LIEBERMAN: Former Democrat Sen. Joseph Lieberman, now an independent, is on his way out of office. According to Bloomberg, “He’s the only retiring senator with a solid chance to leave a mark on policy this year.”
He proposed two bills that could have an impact: revamping the cash-strapped United States Postal Service and improving the nation’s computer defenses in case of an attack.
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BLUMENTHAL: A Food and Drug Administration reauthorization bill is coming up for debate, and Sen. Richard Blumenthal praise the addition of his proposed legislation into the discussion.
According to a press release from the office, his co-sponsored GAIN Act hopes “to spur development of new drugs to treat increasing cases of bacterial infections resistant to conventional antibiotics.” The measure would fast track the FDA approval process.
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DELAURO: U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-3) joined fellow Democrats in bashing the GOP budget proposed by Wisconsin congressman Paul Ryan. The plan passed the house but will likely be defeated by the Democratic-controlled Senate.
DeLauro said in a statement that taxpayer money needs to be spent in several areas in a budget.
“We need a balanced approach to deficit reduction that does not balance the budget on the backs of the most vulnerable, our seniors and the middle class. As critically, we need a budget that creates jobs and economic growth, by making investments in education, infrastructure, job training and innovative research that boosts the middle class and lays the foundation for our small businesses to thrive.”
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HIMES: A budget plan was soundly defeated in the legislature by a 382-38 margin. U.S. Rep. Jim Himes (CT-4) voted in favor of the plan aimed at reducing the deficit, as did a mix of Republicans and Democrats.
"I was under no illusion that it would pass, but I had expected more votes for it,” he said, according to the Stamford Advocate. “I was particularly disappointed that members had told me on the floor that they supported the plan."
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MURPHY: With the election season coming, U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy (D-5) hopes to transition to the Senate. National Journal looks at some of the key senatorial elections in the coming up.
National Journal wrote, “If Rep. Chris Murphy can emerge from his own primary relatively unscathed, the state's political landscape favors his campaign this year--even if [Linda] McMahon does spend another $50 million.”
“Eye on the Beltway” is a new feature on your local Patch that looks each day at the activities of elected officials in our nation’s capitol from your town and other parts of southwestern Connecticut.
Those officials are:
- Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)
- Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT)
- Rep. Rosa DeLauro (CT-3), a Democrat representing Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Branford, Derby, Durham, East Haven, Guilford, Hamden, Middlefield, Middletown, Milford, Naugatuck, New Haven, North Branford, North Haven, Orange, Prospect, Seymour, Shelton, Stratford, Wallingford, Waterbury, West Haven and Woodbridge.
- Rep. Jim Himes (CT-4), a Democrat representing Bridgeport, Darien, Easton, Fairfield, Greenwich, Monroe, New Canaan, Norwalk, Oxford, Redding, Ridgefield, Shelton (part), Stamford, Trumbull, Weston, Westport and Wilton.
- Rep. Chris Murphy (CT-5), a Democrat representing Avon, Bethel, Bethlehem, Bridgewater, Brookfield, Burlington, Canaan, Canton, Cheshire, Cornwall, Danbury, Farmington, Goshen, Harwinton, Kent, Litchfield, Meriden, Middlebury, Morris, New Britain, New Fairfield, New Milford, Newtown, Norfolk, North Canaan, Plainville, Plymouth, Roxbury, Salisbury, Sharon, Sherman, Simsbury, Southbury, Thomaston, Torrington (part), Warren, Washington, Waterbury (part), Watertown, Wolcott and Woodbury.
