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Joe Courtney (politician)

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This article is about the politician. For other people with the same name, see Joe Courtney.
Joe Courtney
AO
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Connecticut's 2nd district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2007
Preceded byRob Simmons
Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives
from the 56th district
In office
January 1987 – January 1995
Preceded byRobert Hurd
Succeeded byThomasina Clemons
Personal details
Born
Joseph David Courtney

(1953-04-06) April 6, 1953 (age 71)
Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseAudrey Courtney
Children2
EducationTufts University (BA)
University of Connecticut (JD)
WebsiteHouse website
Joe Courtney's voice
Joe Courtney speaks in support of the finalized FY2017 National Defense Authorization Act
Recorded December 2, 2016

Joseph David Courtney[1] (born April 6, 1953) is an American lawyer and politician serving as the U.S. representative for Connecticut's 2nd congressional district since 2007. His district encompasses most of the eastern third of the state, including Norwich and New London. A member of the Democratic Party, Courtney served as the Connecticut state representative for the 56th district from 1987 to 1995 and Vernon town attorney from 2003 until 2006.

Early life and education

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Courtney grew up in suburban Hartford. In 1975, he graduated from Tufts University. He earned a J.D. degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1978.

Early career

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After graduating from law school, Courtney worked as a public defender for three years. He became a partner in the law firm Flaherty, Meisler and Courtney, and also served as Town Attorney in Vernon, Connecticut, where he lives.

From 1987 to 1994, Courtney served in the Connecticut House of Representatives, representing Connecticut's 56th district. He chaired the Public Health and Human Service Committee and oversaw the Blue Ribbon Commission on Universal Health Insurance. In 1994, Connecticut Magazine honored him for his bipartisan efforts in the state house.

In 1998, after four years out of office, Courtney made an unsuccessful bid for lieutenant governor. In 2002, he ran for Congress against incumbent Republican Rob Simmons. Courtney did not announce his candidacy or raise money until September 2001; by that time, Simmons had more than $500,000 in campaign funding. Simmons defeated Courtney in the November election, 54% to 46%.[2]

U.S. House of Representatives

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Elections

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2006

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Courtney during the
110th Congress

Courtney challenged Simmons again in 2006, in a race that political strategists projected would be very close. Courtney was declared the winner on Election Day; initial tallies showed him ahead by 167 votes, out of more than 242,000 votes. Under Connecticut law the race qualified for an automatic re-canvass because the winning margin was less than 0.5%. When the recount concluded on November 14, Courtney had 91 votes more than Simmons.[3] The Washington Post later said that the final margin was 83 votes. It was the tightest congressional race of 2006.[4]

2008

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See also: 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Connecticut § District 2

Courtney's 2008 Republican challenger was the former commanding officer of the Naval Submarine Base New London, Sean Sullivan.[5] Courtney won the election by a two-to-one margin.[6][7][8]

On May 21, 2008, Courtney announced his endorsement of then-U.S. Senator Barack Obama for president.

2010

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See also: 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Connecticut § District 2

Courtney was reelected, defeating Republican Janet Peckinpaugh, Green Party nominee Scott Deshefy, and Libertarian Party write-in Dan Reale.[9]

2014

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See also: 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Connecticut § District 2

Courtney defeated Republican Lori Hopkins-Cavanagh, a business owner and radio show host from New London, Connecticut.

2016

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In 2016, Courtney defeated Republican Daria Novak, Green Party candidate Jonathan Pelto and Libertarian Dan Reale.[10] Novak co-hosted a weekly cable television show, "American Political Zone", and a nationally syndicated radio show, "Vernuccio-Novak Report."[11]

2018

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In April 2018, Dan Postemski, an Iraq War veteran and chair of the Hampton Republican Town Committee, announced his plans to challenge Courtney in the 2018 election. Postemski said that he wanted "to bring common sense to budgeting" and that he was "a strong supporter of the 2nd amendment" and would "fight to the death to save it." In a reference to Courtney's participation in a gun-control sit-in, Postemski said, "Joe Courtney has literally sat down on the job, right on the floor of the House. That’s not how a leader makes change."[12] Courtney was reelected by more than 20 points.[13]

Tenure

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Courtney in 2013

In August 2009, Courtney was criticized for holding a teleconference with voters about health care instead of an in-person town hall. Richard Hanley, graduate journalism director at Quinnipiac University, complained that part of Courtney's job "is to wade into the muck of the process as it is, not as we would like it to be."[14]

Courtney has branded himself as bipartisan and has blamed various government crises on failure to "support a real compromise." In 2012, he said that though recent budget cuts to education were a "little heavy" and the Budget Control Act "ham-handed," he voted for them in a spirit of compromise. "It took guys like me to cross the aisle and make sure we didn't fall off the tracks there as a country," Courtney said.[15]

After seeing Steven Spielberg's film Lincoln in February 2013, Courtney wrote Spielberg a letter pointing out that although the film showed Connecticut House members voting against the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery, in fact the state's entire congressional delegation had supported the amendment. He asked Spielberg for some kind of acknowledgment of the error, perhaps on the DVD. "It's important that people be aware who saw this movie that we were a state that lost soldiers, were staunch supporters of Lincoln in both elections and, in the case of the Democrat from New Haven, actually voted against his party in support of the amendment," said Courtney, who made his letter public. "The state's good name, I personally feel, was tarnished a bit."[16] His criticism, in the words of the Washington Post, "played well back home in Connecticut", where it occasioned "a number of grateful newspaper editorials", but "set off alarms in showbiz circles: Ballots had just gone out to Oscar voters. Was the congressman trying to influence the Academy Awards in favor of another contender?" The Post noted that "Courtney had a debt to Ben Affleck", who had campaigned for him and whose film Argo was up against Lincoln for Best Picture.[17]

In March 2015, after receiving two phone calls at home from scammers impersonating IRS agents demanding payment of owed taxes, Courtney warned his constituents to be wary of such scams.[18]

A golf game Courtney played with President Obama was highlighted on NPR in June 2015.[19]

In response to purported Republican hostility toward Muslims, Democratic National Committee Vice Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz urged Democratic members of Congress to invite Muslims as their guests to Obama's State of the Union address in January 2016.[20] Accordingly, Courtney invited Mohammed Qureshi, president of the Baitul Aman Mosque, an Ahmadiyya house of worship in Connecticut. The invitation garnered considerable media attention.[21]

Legislative Action, Political Positions, Achievements, and Honors

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As of 2023, Courtney was ranked the most bipartisan Member of Congress from Connecticut, according to the Lugar Center.[22]

AUKUS Security Agreement

Through his work as Chair and then Ranking Member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, Rep. Courtney has advanced the AUKUS security agreement between the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

In the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, Courtney successfully co-lead a bipartisan amendment with Rep. Mike Ghallager to establish a joint training pipeline for Australian Navy servicemembers to skill up alongside U.S. Navy sailors in the mechanics of Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines.[23]

In the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, Courtney again successfully lead bipartisan efforts to authorize the historic sale of three Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines to the Australian Government, the training of Australian private sector defense personnel, the integration of Australian financial contributions into the U.S. defense industrial base, and the sharing of technology and information between the three AUKUS nations to safely streamline security cooperation. The sale of Virginia-class submarines will mark the first time since the launch of the USS Nautilus in 1958 that the U.S. will sell conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines to another nation.[24]

Order of Australia

In October 2024, Rep. Courtney was appointed as an Honorary Member in General Division of the Order of Australia for his extraordinary service to Australia in the advancement of the AUKUS security agreement and his leadership as Co-Chair of the Friends of Australia Congressional Caucus, a bipartisan caucus which seeks to "expand and enrich the strong United States-Australian partnership".[25] [26]

In November 2024, Courtney was presented with an official award for his appointment into the Order of Australia.[27] He joined a select group of non-Australian citizens to receive this honor, including Senator Roy Blunt, former Co-Chair of the Friends of Australia Caucus, Admiral Harry Harris, former U.S. Ambassador to South Korea and Commander of the Indo-Pacific Command, and General David Petraeus, former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.[28]

Taxes

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In 2019, Courtney introduced[29] H.R. 748, the Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act - a bill to remove the 40% excise tax on certain employer-sponsored health insurance plans. After the bill passed the House by a 419-6 vote, Courtney released a statement about out-of-pocket costs being too “unaffordable for families, even those with insurance.”

In 2024, Courtney wrote an op-ed in Roll Call[30] stating he will stand against renewed calls to tax employers sponsored insurance by the Republican Study Committee and Project 2025.

Gun control

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Along with other members of Congress who demanded that the House pass stricter gun-control legislation, Courtney took part in a sit-in on the House floor on June 22, 2016.[31]

Health care

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In 2010, Courtney was the leading voice in the House against the so-called "Cadillac tax" on high-dollar health plans, part of the funding proposed for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.[32]

Inflation

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Courtney plans[33] to lower the cost of living by “holding giant grocery corporations accountable for inexcusably raising costs at the expense of US farmers while they rake in record profits.” He also voted to expand the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit to create more housing and lower the cost of prescription drugs.

Iraq War

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In March 2008, Courtney called U.S. policy in Iraq "two-headed." While the Bush administration asked troops "to serve and sacrifice on behalf of Iraq's fledgling government," Iraqi leaders were friendly with Iran. "The White House," he wrote, "needs to work with Congress to construct a reasonable long term security agreement with Iraq that address Iraq's relations with Iran."[34]

Iran nuclear deal

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On August 6, 2015, Courtney issued a statement in support of Obama's Iran deal, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. "I believe that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action is the best option for our nation and the international community to prevent Iran from gaining a nuclear weapons capability," he wrote.[35]

When President Trump decided to withhold certification of the Iran nuclear agreement, Courtney issued a statement in which he claimed that Trump's move "directly contradicts the opinion of our nation's highest military leadership" and "puts us at odds with our closest allies such as the U.K., France and Germany, and undermines our country's ability to credibly execute a multilateral diplomatic resolution of the crisis in the Korean peninsula."[36]

Israel

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Courtney supports[37] supplying Israel with weapons to defend itself, but also believes any U.S. aid must comply with the Foreign Assistance Act (FAA) which prohibits the U.S. from providing offensive arms to a country that restricts humanitarian aid. Courtney also supports the UN approved ceasefire plan to ensure a just and lasting peace in the region.

Military

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Courtney is known for his success at delivering funding for his district's submarine bases, and has acquired the nickname "Two-Sub Joe" for having made possible the construction of two new submarines. In 2016, the Hartford Courant endorsed him primarily because he had "brought home defense jobs."[38][39]

Prescription Drugs

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CT Public reported [40] that Courtney supported a provision of the Inflation Reduction Act passed in 2022 to give Medicare authority to negotiate prescription drug prices, beginning with 10 drugs in 2026. Courtney is also a cosponsor of the Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act, a bill to extend lower drug prices to all Americans with private insurance as well as Medicare beneficiaries.

Reproductive Healthcare

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CT Mirror reported[41] that he voted to codify Roe v. Wade as a State Representative in Connecticut and cosponsored the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2023 as a U.S. Representative to restore Roe v. Wade nationwide.

Trump travel ban

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In March 2017, Courtney protested Trump's revised executive order temporarily restricting travel from six Muslim-majority countries. He maintained that America's "moderate allies from Muslim-majority nations" had "repeatedly warned President Trump that these rash orders damage our standing to lead the anti-ISIS coalition" and that the executive order would result in a "backlash...overseas." Courtney added that the U.S. is "a nation of opportunity and a nation of immigrants, and this blanket ban on entry from six nations could mean that best and the brightest from those countries, and other Muslim-majority countries will no longer view the United States as an option for making a better life. This ban is not only a prize propaganda tool for terrorists who want to hurt us, it hurts American prestige abroad, and harms American businesses, schools, and institutions that rely on the hard work of immigrants from around the world, including these six countries."[42][43]

Syria

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In 2023, Courtney voted against H.Con.Res. 21 which directed President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days.[44][45]

Committee assignments

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For the 118th Congress:[46]

Caucus memberships

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Election History

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2006

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US House election, 2006: Connecticut District 2
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joe Courtney 121,248 50%
Republican Rob Simmons (incumbent) 121,165 50%
Turnout 242,413 100%

2008

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US House election, 2008: Connecticut District 2
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joe Courtney (incumbent) 212,148 65.7%
Republican Sean Sullivan 104,574 32.4%
Green G. Scott Deshefy 6,300 2%
Turnout 323,041 100%

2010

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US House election, 2010: Connecticut District 2
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joe Courtney (incumbent) 140,888 58.7%
Republican Janet Peckinpaugh 95,671 39.9%
Green G. Scott Deshefy 3,344 1.4%
Turnout 239,949 100%

2012

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Connecticut 2nd Congressional District Election, 2012
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joe Courtney (incumbent) 204,708 68.2%
Republican Paul Formica 88,103 29.4%
Green Colin Bennett 3,638 1.2%
Libertarian Daniel Reale 3,511 1.2%
Turnout 299,960 100%

2014

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Connecticut 2nd Congressional District Election, 2014
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joe Courtney (incumbent) 141,948 61.6%
Republican Lori Hopkins-Cavanagh 83,386 36.2%
Green William Clyde 2,602 1.1%
Libertarian Daniel Reale 2,543 1.1%
Turnout 230,479 100%

2016

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Connecticut 2nd Congressional District Election, 2016
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joe Courtney (incumbent) 208,818 63.2%
Republican Daria Novak 111,149 33.7%
Green Jonathan Pelto 5,332 1.6%
Libertarian Daniel Reale 4,949 1.5%
Turnout 330,257 100%

2018

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Connecticut 2nd Congressional District Election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joe Courtney (incumbent) 179,731 62.2%
Republican Dan Postemski 102,483 35.4%
Green Michelle Louise Bicking 3,595 1.2%
Libertarian Dan Reale 3,305 1.1%
Turnout 289,114 100%

2020

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Connecticut 2nd Congressional District Election, 2020
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joe Courtney (incumbent) 217,982 59.4%
Republican Justin Anderson 140,340 38.2%
Green Cassandra Martineau 4,949 1.35%
Libertarian Dan Reale 3,901 1.06%
Turnout 367,181 100%

2022

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Connecticut 2nd Congressional District Election, 2022
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joe Courtney (incumbent) 165,946 58.2%
Republican Mike France 114,506 40.2%
Green Kevin Blacker 2,439 0.9%
Libertarian William Hall 2,140 0.7%
Total votes 285,031 100%

2024

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Connecticut 2nd Congressional District Election, 2024
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joe Courtney (incumbent)
Republican Mike France
Total votes

References

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  1. ^ "Who's Who in Defense: Joe Courtney, Chairman, House Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces". Breaking Defense. May 27, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
  2. ^ Michael Leahy (June 10, 2007). "House Rules". Washington Post.
  3. ^ Jennifer Medina (November 16, 2006). "Democrat Wins House Seat After Recount in Connecticut". New York Times.
  4. ^ "Joe Courtney (D-Conn.)". The Washington Post. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  5. ^ Dankosky, John; Blanksteen, Melissa (2008-04-15). "2nd District Challenger Sean Sullivan". Where We Live. Connecticut Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on 2008-10-14. Retrieved 2008-10-13.
  6. ^ Mann, Ted (2008-11-05). "This Time, Courtney Cruises". The New London Day. Archived from the original on 2011-05-24. Retrieved 2008-11-05.
  7. ^ Gannon, Michael (2008-11-04). "Decision 2008: No doubt this time — Courtney wins big". Norwich Bulletin. Archived from the original on 2013-01-30. Retrieved 2008-11-05.
  8. ^ Mahony, Edmund H.; Funkhouser, David; Marteka, Peter (2008-11-05). "Courtney Re-Elected To Congress By Wide Margin". The Hartford Courant. Retrieved 2008-11-05.[permanent dead link‍]
  9. ^ AP Election Results - Courant.com
  10. ^ Bergman, Julia. "Five-term incumbent Rep. Courtney declares victory in 2nd Congressional District". The Day. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  11. ^ Radelat, Ana (15 March 2016). "Republican Novak making third try for Courtney's seat". CT Mirror. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  12. ^ Radelat, Ana (4 April 2018). "Courtney draws 'Quiet Corner' challenger". CT Mirror. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  13. ^ "Election Center". Connecticut Secretary of the State. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  14. ^ Christoffersen, John. "Courtney opts out of public forums on health care". Journal Inquirer. Retrieved 11 July 2018.
  15. ^ Bellmore, Michael (21 October 2012). "U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney talks cooperation". New Haven Register. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  16. ^ DOWLING, Brian. "Courtney Faults 'Lincoln,' Says Spielberg Goofed On CT Slavery Vote". Hartford Courant. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  17. ^ "Rep. Joe Courtney gets lesson in Oscar politics in debate over 'Lincoln' accuracy". The Washington Post. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  18. ^ "IRS Scammers Target Home of Congressman Joe Courtney". NBC Connecticut. 24 March 2015. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  19. ^ DANKOSKY, John (22 July 2015). "What's It Like to Golf With the President?". WNPR. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  20. ^ SHABAD, REBECCA (15 December 2015). "Democrats urged to bring Muslim-Americans to State of the Union". CBS. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  21. ^ Itkowitz, Colby. "Forgiving Muslim doctor whose mosque was shot at is attending State of the Union". The Washington Post. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  22. ^ "The Lugar Center - McCourt School of Bipartisan Index". thelugarcenter.org. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  23. ^ "History of Support | Congressman Joe Courtney". courtney.house.gov. 2024-02-13. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
  24. ^ "History of Support | Congressman Joe Courtney". courtney.house.gov. 2024-02-13. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
  25. ^ "Friends of Australia Caucus - Summary from LegiStorm". www.legistorm.com. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
  26. ^ "Rep. Courtney to receive Australia's top civilian award". WSHU. 2024-10-23. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
  27. ^ "Friends of Australia Caucus - Summary from LegiStorm". www.legistorm.com. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
  28. ^ "ICYMI: Rep. Joe Courtney Appointed into Order of Australia | Congressman Joe Courtney". courtney.house.gov. 2024-11-18. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
  29. ^ https://courtney.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/after-10-year-effort-house-votes-pass-rep-courtneys-bill-repeal
  30. ^ https://rollcall.com/2024/04/10/taxing-health-insurance-the-republican-zombie-that-refuses-to-die/
  31. ^ "Commentary: From the civil-rights struggle to Black Lives Matter, John Lewis blazes the trail". Reuters. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  32. ^ Patricia Murphy (January 11, 2010). "'Cadillac' Tax' Puts Obama on Collision Course With House Democrats". Politics Daily.
  33. ^ https://ctmirror.org/2024-voter-guide/us-house-district-2-2024-responses/
  34. ^ Courtney, Joe (10 March 2008). "Two-Headed Iraq Policy Sends Terrible Message (Rep. Joe Courtney)". The Hill. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  35. ^ Demirjian, Karoun; Phillips, Amber; Cameron, Darla. "Where lawmakers stand on the Iran deal". The Washington Post. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  36. ^ "Courtney Statement On Trump's De-Certification Of Iran Nuclear Agreement". courtney.house.gov. 13 October 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  37. ^ https://ctmirror.org/2024-voter-guide/us-house-district-2-2024-responses/
  38. ^ "Joe Courtney (D-Conn.)". The Washington Post. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  39. ^ Lumsden, Carolyn (26 October 2016). "Courant Endorsement: 'Two-Sub Joe' Courtney Delivered For District". The Hartford Courant. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  40. ^ https://www.ctpublic.org/news/2024-08-15/drug-prices-lowered-ct-seniors-prescriptions-medicare
  41. ^ https://ctmirror.org/2024-voter-guide/us-house-district-2-2024-responses/
  42. ^ "Courtney Statement On President Trump's Revised Travel Ban". courtney.house.gov. 6 March 2017. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  43. ^ RADELAT, Ana (6 March 2017). "CT lawmakers reject Trump's new travel ban". The Connecticut Mirror. Retrieved 9 July 2018.
  44. ^ "H.Con.Res. 21: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of … -- House Vote #136 -- Mar 8, 2023".
  45. ^ "House Votes Down Bill Directing Removal of Troops From Syria". Associated Press. March 8, 2023.
  46. ^ "Joe Courtney". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  47. ^ "Membership". Congressional Arts Caucus. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
  48. ^ "Members". Afterschool Alliance. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  49. ^ List members Twitter [better source needed]
  50. ^ "Members". Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2018.
  51. ^ "Members of the Veterinary Medicine Caucus". Veterinary Medicine Caucus. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Joe Courtney.
Party political offices
Preceded by Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut
1998 		Succeeded by
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Connecticut's 2nd congressional district
2007–present 		Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States representatives by seniority
70th 		Succeeded by
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