“The security of our economy is at stake. This is one of those moments in our nation’s history that compels us to be bold.”

November 19, 2009

This morning, Senate Banking Committee Chris Dodd (D-CT) delivered opening remarks as the Committee began debate on his Restoring American Financial Stability Act, a comprehensive bill to reform our financial system.

November 18, 2009

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) issued the following statement tonight after the release of the Senate health care reform legislation.

“This bill meets the test of history, reflecting the ideals that drove Ted Kennedy to lead the fight for health care reform for a generation and inspired me to take up his torch this summer. It’s a comprehensive and thorough approach that comes in under budget and finally makes stable, affordable, quality care available to every American. It has been an honor to work with Leader Reid and Chairman Baucus in this process, and I look forward to an open and inclusive debate on the Senate floor.

“Ninety colleagues here voted for the bill this spring. Why wouldn’t you join us today?”

November 18, 2009

Today, Senate Republicans blocked Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd’s (D-CT) attempt to pass legislation to stop credit card interest rate hikes.

Wilton Family Joins Dodd in Calling for Overhaul of Food Safety System. Bill Includes Dodd Provision to Help Schools Manage Food Allergies

November 18, 2009

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) today called for stronger food safety provisions and the development of consistent federal guidelines for the management of food allergies in schools today at a markup session of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee.

Report Shows Some Parents Being Charged 3X More For Children’s Medicine

November 18, 2009

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) today called for a federal investigation after a USA Today report revealed that “some pharmacies are charging three times what others are for a scarce liquid form of the H1N1 drug Tamiflu used by children.”

November 17, 2009

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) today announced that they helped secure $64.6 million for military construction projects for Connecticut military bases throughout the state. The funding, which was allotted as a part of the Military Construction and Department of Veterans’ Affairs Appropriations bill, will go towards projects in Bridgeport, Middletown, and Hartford.

Mario Livieri Shares His Experience with Unfair Overdraft Fees At U.S. Senate Hearing

In testimony today at a U.S. Senate Banking Committee hearing, Branford resident Mario Livieri spoke out in support of Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd’s (D-CT) legislation to protect consumers from excessive overdraft fees. Livieri told the Committee his story of being hit with $140 in fees before he knew he had overdrawn his account earlier this year.

Bill Will Guarantee Up to Seven Days of Paid Sick Leave for Workers Infected By the H1N1 Virus

November 17, 2009

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-3) today will introduce emergency legislation that will guarantee paid sick days for those who are infected by the H1N1 virus. Last week, Dodd chaired, and Congresswoman DeLauro testified at, a hearing of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Children and Families in response to the H1N1 pandemic.

November 16, 2009

Senator Dodd delivered the following remarks to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee National Council on Monday, November 16, 2009 in Washington, D.C.

Remarks as Prepared: I want to begin tonight the way every conversation about Israel’s future should begin: with a reaffirmation of the ironclad commitment the United States will always have to our special friend Israel.

Fed Will Require Customers’ Permission Before Banks Can Charge Overdraft Fees

November 12, 2009

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT) welcomed today’s release of a new Federal Reserve rule that will require banks to get a customer’s consent before enrolling them in an overdraft coverage program. Banks use these programs allow customers to overdraw their accounts without their knowledge, and then slap them with fees of upwards of $30 for this “courtesy.”

Dodd wrote the Federal Reserve in June calling on them to issue this “opt-in” requirement as soon as possible. Absent Fed action, Dodd included the requirement that customers are not able to overdraw their accounts unless they’ve given the bank permission to charge them overdraft fees in the more comprehensive FAIR Overdraft Coverage Act he introduced last month.