Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) today praised Senate Appropriations Committee approval of $241.1 million in federal funding for a variety of Connecticut initiatives.  This funding will be used for, among other services, economic development initiatives, education, health care, and family and community support programs – efforts essential to the wellbeing and continued success of Connecticut.

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) today responded to the announcement by the Department of Defense that the Air Force will hold a new competition to select the manufacturer of the next generation of air refueling tankers.  This decision comes shortly after the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) decision to uphold a protest by the U.S.-based Boeing Corporation that the Air Force improperly awarded the $35 billion contract to Northrop Grumman and European aircraft manufacturer Airbus. 

Senator Chris Dodd  held a series of “Road to Economic Recovery” events throughout the state to address the challenges facing Connecticut families. Dodd discussed the impact of home foreclosures in Connecticut at the home of Yolanda and Edwin Cruz in East Windsor, CT. Dodd is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and author of the Housing and Economic Recovery act, bipartisan legislation before the Senate to help Americans keep their homes and bring much-needed reforms to our housing system.

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.      

Connecticut Senators Chris Dodd and Joe Lieberman today issued the following statements in response to the Government Accountability Office’s decision to uphold Boeing’s protest of a $35 billion Air Force tanker contract:

“This review by the GAO vindicates my initial concerns over the awarding of the air refueling tanker contract,” said Dodd.  “This entire process provides yet another example of this Administration’s refusal to adhere to the law and their own evaluation criteria, to say nothing of their continued failure to support critical defense manufacturing here at home.  Boeing was right to protest the decision, and the GAO is correct to uphold it.  I remain absolutely committed to ensuring that the Air Force conducts the contract competition in accordance with the law, and that our workers at Pratt & Whitney get a fair shake.”

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) announced today that more than $90,000 in federal funds was awarded to the Hartford Fire Department.  The grant was made possible through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program’s Fire Prevention & Safety Grant initiative, administered by the U.S. Fire Administration. In 2007, the AFG program awarded approximately $490 million in grants nationwide to enhance first-responder organizations and to help them effectively provide response equipment, personal protective equipment and vehicles.

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), an avid baseball fan, released the following statement today congratulating Trinity College on their Championship season.  The Trinity Baseball team won the NCAA Division III World Series this afternoon by defeating Johns Hopkins 5 to 4.

“I want to congratulate the players, coaches, students, faculty and all the fans of Trinity College on today's World Series victory,” said Senator Dodd.  “This has truly been a remarkable season.  Congratulations again to the World Series Champion Trinity Bantams."

Senator Chris Dodd released the following statement today on gas prices reaching $4 per gallon in Connecticut.  Dodd is a cosponsor of the Consumer-First Energy Act of 2008, a bill authored by Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) to address the root causes of high gas prices and hold oil companies accountable. Senator Dodd is committed to alleviating the pain at the pump for American consumers and strengthening the nation’s economic, energy and national security. 

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) announced today that the City of Hartford will get a huge boost in the downtown development of the Front Street Project.  The Department of Housing and Urban Development will award a $2 million Brownfields Economic Development Initiative (BEDI) Grant and a $5 million Section 108 Loan for construction and clean up at the Adriaen’s Landing Project site.

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) announced today that $73,902 in federal grants were awarded to the Southington Fire Department. The grant was made possible through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program’s Fire Prevention & Safety Grant (FP&S) initiative, administered by the U.S. Fire Administration. The purpose of these grants is to assist State, regional, national or local organizations to address fire prevention and safety. The primary goal is to reach high-risk target groups including children, seniors and firefighters.