January 27, 2009

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, today issued the following statement on the Federal Reserve Board’s establishment of a foreclosure prevention program.  Chairman Dodd wrote a provision into the financial rescue law that directs agencies such as the Fed and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to establish such programs:

Federal Mass Transit Tax Break Right Now Only Covers $120 Worth of Commuting Costs Per Month, Less than Half As Much as the Benefit Given to Drivers

Disparity Shows Absolutely Backwards Priorities In Modern Age Of Conservation And With Nation's Crippling Dependence On Foreign Oil

Bipartisan Plan Equalizes the Two Benefits and Takes Away the Incentive to Drive - Takes Cars Off the Road and Puts Money Back in Commuters' Pockets

January 27, 2009

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, today heard testimony from Dr. Henry Backe Jr., an orthopedic surgeon from Fairfield, Connecticut, at the Committee’s hearing to examine the Madoff Investment Securities fraud.  Senator Dodd invited Dr. Backe to testify after hearing that his medical practice, which employs over 100 people, invested all of its retirement plan assets with Madoff in 1992, and has suffered devastating losses since the news broke that all investments with Madoff were a sham. 

Remarks as Prepared: A year ago, the CEO of a trusted, respected securities firm and a former Chairman of Nasdaq said the following:

January 23, 2009

Several members of the Connecticut Congressional Delegation condemned today’s announcement by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) of a new tariff that could force Connecticut-based Nestle Waters North America to lay off 100 workers.  Nestle Waters is the largest American importer of Italian mineral water, which would be affected by the new tariff.  Today’s announcement ignores President Obama’s directive that all pending regulations be halted until his Administration can conduct a full legal and policy review of each matter. 

January 23, 2009

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), a senior member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) who has been asked by Chairman Kennedy to serve as his chief deputy for health reform, today hosted the first town hall meeting of his Connecticut Prescriptions for Change listening tour.  Approximately 700 Connecticut residents came to Goodwin College in East Hartford this morning to hear from Dodd and a panel of experts and to share their views and ideas for reforming our nation’s health care system.

January 22, 2009

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, issued the following statement this evening after the Senate confirmation of two key members of President Obama’s economic team who were recently vetted by the Committee.  The Senate confirmed by unanimous consent Mr. Shaun Donovan to be Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Honorable Mary Schapiro to be Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

January 22, 2009

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), a senior member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, released the following statement after the Senate approved “The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act” tonight:

 

“Millions of Americans depend on the right to equal pay for equal work to earn a livelihood, to feed their families, and to uphold their basic dignity. We ought to make it easier for Americans to exercise that right.  Tonight, that is precisely what we have done.

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), a senior member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) who has been asked by Chairman Kennedy to serve as his chief deputy for health reform, is hosting a series of town hall meetings across Connecticut on the issue. Senator Dodd kicked off his Connecticut Prescriptions for Change listening tour in East Hartford where approximately 700 Connecticut residents came to Goodwin College to hear from Dodd and a panel of experts and to share their views and ideas for reforming our nation’s health care system.

• For the press release on the first event, click here.
• For video from the event, click here.
• For photos from the event, click here.

Senator Dodd is looking for your opinions on how best to reform our health care system and will present your views to HHS Secretary Daschle and President Obama. To share your thoughts, please email ctrx4change@dodd.senate.gov, and stay tuned to Dodd.Senate.Gov to learn how you can participate in future events.

Today I met with a group of UCONN students who are down in Washington on a service project during their winter break.  Our discussion covered a wide variety of topics – from the rising cost of college tuition to the stimulus package.  I’m very glad I had the chance to hear from these young women and hope they’ll stay involved in politics long after they graduate.