Senator Blumenthal: Week in Review 6/5/2026-6/12/2026

Championing Wins for Connecticut in National Defense Authorization Bill [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after the Committee’s approval of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2027. The NDAA includes a number of provisions championed by Blumenthal to promote our nation’s safety and security, including supporting Connecticut’s defense industrial base, investing in advanced technologies, and promoting the well-being of servicemembers and veterans. Citing concerns that his Republican colleagues have included wasteful spending in the NDAA, Blumenthal ultimately voted against the bill. The NDAA passed out of Committee by a vote of 18-9 and will now move to the full Senate for consideration. “This measure significantly enhances Connecticut’s vital role as an arsenal of democracy. I am proud of important provisions I advanced to support our state’s defense industrial base— manufacturers, suppliers, and skilled workers. Particularly important are investments in new technologies, including unmanned vehicles that I have seen perform so impactfully in my visits to Ukraine. I have fought as well for provisions that do right by our men and women in uniform— better housing and health care, for example— resources they need and deserve. At my urging, this measure helps keep faith with our allies, reaffirming our common commitment to preserving freedom and deterring aggression. Unfortunately, this NDAA has been vastly inflated by unnecessary, wasteful military programs that I cannot support. In too many ways, it is essentially a blank check for an administration that disregards and denigrates the real, urgent needs of Americans, and conducts an illegal, costly war without required Congressional approval. I cannot in good conscience support a hugely expanded $1.15 trillion military spending package while the President continues an unlawful Iran war, defying Congress and the Constitution,” said Blumenthal. Standing up for Major Richard Star and combat-injured veterans, Blumenthal fought to end the unjust offset that denies combat-injured veterans full access to both their earned retirement pay and disability benefits, offering multiple paths to provide long-overdue relief. While these efforts were blocked, Blumenthal remains committed to ensuring that wounded servicemembers receive the benefits they earned through their sacrifice. As a member of the Committee tasked with crafting the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2027, Blumenthal successfully advocated for the inclusion of several provisions that invest in Connecticut-based manufacturers and suppliers of vital national security interests, including: Securing More Than $67.8 Billion in Defense Programs Supporting Connecticut Manufacturers and Suppliers: The NDAA for Fiscal Year 2027 includes more than $67.8 billion in defense programs supporting Connecticut manufacturers, suppliers, workers, and the state’s critical role in America’s national security. Among the Connecticut priorities supported in the FY2027 NDAA: Submarines and Undersea Dominance: The bill supports more than $25.5 billion for submarine and undersea programs, including continued investment in Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines, Virginia-class attack submarines, submarine modernization, acoustics, combat systems, support equipment, advanced undersea technologies, and military construction at SUBASE New London. Blumenthal championed provisions to increase collaboration between the Navy and research universities, including UConn, to bolster the submarine industrial base and drive innovation in undersea technologies. Helicopters and Rotary-Wing Aviation: The bill supports more than $4 billion in helicopter programs, including Sikorsky-built aircraft and modernization efforts such as the CH-53K King Stallion, HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter, MH-60, and UH-60 Black Hawk programs. Pratt & Whitney Engines and F-35 Modernization: The bill supports more than $8.1 billion in F-35 procurement, modernization, and Continuous Capability Development and Delivery efforts, strengthening Connecticut’s aerospace manufacturing base and supporting Pratt & Whitney’s critical role in powering the Joint Strike Fighter. Advanced Aerospace, Defense Technology, and Industrial Base: The bill supports additional investments in advanced aerospace systems, mission technologies, industrial base capacity, ship operations, flight operations, and other defense priorities that reinforce Connecticut’s role as a national hub for defense manufacturing and innovation. The Senate Armed Services Committee-approved legislation now advances through the congressional process and will be considered by the full Senate. Blumenthal also fought for key provisions to support servicemembers and improve defense policy, including: Codifying the Independence of Stars and Stripes: Blumenthal secured landmark protections for the editorial independence of Stars and Stripes , ensuring that the trusted news source for servicemembers and military families remains free from censorship, propaganda, and interference from the chain of command. Addressing Mold in Military Housing: After years of oversight and advocacy, Blumenthal secured sweeping reforms to confront the scourge of toxic mold and unsafe conditions in military housing. The legislation imposes enforceable standards, independent inspections, and stronger accountability measures to safeguard the health and readiness of servicemembers and their families. Advocating for Ukraine: Blumenthal fought to ensure that the hard-earned lessons of Ukraine’s battlefield are rapidly translated into capabilities for U.S. forces, securing provisions to strengthen drone and counter-drone innovation and deepen cooperation with Ukraine on emerging technologies. He led and secured language directing the Department of Defense to identify ways to accelerate production of Patriot missiles to Ukraine, helping protect civilians from Russian missile and drone attacks. The legislation extends the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) through 2029 and increases authorized funding to $750 million. Furthermore, the legislation also safeguards America’s commitment to Europe by preventing precipitous troop withdrawals. Protecting Professional Military Education: Blumenthal fought to safeguard servicemembers’ access to world-class educational opportunities, supporting provisions that prevent abrupt cancellations of partnerships with accredited universities and ensure Congress receives advance notice and justification before programs are terminated. Supporting Servicemembers with Increased Pay: Blumenthal championed provisions in recognition of the sacrifice of servicemembers and their essential contributions to our nation’s safety and security. This year’s NDAA authorizes a 3.6 percent pay raise for all military members. On the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Blumenthal, Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, asked for unanimous consent to pass the Major Richard Star Act —bipartisan legislation to deliver 59,000 combat-injured veterans their full military benefits. Senate Republicans have now blocked this legislation six times, despite its overwhelming bipartisan support in Congress and support from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. “The United States is at war at this moment. I’m here to talk about the cost of war that should include the cost of caring for our veterans, because they are the ones that fight our wars…We’re failing to pay the cost of war for more than 50 thousand combat-injured veterans. The Major Richard Star Act is our legislation to fix this injustice and finally deliver combat-injured veterans their full military benefits…Not only has this [bill] received bipartisan support from the United States Congress, but in a hearing where I questioned him, the Secretary of Defense joined in supporting us, and said very simply, ‘we support the Major Richard Star Act .’ We support the Major Richard Star Act —without an offset. Because the Major Richard Star Act has no offset,” said Blumenthal. U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) this week blocked Blumenthal’s motion to pass the legislation by unanimous consent. In response, Blumenthal offered a compromise motion that would have set up a single roll call vote on the bill at a 60-vote threshold. Paul also blocked this motion—denying a bill with 79 cosponsors a single vote. Blumenthal slammed the hypocrisy of Senate Republicans for blocking the Major Richard Star Act over cost concerns while spending hundreds of billions on the Iran War: “Opponents have claimed that our nation cannot afford this bill and demand that we offset it by cutting benefits from other disabled veterans. And they are acquiescing in spending billions of dollars a day on the president’s war of choice in the Middle East.” Blumenthal concluded by asking Republicans to allow a vote on the legislation and demanding any offset come from the Department of Defense—not from cutting veterans’ benefits: “I'm asking for a vote…That's all I am asking. We have 80 members of the United States Senate cosponsoring this bill. The Secretary of Defense has endorsed it. Veterans’ Service Organizations are unanimously in favor of it. The United States Congress paying for plenty of programs without demanding an offset. I'm simply asking that a program for disabled veterans be treated in the same way. Contrary to what my colleague says, this is not a VA Program. It is not a veterans’ program. This is a Department of Defense program—retirement pay, disability benefits. Secretary Hegseth supports this bill without an offset. But if Republicans insist on treating the Major Richard Star Act differently, then, at the very least, the money to pay for the wounds of war, the wounds of war, that are occurring right now, 400—at least 400—members of the military have been injured in some way so far in the Iran War, should come from the Department of Defense.” Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) and U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) previously blocked Blumenthal’s attempts to advance the Major Richard Star Act in October and March , citing cost concerns. This legislation has overwhelming support from the majority of both chambers of Congress, with 79 bipartisan cosponsors in the Senate and 334 bipartisan cosponsors in the House. It also has received support from Department of Defense (DoD) Secretary Pete Hegseth. “ As I have said in the past to other organizations, we support the Richard Star Act,” said Hegseth at a Senate Armed Service Committee hearing in April . The Major Richard Star Act is bipartisan legislation to fix an injustice preventing combat-injured veterans from receiving their full military benefits. Currently, only veterans with disability ratings above 50 percent and more than 20 years of service are eligible to receive the full amount of their DoD retirement and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability payments—leaving behind more than 50,000 combat-injured military retirees. A video of Blumenthal’s remarks is available here . Blumenthal further called for support for the Major Richard Star Act on Twitter/X. “80 bipartisan senators support the Major Richard Star Act. Secretary Pete Hegseth has endorsed it. DOD says they can afford it. Senate Republicans must stop blocking this bill,” wrote Blumenthal on Twitter/X . Republicans unveiled a nearly 600-page veterans bill that includes a provision to fund the Major Richard Star Act by slashing benefits for other disabled veterans. Republicans’ proposal, S. 4744 - Take Care of America’s Veterans Act , includes up to $57 billion in cuts over the next 10 years for veterans currently eligible to receive disability benefits for tinnitus and sleep apnea to offset the costs of this legislation. “Correcting this injustice for combat-injured veterans should be done without depriving other veterans of benefits they need and deserve which this Republican package would do,” said Blumenthal. “If Republicans insist on an offset in funding, which actually is unnecessary, then it should come from the Department of Defense, which has trillions of dollars available. In fact, the relevant programs are part of the Department of Defense, not VA. The resources to pay for these wounds of war could come from the Department of Defense, not other disabled veterans. I will continue to fight for the Major Richard Star Act .” Blumenthal amplified veterans’ voices on Substack, calling for passage of the Major Richard Star Act. “My Republican colleagues need to listen to veterans. We must pass the Major Richard Star Act to ensure combat-injured veterans receive the benefits they have rightfully earned & deserve—a measure that Senate Republicans have blocked 6 times now,” wrote Blumenthal on Substack . Blumenthal further called out his Republican colleagues for their plan to fund the Major Richard Star Act by cutting benefits for other disabled veterans on Twitter/X. “To pass the Major Richard Star Act we shouldn’t have to cut benefits from other veterans. Republicans are blocking a vote with this false narrative,” wrote Blumenthal with an accompanying video on Twitter/X . Rejecting Todd Blanche as Attorney General Blumenthal joined legal experts and advocates for a press conference calling on his Senate colleagues to reject Todd Blanche as U.S. Attorney General, highlighting how Blanche is unfit to serve as the nation’s chief law enforcement officer. “Let me just get right to the point—we’ve been talking about Todd Blanche as Trump’s personal lawyer. He is really Trump’s personal fixer. Todd Blanche has disregarded the law and enabled his President to break the law—as well as others in the Administration. That is what Todd Blanche is doing instead of enforcing the law. He is promoting law breaking,” said Blumenthal. “I think the word corruption summarizes, in one word, the reason why Todd Blanche should not be Attorney general. Corruption is his middle name and it is having an impact on you, taxpayers, voters, on your daily lives, on the cost of living, on anti-trust enforcement, on secret deals that take taxpayer money away. It’s not a victimless or costless crime, the kind of corruption he’s enabling.” A video of the full press conference is available here . Blumenthal reacted to reports of President Trump nominating Blanche as U.S. Attorney General on Twitter/X. “Blanche is the most disgraceful, corrupt nominee for AG in American history. Instead of enforcing the law, he has championed Trump’s breaking it. Nothing has been too shamefully low, degrading & disgracing the entire DOJ. He’ll have a torturous confirmation—with ferocious opposition from me & others. It should be bipartisan,” wrote Blumenthal on Twitter/X . Demanding Answers After National Park Service Rubberstamps Trump Construction Projects Blumenthal, Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), demanded answers from Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and Acting Director of the National Park Service (NPS) Jessica Bowron about the NPS’s persistent lack of transparency in its efforts to advance President Trump’s various construction projects throughout the nation’s capital. In a letter to Burgum and Bowron, Blumenthal wrote, “Your disregard for legal process and public interest has been apparent in projects ranging from the construction of a White House Ballroom and triumphal arch to the resealing of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and expansion of the Rock Creek Tennis Center.” Blumenthal continued, “Regular reports have revealed significant problems in the renovation or construction of monuments and spaces across the Washington, D.C. area. These drastic changes appear to be subject to the President’s latest whims: for example, just last week President Trump announced without warning that he is also considering adding a promenade connecting the Potomac River to the Lincoln Memorial. While it is important that we maintain our national landmarks as they age, the scale, cost, and permanence of these projects has revealed troubling patterns of waste, fraud, and abuse across these episodes.” “NPS’s mission is to ‘preserve[] unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations,’ not to run roughshod over the law in order to help the current President benefit his friends and alter our cultural heritage however he sees fit,” Blumenthal concluded. As Ranking Member of PSI, Blumenthal led an investigation into President Trump’s East Wing project, writing to each of the reported donors to the ballroom, as well as donors previously kept secret by the White House, to seek information about the terms of their donations and any potential deals made in exchange for contributions. Blumenthal has also demanded answers from the lead architect, construction firm, and engineering firm selected to work on President Trump’s ballroom and pressed Clark Construction, the firm selected to build the ballroom, for details after it was awarded a no-bid contract to make repairs to the public fountains in Lafayette Square across the street from the White House. The full text of today’s letter is available here . Blumenthal Bulletin Blumenthal introduced the Right to Record Act . Blumenthal demanded the U.S. Department of Transportation finalize rule to prevent deaths in hot cars. Blumenthal slammed the CFTC for being a tool of Kalshi and Polymarket, encouraging addictive gambling, fraudulent bets, and national security risks. Blumenthal slammed Trump’s judicial nominees for perpetuating the lie that the Capitol was not attacked on January 6 th and for refusing to acknowledge that Trump lost the 2020 election. Blumenthal highlighted letters delivered by Ms. Rachel from children who have been detained at Dilley Immigration Detention Center. Blumenthal slammed insurance companies for putting profits over patient well-being. Blumenthal called out Trump’s Sunday Night Fight and UFC Claw construction. Blumenthal celebrated Pride Month. Blumenthal attended the Middletown Pride Parade. Blumenthal attended Catherine’s Butterfly Party, the largest single day pet adoption event in CT—a legacy of Catherine Hubbard who tragically lost her life at Sandy Hook. Blumenthal attended the Danbury Portuguese Day Parade. Blumenthal attended New Haven’s Freddy Fixer Parade . Blumenthal highlighted his Right to Record Act. Blumenthal highlighted the dangers of hot cars. -30-