Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Arlen Specter (R-PA) today announced they have filed an amicus brief in support of court challenges to the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) proposed airspace redesign over Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.  On Friday, the Senators submitted the brief to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia for the case of County of Rockland, et. al v. U.S. Department of Transportation. 

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) today praised approval of a provision requiring the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to report back to the Senate after the Government Accountability Office (GAO) releases its review of the FAA’s proposed airspace redesign.  The provision, which was introduced by Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee, would require the FAA Administrator to report the agency’s attempts to address any concerns or recommendations raised in the GAO’s report to the Senate Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Transportation. 

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.

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.      

At the site of one of Connecticut’s largest new investments in infrastructure, Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) discussed the state of roads, bridges, transit systems, publicly-owned housing properties, and water treatment facilities in Connecticut and across the country.  Dodd visited the site of the Stamford Urban Transitway with Mayor Dan Malloy to discuss his bill on investing in our country’s infrastructure.    

As the Senate Commerce Committee today held a hearing on the nomination of Robert Sturgell to be Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) yesterday submitted questions drafted by a coalition of Connecticut municipalities regarding the FAA’s proposed airspace redesign plan that would route flights over southwestern Connecticut.  The questions were attached to a letter sent to Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-HI) and Ranking Member Ted Stevens (R-AK).  Senator Dodd has previously sent letters to former FAA Administrator Marion Blakey expressing strong concerns about the Integrated Airspace Alternative (IAA), but has yet to receive an adequate response from the FAA.  After today’s hearing, Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), a member of the Commerce Committee, announced he would place a hold on Mr. Sturgell’s nomination in part because he is concerned about the regional impact of the IAA. 

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.

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) secured $45 million in authorized spending for Connecticut water resource projects within The Water Resources Development Act of 2007 Conference Report, a bill that the Senate passed last night.  The legislation gives the Army Corps of Engineers authority to undertake essential water resource studies and to construct and modify water resource projects that will help Connecticut communities ensure the safety and cleanliness of their water supplies, restore marine habitats, and improve navigation in working harbors.  The conference report was passed by the House of Representatives last month and will now be sent to the President’s desk for his signature. 

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) today announced the approval of the 2008 Defense Appropriations Bill by a key Senate panel which includes substantial funding for Connecticut’s defense industry.  This bill, which was unanimously approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee, contained 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 impacts 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

“Yesterday’s announcement by the FAA is very disappointing.  The FAA has ignored repeated requests from me and my colleagues for information about how their proposed changes to regional flight patterns would impact the people of our state, and their decision yesterday demonstrates an utter disregard for the quality of life of residents of Connecticut who will be affected by the Integrated Airspace Alternative.  I will continue to work to oppose this proposal.”