Following an afternoon of Republican criticism of the governor's pandemic-related emergency powers, the Connecticut House voted 80-60 (11 not voting) to extend those powers.
The House met in special session. The State Senate will meet on Tuesday morning to consider the same measure.
Republicans slammed the move, which was expected to pass the Democratic-held House, on several fronts.
"Two years of whatever the governor deems appropriate," said Rep. Tom Delnicki (R/South Windsor), on the fact that the latest extension will bring the states of emergency to Feb. 15, 2022. That's twenty-three months after they were established. "Two years where we do not have a full accounting and a full ability to determine what is going on here."
Gov. Ned Lamont has said his emergency powers allow him to quickly implement measures necessary to mitigate the ongoing global pandemic.
"I think (the governor's) administration of the illness and his executive orders," said Rep. Steve Meskers (D/Greenwich), "have been incredibly skillful and I'm thankful to have him as our governor."
