The question for Sen. Chris Murphy no longer is where might he go next, but what can he do now.
Senate
Insulin, telehealth bills headed for governor’s desk
The state Senate approved a pair of health bills that would cap insulin costs and extend telemedicine’s expansion through March.
Senate approves billions more for small business loan program, hospitals, coronavirus testing
The bill, however, did not contain more money for cities or states.
Senate votes to rein in Trump on Iran, but White House expected to veto resolution
The vote indicates there is bipartisan concern over Trump’s handling of Iran after the president order a strike that killed top Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani.
Some Senate Democrats still publicly hedge on tolls
We asked the seven Senate Democrats whose votes on truck tolls have been in question. Here’s what they said.
Senate approves bill requiring nursing homes to disclose staffing levels
The state Senate has advanced a bill to require nursing homes to disclose every day the number of direct-care staff members assigned to patients.
Senate approves massive defense bill, but trims number of F-35s
WASHINGTON – The Senate late Monday approved a $716 billion defense authorization bill that trims the number of F-35’s the Pentagon can purchase this year, but allows for more spending on Electric Boat submarine programs and Sikorsky-made helicopters. “Five percent of our country’s defense spending is done in Connecticut,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal said.
Reforms to stem Whiting abuses head to the governor
Spurred by urgent demands that horrific abuse at Whiting Forensic never happen again, the state House of Representatives unanimously gave final approval to a series of reforms designed to increase oversight of the facility. The House vote was 148 to 0.
Blumenthal, Murphy help sink abortion bill
Updated at 7:10 p.m.
WASHINGTON — Connecticut’s Democratic senators on Monday helped block a bill in the Senate that would have outlawed abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Senate approves sweeping tax overhaul despite CT Dem opposition
WASHINGTON — The Senate early Saturday passed a sweeping overhaul of the federal tax code that would end the deductibility of state income taxes and eliminate other popular tax breaks while lowering tax rates for individuals and corporations.
CT nonprofits fear GOP tax overhaul will reduce charitable giving
WASHINGTON — Both the tax bill the Senate hopes to vote on this week and a House-passed tax overhaul would keep the popular charitable deduction, but Connecticut non-profits say the legislation still would shrink American help to those in need.
Senate fails to repeal Obamacare
WASHINGTON — Senate Republicans failed early Friday to win approval of a “skinny” bill they hoped would grow into a full-fledged repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act, putting an end to efforts to eliminate Obamacare, at least for now. The dramatic vote in the middle of the night is a boost to Connecticut Democrats who fought the GOP campaign to repeal the ACA.
Senate clears first test on Obamacare repeal, but final victory not assured
WASHINGTON — Senate Republicans and the White House had a win Tuesday on a procedural vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act, but a final victory is not guaranteed. It was just a first step in a series of dozens of votes that will determine whether Senate Republicans can pass a health care bill.
Dems — including CT’s senators — plan to disrupt Senate over health care plan
WASHINGTON — Democrats, with the help of Connecticut’s senators, plan to jam up the Senate this week to bring attention to Republican attempts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care act. Meanwhile Connecticut Republicans are crying foul over Democrats attempts to save Obamacare.
Senate rejects Murphy attempt to block Saudi arms sale
WASHINGTON — The Senate on Tuesday rejected an effort by Sen. Chris Murphy to block a portion of a $110 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia. Murphy, however, says concern in the U.S. Senate is growing over the Saudi bombing campaign in Yemen.

