WASHINGTON – Members of the state’s congressional delegation on Thursday told Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid they are tired of tapping their feet waiting for a confirmation vote for Linda Schwartz, the head of the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs, who has been nominated by President Obama for a top VA job in Washington.
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
Norwalk bridge to remain closed? Depends who’s talking
U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., surprised the Malloy administration by announcing Thursday that a mechanical swing bridge in Norwalk would remain in the closed position during repairs, providing reliable passage for Metro-North commuter trains while interrupting marine traffic on the Norwalk River.
Posted inNews
Washington Watch, Week of June 8
This week Congress will fight over the Bowe Bergdahl prisoner swap, and over how to find money to avert at a summertime highway-project funding “cliff” that could slow and even halt road projects in the state.
Posted inNews
Deal on bill to allow vets to see private doctors
Washington – The scandal at the Veterans Affairs Administration has done what little else could do in Congress – bring Democrats and Republicans together on a bill.
Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt, and John MCain, R-Ariz., announced an agreement late Thursday afternoon that combined elements of three separate bills aimed at reforming the VA, which is under investigation because of allegations that staff had covered up delays in the providing care to veterans and other wrongdoing.
Posted inNews
Blumenthal slams GM report on defects, recalls
WASHINGTON – A General Motors -commissioned report on the company’s slow response to a deadly ignition-switch defect was blasted by Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who said it left critical questions unanswered and absolved top officials of responsibility.
Posted inNews
Blumenthal, McCain press FCC on sports blackout rule
Washington – Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and John McCain, R-Ariz., are pressuring the Federal Communications Commission to finalize regulations that would lift a ban on cable companies that prohibit them from running sporting events that are subject to local broadcast blackouts.
Posted inPolitics
Partisan battles keeping Schwartz from VA job
WASHINGTON – As deep problems at the Department of Veterans Affairs come to light, Congress continues to stall on key VA administrative nominees, including that of Linda Schwartz of Connecticut, named to be the agency’s assistant secretary of policy and planning.
Posted inPolitics
Himes says VA chief Shinseki must go
Washington – Rep. Jim Himes, D-4th District, on Thursday became the first member of Connecticut’s congressional delegation to call for the resignation of Eric Shinseki, the embattled secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Posted inNews
CT Lawmakers demand info on state VA facilities
Washington – The entire Connecticut delegation sent a letter to Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki on Friday requesting information from a nationwide audit of VA facilities that pertain to hospitals and clinics in Connecticut.
Posted inPolitics
CT lawmakers hope to harness anger at Russia to help Sikorsky
Washington – Ignored by the Pentagon and State Department, Connecticut lawmakers hope increasing congressional anger towards Moscow will finally force the end of U.S. purchases of helicopters made by Russian state arms dealer Rosoboronexport destined for the Afghan armed forces.
Posted inPolitics
Modest pay, long hours for most who work for CT Congressional delegation
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.
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.