WASHINGTON – Members of the state’s congressional delegation on Thursday told Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid they are tired of tapping their feet waiting for a confirmation vote for Linda Schwartz, the head of the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs, who has been nominated by President Obama for a top VA job in Washington.
John Larson
John Larson, a Democrat, has served as the U.S. representative for Connecticut’s first congressional district since 1999.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Former senator’s 450-lb weight loss leads to a charity
Former state Sen. Joseph H. Harper, D-New Britain, is celebrating his 450-pound weight loss with a fundraiser for an autism charity associated with the Hospital for Special Care in New Britain, the institution that guided his weight loss.
Posted inNews
Minus Himes, CT lawmakers vote for billions in defense spending
WASHINGTON – With the help of most, but not all of the Connecticut congressional delegation, the House on Thursday approved spending billions of dollars for submarines, helicopters and jets made by the state’s defense contractors.
Posted inPolitics
Modest pay, long hours for most who work for CT Congressional delegation
Connecticut lawmakers differ on who they hire to run their offices and how much they pay their staffers. But an analysis by the Connecticut Mirror shows that, except for the top staffers, those who work for Connecticut members of Congress are paid less than their counterparts in the private sector or the civil service.
Posted inPolitics
Dodd to nominate Larson
Washington – Former Sen. Chris Dodd will nominate Rep. John Larson, D-1st District, at the Democratic First Congressional District Nominating Convention Wednesday at Goodwin College.
Posted inPolitics
Larson votes for — and against — same tax bill
WASHINGTON – Rep. John Larson, D-1st District, abandoned his party and defied a White House veto threat Friday by voting for a tax bill he co-sponsored and has promoted for years. But he has also voted against the measure.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Connecticut insurers have eyes on Washington
Washington – Connecticut insurance powerhouses Aetna, The Hartford and Travelers have different lobbying agendas in Washington, but when it comes to their clout and the handing out of political cash, the companies are very similar.
Posted inPolitics
CT defense giants increasingly political as Pentagon budget shrinks
WASHINGTON – Connecticut’s largest defense contractors are stepping up political donations to key lawmakers as competition increases for shrinking defense dollars.
Posted inPolitics
Court invalidates aggregate limits on federal contributions
Washington – The Supreme Court on Wednesday struck down an aggregate limit of $123,2000 in contributions that an individual can make to federal candidates, parties and political action committees each campaign cycle.
Posted inPolitics
Plans for Coltsville National Park move ahead, with changes
Washington – Plans to build a national park on the site of the Colt factory in Hartford have moved ahead in the House of Representatives, but not without alterations by a Utah Republican who wanted to make the park more acceptable to the Interior Department.
Posted inNews
Washington Watch: March 17-22
The House of Representatives and the Senate are out of session this week. But the White House and State Department will continue to wrestle with Russia over Ukraine and inch toward imposing sanctions on Vladimir Putin’s government.
Posted inPolitics
Newtown cyclists say gun control campaign now a movement
WASHINGTON — Riding 400 miles from Newtown, 26 bicyclists hoping to change the nation’s gun laws faced some strong headwinds on their way to Washington, D.C. When they reached the U.S. Capitol Tuesday, they faced even more — of the political kind.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Even without challengers, CT lawmakers spend millions ‘campaigning’
WASHINGTON – Even though some of them don’t have challengers, Connecticut House members collectively spent nearly $3 million last year on everything from office supplies to gourmet chocolates, flowers, glitzy fundraisers and expensive meals.
Posted inPolitics
CT lawmakers use PACs to help other Dems
Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy don’t have to run for re-election this year, but they are still in the thick of the 2014 Senate political campaigns.
Posted inPolitics
Despite reforms, CT lawmakers, staff, take free trips
WASHINGTON — – Scandals that involved pricey outings to Scotland and elsewhere, paid for by notorious lobbyist Jack Abramoff, prodded Congress to implement tough new travel regulations — yet congressional travel is again on the uptick, and members of the Connecticut delegation have not been immune to offers of free trips.