Paul Ryan News and In-Depth Reporting

Senate, House approve tax plan CT lawmakers call disastrous for state

by Ana Radelat December 19, 2017 @ 5:38 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 11:21 pm

Updated at 1:15 a.m. Wednesday
WASHINGTON — With Vice President Mike Pence presiding, the Senate early Wednesday approved a massive tax overhaul on a strict party-line vote, deepening the partisan divide in Congress. Connecticut’s Democrats joined all others in their party to vote against the tax plan, calling it a giveaway to the rich that would hurt working Americans.

Politics

Malloy, CT lawmakers blast FCC net neutrality rollback

by Ana Radelat December 14, 2017 @ 6:04 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 11:20 pm

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission’s partisan vote on Thursday to scrap “net neutrality” regulations and stop regulating internet delivery systems like utilities prompted partisan reaction. Most Democrats, including members of the state’s congressional delegation and Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy, condemned the move. Republicans supported it.

Money, Politics

CT CPA’s warn of dire impact of new federal tax plan

by Ana Radelat December 7, 2017 @ 5:03 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 11:25 pm

WASHINGTON — Connecticut’s accountants are frustrated that they can give clients only limited advice about a massive federal tax overhaul underway in Congress, but predict there will be more losers than winners among individual taxpayers in the state.

Money, Politics

CT tax commissioner says GOP plan would force many in state to pay more

by Ana Radelat November 13, 2017 @ 6:28 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 11:20 pm

WASHINGTON — Connecticut Commissioner of Revenue Services Kevin Sullivan says the House GOP tax bill “could provide some economic stimulus…for states like Connecticut,” but he also said the plan is “fundamentally flawed” and that many in the state would end up owing more in federal income taxes.

Health, Politics

Blumenthal, Murphy join Dem chorus on bipartisan ACA fix, but that may be elusive

by Ana Radelat July 28, 2017 @ 6:43 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 11:15 pm

WASHINGTON — After the collapse of GOP efforts to repeal Obamacare, Democrats, including Connecticut Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, called for bipartisan efforts to shore up the ACA. “Now we have an amazing opportunity for Republicans and Democrats to actually work together …” Murphy said. But whether bipartisanship can grow out of the bitter partisan fight over Obamacare remains to be seen.

Politics

DeLauro fights political winds with book making case for social safety net

by Ana Radelat July 2, 2017 @ 5:10 amMarch 4, 2022 @ 11:14 pm

WASHINGTON — Three years ago, veteran Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro felt compelled to do one of the few things she had never done before – write a book. The result is “The Least Among Us: Waging the Battle for the Vulnerable,” a smooth read about her fight to protect the social safety net and her battles with both Republicans and Democrats who disagreed with her position or her approach. We talk to her about it in this week’s Sunday conversation.

Health, Politics

Senate considers stripping states like CT of abortion coverage option

by Ana Radelat May 18, 2017 @ 5:00 amMarch 4, 2022 @ 11:16 pm

WASHINGTON — As Senate Republicans meet behind closed doors this week to craft their bill to replace the Affordable Care Act, one of the most contentious issues is how it will affect the abortion coverage millions of American women now have as part of their health insurance policies. The American Health Insurance Act approved by the House severely restricts this coverage.

Health, Politics

Insurers: Trump hasn’t committed to payments that would keep them in ACA exchanges

by Ana Radelat April 27, 2017 @ 2:23 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 11:11 pm

WASHINGTON — Despite reports to the contrary, President Donald Trump has not committed to making payments that insurers like Anthem say are needed for them to consider staying in Access Health CT and other state health insurance exchanges.

Health, Politics

Death of GOP health care bill increases CT Dems’ calls to fix Obamacare

by Ana Radelat March 24, 2017 @ 7:12 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 11:12 pm

WASHINGTON — With the stunning failure of the GOP to win support for its health care bill Friday, Connecticut Democrats increased their calls for reforms to the Affordable Care Act that would keep it alive. “If they want to work together to enact improvements to the Affordable Care Act, I will be there,” said Rep. Rosa DeLauro.

Health, Politics

As GOP health care plan falters, CT Dems watch and wait

by Ana Radelat March 23, 2017 @ 7:58 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 11:11 pm

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.

Health, Politics

CT Dems say CBO report shows GOP health plan should be scrapped

by Ana Radelat March 13, 2017 @ 7:04 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 11:08 pm

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.

Politics

Murphy: The GOP health plan is a ‘dumpster fire’

by Ana Radelat March 12, 2017 @ 5:00 amMarch 4, 2022 @ 11:07 pm

WASHINGTON – It’s surprising Chris Murphy is only in his first term in the Senate because he’s had a an amazing amount of visibility for a freshman on a number of hot-button issues that have ranged from gun control to diplomatic flash points. The Connecticut Mirror spoke to him about the prospects of the Republican “American Health Care Act” and a few other things.

Politics

Larson: Dems will defy fines, other sanctions, aimed at stopping protests

by Ana Radelat December 28, 2016 @ 5:08 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 11:05 pm

WASHINGTON — Rep. John Larson, an architect of a sit-in rebellion of House Democrats last summer, said he and his colleagues will not be deterred by new House rules that will levy fines on such future behavior. He calls the Republicans’ proposed new punishments “Putin-esque.”

Health

A lot at stake for Connecticut as Trump, GOP eye Medicaid changes

by Arielle Levin Becker December 1, 2016 @ 5:00 amMarch 4, 2022 @ 11:06 pm

Medicaid is Connecticut’s largest source of federal funding and the largest single line item in the state budget. It covers close to one in five state residents – more than 750,000 poor children, adults and people with disabilities. A major change in federal Medicaid funding is a big worry for the state’s budget director.

Health, Politics

Insurers uncertain as Congress looks to repeal Affordable Care Act

by Ana Radelat November 23, 2016 @ 5:59 pmMarch 4, 2022 @ 11:05 pm

WASHINGTON– Caught off guard by the political changes that make possible the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, the nation’s insurers are hoping Congress will replace the health care law with something that allows them to stay in business – and even thrive. “The discussion right now about repeal and replacement is making the (insurance) market very, very nervous,” Washington State Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler, a Democrat, said.