WASHINGTON – Like other Democrats, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he hopes the Senate will act quickly on a replacement for Justice Antonin Scalia, whose death was announced Saturday. But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said not so fast.
Washington
Posted inPolitics
Newtown businessman says he’s running for Esty’s seat
The crowded field running for the 5th District congressional seat became larger Friday with the entry of Newtown resident and business executive Bill Stevens.
Posted inMoney
CT lawmakers: Let U.S. say ‘Asiago,’ not just ‘cheese’
WASHINGTON – The entire Connecticut congressional delegation has asked U.S. trade officials to prevent a provision in a new trade pact that would bar state cheese producers from labeling their products “Asiago” or “Feta.”
Posted inNews
Obama budget would cut Black Hawks, F-35s, boost Pell grants, Head Start
WASHINGTON — President Obama’s 2017 proposed budget, released Tuesday, would sharply cut funding for Connecticut -made Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopters and trim the number of F-35s the Pentagon would buy, while boosting spending on certain domestic priorities.
Posted inPolitics
3 GOP challengers looking to oust Esty
WASHINGTON– Rep. Elizabeth Esty’s latest Republican challengers may not have Andrew Roraback’s name recognition or Mark Greenberg’s wealth, but they are all determined to win the right to represent the 5th District in Congress and change the composition of Connecticut’s all-Democratic congressional delegation. They are Matt Maxwell of Sandy Hook, Clay Cope of Sherman and John Pistone of Brookfield.
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Key CT lawmakers open to making women sign up for the draft
WASHINGTON — Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Rep. Joe Courtney, both members of armed services committees in Congress, say they are open to requiring young women to sign up for the draft. The issue has come under debate after two senior military officials said they supported extending the draft to women.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Courtney seeking emergency money to fight opioid addiction, overdoses
WASHINGTON – Days after President Obama said he’d ask Congress to boost funds to fight opioid and heroin addiction, Rep. Joe Courtney introduced a bill that would seek $600 million in emergency funds to pay for both drug enforcement and treatment.
Posted inPolitics
Coltsville bill fix moves forward
WASHINGTON — A key House committee approved legislation Wednesday that would allow the National Park Service to move forward on plans to build the Coltsville National Historic Park in Hartford.
Posted inEnergy & Environment, Politics
CT fighting move to give Long Island Sound waters to New York, Rhode Island
WASHINGTON – Connecticut’s lawmakers and state officials are trying to derail a bill would take about 150 square miles of Long Island Sound waters from federal government control and give that authority to New York and Rhode Island, a move that could hurt the state’s fishermen.
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Among CT campaign donors, Clinton overwhelms Sanders
WASHINGTON — The tight race in Iowa between Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders is not reflected in Connecticut among donors to the two candidates. As of Dec. 31, Clinton’s campaign had taken in six times as much as Sanders’.
Posted inPolitics
CT lawmakers ask food stores to ban ‘open carry’ of guns
Updated at 5:36 p.m.
WASHINGTON – As part of a ramped-up gun safety campaign, Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy and U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty have asked the Connecticut Food Association to implement a gun “open carry” ban in the state’s retail stores. “Customers should feel safe while shopping,” the lawmakers said.
Posted inPolitics
CT lawmakers help Dems hone strategy, message
BALTIMORE – Connecticut lawmakers are gathering here with their House Democratic colleagues to network and plan strategy in a key political year for their party. Connecticut’s all-Democratic House delegation has been in the minority since 2011 and likely will continue to be after November’s elections.
Posted inPolitics
Congress takes aim at epidemic of opioid abuse
WASHINGTON — After states have spent years grappling with the problem, Congress may finally address the epidemic of heroin use and abuse of prescription pain killers which has affected Connecticut and the rest of New England more than much of the country.
Posted inPolitics
Esty travels to Afghanistan to get a closer look at war
WASHINGTON — Rep. Elizabeth Esty, in her second term representing the 5th congressional district, just returned from her first congressional delegation trip – to Afghanistan and Kuwait.
Posted inNews
Betting on Pentagon, Electric Boat to boost hiring this year
Confident of the Navy’s commitment to its submarine fleets and to a new class of nuclear subs, Electric Boat on Monday said it will add about 840 positions to its Connecticut workforce this year.