Russian ties? Lawmakers' favorite pro-Moscow groups

Few members of Congress have been as critical of President Donald Trump's Russian ties as has the Connecticut delegation.

Yet Connecticut's two senators and five House members all have their own long-standing ties to pro-Moscow organizations operating in their own state.

loudon170624a

In the wake of President Trump's decision to fire James Comey as FBI director in May, the entire delegation issued statements on the president's Russian connections.

"The need for a special prosecutor is now crystal clear," said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee who has called for a special prosecutor in the past.

Blumenthal stated: "President Trump has catastrophically compromised the FBI's ongoing investigation of his own White House's ties to Russia."

Rep. Jim Himes, D-4th District, who sits on the House Intelligence Committee (which is conducting its own investigation into possible ties with Russia) declared: "I will do everything in my power to ensure that this irresponsible move doesn't end the necessary work law enforcement is conducting to discover the truth about Russia, its interference in our democracy and any and all who might be complicit."

Sen. Chris Murphy joined Blumenthal in calling for a special prosecutor: "No matter the mistakes that Director Comey has made, the timing of his firing clearly suggests that President Trump is trying to influence or upend the FBI's investigation into his campaign's possible collusion with a foreign government."

U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, said the firing of Comey while he was "spearheading" the Russia investigation "does not pass the smell test. ..." He continued: "It is painfully clear that we need an immediate and independent investigation of all aspects relating to Russia's meddling in our election. We need a review that the American people can have faith in."

Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-5th District, said the White House has shown a "corrosive pattern of disinformation and obstruction" over the last four months, which has "impeded the public's ability to determine the full truth" about possible Russian interference.

Rep. John B. Larson, D-1st District, said, "The firing of FBI Director James Comey should renew every American and every member of Congress' call for an independent investigation into Russian involvement."

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3rd District, said the White House must provide "an urgent and thorough explanation" for its decision, given the ongoing FBI investigation into Russian interference: "These events further underscore why I have continued to demand an independent commission with subpoena power in order to get to the bottom of the Russia investigation," she said.

Could your congressman pass an FBI security check? Learn the disturbing truth in Trevor Loudon's documentary "The Enemies Within"

Connections to the Connecticut Communist Party USA

All seven Congress members listed above have direct ties to the pro-Moscow Connecticut Communist Party USA, through one or more of its three main front organizations: The Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans, the New Haven Peace Council, or the New Haven Peoples Center.

The Connecticut Communist Party USA has both huge influence on the Connecticut Democratic Party and extensive and ongoing ties to Moscow. These Moscow connections survived the "collapse of communism" and endure to this day.

Victor Perlo

Connecticut Communist Party USA leaders Art Perlo and Joelle Fishman are the son and daughter-in-law, respectively, of Roosevelt era Soviet spy ring leader Victor Perlo.

Today's Russian connection comes mainly through the work of the New Haven Peace Council, which is the main U.S. affiliate of the former Soviet Union's most influential international front organization, the World Peace Council, which is now run largely by Greek and Cuban Communists, but maintains close links to the Putin-allied Communist Party of the Russian Federation.

Communist Party leader Zyuganov, about to embrace Al Marder.

Two leading Connecticut Communist Party USA supporters, Al Marder and Henry Lowendorf, are active in both the New Haven Peace Council and the World Peace Council. Those activities include a trip to Moscow in 2015, during which Marder addressed a Communist Party rally in downtown Moscow and got a comradely hug from Communist Party leader and Putin ally Gennady Zyuganov.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal

Democrat Richard Blumenthal has long-standing connections to the Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans, including to members Communist Party USA supporter and New Haven Peace Council activist Kevin Lynch, and to Communist Party USA member Win Heimer.

Sen. Blumenthal center, Kevin Lynch right.

Blumenthal and Win Heimer.

Rep. Jim Himes

In 1988, House Intelligence Committee member Rep. Jim Himes submitted his thesis to Harvard University: "The Sandinista Defense Committees and the Transformation of Political Culture in Nicaragua," which praised civilian "secret police units" of the pro-Soviet Sandinista regime.

According to the Communist Party USA publication People's World:

There was much to celebrate at the 89th anniversary of the "Communist Party USA" New Haven, Connecticut, Dec. 7. 2008.

The party and its allies, unionists and friends joined together this year to work diligently to help elect our first African-American president, Barack Obama. Folks pounded the pavement in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to defeat the last standing congressional Republican, Chris Shays. His replacement, newly elected Jim Himes, is vowing to take the people's agenda forward.

Rep. Himes is also a longtime friend of the Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans, including Communist Party supporters Kevin Lynch and Cal Bunnell.

Kevin Lynch, left, Rep. Himes, center right, Cal Bunnell, right.

Sen Chris Murphy

Democrat Chris Murphy was close to an organization partially led by Communist Party USA supporter Henry Lowendorf called "Connecticut Opposes the War" in the early 2000s. He is also very close to Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans, including activists such as Lowendorf, and Communist Party USA leaders Joelle Fishman and Win Heimer.

Henry Lowendorf, left, and Sen. Murphy, Joelle Fishman background.

Rep. Joe Courtney

Rep. Joe Courtney is also very close to Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans, including links to Communist Party USA members Win Heimer, Joelle Fishman and Edie Fishman.

Joe Courtney with Communist Party members Win Heimer left, and Joelle Fishman and Edie Fishman, right.

Rep. Elizabeth Esty

Rep. Elizabeth Esty is allied to Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans and was endorsed by the national Alliance for Retired Americans in 2012 and 2014.

Rep. Esty and Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans.

Rep. John B. Larson

Rep. John B. Larson visited communist Cuba in May 2015, which included a meeting with Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla.

Larson has extensive ties to Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans, including to Communist Party supporter Kevin Lynch, and to Communist Party USA member Win Heimer.

Rep. Larson, center, Kevin Lynch and Win Heimer, right.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro

Back in the 1980s, Rep. Rosa DeLauro led Countdown '87, which pushed to defund the U.S. war against Nicaragua's pro-Soviet government.

DeLauro key-noted the August 2010 kickoff event for Social Security's 75th birthday held at the Communist Party USA-run New Haven People's Center by the Connecticut Alliance for Retired Americans. The meeting was chaired byDeLauro's long-time friend Connecticut Communist Party chairwoman Joelle Fishman.

Rep. DeLauro, Joelle Fishman.

The March 2012 Host Committee, in honor of Connecticut Communist Party veteran Al Marder's 90th Birthday Celebration, held at the New Haven People's Center included DeLauro, several Democratic state reps, Communist Party members Joelle Fishman, Craig Gauthier, Jarvis Tyner, and party supporters Henry Lowendorf and the Rev. Scott Marks.

Rep. DeLauro congratulated comrade Marder in the Congressional Record:

"Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure for me to rise today to join the many friends, family, and community leaders who have gathered to celebrate the outstanding contributions of Alfred L. Marder as he celebrates his 90th birthday. Al is one of our community's most active advocates – dedicating much of his life to fighting for social justice and the improvement of the quality of life for all."

DeLauro visited Communist Cuba in 2007, 2014 (when she met with Cuban Foreign Minister Parilla), 2015 and 2016.

She is one of the House's highest-ranking Democrats. Rep. Jim Himes serves on the House Intelligence Committee. Rep. Joe Courtney serves on the House Armed Services Committee. Sen. Murphy serves on the Foreign Relations Committee, and Sen. Blumenthal serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee.

All of them are within two or three degrees of separation from Russia.

President Trump should turn the tables on these subversive officials and call their bluff. The Democrats have been in bed with Moscow for 50 years now. The "collapse of communism" only made it safer to connect with pro-Moscow groups.

Every one of the Connecticut congressional delegation would, if they were applying for low-level federal jobs, struggle to pass an FBI background check. Fortunately for them, no security checks are required for House or Senate members.

The American voter deserves the truth.

Could your congressman pass an FBI security check? Learn the disturbing truth in Trevor Loudon's documentary "The Enemies Within"