June 20, 2007

The Senate Appropriations Committee recently approved legislation that will provide $25.5 million to upgrade and modernize Connecticut military facilities, Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (D-CT) announced today. The Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2008, which will now head to the Senate floor for consideration, allocates $64.7 billion for U.S. veterans and for building and maintenance of Department of Defense facilities.

Letter to DHS Secretary Asks for Clarification on Timing and Conduct of Action

June 11, 2007

Three Connecticut lawmakers Monday asked Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff for clarification about the way in which a recent immigration raid in New Haven was conducted, as well as its timing.

May 22, 2007

Senator Dodd today blasted the Bush Administration for cutting HIV/AIDS funding for Hartford and New Haven under the Ryan White CARE Act Part A supplemental program.  The City of Hartford’s grant award was cut from $2,024,791 to $913,750 and the City of New Haven’s grant award was cut from $2,710,386 to $1,501,862.  Senator Dodd issued the following statement in response:

May 9, 2007

Senators Chris Dodd, D-Conn., and Joe Lieberman, ID-Conn., announced Wednesday that Connecticut will receive more than $1.3 million in port and transit security grants from the Infrastructure Protection Program within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Bridgeport will receive $869,181, New London, $296,250, and New Haven, $45,703 in port security grant funding. New Britain will receive $129,892 and Rocky Hill $14,163 in grants for bus security. Connecticut will also participate in a $61-million transit security grant program for the New York City metropolitan area.


“Port and transportation security are critical to protecting Connecticut and the rest of our nation,” Dodd said. “These grants will help improve detection of dangerous materials and deal with potential threats. I am pleased that the Department of Homeland Security has provided Connecticut with a much-needed increase in funding for these crucial activities, and hope that we can continue to work with our neighbors to ensure the security of all of our citizens.”


“These grants are essential to strengthening the security of Connecticut’s ports and public transportation systems. The port security grants for Bridgeport, New London and New Haven will help keep dangerous materials out of the country. The bus security grants for New Britain and Rocky Hill will help with screening, explosives detection, and disaster-response exercises so that the citizens of Connecticut can travel peacefully and safely,” Lieberman said. “I also urge New York and the Metropolitan Transit Authority to work closely with Connecticut Department of Transportation officials to make sure that  the entire region's shared transit system, including those portions that run through Connecticut ,are adequately secured through the transit security grant that will go to the tri-state area.”


The funding for Bridgeport, New London and New Haven is part of the federal Port Security Grant (PSG) Program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  This year’s port security grants for Connecticut total $1,211,134 – a nearly 83 percent increase over last year’s funding level. The grants are intended to help protect critical infrastructure from terrorism, especially explosives and non-conventional threats that would seriously disrupt commerce and cause a significant loss of life.


The grants for New Britain and Rocky Hill are part of the Intracity Bus Security Grant Program (IBSGP) also administered by FEMA. The grants are used for explosives detection, passenger screening, bus facility security improvements, and better communications among vehicles.

 

March 23, 2007

Connecticut’s Congressional delegation today sent a letter to Michael Leavitt, Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Elizabeth Duke, Health Resources and Services Administrator requesting they give Connecticut priority when allocating supplemental funding for HIV/AIDS care. This year, funding for Hartford and New Haven was drastically cut under the Ryan White Title I funding formula, leaving potentially thousands of people in Connecticut living with HIV/AIDS without the services they need. The letters also request an explanation of how the Ryan White Title I funding formula was determined.  

October 20, 2006

WASHINGTON – New Britain and New Haven will receive $5 million in federal funds to boost education and child development for low-income children, Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (D-CT) announced today.  The New Britain Human Resources Agency and the New Haven Public Schools have been awarded the funds through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Head Start program.

September 29, 2006

 

WASHINGTON – The Senate today approved the 2007 Defense Appropriations Conference Report, which has already been approved by the House of Representatives and is expected to be signed by the President.  Due to the efforts of Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (D-CT), the bill supports Connecticut’s defense industry, particularly in the critical areas of submarine research and technology.  In addition to boosting Connecticut’s economy, the funding will help ensure that U.S. soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines are outfitted with the resources they need to perform their missions. 

September 25, 2006

Washington – Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (D-CT) announced today that Connecticut will receive port, rail, and transit security grant funding from the Infrastructure Protection Program within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  Bridgeport will receive $24,968 and New London $637,500 in port security grants.  New Haven will share $53,800,000 in transportation security grant funding with three other Tri-State area cities. The State of Connecticut will also receive $189,000 in buffer zone protection funds.

August 18, 2006

WASHINGTON – Allingtown Fire Department in West Haven will receive a $42,123 grant, Senators Chris Dodd and Joe Lieberman announced today. Allingtown Fire Department will receive the funds for new equipment and safety and training programs.

“Connecticut firefighters are often the first on the scene of a catastrophe. They shouldn’t be last when it comes to getting critically important resources,” said Dodd. “Thankfully this assistance – while only a start – can begin to provide our firefighters with the help they need and deserve.”

August 1, 2006