As the federal government shutdown continues, Connecticut Senate leaders are pressing Governor Ned Lamont to adopt a more assertive approach in publicly assigning blame to national Republicans. The ongoing impasse threatens essential funding for state services relied upon by many residents, prompting Senate President Martin Looney and Majority Leader Bob Duff to advocate for clearer communication regarding the crisis.
During a special session on June 26, 2024, held at the state Capitol in Hartford, Looney and Duff criticized the federal Republican leadership for the shutdown. They suggested that Lamont follow the example set by Pennsylvania and other states by prominently displaying information on state agency websites that directly links service disruptions to what they termed “inept Republican governance.”
The Senate leaders referenced recent actions taken by President Donald Trump’s administration, which included a video featuring Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem blaming Democrats for delays at airports. Notably, Bradley International Airport in Connecticut has not aired this video.
“The ongoing Republican shutdown threatens critical services that Connecticut families depend on, including nutrition assistance, Head Start programs, and healthcare services,” asserted Looney and Duff. They emphasized the importance of clear communication regarding these disruptions, as many residents engage with state agencies to access federal programs.
Looney pointed out the significant influence Republicans wield over the federal government. “Working-class Connecticut residents deserve to know who turned their backs on them,” he stated. “With President Trump and Congressional Republicans controlling every branch of the federal government, they have chosen to shut it down rather than work constructively to protect working families.”
Duff highlighted what he described as a blatant disregard for working people, using the recent demolition of the White House’s East Wing as a striking example. “Nothing illustrates Republican contempt for working people more clearly than President Trump demolishing an entire wing of the White House during his own shutdown to build a lavish ballroom for his rich friends,” Duff remarked. He pointed to Pennsylvania’s proactive communication strategy as a model for Connecticut, noting how Governor Josh Shapiro’s administration effectively informs residents about service disruptions.
In Pennsylvania, the state’s Department of Human Services has placed a banner on its website announcing that the failure to pass a federal budget has resulted in the inability to pay SNAP benefits for November 2025.
Looney and Duff also specifically urged Access Health CT, Connecticut’s health insurance marketplace, to inform enrollees that anticipated premium increases for the upcoming year directly stem from Republicans’ refusal to accept Congressional Democrats’ proposals aimed at protecting Americans from such hikes. “With Republicans in complete control of the federal government — the White House, the U.S. Senate, and the U.S. House of Representatives — there is no ambiguity about who is responsible for the shutdown and its consequences for Connecticut families,” they concluded.
The situation continues to evolve as Senate leaders push for greater accountability from state officials, underscoring the critical nature of clear communication during this challenging period for residents.
