Sen. Christopher J. Dodd says he's not interested in running for majority leader in the U.S. Senate. Given the performance by the position's current occupant, maybe Dodd will reconsider.

During Dodd's ill-fated run for the presidency, his support for civil liberties and the rule of law against an out-of-control White House and its corporate backers was viewed by critics as a cynical attempt to rile partisans to his candidacy. Well, he's not running for president anymore, but Dodd has not given up on this fight. He is not going to allow this rampant lawbreaking to continue without a fight.

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) today met with Mayor Eddie Perez of Hartford and Mayor Bill Finch of Bridgeport to discuss priorities for their respective cities in the coming year.  Senator Dodd and the mayors, who were in Washington to attend a meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, discussed the state of the nation’s economy, local economic development, and transit in their discussion.      

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) announced today that more than $200,000 in federal grants was awarded to Connecticut fire departments in the towns of Oakdale, Beacon Falls, and Sandy Hook. The grants were made possible through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program’s Fire Prevention & Safety Grant initiative, administered by the U.S. Fire Administration.

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) today commented on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) regarding the proposed Broadwater Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Storage and Regasification Facility in Long Island Sound.

“I am very concerned about the final environmental report on the Broadwater project released today by the FERC.  It minimizes the potential dangers to the health of Long Island Sound’s fragile ecosystem and does not adequately prove that suggested mitigation measures will be enough to protect the Sound. While I understand the need for increased energy resources in our region, I believe Broadwater is too dangerous and disruptive to the environment and remain opposed to the project.”

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) today announced $677,693 in federal grants to five Connecticut cities and towns for vehicle acquisition and improving operations and firefighter safety. These awards were made possible as part of the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program by the U.S. Fire Administration. In fiscal year 2007, the AFG program will award approximately $490 million to fire and EMS departments across America.

Connecticut Poised to Recieve Approximately $68,000,000 in Domestic Appropriations and $25,500,00o in Military Construction

December 19, 2007

Today, Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (I-CT) announced the passage of the fiscal year 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act.  The legislation will provide approximately $68 million in funding for a variety of important Connecticut initiatives supporting economic development, education, healthcare, housing, public safety, transportation, and military construction.

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) today announced that the final passage of the 2008 Defense Appropriations Conference Report includes substantial funding for Connecticut’s defense industry. The bill, which was signed into law today by President Bush, contains significant additional funds that will increase submarine production to two submarines per year by 2010 – two years earlier than originally planned by the Navy.  This funding will impact thousands of jobs throughout Connecticut, especially in the southeast region of the state.  The bill also includes substantial investments in current defense systems and research and development activities to ensure U.S. soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines are outfitted with the quality resources they need to perform their missions.

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) today announced Senate passage of the 2008 Defense Appropriations Conference Report, which includes substantial funding for Connecticut’s defense industry.  This bill contains significant additional funds that will increase submarine production to two submarines per year by 2010 – two years earlier than originally planned by the Navy.  This funding will impact thousands of jobs throughout Connecticut, especially in the southeast region of the state.  The bill also includes substantial investments in current defense systems and research and development activities to ensure U.S. soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines are outfitted with the quality resources they need to perform their missions

Senators Chris Dodd and Joe Lieberman today praised the Senate’s final adoption of the fiscal year 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations bill.  Working with Senate colleagues on the appropriations committee, Dodd and Lieberman successfully secured almost $5.3 million for a variety of initiatives aimed at improving health care, education, employment, and the arts in Connecticut.  The bill invests $150 million in education, college affordability, health care, biomedical research, and job training across the country. 

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) today announced federal grants to the Bridgeport Fire Department and the Deep River Ambulance Association totaling $342,200 to improve operations and firefighter safety. These awards were made possible as part of the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) by the U.S. Fire Administration. In fiscal year 2007, the AFG program will award approximately $490 million to fire and EMS departments across America.