Lawmakers aim to raise penalties for US airline disruptions
January 31, 2023 GMTSenators who want to impose tougher penalties when U.S. airlines strand or delay passengers say they finally might be able to turn their ideas into law because of outrage over debacles like the one at Southwest Airlines in December.
Senators grill Ticketmaster after Taylor Swift fiasco
January 24, 2023 GMTSenators grilled Ticketmaster Tuesday, questioning whether the company’s dominance in the ticketing industry led to its spectacular breakdown last year during a sale of Taylor Swift concert tickets.
New England senators seek help to avoid energy disruptions
November 30, 2022 GMTHARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Senators from Connecticut, Vermont and Maine called on the Biden administration Tuesday to bring together federal, state and regional officials to find ways to prevent possible energy disruptions this winter across New England.
Blumenthal wins 3rd Senate term, fends off Trump-backed Levy
November 9, 2022 GMTHARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal on Tuesday won a third term in office, fending off a challenge from first-time candidate Leora Levy, a Republican who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump.
Connecticut Senate candidate uses Trump’s backing sparingly
November 3, 2022 GMTHARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — She’s the only statewide candidate running in Connecticut this year to be endorsed by former President Donald Trump, but Republican Leora Levy has been cautious in mentioning his political support during her race against Democratic U.S.
Biden vows ‘consequences’ for Saudis after OPEC+ cuts output
October 12, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Tuesday there will be "consequences” for Saudi Arabia as the Riyadh-led OPEC+ alliance moves to cut oil production and Democratic lawmakers call for a freeze on cooperation with the Saudis.
Guest lineups for the Sunday news shows
August 6, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — ABC’s “This Week” — Sens. Chris Coons, D-Del., and Mike Rounds, R-S.D.; Bill Richardson, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
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NBC’s “Meet the Press” — Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md.; Rep.
Klarides draws conservative criticism ahead of GOP primary
July 27, 2022 GMTWhen the Connecticut Republican Party endorsed former state House Minority Leader Themis Klarides for the U.S. Senate this spring, the social moderate was viewed by many past and present party leaders as the GOP's best chance in years to defeat veteran Democratic U.S.
Senators ask MLB why antitrust exemption needed in minors
July 18, 2022 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — Leaders of the Senate Judiciary Committee have asked baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred to explain the impact of potential legislation stripping the sport’s antitrust exemption from covering the sport’s relationship with minor league players.
Senators ask minor leaguers for information on MLB antitrust
June 28, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The chairman and ranking minority member of the Senate Judiciary Committee sent a letter to an advocacy group for minor leaguers asking questions about baseball's antitrust exemption.
GOP backs Klarides for U.S. Senate; Dems endorse Gov. Lamont
May 7, 2022 GMTMASHANTUCKET, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut Republicans endorsed former state House Minority Leader Themis Klarides, a moderate on social issues, to challenge two-term Democratic U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal in November.
Governor: State may help conservation bid for Boy Scout camp
April 12, 2022 GMTHARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut's governor said Tuesday that the state may provide supplemental funds to help conservationists purchase a 252-acre Boy Scout camp and keep it out of the hands of developers.
GOP sees opportunity in 2022 election to defeat Blumenthal
April 3, 2022 GMTHARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal has $7.5 million in campaign cash and enviable name recognition after decades in public office, but Republicans in this Democratic-leaning state still see an opportunity to win a U.S.
German leader’s stance on Russia looms over 1st visit to US
February 6, 2022 GMTBERLIN (AP) — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz set off Sunday for Washington seeking to reassure Americans that his country stands alongside the United States and other NATO partners in opposing any Russian aggression against Ukraine.
Blumenthal pushes for more fed aid to help Conn. breweries
February 6, 2022 GMTMANCHESTER, Conn. (AP) — Sen. Richard Blumenthal is pushing for the extension of federal pandemic aid to restaurants as a way to rescue Connecticut’s struggling craft breweries.
The Democrat toured Labyrinth Brewing company in Manchester on Friday.
Association: More than 2,000 restaurants still awaiting aid
January 31, 2022 GMTHARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — More than 2,000 Connecticut restaurants, caterers and food service operators are still waiting to receive federal COVID-19 relief funds, with many saying it's unlikely they can remain in business without the financial assistance, according to the Connecticut Restaurant Association.
Klarides shifts to challenge Blumenthal for Senate seat
January 30, 2022 GMTHARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut’s former state House minority leader is shifting her focus from the governor’s race to challenge U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal.
Themis Klarides announced Sunday she is seeking the Republican nomination to run against Blumenthal, a Democrat seeking his third term, multiple outlets reported.
Senators say they were denied full access to federal prison
January 26, 2022 GMTTwo U.S. senators said Wednesday that they were denied access to parts of a federal prison in Connecticut while trying to examine conditions there in response to correctional officers' complaints about a staffing shortage and lack of coronavirus precautions.
Bipartisan U.S. Senate delegation travels to Ukraine
January 17, 2022 GMTCONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Seven U.S. senators are in Ukraine to meet with that country’s president and other officials.
The bipartisan delegation consists of four Democrats — Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, Chris Murphy, Amy Klobuchar and Richard Blumenthal — and three Republicans — Rob Portman, Kevin Cramer and Roger Wicker.
Building could become museum for Black Civil War regiment
January 16, 2022 GMTHARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A vacant building in Hartford could become a museum honoring a famed Black Civil War regiment.
Army veteran Bridgitte Prince is spearheading a project to raise $35 million to tell the story of the 29th Regiment Connecticut Infantry (Colored), the first Union soldiers to enter the defeated city of Richmond near the war's end.
Lawmakers say they will try again to regulate airline fees
December 9, 2021 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Several congressional Democrats are reviving legislation to regulate fees that airlines charge for things such as checking a bag, changing a flight or picking a seat.
The legislation would require that fees be “reasonable and proportional” to the airline's cost of providing the service.
Instagram head faces senators amid anger over possible harms
December 9, 2021 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The head of Instagram on Wednesday met with deep skepticism on Capitol Hill over new measures the social media platform is adopting to protect young users.
Adam Mosseri appeared before a Senate panel and faced off with lawmakers angry over revelations of how the photo-sharing platform can harm some young users.
Union: Group homes owner threatens striking workers’ jobs
December 2, 2021 GMTHARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Group home workers in Connecticut who have been on strike for nearly two months said Thursday that owner Sunrise Group has threatened to permanently replace them as they continue to seek a new contract with better wages and health care benefits.
Legislation introduced to allow lawsuits against Amtrak
October 27, 2021 GMTHELENA, Mont. (AP) — Two Democratic members of Congress introduced legislation Wednesday to end an arbitration clause that Amtrak implemented in January 2019 and give customers the right to sue the passenger rail service to resolve disputes.
Senator asks Facebook CEO to testify on Instagram and kids
October 20, 2021 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The senator leading a probe of Facebook’s Instagram and its impact on young people is asking Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to testify before the panel that has heard far-reaching criticisms from a former employee of the company.
Activist Shawn Lang, former leader at AIDS Connecticut, dies
October 19, 2021 GMTHARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Shawn Lang, a longtime Connecticut activist for people living with HIV and AIDS, as well as those impacted by opioid addiction and domestic abuse, has died. She was 65.
Senators push Facebook exec on Instagram policies for youth
September 30, 2021 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Senators fired a barrage of criticism Thursday at a Facebook executive over the social-networking giant's handling of internal research on how its Instagram photo-sharing platform can harm teens.
300 Afghan refugees expected in Connecticut in coming months
September 13, 2021 GMTHARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — About 300 refugees from Afghanistan are expected to arrive in Connecticut in the coming weeks and months as immigrant advocacy groups work to find permanent homes for them in the state, U.S.
Regulator sues Amazon to force recall of hazardous products
July 16, 2021 GMTSafety regulators are suing Amazon to force it to recall hazardous products sold on its site, including flammable children’s pajamas, faulty carbon monoxide detectors and hair dryers that don’t protect users from getting electrocuted.
Eversource says it has a good plan and is ready for Elsa
July 8, 2021 GMTOfficials at Connecticut's largest electric utility insist they are prepared for the impact of Tropical Storm Elsa, while continuing to defend their response to a storm last August that left thousands without power for over a week.
Legendary New Haven nightspot reopening after year’s closure
June 20, 2021 GMTNEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — One of Connecticut’s legendary music clubs is reopening after a year-long closure due to the pandemic, with the help of the federal government.
Toad’s Place celebrated with its first live music, a jazz duo, Friday along with Sen.
Education Secretary Cardona encourages UConn grads in speech
May 8, 2021 GMTHARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona praised new University of Connecticut graduates for their work in helping to respond to the coronavirus pandemic and urged them to use their uniqueness as their “superpower” to accomplish their career and life goals, in a recorded speech played Saturday at a virtual 2021 commencement...
Bill would give US vets of 1966 Spain bomb accident benefits
April 15, 2021 GMTHARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — U.S. veterans who were exposed to radiation while responding to a 1966 hydrogen bomb accident in Spain would be made eligible for disability benefits that have been denied to them for decades by the Department of Veterans Affairs, under legislation introduced in Congress on Thursday...
Rallygoers decry hate crimes against Asian Americans
April 4, 2021 GMTFAIRFIELD, Conn. (AP) — More than 200 people gathered in Connecticut on Saturday to denounce increasing attacks on Asian Americans around the country...
Booker, Democratic lawmakers introduce NCAA reform bill
December 17, 2020 GMTA bill introduced Thursday by four Democratic lawmakers would grant college athletes sweeping rights to compensation, including a share of the revenue generated by their sports, and create a federal commission to oversee college athletics.
NOT REAL NEWS: A look at what didn’t happen this week
October 16, 2020 GMTA roundup of some of the most popular but completely untrue stories and visuals of the week. None of these are legit, even though they were shared widely on social media...
Weather service assessing storm damage in NY, Connecticut
August 28, 2020 GMTHARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — National Weather Service teams were assessing damage in Connecticut and upstate New York on Friday to see if tornadoes touched down during powerful storms that caused power outages for tens of thousands of customers...
Senators lay out plan for college athletes bill of rights
August 13, 2020 GMTA group of senators led by Cory Booker of New Jersey and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut on Thursday released a plan for reforming college sports with an athletes bill or rights...
MLB says it is committed to protecting minor league teams
December 28, 2019 GMTHARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Major League Baseball said Saturday it is committed to protecting minor league teams, a day after U...
Senators grill Boeing CEO over plane involved in 2 crashes
October 29, 2019 GMTBoeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg faced withering questions from senators Tuesday about two crashes of 737 Max jets and whether the company concealed information about a critical flight system...
NFL At 100: the shadow of domestic violence over league
September 6, 2019 GMTThe NFL got tougher on players charged with domestic violence after mishandling Ray Rice's case five years ago...
Bipartisan ‘red flag’ gun laws plan has support in Congress
August 7, 2019 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Despite frequent mass shootings, Congress has proved to be unable to pass substantial gun violence legislation, largely because of resistance from Republicans.
Overhaul would give Congress power to fire USOPC board
July 30, 2019 GMTA bill spurred by Larry Nassar's sex crimes and other mishandled abuse cases would allow Congress to fire the U...
Rep. Pressley: Bill would ease access to birth control pills
June 15, 2019 GMTBOSTON (AP) — U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley is working with other Democratic members of Congress to push legislation aimed at making it easier and less expensive to obtain birth control pills...
Former Fulbright scholar leaves sanctuary after 598 days
May 31, 2019 GMTHARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A former Fulbright scholar who has been fighting deportation to his native Indonesia left the sanctuary of a Connecticut church Friday after 598 days...
Richard Blumenthal demands ‘ironclad’ commitment from AG nominee Barr to release the Mueller report
January 18, 2019 GMTSen. Richard Blumenthal said Friday that he will meet with Attorney General nominee William Barr and demand an "ironclad commitment" that he release the entirety of special counsel Robert Mueller's eventual findings.
Blumenthal: Those responsible for GI Bill benefit debacle will be held accountable
December 14, 2018 GMTHartford — U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said Friday he expects there to be a congressional hearing early in the new Congress to "pin down" who is accountable for delays in education benefit payments to hundreds of thousands of veterans across the country.
Gun-safety advocates hopeful for new Congress
December 6, 2018 GMTWASHINGTON — Every year gun control activists from Newtown gather here to condemn congressional inaction on legislation they think will keep Americans safe. This year the mood at the gathering was quite different.
Democratic senators sue over Whitaker’s appointment as AG
November 19, 2018 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Three Senate Democrats filed a lawsuit Monday arguing that Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker's appointment is unconstitutional and asking a federal judge to remove him...
Sen. Blumenthal to discuss new airline passenger protections
November 18, 2018 GMTHARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal is planning to highlight new airline passenger protections as the holiday travel season kicks into high gear...
Legislation: Give homeowners relief for tornadoes’ fallen trees, debris
October 9, 2018 GMTNew legislation is being proposed to allow federal disaster relief aid to homeowners for fallen trees and debris.
In the aftermath of the May 15 tornadoes and macrobusts in western Connecticut, many homeowners got a rude awakening that they would get no assistance from FEMA to clear debris.
Senate making wrong decision on Kavanaugh
October 5, 2018 GMTUnless something unexpected happens, the U.S. Senate this weekend will vote by a narrow margin to confirm federal Judge Brett Kavanaugh's appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court. It will prove to be a mistake.
Dems focus on misdeeds of Kavanaugh the adult, not the teen
October 3, 2018 GMTWASHINGTON — With the Supreme Court confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh hurdling toward an uncertain conclusion, Senate Republican and Democratic leaders exchanged salvos on who is to blame for delay while the FBI investigates charges of sexual abuse leveled at the 53-year-old federal appeals court judge.
Blumenthal helped Kavanaugh classmate send emails to FBI
October 2, 2018 GMTWASHINGTON - Sen. Richard Blumenthal said he tried to help a Yale classmate of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh send the FBI emails that she says show that the judge’s team was trying to discredit the story of Deborah Ramirez, who has accused the judge of exposing himself to her at a party.
Editorial No smoke, but e-cigarette issue catching fire
September 28, 2018 GMTThe youth of today are The Addictive Generation.
The AddGens make previous generations’ dependencies on television and Super Mario seem like mild distractions. It won’t be long before starter smartphones turn up on baby registry lists.
Blumenthal praises Ford, says he believes her accusations
September 27, 2018 GMTHARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal says he believes Christine Blasey Ford's sexual assault accusations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, saying she has provided the country with "an amazing teaching moment...
Conn. Dems look to put Kavanaugh nomination into tailspin
September 17, 2018 GMTWASHINGTON — For Connecticut Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy and their Democratic colleagues, last-minute surfacing of a sexual-abuse allegation may do to Brett Kavanaugh what hearings did not: Delay confirmation or sink his Supreme Court nomination entirely.
Editorial Firm questioning of Kavanaugh needed
September 7, 2018 GMTThe appointment of the ninth Supreme Court justice could affect the most personal parts of American life for decades.
Questioning began this week in the Senate of federal appeals court Judge Brett Kavanaugh, 53, nominated by President Donald Trump to replace the retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy, who has been a swing vote on landmark Supreme Court decisions.
Our D.C. Bureau Dems grill Kavanaugh on Obamacare
September 7, 2018 GMTWASHINGTON — In his second round of questioning appeals court Jude Brett Kavanaugh, Sen. Richard Blumenthal used the case of Ridgefield’s Conner Curran to examine the Supreme Court nominee’s views of the Affordable Care Act — Obamacare — and President Trump’s power to not enforce it even though it remains the law of the land.
After delay tries, Kavanaugh hearings settle down
September 4, 2018 GMTWASHINGTON — Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., led an effort to delay opening day of confirmation hearings Tuesday for President Trump’s Supreme Court pick, Brett Kavanaugh, demanding the Republican majority adjourn the proceedings until Senators have time to review records of the nominee’s service in former President George W.
GOP insider draws criticism for role in Kavanaugh documents
September 3, 2018 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Bill Burck is a Republican insider being pushed into the limelight by two of the biggest political dramas in Washington: Robert Mueller's Russia investigation and the Supreme Court nomination of Brett Kavanaugh...
GOP lawyer caught in crossfire on Kavanaugh, Russia probe
September 2, 2018 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Bill Burck is a Republican insider being pushed into the limelight by two of the biggest political dramas in Washington: the Russia investigation of Robert Mueller and the Supreme Court nomination of Brett Kavanaugh...
Doctors worried by soaring costs, critical shortages of EpiPens
September 2, 2018 GMTGREENWICH — U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal is proposing new legislation aimed at combatting overpricing and critical shortages of EpiPens, which are used to reverse life-threatening allergic reactions.
Trump drug czar nominee visits Connecticut after overdoses
August 20, 2018 GMTNew Haven, Connecticut, became what officials called "ground zero" Monday for efforts to shine a light on the dangers of drugs, as President Donald Trump's nominee for drug czar visited a city reeling from more than 100 recent overdoses on synthetic marijuana...
Our D.C. Bureau 3D gunfight down to wire
August 1, 2018 GMTWASHINGTON — In response to a request from Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen and seven other state attorneys general, a federal judge in Seattle issued a temporary restraining order Tuesday blocking online uploading of blueprints for plastic homemade guns.
Blumenthal, Murphy co-sponsor National Lobster Day resolution
July 31, 2018 GMTA resolution co-sponsored by U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, both D-Conn., that designates Sept. 25 as National Lobster Day unanimously was approved by the Senate late Monday night.
Analysis: Dems meet Supreme Court pick with mixed message
July 11, 2018 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Chuck Schumer, the Senate Democratic leader, says it's all about health care. Sen...
hurricane maria Lawmakers seek more aid for Puerto Ricans
July 4, 2018 GMTHARTFORD — Activists and others are imploring the federal government to provide housing assistance for Puerto Rican citizens still living in Connecticut after Hurricane Maria destroyed their homes last fall.
Richard Blumenthal: Trump’s Supreme Court list is of ‘right-wing fringe ideologues’
June 28, 2018 GMTSen. Richard Blumenthal warned on Thursday that Democrats would fight Sen. Mitch McConnell's plan to confirm a Supreme Court nominee before midterms.
"A decision of this historic magnitude requires a lot of deliberate consideration, more than the few months we have before this election," Mr.
Tents in Texas hold hundreds of Central American teenagers
June 22, 2018 GMTEL PASO, Texas (AP) — Three Democratic U.S. senators learned Friday that a holding facility for immigrant children on the Texas border near El Paso appears to be occupied by about 250 teenage boys mostly from Central America...
Blumenthal visits Stamford man granted stay of deportation
June 15, 2018 GMTSTAMFORD — After five hours of dialysis, Nelson Rosales Santos emerged Friday morning to greet and thank U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal for petitioning his stay of deportation.
An undocumented immigrant whose failing kidneys, advocates say, would amount to a “death sentence” if he were sent back to Honduras, Santos said the six-month stay granted by U.S.
Michael J. Daly Annoying, perhaps, but not the enemy
May 28, 2018 GMTIt’s a sign of the strange times we live in that U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. and Bob Menendez, D-N.J., introduced legislation in Washington the other day that would make it a federal crime “to intentionally cause bodily injury to a journalist.”
Senators considering a delay for VA confirmation hearing
April 24, 2018 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Senators were discussing plans to delay the confirmation hearing for President Donald Trump's pick to be Veteran Affairs secretary over growing questions about the nominee's ability to manage the government's second-largest department...
Senators considering a delay for VA confirmation hearing
April 24, 2018 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Senators were discussing plans to delay the confirmation hearing for President Donald Trump's pick to be Veteran Affairs secretary over growing questions about the nominee's ability to manage the government's second-largest department...
Congress must protect the Mueller investigation
March 22, 2018 GMTCongress should pass a bill that insulates Special Counsel Robert Mueller from any attempt by President Donald Trump to fire him. It is the best way to reduce the potential for the constitutional crisis that would follow a firing.
Ganim, Blumenthal ask for help in fight against opioid addiction
March 22, 2018 GMTBRIDGEPORT — Two politicians and a local doctor are calling to the U.S. Justice Department for support in the fight against opioid addiction, including more resources, according to a news release.
This fight includes a lawsuit against opioid manufacturers, which is being pursued by cities and states.