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.

Today, Senator Dodd praised the Air Force Chief of Staff on the release of a long-term plan which allocates the new Joint Cargo Aircraft to the National Guard base located at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, CT.  The plan, referred to as the Air Force Weapon Systems Roadmap, presents a 25 year outlook on future Air Force weapon and major system development and acquisition and considers locations for basing these new systems.

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  

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.  

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 (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (I-CT) announced today that an additional $588 million for submarine construction has been included in the 2008 Defense Appropriations conference report released by the Appropriations Committee today.  The funding will help to increase Virginia-Class submarine production to two submarines per year by 2010 – two years earlier than originally planned by the Navy.  These new funds, which will be used to begin the procurement of critical materials at the Electric Boat shipyards, will impact thousands of jobs throughout Connecticut, especially in the southeast region of the state.    

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. 

“I am deeply disappointed in the Defense Authorization Act that was passed by the Senate tonight.  Not only does it lack provisions to end this disastrous war, but it fails to provide even the simplest benefit to the families of our returning wounded warriors.  The least we could have done for these families is protect their jobs for six months as they care for their injured loved ones, which is exactly what the amendment I filed a few weeks ago would have done.  Unfortunately, my amendment was not included in the bill that passed tonight.  While I am pleased that the Senate has finally acted to increase funding for some critical national defense initiatives, such as the $470 million provided for the production of an additional submarine per year, I cannot applaud the Senate for passing yet another piece of legislation that takes no steps to end this war and bring our troops home.”

Today Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) explained why he voted against ending debate on the Defense Authorization bill late last night. 

“I voted against ending the debate on the Defense Authorization bill for two simple reasons— First, this bill doesn’t do anything to end the war; and second, it doesn’t provide adequate support for the families of our returning wounded warriors.