Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) released the following statement today in remembrance of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.  Today, Dodd will attend the dedication of the Pentagon Memorial to victims of the 9/11 attacks.

“Today, Jackie and I have the victims and family members of the innocent Americans who lost their lives in the attacks of September 11^th in our thoughts and our prayers.  We will never forget that dreadful day and the unfathomable loss that our country suffered.

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) announced today that the Allingtown, Bozrah, Clinton, Hamden, North Coventry, and Waterbury Fire Departments have received grants of over $800,000 from the federal government.  The funds will improve operations and safety at all fire departments, specifically in the areas of personal protective equipment, health and safety modifications to stations and facilities, and wellness and fitness training.  The grants were made possible by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program, which provides assistance to first-responder programs nationwide.  In fiscal year 2008, the AFG program has provided approximately $500 million in grants nationwide.

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) announced today that the Hamden Fire Department and Allington Fire District in West Haven have received grants of $30,030 and $23,074, respectively, from the federal government.  The funds will improve operations and safety at both fire departments, specifically in the areas of personal protective equipment, health and safety modifications to stations and facilities, and wellness and fitness training.  The grants were made possible by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program, which provides assistance to first-responder programs nationwide.  In fiscal year 2008, the AFG program has provided approximately $500 million in nationwide grants.

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) today praised Senate Appropriations Committee approval of $241.1 million in federal funding for a variety of Connecticut initiatives.  This funding will be used for, among other services, economic development initiatives, education, health care, and family and community support programs – efforts essential to the wellbeing and continued success of Connecticut.

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) made the following statement on the Senate’s decision to delay consideration of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).       

“I’m pleased that consideration of the FISA Amendments Act has been delayed until after the 4^th of July recess. I urge my colleagues to take this time to listen to their constituents and consider the dangerous precedent that would be set by granting retroactive immunity to the telecommunications companies that may have engaged in President Bush’s illegal wiretapping program.

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) tonight voted against a Senate motion that would bring the FISA Amendments Act to the floor for consideration.  Despite Dodd’s objection, the motion passed by a vote of 80 to 15.  Dodd made the following statement after the vote:

“I am deeply disappointed that the Senate has voted to move forward with the consideration of this misguided FISA legislation.  If passed, this legislation will ratify a domestic spying regime that has already concentrated far too much unaccountable power in the president’s hands and will place the telecommunications companies above the law.

Remarks as Prepared - Mr. President: I rise—once again—to voice my strong opposition to the misguided FISA legislation before us today.  I have strong reservations about the so-called improvements made to Title I.  But more than that, this legislation includes provisions which would grant retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies that apparently have violated the privacy and the trust of millions of Americans by participating in the president’s warrantless wiretapping program.  If we pass this legislation, the Senate will ratify a domestic spying regime that has already concentrated far too much unaccountable power in the president’s hands and will place the telecommunications companies above the law. 

Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Russ Feingold (D-WI) released the following statement today in response to the announcement that the Senate this week will consider the compromise legislation that would reform the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) this week.

“This is a deeply flawed bill, which does nothing more than offer retroactive immunity by another name. We strongly urge our colleagues to reject this so-called ‘compromise’ legislation and oppose any efforts to consider this bill in its current form. We will oppose efforts to end debate on this bill as long as it provides retroactive immunity for the telecommunications companies that may have participated in the President’s warrantless wiretapping program, and as long as it fails to protect the privacy of law-abiding Americans.

“If the Senate does proceed to this legislation, our immediate response will be to offer an amendment that strips the retroactive immunity provision out of the bill. We hope our colleagues will join us in supporting Americans’ civil liberties by opposing retroactive immunity and rejecting this so-called ‘compromise’ legislation.”

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Chairman of its Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps, and Narcotics Affairs, yesterday spoke on the Senate floor about the Merida Initiative, a bilateral proposal between the U.S. and Mexico designed to combat the drastic increase in drug related violence in Mexico. 

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and author of the Restoring the Constitution Act, released the following statement today on the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on those held at Guantanamo.

"Today’s decision by the Supreme Court providing the right to habeas corpus for those detained at Guantanamo Bay once again demonstrates President Bush’s failure to respect the rule of law and uphold our Constitution. The Court made the right decision in rejecting the Bush Administration’s unprecedented efforts to undermine the most fundamental tenets of our society.