By Shawn Wallace
U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney has said that he’s a House of Commons person. On Monday, the 2nd District congressman said that he never had a “burning desire to be a U.S. senator” and that he prefers the “freewheeling debate” in the House of Representatives, hence he won’t seek the Senate seat that is being vacated by Joe Lieberman in 2012.
Courtney made reference to the British parliamentary process as he explained his decision. Most laws in the U.K. are made in the House of Commons, as the House of Lords members scrutinize legislation and debate policy. “The almost crippling procedures of the (U.S.) Senate have slowed down a lot of progress in this country over the last couple of years,” Courtney said in an interview. “In that respect, I’m more comfortable in the House.”
Courtney announced his future plans after he met with the members of the LaFlamme-Kusek American Legion Post 15 who plan to convert their existing Jewett City building into housing units for homeless veterans. Courtney was there to discuss potential slash in a federal voucher program for homeless veterans.
Two Democrats- U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy, D-5th District, and former Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz have already announced their candidacies for Senate. The possible Republican candidates include former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Linda McMahon, former 2nd District Congressman Rob Simmons and the former Republican gubernatorial rivals Tom Foley and Michael Fedele.
On Monday, Simmons said that he wasn’t surprised by the announcement by his former opponent. He said he expects to make a decision about whether or not will he be seeking the Senate seat himself by the end of March. “I’m giving it thought every day,” he said. Simmons had been defeated by Courtney in the 2006 midterm election.
“There’s certainly a lot of work to be done in the second congressional district,” Simmons said. “With cutbacks to defense, there's concern about submarine procurement, the future of the submarine base, and Route 11 has been languishing. When I initially heard he might be running, that was a surprise to me. I thought, ‘Wow, let's finish up in the second congressional before looking at the Senate.’ So I’m not surprised. I think from his perspective it’s a good decision.”
Dan Kelly, the executive director of the Connecticut Democratic Party, spoke of Courtney that he would have been a “formidable, top-tier candidate” in the race. “I definitely respect his decision and I'm sure the people of Connecticut are thrilled to have him continue on as their congressman in the second congressional district,” Kelly said.
Courtney cited the intense campaign process as the big restraint in running for the Senate. He feels that it would distract from his work in the House, especially with shipbuilding and education issues and an upcoming agricultural bill. He said, ensuring that the Republicans in control of the House do not cut the programs he values “requires constant vigilance.”
