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Edited on Tue Sep-16-03 09:49 PM by wrkclskid
Note: This is an email digest, which is why I didn't post a link.
T H E D O D D D I G E S T
September 2003 Vol. 1, No. 5
DODD FIGHTS TO PRESERVE AMERICAN JOBS
As America's economy staggers with over 3 million fewer jobs since 2001, Senator Dodd has initiated an aggressive two-pronged effort to defend the American workforce and get more unemployed men and women back on the job.
At recent events across Connecticut, Dodd announced two new legislative initiatives – one to prevent overseas workers from securing domestic employment when well-qualified Americans are available to do the same job, and a second to curb the growing trend of some companies firing U.S. workers and moving their jobs overseas.
Speaking at a manufacturing event in New Britain on July 28, Dodd emphasized the important need to tighten labor laws and prohibit large corporations from hiring overseas workers when equally- qualified Americans are available to fill open positions. "American workers are first-rate," Dodd said. "They shouldn't be treated as ‘second-class citizens' when it comes to jobs here at home. I intend to fight to ensure that Connecticut workers have a level playing field when competing for jobs."
Dodd's legislation, the USA Jobs Protection Act of 2003, includes provisions that will assist thousands of workers in Connecticut and around the country who are struggling to find good jobs in a stagnant economy, and in a labor market that increasingly relies on foreign workers.
Dodd is also actively pursuing a measure that would address the growing problem of "offset agreements." These are arrangements whereby U.S. companies sign a deal with a foreign company that includes transferring manufacturing jobs from the U.S. company to the foreign company, where they are performed by foreign workers. These offset contracts have often resulted in unnecessary layoffs at home and have, in some instances, weakened the nation's defense industrial base of which Connecticut is an integral part. In an amendment passed as part of the Senate Defense Appropriations bill, Dodd's legislation would have the Secretary of Defense review all offset contract arrangements thoroughly, make full reports to Congress on how these arrangements adversely affect domestic manufacturers, jobs, and our national security, and empower the Secretary of Defense to crack down on this practice. "I believe that America's small businesses and aerospace workers are the best in the world," Dodd wrote in a recent letter to Commerce Secretary Donald Evans and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. "If we accept offsets with foreign countries that forego U.S. subcontracting work at home, we will continue to erode our nation's industrial base in critical sectors."
DODD INTRODUCES BILL TO IMPROVE HEAD START Senator Dodd recently introduced legislation aimed at further improving and ensuring the continued success of Head Start. Dodd's bill more than doubles funding for early Head Start and provides the resources necessary to attract and retain a more educated Head Start workforce. Head Start, America's most comprehensive initiative aimed at leveling the playing field for children from low-income families, has helped more than 21 million children nationwide.
"This bill we are introducing today lays out in a concrete fashion the priorities needed to improve Head Start and ensure that all eligible children have access to this critically important program," said Dodd. The legislation allocates funding to attract and retain a qualified Head Start workforce, encouraging higher education for teachers and providing for competitive wages. It also promotes better coordination across all early child care and education programs in every state, and would expand Head Start to all eligible preschool children, including infants and toddlers through Early Head Start, by 2008. In contrast, the House-passed Republican proposal, backed by the Bush Administration, fails to adequately fund Head Start and includes a block grant proposal that would undermine quality standards and comprehensive services for children.
Throughout his career in Congress, Senator Dodd has always believed that investing in America's neediest children, those who are least likely to enter school ready to learn and those without health insurance, is an investment in our nation's future. Head Start is critical to providing these children with a much better chance of succeeding in the long term. In 1991, Senator Dodd was named "Senator of the Decade" by National Head Start as a result of his continuing battle to give every eligible child access to Head Start.
SENATOR DODD SPEAKS ON POSTWAR IRAQ In response to President Bush's recent request for $87 billion in additional funding to support our military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, Senator Dodd emphasized the need for the Bush Administration to be open about the costs of American military action, especially in the face of mounting federal budget deficits that are severely crippling our economy. "I'm prepared to support reasonable additional funding for our efforts in Iraq," said Senator Dodd. "But the president should have come clean with the American public and Congress regarding the cost of this war a whole lot sooner."
In a speech delivered on the Senate floor on July 17, Senator Dodd also criticized the Administration for being unprepared to meet the challenges of postwar Iraq. He encouraged the Administration to do all it can to involve the United Nations and NATO in the administration of postwar Iraq, so that fewer American soldiers will be put in harm's way, and more will be able to return home to their families. Dodd also urged the Administration to seek international involvement in sharing the costs of Iraqi reconstruction, which would significantly lighten the financial burden on American taxpayers.
"The bottom line is the U.S. military has done and is doing a tremendous job – under very difficult conditions. Having said that, it is increasingly apparent that the Bush Administration was ill prepared for what is now confronting on the ground in Iraq – both in terms of the extent of hostilities and the costs of the operations...I strongly urge the Administration to turn to the U.N. and NATO for that assistance. It is in our national security and foreign policy interests for the U.N. and NATO to become partners in rebuilding Iraq."
Finally, Senator Dodd stressed the need to fully explore and investigate, in a bipartisan fashion, allegations that intelligence information was manipulated or distorted in the weeks and months leading up to the war in Iraq. "This calls into question the integrity of our entire intelligence community," said Senator Dodd. "We need to get to the bottom of this and put in place safeguards to prevent future manipulation of intelligence."
* DODD RECEIVES JUSTICE FOR ALL AWARD: On July 23, Senator Dodd was honored by the American Association of People with Disabilities with their Justice for All Award for his work on behalf of people with disabilities, and in particular for his efforts as the sponsor of the Help America Vote Act, which was signed into law in October 2002. This election reform legislation, introduced in the aftermath of the 2000 Presidential election, is designed to ensure that every single American is able to exercise his or her fundamental right to vote, and to have that vote counted. It also takes specific steps to ensure that disabled American men and women can cast their ballots privately and independently. Studies have shown that because of limited access to polling places and voting machines, Americans with disabilities vote at a rate that is at least 10 percent lower than that of the general population.
Being in Connecticut, I am so proud to have this guy as Senator. I know this is made to increase his image, but still he is doing good things.
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