WASHINGTON — Despite a huge Republican wall of resistance to having President Obama fill the Supreme Court seat of the late Justice Antonin Scalia, Connecticut’s Democratic senators say there’s a chance of confirmation.
Richard Blumenthal
Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut’s senior U.S. senator, was first elected in 2011. Sen. Blumenthal has supported stricter gun legislation and support for veterans.
Posted inPolitics
Senate blocks bill that would nullify CT GMO labeling law
Updated at 1:25 p.m.
WASHINGTON — The Senate blocked a bill Wednesday that would set national voluntary labeling standards for genetically modified foods and bar states like Connecticut from setting their own rules.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Feds release opioid prescription guidelines
WASHINGTON — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday released long-awaited guidelines for prescribing opioid-based pain medicine, but it’s not clear how closely doctors will follow them.
Posted inMoney
CT lawmakers seek FDA crackdown on false ‘maple-flavored’ labeling
WASHINGTON – It’s a sticky situation, but Rep. Joe Courtney and other Connecticut lawmakers are backing the state’s maple sugar producers who say they – and consumers – are being hurt by those who mislabel their products as containing maple.
Posted inHealth
Senate approves bill to fight opioid abuse that would offer CT help — within limits
WASHINGTON – Senate approval of a bill to fight the nation’s opioid epidemic is still likely to leave states like Connecticut on the front lines of the crisis – and to leave them short of all the help they need to prevent the destroyed lives that result from the abuse of pain killers and heroin.
Posted inPolitics
Newtown Alliance slams Sanders for stance on gun-maker liability
WASHINGTON — The Newtown Alliance, a group created after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings to promote gun control, said it is “outraged” that Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders doesn’t think gun manufacturers should be liable for harm caused by their firearms.
Posted inPolitics
Air Force says Pratt & Whitney will build B-21 engine
WASHINGTON — Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford will build the engine for the Pentagon’s new super-secret, long-range bomber, Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James said on Monday.
Posted inPolitics
Wolf blames young staffers for campaign disarray
August Wolf, the Republican U.S. Senate candidate beset by staff turnover, financial problems and allegations of a hostile work environment, broke a six-day silence Thursday and blamed the three young staffers he put in charge of his campaign for its failings.
Posted inPolitics
CT has outside chance of tilting presidential primary contest
WASHINGTON – When it comes to presidential primaries, there are states that have a disproportionate impact and others little at all, and Connecticut may be in the latter category this year. But some say there’s a chance of relevance in this unpredictable political year.
Posted inPolitics
GOP activists still search for a challenger to Blumenthal
With less than three months until Republicans endorse a candidate for U.S. Senate, GOP activists are seeking an alternative to their only candidate, August Wolf, whose campaign is beset by financial and staffing issues.
Posted inPolitics
Opportunity knocks, but Wolf campaign in disarray
It should be the best of times for August Wolf. His only rival for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate recently stepped aside, yet Wolf’s campaign is coping with allegations of a hostile work environment, turnover of top staff, tight money and the threat of civil action by the Federal Election Commission. He is on his third leadership team, and his former manager says the campaign is nearly broke.
Posted inPolitics
Blumenthal blasts GOP refusal to hold hearing for Supreme Court nominee
WASHINGTON — Sen. Richard Blumenthal’s blasted GOP senators on Tuesday because they said they won’t hold a confirmation hearing for any candidate for the Supreme Court that President Obama selects.
Posted inPolitics
Kudlow says he won’t challenge Blumenthal
WASHINGTON — Larry Kudlow said he loves being a broadcaster too much to challenge Sen. Richard Blumenthal for a chance to be a politician.
Posted inNews
Blumenthal wants quick action to replace Scalia; GOP leader says no
WASHINGTON – Like other Democrats, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he hopes the Senate will act quickly on a replacement for Justice Antonin Scalia, whose death was announced Saturday. But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said not so fast.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
A shifting ground for artificial turf in Connecticut
A number of cancer cases around the country among young athletes who played on artificial turf fields made with a crumb rubber filler have spurred calls for further research into the safety of the fields.