BALTIMORE — Rep. Jim Himes, the co-chair of a group of centrist Democrats, on Thursday criticized efforts by progressives to try to sideline centrist messages at the annual gathering of House Democrats. The retreat is an effort by Democrats to find unity and a shared message after November’s electoral losses.
Donald Trump
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Malloy: ‘The world is upside down in Trump world’
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said Thursday that President Trump’s claim that Sen. Richard Blumenthal misrepresented Judge Neil Gorsuch’s discomfort at Trump’s attacks on the judiciary was the latest evidence “the world is upside down in Trump world.”
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Trump attacks Blumenthal over Gorsuch comments – others confirm them
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump put Sen. Richard Blumenthal in the bulls-eye Thursday, attacking the Connecticut senator’s credibility in description of a private meeting with Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch. But others, including a Nebraska Republican, confirm the nominee took issue with Trump’s attack on the federal judiciary.
Posted inJustice, Politics
Gorsuch tells Blumenthal Trump’s attacks on judge are ‘disheartening’
WASHINGTON — Neil Gorsuch, President Donald Trump’s pick to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court, told Sen. Richard Blumenthal that the president’s attacks on the federal judiciary are ‘‘disheartening” and “demoralizing.”
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Senate Dems suffer new defeat as Sessions confirmed as AG
WASHINGTON – Senate Democrats endured their second defeat in two days in their efforts to block President Trump’s cabinet nominees when their Republican colleagues late Wednesday confirmed Sen. Jeff Sessions as the nation’s new attorney general. Connecticut Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy joined their Democratic colleagues in saying Sessions is unfit for the job.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Trump attempt to rein in drug prices may have limited success
WASHINGTON – The president’s spokesman says Trump still favors a plan to negotiate Medicare prices, but he did not mention it after a recent meeting with pharmaceutical executives, and his plans to speed FDA approval of new drugs may be hampered by his restrictions on new regulations and cuts to the federal workforce.
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Connecticut Democrats embrace Trump as organizing tool
The Connecticut Democratic Party has averaged an email “alert” every other day since Donald J. Trump’s inauguration, using the president’s pronouncements on Obamacare, voter fraud, abortion, financial regulation and immigration to expand and energize the Democratic base. So far, Democrats say, Trump has produced results.
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Malloy to address Democrats planning strategy in Baltimore
WASHINGTON — Gov. Dannel Malloy will be among the speakers when Democrats gather in Baltimore later this week to plan strategy in the time of Trump. As head of the Democratic Governors Association, Malloy will address the Democratic National Committee’s “Future Forum” as the party that saw its clout shrink in the election regroups this week in the Maryland city.
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Connecticut supports challenge of Trump’s immigration order
Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen joined 15 counterparts Monday in filing an amicus brief in support of Washington state’s lawsuit challenging President Trump’s executive order temporarily banning immigration from seven predominantly Muslim nations.
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DoD, Lockheed Martin agreement cuts price of F-35
WASHINGTON — Under pressure from President Donald Trump to cut the cost of the F-35 program, the Pentagon and Lockheed Martin announced Friday they had reached agreement to lower the cost on the 10th lot of fighter jets by $728 million.
Posted inJustice, Politics
CT’s senators call Gorsuch extreme, but promise fair hearing
Connecticut’s two Democratic U.S. senators distanced themselves Friday from those would block the confirmation of President Trump’s nominee to the Supreme Court with the same tactics employed by Republicans against President Obama. But both suggested Neil Gorsuch’s conservatism may fall outside the legal mainstream.
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Himes’ New Dems and moderate Republicans explore coalition
WASHINGTON — With Donald Trump’s presidency fueling partisan fires in Congress, a group of centrist Democrats led by Rep. Jim Himes is trying to find common ground with GOP counterparts. The goal is to determine whether they could come together on infrastructure, budget, tax and other issues.
Posted inJustice
Blumenthal: ‘Serious concerns’ about Gorsuch for Supreme Court
WASHINGTON — Within moments of President Donald Trump’s announcement of Colorado Judge Neil Gorsuch as his candidate to fill an open seat on the Supreme Court, Sen. Richard Blumenthal said he had “serious concerns” about the nominee.
Posted inJustice, Politics
Blumenthal joins bitter partisan scrape over Sessions
WASHINGTON — Sen. Richard Blumenthal joined Democratic colleagues on the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday in calling for a rejection of Sen. Jeff Sessions as the next U.S. Attorney General. Democrats pushed the committee vote on the nomination to Wednesday.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Aetna’s Bertolini: ACA has not met its goals
WASHINGTON — Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini said the insurer isn’t likely to expand its participation in state exchanges in 2018. Bertolini said he is working with the Trump administration on a transition to an ACA replacement.