The House Intelligence Committee released new texts from Robert Hyde and an unknown third party that discuss monitoring the diplomat before she was fired by President Donald Trump.
State Department
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Himes slams GOP behavior at Trump impeachment hearing
Rep. Jim Himes began his questioning at the first public impeachment hearing by criticizing the behavior of his Republican colleagues.
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Murphy to oppose Pompeo confirmation to lead State Department
WASHINGTON — Sen. Chris Murphy on Monday said he would oppose the confirmation of CIA Director Mike Pompeo to head the State Department. Murphy cited the candidate’s “narrow” foreign policy views and stands on a number of issues, including the use of torture and the rights of Muslims and LGBT Americans, “that place him outside mainstream American values.”
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Murphy to Trump: Don’t pick secretaries of state with no diplomatic experience
WASHINGTON — Sen. Chris Murphy, who as a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will vet the nomination of CIA Director Mike Pompeo to head the State Department, said he willing to consider the candidate’s qualifications, but slammed President Donald Trump for failing to choose someone with diplomatic experience for the job.
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Murphy slams Trump for ‘undiplomatic’ response to North Korea
WASHINGTON – In a tweetstorm Wednesday, Sen. Chris Murphy blamed President Donald Trump for a dangerous and undiplomatic response to threats from North Korea. “Trump knew NKorea would be a problem. Yet he intentionally keeps vacant EVERY diplomatic position that is relevant to solving this crisis,” tweeted Murphy, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
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Murphy battles Trump on foreign policy, undiplomatically
WASHINGTON — Even as President Donald Trump aims to slash the State Department’s budget, Sen. Chris Murphy is battling the headwind in an effort to double the money appropriated for many diplomatic programs.
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West Hartford’s McGurk to help Trump in transition
WASHINGTON — Former West Hartford resident Brett McGurk, who under the Obama administration helped coordinate the war against the Islamic State, has been asked to stay in his position after President-elect Donald Trump takes office, one of about 50 Obama appointees who will remain in their posts to maintain “continuity” until Trump’s picks are confirmed.
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Murphy questions Tillerson on Russian dossier, says nomination in trouble
WASHINGTON – Sen. Chris Murphy, who says the nomination is in trouble, on Wednesday questioned Rex Tillerson, Donald Trump’s pick to head the State Department, about a dossier of unverified allegations that Russian operatives have been helping the president-elect for years and have compromising information about him. “The report is as earth-shattering as it is thinly sourced,” Murphy said. “We all pray it is untrue.”
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Senate to vote on Murphy effort to block Saudi arms sale
WASHINGTON – The Senate plans to vote Wednesday on a resolution sponsored by Sen. Chris Murphy that would block a $1.5 billion sale to Saudi Arabia. It’s a long shot. But Murphy says he’ll win something even if he loses the vote.
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Lawmakers look to speed deportation of undocumented convicts
More than a year after an undocumented immigrant fatally stabbed a Norwich woman, two Connecticut lawmakers announced Monday they plan to introduce legislation in Congress to expedite the deportation of undocumented immigrants who have committed a violent crime or pose a threat to public safety.
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Republican Novak making third try for Courtney’s seat
WASHINGTON — It may be flying largely under the political radar, but there’s a race for the 2nd District congressional seat, pitting veteran Rep. Joe Courtney, a Democrat, against Republican Daria Novak. She hopes her third try for the job is a charm.
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Short week for Congress yields defense funding, railroad revival
The U.S. House of Representatives was out and the Senate had a shortened work week because of the Veterans Day holiday, but there was still plenty of activity in Congress. The Senate approved a final defense bill that authorizes billions of dollars in spending on weapon systems developed in Connecticut. The Federal Railroad Administration took a big step forward on an ambitious overhaul of the rail system in the Northeast Corridor.
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State Dept. official with West Hartford ties tasked to develop, sell Syria plan
WASHINGTON — Former West Hartford resident Brett McGurk is considered a leading expert at the State Department on the threats posed by the Islamic State and what the Obama administration is trying to do about them. But fighting international terrorism isn’t his only challenge. Now he’s been tasked to persuade skeptical lawmakers, including members of Connecticut’s congressional delegation, to back President Obama’s campaign against ISIS in Syria.
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Murphy named to five Senate appropriations panels
Washington – Sen. Chris Murphy said he’s been named to five Senate Appropriations Committee panels.
He will sit on appropriations subcommittees with authority over the budgets of the Department of Transportation and the Department of Housing and Urban Development; the State Department, the Commerce and Justice departments, military construction and the Department of Veterans Affairs and a panel that has jurisdiction over Congress’ operating budget.
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DeLauro, Esty seek to stop U.S. trade with Brunei
Washington – Saying Brunei’s newly adopted penal code violates the rights of women and minorities, including gay, lesbian and transgendered people, Reps. Rosa DeLauro, D-3rd District and Elizabeth Esty, D-5th District, joined a group of lawmakers Thursday who are insisting the United States drop all trade with that country.