Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) released the following statement today on reports that DriveSol of Watertown, an auto industry supplier that manufactures steering column shafts and employees over 200 people, will be forced to close due to the struggles of the American auto-industry.
 
Last week, Senator Dodd spent weeks negotiating bipartisan legislation with the White House to help stabilize our domestic automobile industry, only to have the legislation blocked by a handful of Republican Senators.
 
“This is sad news for these workers and for Connecticut, but unfortunately it is not surprising. The news of DriveSol’s closing is proof that this is not a Detroit issue or a Washington issue; it is an American issue that will have an impact in Connecticut and across the country.

“In recent weeks, I have talked with local auto dealers and suppliers from our state, union officials and others, and I share their concern that doing nothing will only result in more bad news similar to what we learned today about DriveSol. It’s disappointing that our bipartisan legislation was blocked by a handful of Senators. If that had not occurred these jobs may have been spared. The White House must take action now and use their authority to stabilize the industry and therefore our economy.”

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) announced today that the Waterbury Fire Department has been awarded federal grants totaling $648,000. The funds will go toward improving operations and safety at the facility and for vehicle acquisition. 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 with the aim of better equipping first-responders to protect the health and safety of the public, as well as that of the first-responders themselves. In fiscal year 2008, the AFG program has provided approximately $500 million in nationwide grants.

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) released the following statement today on the recent news that the number of Connecticut households applying for home heating assistance has more than tripled as compared with this time last year.  Last winter, more than 86,000 households in Connecticut received assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), a number which is expected to increase dramatically before the season is over.

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) called on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to immediately investigate the cases of contaminated candy made in China and distributed  in Connecticut over the last few days.  Dodd wrote to FDA Commissioner Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach urging the FDA to take immediate action and ensure that no additional Americans are put at risk. 

Eleven Connecticut cities and towns will receive equipment worth a total of $148,870 to help improve first responder capabilities, Senators Chris Dodd and Joe Lieberman announced today. The equipment will be provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security under the Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program (CEDAP). The initiative provides resources such as communications interoperability equipment, information sharing technology, chemical detection devices, sensors, personal protective equipment, and rescue tools. The CEDAP also provides first responders with training in how to use the equipment, devices, and technology.

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) today announced they secured more than $19.2 billion for the Connecticut defense industry and $106 million for military construction projects in the state.  The funding, which was approved by the Senate today as part of the Defense and the Military Construction/Veterans Affairs Appropriations Acts, will boost Connecticut’s economy and help ensure that soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen - active duty, national guard, and reserve forces, have the resources and support they need to successfully perform their missions. 

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. 

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.

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.