WASHINGTON – Rep. Joe Courtney and two fellow Democrats with jurisdiction over the Coast Guard have accused it of a “lack of transparency” and demanded it turn over complete information about allegations of racial discrimination at the Coast Guard Academy in New London.
Joe Courtney
Joe Courtney, a Democrat, has served as the U.S. representative for Connecticut’s second congressional district since 2007.
Posted inPolitics
Blue wave could propel Conn. Democrats into powerful jobs
WASHINGTON — A blue wave that wrests control of the U.S. House from the GOP would propel Connecticut’s Democratic House members — who are favored to win another term — out of a political wilderness and into positions of power. But while they may be able to advance their political agendas, the prospects of a continued GOP-controlled Senate would limit their new power.
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GOP congressional challengers facing the power of incumbency
When she went to the state Republican Party convention in May as a delegate from Manchester, Jennifer Nye had no plans to challenge John Larson, who has represented the Hartford-area 1st Congressional District since 1999. But now Nye belongs to an exclusive club. She’s one of several underfunded GOP candidates vying for Congress in Connecticut this year.
Posted inNews, Politics
Bill to address racial disparities at Coast Guard Academy proposed as investigation continues
WASHINGTON – An investigation into the Coast Guard Academy’s treatment of minority cadets continues months after members of the U.S. House and Senate pressed the service for more information about racial disparities. The Coast Guard Academy’s poor rates of minority enrollment and graduation have prompted a lawmaker to introduce legislation that would change its admission policies and “culture” regarding minority cadets.
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‘Donor state’ Conn. gets more than its fair share of federal contracting dollars
WASHINGTON– Connecticut pays more in taxes than it gets back in federal dollars, but when it comes to federal contracting dollars, the state receives more money than most and this could be a banner year.
Posted inPolitics
Most CT Dems shun Trump-impeachment movement, for now
WASHINGTON – The political firestorm engulfing President Donald Trump because of the legal troubles of two close former associates has increased the temptation for Democrats to call for the president’s impeachment, but most of Connecticut’s lawmakers have joined their colleagues in holding back.
Posted inNews, Politics
Final defense bill boosts Sikorsky helicopters and and EB subs, but trims F-35s
WASHINGTON – Congress has finished work on a final defense authorization bill that boosts military spending and provides more dollars for Connecticut defense contractors.
Posted inNews, Politics
State delegation affirms NATO support
WASHINGTON – While President Donald Trump had harsh words for NATO on Wednesday, congressional lawmakers stood up for the nearly 70-year-old trans-Atlantic alliance. But lawmakers split largely along party lines when it came to Trump’s relationship with Vladimir Putin.
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House okays defense bill, but rejects Courtney’s sub bid
Washington – The U.S. House on Thursday rejected Rep. Joe Courtney’s bid to require the Pentagon to spend an additional $1 billion this year for additional Virginia-class submarines made by Electric Boat, a move strongly opposed by the Defense Department. The Pentagon successfully argued that spending more on the Electric Boat-made subs would siphon off funds from other military priorities.
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U.S. House set to settle Courtney dispute with Pentagon over sub production
WASHINGTON – Rep. Joe Courtney will go head to head with the Pentagon on Thursday over the number of submarines the Pentagon should buy. “Two subs” Joe wants the Pentagon to increase procurement from two to three in certain years; a top Pentagon official says that would divert money from other programs and opposes the move.
Posted inPolitics
CT Dems ‘shocked’ about condition of immigrant detentions at border
WASHINGTON — Connecticut lawmakers at the U.S.-Mexico border this weekend said they were moved, and even shocked, by what they saw up close as the effect of the Trump administration’s immigration policy. “It was worse than we ever thought,” said Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3rd District.
Posted inNews
CT Dems to travel to border as Congress stumbles on immigration
WASHINGTON – Sen. Richard Blumenthal is the latest Connecticut lawmaker to announce plans to travel to the U.S.-Mexico border this weekend to visit with immigrant children who have been forcibly separated from their undocumented parents. Meanwhile, a hardline immigration bill failed in the U.S. House Wednesday and GOP leaders postponed a vote on another immigration bill.
Posted inPolitics
CT Dems pan Trump’s move to end separations, but keep immigrant kids in detention
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump’s reversal of his administration’s policy of separating immigrant families at the border was panned Wednesday by Connecticut Democrats and immigration advocates in the state. “Family separation cannot be replaced by family incarceration and imprisonment,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal.
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Courtney, other Dems, probe claims of harassment, racial disparities at Coast Guard Academy
WASHINGTON – Concerned about complaints of sexual harassment and bullying at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Rep. Joe Courtney and two other Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday asked the new Coast Guard commander, Admiral Karl Shultz, for information and internal records that would aid them in an investigation of racial disparity and harassment.
Posted inNews, Politics
White House objects to three-subs-a-year plan
WASHINGTON – The White House’s Office of Management and Budget has objected to a provision in a massive defense bill approved by the House Thursday that would press the Navy to procure two additional Virginia-class subs in 2022 and 2023. The White House said those additional subs, manufactured by Electric Boat, exceeds President Donald Trump’s request for 10 subs, not 12, in the Navy’s next contract with EB.