WASHINGTON — Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., has raised more than $3.3 million this year for his re-election, while his Republican challenger, August Wolf, who has only been in the race since May, has pulled in nearly $240,000.
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 inMoney, Politics
Senate votes to revive Export-Import bank
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate late Monday voted to revive the embattled Export-Import Bank, a government corporation that helps exporters in Connecticut by financing and insuring foreign purchases of their goods.
Posted inNews
Murphy argues for giving Iran deal — and diplomacy — a chance
WASHINGTON – Even as he’s stopped short of embracing the deal, Sen. Chris Murphy has become an ally in President Obama’s efforts to shore up Democratic support for a proposed Iran trade pact that’s become a punching bag for Republicans.
Posted inPolitics
Analysts: Lockheed Martin purchase fortunate break for Sikorsky, Connecticut
WASHINGTON — Some may lose jobs and a few Connecticut companies may lose contracts, but Lockheed Martin’s purchase of Sikorsky Aircraft is likely to anchor the helicopter maker in Stratford and increase it’s share of Pentagon contracts and the overseas market, analyst say.
Posted inEducation
U.S. Senate votes to leave many education reforms to the states
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate Thursday approved a sweeping overhaul of federal education law that would leave up to Connecticut and other states whether to continue with education reforms including the controversial Common Core standards and linking teacher evaluations to student test scores.
Posted inPolitics
Blumenthal: Inaction on highway bill could ‘devastate’ plans to fix CT roads
WASHINGTON – Congress faces a looming deadline to approve a highway bill if it wants to keep federal transportation dollars from slowing to a trickle in a few weeks, but there’s no consensus on what to do. To press the GOP to action, Sen. Richard Blumenthal and other Democrats unveiled a plan Thursday.
Posted inNews
Tremors from Puerto Rican debt crisis likely to be felt in CT
WASHINGTON – Connecticut will feel fallout from Puerto Rico’s debt crisis, analysts say, rippling through the state’s financial sector and opening the door to new migration if Puerto Ricans flee the island’s deteriorating economy and austerity measures.
Posted inNews
U.S. denies CT tribes chance at federal recognition
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs has moved to make it easier for tribes across the nation to win federal recognition – while blocking several Connecticut tribes from doing so. That drew praise from Connecticut’s politicians.
Posted inPolitics
CT lawmakers lose trade bill fight
WASHINGTON – Despite opposition from Connecticut Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, the Senate on Wednesday gave President Obama a big win on his efforts to negotiate a new trade pact with 11 Pacific Rim nations.
Posted inPolitics
Connecticut risks federal fines for slow adoption of rail-safety system
The Federal Railroad Administration said Wednesday it would fine railroad companies and railroad track owners, like the state of Connecticut, if they don’t implement a safety technology known as positive train control by a Dec. 31 deadline.
Posted inPolitics
Landmark gay marriage case has Connecticut ties, impact
WASHINGTON — Gay rights advocate Mary L. Bonauto made history in Connecticut when she championed a lawsuit that legalized gay marriage in the state. She is now in position to make it on the national stage when the U.S. Supreme Court rules on a case that could legalize gay marriage nationwide.
Posted inPolitics
Lawmakers say Sikorsky may leave UTC, but probably not CT
WASHINGTON – United Technologies Corp.’s decision to shed Sikorsky Aircraft sent tremors through the Connecticut congressional delegation, but there’s new optimism that whatever changes the company faces, it will stay in Connecticut.
Posted inNews
Murphy pushes Senate vote to bar ground troops from ISIS battle
Washington — Sen. Chris Murphy Monday pushed his campaign to bar American ground troops from the U.S. fight against ISIS by pressing for a Senate amendment that would prohibit the Pentagon from putting boots on the ground.
Posted inPolitics
Blumenthal takes aim at NFL’s paid tributes to soldiers
WASHINGTON – Sen. Richard Blumenthal has teamed with Sen. John McCain to try to end the Pentagon’s practice of paying the National Football League and other professional sports franchises to honor American troops at sporting events.
Posted inPolitics
Murphy endorses Hillary Clinton for president
WASHINGTON – Sen. Chris Murphy announced Thursday that he is backing Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in her bid for the White House. “I am proud to support her. I’m all in,” Murphy, D-Conn., said in a statement.