Washington — An attempt failed Monday to move forward on a bill that would require the disclosure of large political donations by unions and corporations. Sixty votes were needed to end a filibuster on the DISCLOSE Act (Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections). But only 51 senators, including Sens. Joe Lieberman, […]
Ana Radelat
Ana has written about politics and policy in Washington, D.C.. for Gannett, Thompson Reuters and UPI. She was a special correspondent for the Miami Herald, and a regular contributor to The New York TImes, Advertising Age and several other publications. She has also worked in broadcast journalism, for CNN and several local NPR stations. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Journalism.
Posted inNews
Connecticut businesses, lawmakers, keep ties to controversial group
Washington — Connecticut corporations are staying loyal to an influential, politically active business group even after controversy over the organization has provoked a mass defection by other companies, including Coca-Cola, Wal-Mart, McDonald’s and Amazon.com. The American Legislative Exchange Council has for nearly 40 years provided the nation’s corporations with “model” legislation that would further their […]
Posted inPolitics
Shays raises more money from individuals than McMahon, Bysiewicz, in Q2
Former U.S. Rep. Chris Shays raised more than Linda McMahon, his Republican rival for a U.S. Senate seat, in the second quarter of this year, the Shays campaign said Friday. He also raised more money than a Democratic Senate candidate Susan Bysiewicz. Shays raised nearly $531,000 from April until the end of June, the campaign […]
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To Murphy, Republicans have ‘Fatal Attraction’ to health care act
Washington — The Senate will block it and President Obama will never sign the bill, but House Republicans plan another vote Wednesday to repeal the Affordable Care Act. It would be the 33rd time House Republicans vote to repeal the entire health care law or parts of it. This latest vote was scheduled after the […]
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DeLauro seeks halt to Pentagon purchase of Russian ‘copters
Rep. Rosa DeLauro — and a group of other lawmakers with defense contractors in their districts — have once again asked the Pentagon to stop buying helicopters from Russia to be used in the war in Afghanistan. The Pentagon is buying Mi-17 helicopters from state-owned Rosoboronexport because the Afghan security services are familiar with them. […]
Posted inHealth
DeLauro launches attack on farm bill that would slash food stamps
House Republicans are about to go after a federal program Rep. Rosa DeLauro holds dear and she’s not taking it lightly. DeLauro, D-3rd District, plans to hold a news conference with fellow House liberals Tuesday to condemn a GOP farm bill that would cut the food stamp program by about $1.6 billion a year. Reductions […]
Posted inPolitics
Murphy airs his first television commercial
Rep. Chris Murphy, D-5th District, a candidate for retiring Sen. Joe Lieberman’s seat, plans to air his first television commercial on Monday. That’s a week after Democratic rival Susan Bysiewicz launched her television ad campaign and more than a month after Republican candidate Linda McMahon rolled out her first television ad. The fourth candidate in […]
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Impact of health care act on Connecticut residents will vary widely
Washington — The Supreme Court’s decision last week to uphold most of the Affordable Care Act has renewed political debate over the health care overhaul. But its full impact may not be felt for years. While some reforms have already been enacted, the very heart of the Affordable Care Act won’t be implemented until 2014, […]
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Report details Dodd’s Countrywide deal
Washington — A House Committee Thursday released the results of a three-year investigation that detailed the relationship between Countrywide Financial Corp. and lawmakers, including former Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd and others in influential positions. Countrywide’s subprime loans helped start the nation’s foreclosure crisis. The report by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee said the failed […]
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Connecticut Republicans skipping GOP national convention
Washington — When Republicans from all over the United States gather in Tampa, Fla., at the end of August to formalize Mitt Romney’s candidacy, some Connecticut Republicans, including Senate candidate Linda McMahon, won’t be there. Party conventions usually offer great opportunities for candidates to raise money, support and their profiles, perhaps with a prime-time speech. […]
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As primary nears, McMahon loses spokeswoman
Erin Isaac, Linda McMahon’s spokeswoman, is no longer with the campaign, according to the Republican Senate candidate’s new communications director, Kate Duffy. Duffy had served as the McMahon campaign’s deputy communications director. While the campaign confirmed Isaac’s departure, it did not say why it has lost a member of its public affairs team so close […]
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Congress approves deal on transportation, student loans
Washington — In yet another case of brinksmanship, Congress Friday — right on deadline — approved a deal to freeze a low-interest rate on student loans and approved billions of dollars in spending on local transportation projects. All members of the Connecticut congressional delegation voted for the package, the result of a compromise between House […]
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Bysiewicz starts television campaign
Former Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz has gotten a jump on her Democratic rival for the Senate, Rep. Chris Murphy, at least when it comes to television advertising. Bysiewicz’s campaign said it will begin to run a 30-second spot called “Proud” in order “to highlight Susan’s record of getting things done.” The ad features […]
Posted inHealth
Win on mandate is mixed victory for health insurers
Washington — As soon as the Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act, the nation’s health insurers called for changes in the law.
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Connecticut dairy farmers look to Congress for reform
Washington — Connecticut’s dairy farmers are cautiously optimistic that a new federal safety net will help them survive rising costs and falling prices. “Something needed to be done,” said Melinda Greenbacker, who runs a family dairy farm in Durham. “What we have now just isn’t working.” In a massive farm bill, the Senate last week […]