Remarks as Prepared: We meet today in an unusual and extraordinary moment for our country and this Committee.  We are conducting two hearings consecutively.  The first hearing will be to receive the semi-annual monetary policy report from the Federal Reserve, as previously scheduled.  After the conclusion of that hearing, we will convene a second hearing on recent developments in the U.S. financial markets and regulatory responses to them.  This second hearing was noticed yesterday with the consent of Ranking Member Shelby due to the special and exigent circumstances in our nation’s financial markets.

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) continued his series of “Road to Economic Recovery” events Wednesday at the Long Wharf Mobile in New Haven. Dodd discussed how the rising cost of gas and food are impacting Connecticut families, and his work in Congress to help alleviate some of the pain at the pump.  Dodd was joined by Representative DeLauro from Connecticut's 3rd District and representatives from the Connecticut Motor Transport Association, including Mike Riley, the Association’s President, Anson Mooney, the Vice Chair of the Association.

Senator Chris Dodd accepted the "Fight Crime: Invest in Kids" award Wednesday, from the Connecticut Chiefs of Police for his work on behalf of our nation's children. Dodd accepted the award at the Green Street Arts Center in Middletown. Dodd will also toured the facility and met with staff to learn about their work to provide enrichment activities in all of the arts for area adults, teens, youth and families

Senator Dodd held a press conference at Norwalk City Hall to express his opposition to the FAA proposed airspace redesign. Following the press conference, Dodd attended a town hall meeting to hear from constiuents who would be affected by th FAA's airspace redesign.

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) continued his series of “Road to Economic Recovery” events today at the Atlantic Steel & Processing Company in Waterbury.  Dodd met with the company’s employees and management to hear from them about how they are creating new jobs as many companies are being forced to cut their workforce.  Dodd also toured the facility.

Senator Chris Dodd  held a series of “Road to Economic Recovery” events throughout the state to address the challenges facing Connecticut families. Dodd discussed the impact of home foreclosures in Connecticut at the home of Yolanda and Edwin Cruz in East Windsor, CT. Dodd is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and author of the Housing and Economic Recovery act, bipartisan legislation before the Senate to help Americans keep their homes and bring much-needed reforms to our housing system.

Download the podcast here:

Remarks as Prepared: The Committee will please come to order.  We gather here this morning to examine once again the condition of our nation’s infrastructure and proposals for needed improvements to it.

When the Committee last gathered to examine this critical issue, we considered the perspectives from individuals who held expertise in public and private financing, civil engineering, labor, and business.  They were unanimous in voicing compelling support for increased investment in our nation’s infrastructure and for the need to develop and implement alternative ways to finance this critically important investment in our nation’s future.

Senator Dodd visited the West Haven Veteran's Hospital to meet with Veterans and injured servicemembers and thank them for their service. 

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), a former Peace Corps volunteer and an outspoken advocate for national service programs, today announced he will introduce the AmeriCorps: Together Improving Our Nation (ACTION) Act of 2008. Dodd’s bill would raise AmeriCorps’ Segal Education Award to reflect the rising cost of college, make the award tax-exempt so AmeriCorps Members can apply the full amount of the award to their tuition, and elevate the Corporation for National and Community Service to Cabinet-level status, while empowering the Corporation to partner with other federal agencies.  

D.C. – As part of National Food Allergy Awareness Week, Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Children and Families, today convened a subcommittee hearing to examine the impact of food allergies on children and families.  Senator Dodd authored and introduced the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Management Act, a bill that addresses the critical need for uniform and consistent food allergy policies in our schools while providing them with the resources they need to implement them.