blumenthal with Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans member Maria Alfonso, July 2018.

CARA 2022 endorsement

Leading up to Labor Day in 2022, the Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans (ARA) gathered to endorse worker rights champion Rep. Jahana Hayes for re-election in the 5th Congressional District, a battleground targeted by the national Republican Party and corporate funding sources re-take control of the House of Representatives.

Representing more than 59,000 members from many unions, the CT ARA also endorsed US Senator Richard Blumenthal, Rep. Rosa DeLauro, Rep. John B. Larson and Rep. Joe Courtney for their 100% voting records on senior issues and commitment to oppose privatization of Social Security at the top of the Republican agenda.

Accepting the endorsement from ARA, Sen. Blumenthal emphasized the clear choice in this election.

While Blumenthal helped lead passage of gun control legislation and passage of the Inflation Reduction Act which includes lowering prescription drug costs and measures to stem climate change and create jobs, his opponent,Trump-endorsed Leora Levy, “considers the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol legitimate political discourse. Her program includes privatizing Social Security, banning abortions, and opposing gun control measures.”

"Immigration reform"

In January 2013, three days before President Obama addressed immigration, Connecticut Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy and Rep. Jim Himes pledged their support for comprehensive reform at a community round table in Bridgeport hosted by Connecticut Students for a DREAM.

The "Immigration Reform: The Time is now!" event held at the United Congregational Church was also attended by State Senator Ayala and scores of community leaders and families.

"Telling your personal stories will change minds and you will change hearts," said Himes adding that the entire Connecticut delegation supports "the DREAM Act and comprehensive immigration reform with a path to citizenship."

Murphy replied that "we're closer than ever to getting this done, because of the political power represented in packed rooms like this all across the country." He also warned against half-measures that create "a subclass of semi-documented immigrants."

Alberto Bernardez of SEIU 32BJ emphasized that comprehensive reform helps the whole economy. "We will get rid of the underground economy that drags everybody down," he said.

Sen. Blumenthal pledged to "continue working for a strong bi-partisan comprehensive immigration reform plan including the Dream Act with the support of groups like Connecticut Students for a DREAM."

John J. Lugo of Unidad Latina en Accion, addressed the forum.

Blumenthal, along with newly elected Senator Chris Murphy and Rep. Jim Himes, pledged support for comprehensive reform with a path to citizenship during the forum.

People's Climate March

Labor and religious leaders were joined by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy at Union Station to urge residents to get on board the Climate Train for the People's Climate March in New York City on Sunday, September 21, 2014.

Action on climate change is a "moral and scientific and political imperative" said Blumenthal, who hopes the rally will make "an indisputable statement that the people of America, people of faith, working men and women know jobs and the environment are not in contradiction.”

"It is not often with one legislative issue that millions of jobs are created and millions of lives are saved," said Murphy. Using fuel cell production in Connecticut as an example he said, "If we create the demand for renewable energy, we will create jobs."

Lori Pelletier, executive secretary treasurer of CT AFL-CIO said the 200,000 member organization is proud to be part of this historic event to raise awareness for safety, health, job security and environmental security.

Initiated by the Connecticut Roundtable on Climate and Jobs, the press conference highlighted mobilization by 13 labor organizations and several religious organizations. They are part of a large state-wide coalition of environmental, peace and community groups marching to insist the United Nations take immediate action on climate change.

Melodie Peters, president of AFT Connecticut said her members are going with the safety and future of the children they teach in mind. She thankedd Governor Dannel Malloy and the senators for "advocacy and tenacity" with Metro North which won additional seats and discount fares for tickets purchased at www.CTClimateTrain.org.

The Roundtable was launched two years ago by CT AFL CIO and the Interreligious Eco-Justice Network to "address urgent concerns about climate change while creating good paying jobs in the state."

Other union endorsers include CT Education Association, SEIU State Council, State Council of Machinists, CSEA/SEIU Local 2100, CT Alliance for Retired Americans, Council 4 AFCME, CWA Local 1298, Unite Here CT, UAW Region 9A, UE Local 243 and 32 BJ SEIU.

Endorsing Harp

Rally with Harp

Connecticut Communist Party USA leader Joelle Fishman was among those who attended a rally called by Sen Richard Blumenthal at New Haven City Hall with Mayor Toni Harp, surrounded by unions and immigrant groups. Sen Blumenthal announced he is the first Senator post-election to publicly call on the President, with respect, to take bold administrative action for relief from deportations to keep families together, help our economy and jump start Congress for comprehensive reform.

The context is the warning by Sen Mitch McConnell the day after elections that administrative action by the President would poison the well, and President Obama's statement that he would keep his pledge since Congress has not acted.

Sen. Blumenthal steps forward on the strength of the Connecticut elections in which Governor Dannel Malloy who became a national target for his pro-worker first term, embraced labor and other progressive issues, welcomed the President and first lady to the state, and won four more years.

"We knocked on many doors to elect the President, and now we are knocking on his door," was Blumenthal's message.

Backing Toni Harp

New Haven Mayor Toni Harp announced her bid for a second term at a campaign kickoff event on a Saturday in early May 2016..

The kickoff, held at Edgewood Park, was attended by community members as well as representatives of New Haven at the state and federal levels. Sen. Richard Blumenthal LAW ’73, Sen. Chris Murphy, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro and state senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney each endorsed Harp, underscoring her commitment to bolstering youth services in the city. In her remarks, Harp spoke of the city’s progress in reducing crime, bettering public schools and creating new jobs as strengths of her administration. The campaign’s office will open on June 6 at 940 Whalley Ave.

“I’m excited. I’m joyful. And I’m proud to announce that I’m running for a second term for mayor,” Harp said.

Several city officials, including Hill alder Dolores Colon ’91, have noted that Harp is the leading candidate in the race, but Murphy said city residents should still vote on Nov. 3.

“This is as important as it gets,” he said. “It’s up to everyone here … to take nothing for granted in this election.”

Los Borinqueneers

President Barack Obama signed a bill June 2014, y honoring the 65th Infantry Regiment, a unit of soldiers largely from Puerto Rico known as Los Borinqueneers with the Congressional Gold Medal.

Retired Staff Sergeants Celestino Cordova and Joe Pickard, two veterans from Connecticut, were among dozens of Borinqueneers from all over the country who traveled to Washington, D.C. for the bill signing.

"The guys are very happy and it's history in the making," said Retired Sgt. First Class Carmelo Figueroa, president of the Hispanic-American Veterans of Connecticut.

"It was a hugely joyous and powerfully moving moment for all of us," said Sen. Richard Blumenthal.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Sen. Chris Murphy, among others, have advocated for the past year for legislative approval of the gold medal for the unit. The measure was approved last month by the U.S. House and the Senate.

Blumenthal said Obama met with the veterans privately a few minutes before the bill signing ceremony in the South Court Auditorium. Obama greeted the veterans in Spanish with, "Mucho gusto" and "Felicidades."

The president thankedd the Borinqueneers for their service and handed each a presidential coin.

During the ceremony, Blumenthal said he stood on stage with several of the Borinqueneers while the president signed the bill into law.

Immigration action planning

Vowing not to be deterred by the Texas federal court ruling which temporarily stopped implementation of President Obama's immigration directives, families being hurt and their advocates gathered in New Haven City Hall to tell their stories to Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and lay out ideas for an action plan.

Blumenthal, a lead proponent in the U.S. Senate to stop needless deportations separating families and in support of comprehensive immigration reform, issued a call to President Obama just after the November elections to take immediate executive action for relief, at a crowded press conference also held at New Haven City Hall.

In addition to the families affected, organizations at the roundtable included the director of Immigrant Rights and Racial Justice at the Center for Community Change, Unidad Latina en Acción, JUNTA for Progressive Action, the Hispanic Federation, and CT Students for a Dream.

Fighting Women’s Health Protection Act

January 25, 2015 U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy are going on offense with the reintroduction of the Women’s Health Protection Act, seeking to put a stop to restrictive laws against women’s health care providers at the state level.

Last week, the House of Representatives passed the “No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2014”, or H.R.7, that will prohibit federally funded abortions and exclude abortion from qualified health plans.

The Republican majority in the U.S. House was able to pass the bill on the 42nd anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision. But they canceled a vote on a bill that would have banned abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

“That constitutional right has been under constant, relentless attack for 42 years,” Blumenthal said at a Friday press conference in Hartford.

Although the Women’s Health Protection Act would have no direct impact on Connecticut, according to Murphy, laws have been put in place nationally at the state level to inhibit the privacy and health rights of women.

“Two hundred thirty restrictive measures have been passed in the states that handicap and undercut a woman’s right to choose,” said Blumenthal. “Women in many parts of the country live hundreds of miles from any place where they can seek to exercise their constitutional rights because of these laws.”

Current legal restrictions that have been imposed at the state level include anything from the width of clinic hallways, being required to watch informational videos prior to having an abortion, or closing clinics completely that provide abortion services.

The Women’s Health Protection Act would “establish a firewall” against state restrictions on a woman’s right to choose, according to Blumenthal. “It would say to the states that you cannot establish laws that seem to safeguard health when they sabotage individual rights.”

Gretchen Raffa, director of public policy at Planned Parenthood of Southern New England, spoke alongside the senators about the implications of restrictive legislation on the constitutional rights of women. Congress’ vote on H.R.7 “was a clear reminder on how far we still have to go make this right a reality for everyone,” said Raffa.

Murphy, along with more than one-third of the Senate, have co-sponsored this legislation supporting the ban on state health care restrictions for women. “This right is being denied daily to women across the country,” said Murphy. “That’s why we have to step in.”

Murphy and Blumenthal both agreed that they are going to be seeking Republican support in both the House and Senate. “It’s important for us to shed bright light on what is happening - we’re going to reach out across the aisle when we can to find Republicans of good faith who will work with us,” said Murphy.

Stephen Glassman, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut, commended Blumenthal and Murphy for leading on the issue and, “putting Connecticut in the forefront of those states that recognize that the right’s of women must be protected constitutionally.”

Muslim connections

Senator Blumenthal is supportive of several radical Muslim organizations.

MPAC intern

In 2021 Mosammet Asma was a Muslim Public Affairs Council Congressional Leadership Development Program intern in Richard Blumenthal 's office.

Support for the Council on American Islamic Relations

Richard Blumenthal wrote a letter of support to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) on the occasion of their 24th anniversary in September 2018.

CAIR-CT "FAITH IN FREEDOM" FUNDRAISING DINNER

MSA-CT is teaming up with CAIR-CT again for their annual fundraising dinner!

"I hope you can join us for this great event. Please fill out the form online to secure your table or ticket and show your generous support for CAIR!!!

The event will take place on Sunday, December 22, 2013 at the West Hartford Conference Center (Town Hall), 50 Main Street, West Hartford CT, and promises to be both inspiring and motivating.

The theme of our 9th annual banquet, Faith in Freedom, speaks to the resilience of our community and our continued involvement in the fight to uphold justice for all. Our keynote speaker will be attorney Norm Pattis, who will speak on “Islamophobia – 3 Faces of the New Racism”. We will also be joined by Imam Siraj Wahhaj from Masjid At-Taqwa in New York, Susan Campbell of the Hartford Courant, and attorney Hassan Shibly the Executive Director of CAIR in Florida. Other invited speakers include Senator Richard Blumenthal, Senator Chris Murphy, and Congressman John B. Larson.

CAIR

“I admire the Council’s continued good work in bringing together community leaders, scholars, and activists to educate, promote mutual understanding, and defend civil liberties.” - Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) (September 2014).

“The Council’s work to uphold the value of justice and tolerance, both in Connecticut and across the country, is admirable and more critical than ever today as hate groups become emboldened and incidents of hate crimes increase.” (October 2017).

CAIR organized meeting

CAIR Connecticut December 16, 2016:

CAIR CT organized a meeting today with several members of the Muslim community and Senator Richard Blumenthal.

Sen. Blumenthal promised to speak out forcefully and oppose any form of a Muslim Registry. He said he would vigorously question Jeff Sessions who has been nominated for Attorney General for racist statements he has made in the past and also question whether Gen. Mike Flynn is suitable to be National Security advisor based on his mishandling of classified information. Sen. Blumenthal's staff will investigate how masjids can access funds from the Department of Homeland Security to improve the security of masjids.

CAIR will continue to engage with Sen. Blumenthal on these issues and work with him to protect the civil rights of American Muslims and all residents of Connecticut. — with Farhan Memon, Richard Blumenthal and Mongi Dhaoudi at Islamic Center of CT -.... See More — with Farhan Memon, Richard Blumenthal and Mongi Dhaoudi at Islamic Center of CT -.

"Solidarity with Charlottesville"

August 14 2017 - CAIR - Connecticut community activists and organizers rally in solidarity with Charlottesville anti-racist protestors CAIR-CT community activist Fahd Syed and CAIR-CT community organizer Nariman Omar organized a rally in solidarity with the recent events that have taken place in Charlottesville, VA. CAIR national as well as CAIR-CT have condemned the white supremacist groups that met up and rallied in Charlottesville.

The rallies and vigils also drew the attention of Sen. Richard Blumenthal.

"The failure to denounce these hate groups, specifically, condones them and, in effect, encourages them," Blumenthal said.

2016 CAIR CT dinner

CAIR - Connecticut October 30, 2016.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal speaks at the CAIR Connecticut dinner

Carolyn El-Amin It was a nice program. Great speaker, Linda Sarsour & radio host Dean Obeidallah.

Legislation against "hate crimes"

December 16, 2016, A lawmaker and local Muslim leaders gathered to hold a community discussion about what they called a surge in hate crimes.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal joined leaders from the Connecticut Muslim community to bring light to the nationwide trend.

The discussion included Blumenthal and Mongi Dhaouadi, executive director of CAIR - Connecticut.

The discussion was scheduled after the New Haven Islamic Center received a disturbing letter addressed to "the children of Satan" in which president-elect Donald Trump's name was invoked. The letter also threatened to "do to Muslims what Hitler did to the Jews."

There is a prayer service at every Friday afternoon at the Islamic Center of Connecticut in Windsor

Close to 600 Muslims are members at the mosque.

"The president-elect appointed national security advisor General Flynn who suggested a ban on Muslims into the country," Senator Richard Blumenthal said.

Blumenthal noted that he feels some of Trump's appointments will have a difficult time winning Senate approval.

Muslim residents said with recent threats, it's scary times for them.

Blumenthal said similar letters were sent to mosques throughout the country.

He said hate crimes have increased 10 percent over the last year. Sixty-seven percent of those crimes were against Muslims, according to the FBI.

Civil rights groups and advocates have reported a further spike in hate crimes and speech since last month's election.

Blumenthal plans to draft legislation to punish those guilty of hate crimes. It would implement tougher penalties on offenders.

Fatma Antar of the Muslim Coalition of Connecticut said he is surprised by the uptick.

"All of a sudden, wow. There are so many people who think like that. They hate others," Antar said.

Amina Masri said just this week her daughter, who was harassed in school because of her religion.

"The school took care of the issue but still I need to address it. It's a bigger issue," said Masri.

2018 banquet

CAIR - Connecticut April 26 2018.

Senator Richard Blumenthal will be speaking at CAIR-CT's annual banquet and fundraiser on Saturday (4/28). This is an especially important appearance given Wednesday's Supreme Court Hearing on President Trump's Muslim immigration ban. If you believe in the civil rights of American Muslims you must come to this dinner and support CAIR-CT.

Our annual dinner and fundraiser is going to begin in a few hours featuring Senator Richard Blumenthal, Faiza Patel and Imam Siraj Wahaj.

Muslim Alliance of Connecticut

Senator Richard Blumenthal and Senator Chris Murphy attended the Muslim Alliance of Connecticut 8th Annual Leadership Banquet.

IAPAC money

Senator Richard Blumenthal received money from the Iranian American Political Action Committee during the 2016 and 2020 election cycles.

NIAC connection

January 28, 2019.

NIAC worked closely with the offices of Senator Murphy (D-CT) and Representative Chu (D-CA) to introduce legislation targeted at ending the Muslim Ban by defunding it in Congress. The bill was released on the two-year anniversary of the Ban.

December 4, 2018,

In partnership with groups including the ACLU, NILC, SAALT, CAIR, and MPower Change, NIAC delivered petitions signed by more than 150,000 individuals to the offices of Representatives Judy Chu, Senator Murphy, Senator Van Hollen, and Senator Hirono. The petitions urged the next Congress to immediately take action to rescind the ban.

June 21, 2018.

NIAC assisted Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) in drafting a Muslim Ban reporting requirements amendment that was adopted into the Senate Appropriations Committee. This amendment called on Congress to lead oversight into the implementation of Muslim Ban 3.0.

April 20, 2018.

Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) issued a letter to the Trump administration requesting more information on the obscure case-by-case waiver process of Muslim Ban 3.0.

Trump's Russia ties

Members of Connecticut’s congressional delegation joined demands for a special prosecutor to oversee the investigation of Russian influence on the 2016 election after President Donald Trump fired James Comey as FBI director Tuesday May 9, 2017.

“The need for a special prosecutor is now crystal clear,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee who has called for a special prosecutor in the past. “President Trump has catastrophically compromised the FBI’s ongoing investigation of his own White House’s ties to Russia.”

In describing the gravity of Trump’s action, Blumenthal conjured memories of President Richard Nixon’s firing of Watergate Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox.

“Not since Watergate have our legal systems been so threatened, and our faith in the independence and integrity of those systems so shaken,” Blumenthal said.

Rep. Jim Himes, D-4th District, who sits on the House Intelligence Committee, which is conducting its own investigation into possible ties with Russia, said , “The White House cited Director Comey’s handling of the investigation into Secretary Clinton’s emails as the reason for the firing, but many will be rightly skeptical of that explanation.”

“Whatever the merits of Director Comey’s decisions, the investigated has just fired the investigator,” Himes said. “That should never have occurred prior to the full and complete insulation of the FBI’s investigation through the appointment of an independent prosecutor and other measures.”

“I will do everything in my power to ensure that this irresponsible move doesn’t end the necessary work law enforcement is conducting to discover the truth about Russia, its interference in our democracy and any and all who might be complicit,” Himes said.

Sen. Chris Murphy joined Blumenthal in calling for a special prosecutor Wednesday morning.

“No matter the mistakes that Director Comey has made, the timing of his firing clearly suggests that President Trump is trying to influence or upend the FBI’s investigation into his campaign’s possible collusion with a foreign government,” Murphy said Wednesday morning.

“The president’s continued refusal to support the appointment of a special prosecutor would confirm America’s worst fears about the motivation for Comey’s firing,” Murphy added.

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, said the firing of Comey while he was “spearheading” the Russia investigation “does not pass the smell test.”

“It is painfully clear that we need an immediate and independent investigation of all aspects relating to Russia’s meddling in our election. We need a review that the American people can have faith in,” Courtney said.

Courtney said the fact that Trump’s action was recommended by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, whom he called “a political appointee who barely survived confirmation in the Senate,” raised more doubt about the motives behind the firing.

Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-5th District, said the White House has shown a “corrosive pattern of disinformation and obstruction” over the last four months, which has “impeded the public’s ability to determine the full truth” about possible Russian interference.

“The only solution that will restore public trust is for Congress to appoint a special prosecutor to conduct an independent investigation,” Esty said Wednesday morning.

Rep. John B. Larson, D-1st District, said demanding an independent investigation should not be a partisan issue.

“The firing of FBI Director James Comey should renew every American and every member of Congress’s call for an independent investigation into Russian involvement,” Larson said.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3rd District, said the White House must provide “an urgent and thorough explanation” for its decision, given the ongoing FBI investigation into Russian interference.

“These events further underscore why I have continued to demand an independent commission with subpoena power in order to get to the bottom of the Russia investigation,” DeLauro said Wednesday morning.

Rally with Blumenthal

“We believe that any vote on a spending bill that does not include a DREAM Act is a vote for deporting thousands of immigrant young people,” said Camila Bortolleto, a DACA recipient and founder of CT Students for a Dream.

At a press conference with Bortolleto in Hartford December 2017 , Sen. Richard Blumenthal said “ongoing” negotiations about the DACA kids have given him “reason for hope,” and that he’s optimistic a bipartisan agreement can be reached by Dec. 22, when Congress is scheduled to break for the holiday. That day is also the deadline for passing a new budget.

“Congress must provide protections for the dreamers before it leaves for recess,” Blumenthal said.

Sanctuary City

Marco Antonio Reyes Alvarez took sanctuary at the First and Summerfield United Methodist Church in New Haven August 2017 instead of deporting back to Ecuador where his life would be endangered and where he would be separated from his wife and children for at least ten years.

His case has placed national immigration policy under sharp attack.

To cheers at a press conference and large rally outside the church, Mayor Toni Harp exclaimed, “Just to be clear: New Haven will remain a sanctuary city. New Haven will be a welcoming city no matter where you used to live or where you came from.”

The mayor proclaimed, “Even if leaders in Washington do not do a good job of upholding the values that our nation is founded on, we will make sure that we uphold those values here and in cities across the country. We will assist Marco Reyes any way we can. We are not going to engage in helping deport law-abiding residents. We build bridges, not walls.”

Speaking from inside the gated church steps, Reyes thankedd everyone and explained that he made the difficult decision to seek sanctuary as the last option to prevent permanent separation from his family.

“This morning I was supposed to be in the airport at 7:45. After speaking with my wife and children I made a different decision to seek help and stay here in this holy place,” he said. “I came to this country with a lot of dreams. Here I am. Here is my family. Here is my community. Here are all of us who want to live in a better world.”

The Connecticut Immigrant Rights Alliance (CIRA) and Unidad Latina en Accion (ULA), as well as the sanctuary movement of faith leaders, had been working closely with Reyes and his family for several weeks. They were prepared to help.

Standing with Reyes, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D.-Conn, said that Reyes never got the fair hearing he deserves. Blumenthal said his career in law enforcement taught him that “enforcement requires a sense of fairness, justice, and humanity. It requires discretion.”

“Our country is better than the policies pursued these past seven months which will tear apart families and rip apart communities,” said Blumenthal.

The Reyes family has lived in Meriden since 1997 with two children protected by DACA, and one a U.S. citizen.

After accidentally crossing the border into Canada during vacation in 2016, Reyes has reported regularly to ICE as required and has been granted stays of removal. This June, he was suddenly denied and ordered to leave the country by August 8.

When his new lawyer was not able to get a stay of deportation from ICE, Reyes and his family had a big decision to make. First and Summerfield Pastor Juhye Hahn was awakened by a call early that morning.

“When I got a call at 2:30 am saying that sanctuary was needed in four hours, we didn’t ask the legal situation. We didn’t ask where he was from. We simply responded. The Bible teaches us to welcome strangers and provide hospitality to all in need,” said Hahn.

The church is also home to the offices of the UNITE-HERE unions that represent workers at Yale University. Speaking on behalf of UNITE-HERE, Rev. Scott Marks led the crowd in a chant, “United we stand, divided we fall.”

“We stand together with brother Marco Reyes.” said Marks. “One thing the [Trump] administration would like is for us to be divided and separated. UNITE-HERE and New Haven Rising calls on Black people, calls on brown people, calls on all people to stand together. If we stand together we will win.”

Also addressing national immigration policy, Meriden Councilman Miguel Castro warned that “our humanitarian values and democracy are under attack… Marco Reyes and his family are victims of a national policy tearing families apart and threatening the core of our country’s fabric.” He called for everyone to stand together as a coalition in order to change those policies.

“Today, Connecticut has become an example for the country,” said Reyes’ pastor, Omar Herrera. I believe that we have awakened.”

“Marco’s case breaks our heart,” said Jesus Morales Santiago, on behalf of ULA. “Thousands of families in the nation are going through a similar situation. Our community is tired of being strangers in our own land. Many of us are descendants of Native Americans. Our ancestors stepped on these lands. We have the right to live here peacefully toward a better future.”

Representing CIRA, Alok Bhatt told the rally for Reyes that the courage he and his family are demonstrating “challenges us to be better advocates, to build a movement and stand up for everybody and change the policy. Justice is the justice we create.”

Single Payer Bill

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) unveiled Wednesday September 13, 2017 a new version of his plan to give everybody government-run health insurance, potentially opening a new chapter in the ongoing debate over how to make health care in the U.S. more affordable and available.

The plan calls for an overhaul of American health insurance with a souped-up, more generous version of Medicare replacing nearly all private health insurance ― and government exerting far more control over the cost of medical care. It would arguably be the most ambitious social welfare initiative in U.S. history, but Sanders told HuffPost in an interview Tuesday that he believes America is ready for it.

“The American people are catching on to where the Republicans are coming from, they see the limitations of the Affordable Care Act and they’re looking at the alternatives,” Sanders said. “And this is a rational alternative.”

That roster of co-sponsors includes a who’s-who list of potential Democratic presidential candidates for 2020, including Cory Booker of New Jersey, Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, Kamala Harris of California and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. Also backing the bill are Patrick Leahy of Vermont, Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, Al Franken of Minnesota, Jeff Merkley of Oregon, Ed Markey of Massachusetts, Martin Heinrich and Tom Udall of New Mexico, Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin.

“Defend Our Immigrant Communities”

Local rallies to “Defend Our Immigrant Communities” took place across the country December 2017, in conjunction with a national action by immigrant students and their allies in the nation’s capital to demand passage of a Clean Dream Act before the end of the year.

In Connecticut, union and community organizations joined with immigrant groups and elected officials in Hartford and Stamford, including SEIU 32 BJ, UNITE HERE, Connecticut Students For a Dream, Make the Road, and the Connecticut Immigrant Rights Alliance.

Over 200 rallied outside the Hartford Federal Courthouse, where the local office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is located. In Stamford, a rally was held in front of the Judicial Court House. In both cities, the mayors joined in and spoke out in support.

“A vote on any funding bill that does not include the Dream Act is a vote to deport thousands of immigrant young people. 122 immigrant youth are losing their DACA protections every day—our community can’t wait any longer,” said Camila Bortolleto, co-founder of Connecticut Students for a Dream who would receive the People’s World Amistad Award with her twin sister Carolina Bortolleto at a ceremony on December 9.

The rallies also supported immigrants across Connecticut targeted for deportation by the current administration, including several who are living in sanctuary in churches in New Haven, Meriden, and New Britain, refusing to be separated from their families.

“Congress must pass the Dream Act and come together for true bipartisan discussion on comprehensive immigration reform,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, adding, “I will continue this gravely important and crucial fight against the heartless, immoral, and unconscionable deportations and cruel decisions of this administration.”

“We have the case of Luis Barrios, Nuria Chavarria, Marco Reyes, the Ramos family, Nelson P, Mariana, how many more? How many more families are we going to have to advocate for?” asked Jesus Morales Sanchez, statewide organizer for the Connecticut Immigrant Rights Alliance (CIRA). “They are part of the 11 million. It’s not just for 800,000 DACA recipients, not for a few hundred thousand TPS recipients, but for all of the immigrants endangered. We must work for all 11 million.”

Resolution to Honor Civil Rights Hero Fred Korematsu

February 6, 2017, Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley introduced a resolution honoring Fred Korematsu, who challenged the internment of Japanese Americans.

Wyden and Merkley said the resolution honoring Korematsu’s work and advocacy of the civil rights and liberties of all people is timely, given the president’s executive order establishing a Muslim ban.

"Fred Korematsu’s brave advocacy for the civil rights of 120,000 Japanese Americans remains a timeless example of courage that resonates today and every day,“ Wyden said. “I am committed to fighting for the continued advance of civil rights he spent his life defending, and against those who would betray both the law and our history to impose an unconstitutional religious test on immigrants."

"Heroes like Fred Korematsu demonstrate the importance of fighting fiercely for our core American values, even when it is hard,” said Merkley. “His story reminds us that the time is always right to stand up for what is right. We must keep fighting for the freedom and equality that define our nation, and ensure that the Statue of Liberty continues to stand as a beacon of hope around the world."

The resolution is cosponsored by Senators Mazie Hirono, Bernie Sanders, Cory Booker, Brian Schatz, Sherrod Brown, Sheldon Whitehouse, Maria Cantwell, Elizabeth Warren, Richard Blumenthal, Tim Kaine , Patty Murray, Chris Coons, and Dick Durbin.

A broad coalition of advocacy organizations support the resolution, including the Fred T. Korematsu Institute, the Bill of Rights Defense Committee & Defending Dissent Foundation, Demand Progress, Free Press Action Fund, Restore the Fourth, The Yemen Peace Project, and Fight for the Future.

SAALT Congressional Briefing on Hate Violence

March 23, 2017, South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), a national South Asian civil rights organization, held a Congressional briefing to address the uptick in hate violence nationwide and highlight recommendations for change, as outlined in our recent report, “Power, Pain, Potential.” SAALT was joined by eight members of Congressional leadership and community partners in an urgent discussion on combatting the surge in hate violence aimed at South Asian, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Arab, and Middle Eastern Americans across the country.

“As President Trump continues to test fire Muslim bans, this administration appears intent on intensifying efforts to ignore and provoke hate violence,” stated Suman Raghunathan, Executive Director of SAALT. “The President has a sworn duty to protect the rights and safety of all Americans. Today’s briefing with Congressional leaders is an important step in making sure President Trump doesn’t escape his responsibilities.”

Our communities have experienced devastating violence in recent months, including deadly shootings in Kansas and Washington State, numerous arson attacks and vandalism of mosques, businesses, and homes nationwide, and mounting fear by our communities across the country.

“SAALT stands ready to work with Congressional leaders to fight hate violence and xenophobic political rhetoric impacting our communities across the country,” stated Ms. Raghunathan. “South Asian Americans are the most rapidly growing demographic group, and we are committed to policies at all levels that reinforce the place our communities have in our nation now and as we continue to grow.”

Honorary Co-Chairs of the briefing included: Senator Mazie Hirono (HI); Senator Richard Blumenthal (CT); Senator Ben Cardin (MD)

Member Co-Sponsors of the briefing included: Congressmembers Keith Ellison, Andre Carson; Raul Grijalva; Ami Bera; Grace Meng; Mark Takano; Pramila Jayapal; Raja Krishnamoorthi; Ro Khanna. Judy Chu also attended.

Partner organizations include: Sikh Coalition, Washington Peace Center/D.C. Justice for Muslims Coalition, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, Arab American Institute.

Supporting Julie Kushner

Sarah Passell October 7, 2018.

Lovely group shot, featuring many people who've been working their tails off. — with Senator Richard Blumenthal, Josh Gilbert, Camila Bortolleto, Carolina Bortolleto, Julie Kushner, Joe DaSilva, Andrea Gartner, Christina Schlosser Sweeney and Cyndie McGuire.

Heimer connection

Senator Richard Blumenthal, Win Heimer, Senator Chris Murphy, July 2018.

SR 59 endorser

By February 20 2019 endorsers of Ed Markey's SR 59 (Green New Deal) included Richard Blumenthal.

"Be HEARD" Act

April 9 2019, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), top Democrat on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, was joined by Congresswoman Katherine Clark (D-MA-5), Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-7), to introduce the Bringing an End to Harassment by Enhancing Accountability and Rejecting Discrimination (Be HEARD) in the Workplace Act, legislation which takes critical steps to ensure businesses have more resources to prevent harassment and workers have more support when they seek accountability and justice, and sends a clear message to those who think they can get away with assault or harassment on the job: time is up.

Senator Murray announced the introduction at a news conference with survivors and advocates who shared their personal stories about workplace assault and harassment, including Adriana Cazorla, a Washington state domestic worker and advocate with National Domestic Workers Alliance, and Maria del Carmen Ruelas, farm worker with Justice for Migrant Women Advocates who also resides in Washington state. Additionally, leaders from the National Women's Law Center (NWLC), The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) participated and highlighted the urgent need to pass the legislation.

“No matter who you are or where you work—whether you are the only woman on the board, or a janitor, or farm worker, you should be treated fairly, respectfully, and with dignity. This should be true no matter your gender or race, your religion or sexual orientation or age—and regardless of whether you have a disability or are a veteran.” said Senator Murray. “For far too long and for far too many people in our country this hasn’t been true. So today, I’m proud to be standing up to fight for change and make clear that time is up.”

In addition to Senator Murray, the Senate bill is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Kamala Harris (D-CA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Bob Casey (D-PA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL). The House bill is being introduced by Congresswoman Katherine Clark (D-MA-5), Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-7), Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin (D-MI-8), and Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (D-FL-26).