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.
Joe Courtney
Joe Courtney, a Democrat, has served as the U.S. representative for Connecticut’s second congressional district since 2007.
Posted inPolitics
Connecticut Dems have big stake in November elections
WASHINGTON – Connecticut’s all-Democratic delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives has been hampered by being in the minority since 2010, but that may change this year, analysts say.
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
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
Larson, Courtney win tax break for homeowners with crumbling foundations
WASHINGTON – U.S. Reps. John Larson and Joe Courtney had good news Wednesday for Connecticut homeowners with crumbling foundations – the Internal Revenue Service will allow them to take a deduction for a casualty loss for money spent to fix crumbling foundations. But that tax relief may be short lived if Republicans in Congress succeed in overhauling the tax code.
Posted inMoney, Politics
GOP approves tax bill over opposition of CT lawmakers
WASHINGTON – The U.S. House on Thursday approved a wide-ranging overhaul of the federal tax code that will lower taxes for many in Connecticut, while hiking them for some, especially in middle-class tax brackets. The Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy said 305,000 Connecticut households earning less than $197,000 would see a tax increase under the bill.
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Congress authorizes big boost in CT defense spending
WASHINGTON — Congressional negotiators on Wednesday finished work on a final defense bill that would boost the number of F-35’s requested by President Donald Trump from 70 to 90 and Sikorsky-made Black Hawk helicopters from 45 to 53. The defense bill also authorized billions of dollars for submarines and other weapons systems made in Connecticut and boosts military pay as well as the number of sailors, soldiers and marines.
Posted inHealth, Politics
GOP, Dems collide over funding of health centers, HUSKY B
WASHINGTON — With scant support from Democrats, the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday approved a bill that would authorize new spending for a health care program that covers about 17,000 children in Connecticut, and for the state’s community health centers, which serve many uninsured and Medicaid patients. But many are calling the bill dead on arrival in the Senate because it would take money from other health programs.
Posted inPolitics
Murphy campaign raises $6 million as CT Dems outpace rivals
WASHINGTON — Sen. Chris Murphy’s campaign said the senator has raised $1.3 million in the last quarter and has more than $6 million in his war chest. The state’s other congressional Democrats also are leaving GOP challengers in the dust when it come to raising political cash.
Posted inJustice, Politics
CT ‘dreamers’ warily watch Congress on DACA legislation
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has boosted the chance for permanent protection from deportation for 10,000 undocumented youth in Connecticut, but those youth are still wary because their future depends on a fractured Congress.
Posted inPolitics
Senate heads toward political fight over new base closing round
WASHINGTON — The Senate is readying for a showdown over whether the nation needs another round of base closings – a move that could once again put Naval Submarine Base New London on the defensive.
Posted inPolitics
Larson, Courtney ask Mnuchin for crumbling-foundation tax break
WASHINGTON – Reps. Joe Courtney and John Larson asked Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Monday to allow a tax break for thousands of Connecticut homeowners who suffer from crumbling foundations.
Posted inNews
Navy cites readiness problems during hearing on fatal collisions
WASHINGTON — Navy officials said pressure to increase the number of ships deployed overseas has hurt readiness and training levels, and those problems are getting worse. The officials testified at a congressional hearing on the collisions of two Navy destroyers this summer that claimed the lives of 17 sailors, two from Connecticut.
Posted inNews
Navy finds remains of Suffield sailor, casualty of USS John McCain collision
WASHINGTON – The Navy on Friday announced it has recovered the remains of Dustin Doyon of Suffield, the second confirmed casualty from a collision on Monday between the USS John McCain and a merchant ship in the waters near Singapore.
Posted inNews
Navy: Suffield sailor among missing in USS John McCain collision
WASHINGTON– The U.S. Navy confirmed Thursday that a sailor from Suffield, Petty Officer Dustin Doyon, is among those missing following the USS John S. McCains collision with an oil tanker near Singapore on Monday.