EAST HARTFORD — Although the prospect of a major infrastructure bill is waning in Congress, Rep. John Larson remains optimistic and is seeking nearly $2 trillion to overhaul the nation’s infrastructure, funded by a tax on carbon emissions.
John Larson
John Larson, a Democrat, has served as the U.S. representative for Connecticut’s first congressional district since 1999.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Senate fails to repeal Obamacare
WASHINGTON — Senate Republicans failed early Friday to win approval of a “skinny” bill they hoped would grow into a full-fledged repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act, putting an end to efforts to eliminate Obamacare, at least for now. The dramatic vote in the middle of the night is a boost to Connecticut Democrats who fought the GOP campaign to repeal the ACA.
Posted inPolitics
Pratt & Whitney showcases engine on Capitol Hill
WASHINGTON — Taking advantage of President Donald Trump’s proclamation of “Made in America” week, Pratt & Whitney parked its new quieter, more efficient commercial engine on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. “This is a product that is made in America that is exported to other countries,” said Rep. John Larson, D-1st District.
Posted inPolitics
CT lawmakers prepare for 2018 campaign by raising lots of cash
WASHINGTON — Connecticut’s members of Congress, all Democrats, are preparing for the pivotal 2018 elections by getting a head start in the campaign money race. Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-5th District, raised more money than any Connecticut member of the House of Representatives in the first six months of this year.
Posted inPolitics
Obamacare repeal would roll back dozens of federal taxes
WASHINGTON — The Senate health care bill, called the Better Care Reconciliation Act, would roll back nearly $1 trillion in diverse taxes imposed by the Affordable Care Act to expand coverage to poor and middle-income individuals. But analysts say 40 percent of the tax breaks would benefit 1 percent of the nation’s richest people, giving critics ammunition against GOP efforts to repeal and replace Obamacare.
Posted inPolitics
Congressional ball game an act of unity and defiance of violence
WASHINGTON — In this baseball game, the victorious team gave a member of the losing team the winner’s trophy. The Congressional Baseball Game, played 36 hours after a gunman’s attack on Republican lawmakers at their baseball practice, was an effort at unity and an act of defiance in the wake of the shooting.
Posted inEducation
East Hartford responds to DeVos’s criticism: ‘She’s wrong’
Updated at 4:16 p.m.
With one voice Tuesday morning, about 200 East Hartford teachers, students and parents repudiated U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ grim appraisal of their public school system. As school buses dropped off students behind them, the protesters chanted in unison: “DeVos is wrong! East Hartford strong!”
Posted inJustice, Politics
Approval expected for Larson’s bill to honor slain first responders
WASHINGTON — It’s National Police Week here, and Rep. John Larson is the sponsor of a bill that is expected to win overwhelming approval by the U.S. House aimed at honoring the nation’s first responders.
Posted inPolitics
CT lawmakers call for special prosecutor after Comey firing
Updated on May 10 at 12:06 p.m.
Stunned members of Connecticut’s congressional delegation joined demands for a special prosecutor to oversee the investigation of Russian influence on the 2016 election after President Donald Trump fired James Comey as FBI director Tuesday. “The need for a special prosecutor is now crystal clear,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal.
Posted inHealth, Politics
CT Dems decry House GOP victory on health bill that may stumble in Senate
WASHINGTON — House Republicans on Thursday finally won approval for a health care bill aimed at repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act, but the legislation faces an uncertain future in the Senate, which may not be able to take it up for weeks. Connecticut Democrats called the health care bill “appalling” and “immoral” and said the GOP would pay a political price.
Posted inPolitics
Larson takes on Social Security, again
WASHINGTON — Rep. John Larson on Wednesday reintroduced a bill that aims to boost both Social Security benefits and the program’s solvency.
Posted inHealth, Politics
As GOP health care plan falters, CT Dems watch and wait
Updated at 9:13 p.m.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump and House Republicans are making both threats and promises to try to salvage the GOP health care bill – but the deal-making is all on the Republican side of the aisle, with Connecticut’s all-Democratic congressional delegation sitting on the sidelines.
Posted inHealth, Politics
CT Dems say CBO report shows GOP health plan should be scrapped
WASHINGTON — As soon as the Congressional Budget Office released its long-awaited report Monday afternoon on the impact of the GOP’s American Health Care Act, Connecticut Democrats joined party colleagues in saying the analysis proved the health plan should be scrapped. The CBO estimated the American Health Care Act would result in 24 million Americans losing their health insurance.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Larson joins partisan fight as GOP struggles to advance health care bill
WASHINGTON – During a day of acrimonious partisanship over the future of America’s health care system, Rep. John Larson on Wednesday was among the Democrats who tried to alter and slow the progress of a bill that would repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Insurers quietly assessing GOP health plan’s benefits and pitfalls
WASHINGTON — The nation’s health insurers are weighing the GOP’s newly released bill to replace the Affordable Care Act, which contains things they wanted – and some things they may not like, but for now keeping their opinions to themselves. “If they are smart, they are going to remain silent and let the legislation take its course,” said Rep. John Larson, D-1st District.