Majority Press Releases
Statement of Senator Dodd, Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, on Release of Recent Economic Reports
Washington, D.C. - “Today’s economic reports indicate that there are still serious threats to our nation’s economic health. The continued decline in the housing market, as evidenced by the over 8% fall in new homes sales last month, is a source of serious concern. This is especially true considering that this number does not capture the millions of Americans who are trapped in unaffordable subprime Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs) who may soon face foreclosure. While there is no single solutio… Continue Reading
September 26, 2007
Dodd Calls For Swift Action Against Iran, Sudan
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Pursuing additional pressure on the governments of Iran and Sudan, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT) commended the approval of a bill he authored, the International Emergency Economic Powers Enhancement Act, by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and urged the House of Representatives to take up and pass his legislation "I greatly appreciate the leadership of Chairman Lantos and members of his Committee,” said Dodd. “It is imperative that this bill b… Continue Reading
September 25, 2007
Chairman Dodd Presses Commerce Department to Ensure Iran Does Not Obtain Sensitive U.S. Technology
Responding to an announcement by the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that it had recently enacted export control laws to prohibit unlicensed trafficking of “strategic goods” such as chemical and biological weaponry, military hardware, and dual-use items, Senator Chris Dodd, D-Conn., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, today wrote to Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez to request a report on the latest U.S. efforts to keep sensitive technolog… Continue Reading
September 25, 2007
Chairman Dodd Presses Commerce Department to Ensure Iran Does Not Obtain Sensitive U.S. Technology
Washington, D.C. - Responding to an announcement by the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that it had recently enacted export control laws to prohibit unlicensed trafficking of “strategic goods” such as chemical and biological weaponry, military hardware, and dual-use items, Senator Chris Dodd, D-Conn., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, today wrote to Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez to request a report on the latest U.S. efforts to keep … Continue Reading
September 24, 2007
Chairman Dodd Questions HUD Approach to Public Housing Demolition in New Orleans
Washington, D.C. - Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, late last week sent a letter to Alphonso Jackson, Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), expressing his concern about HUD’s approval of plans to demolish four major public housing sites in the city of New Orleans. “While I understand the need to quickly move forward with public housing demolition and redevelopment in order to help revitalize this… Continue Reading
September 21, 2007
Statement by Chairman Dodd on Dubai-Nasdaq Deal
“I believe that a careful review of the Dubai - Nasdaq transaction is required to ensure that there are no negative national security implications associated with moving forward with this deal. That is why I placed a high priority on enacting the Foreign Investment and National Security Act of 2007 earlier this year to establish in law an elaborate and rigorous interagency review process to vet these kinds of deals. It is my understanding that the Dubai-Nasdaq deal will be voluntarily submitted… Continue Reading
September 20, 2007
Statement of Chairman Dodd on House Passage of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Revision and Extension Act
“I commend Chairman Frank and the House for their efforts. This is a tremendously important issue, and one that should - and must - be a top priority. We must ensure that our nation is financially prepared and protected from the threat of a future terrorist attack. A key element of that preparation needs to be protecting American jobs, workers, and businesses to ensure that our economy continues to function. Our nation’s security and prosperity depend upon it. I intend to continue to work … Continue Reading
September 19, 2007
Committee Passes Dodd’S Bill to Help Families Keep and Buy Their Homes
Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, today announced that the Committee passed the Federal Housing Administration Modernization Act of 2007. The legislation seeks to help American families that have been hit hard by the current crisis in the mortgage markets, including those who currently face the threat of foreclosure and those who may be trying find fair and affordable financing to buy a new home. “This legislation is vitally important t… Continue Reading
September 19, 2007
Statement of Chairman Dodd on Today’s Decision by OFHEO to Modify Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Portfolio Caps
“The decision by the Administration to modify the GSE portfolio caps can only be described as timid and inadequate. I have been urging the Administration for many weeks to take bold action to maintain liquidity and stability in the mortgage markets. But instead of strong, effective action, the Administration has taken what can at best be described as a baby step, and what is in reality little more than a symbolic gesture. The Fed, by its actions yesterday, now seems to understand what I and o… Continue Reading
September 19, 2007
Committee Passes Dodd’s Bill to Help Families Keep and Buy Their Homes
Washington, D.C. - Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, today announced that the Committee passed the Federal Housing Administration Modernization Act of 2007. The legislation seeks to help American families that have been hit hard by the current crisis in the mortgage markets, including those who currently face the threat of foreclosure and those who may be trying find fair and affordable financing to buy a new home. “This legislation is … Continue Reading
September 18, 2007
Dodd, Hagel Stress Importance of Bill to Revitalize American Infrastructure
In response to today’s findings by the Texas Transportation Institute that traffic congestion continues to worsen in cities across America, Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Chuck Hagel (R-NE) again stressed the need for their bipartisan legislation to revitalize, repair, and replace America’s aging and crumbling roads, bridges, transit systems, water treatment facilities, and public housing properties. “Today’s report by the Texas Transportation Institute only serves to underscore what Senator … Continue Reading
September 18, 2007
Statement of Chairman Dodd in reaction to Secretary Paulson’s remarks yesterday
“Secretary Paulson’s comments in France about the wave of foreclosures that are expected to sweep through our country are disappointing, to put it mildly. More than two million Americans are in very real danger of losing the homes they have worked so hard to buy due to what Secretary Paulson himself has referred to as ‘bad lending practices.’ Those practices must end and this administration must act instead of continuing to sit on their hands and do nothing while thousands of Americans face for… Continue Reading
September 18, 2007
Statement of Chairman Dodd on Fed Interest Rate Decision
“Americans have seen their financial security badly shaken by recent economic turmoil in the housing markets. Far too many have lost their homes, causing tremendous hardship for them, and increasing a sense of uncertainty in our financial markets. My hope is that today’s decision and statement by the Fed can help provide stability in our economy. During my meeting last month with the Fed Chairman and Treasury Secretary Paulson, Chairman Bernanke assured me that he’ll use every tool at his di… Continue Reading
September 12, 2007
Dodd, Bond Secure Senate Approval for Funding to Help American Homeowners Struggling with Foreclosure
Washington, D.C. - Senator Chris Dodd, D-Conn., Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, and Senator Kit Bond, R-Mo., successfully won Senate approval for a measure to help provide $100 million to help homeowners facing foreclosure to remain in their homes. “Homeowners are being battered by the rising tide of foreclosures,” said Dodd. “This measure can act as a lifeline to help keep them in their homes.” “Across the country too many families are facing the nightmare threat of foreclos… Continue Reading
September 10, 2007
Statement of Chairman Dodd on Today’s SEC Senior Summit
“I am alarmed by the unscrupulous, fraudulent and abusive practices highlighted by the SEC at today’s Senior Summit. Our older citizens deserve the peace of mind of a safe and secure financial future, not the worry of being robbed blind of their hard-earned savings by a crooked salesman with a flashy, deceptive title. But regrettably, these practices appear to be part of a growing trend of predatory behavior targeted towards America’s seniors in the sale of securities, annuities and other fin… Continue Reading
September 7, 2007
Statement of Chairman Dodd on Labor Department August Employment Report
“These numbers aren’t just statistics - they represent real families facing real economic hardship. Today’s announcement by the Labor Department that U.S. employment fell for the first time in four years is cause for deep concern and it is further proof that the economic policies of the Bush Administration are failing America’s working families. Most troubling is that the data, specifically the construction job loss numbers, suggest that the subprime mortgage market troubles may be spreading t… Continue Reading
September 6, 2007
Statement of Chairman Dodd on Foreclosures in Second Quarter
“Today, data released by the Mortgage Bankers Association shows that foreclosures have, for the second quarter in a row, hit historic highs. Unfortunately, today’s information, as heartbreaking as it is for the nearly 290,000 additional American families that face the loss of their homes, is just the leading edge of a tidal wave of foreclosures that is expected to sweep through the communities and neighborhoods of our country in the coming 18 months, when more than 2 million families with subpr… Continue Reading
September 5, 2007
Statement of Chairman Dodd on Death of Edward M. Gramlich, former member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
"I was very saddened to learn that former Federal Reserve Governor Edward ‘Ned’ Gramlich died today. Throughout his career, including his service in academia and in public life, first at the Congressional Budget Office and then as a Governor at the Federal Reserve, Ned was a tireless advocate for policies that helped working Americans. Ned was steadfast when it came to protecting consumers and his wisdom and guidance will be sorely missed. My condolences and prayers go out to his family.”… Continue Reading
September 5, 2007
Chairman Dodd Announces Legislation to Protect American Homeownership
Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, today announced his intention to introduce legislation to reform mortgage lending practices that have created problems for homeowners and investors in the subprime market. “Let me be clear: affordable home loans are a good thing; predatory lending is not. Predatory lending needs to be stopped, which is why I intend to introduce legislation that will put an end to the practices that have forc… Continue Reading
September 5, 2007
Chairman Dodd Announces Legislation to Protect American Homeownership
Washington, D.C. - Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, today announced his intention to introduce legislation to reform mortgage lending practices that have created problems for homeowners and investors in the subprime market. “Let me be clear: affordable home loans are a good thing; predatory lending is not. Predatory lending needs to be stopped, which is why I intend to introduce legislation that will put an end to the pract… Continue Reading
