Minority Press Releases
DODD URGES INVESTMENT IN NATION'S INFRASTRUCTURE
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, today spoke on the Senate floor on the state of our nation's infrastructure and the importance of long-term investment in our roads, bridges, mass transit, drinking water, and wastewater removal systems. Dodd's speech comes on the eve of the one-year anniversary of the tragic I-35 bridge collapse in Minneapolis. Tomorrow also marks one year since Dodd introduced the National Infra… Continue Reading
July 30, 2008
PRESIDENT SIGNS DODD'S LEGISLATION TO HELP HOMEOWNERS, STRENGTHEN ECONOMY
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, today issued the following statement after President Bush signed into law the Housing and Economic Recovery Act, which Dodd authored along with Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL): "Today marks an important change in the federal government's response to the economic strain being felt by millions of Americans across the country and our financial markets. This is the most sweeping housin… Continue Reading
July 29, 2008
TODAY: DODD CONVENES HOPE FOR HOMEOWNERS BOARD
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, today will convene a meeting with members of the Oversight Board of HOPE for Homeowners to ensure the timely implementation and operation of the program. HOPE for Homeowners, an initiative established by the Housing and Economic Recovery Act which passed the Senate on Saturday and which the President has said he will sign into law, is expected to help prevent foreclosure for hundr… Continue Reading
July 28, 2008
TOMORROW: DODD TO HOLD HEARING ON THE STATE OF THE NATION?S INSURANCE INDUSTRY
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, will hold a hearing tomorrow to examine the state of our nation's insurance industry. The Committee will hear from industry and consumer experts on the current state of insurance regulation and oversight. Witnesses are also expected to testify on ways to promote competition and efficiency in the U.S. insurance marketplace, and how to enhance consumer protection. WHO: … Continue Reading
July 28, 2008
MAJOR LEGISLATION TO STRENGTHEN ECONOMY AND HELP HOMEOWNERS NATIONWIDE PASSES SENATE 72-13
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Richard Shelby (R-AL), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, today announced that the Senate passed the Housing and Economic Recovery Act by a vote of 72-13. This legislation is expected to help hundreds of thousands of Americans who are struggling to keep their homes, as well as countless homeowners and communities who are already experiencing the devastating effects of foreclosure. The legisl… Continue Reading
July 24, 2008
DODD AND SHELBY ANNOUNCE AGREEMENT ON HOUSING BILL, COMMEND BILL PASSAGE IN HOUSE
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Richard Shelby (R-AL), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, today formally announced an agreement with the House of Representatives and the Administration on comprehensive legislation to address the current housing crisis and strengthen our economy. Dodd and Shelby also commended the House of Representatives for passing the legislation, which was sent to the House from the Senate last week and… Continue Reading
July 23, 2008
DODD, SHELBY TO SPEAK ON HOUSING BILL
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Richard Shelby (R-AL), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, will hold a press conference today to discuss the housing legislation that is being considered by Congress. WHO: Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Richard Shelby (R-AL) WHAT: Press conference to discuss housing legislation WHEN: 12:30 P.M. TODAY, Wednesday, July 23rd WHERE: Senate Radio/TV Gallery -30-… Continue Reading
July 23, 2008
DODD, SHELBY STATEMENT ON HOUSING LEGISLATION
"We have been working diligently for months on legislation to address the housing crisis. Last week we sent legislation to the House. Since then, we have been engaged in extensive and largely fruitful discussions with our counterparts in the House of Representatives, as well as Administration officials. We remain optimistic about the prospects for this legislation." -30-… Continue Reading
July 18, 2008
SENATE BANKING COMMITTEE PASSES BIPARTISAN IRAN SANCTIONS LEGISLATION
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Richard Shelby (R-AL), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, today announced that the Committee passed "The Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2008" by a vote of 19 to 2. The Banking Committee exercises jurisdiction over virtually all aspects of U.S financial and economic sanctions policy toward Iran, including the U.S. trade and investment ban administered by t… Continue Reading
July 18, 2008
DODD, SHELBY ANNOUNCE BIPARTISAN IRAN SANCTIONS LEGISLATION
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Richard Shelby (R-AL), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, today announced that they have reached a bipartisan agreement on legislation that will expand U.S. sanctions on Iran with respect to weapons proliferation, support for terrorism, and the destabilization of its neighbors in the Middle East. The Banking Committee will consider the legislation on Thursday. "Iran's missile tests last wee… Continue Reading
July 14, 2008
TOMORROW: DODD CONVENES BANKING COMMITTEE FOR TWO HEARINGS
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, announced that tomorrow the Committee will hold a second hearing in addition to a previously planned hearing where Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke will deliver the Semiannual Monetary Policy Report to the Congress. At the second hearing, Chairman Bernanke, SEC Chairman Christopher Cox, and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson will testify on recent market developments and… Continue Reading
July 14, 2008
DODD STATEMENT ON FED'S NEW REGULATIONS FOR LENDERS
"Today's Federal Reserve Board regulations should help to put an end to certain abusive lending practices. Too many homeowners have been put into loans that are unaffordable, and as a result, we are now seeing the devastating effects of the failure of millions of mortgage loans. My initial reaction is that, if effectively followed and enforced, the new regulations, though not strong enough in all areas, will help to prevent similar abuses in the future. Under these regulations, lenders will o… Continue Reading
July 14, 2008
TODAY: DODD TO SPEAK ON MARKETS, ADMINISTRATION PROPOSALS
Washington, DC - Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, will hold a conference call with reporters today on the state of the economy and the Administration's proposals to help restore confidence in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. WHO: Chairman Chris Dodd WHEN: 2:30 p.m. TODAY, Monday, July 14th CALL-IN: For call-in information, please contact Kate Szostak at kate_szostak@banking.senate.gov. -30-… Continue Reading
July 14, 2008
DODD STATEMENT ON FANNIE MAE, FREDDIE MAC
"The Administration's failure to prevent bad lending practices has caused unprecedented hardship in the form of record foreclosures and market turmoil. Now, homeowners across the country and our entire financial system are suffering the consequences. Regrettably, the Administration has refused to develop or support any meaningful effort to help keep Americans in their homes and preserve efficiency and stability in our markets. "First and foremost, we must enact the bipartisan housing bill tha… Continue Reading
July 14, 2008
DODD STATEMENT ON CLOSURE OF INDYMAC
"IndyMac's closure is the latest example of the severe consequences associated with risky mortgage lending practices, coupled with regulatory failures which allowed these risky lending practices to occur. This combination of risky lending and lax regulation is largely responsible for the current problems in our housing markets and overall economy. I intend to thoroughly examine the implications of this failure. That said, I am confident in the strength and stability of our banking system, and… Continue Reading
July 14, 2008
DODD-SHELBY LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS NATIONAL HOUSING CRISIS PASSES SENATE
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Richard Shelby (R-AL), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, today announced that the Senate passed the Housing and Economic Recovery Act. This landmark bipartisan legislation drafted by Dodd and Shelby includes major efforts to address the root of our economic problems - the housing crisis - by providing relief to hundreds of thousands of American homeowners and introducing broad improvements t… Continue Reading
July 9, 2008
DODD STATEMENT ON IRAN MISSILE FIRING
Washington, DC - Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, today issued the following statement in response to reports that Iran test-fired nine missiles, some of which could reach Israel and other nations in the region: "These reports underscore the danger that Iran's weapons program poses to its neighbors, while increasing concern about its refusal to cooperate with the international community. To ensure peace and stability in this r… Continue Reading
July 9, 2008
TUESDAY: BERNANKE TO DELIVER MONETARY POLICY REPORT TO THE SENATE BANKING COMMITTEE
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, today announced that Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke will appear before the Committee next week to deliver the Semiannual Monetary Policy Report to the Congress. The Committee's procedures for media review of the monetary policy report and testimony are also detailed below. HEARING DETAILS: WHO: Chairman Chris Dodd Members of the Senate Banking Committee Chair… Continue Reading
July 7, 2008
DODD STATEMENT ON SEC-FED MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Chris Dodd, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs released the following statement today on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that was entered into by the SEC and Fed. "It is my hope that the MOU will result in improved supervision of investment banks and bank holding companies, and strengthen our financial markets for investors and our nation's economy. It is important to note that the MOU does not grant any new authority to … Continue Reading
July 2, 2008
Senators Comment on Currency Legislation
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) issued a brief statement today regarding recent meetings on the issue of legislation to address international currency issues. The Chairmen and Ranking Members of the Senate Finance and Banking Committees have introduced currency bills in the last year, and are working together toward legislation to address currency exchange rate regimes. "Last week, the four of us … Continue Reading