WASHINGTON — While it seems they ended their last campaigns just a short while ago, the members of Connecticut’s House delegation have begun raising money for their re-election efforts. Rep. Elizabeth Esty brought in the most money during the first quarter of 2015, but Rep. Jim Himes had the most cash on hand.
Joe Courtney
Joe Courtney, a Democrat, has served as the U.S. representative for Connecticut’s second congressional district since 2007.
Posted inPolitics
Courtney leads Democratic push to cut student debt
Washington – Backed by key Democrats, including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, returned to an old theme on Wednesday — how to cut the college student debt — by introducing a bill that would do just that.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Navy will consider accelerating Virginia-class sub enhancement
WASHINGTON – Navy officials said they will consider moving up the date for the start of a new Virginia class sub program that would allow the boats to carry more firepower.
Posted inPolitics
CT lawmakers wary of Obama’s war powers request
WASHINGTON – Connecticut lawmakers were skeptical and cautious in their response to President Obama’s request for authorization to expand the U.S. military campaign against the Islamic state, especially when it came to the president’s request to allow troops to operate on the ground for limited periods.
Posted inMoney, Politics
CT lawmakers in Philly to help reshape party, press agendas
PHILADELPHIA- President Obama met a generally friendly crowd when he spoke to House Democrats at their retreat in Philadelphia Thursday evening, but not every lawmaker is completely on board with the agenda he’s promoting, including Reps. Rosa DeLauro and Jim Himes.
Posted inPolitics
CT lawmakers big joiners of special-interest caucuses
WASHINGTON – Interested in wine, soccer, bicycles or corrosion prevention? In Congress there’s a caucus for that. In fact there are more than 700 member organizations, most of them informal, and Connecticut’s lawmakers are some of the biggest joiners.
Posted inPolitics
Courtney reignites ‘Lincoln’ battle
Washington – On the 150 anniversary of the approval of the 13th Amendment, Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, wants Connecticut schoolchildren to know the state lawmakers did NOT vote against the measure that abolished slavery, even though the Steven Spielberg movie ‘Lincoln’ said they did.
Posted inHealth, Politics
House approves bill that helps firehouses comply with the Affordable Care Act
WASHINGTON – Who says there’s gridlock? The U.S. House of Representatives voted unanimously Monday, 401-0, to amend the Affordable Care Act so it’s clear volunteer fire fighters don’t count as full-time employees under the health care law
Posted inMoney, Politics
DeLauro breaks with Obama, big CT firms on Pacific trade deal
WASHINGTON – Rep. Rosa DeLauro is on a collision course with President Obama and some of Connecticut’s largest companies over a proposed trade deal with 12 countries on the Pacific Rim that span from Chile to Japan. DeLauro, D-3rd District, has become a leading opponent of the president’s plans for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP.
Posted inPolitics
Courtney took a moderate path in 113th Congress
WASHINGTON – When Congress considered legislation that would give President Obama authority to train and arm Syrian rebels last summer, Rep. Joe Courtney was the only member of the Connecticut delegation to support it. The vote was one of several instances in which the lawmaker split with his colleagues in the 113th Congress. (This is the second in a series of stories on the role each member of the Connecticut congressional delegation played in the 113th Congress.)
Posted inPolitics
Himes has tough win on Wall Street provision in spending bill
WASHINGTON – For Rep. Jim Himes, House approval late Thursday of legislation that would allow banks to trade derivatives — a measure he’s been promoting for years — is a bittersweet victory. “I’m not happy that it became a super-hot button issue when it always received bipartisan support,” Himes said.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Defense bill has billions for new sub class, other CT-made weapons
WASHINGTON – The defense authorization bill making its way through Congress containins billions for submarines, helicopters and other weaponry made by companies in the state. It includes a special $3.5 billion fund for a new class of submarines that could be built by Electric Boat in Groton.
Posted inPolitics
CT lawmakers laud Carter as prospective Pentagon chief
WASHINGTON – Connecticut lawmakers on defense panels lauded presumptive Defense Secretary nominee Ashton Carter, even as the defense industry may be wary about the candidate’s reputation as a cost cutter.
Posted inPolitics
Obama actions to help only some Connecticut immigrants stay
WASHINGTON – President Obama’s controversial move to stop the deportation of millions of immigrants will help thousands of undocumented people living and working in Connecticut, but bypasses thousands of others.
Posted inNews
Once a heated topic for CT delegation, war bill now stalled
WASHINGTON – Debating and deciding what authority President Obama has to conduct a war against and Islamic group known as ISIS was once a hot topic among lawmakers, including those representing Connecticut on Capitol Hill. But post-election, there’s a little sense of urgency, and little pushback on GOP demands that the issue be handled by the next Congress, which will be controlled by Republicans