Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., spoke at an awards ceremony for labor activists and union leaders over the weekend that was hosted by a group affiliated with the Communist Party.

During the ceremony, Blumenthal presented certificates to three winners of the “Amistad Award,” which is given out annually by the Connecticut People’s World Committee, a group affiliated with the Communist Party USA (CPUSA).

The event took place over the weekend “on the occasion of the 102nd anniversary of the Communist Party USA,” according to the event’s Facebook page.

“I am really excited and honored to be with you today and share in this remarkable occasion,” Blumenthal said at the ceremony, according to the Yankee Institute. “There’s a lot to be working for in economic justice, in racial equity, in establishing a $15 minimum wage and holding corporations accountable for the basic treatment of the American people. We need to look at our entire tax system, beginning with Build Back Better,” the senator continued.

Connecticut People’s World Committee is run by Joelle Fishman, who also serves as chair of the CPUSA Political Action Commission, according to People’s World.

At the event, emcee Ben McManus encouraged individuals to “join the Communist Party” as it seeks to “uproot systemic racism, retool the war economy, tax the rich, address climate change, secure voting rights and create a new socialist system that puts people, peace and planet before profits,” according to the Yankee Institute.

Blumenthal has reportedly invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in a Chinese government-linked real estate venture, according to The Washington Free Beacon. Business involvement with China has come under scrutiny due to China’s ever-increasing efforts to exploit its collaboration with U.S. enterprises.

A spokesperson for Blumenthal reportedly said the senator was unaware he and his wife had invested in the Chinese government-linked venture until contacted by The Free Beacon.