Senator Richard Blumenthal Talks Politics at SHU

Senator shares views about today’s top issues with students and staff

Richard Blumenthal, U.S. senator from Connecticut, recently shared his views on the war in Ukraine, the U.S. economy and more when he joined Sacred Heart University students and staff for the first installment of the Ramos-Rose Political Speaker Series, Pizza & Politics.

Presented by the Commission on Campus Civic Engagement (CCCE), the Ramos-Rose Political Speaker Series is hosted by Alejandro Ramos ’23, student government president, CCCE chair and political science and Spanish major in the College of Arts & Sciences, and Gary Rose, professor of political science. During each live podcast, they welcome local, state and U.S. politicians to discuss ways to engage American youth in today’s political landscape. Students get to enjoy pizza after the discussion and can continue to talk to the special guest, their peers and faculty.

“It was great to be able to sit with the senator and discuss the big issues happening on the world stage. It is imperative for people at the college level to start paying attention to politics,” Ramos said.

Blumenthal, a Democrat who is serving his third term in the U.S. Senate, answered Ramos’ questions about the war in Ukraine and raising the country’s debt ceiling. He explained why he believes the federal government should raise it and discussed why American soldiers must stay out of Ukraine. He said his views are based on what he witnessed when he recently visited the country.

After Ramos’ interview, audience members questioned Blumenthal about the importance of Russian exports, money generated by the arms industry and other matters.

Blumenthal said SHU is a wonderful place to engage with students, and he thanked them for their follow-up questions. “It’s fantastic that you all are so intrigued by foreign affairs and are interested in hearing what I have to say,” he told them.

“It was an amazing experience to host the first installment of the Ramos-Rose Political Speaker Series with Senator Blumenthal,” Ramos said. “I could not have imagined this going better, and I’m looking forward to the rest of our guests.”

Pictured: From left are Professor Gary Rose, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal and Alejandro Ramos.