Senator Dodd continues to work to strengthen and safeguard our democracy. He believes that the right to vote is the most fundamental of all our rights as American citizens and the right on which all other constitutional and civil rights depend. After the disputed presidential election of 2000 -- in which as many as 6 million eligible Americans did not have their votes counted -- he authored landmark legislation to help ensure that all eligible Americans have an equal opportunity to cast a vote and have their vote counted. This legislation, which was signed into law in 2002, has been called the most important civil rights legislation since the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Senator Dodd was a key supporter of the McCain-Feingold law, which is intended to reduce the role and size of campaign contributions in political campaigns. He authored pivotal legislation to eliminate the payment of honoraria to members of Congress. In addition, he supports revisions to the USA PATRIOT Act that will strengthen our nation's ability to fight terrorism while preserving Americans' civil liberties, such as the right to privacy. He also is the author, with Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN), of legislation that would strengthen freedom of speech and freedom of the press by limiting the ability of the federal government to prosecute citizens and journalists for speaking confidentially about abuses of power by government and corporate officials.

Latest on Safeguarding Our Democracy

10/13/06 - Senator Dodd Addresses Rhode Island Public Expenditures Council...read more
9/14/06 - Sen. Dodd Joins Others to Speak Against 'secret Holds' on Legislation; Urges Comprehensive Lobbying Reforms...read more
9/12/06 - Dodd Recognizes Connecticut History at U.S. Capitol ...read more
8/04/06 - Dodd Hails Connecticut's Choice of Hava-Compliant Voting Systems...read more
3/29/06 - Senator Dodd Applauds Senate Passage of Lobby Reform Bill...read more
3/09/06 - Dodd Calls for the Authorization of the Voting Rights Act...read more
3/08/06 - Sen. Dodd’s Legislation to Ban Meals from Lobbyists Passes Senate...read more
3/06/06 - Floor Statement of Senator Chris Dodd on Lobbying Reform...read more
2/28/06 - Statement of Senator Chris Dodd on Lobby Reform Legislation Approved By Senate Rules Committee Today...read more
2/15/06 - Dodd - Lott Legislation to Help Gulf Coast States Hold Timely Elections Passes Senate...read more