Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, announced today that Connecticut will receive more than $25 million for communities who have been affected most by the foreclosure crisis.  The funding is provided through HUD’s Community Development Block Grant Program under The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. 

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Chairman of its Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps, and Narcotics Affairs, released the following statement today on the Government of Ecuador opening a consulate in New Haven, CT. An estimated 50,000 Ecuadorians live in Connecticut.

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT), along with Representatives Christopher Shays (R-CT-4) and Chris Murphy (D-CT-5), today sent a letter to Federal Aviation Administration Acting Administrator Robert Sturgell requesting that the FAA carry out the analyses recommended by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) in its report on the FAA’s proposed airspace redesign.  The Connecticut elected officials also requested that the FAA respond to several shortcomings highlighted in the GAO report and present a detailed airspace redesign implementation plan to Congress that includes a time and cost schedule, risk mitigation plan, transition planning, and monitoring and evaluation plan.

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) announced today that the Allingtown, Bozrah, Clinton, Hamden, North Coventry, and Waterbury Fire Departments have received grants of over $800,000 from the federal government.  The funds will improve operations and safety at all fire departments, specifically in the areas of personal protective equipment, health and safety modifications to stations and facilities, and wellness and fitness training.  The grants were made possible by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program, which provides assistance to first-responder programs nationwide.  In fiscal year 2008, the AFG program has provided approximately $500 million in grants nationwide.

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) announced today that the Hamden Fire Department and Allington Fire District in West Haven have received grants of $30,030 and $23,074, respectively, from the federal government.  The funds will improve operations and safety at both fire departments, specifically in the areas of personal protective equipment, health and safety modifications to stations and facilities, and wellness and fitness training.  The grants were made possible by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program, which provides assistance to first-responder programs nationwide.  In fiscal year 2008, the AFG program has provided approximately $500 million in nationwide grants.

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) today praised Senate Appropriations Committee approval of $241.1 million in federal funding for a variety of Connecticut initiatives.  This funding will be used for, among other services, economic development initiatives, education, health care, and family and community support programs – efforts essential to the wellbeing and continued success of Connecticut.

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 (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.

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) announced today that they were able to secure more than $3.4 million for Connecticut initiatives in the Senate’s fiscal year 2009 Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Bill.  Among other projects funded by Senate appropriators, the bill includes over $1 million for the construction of a new public safety complex in Hartford.      

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