Connecticut lawmakers differ on who they hire to run their offices and how much they pay their staffers. But an analysis by the Connecticut Mirror shows that, except for the top staffers, those who work for Connecticut members of Congress are paid less than their counterparts in the private sector or the civil service.
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 inNews
Washington Watch, Week of May 18
In the week before Congress’ Memorial Day Break, the House will tackle a bill that would boost accountability at the scandal-plagued Department of Veterans Affairs. Legislation that would provide billions of dollars for Connecticut’s defense contractors will also move forward this week with a House vote on the National Defense Authorization bill and action in the House Appropriations Committee on a defense spending bill that would fund all projects in the authorization bill.
Posted inPolitics
Rich senator, poor senator
WASHINGTON — According to the latest financial disclosures filed in the U.S. Senate, Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., continues to be one of the poorest members in that chamber — although he has a lot of cash in the bank.
Financial disclosure reports for 71 senators were released on Friday.
Posted inPolitics
Blumenthal asks VA chief to consider calling in FBI and firing staff
Washington – Sen. Richard Blumenthal on Thursday pressed Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki to call in the FBI to determine whether crimes were committed at his agency, which has been accused of falsifying reports on delays of care that may have caused the deaths of some veterans
Posted inNews
Blumenthal joins liberal revolt over Georgia judicial nominee
WASHINGTON — With tough questions about the Confederate battle emblem and abortion, Sen. Richard Blumenthal joined a growing group of liberals who are dismayed over President Obama’s nomination of Michael Boggs to a district court seat in Georgia.
Posted inEducation, Politics
Blumenthal wants ‘bill of rights’ for college victims of sexual violence
After hearing from Connecticut college students about their experiences of sexual violence, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal said he wants an overhaul of federal law and enforcement procedures to ensure that college staff no longer turn away students seeking help.
Posted inNews
Washington Watch, Week of May 11
The House of Representatives is in recess this week, so look for stepped up activities in the state for members of Connecticut’s House delegation.
Posted inPolitics
New gasoline reserve to help CT prep for hurricanes
Washington — Because of the severe disruption to gasoline supplies wrought by Superstorm Sandy, the Department of Energy Friday announced it will establish two Northeast gasoline reserves — near New York Harbor and in New England.
Posted inPolitics
CT senators take new aim at gun control
Washington — A year after a modest proposal to change gun laws failed in the Senate, Connecticut Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy have switched tactics.
They plan to introduce a bill that would forbid anyone under a temporary restraining order from owning a gun.
Posted inMoney
Despite CT lawmakers’ support, minimum wage bill falters in Senate
Washington — Senate Democrats Wednesday failed to move forward on a bill that would boost the federal minimum wage, likely killing the effort in Congress.
The bill failed on a 54-44 vote. Sixty votes were needed.
Posted inHealth, Politics
CT lawmakers join war on heroin, painkillers
Washington – Washington has turned its attention to the epidemic of heroin addiction and overdose deaths – including more than 250 in Connecticut last year, but there’s a limit to what the federal government and Congress can do, especially in times of tight budget constraints.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Blumenthal calls for ban on ‘the new Joe Camel’
Flanked by two Yale doctors and brandishing packages of fruit-flavored “e-hookahs,” U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal Monday renewed his fight against tobacco industry marketing to kids, calling e-cigarettes and e-hookahs “the new Joe Camel.”
Posted inMoney, Politics
CT lawmakers introduce Metro-North safety bill
Reps. Rosa DeLauro, D-3rd District, Jim Himes, D-4th District, Elizabeth Esty, D-5th District, and New York Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney introduced a bill Monday that would force Metro-North to institute an “alerter” system, a safety system that sounds an alarm when an engineer remains idle while the train is moving.
Posted inNews
Washington Watch, Week of April 27
A House panel will examine prescription drug and heroin abuse, and committees in both the House and Senate will be discussing issues related to the defense industry.
Posted inMoney, Politics
CT lawmakers take fight over Russian ‘copters to Kerry
Having had a poor response from the Pentagon, Connecticut lawmakers and others who are trying to protect local defense interests have taken their fight to end Russian military contracts to Secretary of State John Kerry.
