WASHINGTON — Reviled as corrupting and anti-democratic, congressional earmarks may have a revival because of recent comments from President Donald Trump and GOP lawmakers’ growing frustration with the budget process. Their return is fine with Connecticut lawmakers who have used the process to steer tens of millions of dollars to special projects in the state.
government shutdown
Posted inHealth, Justice, Money, News, Politics
Budget impasse hurts CT defense industry, young immigrants, others
WASHINGTON — Whether, and how, Congress comes to an agreement on a massive spending bill to fund the federal government will impact Connecticut in several ways. The health of the state’s defense industry, as well as that of thousands of Connecticut children, and the fate of immigrant youth and the Affordable Care Act are at stake.
Posted inMoney, Politics
CT senators vow to fight for more aid for Puerto Rico
WASHINGTON – Congress is about to resume a bitter dispute about how much more federal help to provide Puerto Rico, where many residents are still without electricity or functioning schools or hospitals more than a hundred days after Hurricane Maria devastated the island. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, who just visited the island, said they are committed to sharply increasing aid to Puerto Rico.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Congress turns its sights on budget mess that has special impact in CT
WASHINGTON — Consumed by its effort to pass a federal tax overhaul this week, Congress has failed to pass a budget that would keep the federal government operating past midnight on Friday. Attempts to find a solution to this problem will have their impact in Connecticut, determining how long the state can continue a health program for children and how long its defense contractors can hire new workers.
Posted inPolitics
U.S. House approves stopgap bill that helps CT defense industry
WASHINGTON — Connecticut lawmakers on Thursday helped pass a stopgap spending bill that would prevent a government shutdown – and ease the way for the confirmation of retired Gen. James N. Mattis as the next secretary of defense – but there’s trouble in the Senate.
Posted inPolitics
Himes says GOP should turn to centrist Dems to stop chaos
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jim Himes has a solution to the leadership crisis in the House: Republican leaders should replace the hard-to-get votes of Tea Party sympathizers with those of moderate Democrats like himself.
Posted inMoney, Politics
CT defense industry big loser in federal budget stalemate
WASHINGTON – With only days to act remaining, Congress is once again on the brink of a fiscal crisis that will have a special impact on Connecticut’s $13 billion defense industry.
Posted inPolitics
Feds tell states to stop processing food stamp benefits
WASHINGTON – The state’s 423,000 food stamp recipients could soon be early victims of Washington’s budget crisis. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has instructed the Connecticut Department of Social Services and similar agencies in all of the states to not dispense any October benefits to food stamp recipients “until further notice.” Some $60 million in food aid could hang in the balance, one Connecticut official said.
Posted inPolitics
Himes’ New Dems may bridge troubled congressional waters
WASHINGTON – Rep. Jim Himes has not been a stranger to controversy this year, and he’s likely to once again pop up again at the center of new congressional scuffles.
Posted inNews
Senate Democrats block Planned Parenthood defunding bill
WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats on Monday blocked a Republican effort to strip federal funding from Planned Parenthood following the release of undercover videos that have raised questions about the organization’s harvesting of fetal tissue for research laboratories.
Posted inPolitics
Himes citing Ted Cruz to raise campaign cash
WASHINGTON – Rep. Jim Himes, D-4th District, sent out a fundraising appeal Friday that tries to scare potential donors by citing the actions of one of the GOP’s most conservative members – Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas.