A new federal education law replacing No Child Left Behind and a stepped-up campaign to bar those on terrorist watch lists from purchasing firearms dominated the discussion on Capitol Hill this week.
Gun Reform
Posted inPolitics
At Sandy Hook observance, families press Congress for action
Thursday’s Capitol Hill commemoration of the anniversary of the Sandy Hook shooting, which occurred three years ago on Dec. 14, was also a memorial to the victims of the San Bernardino massacre – and to dozens of other victims of gun murders across the nation.
Posted inPolitics
Connecticut asks for ‘no-fly’ list to screen gun buyers
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy jumped into a national debate over gun control, civil liberties and terrorism Thursday by revealing he has asked the White House for access to the U.S. government’s “no-fly” list and other terrorism watch lists to screen firearms purchases in Connecticut.
Posted inPolitics
CT lawmakers at heart of new Dem gun control campaign
WASHINGTON — Democrats in Congress, including those from Connecticut, ratcheted up the pressure on Republicans Wednesday to take up gun safety measures. The Democrats spent the day calling for gun control measures.
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Rare bipartisan votes advance education, transportation bills
With the unanimous support of the Connecticut delegation, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a landmark education bill, and both houses of Congress approved a five-year transportation bill that will send billions of dollars to the state.
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Day after mass shooting, Senate rejects gun control measures
WASHINGTON — The day after California’s mass shooting, Richard Blumenthal Chris Murphy and other Senate Democrats pressed for largely symbolic votes on a couple of gun control measures. As most expected, they lost.
Posted inPolitics
With Congress deadlocked, CT senators press Obama on gun checks
WASHINGTON – Sens. Richard Blumenthal, Chris Murphy and other gun control advocates have switched their focus from Congress to the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue to try to close what they call loopholes in the FBI background checks of gun buyers.
Posted inNews
Train safety, gun checks, Medicare premiums among issues affecting Connecticut
Congress delayed for years the deadline for implementing a train safety system and passed a two-year budget that will help Connecticut defense contractors and Medicare recipients. Connecticut students received a mixed report card from the U.S. Department of Education, and whether Pratt & Whitney won a big engine contract remained a military secret.
Posted inPolitics
CT senators introduce bill to close ‘loophole’ in checks of gun buyers
WASHINGTON – Joined by several of their Democratic colleagues, Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy on Wednesday fulfilled a promise to introduce a bill aimed at closing a “loophole” in federal gun laws that allows a gun sale to proceed if an FBI background check is not completed in 72 hours.
Posted inPolitics
Malloy helps advocates craft message on gun control
WASHINGTON — Gov. Dannel P. Malloy received a standing ovation from gun safety advocates Tuesday for an impassioned speech on the need for a new push to curb gun violence.
Posted inJustice, Politics
Court upholds post-Newtown gun laws in Conn., N.Y.
A federal appeals court Monday upheld the central provisions of the sweeping gun control laws passed by the New York and Connecticut legislatures in response to the mass murders of 26 children and staff at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown.
Posted inPolitics
Democrats pushing gun control into presidential campaign
Reflecting a national strategy to make gun control an issue in the presidential election, Democrats attacked earlier remarks by Republican candidate Jeb Bush during his fund-raising visit to Connecticut Thursday.
Posted inPolitics
Oregon shootings spark new effort on Newtown-inspired gun control bill
WASHINGTON – Reacting to the nation’s latest mass shooting in Oregon, Senate Democrats, including Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, on Thursday said they would try once again to pass legislation first prompted by the mass slaying in Newtown.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Require anger management classes to fight violence
The mass shooting at the Umpqua Community College in Oregon has predictably prompted President Barack Obama and others to call for yet more stringent gun control laws “to prevent this from ever happening again.” Never mind that criminals, by definition, do not obey existing laws, and it will happen again. I would venture that no […]
Posted inPolitics
Murphy to Congress: Hold the sympathy, pass gun law
A press conference to promote a relatively modest gun-control measure became a platform Friday for U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy to denounce the U.S. Congress for refusing to act in the wake of high-profile mass shootings like the one Thursday in Oregon or the quieter daily toll of gun violence in the U.S.