November 15, 2008

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) today responded to the Department of Labor’s (DOL) announcement of new Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) regulations.  Dodd and Clinton are the authors of a provision signed into law last year that allows the family of wounded military personnel to take up to 6 months of unpaid leave, expanding on the 12 weeks of unpaid leave provided by the FMLA. 

May 25, 2008

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

 

January 29, 2008

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) today applauded the enactment of their legislation, the Support for Injured Servicemembers Act, which was signed into law by President Bush late yesterday.   The Dodd-Clinton legislation extends the benefits provided under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) by allowing the families of wounded military personnel to take up to six months of unpaid leave to care for their loved ones during the often lengthy rehabilitation process.  The legislation immediately implements a key recommendation of the Commission on the Care for Wounded Warriors, led by former Senator Bob Dole and former Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala.

January 22, 2008

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) today announced that their legislation, the Support for Injured Servicemembers Act, would again head to the President’s desk for his signature.   The Dodd-Clinton legislation extends the benefits provided under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) by allowing the families of wounded military personnel to take up to six months of unpaid leave to care for their loved ones during the often lengthy rehabilitation process.  The legislation will implement a key recommendation of the Commission on the Care for Wounded Warriors, led by former Senator Bob Dole and former Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala.  This is the second time that Congress has approved the Defense Authorization.  President Bush vetoed the first version.

December 27, 2007

Responding to a growing need of American combat veterans for mental health care, Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) today sent a letter to Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Committee on Veterans Affairs, urging him to consider legislation establishing a moratorium on efforts to close mental health facilities operated by The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  Dodd cited a January 2007 report in which it was found that 73,000 of the 1.4 million troops who had then served in Iraq or Afghanistan had sought mental health treatment.  The report, authored by the Dole-Shalala Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors, found that numerous service members had been exposed to a blast or jolt to the head which may cause Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injury.

 

December 20, 2007

Today, Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Representative John Larson (D-CT) announced the passage of legislation which will provide improved burial benefits to former service members.  The provision, which was attached to the recently passed Blinded Veterans Paired Organ Act of 2007, enables more families of deceased veterans to obtain a grave marker from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA). The legislation was inspired by Hartford-area Army veteran Agostino Guzzo, who passed away in 1998. The VA denied his family’s request for a small official marker that could be placed on his tomb.

Legislation Now Goes to the President’s Desk to Be Signed Into Law

December 14, 2007

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) today announced that the Senate has approved their legislation, The Support for Injured Servicemembers Act, as part of the Department of Defense (DOD) authorization conference report.  Having now been approved by both chambers of Congress, the bill now goes to the President’s desk to be signed into law.  The Dodd-Clinton legislation extends the benefits provided under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) by allowing the families of wounded military personnel to take up to six months of unpaid leave.  The legislation will implement a key recommendation of the Commission on the Care for Wounded Warriors, led by former Senator Bob Dole and former Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala. 

...for Families Of Wounded Soldiers in DOD Conference Report  

December 7, 2007

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) today announced the inclusion of their legislation, "The Support for Injured Servicemembers Act," in the Department of Defense (DOD) authorization conference report.  The Dodd-Clinton amendment extends the benefits provided under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) by allowing the families of wounded military personnel to take up to six months of unpaid leave.  The legislation, which still must be approved by the Senate, will implement a key recommendation of the Commission on the Care for Wounded Warriors, a panel led by former Senator Bob Dole and former Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala.  

November 1, 2007

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) today hailed the passage of their legislation, "The Support for Injured Servicemembers Act," and urged President Bush to sign the legislation into law.  The Dodd-Clinton amendment extends the benefits provided under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) by allowing the families of wounded military personnel to take up to six months of unpaid leave.  The measure, approved today as an amendment to the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) bill, will implement a key recommendation of the Commission on the Care for Wounded Warriors, a panel led by former Senator Bob Dole and former Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala.  A previous CHIP bill was vetoed by President Bush last month.

October 25, 2007

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) today hailed House passage of their amendment, "The Support for Injured Servicemembers Act," which if signed into law will allow the families of wounded military personnel to take up to six months of unpaid leave.  The Dodd-Clinton amendment expands the benefits provided under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which currently allows for up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave annually.  The measure, approved today as part of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) bill, will implement a key recommendation of the Dole-Shalala Commission on the Care for Wounded Warriors.