The US Senate continues to be gridlocked between its obligation to govern and Republican opposition to the programs of the Executive Branch. Senator Blumenthal will discuss the current issues, what can and cannot be expected to pass this year, his own vision of what Congress should do, and what this means to the citizens of Connecticut.

Senator Blumenthal began his first term in January 2011. He is the ranking Democratic member on the Committee on Veterans Affairs, and serves on three additional committees: Judiciary, Armed Services, and Commerce, Science and Transportation. He has been a very active representative of Connecticut, sponsoring or co-sponsoring dozens of bills.

For example in just the last two weeks of February of this year he was involved with:

• Concerns of the CT fishing industry

• Legislation to fine automakers for violating emissions rules (VW scandal)

• Takata airbag recalls

• The refusal of the Republican majority to hear a SCOTUS candidate

• Amtrak’s completion of the Hartford line

• Recognizing Agent Orange exposure of Navy veterans

• Runaway fuel fees that impact passenger fares

• Combatting tick-born diseases

• Managing prescription opioid excesses

• College debt impacts on students

• Pay TV Video boxes

• Bringing Northeast rail network into the 21st century

• Honoring CT’s submarine century

• Women’s access to reproductive heath care in light of the Zika virus

• Customs Enforcement

Senator Blumenthal served an unprecedented five terms as Connecticut’s attorney general. His impressive educational achievements include Harvard College (B.A.), Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude; Trinity College, Cambridge; and Yale Law School (J.D.).

The Greenwich Retired Men’s Association offers a free program every Wednesday that is open to the public, both men and women; no reservations are required. The social break starts at 10:40 a.m. followed promptly by our speaker at 11 a.m.

Programs are at the First Presbyterian Church, 1 W. Putnam Ave. in Greenwich. For additional information see www.greenwichrma.org or contact info@greenwichrma.org.