Statements and posts
71 press releases and posts, newest first.
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Senator Blumenthal: Week in Review 9/25/2026-10/2/2026
Senator Blumenthal released report on Tether cryptocurrency's role in Iran's shadow banking.
“My new PSI report exposes how Tether and its flagship token have become central to Iran’s shadow banking system, allowing the Iranian government to fund its regional proxies, commit human rights abuses, and pursue hostile drone and missile programs as they defy our sanctions regime.”
International AffairsAI-read
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Blumenthal & Himes Urge Federal Agency to Investigate Incidents at Oxford Compressor Station
Senator Blumenthal urged federal investigation into equipment failures at Connecticut compressor station.
“While it is now clear that the sound was caused by the rapid release of natural gas moving from high to low pressure, residents initially received no explanation. They were never formally notified that these noises were due to the malfunction at the compressor station.”
EnergyAI-read
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Led introduction of bicameral legislation to prevent political interference in military officer promotions.
“Ironically, no one spends more time obsessing over gender and race than Secretary Hegseth, who is relentlessly blocking promotions and purging the military ranks of women, minorities, and anyone who fails to watch as much Fox News as he does.”
Military Promotions Depoliticization LegislationMilitary ReadinessAI-read
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Defended Jack Smith's investigation into Trump's January 6 incitement during Senate Judiciary hearing.
“I want to remind folks why we're here today. And I think a picture is worth a thousand words. We're here today because Donald Trump incited a mob to attack us—the Capitol, Members of Congress, to stop the counting of votes. He objected to the result of an election, and he tried to stop the peaceful transition of power…”
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Blumenthal Votes Against Legislation that Fails to Protect College Athletes
Voted against the Protect College Sports Act, saying it fails to protect athletes and preserve competition.
“Sadly, this measure simply isn’t good enough – failing to provide strong protections for college athletes and level the playing field.”
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Sent letter to Trump questioning invitation of Vladimir Putin to G20 summit in Miami.
“The United States must put strong economic and political pressure on President Putin in order to force him to the negotiating table for serious peace talks. We commend your signing of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which gives you additional tools to hold the Putin regime accountable.…”
International AffairsAI-read
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Released PSI report detailing how Tether cryptocurrency props up Iran's shadow banking system.
“My new PSI report exposes how Tether and its flagship token have become central to Iran’s shadow banking system, allowing the Iranian government to fund its regional proxies, commit human rights abuses, and pursue hostile drone and missile programs as they defy our sanctions regime.”
CybersecurityAI-read
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Blumenthal Puts Trump VA Nominees on Blast for Blatant Lack of Qualifications at Hearing
Criticized Trump VA nominees at hearing for lacking qualifications and veterans' benefits experience.
“I'm just going to be very blunt. I'm gravely concerned that none of these nominees have any experience with veterans' benefits law, whatsoever, not as judges, not as lawyers, not as advocates for veterans.”
Military Health CareAI-read
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Demanded answers from Treasury Secretary on AI oversight following OpenAI security breaches.
“This rapid acceleration in the severity—indeed potential illegality—of A.I. safety failures demands rigorous, independent oversight, testing, and investigations from the federal government…Voluntary measures and self-policing clearly are not working: despite these sensational reports, Anthropic and OpenAI have both…”
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Senator Blumenthal: Week in Review 9/18/2026-9/25/2026
Held hearing on fatal shootings by federal immigration agents during Trump administration.
“Rachel Reyes tells Ruben Ray Martinez's story, her son who was shot & killed by an ICE agent. She shares her pain & grief of losing a child—something no parent should have to endure.”
Immigration EnforcementAI-read
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Demanded answers from Acting Navy Secretary on delayed disclosure of suicide attempts aboard USS Abraham Lincoln.
“Eight suicide attempts across a carrier strike group are plainly relevant to questions about mental health and the consequences of an extended deployment. You have an obligation to provide Congress with the facts necessary to conduct oversight, particularly when those facts concern the lives and well-being of the men…”
Military Health CareAI-read
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Demanded answers from Oracle executives on VA electronic health record contract cost increase to $27 billion.
“Given your absence from the oversight hearing, the House Committee subsequently voted 19-0 to subpoena you to explain the status of the project and excessive costs. We support this subpoena and expect you to comply with it.”
Military Health CareAI-read
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Filed amicus brief supporting Holocaust survivors' lawsuits to recover Nazi-confiscated art under the HEAR Act.
“The Nazi campaign to steal art treasured by Jewish families and others targeted by the regime the was about more than a pilfering of property—it was a deeply personal theft and an act of inhumanity.”
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Criticized Trump administration and DOGE for recklessly canceling VA contracts without veteran impact assessments.
“This report confirms my repeatedly expressed concerns that VA has recklessly cancelled hundreds of contracts with no consideration of the impact on veterans or VA operations. These cuts harmed veterans and were hidden from Congress and the public by senior VA officials. Secretary Collins owes us answers on how VA will…”
Military Health CareAI-read
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Introduced bipartisan bill to extend Temporary Protected Status for Ukrainian refugees.
“Ukrainians seeking safety here are fleeing unimaginable horror at home – bloody missile and drone strikes, ruthless kidnapping of children, a cold winter without heat. Forcing their return to such cruel conditions would be the height of inhumanity.”
Afghan Refugee PolicyAI-read
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Held hearing on fatal shootings of five people by federal immigration agents.
“Though the circumstances surrounding his death and these other victims are distinctly different, the pattern is the same. Lives cut short by the same agency; agents without body cameras; no warnings; no attempt to de-escalate; excessive force followed by deflection, and a lack of accountability after the fact.”
Immigration EnforcementAI-read
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Blumenthal, Sheehy Introduce Bill to Extend Benefits for Military Survivors
Introduced bipartisan bill extending financial decision time for military survivors.
“Military survivors who lose loved ones endure life-changing grief. We shouldn’t force them to make important, long-term financial decisions about their survivors’ benefits while also going through such unspeakable pain.”
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Introduced bill imposing 100 percent surtax on income from government-favored companies.
“Donald Trump has been clear: there is no ethical line separating his role as President from his family’s businesses.”
Government SpendingAI-read
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Senator Blumenthal: Week in Review 9/11/2026-9/18/2026
Celebrated final passage of Russia and Iran sanctions legislation in Congress.
“Today is a historic triumph for democracy— ours and Ukraine’s— showing that America can still muster bipartisan unity in the fight for freedom. I am overwhelmed with gratitude.”
Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia ActInternational AffairsAI-read
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Held bicameral hearing on fatal shootings by ICE agents during Trump administration.
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Blumenthal Named Wounded Warrior Project Legislator of the Year
Received Wounded Warrior Project Legislator of the Year award for veterans advocacy.
“I am honored to receive the Legislator of the Year Award from Wounded Warrior Project—fierce champions for veterans and their families across the nation.”
Military Health CareAI-read
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Blumenthal Slams DOT Proposal Promoting Deceptive & Misleading Advertising Hurting Consumers
Opposed DOT proposal to weaken airline ticket price disclosure requirements.
“In addition to inflating costs, implementing the proposed rule would upend decades of settled expectations in the transparency of airfare, enabling more confusing and deceptive advertising.”
CommerceAI-read
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Celebrated final passage of sanctions bill holding Russian oil and gas purchasers accountable.
“Today is a historic triumph for democracy— ours and Ukraine’s— showing that America can still muster bipartisan unity in the fight for freedom. I am overwhelmed with gratitude.”
Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia ActInternational AffairsAI-read
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Introduced resolution requiring State Department report on West Bank violence and American deaths.
“Violent, lethal lawlessness on the West Bank is a betrayal of Israel’s moral standing and our shared values, and must be stopped. This resolution is now necessary, after so many have urged action and violence only continues to rise. Failing to enforce clear legal prohibitions and protections has cost American and…”
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Called for legislation to prevent Trump from profiting through banking and crypto schemes.
“Mr. President, I’m here thinking about all the Americans who are working on manufacturing plants assembly lines, all the Americans who are teaching our kids in schools or patrol our schools as police or working in our hospitals, all of the hardworking Americans who are just working to get by, to make ends meet, to know…”
Congressional Stock TradingAI-read
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Blumenthal Delivers Opening Statement at Public Forum on Trump Family Corruption
It purports to prevent conflicts of interest and corruption by the President of the United States.
“Gaming the System: How the Trump Family is Making Billions by Ripping Off the American People.”
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The Senators’ letter follows reporting from the Wall Street Journal revealing that Lewandowski and his allies were engaged in an apparent pay-to-play scheme to influence the awarding of DHS contracts.
“The overwhelming evidence of Mr. Lewandowski and his associates’ improper, self-serving influence over DHS decision-making at the highest levels can no longer be ignored or brushed aside. Congress and the American people must have a full and transparent assessment of the likely waste generated by and potential illegal…”
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Senator Blumenthal: Week in Review 9/4/2026-9/11/2026
Honoring the 25th Anniversary of 9/11 [Hartford, CT] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) commemorated the twenty-fifth anniversary of the September 11th attacks and remembered the victims, their families and loved ones, and the heroes…
“Horror & heroism, what we lost & learned— all comes rushing back. Crushing memories of searing grief & shock. Awe at a wondrous unity of purpose & heart. After 25 years, 9/11 is no less real.”
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The surge has focused on Danbury and nearby towns, where people have been targeted dropping their children off at school and going to work.
“In one of the largest immigration operations in Connecticut history, ICE agents reportedly apprehended nearly 100 individuals — many of whom likely have legal status and no apparent serious criminal history — throughout the course of just one week in August.”
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In a letter sent today to Altman, Blumenthal sought records and information about the A.I. agents’ rogue operations and raised concerns about OpenAI’s reported steps to limit independent accountability.
“On July 21, 2026, OpenAI first disclosed that its A.I. models were responsible for the previously-reported hacking of the firm Hugging Face. Since that announcement, further disclosures and outside audits have described an unprecedented—and surreal—scenario where its A.I. agents created their own internal messaging…”
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Senator Blumenthal: Week in Review 8/28/2026-9/4/2026
Condemning ICE’s Abuse of Power & Harmful Tactics in Connecticut [Hartford, CT] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, held a public forum to receive testimony from…
“The stories I heard in Danbury about ICE’s abuses were gripping & heartbreaking. I will be fighting to hold ICE accountable & ensure justice for detainees & their families.”
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Last month, the lawmakers wrote to FanDuel, Major League Baseball (MLB), and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) demanding answers about the policies that enabled this predatory promotion.
“We remain unconvinced that FanDuel is making an active effort to protect bettors from harmful gambling and instead appears to be promoting addiction. We demand real answers to our previous letter and for FanDuel to explain this complete failure to respond to significant matters of public interest.”
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Although the funding was announced in March, it has not yet been distributed.
“support the identification, return, rehabilitation, and reintegration of Ukrainian children forcibly transferred to Russia and Russian-occupied territories.”
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Given this new information, such sloppiness and haste seems clearly part of a purposeful attempt to create chaos and prevent people from voting.
“This brave whistleblower has come forward with disturbing details about USPS’ seemingly illegal plot to interfere in November’s midterms.”
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The surge has focused on Danbury and nearby towns, where people have been targeted dropping their children off at school and going to work.
“ICE’s actions in Connecticut showcased cruelty and brutality, as well as disregard for the safety and well-being of community members, especially children. They fostered an environment of fear that will undoubtedly impact school attendance rates and the emotional health of students, generally.”
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Senator Blumenthal: Week in Review 8/21/2026-8/28/2026
Supporting Ukraine in its Fight Against Putin’s Invasion [Hartford, CT] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, traveled to Ukraine as the country continues to fight in the war against…
“Eye opening, awe-inspiring—my visit to Dnipro, the first congressional trip permitted since the war’s start, showed me the best of humanity, with Ukrainians meeting the worst—Russia’s craven inhumanity. All I met—unspeakably injured soldiers, courageous caregivers, steadfast staffs—are demonstrating professional…”
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Blumenthal Statement on Increased ICE Activity in Danbury
Snatching people off the streets as they walk their children to school or wait for a ride to work — such tactics are abusive, abhorrent, and illegal.
“ICE’s cruelty and craven brutality has no limit. Snatching people off the streets as they walk their children to school or wait for a ride to work — such tactics are abusive, abhorrent, and illegal. I am in touch with state and local authorities and am ready to assist in any way possible.”
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We applaud the bipartisan coalition of state Attorneys General for forcing Meta to start paying a real price for the harm its products have caused an entire generation of young people.
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In a letter to Mullin, the Senators called out the Department’s growing and alarming reliance on no-bid contracts since the beginning of the second Trump Administration and raised concerns that the owner of the company that received the…
“Congress and the American people deserve the Department’s full and prompt transparency with respect to the shocking waste of taxpayer funds and potential corruption involved in the Department’s aircraft purchase and widespread no-bid contracting.”
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Senator Blumenthal: Week in Review 8/14/2026-8/21/2026
Calling on FEMA to Address Staffing Shortages [Hartford, CT] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), a member of the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, wrote to the new Federal Emergency Management Agency…
“I appreciated your acknowledgement during your confirmation hearing of the challenges FEMA faces because of President Trump’s drastic staff cuts. Now that you are confirmed, you are responsible for confronting those challenges. Please provide, in writing, your plan to address the staffing cuts agency-wide, and…”