Courtney, DeLauro, Himes Re-Elected

Democratic Incumbents Pin Hopes On Key Posts

All four of Connecticut’s U.S. representatives seeking re-election have won their races as Democrats seek their first House majority in eight years.

Reps. Joe Courtney, Rosa DeLauro, Jim Himes and John Larson could help other Democrats win control of the U.S. House of Representatives, giving Connecticut some clout in Washington.

When the new Congress convenes in January, Courtney, DeLauro and Larson may be in line to lead subcommittees that steer federal funding to submarine manufacturing, biomedical research and the state’s web of interstate highways.

Courtney would be in line to lead the Seapower and Projection Forces subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee. It oversees Pentagon money for submarine manufacturing in Groton and Quonset Point, R.I.

“The subcommittee is right at the center of issues central to the shipyard as well as the sub base and all the supply chain,” he said.

Courtney said he’s “reasonably confident” Democrats will take control of the House “with a few votes to spare.”

“I hit 16 towns today in the district,” he said. “People were energized.”

DeLauro, the ranking Democrat on the appropriations subcommittee that funds labor, health, human services and education, said she will seek its leadership post if Democrats win a House majority. First elected in 1990, DeLauro has seniority that puts her in line as one of the so-called “cardinals,” the powerful chairmen and chairwomen of the Appropriations Committee’s

12 subcommittees that play an outsize role allocating the $3.8 trillion federal budget.

DeLauro promises to take on an expansive list of issues dear to Democrats such as the Affordable Care Act, education and equal pay for women. And she would look to fund biomedical research, a growing industry in New Haven and shoreline towns in her district.

“I think Labor-HHS will be in a central position to reinforce priorities, to reverse some of what the Republicans have done,” she said.

Larson would be in line to head the Social Security subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee, a strong perch for the East Hartford Democrat who wants to expand the New Deal-era pension system.

“We couldn’t be more strategically placed if we planned it,” he said.

Himes said he hopes to chair a subcommittee of the House Intelligence Committee. He was cautious Monday about making plans based on the outcome of the election.

“It falls into the category of measuring the drapes,” he said.

Rep. Elizabeth Esty, a Democrat, did not seek re-election in the 5th District. Democrat Jahana Hayes declared victory for Esty’s former seat Tuesday night.

Ronald C. Schurin, an associate professor of political science at the University of Connecticut, said holding subcommittee leadership posts benefits the state. Still, the full committees, House, Senate and president have a say in legislation.

“Chairs play a key role in setting the agenda and making sure Connecticut’s concerns are front and center,” Schurin said. “It’s one piece in a larger puzzle, but it certainly can be advantageous.”

If Democrats take the majority, they will likely use their power to block initiatives of President Donald Trump and investigate his administration. Courtney, a member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, said the committee’s priorities would go through a “sea change.” That would include job training, a critical issue in filling jobs in manufacturing and other industries.

And Democrats could make life difficult for Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, a billionaire who champions charter schools and was confirmed to her cabinet job without one vote from Senate Democrats.

“We’ll have some interesting hearings on some of her antics,” Courtney said.

Himes and Larson see room for cooperation with Trump, particularly on public works. Larson is promoting a highway tunnel to replace an aging viaduct, requiring federal funding. Himes cited the numerous transportation systems crisscrossing his southwest Connecticut district.

“I intend to light a lot of fires on infrastructure,” Himes said. “Apart from the fact that my district lives and dies on the Merritt, the railway, 95, I’m really intrigued the president ran on a platform of major infrastructure.”

Larson said Trump is more interested in cutting deals than hewing to ideology.

“There’s nothing about this guy that doesn’t bode for him that’s transactional,” he said. “Infrastructure, Social Security — he’s going to do what he feels is in Trump’s best interests.”

“I intend to light a

lot of fires on infrastructure. ... Apart from the fact that my district lives and dies on the Merritt, the railway, 95, I’m really intrigued the president ran on a platform of major

infrastructure.”

Jim Himes