Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (D-CT) successfully secured more than $30 million for critical transportation, urban development, and environmental needs in Connecticut. The funding, which was included in the Senate's Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Energy and Water bills, was approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee last week.  The Senators also secured funding for the Women’s Business Development Center in Stamford, CT as part of the Financial Services appropriations bill.

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) applauded legislation approved on June 28 by the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies that will provide funding for afterschool and gang prevention programs for Connecticut youth, equipment upgrades for Connecticut’s public safety systems, and research initiatives at the Institute of Exploration in Mystic, CT, among other things.  Dodd and Lieberman worked to secure funding for Connecticut projects in the bill that will provide more than $4.5 million in new federal funds for initiatives statewide.

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Richard Shelby (R-AL), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, today announced that the Senate passed the Foreign Investment and National Security Act of 2007 by unanimous consent.  The bill would reform the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) by strengthening the role of the Director of National Intelligence, mandating the designation of a lead agency for each covered transaction, and providing for a thirty-day review of transactions covered by CFIUS to determine its effects on national security, among other provisions.

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.

Today, Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs seconded the concerns expressed by Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson regarding insufficient economic pressure being exerted by U.S. allies’ on Iran.

“The Department of the Treasury is finally getting tough with Iran— both through traditional sanctions and additional targeted financial measures.  I strongly share Secretary Paulson’s concerns about our allies’ commitment to the cause.  If we are going to be effective in preventing Iran from financing terrorism and seeking to acquire nuclear weapons capability, we will need to see comparable commitments from other nations—in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.  These governments must not turn a blind eye towards Iran’s wrongful and destructive use of private sector investment to consolidate power and destabilize the region. Only robust diplomacy coupled with tough multilateral sanctions will convince Iran to come to the table to find a political solution to our current disagreements.”  

“I am very concerned by Mr. Burns’ assertions that the Iranian government is providing weapons to the Taliban.  The administration's mishandling of Iran policy over the last four and one half years has allowed Iran to increase its regional influence and meddle in the internal affairs of its neighbors.  These recent developments demonstrate once again that the Bush administration must develop a tough and comprehensive approach toward Iran, with the centerpiece being robust diplomacy coupled with more effective implementation of economic and political sanctions that will bring Iran to the negotiating table, where issues of mutual concern can be discussed and hopefully resolved.”

Asks Secretary Gates how to outfit defense industry to meet wartime needs

June 7, 2007 

In response to Marine Corps’ reported shortages of critical armored vehicles, Senator Chris Dodd, D-Conn., today demanded that the Pentagon detail their efforts to ensure that American forces are fully and adequately protected.  Dodd today sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to require the Pentagon to spell out what steps are being taken to address the U.S. industry’s ability to meet these demands.

“This decision demonstrates the egregious flaws of the Military Commissions Act, and makes the point once again that Congress must act immediately to change this law.  The current system of prosecuting enemy combatants is not only inefficient and ineffective, it is also hurting America’s moral standing in the world and corroding the foundation of freedom upon which our nation was built.  There is too much at stake – our nation’s security and standing in the world – for us to wait for another one of these poorly executed cases to make the necessary changes to this system.  I hope my colleagues in Congress will join me now in the fight to restore America’s moral authority in developing a tough but fair system of bringing terrorists to justice.”

“We pause today to thank the members of our armed forces for their invaluable service to the United States.  Our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines perform critical missions here at home and abroad.  From providing much needed support during national disasters such as Hurricane Katrina to fighting on the battlefields of Iraq, the brave men and women of our armed forces work tirelessly to protect our country.

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, today announced that the Committee passed six pieces of legislation and confirmed seven nominations.  In keeping with Senator Dodd’s commitment to national security and economic opportunity, the Committee passed Dodd’s Foreign Investment and National Security Act of 2007.  The bill would reform the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).  Among other provisions, the legislation will strengthen the role of the Director of National Intelligence, mandate the designation of a lead agency for each covered transaction, and provide for a thirty-day review of transactions covered by CFIUS to determine its effects on national security.