“This evening's meeting is a testament to the extremely serious challenges facing our economy. Tonight, the Administration put forward some constructive ideas, and I look forward to receiving more details. Bad lending practices and lax oversight are the root cause of this crisis. As such, a comprehensive and constructive proposal must include relief for millions of American homeowners facing foreclosure. I am committed to working with the Administration and my Democratic and Republican colleagues in Congress to develop robust solutions to these serious problems.”

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) made the following opening statement at today’s Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on protocols making Croatia and Albania members of NATO. Dodd, who is a senior member of the Foreign Relations Committee and Chairman of its Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps, and Narcotics Affairs, chaired the hearing at the request of Chairman Joe Biden (D-DE)

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Representative Joe Courtney (D-CT-2) visited the Boys and Girls Club of Southeastern Connecticut this afternoon to meet with children who participate in Mystic Aquarium’s Immersion Presents program.  Senator Dodd and Representative Courtney, who championed funding for this initiative in Congress, also heard from the President of Mystic Aquarium and the Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club.

In an effort to combat the epidemic of obesity sweeping the nation, Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT), Tom Harkin (D-IA), and Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) today introduced the Federal Obesity Prevention Act of 2008. This legislation, which is cosponsored by Senators Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), would establish a federal interagency taskforce responsible for creating a national strategy for combating obesity across America.  

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), a senior member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and the Chairman of its Subcommittee on Children and Families today held the first of two hearings to examine the dangerous consequences of childhood obesity and possible solutions to address this growing problem.  Today, Dodd heard from several experts about the underlying causes of the dramatic rise in American childhood obesity.  After questioning the witnesses, Dodd opened up the hearing to questions and comments from the multitude of young people in the audience who offered their thoughts about how best to combat obesity among their peers.      

This morning, Christopher Dodd (D-CT), Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI), and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) discussed their legislation that would push oil companies to use the 68 million acres of federal land already leased to them or otherwise relinquish it. Republicans are calling for coastline drilling that would not produce a drop of oil until 2017 and would not lower gas prices ever. On the other hand, Democrats are supporting proposals to help lower gas prices today by cracking down on speculation in the oil markets, proposals to increase domestic production by pushing the oil companies to use these 68 million acres and proposals to develop renewable energy and advanced alternative fuels for the long term.

Remarks as Prepared: We meet today in an unusual and extraordinary moment for our country and this Committee.  We are conducting two hearings consecutively.  The first hearing will be to receive the semi-annual monetary policy report from the Federal Reserve, as previously scheduled.  After the conclusion of that hearing, we will convene a second hearing on recent developments in the U.S. financial markets and regulatory responses to them.  This second hearing was noticed yesterday with the consent of Ranking Member Shelby due to the special and exigent circumstances in our nation’s financial markets.

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) continued his series of “Road to Economic Recovery” events Wednesday at the Long Wharf Mobile in New Haven. Dodd discussed how the rising cost of gas and food are impacting Connecticut families, and his work in Congress to help alleviate some of the pain at the pump.  Dodd was joined by Representative DeLauro from Connecticut's 3rd District and representatives from the Connecticut Motor Transport Association, including Mike Riley, the Association’s President, Anson Mooney, the Vice Chair of the Association.

Senator Chris Dodd accepted the "Fight Crime: Invest in Kids" award Wednesday, from the Connecticut Chiefs of Police for his work on behalf of our nation's children. Dodd accepted the award at the Green Street Arts Center in Middletown. Dodd will also toured the facility and met with staff to learn about their work to provide enrichment activities in all of the arts for area adults, teens, youth and families