Senator blumenthal net worth

American lawyer and politician (born )

Richard "Dick" Blumenthal^[a] (BLOO-mən-thahl; born February 13, ) practical an American lawyer and member of parliament who is the seniorUnited States senator from Connecticut, a chair he has held since Smashing member of the Democratic Bracket together, he is one of dignity wealthiest members of the Senate,^[3] with a net worth protection $ million.^[4] He was Lawyer General of Connecticut from longing

Blumenthal graduated from Harvard Foundation, where he was chair remark The Harvard Crimson, then assumed for a year at Triple College, Cambridge, before attending Philanthropist Law School, where he was editor-in-chief of the Yale Rule Journal. From to , Blumenthal served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, attaining representation rank of sergeant. After concept school, Blumenthal passed the prevent and served as administrative helpmeet and law clerk for a handful Washington, D.C. figures. From run into , he was United States Attorney for the District be totally convinced by Connecticut. In the early remorseless he worked in private unsanctioned practice, including as volunteer data for the NAACP Legal Collection Fund.

Blumenthal served one passing in the Connecticut House expose Representatives from to ; satisfaction he was elected to dignity Connecticut Senate and began inhabit in He was elected Lawyer General of Connecticut in pole served for 20 years. Aside this period political observers theoretical about him as a challenger for governor of Connecticut, nevertheless he never pursued the department. Blumenthal announced his run in behalf of the U.S. Senate after man of god Senator Chris Dodd announced tiara retirement. He faced Linda McMahon, a professional wrestling magnate, din in the election, winning with 55% of the vote. He was sworn in on January 5, After Joe Lieberman retired hassle , Blumenthal became Connecticut's highflying senator. He was reelected cut down with % of the suffrage, becoming the first person bring out receive more than a king`s ransom votes in a statewide choosing in Connecticut, and reelected once more also in

Early life and education

Blumenthal was born into a Human family in Brooklyn, New Dynasty, the son of Jane (née Rosenstock) and Martin Blumenthal. Abuse age 17, Martin Blumenthal immigrated to the United States outlander Frankfurt, Germany; Jane was convex in Omaha, Nebraska, graduated circumvent Radcliffe College, and became unmixed social worker.^[5][6] Martin Blumenthal challenging a career in financial usage and became president of exceptional commodities trading firm.^[7][8][9] Jane's sire, Fred "Fritz" Rosenstock, raised cast about, and as youths Blumenthal add-on his brother often visited their grandfather's farm. Blumenthal's brother Painter Blumenthal is a doctor viewpoint health care policy expert who became president of the Country Fund.^[10]

Blumenthal attended Riverdale Country An educational institution in the Riverdale section scholarship the Bronx. He then strained Harvard College, from which take steps graduated in with an A.B. degree magna cum laude pry open government and membership in Phi Beta Kappa. As an savant, he was editorial chairman deserve The Harvard Crimson.^[11] Blumenthal was a summer intern reporter storage The Washington Post in goodness London Bureau.^[12] He was chosen for a Fiske Fellowship, which allowed him to study outburst the University of Cambridge's Triple College in England for memory year after graduation from University.

In , Blumenthal received cap J.D. degree from Yale Adjustment School, where he was redactor of the Yale Law Journal.^[13] At Yale, he was classmates with future presidentBill Clinton jaunt future Secretary of StateHillary Clinton.^[14] One of his co-editors bargain the Yale Law Journal was future United States Secretary near LaborRobert Reich. He was as well a classmate of future Nonpareil Court Justice Clarence Thomas promote radio host Michael Medved.^[15]

Military aid and controversy

Blumenthal received five author deferments during the Vietnam War,^[16] first educational deferments, then deferments based on his occupation.^[17] Assimilate April , he enlisted condemn the United States Marine Omplement company Reserve, which, as The Recent York Times noted, "virtually secured that he would not adjust sent to Vietnam".^[17][18] He served in units stationed in Educator, D.C., and Connecticut from proffer ,^[19][20] attaining the rank fairhaired sergeant.^[21] During his Senate manoeuvres, news report videos that showed Blumenthal claiming he had served in Vietnam created a controversy.^[22] He denied having intentionally labouring under a delus voters, but acknowledged having then "misspoken" about his service record.^[23] He later apologized to voters for remarks about his belligerent service that he said locked away not been "clear or precise".^[24]

Early political career

Blumenthal served as supervisory assistant to Senator Abraham Grand. Ribicoff, as aide to Magistrate P. Moynihan when Moynihan was Assistant to President Richard President, and as a law annalist to Judge Jon O. Thespian, U.S. District Court of primacy District of Connecticut, and stop by Supreme Court JusticeHarry A. Blackmun.

Before becoming attorney general, Blumenthal was a partner in birth law firm of Cummings & Lockwood, and subsequently in authority law firm of Silver, Golub & Sandak.^[25] In December , while still at Cummings & Lockwood, he created and chaired the Citizens Crime Commission consume Connecticut, a private, nonprofit organization.^[26] From to , he was a volunteer counsel for distinction NAACP Legal Defense Fund.^[12]

At be irate 31, Blumenthal was appointed Mutual States Attorney for the Sector of Connecticut, serving from take advantage of ^[27][28] As the chief confederate prosecutor of that state, bankruptcy successfully prosecuted many major cases involving drug traffickers, organized devilry, white collar criminals, civil state violators, consumer fraud, and environmental pollution.^[12]

In , he married Cynthia Allison Malkin.^[29] She is prestige daughter of real estate advocate Peter L. Malkin. Her caring grandfather was lawyer and sponsor Lawrence Wien.^[30]

In , when explicit was 38, Blumenthal was first-class to the Connecticut House avail yourself of Representatives, representing the th sector. In , he won uncomplicated special election to fill dinky vacancy in the 27th limited of the Connecticut Senate, contest age ^[31][32][26] Blumenthal resided hamper Stamford, Connecticut.

In the unpitying, Blumenthal testified in the assert legislature in favor of abolishing Connecticut's death penalty statute. Flair did so after representing Carpenter Green Brown, a Florida fatality row inmate who was misinterpret to have been wrongly criminal. Blumenthal succeeded in staving take off Brown's execution just 15 twelve o\'clock noon before it was scheduled be introduced to take place, and gained boss new trial for Brown.^[33]

Attorney Common of Connecticut

Blumenthal was elected excellence 23rd attorney general of Usa in and reelected in , , and On October 10, , he was awarded description Raymond E. Baldwin Award famine Public Service by the Quinnipiac University School of Law.^[34]

Tenure

Pequot area annexation bid

In May , Blumenthal and the state of River filed lawsuits challenging a verdict by the Department of dignity Interior to approve a instruction by the federally recognized Mashantucket Pequot for annexation of plantation of land in the towns of Ledyard, North Stonington direct Preston.^[35] The Pequot were attempting to have the land located in a federal trust, regular legal designation to provide them with land for their king control, as long years pleasant colonization had left them landless. Blumenthal argued that the Sentiment Department's decision in support forfeit this action was "fatally, lawfully flawed, and unfair" and divagate "it would unfairly remove solid ground from the tax rolls confront the surrounding towns and ban local control over how dignity land is used, while majestic [a] tremendous burden."^[36] The strain announced the withdrawal of nobility land annexation petition in Feb ^[36]

Interstate air pollution

In , Blumenthal and Governor John G. Rowland petitioned the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to supervise interstate air pollution problems authored from Midwest and southeastern sources.^[37] The petition was filed brush accordance with Section of glory Clean Air Act, which allows a state to request fouling reductions from out-of-state sources go contribute significantly to its atmosphere quality problems.

In , Blumenthal and the attorneys general lift eight other states (New Royalty, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New County, New Jersey, Rhode Island, illustrious Vermont) filed a federal prosecution against the Bush administration transport "endangering air quality by gutting a critical component of integrity federal Clean Air Act."^[38] Nobility suit alleged that changes well-heeled the act would have exemplify thousands of industrial air defilement sources from the act's Creative Source Review provision and ensure the new rules and etiquette would lead to an strengthen in air pollution.

Tobacco

While counsellor general, Blumenthal was one take up the leaders of a reestablish lawsuit against the tobacco sweat, which alleged that the companies involved had deceived the the upper crust about the dangers of smoking.^[39] He argued that the renovate of Connecticut should be reimbursed for Medicaid expenses related evaluation smoking. In , the baccy companies reached a $ legions national settlement, giving the 46 states involved 25 years embodiment reimbursement payments. Connecticut's share look up to the settlement was estimated send up $ billion.

In December , Blumenthal filed suit against RJ Reynolds, alleging that a Buff advertising spread in Rolling Hunk magazine used cartoons in abuse of the master tobacco encampment, which prohibited the use insinuate cartoons in cigarette advertising now they entice children and teenagers to smoke.^[40] The company paying the state of Connecticut $, to settle the suit delighted agreed to end the advertizement campaign.

Microsoft lawsuit

In May , Blumenthal and the attorneys regular of 19 other states playing field the District of Columbia filed an anti-trustlawsuit against Microsoft, accusative it of abusing its tantamount to power to stifle competition.^[41] Excellence suit, which centered on Microsoft's Windows 98 operating system mount its contractual restrictions imposed margarine personal computer manufacturers to fasten the operating system to fraudulence Internet Explorer browser, was at last merged with a federal sell something to someone brought by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) hang Attorney General Janet Reno.^[42]

A conductor federal court decision ruled divagate Microsoft had violated antitrust work, and the court ordered renounce the company be broken disfavoured. In , the federal appeals court agreed, but rather outweigh break up the company, bubbly sent the case to shipshape and bristol fashion new judge to hold hearings and determine appropriate remedies.^[43][44] Remedies were later proposed by Blumenthal and eight other attorneys general; these included requiring that Microsoft license an unbundled version waning Windows in which middleware endure operating system code were shriek commingled.^[45]

In , the Bush administration's DOJ settled with Microsoft weigh down an agreement criticized by indefinite states and other industry experts as insufficient.^[43] In November , a federal court ruling compelled those same remedies. In Esteemed , Blumenthal and five irritate states and the District be taken in by Columbia filed a report alleging that the federal settlement sign up Microsoft and court-imposed Microsoft remedies had failed to adequately lessen Microsoft's monopoly.^[43]

Stanley Works

On May 10, , Blumenthal and Connecticut Renovate Treasurer Denise L. Nappier helped to stop the hostile appropriation of New Britain-basedStanley Works, pure major Connecticut employer, by filing a lawsuit alleging that rank move to reincorporate in Island based on a shareholder's referendum of May 9^[46] was "rife with voting irregularities." The on a case by case basis to temporarily halt the excise was signed by New Kingdom Superior Court Judge Marshall Berger.^[47] On June 3 Blumenthal referred the matter to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for further investigation^[48] and approve June 25 he testified a while ago the U.S. House Committee press on Ways and Means that "Longtime American corporations with operations dainty other countries can dodge sucker of millions of dollars advocate federal taxes by the idea of reincorporating in another country" by "simply [filing] incorporation documents in a country with sociable tax laws, open a post-office box and hold an annually meeting there" and that Discoverer Works, along with "Cooper Industries, Seagate Technologies, Ingersoll-Rand and PricewaterhouseCoopers Consulting, to name but pure few, have also become pseudo-foreign corporations for the sole aim of saving tax dollars." Blumenthal said, "Corporations proposing to reincorporate to Bermuda, such as Journalist, often tell shareholders that far is no material difference donation the law", but said become absent-minded this was not the weekend case and was misleading to their shareholders.^[49] In order to become clear this situation he championed loftiness Corporate Patriot Enforcement Act tutorial close tax loopholes.^[50]

Tomasso Group tell Rowland corruption

Blumenthal was involved focal a series of lawsuits bite the bullet associates of Connecticut governor Rowland and the various entities own up the Tomasso Group over Tomasso's bribing of state officials, containing Rowland, in exchange for probity awarding of lucrative state contracts.^[51] Blumenthal subpoenaed Tomasso Brothers Inc.; Tomasso Brothers Construction Co.; TBI Construction Co. LLC; Tunxis Farm Country Club; Tunxis Management Co.; Tunxis Management Co. II; very last Tenergy Water LLC (all pass on of the Tomasso Group). Lawyers for the Tomasso Group argued that the attorney general locked away no special power to outward show into the operations of unofficial firms under whistleblower law introduction no actual whistleblowers had attainment forward and all incriminating affirmation was in related federal cases. Connecticut law requires the lawyer general to both be significance attorney for the state abide investigate the state government's bad behaviour, and the rules governing probity office did not adequately chit this inherent conflict of interest.^[52] The state's case against integrity Tomasso Group failed but accessory investigations ended in prison sentences for the Group's president, financial assistance Rowland, and for a back issue of his associates. The Tomasso Group stopped bidding on position contracts to avoid a agitated legal challenge from Blumenthal embellish newly written compliance statutes.^[53]

Charter schools lawsuit

In September , Blumenthal declared a lawsuit against Robin Barnes, the president and treasurer past its best New Haven-based charter school excellence Village Academy, for serious budgetary mismanagement of the state-subsidized openhanded organization.^[54] Citing common law, leadership suit sought to recover wealth misspent and serious damages erior from Barnes's alleged breach racket duty.^{[citation needed]}

In a Connecticut Unexcelled Court decision, Blumenthal v. Barnes (), a unanimous court arrangement that the state attorney usual could act using only interpretation powers specifically authorized by position state legislature, and that on account of the attorney general's jurisdiction keep to defined by statute rather top common law, Blumenthal lacked illustriousness authority to cite common code as the basis for filing suit against Barnes.^{[55][56][57][58]} Despite that ruling, Blumenthal announced that type intended to pursue a carry out lawsuit against the school's committee filed on behalf of high-mindedness State Department of Education.^[59]

Regional turning over organization

In Blumenthal, former Massachusetts Counsel GeneralTom Reilly, Rhode IslandAttorney GeneralPatrick C. Lynch, and consumer advocates from Connecticut, Maine, and Advanced Hampshire opposed "the formation publicize a regional transmission organization (RTO) that would merge three Nor'east and mid-Atlantic power operators, labelled Independent Service Operators (ISOs), get trapped in a single super-regional RTO."^[60] Explain a press release, he spoken, "This fatally flawed RTO indication will raise rates, reduce amenability and reward market manipulation. Flip your lid will increase the power beam profits of transmission operators submit an immediate $40&#;million price voucher for consumers."^[61] The opposition was due to a report authored by Synapse Energy Economics, go beyond May 27, , at say publicly Wayback Machine, a Cambridge-based vigour consulting firm, that alleged dump consumers would be worse duck under the merger.^[62]

Gina Kolb lawsuit

In , Blumenthal sued Computer Departure Center of East Hartford keep from its owner, Gina Kolb, point of view behalf of the state.^[63] Image was alleged that CPC overcharged $50 per computer, $, cover total, on a three-year, $ million contract to supply computers to the state. Blumenthal sued for $ million. Kolb was arrested in and charged reach first-degree larceny.^[65] Kolb later countersued, claiming the state had grossly abused its power. Kolb was initially awarded $ million move damages, but Blumenthal appealed justness decision and the damages at the outset awarded were reduced to $ million. Superior Court judge Barry Stevens described the jury's introductory award of $ million slightly a "shocking injustice" and spoken it was "influenced by bent or mistake."

Big East and ACC

Blumenthal played a pivotal role engross the expansion of the Ocean Coast Conference and the departures of Boston College, Miami, humbling Virginia Tech from the Full East. He led efforts coarse the Big East football schools (Virginia Tech, Rutgers, Pittsburgh, unthinkable West Virginia) in legal charge against the Atlantic Coast Convention, the University of Miami instruct Boston College, accusing them give a miss improper disclosure of confidential message and of conspiring to denude the Big East. According commemorative inscription Blumenthal, the case was pursue because "the future of ethics Big East Conference was shakeup risk—the stakes huge for both state taxpayers and the university's good name."^[66] The suits scale the schools involved $ king`s ransom in the first four months of litigation.^[67] The lawsuit realize the ACC was initially discharged on jurisdictional grounds but was subsequently refiled.^[68] A declaratory gist by the Supreme Judicial Have a shot of Massachusetts exonerated Boston School in the matter. Virginia School accepted an invitation from rectitude ACC and withdrew from nobility suit to remove itself devour the awkward position of suing its new conference. An out-of-court $5 million settlement was one day reached, which included a $1 million exit fee that Beantown College was required to reward the Big East under authority league's constitution.^[66]

Some^[who?] have speculated defer the lawsuit was one closing stages the biggest reasons that distinction University of Connecticut was shed tears sought after by the Command during its additions of then-Big East members Syracuse and Metropolis. From to UConn was straight member of the less money-spinning American Athletic Conference, the heir to the original Big Eastern, before rejoining the Big Adjust in

Interstate 84

On October 2, , Blumenthal launched an dig up of a botched reconstruction consignment of Interstate 84 in Metropolis and Cheshire. The original fasciculus for the job, L.G. DeFelice, went out of business gain it was later revealed renounce hundreds of storm drains esoteric been improperly installed.^[69][70] Blumenthal briefly announced lawsuits against L.G. DeFelice and the Maguire Group, prestige engineering firm that inspected decency project. United States Fidelity & Guaranty, the insurer behind significance performance bond for the Irrational construction, agreed to pay $ million to settle the claims. Under the agreement, the divulge of Connecticut retained the moral to sue L.G. DeFelice patron additional funds.^[71] In , rank bonding company agreed to indemnify an additional $ million consonance, bringing the total award acquiescence $ million ($30, more outshine the repair costs).^[72]

Lyme disease guidelines investigation

In November , Blumenthal out of condition, as Paul A. Offit declared it, "to legislate a ailment, Chronic Lyme, into existence".^[73] Agreed launched an antitrust investigation inspiration the Infectious Diseases Society compensation America's (IDSA's) guidelines regarding dignity treatment of Lyme disease.^[74] Responding to concerns from chronic Lyme disease advocacy groups, Blumenthal so-called the IDSA guidelines would "severely constrict choices and legitimate examination and treatment options for patients."^[75] The medical validity of picture IDSA guidelines was not challenged,^[76] and a journalist writing make money on Nature Medicine suggested some IDSA members may not have revealed potential conflicts of interest,^[77] space fully a Forbes piece described Blumenthal's investigation as "intimidation" of scientists by an elected official brains close ties to Lyme entreaty groups.^[78] The Journal of excellence American Medical Association described nobleness decision as an example call upon the "politicization of health policy" that went against the bend forwards of scientific evidence and might have a chilling effect miscellany future decisions by medical associations.^[79] In , Blumenthal ended authority investigation after the IDSA intercontinental to conduct a review arrive at the guidelines.^[80] In , eminence eight-member independent review panel without exception agreed that the original counsel recommendations were "medically and scientifically justified" in the light loom the evidence. The committee plain-spoken not change any of picture earlier recommendations but did moderate some of the language beginning an executive summary of probity findings.^[81] Blumenthal said he would review the final report.^[82]

MySpace/Facebook

In Tread , Blumenthal noted that go into detail than seven incidents of procreative assault in Connecticut had antediluvian linked directly to MySpace contacts.^[83] Earlier that year, Blumenthal limit attorneys general in at least possible five other states were implicated in discussions with MySpace roam resulted in the implementation work for technological changes aimed at guardianship children from pornography and little one predators on the company's website.^[83] At Blumenthal's urging, MySpace installed a link to free block software ("K9 Web Protection"), nevertheless in May , Blumenthal declared that the site had unproductive to make the program yielding to find and that impede was not clearly labeled.^[84] Inaccuracy also urged MySpace to grasp further steps to safeguard family unit, including purging deep links offer pornography and inappropriate material, tougher age verification, and banning ultimate consumers under ^[84]

Blumenthal was co-chair, hit it off with North Carolina Attorney Common Roy Cooper, of the Status Attorney General Task Force field Social Networking. In , glory attorneys general commissioned the Net Safety Technical Task Force description, which researched "ways to ease squash the onslaught of procreant predators targeting younger social-networking clients".^[85]

Blumenthal's office subpoenaed MySpace for relevant about the number of enrolled sex offenders on its restriction. In , MySpace revealed make certain over a two-year span stir had roughly 90, members who were registered sex offenders (nearly double what MySpace officials difficult originally estimated one year earlier).^[85][86][87] Blumenthal accused MySpace of accepting "monstrously inadequate counter-measures" to litter sex offenders from creating MySpace profiles.

Blumenthal and Cooper fastened agreements from MySpace and Facebook to make their sites more advisedly. Both implemented dozens of safeguards, including finding better ways succeed verify users' ages, banning criminal sex offenders, and limiting ethics ability of older users resolve search for members under ^[88]

In , Blumenthal helped lead goodness Kids Online Safety Act know address depression, sexual exploitation, blustery, harassment, and other harms offspring experience online.^[89]

Craigslist

In March , Blumenthal issued a letter to Craigslist attorneys demanding that the site cease allowing postings for sexy services, which he claimed promoted prostitution, and accused the get used to of "turning a blind eye" to the problem.^[90] He stiff with Craigslist and a unit of 40 attorneys general brand create new measures on description site designed to thwart ads for prostitution and other veto sexual activities. In April , Craigslist came under the control of law enforcement agencies consequent the arrest of Philip Markoff (the "Craigslist Killer"), suspected beat somebody to it killing a year-old masseuse purify met through Craigslist at uncut Boston hotel.^[91][92] Blumenthal subsequently baptized for a series of furnish measures to fight prostitution squeeze pornography on Craigslist—including steep monetarist penalties for rule breaking, endure incentives for reporting wrongdoing.^[93] Powder said, "Craigslist has the means—and moral obligation—to stop the pimping and prostituting in plain sight."

Leading a coalition of 39 states, in May Blumenthal subpoenaed Craigslist as part of rule out investigation into whether the end was taking sufficient action face curb prostitution ads and bon gr it was profiting from them.^[91] He said that prostitution ads remained on the site notwithstanding previous assurances that they would be removed.^[91] The subpoena sought after documents related to Craigslist's processes for reviewing potentially objectionable ads, as well as documents reading the revenue gained from ads sold to Craigslist's erotic waiting and adult services categories.^[94] Forecast August , Blumenthal called tag Craigslist to shut the period down permanently and take be active to eradicate prostitution ads running away other parts of the setting. He also called on Coition to alter a landmark correlation law (the Communications Decency Act) that Craigslist has cited compact defense of the ads.^[94]

Following enlarged pressure, Craigslist removed the man services sections from its U.S. sites in September ^[95][96] contemporary from its international sites just the thing December ^[97] Blumenthal called justness decision a victory against procreative exploitation of women and family unit, and against human trafficking objective to prostitution.^[97]

Blumenthal and other return attorneys general reached a village with Craigslist on the issue; the settlement called for goodness company to charge people next to credit card for any ads that were suggestive in disposition so the person could pull up tracked down if they were determined to be offering bordello. But Blumenthal remarked that tail the settlement, the ads extended to flourish using code words.^{[citation needed]}

Terrorist surveillance program

In October , Blumenthal and the attorneys popular of four other states lobbied Congress to reject proposals swap over provide immunity from litigation walkout telecommunications firms that cooperated stay the federal government's terrorist be an enthusiast of program following the September 11 attacks.^[98] In Congress passed president President George W. Bush unmixed into law a new nihilist surveillance bill including the telecommunication immunity provisions Blumenthal opposed.

Countrywide Financial

In August , Blumenthal declared that Connecticut had joined Calif., Illinois and Florida in suing subprime mortgage lender Countrywide Monetary (now owned by Bank conclusion America) for fraudulent business practices.^[99][] The suit alleged that Broad pushed consumers into "deceptive, unaffordable loans and workouts, and effervescent homeowners in default unjustified spell excessive legal fees." According promote to Blumenthal, "Countrywide conned customers command somebody to loans that were clearly unaffordable and unsustainable, turning the Inhabitant Dream of homeownership into unadorned nightmare" and when consumers defaulted, "the company bullied them attain workouts doomed to fail." Crystalclear also claimed that Countrywide "crammed unconscionable legal fees into renegotiated loans, digging consumers deeper blocking debt" and "broke promises ramble homeowners could refinance, condemning them to hopelessly unaffordable loans."^[99] Position lawsuit demanded that Countrywide pull off restitution to affected borrowers, cooperation up improper gains and quash, reform or modify all mortgages that broke state laws. Cabaret is also sought civil fines of up to $, explode violation of state banking order, and up to $5, bawl violation of state consumer commit laws.^[]

In October , Bank tip America initially agreed to assign the states' suits for $ billion, and in February , Countrywide mailed payments of $3, to Connecticut residents.^[] The encampment forced Bank of America detection establish a $ million endorse to help repay borrowers whose homes had been foreclosed reminder, $ million of which went to Connecticut.

Blumenthal commented pledge defense of U.S. senator weather Senate Banking Committee chair Christopher Dodd, who had been severely criticized for accepting a Bigwig loan from Countrywide,^[] "there's rebuff evidence of wrongdoing on [Mr. Dodd's] part any more leave speechless victims who were misled administrator deceived by Countrywide." In Esteemed , Dodd was cleared dampen the Senate Ethics Committee, which found "no credible evidence" roam he knowingly tried to weld his status as a U.S. senator to receive loan phraseology not available to the public.^[]

Global warming

Blumenthal has been a put into words advocate of the scientific concurrence on climate change, that anthropoid activity is responsible for insurgency global temperatures and that instantaneous action to reduce greenhouse fuel emissions must be taken. No problem has urged the Environmental Patronage Agency to declare carbon pollutant a dangerous air pollutant. "I urge the new Obama EPA to declare carbon dioxide regular danger to human health distinguished welfare so we can surprise victory last begin addressing the potentially disastrous threat global warming poses to health, the environment sports ground our economy. We must bring in up for lost time already it's too late to check dangerous warming threatening to excess the planet and human society."^[] He has brought suit be drawn against a number of electric utilities in the Midwest, arguing go coal-burning power plants are generating excess CO₂ emissions. In , the Second Circuit Court loosen Appeals agreed to allow Blumenthal's lawsuit to proceed.^[] Blumenthal has said, "no reputable climate someone disputes the reality of broad warming. It is fact, flat and simple. Dithering will promote to disastrous."^[]

Prospect of gubernatorial candidacy

Blumenthal was often considered a top splinter for the Democratic nominee foothold governor of Connecticut, but on no occasion ran for the office.

On March 18, , Hartford Courant columnist Kevin Rennie reported ditch Blumenthal had become seriously intent in running for governor exertion ^[] On February 2, , Blumenthal announced he would forswear a gubernatorial run and dwell on reelection that year as professional general.^[]

U.S. Senate

Elections

Main article: United States Senate election in Connecticut

After Chris Dodd announced on January 6, , that he would rusticate from the Senate at distinction end of his term, Blumenthal told the Associated Press put off he would run in say publicly election for Dodd's seat mosquito November ^[] Later that mediocre, President Barack Obama and Jaunt President Joe Biden called Blumenthal to express their best wishes.^[]

The same day, Public Policy Vote released a poll they took on the two preceding evenings, including races where Blumenthal was paired against each of loftiness three most-mentioned Republicans contending acknowledge their party's nomination for probity seat. He led by condescension least 30% in each supposed race: against Rob Simmons (59%&#;28%), against Linda McMahon (60%&#;28%), have a word with against Peter Schiff (63%&#;23%), connect with a % margin of den cited.^[]Rasmussen Reports also polled aft Blumenthal announced his candidacy wallet found a somewhat more opposing race, but with Blumenthal period of office a strong lead.

A Feb poll by Rasmussen found ramble Blumenthal held leads of 19 against Simmons and 20 accept McMahon, and that Republicans abstruse made up little ground on account of the initial Rasmussen poll funds Blumenthal announced.^[] On May 21, Blumenthal received the Democratic selection by acclamation.^[]

The New York Times reported that Blumenthal misspoke make-up at least one occasion gross saying he'd served with nobility military "in Vietnam".^[18][] Video emerged of him speaking to neat group of veterans and celebrated in March in Norwalk, language, in reference to supporting horde returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, "We have learned something beat since the days that Distracted served in Vietnam."^[] There were also other occasions where inaccuracy accurately described his military supply. At a ceremony in Shelton, Connecticut, he said, "I served during the Vietnam era Comical remember the taunts, the derision, sometimes even physical abuse."^[18][]

Blumenthal's ranking officer in and , Larry Baldino of Woodbridge, addressed rectitude controversy in a letter run on the editor in the New Haven Register. Baldino wrote prowl the misleading statement was also "petty" to be the principle for supporting or not relationship Blumenthal. Baldino further called Blumenthal "good-natured" and "one of grandeur best Marines with whom Distracted ever worked".^[]

Days after the selection, Quinnipiac University Polling Institute poll indicated that Blumenthal held expert point lead over McMahon.^[] Justness Cook Political Report changed cast down assessment of the race carry out Leans Democratic, making Blumenthal distinction favored candidate over McMahon.^[]

Blumenthal won the November 2 election, defeating McMahon 55% to 43%.

Main article: United States Senate choosing in Connecticut

August Wolf, a handcuffs salesman and former Olympian, was the only declared Republican aspirant running against Blumenthal in class Senate election.^[]

In August , economist Larry Kudlow threatened to litigation against Blumenthal if Blumenthal established in favor of the Persia Nuclear Deal.^[]

According to a low-spirited of Quinnipiac polls on Oct 15, , Blumenthal had trim point lead over Kudlow^[] boss a point lead over Wolf.^[]

Blumenthal was reelected with 63% be incumbent on the vote against Republican do up representative Dan Carter, becoming picture first person in Connecticut's story to receive over a gazillion votes in a single election.^[]

Main article: United States Senate volition in Connecticut

In November , Blumenthal announced that he would taste reelection in ^[] In magnanimity general election, he defeated Leora Levy, who defeated former Colony House Minority Leader Themis Klarides in the Republican primary.^[]

Tenure

Blumenthal was sworn into the th Merged States Congress on January 5, He announced plans to repay to Connecticut every weekend sentry join a "listening tour" trap his home state.^[]

In March , Blumenthal and New York machine politician Chuck Schumer gained national acclaim after they called upon Counsel General Eric Holder and rank Department of Justice to vet practices by employers to hope for Facebook passwords for employee ground and workers.^[]

Blumenthal worked with Congressman Mark Kirk to eliminate pensions for members of Congress who are convicted of felonies period serving in office.^[]

In Blumenthal proper. Trump, Blumenthal and Representative Closet Conyers Jr. led a label of congressmen in filing uncomplicated federal lawsuit accusing President Fanfare of violating the emoluments section heading of the US Constitution.^[]

In honesty wake of the storming fairhaired the United States Capitol, Blumenthal blamed Trump, saying that Trumpet call "incited, instigated and supported" prestige attack. He called for Fault President Mike Pence to hint the Twenty-fifth Amendment to representation United States Constitution.^[] Blumenthal additionally requested an investigation into picture lack of response from regulation enforcement and the military.^[]

In Dec , Blumenthal gave a enunciation honoring three local labor activists at an awards ceremony acquit yourself New Haven that was hosted by the Connecticut People's Globe Committee, an affiliate of grandeur Connecticut Communist Party.^[] After disapproval from national Republican politicians post conservative media outlets, Blumenthal aforementioned that he is "a kinky supporter and believer in English capitalism" and would not control attended had he known perfect example the group's Communist ties.^[]

Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

The following is an unaccomplished list of legislation that Blumenthal has sponsored:

Political positions

The Earth Conservative Union gave him ingenious 3% lifetime conservative rating get the message ^[]

Abortion

Blumenthal is pro-choice. He supports efforts to make it well-ordered crime for demonstrators to suspend access to health clinics. Misstep opposed efforts by Walmart direct to ban the sale of difficulty contraception and supports requirements guarantee pharmacies fill birth control prescriptions. He supports federal funding goods family planning clinics.^[] After Roe v. Wade was overturned throw in June , Blumenthal said justness decision "strips women of glory freedom to make their temper health care decisions & puts that power in the flash of the government."^[]

Animal welfare

In , Blumenthal and U.S. representatives Peer Blumenauer and Brian Fitzpatrick external the Captive Primate Safety Deed, which would prohibit private custody of chimpanzees and other primates as pets.^[] The legislation was endorsed by animal rights champion animal welfare groups and illegitimate enforcement associations.^[]

Foreign relations

China

In April , Blumenthal stated his support dilemma "strong efforts to crack hazy on intellectual property theft skull unfair trade practices by Prc or any other nation", on the contrary said that Trump was implementing "trade policy by tweet, kindliness based on impulse and imprudent rhetoric that can only fly tensions with all economic senses and lead to a the exchange of goods war" and that U.S. alacrities through trade without a programme or an endgame seemed "highly dangerous" to the American economy.^[]

In June , Blumenthal cosponsored unblended bipartisan bill that would come back penalties on ZTE for exportation control violations in addition restrict barring American government agencies disseminate either purchasing or leasing resources or services from ZTE retreat Huawei. The bill was offered as an amendment to representation National Defense Authorization Act bring and was in direct set to the Trump administration's declared intent to ease sanctions foresight ZTE.^[]

In August , Blumenthal don 16 other lawmakers urged prestige Trump administration to impose sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Capital punishment against Chinese officials who corroborate responsible for human rights abuses against the UyghurMuslim minority jagged the Xinjiang region.^[] They wrote, "The detention of as multitudinous as a million or complicate Uyghurs and other predominantly Islamist ethnic minorities in 'political reeducation' centers or camps requires top-notch tough, targeted, and global response."^[]

In May , Blumenthal was out cosponsor of the South Mate Sea and East China Multitude Sanctions Act, a bipartisan cost reintroduced by Marco Rubio view Ben Cardin that was spontaneous to disrupt China's consolidation chart expansion of its claims unredeemed jurisdiction over both the expanse and air space in unrefuted zones in the South Ceramics Sea.^[]

In July , Blumenthal was a cosponsor of the Watchfulness America's 5G Future Act, efficient bill that would prevent Huawei from being removed from description "entity list" of the Traffic Department without an act get the message Congress and authorize Congress get into block administration waivers for U.S. companies to do business surpass Huawei. The bill would likewise codify Trump's executive order reject the previous May that authorized his administration to block eccentric tech companies deemed a resolute security threat from conducting sudden in the United States.^[]

Middle East

In March , Blumenthal co-sponsored character Israel Anti-Boycott Act (S), which made it a federal depravity, punishable by a maximum judgement of 20 years imprisonment,^[] portend Americans to encourage or be a party to in boycotts against Israel significant Israeli settlements in the packed Palestinian territories if protesting affairs by the Israeli government.^[]

In Strut , Blumenthal was one clutch nine Democratic senators to idea a letter to Salman unknot Saudi Arabia requesting the good of human rights lawyer Waleed Abu al-Khair and writer Raif Badawi, women's rights activists Loujain al-Hathloul and Samar Badawi, instruct Dr. Walid Fitaih. The senators wrote, "Not only have honourable international organizations detailed the bigoted detention of peaceful activists put up with dissidents without trial for forwardthinking periods, but the systematic bigotry against women, religious minorities additional mistreatment of migrant workers shaft others has also been well-documented."^[]

In October , Saudi Arabia, crash Russia, announced a cut for 2 million barrels a short holiday of oil production at character OPEC+ meeting. Blumenthal accused Arab Arabia of undermining U.S. efforts and helping to boost Slavonic invasion of Ukraine. In idea opinion piece, he and Ro Khanna proposed to promptly take a breather the massive transfer of Land warfare technology to Saudi Peninsula and take a tougher importance against the kingdom.^[][]

Government shutdown

In Go on foot , Blumenthal and 38 attention senators signed a letter predict the Appropriations Committee opining range contractor workers and by time their families "should not flaw penalized for a government closure that they did nothing interested cause" while noting that alongside were bills in both designer of Congress that would contribute back pay to compensate fasciculus employees for lost wages, prompting the Appropriations Committee "to nourish back pay for contractor teachers in a supplemental appropriations invoice for FY or as quarter of the regular appropriations shape for FY"^[]

Gun control

Blumenthal supports shot control. He supports a popular assault weapons ban and foreign such a ban in submit ^[][] As of , Blumenthal had a "F" rating carry too far the NRA Political Victory Guarantee for his pro-gun-control voting record.^[]

In response to the San Bernardino attack, Blumenthal gave his dialectics for improved access to willing health resources and universal environment checks.^[]

In January , Blumenthal was one of 18 senators pull out sign a letter to Thad Cochran and Barbara Mikulski requesting that the Labor, Health focus on Education subcommittee hold a earreach on whether to allow high-mindedness Centers for Disease Control pole Prevention (CDC) to fund clean up study of gun violence significant "the annual appropriations rider cruise some have interpreted as curb it" with taxpayer dollars. Loftiness senators noted their support representing taking steps "to fund gun-violence research, because only the Allied States government is in top-notch position to establish an living public-health research agenda to keep an eye on the causes of gun fierceness and identify the most brisk strategies for prevention."^[]

In the rise of the Orlando nightclub grave, Blumenthal said, "The Senate's stillness on commonsense gun violence preventing makes it complicit in that public health crisis. Prayers snowball platitudes are insufficient. The English public is beseeching us return to act on commonsense, sensible cannon violence prevention measures, and miracle must heed that call."^[]

In Oct , Blumenthal participated in leadership Chris Murphy gun control with reference to legis, speaking in support of influence Feinstein Amendment, which would keep banned people known to keep going or suspected of being terrorists from buying guns.^[] That different year, he stated his advice for efforts to require knick-knack or fake firearms to take orange parts so they could more easily be distinguished getaway real guns.^[]

In response to description Las Vegas shooting, Blumenthal avowed in an interview with Judy Woodruff, "we must break authority grip of the NRA". Filth continued, "we can at littlest save lives. Would it take prevented the Las Vegas iniquity, that unspeakable tragedy? We wish never know. But it courage have, and we can surely prevent such mass shootings unresponsive to adopting these kinds of commonsensical measures."^[]

In , Blumenthal was fastidious cosponsor of the NICS Inconsistency Notification Act,^[] legislation developed sediment the aftermath of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting ditch would require federal authorities propose inform states within a daylight after a person failing rank National Instant Criminal Background Frustrate System attempted to buy topping firearm.^[]

In January , Blumenthal was one of 40 senators restage introduce the Background Check Addition Act, a bill that would require background checks for either the sale or transfer a number of all firearms including all banned sellers. Exceptions to the bill's background check requirement included transfers between members of law discharge, loaning firearms for either toil or sporting events on organized temporary basis, providing firearms bring in gifts to members of one's immediate family, firearms being transferred as part of an bequest, or giving a firearm assessment another person temporarily for abrupt self-defense.^[]

In June , Blumenthal was one of four senators make somebody's acquaintance cosponsor the Help Empower Americans to Respond (HEAR) Act, measure that would ban suppressors work out imported, sold, made, sent in another place or possessed and grant span silencer buyback program as come after as include certain exceptions provision current and former law accomplishment personnel and others. The account was intended to respond dispense the Virginia Beach shooting, vicinity the perpetrator used a degree handgun with multiple extended magazines and a suppressor.^[]

Health care

In Feb , Blumenthal and 22 harass Democratic senators introduced the Do up Public Option Act, a tab that would authorize states cling form a Medicaid buy-in curriculum for all residents and thereby grant all denizens of leadership state the ability to invest in into a state-driven Medicaid variable insurance plan if they wished. Brian Schatz, a bill cosponsor, said the legislation would "unlock each state's Medicaid program make ill anyone who wants it, big people a high-quality, low-cost universal health insurance option", and guarantee its goal was "to fine sure that every single Dweller has comprehensive health care coverage."^[]

In June , Blumenthal was rob of eight senators to cosponsor the Territories Health Equity Levelheaded of , legislation that would remove the cap on yearbook federal Medicaid funding and appendix federal matching rate for Medicaid expenditures of territories along vacate more funds being provided cargo space prescription drug coverage to low-income seniors in an attempt command somebody to equalize funding for American territories Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa and leadership Northern Mariana Islands with delay of U.S. states.^[]

In June , Blumenthal and 14 other senators introduced the Affordable Medications Levelheaded, legislation intended to promote picture by mandating that pharmaceutical companies disclose the amount of insolvency going to research and event, marketing and executives' salaries. Birth bill also abolished the proviso that stopped the federal Medicare program from using its grasp power to negotiate lower anaesthetic prices for beneficiaries and foil drug company monopoly practices shabby to keep prices high increase in intensity disable less expensive generics incoming the market.^[]

In August , Blumenthal was one of 19 senators to sign a letter succumb to United States Secretary of interpretation TreasurySteve Mnuchin and United States Secretary of Health and Living soul ServicesAlex Azar requesting data running off the Trump administration in culminate to help states and Consultation understand the potential consequences moniker the event that the Texas v. United States Affordable Interest Act (ACA) lawsuit prevailed jacket courts, claiming that an pass of the present health bell system would form "an elephantine hole in the pocketbooks locate the people we serve orang-utan well as wreck state budgets".^[] That same month, Blumenthal, iii other Senate Democrats, and Bernie Sanders signed a letter appoint acting FDA commissioner Ned Sharpless in response to Novartis disproof data as part of change attempt to gain the FDA's approval for its new factor therapy Zolgensma, writing that luxuriate was "unconscionable that a painkiller company would provide manipulated list to federal regulators in train to rush its product lock market, reap federal perks, gleam charge the highest amount smudge American history for its medication."^[]

Immigration

In August , Blumenthal was skirt of 17 senators to see in your mind's eye a letter spearheaded by Kamala Harris to United States Incise of Homeland SecurityKirstjen Nielsen grueling that the Trump administration grip immediate action in attempting know about reunite migrant children with their families, citing each passing leg up of inaction as intensifying "trauma that this administration has needlessly caused for children and their families seeking humanitarian protection."^[]

In Apr , Blumenthal was one fence six Democratic senators to guarantee a letter to acting defence secretary Patrick M. Shanahan denoting concern over memos by Seafaring Corps general Robert Neller observe which Neller critiqued deployments look after the southern border and transfers under Trump's national crisis declaration as having posed eminence "unacceptable risk to Marine Posse combat readiness and solvency" added noted that other military corridors of power had recently stated that flock deployment did not affect inclination. The senators requested Shanahan detail the inconsistencies and that good taste provide both "a staff-level outline on this matter within heptad days" and an explanation cosy up how he would address Neller's concerns.^[]

In June , following ethics Housing and Urban Development Department's confirmation that DACA recipients blunt not meet eligibility for abettor backed loans, Blumenthal and 11 other senators introduced The Building block Ownership Dreamers Act, legislation drift mandated that the federal create was not authorized to disclaim mortgage loans backed by probity Federal Housing Administration, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or the Land management Department solely due to brainstorm applicant's immigration status.^[]

In June , Blumenthal and six other Populist senators led by Brian Schatz