Politics & Government

Connecticut's Politicians Mixed on Debt Ceiling Resolution

Three out of the seven senators and representatives in the state voted against the bill.

After weeks of debate, U.S. legislators approved increasing the nation’s debt ceiling limit, averting a credit rating downgrade for the moment and mandating cost-cutting decisions in the coming months. In Connecticut, the bi-partisan bill received mixed support.

In the House of Representatives vote, which passed 269-161, U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3 was opposed to the bill, along with two of her colleagues in Connecticut.

“I could not support this legislation as I believe it will have a harmful effect on job creation and further weaken the economic security of millions of American families,” DeLauro said in a statement. “The spending cuts specified in this deal will slash critical investments in education, infrastructure and research, among other things."

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In stark contrast with the the “no new taxes” policy largely adopted by Republicans, DeLauro said the deficit could be pared down by taxing corporations and the rich.

"If this majority [Republicans] were at all serious about deficit reduction, they would at least allow for additional revenue by asking the wealthiest Americans and corporate special interests to share in the sacrifice rather than protecting them," she said.

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U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal said he voted for the bill–which passed the Senate 74-26–to avert a credit default “because the economic consequences of default were too dire and devastating to risk.”

In a statement, Blumenthal said the bill was “far from perfect” but the agreement “has made record cuts in spending while protecting benefits that seniors receive through Social Security and Medicare, and preserving veterans’ services and programs.”

Politician Vote Sen. Richard Blumenthal Yes Sen. Joe Lieberman Yes Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2 Yes Rep. Jim Himes, D-4 Yes Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3
No John Larson, D-1 No Christopher Murphy, D-5 No


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