Minority Press Releases
DODD STATEMENT: ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE WITH PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
WASHINGTON -Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, called for a new approach to investments in public transportation at this morning's hearing to examine transit's role in America's effort to combat climate change. "Investing in public transportation as part of a focus on sustainable development isn't just a part of the solution to the climate crisis. It cuts down on traffic congestion - and, being from Connecticut, I know a little bit … Continue Reading
June 30, 2009
DODD: OBAMA LAYS OUT “BOLD, AGGRESSIVE” PLAN FOR CONSUMERS
WASHINGTON - Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, issued the following statement after the Obama Administration today released its legislative proposal to create an independent Consumer Financial Protection Agency that will have the sole job of looking out for the financial interests of ordinary Americans by banning unfair practices and enforcing the rules. "The Administration is addressing the colossal failures that led to the economic … Continue Reading
June 24, 2009
DODD STATEMENT ON CITIGROUP PAY HIKES
WASHINGTON - Today Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, issued the following statement in reaction to news that Citigroup, a recipient of significant taxpayer funds under the Troubled Assets Relief Program, was announcing pay hikes. Yesterday the Bureau of Labor and Statistics announced that in May there were 2,933 mass layoff actions involving 312,880 workers. Mass layoff events and initial claims rose to their highest levels on recor… Continue Reading
June 24, 2009
DODD, DEMOCRATS PRESS TREASURY TO USE ITS LEVERAGE TO HELP STRUGGLING HOMEOWNERS
WASHINGTON, DC - In an effort to help stabilize the housing market and ensure that banks and loan servicers are held accountable to requests for needed assistance, U.S. Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT), Jack Reed (D-RI), and 18 of their Senate colleagues sent a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner urging him to develop and implement a strategy requiring banks and loan servicers participating in the Administration's foreclosure prevention programs to effectively respond to qualified homeo… Continue Reading
June 18, 2009
DODD SLAMS FINANCIAL INDUSTRY FOR OPPOSING CONSUMER PROTECTIONS
WASHINGTON - Citing a story in this morning's Washington Post, Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, today slammed financial industry groups who have expressed opposition to the Obama Administration's proposal to create an independent consumer financial protection agency. Dodd is an outspoken advocate for the creation of such an agency, and reiterated his strong support for the idea at today's Banking Committee hearing where Treasury… Continue Reading
June 17, 2009
DODD STATEMENT ON OBAMA ADMINISTRATION’S PLAN TO MODERNIZE FINANCIAL REGULATION AND SUPERVISION
WASHINGTON - Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, today released the following statement after President Obama unveiled his plan to modernize financial regulation and supervision: "The proposal President Obama laid out today sets the stage for what will be a historic undertaking - building the foundation for a safer, stronger financial system. Consumer protection must be at the center of this effort, and I applaud the President … Continue Reading
June 16, 2009
DODD ANNOUNCES BANKING COMMUNICATIONS TEAM
WASHINGTON - Today Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, announced that he has hired Kirstin Brost to be the committee's new Communications Director and promoted Justine Sessions to the position of Press Secretary. "This is an historic moment for the Banking Committee as we work with President Obama to build the foundations for a stronger and safer financial system that puts America on a path towards recovery," said Dodd. "As I travel ar… Continue Reading
June 16, 2009
DODD WELCOMES CREATION OF INTERAGENCY PARTNERSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES
WASHINGTON - Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, welcomed the Obama Administration's announcement of a new interagency Partnership for Sustainable Communities that will help improve access to affordable housing, expand transportation options, and lower transportation costs while protecting the environment and combating climate change in communities nationwide. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Housing and Urban Development … Continue Reading
June 11, 2009
DODD OUTLINES PLAN FOR INDEPENDENT CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCY
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, today announced that he believes any effort to reform the regulatory structure of the American financial system should include an independent consumer protection agency that will regulate credit and bank products and protect American consumers from predatory financial practices. "The economic mess we're in is rooted in a spectacular failure of consumer protection. Fo… Continue Reading
June 10, 2009
DODD STATEMENT ON OBAMA ADMINISTRATION’S EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROPOSALS
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, today released the following statement regarding the Obama Administration's proposals to curb executive compensation: "Executive compensation has spiraled completely out of control - instead of rewarding long term success it has rewarded short-term gains and encouraged excessive risk-taking. What's particularly offensive is that many companies who are relying on taxpayer … Continue Reading
June 10, 2009
DODD PRAISES FEDERAL RESERVE REPORT
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, today released the following statement after the Federal Reserve issued the first in an ongoing series of monthly reports on its balance sheet: "This report is an important step in our ongoing efforts to bring greater transparency to the Fed's efforts to stabilize the economy. I commend Chairman Bernanke for initiating this series of reports in response to our budget amendm… Continue Reading
June 9, 2009
DODD URGES FED TO PROTECT CONSUMERS FROM ABUSIVE OVERDRAFT FEES
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, urged the Federal Reserve to act as soon as possible to protect consumers from abusive overdraft fees. In a letter to Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, Dodd called on the Fed to finalize a proposed rule that would curb the use of excessive and unfair fees when consumers overdraw their bank accounts. Dodd further pressed the Fed to implement an "opt-in" approach to overdraft fees… Continue Reading
June 8, 2009
DODD CALLS FOR ROBUST FUNDING FOR HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, called on Senate Appropriations Committee members as well as members of the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development to provide ample funding for housing and community development activities in the Fiscal Year 2010 Transportation and Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill. "As you know, our nation is facing great housing and economic challenges… Continue Reading
June 4, 2009
DODD PUTS BANKS ON NOTICE ABOUT EXCESSIVE AND DECEPTIVE CHECKING ACCOUNT FEES
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, today put banks on notice after recent reports of consumers being gouged by increased, excessive and deceptive fees imposed on their bank accounts. Senator Dodd pledged to work to protect consumers and cautioned the banks against excessive fees and the use of other deceptive practices that unfairly inflate the cost of bank accounts. "While we just scored a tremendous… Continue Reading
June 4, 2009
DODD CALLS FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO FORECLOSURE MITIGATION PROGRAM
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Citing a report in yesterday's New York Times, Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) questioned Herb Allison, the nominee to be the Treasury Department's Assistant Secretary for Financial Stability, about the effectiveness of the Administration's foreclosure mitigation program at Mr. Allison's confirmation hearing today. Dodd, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, requested that Mr. Allison, if confirmed, provide the Committee and the public with det… Continue Reading
June 2, 2009
DODD ATTENDS WHITE HOUSE PRESS CONFERENCE ON HEALTH REFORM
Joins Baucus, Romer, Orszag, and DeParle for Release of Council of Economic Advisers Report - The Economic Case for Health Care Reform WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), a senior member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions joined Senator Max Baucus, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Dr. Christina Romer, Chair, Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), Peter Orszag, Office of Management and Budget Director, and Nancy-Ann DeParle, Director of the Whi… Continue Reading
May 20, 2009
DODD PRAISES HOUSE PASSAGE OF HIS COMPREHENSIVE CREDIT CARD REFORM LEGISLATION
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and the author of, released the following statement after the House approved his legislation that will put an end to the abusive practices employed by credit card companies. "I applaud the House for adopting our tough crackdown on the credit card companies and thank President Obama for his leadership on this issue. This cements a victory for every American consumer who … Continue Reading
May 19, 2009
SENATE APPROVES DODD’S BILL TO PROTECT CONSUMERS FROM ABUSIVE CREDIT CARD PRACTICES
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, today hailed Senate passage of his legislation to put an end to the abusive, misleading, and deceptive practices employed by credit card companies. Dodd's Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure Act was approved by a vote of 90 to 5, and will now be sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. "This is a victory for every American … Continue Reading
May 11, 2009
SENATE CONSIDERS DODD’S BILL TO CRACK DOWN ON ABUSIVE CREDIT CARD PRACTICES
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Senate will today begin consideration of Senator Chris Dodd's (D-CT) comprehensive legislation that will protect consumers from the abusive, confusing, and deceptive practices employed by credit card companies. Dodd, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and Banking Committee Ranking Member Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) reached an agreement on the legislation over the weekend. "Today, we have the opportunity to stand up for the … Continue Reading
May 6, 2009
DODD ANNOUNCES SENATE PASSAGE OF HIS HELPING FAMILIES SAVE THEIR HOMES ACT
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, praised today's Senate approval of his legislation aimed at preventing foreclosures and increasing the availability of credit for consumers and businesses. The "Helping Families Save Their Homes Act," which is cosponsored by Banking Committee Ranking Member Richard Shelby (R-AL), would provide more tools to borrowers and banks to help prevent foreclosures and makes it easie… Continue Reading