There must be something in the air in the dog days of summer, when Congress is on its August break, that brings on a crisis in Washington.
This year it’s escalating violence in Iraq and the increasingly likelihood U.S. efforts in the nation will unravel completely as the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or ISIS battles the Baghdad government.
President Obama has authorized “targeted” air strike and humanitarian air drops, but few believe that’s the end of U.S. involvement.
Congress is not in town to criticize the president, however, and he is likely to take advantage of the August break to issue new executive orders that will change a number of federal policies without legislation.
Meanwhile, Connecticut lawmakers are campaigning or holding local events to press their issues and keep in touch with constituents.
Monday, Aug. 11:
Sen. Richard Blumenthal will hold a press conference in the Legislative Office Building in Hartford as part of an effort to press the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to close a legal loophole that allows loan companies with “abusive loan contracts and unfair debt collection practices.
Thursday, Aug 14:
Rep. John Larson, D-1st District, will mark the 79th birthday of Social Security with his plan to keep the Social Security Trust Fund solvent. The event is at the Southington Calendar House.
Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-5th District, will hold a community resources fair at Naugatuck Valley Community College’s Technology Hall in Waterbury to help constituents with Social Security issues and other problems.