Joe Courtney
- Previous profession
- Attorney, Courtney, Boyan, and Foran, LLC, 1978 to 2006; Public defender; Attorney, Town of Vernon, 2003 to 2006
- First public office
- 1987Member, Connecticut House of Representatives, 1987 to 1994
- Years in public office
- 26
Confirmed from the official recordSource: Congressional Directory for the 119th Congress (2025-2026), February 20, 2026. We saved our copy on October 8, 2026.
What these lines mean
These lines come from this official’s entry in the Congressional Directory, which Congress publishes. Each member’s office supplies or approves its entry. We save our own copy and sort each part of the entry by fixed rules. No AI is used.
Previous profession lists the work the entry names outside public office, in the Directory’s own words. Public office here means an elected or appointed position, staff work for an elected official or a legislature, and party or campaign work.
Lifelong politician means: Congress’s biography lists no occupation outside public office. It also means the entry lists no military service. A person on our side confirms these words before they appear.
Years in public office counts elected and appointed positions only. Staff work and party work are left out. Each year counts once.
Since the current Congress began on January 3, 2025, Courtney has a recorded vote on 60 laws that passed, and 1 vote on a resolution that passed a law.
The tally counts votes on passage. 1 vote on a resolution that passed a law is listed apart.
This record covers laws that passed. Votes on bills that did not become law are not included yet.
The record in plain language
Of the 118 laws passed since January 3, 2025, 60 came to a recorded vote on passage in the House while Courtney is a member. On 1 more, the recorded House vote is on a resolution. Courtney votes No on H.Res. 590, the resolution that passed the Rescissions Act of 2025 in the House. The rest passed the House by voice vote or without objection, which records no individual votes.
Courtney votes Yes on the Laken Riley Act on immigration detention, the HALT Fentanyl Act, the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the defense policy law for fiscal year 2026 and the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.
On funding the government, Courtney votes Yes on the January 2026 funding law for science, energy, Interior and the EPA; the February 2026 funding law for a further group of agencies; and the September 2026 funding extension, and No on the March 2025 full-year funding law and the November 2025 law that ended the 43-day shutdown.
Courtney votes No on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the 2025 tax and spending law; the GENIUS Act on stablecoins (digital tokens pegged to the dollar); the Secure America Act, a 2026 budget law; and the Russia and Iran sanctions law.
Congress cancelled 24 federal rules by recorded vote in the House in that time. Courtney votes to cancel 0 and against cancelling 24.
Courtney votes differently from most House Democrats on 2 of 59 Yes and No votes: Yes on the February 2026 funding law for a further group of agencies and Yes on the Laken Riley Act on immigration detention.
Courtney did not vote on the Congressional Award Program Reauthorization Act.
Votes on laws that passed
Most recent
Authorizes and expands sanctions and tariffs on Russia and extends existing sanctions on Iran.
Requires the federal prison system to act on sexual harassment and assault of its staff by incarcerated people.
Adds College Station, Texas, and El Centro, California, to the places where federal court can sit.
Keeps the federal government funded at about last year's levels through December 11, 2026.
Most recent No votes
Authorizes and expands sanctions and tariffs on Russia and extends existing sanctions on Iran.
Gives the Department of Homeland Security extra money for border and immigration enforcement, in seven amounts that add up to $69.545 billion.
Votes on a resolution that passed a law
Cancels about $9 billion that Congress had already approved: roughly $8 billion in foreign aid and about $1 billion for public broadcasting.
What this member says about laws and orders
This section has two lists: statements in the official record, and excerpts from this member’s own press releases. Together they name 6 laws and 2 executive orders.
From the official record
Statements from the official record: Not checked yet. A statement appears here after a person reviews our account of the law or order it is about.
From this member’s press releases
From a secondary sourceThese are excerpts from press releases on this member’s official website that name a law or an executive order. We save a copy of each one.
20 excerpts
- Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal ElectionsSeptember 8, 2026
“In the court filing, the Members argue that Trump’s Executive Order 14399, “ Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections ,” and the USPS rule, “ Ballot Mail for Federal Elections ,” which resulted from Executive Order 14399, violate the separation of powers and usurps Congressional authorities outlined in Article I of the U.S. Constitution, which gives the states”
- Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027September 1, 2026
“WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), Ranking Member of the House Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, voted to pass a bipartisan continuing resolution (H.R. 6500) to keep the federal government funded through December 11, 2026.”
- One Big Beautiful Bill ActJune 29, 2026
Courtney Slams Latest Inhumane Health Care Cuts from Big Ugly Bill
“WASHINGTON, DC – Today, in a speech on the House floor, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) called on Congress to block new health care cuts inflicted on vulnerable Americans by President Trump’s Big Ugly Bill (H.R. 1).”
- 21st Century ROAD to Housing ActJune 23, 2026
Courtney Supports Final Passage of Major Housing Reform Bill
“WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) released the following statement after voting to complete final passage of the 21 st Century ROAD to Housing Act (H.R. 6644). The bill was passed by the House by a vote of 358-32.”
- 21st Century ROAD to Housing ActMay 20, 2026
Courtney Votes to Pass Major Housing Reform Bill
“Passage of H.R. 6644 is a rare bipartisan breakthrough to address America’s housing shortage,” Courtney said. “Eastern Connecticut communities need more housing supply to meet demand and bring down costs.”
- One Big Beautiful Bill ActMay 14, 2026
Courtney Slams McMahon’s “Insulting” Nursing Student Loan Caps
“This is a result of the Big Ugly Bill (H.R. 1) and will raise education costs for critically needed nurses.”
Show all 20
- One Big Beautiful Bill ActMay 1, 2026
“The rule, which is a result of cuts in the Big Ugly Bill (H.R. 1), excludes advanced practice nursing, physician assistants, social workers, physical therapists, and others from the “professional” graduate-level student loan limits, cutting the available federal student loans to these students in half compared to so-called “professional” degrees. The rule is now set to take effect on July”
- 21st Century ROAD to Housing ActFebruary 9, 2026
Courtney Votes to Build More Housing
“WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) released the following statement after the House passed (390-9) the Housing for the 21 st Century Act (H.R. 6644), a bipartisan package of bills to clear the pathway to build more housing nationwide.”
- Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026February 6, 2026
Courtney Secures over $13 Million for 15 Local Projects Across Connecticut’s Second District
“NORWICH, CT – This week, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) voted to pass a government funding package (H.R. 7148) which includes over $9.6 million for 10 Community Projects in Connecticut’s Second District. In January, the House and Senate passed over $2.6 million for four more Community Projects in the Second District.”
- One Big Beautiful Bill ActFebruary 4, 2026
“WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), a senior Member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, slammed the Department of Education’s new student loan caps, a result of the Big Ugly Bill (H.R. 1), which will cut in half the available graduate level student loans for nursing students and other critical professions. Courtney also called out banks for”
- Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026February 3, 2026
Courtney Votes to Force Negotiations on Concrete ICE Reforms & End Government Shutdown
“WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) released the following statement after voting to pass H.R. 7148, which includes a package of five bipartisan full-year funding bills, ends the partial government shutdown, and excludes full-year funding for the Department of Homeland Security to force negotiations on concrete ICE reforms over the next 10 days.”
- Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026January 22, 2026
Courtney Statement on House-Passed Government Funding Bills
“Courtney voted to pass the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 (H.R. 7148) and voted “no” on the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026 (H.R. 7147).”
- Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026January 22, 2026
“WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), Ranking Member of the House Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, released the following statement on House-passage of a $1.9 billion funding plus-up for the Virginia-class submarine program in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 (H.R. 7148).”
-
Courtney Statement on House-Passed Government Funding Bills
“Courtney voted to pass the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 (H.R. 7148) and voted “no” on the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026 (H.R. 7147).”
- One Big Beautiful Bill ActDecember 10, 2025
Final National Defense Bill Provides Long-Overdue Check to Trump Budget and Policies
“The FY26 NDAA also fixes glaring shortfalls for our submarine programs that were left by President Trump’s proposed Navy budget, H.R. 1, and last month’s continuing resolution. The bill includes a bipartisan plus-up of $1.9 billion for the Virginia-class submarine program to ensure a 2-per-year build rate, incremental funding for the Columbia-class submarine program to keep construction on track, and”
- One Big Beautiful Bill ActSeptember 11, 2025
Courtney Statement on CT Health Care Insurance Premium Hike
“The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (H.R. 1), which President Trump signed into law in July, cuts Medicaid by nearly $1 trillion and restricts Affordable Care Act enrollment. According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, these provisions are expected strip 10 million people of their health care coverage.”
- One Big Beautiful Bill ActJuly 3, 2025
Courtney Votes NO on the Largest Health Care Cut in U.S. History & A Tax Giveaway for the Rich
“WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) issued the following statement after voting “no” on President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (H.R. 1):”
- One Big Beautiful Bill ActMay 22, 2025
Rep. Courtney Votes NO on Partisan Budget Bill
“The House GOP partisan budget bill, H.R. 1, guts health care:”
- Serve America ActApril 25, 2025
“Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Actor 2009, Public Law 111-13.”
- Implementing the President's "Department of Government Efficiency" Workforce Optimization InitiativeMarch 3, 2025
Rep. Courtney Invites Marine Veteran, Former Federal Employee to Washington for Joint Address
“Gabriel was laid off five days earlier, on February 20, 2025, as part of President Trump’s executive order on February 11, “Implementing The President’s “Department of Government Efficiency” Workforce Optimization Initiative.”
Member-requested spending
Congress printed 15 spending items this member requested, $13,319,007 in all, in the lists read for 4 laws.
Laws read: Public Law 119-37, Public Law 119-74, Public Law 119-75, Public Law 119-86.
| Recipient | Law | Purpose | State | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheeler School & Library of North Stonington, Inc | Public Law 119-37 | Facility ImprovementsRural Housing Service · Rural Community Facilities Program | CT | $1,000,000 |
| on STAG--Clean Water Stat Revolving Fund | Public Law 119-74 | e CT Town of Killin Pollution Con UpgradesEnvironmentAgency · al Protecti | None printed | $1,000,000 |
| Interdistrict Committee for Project Oceanology | Public Law 119-74 | Project Oceanology Research Vessel AcquisitionDOC · NOAA--CZM | None printed | $960,000 |
| Coventry Police Department | Public Law 119-74 | Coventry Police Department Dispatch and Body Camera Equipment UpgradesDOJ · COPS Tech | None printed | $446,000 |
| Town of Ledyard | Public Law 119-74 | Police Dispatch System ReplacementDOJ · COPS Tech | None printed | $229,000 |
| CT | Public Law 119-75 | Mansfield Phase II of Bike and Pedestrian ConnectionDepartment of Transportation · Highway Infrastructure Programs | CT | $1,952,000 |
| CT | Public Law 119-75 | Mohegan-Pequot Bridge Rehabilitation ProjectDepartment of Transportation · Highway Infrastructure Programs | CT | $1,000,000 |
| Town of Stonington | Public Law 119-75 | Pawcatuck Village Community ParkDepartment of Housing and Urban Development · Community Development Fund | CT | $850,000 |
| City of New London | Public Law 119-75 | New London Addition to Early Childhood Center at B.P. MissionDepartment of Housing and Urban Development · Community Development Fund | CT | $850,000 |
| State of Connecticut Department of Housing | Public Law 119-75 | Colchester Country Place Housing UpgradesDepartment of Housing and Urban Development · Community Development Fund | CT | $2,000,000 |
Show all 15
| Recipient | Law | Purpose | State | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Town of Vernon | Public Law 119-75 | Rehabilitation of the Rockville Public LibraryDepartment of Housing and Urban Development · Community Development Fund | CT | $1,200,000 |
| Town of Thompson | Public Law 119-75 | Town of Thompson Blighted Property Reuse for Economic DevelopmentDepartment of Housing and Urban Development · Community Development Fund | CT | $732,007 |
| Town of Vernon | Public Law 119-75 | Town of Vernon Daniel's Mill Remediation and RenovationDepartment of Housing and Urban Development · Community Development Fund | CT | $250,000 |
| Town of Hebron | Public Law 119-75 | Hebron Church Street Housing RehabilitationDepartment of Housing and Urban Development · Community Development Fund | CT | $250,000 |
| City of Norwich | Public Law 119-75 | Public Dock Replacement at Howard Brown ParkDepartment of Housing and Urban Development · Community Development Fund | CT | $600,000 |
Read from the lists Congress printed for 4 laws. An item requested by several members appears under each of them, so sums across members count such an item more than once. A list the Congressional Record printed on two days is counted once, from the later printing. A requester is tied to a member only when exactly one member serving in that chamber on that day has the printed name.
Campaign promises
Promises kept: Not checked yet
Not checked yetA person has not reviewed this member’s campaign promises yet. This is what we hold so far.
- Campaign website: www.joecourtney.com. The Federal Election Commission’s record of COURTNEY FOR CONGRESS gives this address.Confirmed from the official record
- 1 page of www.joecourtney.com saved on October 8, 2026.From a secondary source
Online ads
No advertiser in the ad libraries we read is tied to this member by an FEC number or an exact name.
Read from Google Ads Transparency Center, its data file of October 7, 2026. Meta Ad Library: Not started. An ad counts when the library last shows it on or after January 3, 2025.
Campaign money
For the 2026 election cycle, Courtney's campaign reports receiving $760,424.39 and reports spending $508,302.32, as of June 30, 2026.
Confirmed from the official record| What the filing reports | 2026 cycleFEC number H2CT02112as of June 30, 2026 | 2024 cycleFEC number H2CT02112as of December 31, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Money raised (total receipts) | $760,424.39 | $1,318,657.73 |
| Money spent (total disbursements) | $508,302.32 | $1,139,652.66 |
| Cash on hand (at the end of the period) | $603,233.57 | $351,111.50 |
| Debts (owed by the committee) | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Where it comes from
| Reported as received from | 2026 cycleFEC number H2CT02112as of June 30, 2026 | 2024 cycleFEC number H2CT02112as of December 31, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Individuals, itemized | $229,308.29 | $442,767.51 |
| Individuals, unitemized | $93,730.52 | $160,372.00 |
| Other political committees | $433,000.00 | $651,024.37 |
| Party committees | $0.00 | $2,750.00 |
| The candidate, contributions | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| The candidate, loans | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Committees
- COURTNEY FOR CONGRESS Principal campaign committee · 2024 and 2026 · FEC committee C00410233
Every figure is copied from the Federal Election Commission. The campaign's committee reports each one.
See contributions by size and by state, and the saved FEC files
Who funds this member
Not checked yetWho funds this member: Not checked yet.
Not started. This official's FEC lists are not saved yet.
Reported stock trades
Confirmed from the official recordThe Clerk's index for 2025 and 2026 lists no Periodic Transaction Report under this member's name and district.
Source: Periodic Transaction Reports filed with the Clerk of the House. The Clerk's index for 2025 and 2026 was saved October 8, 2026.
Where this comes from
We saved our own copy of each official House vote file listed here before writing this page. A code beside a file is its fingerprint, a short code that changes if the file's contents change.
