The U.S. House of Representatives was out and the Senate had a shortened work week because of the Veterans Day holiday, but there was still plenty of activity in Congress. The Senate approved a final defense bill that authorizes billions of dollars in spending on weapon systems developed in Connecticut. The Federal Railroad Administration took a big step forward on an ambitious overhaul of the rail system in the Northeast Corridor.
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
State Dept. official with West Hartford ties tasked to develop, sell Syria plan
WASHINGTON — Former West Hartford resident Brett McGurk is considered a leading expert at the State Department on the threats posed by the Islamic State and what the Obama administration is trying to do about them. But fighting international terrorism isn’t his only challenge. Now he’s been tasked to persuade skeptical lawmakers, including members of Connecticut’s congressional delegation, to back President Obama’s campaign against ISIS in Syria.
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Final defense bill OKs 63 F-35s, other major CT weapons
WASHNGTON — The Senate on Tuesday sent on to President Obama a final defense authorization bill that paves the way for an increase in defense spending in Connecticut and the nation.
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Blumenthal seeks last-minute safety measures in highway bill
WASHINGTON — Senate and House negotiators are working on a long-awaited, long-term transportation bill, but Sen. Richard Blumenthal and safety advocates are concerned the legislation will be seriously flawed.
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Parsing what it meant to be ‘there’ at Sandy Hook
U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., was not necessarily wrong when he told a television interviewer Monday night he “was there” when relatives of Sandy Hook shooting victims were informed of their deaths. But was he misleading?
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Blumenthal, McCain press ‘paid patriotism’ ban at sports games
WASHINGTON — Tributes to U.S. troops at New England Patriot games and other professional sporting events are wasteful “paid patriotism” costing taxpayers millions of dollars, say several U.S. senators, including Richard Blumenthal, who have pressure the Pentagon to stop the practice.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Herbicide finding intensifies battle over GMO labeling
More than two years after passing the nation’s first law requiring labels on most foods containing genetically engineered components, there are still no labels for Genetically Modified Organisms – GMOs – in Connecticut or anywhere else in the U.S. But GMO labeling advocates now have some new ammunition for a counter-offensive.
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In the news: Pacific trade pact, Sikorsky sale, billions for CT defense firms
Congress approved billions for Connecticut defense projects; Sen. Richard Blumenthal stepped up his campaign fundraising with attacks on CNBC commentator Larry Kudlow; Lockheed Martin got the last approval it needed to finalize its purchase of Sikorsky; and the White House released the text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
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Blumenthal campaign targets potential rival Kudlow over actual candidate Wolf
WASHINGTON — Sen. Richard Blumenthal‘s campaign has more sharply set its sights on a Larry Kudlow, a Republican who isn’t in the Connecticut Senate race — at least not yet — instead of August Wolf, a Republican who has declared his candidacy.
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With China’s OK, Lockheed Martin to close on Sikorsky purchase
WASHINGTON – Lockheed Martin said on Tuesday that it has received a final regulatory approval from China, allowing it to close on its $9 billion acquisition of Sikorsky Aircraft from United Technologies. Lockheed Martin said it anticipated closing on Friday.
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Train safety, gun checks, Medicare premiums among issues affecting Connecticut
Congress delayed for years the deadline for implementing a train safety system and passed a two-year budget that will help Connecticut defense contractors and Medicare recipients. Connecticut students received a mixed report card from the U.S. Department of Education, and whether Pratt & Whitney won a big engine contract remained a military secret.
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CT senators introduce bill to close ‘loophole’ in checks of gun buyers
WASHINGTON – Joined by several of their Democratic colleagues, Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy on Wednesday fulfilled a promise to introduce a bill aimed at closing a “loophole” in federal gun laws that allows a gun sale to proceed if an FBI background check is not completed in 72 hours.
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Congress moving to prevent disruptions on Amtrak, Metro-North
WASHINGTON — Congress is bowing to warnings by the nation’s railroads, including Metro-North and Amtrak, that passenger service would be disrupted or suspended if a federal deadline for implementation of a safety measure is not pushed back. Congress is rushing to comply. There is broad agreement the deadline should be put off, but there are hurdles.
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Senate blocks immigration bill that would strip CT of federal policing money
WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats on Tuesday derailed an effort to strip federal policing grants from “sanctuary” cities and states like Connecticut that protect residents from deportation.
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Koch brother hosting fundraiser for Blumenthal rival
WASHINGTON — Billionaire industrialist David Koch is hosting a high-dollar fundraiser Monday evening for August Wolf, a Republican who is running against Democratic U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal.