The Senate Ethics Committee took its time, but its exoneration of Sen. Christopher J. Dodd on Friday put his mortgage deals in proper perspective: He didn't violate the rules, but should have paid more attention to appearances.

He could have exercised better judgment when the now-defunct mortgage giant Countrywide Financial put him in a "VIP" mortgage program, the committee rightly said. The chairman of the Senate banking committee, which oversees mortgage regulation, has to be hyper-vigilant about any hint of favoritism, real or perceived, from a lender.

• To view The Dodds’ responses to the Senate Ethics Committee’s questions, click here.
• To view the details on the Dodds’ refinancing of their homes in 2009, click here.
• To view a summary of the Ethics Committee’s conclusions, click here.
• To view today’s Senate Ethics Committee letter to Senator Dodd, click here.

Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT) today introduced legislation to help towns and regions across the country plan and implement development projects that integrate their community’s needs for transportation, housing, land use, and economic development.

By encouraging sustainable development at the local, regional, and federal level, the Livable Communities Act will help communities cut traffic congestion, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption, protect green spaces, create more affordable housing, and revitalize existing Main Streets and urban centers.  Dodd’s legislation is cosponsored by Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Dan Akaka (D-HI).

The Senate Appropriations Committee yesterday approved legislation that would provide $19,085,000 for a variety of Connecticut initiatives, Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) announced today.  Dodd and Lieberman worked with their Appropriations Committee colleagues to include funds for a number of critical Connecticut projects in the appropriations bills that cover the Fiscal Year 2010 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies and the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies bills. 

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT) asked the Administration to look into accusations that companies are setting up roadblocks to efforts to modify mortgages and keep people in their homes.

Last week, Dodd chaired a hearing on what more needs to be done to prevent foreclosures. One witness alleged companies charged with modifying mortgages were providing customers with false information.

Today, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT) held a hearing to ask top financial regulators how to create a framework to protect Americans from the giant risks that caused the current financial crisis.

Today Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT) pushed the Federal Reserve Board Chairman on when government efforts to turn around the economy will reach struggling Americans.

“Positive indicators seem to be stuck at the top,” said Dodd. “And we all work for the American people. When can they expect the recovery that they have funded When will working families see their rally? Their pay raise? Their jobs being stabilized?”

Lawmakers vented Thursday about the government's inability to solve the nation's housing woes as fresh data showed foreclosure filings continued to rise.

Sen. Christopher Dodd., D-Conn., chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, called the overall lack of progress by the government "disgraceful." He noted that borrowers are facing long delays as they try to get help.

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT) expressed frustration that, despite endless assurances, little has been accomplished by way of stemming the tide of foreclosures and he pressed the need for principal reduction to stabilize the housing market, a key element of economic recovery.

How many times does a man have to tell someone how his wife died too early and that's why he's struggling with the bills?

And how many bank employees have to be told the story before they'll modify his mortgage?

Those are only two questions raised by the case of Stamford resident Tom Perreta, who, with a good job, is now four months behind on his mortgage and faces losing his home to the bank. It's also why he's going to Washington, D.C., to testify Thursday in front of the Senate Banking Committee, which is holding hearings to review efforts to help people keep their homes.