The race for the 5th District seat got a little more crowded Thursday as Simsbury Republican Liz Peterson and fellow Republican Ruby O’Neill of Southbury said they are running.
Washington
Posted inJustice
Mueller protection bill approved by key committee with GOP help
WASHINGTON– Four Republicans joined Sen. Richard Blumenthal and other Democrats in voting on Thursday to approve a bill that aims to protect special counsel Robert Mueller from being fired in the midst of the Russia investigation.
Posted inPolitics
Jackson, White House doctor and Groton sub base grad, withdraws as VA nominee
WASHINGTON – Embattled Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson, White House physician and a graduate of the Navy’s Underseas Medical Officer Program in Groton, on Thursday withdrew as President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Posted inPolitics
Blumenthal, Murphy sponsor bills to help homeowners with crumbling foundations
WASHINGTON – Connecticut’s U.S. senators on Wednesday introduced a pair of bills aimed at helping homeowners with crumbling foundations, but conceded it will be an “uphill fight” to win congressional approval of the legislation.
Posted inPolitics
New GOP and Dem budgets would still cut Medicare Savings Program
While Democrats and Republicans both want to blunt the looming roll-back of a program that helps disabled and low-income elderly in Connecticut pay for medical care, their plans will still cut off tens of thousands who’ve come to rely on it.
Posted inPolitics
Inspector General investigating Interior’s handling of CT tribes’ casino issue
The Interior Department’s official watchdog on Monday confirmed it is investigating why the agency rebuffed a request by Connecticut tribes to approve changes to its gaming compact needed to win state support for a new casino in East Windsor.
Posted inNews
White House chief of staff contradicts claim on VA shakeup
White House chief of staff John Kelly contradicted the White House’s claims about David Shulkin’s departure as secretary of veterans affairs, a discrepancy that could lead to legal challenges of decisions made by Shulkin’s interim successor.
Posted inHealth
New Medicare perk for diabetes prevention stumbles at rollout
Several weeks ago, Medicare launched an initiative to prevent seniors and people with serious disabilities from developing Type 2 diabetes. But the April 1 rollout of the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program, a major new benefit that could help millions of people, is getting off to a rocky start,
Posted inPolitics
Union election at Foxwoods as CT tribes push back against federal labor laws
WASHINGTON — More than 300 employees who clean the Mashantucket Pequot’s Foxwoods Resort Casino will decide on Friday if they want to unionize and reject tribal arguments against that idea. Meanwhile, Connecticut’s Pequot and Mohegan tribes are backing efforts to exempt their businesses from federal labor laws, a priority for the nation’s Indian tribes.
Posted inPolitics
Congress moves to tighten food stamp rules
Updated at 7:10 p.m.
WASHINGTON — A massive farm bill approved by the House Agriculture Committee Wednesday would end food stamp benefits for many childless adults in 114 Connecticut towns, unless those beneficiaries get a job or work training. Republicans said the change would encourage more recipients to move out of poverty while Democrats said it was a mean-spirited degradation of a critical part of the social safety net.
Posted inHealth
Murphy introduces ‘Medicare for more’ health plan option
WASHINGTON — Sen. Chris Murphy on Wednesday introduced legislation that would allow individuals and businesses to purchase Medicare coverage. Murphy and co-sponsor Sen. Jeff Merkley say there’s little chance of immediate passage of the bill, but say there is a need for public discussion on ways to shore up the Affordable Care Act.
Posted inPolitics
Esty leads in fundraising, but will have to give most money away
WASHINGTON — Rep. Elizabeth Esty, who had to reach into her own pockets to help fund her first bid to represent the 5th District, will leave Congress with a hefty war chest. Since she is not running for re-election, Esty will have to return some of those donations, and give the rest of the money away.
Posted inPolitics
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.”
Posted inHealth
Medical marijuana’s ‘Catch-22’: Federal limits on research
While 29 states have legalized marijuana to treat pain and other ailments, a growing number of Americans who use marijuana and the doctors who treat them are caught in the middle of a conflict in federal and state laws — a predicament that is only worsened by thin scientific data.
Posted inNews
Trump’s company is suing to get breaks on local taxes
President Donald Trump is famous for bragging about his net worth. Publicly, he claims he’s worth more than $10 billion. Yet quietly in another setting, the Trump Organization says the president’s holdings are worth far less than he has proclaimed.