April 27, 2006
“Our nation can’t afford to wait – we need to immediately begin building at least two submarines per year. Our national security and our ability to protect our submarine industrial base depend upon it. And while this subcommittee approval doesn’t actually provide the funding to do that, it is important because it puts people on record that submarines should be a priority and not an afterthought.

Senator Dodd addresses the workers at Aero Gear Inc.

April 13, 2006
Senator Dodd visited the Windsor-based manufacturer Aero Gear, Inc., where he announced new funding to will support Connecticut jobs and provide critical aerospace technology for the United States Army.

April 3, 2006
“This has been a very difficult ordeal for the workers at Sikorsky. They have endured much and I know how tough it has been on them and their families. I'm pleased that this conflict has been settled but I would hope that Sikorsky management would continue to listen to the voices of these workers so this does not occur again in the future. This episode underscores the urge

March 31, 2006
“I’m tremendously proud of our American soldiers. It goes without saying that they are well equipped with honor and bravery. But when it comes to getting what they need on the battlefield, outrageously we’ve seen that they haven’t been getting what they need in terms of equipment and body armor. That’s totally unacceptable, and why this directive by the Pentagon needs to be scrutinized in much greater detail. Clearly no one wants to see our soldiers getting sub-standard gear but the question is why our American soldiers are still feeling the need to purchase equipment to keep them safe and accomplish their important missions. The Bush Administration – to put it mildly – has a poor record of ensuring our troops are getting what they need. They need to immediately launch an investigation into this issue. It is yet another example of the inadequate planning and operation related to our soldiers and this war.”

March 29, 2006
“The workers at Sikorsky built this company. The reason Sikorsky is one of the preeminent helicopter manufacturing companies in the world is because of the quality expertise and skills of their workforce. So needless to say, I’m deeply troubled that this strike has not been settled. I’ve urged the management of Sikorsky in the strongest possible terms to redouble their efforts at finding some common ground with these workers. The answer lies in good faith negotiations – not threats of the hiring or utilization of other workers, especially in other states. That is definitely and absolutely not the answer. I have offered to do anything I can in my power to bring this strike to an end. In fact, today, in a conversation with Sikorsky management, I offered my office to facilitate any and all dialogue to ensure that these workers and the company find an equitable, fair solution to this strike. It is certainly not in the company’s best interest or our national security’s best interest to allow these workers’ expertise to be lost and for this disruption to negatively impact on our armed forces.”

Lawmakers called for action after learning about equipment shortfall before soldiers' deployment

March 13, 2006
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Members of the Connecticut National Guard awaiting deployment to Afghanistan will leave with new equipment they say they need, U.S. Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3) announced today. Ten days ago, the lawmakers called on Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to act on requests made by some members of the Connecticut National Guard to receive appropriate equipment for combat missions they will undertake in Afghanistan. Click here for the full text of Dodd and DeLauro's letter:

Reports from the field say guardsmen headed to Afghanistan given inferior equipment

March 3, 2006
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Responding to soldiers who had contacted their offices, U.S. Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) and Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn.-3) today called on Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to personally investigate reports that National Guardsmen, including 500 members of the Connecticut National Guard currently training in Fort Bragg, received inferior equipment for combat missions they will undertake in Afghanistan.

February 22, 2006
Senator Chris Dodd joined Gordon Mello, a Vietnam veteran who recently purchased body armor for his marine son deployed in Iraq; Brigadier General Daniel R. Scace, chief of staff of the Connecticut Joint Forces Headquarters; and members of the Connecticut National Guard to talk about the importance of ensuring that our troops have the safety equipment they need.

February 17, 2006
Calls Implementation of Body Armor Reimbursement Initiative “Inadequate”

Washington, DC – Responding to the Department of Defense’s announcement of new regulations to extend the reimbursement of military personnel for body armor and equipment purchases, Senator Chris Dodd criticized the Defense Department in a letter to Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld today. The letter highlights the continuing equipment shortfalls for U.S. troops serving in harm’s way and urgently requests that the Department address the inadequate implementation of the reimbursement initiative in accordance with the law.

February 17, 2006
Says President’s Proposed 2.2 Percent Increase Is Inadequate

WASHINGTON, DC – In a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, Senator Chris Dodd and nine of his Senate colleagues urged that a pay increase for America’s military personnel be included in the President’s FY2007 budget. The President’s budget specifies a 2.2% increase – the smallest pay raise for our military since 1994.