“Today's interest rate cut is a welcome step to the extent that it facilitates the unlocking of our credit markets so that businesses can continue to operate and American families are able to afford homes, cars and to send their children to college.  Recent rate cuts, including today's, also underscore Chairman Bernanke's foresight in rejecting calls by other Federal Reserve Governors to raise interest rates several months ago.

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, announced that the Committee will hold a hearing on Thursday entitled “Turmoil in the U.S. Credit Markets: Examining Recent Regulatory Responses.” Tomorrow’s hearing will focus on the federal regulators’ role in the economic crisis and solutions to restore stability and soundness to our financial markets.

CHESHIRE - U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd (D-Conn) fielded questions from more than 120 high school juniors and seniors Tuesday and defended his support of the $700 billion bailout - or what he called a "workout."

"The idea isn't so much to have a bailout as a workout," Dodd said.

The heightened scramble to procure and pay off student loans at Southern Connecticut State University has barely fazed nearby Yale, Democratic Sen. Christopher Dodd of Connecticut said Tuesday.

Students at SCSU, like millions across the country, are concerned about the availability of student loans as the nation’s credit market tightens, Dodd said in a presentation at the university’s campus near West Rock. While Dodd tried to allay the worries of SCSU students, he said no immediate fix for the national loan situation is in sight. Yale, on the other hand, is fortunate in being largely unaffected, he said.

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) will visit Cheshire High School tomorrow morning to speak to Juniors and Seniors.  Dodd will discuss the current financial crisis and other issues with students.

Senator Chris Dodd met with local Hispanic business owners and community leaders today.  Dodd visited businesses and non-profit organizations along Park Street and discussed how current economic conditions are affecting the Hispanic community in Hartford.