Joe Courtney
Representative for Connecticut · Democratic · United States
“Mr. Chair, I think Congresswoman Tokuda did a very nice job in terms of laying out the reality of what is actually going on in communities where military installations and military bases exist. Those are tax exempt properties where the communities are, again, more than glad to educate the children of military servicemembers.”
“Mr. Chair, I rise in strong opposition to this amendment. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the Education Committee, I represent a military district with about 7,000 sailors and officers. Many of those children use local schools which the Federal Government partially reimburses through the Impact Aid Program.”
“If you look at the President's budget that came over, Mr. Chair, there was actually a cut to Impact Aid in terms of what was sent over. We are going to be in a fight over at the Appropriations Committee to restore funding.”
“It also provides $12.5 billion for Virginia-class attack submarines and full funding for shipyard wage improvements and workforce pipelines which are vital to hiring and retention.”
“Mr. Chairman, as ranking member of the Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, I yield myself 2\1/4\ minutes. Mr. Chairman, I rise to endorse many provisions of the Seapower and Projections Forces mark of the 2027 NDAA, which our subcommittee crafted under the able leadership of my good friend, Chairman Trent Kelly.”
“Particularly, its approval of the administration's request for $1 billion for obsolete battleships without a detailed design. I would note, last month the Senate Armed Services Committee wisely voted to reject this wasteful request.”
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“Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote. The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from North Carolina will be postponed. The Chair understands that amendment No. 27 will not be offered. {time} 2010”
“Chair, I urge a ``no'' vote from all our colleagues, and I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. McDowell). The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes appeared to have it.”
“Mr. Chair, I think Congresswoman Tokuda did a very nice job in terms of laying out the reality of what is actually going on in communities where military installations and military bases exist. Those are tax exempt properties where the communities are, again, more than glad to educate the children of military servicemembers. They have to find a way to finance the cost of that education. Unfortunately, the existing programs in place today, DoDEA and Impact Aid, fall short in terms of making sure that those communities are fairly reimbursed. Mr. Chair, we are not in a place where there should even be a discussion about starting new funding programs for education paid for by the taxpayer until we keep the promise to those communities that we are going to reimburse the cost of educating military schoolchildren. For that reason, Mr.”
“Mr. Chairman, this is a voucher program, and vouchers cost money. That is really the issue that I think the proponent really didn't, in my opinion, adequately address. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms. Tokuda).”
“Again, this amendment would generate a new cost to the Pentagon's budget in terms of DoDEA funding and Impact Aid funding who, again, today are not actually up to the levels that fully paid for those services. For that purpose, I oppose the amendment. Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.”
“If you look at the President's budget that came over, Mr. Chair, there was actually a cut to Impact Aid in terms of what was sent over. We are going to be in a fight over at the Appropriations Committee to restore funding. Again, as someone who represents a district with public schools that are proudly in the business of offering education for K-12 students, this, again, is just going to be another pressure, external pressure, in terms of reducing what, in fact, these communities really deserve, which is to have the military fully compensate an item that families really depend on in terms of making sure whether they are deployed or whether when they are on base they are getting education and that the local community is not taking an unfair hit in terms of paying for those services.”
“Mr. Chair, I rise in strong opposition to this amendment. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the Education Committee, I represent a military district with about 7,000 sailors and officers. Many of those children use local schools which the Federal Government partially reimburses through the Impact Aid Program. The notion that we are going to start a new program--and really this program is about who pays. It is about funding vouchers. It is not really whether or not military families have a choice in terms of whether they themselves want to go to a parochial school or to a private school. That is not the point. The point that we are talking about here is, again, that this is going to put a stress on the Pentagon's budget, who already, as I said, underfunds Impact Aid and DoDEA schools.”
“Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Norcross), the ranking member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces.”
“Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Garamendi), the ranking member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness. {time} 1650”
“If Republican leadership is serious about passing a 66th NDAA with bipartisan support, the SAVE America Act merger should be stripped from the bill or later in conference. Mr. Chairman, I look forward to achieving that outcome, if not today, then later in the NDAA negotiations with the Senate. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.”
“Particularly, its approval of the administration's request for $1 billion for obsolete battleships without a detailed design. I would note, last month the Senate Armed Services Committee wisely voted to reject this wasteful request. That money should, instead, be spent for the Marine Corps' request for new landing ships, which is missing from both this bill and the new reconciliation bill. Mr. Chair, the NDAA has passed for 65 consecutive years because of disciplined avoidance of irrelevant hyperpartisan amendments. Unfortunately, the NDAA rule passed earlier today merging the NDAA with a completely nongermane voter suppression bill, the SAVE America Act, violates that long tradition.”
“It also provides $12.5 billion for Virginia-class attack submarines and full funding for shipyard wage improvements and workforce pipelines which are vital to hiring and retention. Adding more Virginia subs will grow our undersea fleet and keep our commitment to Pillar One of the AUKUS security agreement to sell three in-service subs to the Australian Navy in the 2030s. Multiyear contracts for destroyers and oilers are also included, as well as investments in missiles and hypersonics from unmanned surface vessels. Ukraine has demonstrated how effective unmanned systems are in their defense against Russia's Black Sea invasion, and we must embrace that trend and expand our unmanned capabilities. There are areas of disagreement in this bill.”
“Mr. Chairman, as ranking member of the Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, I yield myself 2\1/4\ minutes. Mr. Chairman, I rise to endorse many provisions of the Seapower and Projections Forces mark of the 2027 NDAA, which our subcommittee crafted under the able leadership of my good friend, Chairman Trent Kelly. A whole range of much-needed Navy warships and auxiliary platforms are authorized in this bill using multiyear contracting, which will save money for the taxpayer and provide certainty to our shipbuilding industrial base to invest and grow. The bill authorizes $15 billion for the Pentagon's number one acquisition priority, the Columbia-class ballistic submarine program.”
“DeVito's dedication to his craft and to this country are seen clearly in his nearly four decades of work as an engineer. He chose to deploy his skills in service to our Nation's security, and for that, I commend and thank him. Electric Boat is a pillar of southeastern Connecticut's economy and community. As he was rapidly promoted into managerial positions, Mr. DeVito was given the well-earned opportunity to act as a leader for both those he worked with, and for his Connecticut community at large. I ask that the House join me in celebrating the impressive career of Michael DeVito, and in wishing all the best to his wife Elissa, and their children Samantha, Emily, and Alexa. ____________________”
“DeVito worked for Electric Boat, he provided his expertise and care to several important projects. He began by working on the Seawolf-class program--the world's most powerful fast-attack submarine--and eventually transferred to the Virginia-class program when it began in 2000. Engineering and construction of Virginia-class submarines enable the United States to maintain its asymmetric advantage in the undersea domain and Mr. DeVito continued throughout his career in helping lead waterfront construction for these boats. He finishes his career as a manager to another new generation of submarines: the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine program. Across his time with Electric Boat, Mr. DeVito took part in working on the most advanced and pivotal Navy programs in not only the United States, but the world. Mr.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 114 (Tuesday, July 14, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 114 (Tuesday, July 14, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E682] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE CAREER OF MICHAEL DeVITO ______ HON. JOE COURTNEY of connecticut in the house of representatives Tuesday, July 14, 2026 Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the contributions of Mr. Michael DeVito during his outstanding service as an engineer at Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut. Mr. DeVito began his time at Electric Boat in 1989 as an Engineering Associate and now, on July 17, 2026, he will retire as a Manager of Engineering. Throughout the 36 years that Mr.”
“DeVito's dedication to his craft and to this country are seen clearly in his nearly four decades of work as an engineer. He chose to deploy his skills in service to our Nation's security, and for that, I commend and thank him. Electric Boat is a pillar of southeastern Connecticut's economy and community. As he was rapidly promoted into managerial positions, Mr. DeVito was given the well-earned opportunity to act as a leader for both those he worked with, and for his Connecticut community at large. I ask that the House join me in celebrating the impressive career of Michael DeVito, and in wishing all the best to his wife Elissa, and their children Samantha, Emily, and Alexa. ____________________”
“DeVito worked for Electric Boat, he provided his expertise and care to several important projects. He began by working on the Seawolf-class program--the world's most powerful fast-attack submarine--and eventually transferred to the Virginia-class program when it began in 2000. Engineering and construction of Virginia-class submarines enable the United States to maintain its asymmetric advantage in the undersea domain and Mr. DeVito continued throughout his career in helping lead waterfront construction for these boats. He finishes his career as a manager to another new generation of submarines: the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine program. Across his time with Electric Boat, Mr. DeVito took part in working on the most advanced and pivotal Navy programs in not only the United States, but the world. Mr.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 114 (Tuesday, July 14, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 114 (Tuesday, July 14, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E682] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE CAREER OF MICHAEL DeVITO ______ HON. JOE COURTNEY of connecticut in the house of representatives Tuesday, July 14, 2026 Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the contributions of Mr. Michael DeVito during his outstanding service as an engineer at Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut. Mr. DeVito began his time at Electric Boat in 1989 as an Engineering Associate and now, on July 17, 2026, he will retire as a Manager of Engineering. Throughout the 36 years that Mr.”
“I have the honor to represent the amazing university campus and stores and also Avery Point. Well done, bravo, and kudos to all of them. Just watching them celebrate on the court last night was really so exciting for all of us from Connecticut and from all across the country where many of these players come from. I was texting with the Governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, which is the home of Paige Bueckers, and he was as happy as anyone in Connecticut to see her great victory. ____________________”
“If we add on the six national titles that the men's program has actually accumulated since 1999, its total is 18. I was there for the first one. It was like a religious experience as a UConn fan and a UConn Law [[Page H1424]] School graduate. That is the same as the Boston Celtics have in the NBA. The Los Angeles Lakers have 18 titles, as well. Eighteen titles for a land-grant university in rural Connecticut defies any conventional wisdom about big, high-paying university programs. They just keep getting it done. Coach Hurley, who coaches the men's team, was rooting on Geno and the women as loudly as anyone. It is a great university sports program that brings everybody together. We are so proud of them, particularly in the Second Congressional District.”
“Their last win was in 2009, and there were a lot of naysayers out there that while the UConn program has hit its peak, in 2023 in USA Today there was a headline: ``UConn's dynasty is officially dead. That is good news for women's college basketball.'' That is probably the ultimate bulletin board material for someone like Geno Auriemma, if you know him. What is so striking about Geno is just the loyalty of his players. He had all these former stars of the UConn program who have gone on to be at the WNBA who were all there yesterday in Tampa, Florida, rooting them on. The same for the bench. He is an amazing leader and a really talented coach. John Wooden, the legendary coach, never got 12 national titles during his time. I congratulate Coach Auriemma and the team. We have here the college basketball capital of the world.”
“Lastly, a freshman, Sarah Strong, had 24 points and 15 rebounds. Over the course of the season watching her grow as a player playing with poise and maturity that defied someone of her young age was something quite striking and amazing. Their starting line-up was rounded out by Jana El Alfy and Kaitlyn Chen, a portal transfer from Princeton University, with a really deep bench. KK Arnold came out and provided lots of energy during the game. It was just an amazing team led by an amazing coach, Geno Auriemma. In 2006, which is a long time ago, he already was named to the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts, which usually is reserved for coaches after they have retired. However, Geno just kind of keeps going on.”
“All records are made to be broken, but it is hard to even imagine any other school's team that could come close to 12 national titles. They were led by Paige Bueckers who is going to be one of the greats in the history of college basketball. She scored 17 points and had numerous rebounds, steals, and blocks. She has had every award imaginable for a college basketball player: ESPY Award, John R. Wooden Award, and Naismith Awards, but winning that trophy which so far had eluded her is just a storybook way for her career at the University of Connecticut to finish. She was joined by Azzi Fudd, who is a junior, 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists. She was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four, which is really saying something when we have a teammate like Paige Bueckers.”
“Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 62 (Monday, April 7, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 62 (Monday, April 7, 2025)] [House] [Pages H1423-H1424] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CONGRATULATING UCONN WOMEN'S BASKETBALL STARS (Mr. Courtney of Connecticut was recognized to address the House for 5 minutes.) Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate a stunning, dominant victory by the UConn women's basketball team yesterday over a very good University of South Carolina team by a margin of 23 points, which actually is lower than really where it was for most of the second half. It is an amazing group of women student athletes who, again, rose to the occasion to take the UConn women's basketball program into further heights with its 12th national title.”