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.  

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), senior member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions and the Chairman of its Subcommittee on Children and Families, will convene the second hearing in a two-part series today to examine the dangerous consequences of childhood obesity and possible solutions to address this growing medical emergency.  Dodd will hear from a young man who struggled to lose weight, but was able to successfully lose 137 pounds with the help of a school-based health clinic.  The witness panel will also include government officials and chief executives, who will share their ongoing efforts to combat childhood obesity.

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), senior member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions and the Chairman of its Subcommittee on Children and Families, will convene the second hearing in a two-part series today to examine the dangerous consequences of childhood obesity and possible solutions to address this growing medical emergency.  Dodd will hear from a young man who struggled to lose weight, but was able to successfully lose 137 pounds with the help of a school-based health clinic.  The witness panel will also include government officials and chief executives, who will share their ongoing efforts to combat childhood obesity.

U.S. Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI), Chris Dodd (D-CT), and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) are continuing their push to ensure that, before the oil companies seek additional leases, they develop the 68 million acres of federal land they currently lease.  The trio is attempting to offer several amendments to the energy speculation legislation currently being considered by the Senate. Feingold, Dodd and Menendez recently introduced the “Responsible Federal Oil and Gas Lease Act” and “Responsible Ownership of Public Land Act.” The first requires oil companies to show they are either producing oil or gas - or making progress exploring or developing – on current leases before they obtain more.  The Responsible Ownership of Public Land Act, which the trio introduced along with Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), would charge oil companies a fee for every acre of land they lease but do not use for production.  The Senate could vote on the oil speculation legislation as early as Tuesday, July 22. 

“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.”

The National Park Service Advisory Board voted today to approve Coltsville’s bid to become a National Historical Landmark.  Connecticut Senators Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) and Chris Dodd (D-CT), as well as Congressman John B. Larson (D-CT-01) applaud the Board’s decision and its recognition of the important piece of history that the Colt Factory represents. The decision now heads to Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne’s desk for final approval. This is a major step towards attaining National Park status for the area and all of the benefits that come with that designation.

The National Park Service Advisory Board voted today to approve Coltsville’s bid to become a National Historical Landmark.  Connecticut Senators Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) and Chris Dodd (D-CT), as well as Congressman John B. Larson (D-CT-01) applaud the Board’s decision and its recognition of the important piece of history that the Colt Factory represents. The decision now heads to Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne’s desk for final approval. This is a major step towards attaining National Park status for the area and all of the benefits that come with that designation.

U.S. Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI), Chris Dodd (D-CT), and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) are continuing their push to ensure that, before the oil companies seek additional leases, they develop the 68 million acres of federal land they currently lease.  The trio is attempting to offer several amendments to the energy speculation legislation currently being considered by the Senate. Feingold, Dodd and Menendez recently introduced the “Responsible Federal Oil and Gas Lease Act” and “Responsible Ownership of Public Land Act.” The first requires oil companies to show they are either producing oil or gas - or making progress exploring or developing – on current leases before they obtain more.  The Responsible Ownership of Public Land Act, which the trio introduced along with Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), would charge oil companies a fee for every acre of land they lease but do not use for production.  The Senate could vote on the oil speculation legislation as early as Tuesday, July 22. 

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 the Treasury Department; sanctions against foreign companies that invest substantially in the energy sector; and targeted financial measures, including freezing the assets of individuals involved in proliferation.

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 the Treasury Department; sanctions against foreign companies that invest substantially in the energy sector; and targeted financial measures, including freezing the assets of individuals involved in proliferation.