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 and Joe Lieberman today praised the Senate’s final adoption of the fiscal year 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations bill.  Working with Senate colleagues on the appropriations committee, Dodd and Lieberman successfully secured almost $5.3 million for a variety of initiatives aimed at improving health care, education, employment, and the arts in Connecticut.  The bill invests $150 million in education, college affordability, health care, biomedical research, and job training across the country. 

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) today announced federal grants to the Bridgeport Fire Department and the Deep River Ambulance Association totaling $342,200 to improve operations and firefighter safety. These awards were made possible as part of the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) 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.

More than $7 million will help Connecticut’s most vulnerable citizens

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) today announced that he was pleased Connecticut will receive more than $7 million in energy assistance to help eligible low income homeowners and renters meet their home energy costs. The grants were announced today by Secretary of Health and Human Services Mike Leavitt.

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.” 

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) made the following statement in reaction to today’s report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) that ruled against the Air Force in the contract selection case for the Combat Search and Rescue Helicopter (CSAR-X).   

Senators Chris Dodd, (D-CT), and Joe Lieberman, (ID-CT), announced Thursday that Connecticut will receive more than $1.1 million in port security grants from the Infrastructure Protection Program within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). New London will receive $767,438, Bridgeport will receive $285,336 and New Haven will receive $48,500. Connecticut will also receive $728, 231 in Emergency Management Performance Grants (EMPF) as part of the FY2007 Supplemental Appropriations. Furthermore, Connecticut will participate in a $37-million transit security grant program for the New York City metropolitan area