HARTFORD – U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, accompanied by four women service veterans who were first sexually assaulted, then allegedly victimized some more when they tried to pursue claims against their assailants, just held a news conference pushing for an amendment to pending authorization of the military budget that would require outside investigators of such cases. Blumenthal said there are currently not enough senators to meet the 60 needed to push the amendment forward, but he is hopeful. Other senators are having similar news conferences today to push the legislation.