February 4, 2010

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) issued today the following statement on the jobs agenda introduced by Senate Democratic leadership. The Democrats' jobs plan includes short-term and long-term initiatives designed to create jobs and help middle class families recover from the economic downturn.

"This jobs agenda contains a number of innovative, 21st-century job creation strategies that will help put millions of Americans—including thousands of people in Connecticut—back to work in stable, good-paying jobs," said Dodd.

February 4, 2010

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) announced today that he will be introducing a constitutional amendment in the coming days to reverse the Supreme Court's recent decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. The decision overturned 100 years of precedents to come to the unjustified conclusion that corporations deserve the same free speech protections as individual Americans.

February 4, 2010

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) today released the following statement on President Obama's selection of David Fein to be the next U.S. Attorney for the State of Connecticut.

"We applaud the President's decision to nominate David Fein as the next U.S. Attorney for Connecticut. As U.S. Attorney, he will play a critical role in upholding the law and ensuring justice for the people of our state," said Dodd and Lieberman. "After an extensive and thorough process that reviewed many extremely qualified candidates, we recommended four individuals to President Obama, any one of whom would have been an excellent U.S. Attorney. Now that the President has selected David Fein, we will work together to ensure his swift confirmation by the U.S. Senate."

February 4, 2010

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) today announced that first responders in nine Connecticut cities and towns will receive more than $720,000 from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program.

“We owe it to our brave first responders—who put themselves in harm’s way for our own safety—to provide them with the tools, technology and support they need to carry out their jobs safely,” said Dodd. “These vital funds will allow nine fire departments in Connecticut to acquire essential equipment, protective gear, and training that might have otherwise been unattainable for communities facing difficult budget decisions.”

Holds Second Hearing on "Volcker Rule"; Criticizes Obstructionists Who would Kill Reform

February 4, 2010

Today Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT) held his committee's second hearing on recent proposals by the Obama Administration to rein in Wall Street Banks and made the case for urgent action on financial reform.

February 3, 2010

In case you missed it, a network of more than 75 humanitarian organizations this week called for the swift passage of Haitian recovery legislation introduced by Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The legislation, which was introduced last week with Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Richard Lugar (R-IN), focuses on areas important to rebuilding Haiti – debt relief and infrastructure.

Gives Strong Endorsement to "Volcker Rule"

February 2, 2010

Today Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT) held a hearing on recent proposals by the Obama Administration to rein in Wall Street Banks.

February 2, 2010

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) released the following statement today on President Obama's plan to create a new small business lending fund. Last December, Senator Dodd released a comprehensive jobs plan that included a provision to renew the flow of available credit to small businesses.

"Small business owners throughout Connecticut have told me they can't find the credit they need to expand," said Dodd. "That's why I proposed creating a small business lending facility to help connect entrepreneurs with the capital they need to grow and create jobs in our state. The President has made expanding access to credit a top priority, and I look forward to working with him to create new opportunity and prosperity in Connecticut and around the country."

February 2, 2010

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and John McCain (R-AZ) last week introduced the Blind Persons Return to Work Act, a bill that will help ease the transition of blind Americans into the workforce.

"Blind Americans deserve the opportunity to enter or advance in the workplace without their financial security being threatened," said Dodd. "We can encourage blind people to take advantage of their independence without punishing them for working. This bipartisan legislation will protect millions of Americans from the risk of losing needed benefits and increase the productivity of our workforce."

February 1, 2010

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) released the following statement today highlighting several aspects of President Obama's budget that will benefit Connecticut, as well as several national priorities that deserve strong support in Congress.

"We must work to create jobs and provide relief for families struggling to make ends meet, but we also need to hold ourselves accountable and make a concerted effort to shrink the budget deficit we inherited from the last administration," said Dodd. "The President's budget accomplishes these goals by making common sense investments in jobs, education, and support for middle class families, which will propel our country down the road of economic recovery."