Washington – Democratic Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy split over a massive omnibus spending bill the Senate approved late Saturday little more than an hour before the government would have shut down due to a lack of funding. Murphy voted for the$1.1 trillion bill, Blumenthal did not.
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.
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Murphy wins seat on Senate Appropriations Committee
WASHINGTON – Sen. Chris Murphy, who is still in his freshman term in the Senate, has been given a seat on the Senate Appropriations Committee in the next Congress, a powerful panel that decides all spending issues and is responsible for the budget that funds all federal departments and programs.
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227 CT gun deaths later, Newtown families continue their campaign
WASHINGTON — Some 227 people have died from gun violence in Connecticut since the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre two years ago. On Wednesday, Connecticut lawmakers joined Newtown families and victims of gun violence across the nation in renewing their calls for new federal gun laws.
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Senate to begin debate on bill that would turn Coltsville into national park
WASHINGTON – A massive defense bill that would authorize billions of dollars in spending on Connecticut defense projects — and turn the Hartford’s Coltsville neighborhood into a national park — may face its first test in the Senate today.
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Blumenthal promotes bill to combat sports blackouts
Washington – Sen. Richard Blumenthal knocked major league sports leagues Thursday, saying the federal government has given them a “blank check,” and promoted legislation that would pressure the leagues to end the blackout of games.
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CT lawmakers laud Carter as prospective Pentagon chief
WASHINGTON – Connecticut lawmakers on defense panels lauded presumptive Defense Secretary nominee Ashton Carter, even as the defense industry may be wary about the candidate’s reputation as a cost cutter.
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On Black Friday, Blumenthal shops for media
On a day when every newscast was certain to report on Black Friday shopping, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal attracted every network affiliate to a news conference with a bit of media catnip — a fresh gloss on an old warning to consumers about the sales and advertising practices at outlet malls.
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Obama actions to help only some Connecticut immigrants stay
WASHINGTON – President Obama’s controversial move to stop the deportation of millions of immigrants will help thousands of undocumented people living and working in Connecticut, but bypasses thousands of others.
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Blumenthal, other senators blast defective airbag maker Takata
WASHINGTON – Are drivers in Connecticut safe from the chance the airbags in their cars may kill or maim them? That was one question raised during a heated Senate hearing Thursday on the safety of airbags installed in more than 30 million vehicles made by Honda, Chrysler, BMW and eight other automakers. All were made by the Japanese company Takata.
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Senate moves Bolden nomination to federal court forward
Washington – The Senate on Wednesday voted to limit debate on the nomination of Victor Allen Bolden, the corporation counsel for the city of New Haven, to the federal bench, paving the way for a confirmation vote Thursday.
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Navy, Army go forward with purchase of 102 Sikorsky helicopters
The Navy, citing budget problems, had wanted to end a multi-year joint contract with the Army to buy 102 helicopters from Sikorsky, but the Navy has reversed itself and will go ahead.
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Once a heated topic for CT delegation, war bill now stalled
WASHINGTON – Debating and deciding what authority President Obama has to conduct a war against and Islamic group known as ISIS was once a hot topic among lawmakers, including those representing Connecticut on Capitol Hill. But post-election, there’s a little sense of urgency, and little pushback on GOP demands that the issue be handled by the next Congress, which will be controlled by Republicans
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Blumenthal blasts GM for ‘concealment’ in CT woman’s death
WASHINGTON – General Motors knew Jean Averill’s Saturn Ion had a faulty ignition switch when the car ran into a tree in 2003, causing her death; but the company did not inform the family of the defect until recently in an “outrageous, deliberate concealment,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal said Tuesday.
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Connecticut one of few remaining ‘true blue’ states
WASHINGTON – What do Connecticut and Hawaii have in common? They are among a few states that have a totally Democratic congressional delegation and a Democratic governor following the GOP tsunami that washed over the nation on Election Day.
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Democratic loss of Senate pushes Blumenthal, Murphy into minority
Washington – Democrats lost control of the Senate Tuesday in a GOP tide that rolled across the nation, plunging Connecticut’s Democratic senators – Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy – into the minority.
