Chris Dodd facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chris Dodd
CEO of the Motion Picture Association
In office March 17, 2011 – September 5, 2017
Preceded by	Dan Glickman
Succeeded by	Charles Rivkin
United States Senator from Connecticut
In office January 3, 1981 – January 3, 2011
Preceded by	Abraham Ribicoff
Succeeded by	Richard Blumenthal
Chair of the Senate Banking Committee
In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2011
Preceded by	Richard Shelby
Succeeded by	Tim Johnson
Chair of the Senate Health Committee
Acting June 9, 2009 – September 9, 2009
Preceded by	Ted Kennedy
Succeeded by	Tom Harkin
Chair of the Senate Rules Committee
In office June 6, 2001 – January 3, 2003
Preceded by	Mitch McConnell
Succeeded by	Trent Lott
In office January 3, 2001 – January 20, 2001
Preceded by	Mitch McConnell
Succeeded by	Mitch McConnell
General Chair of the Democratic National Committee
In office January 21, 1995 – January 21, 1997 Serving with Donald Fowler (National Chair)
Preceded by	Debra DeLee (Chair)
Succeeded by	Roy Romer
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Connecticut's 2nd district
In office January 3, 1975 – January 3, 1981
Preceded by	Robert Steele
Succeeded by	Sam Gejdenson
Personal details
Born	Christopher John Dodd (1944-05-27) May 27, 1944 (age 81) Willimantic, Connecticut, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouses	Susan Mooney ​ ​ (m. 1970; div. 1982)​ Jackie Clegg ​ (m. 1999)​
Children	2
Relatives	Thomas J. Dodd (father) Thomas J. Dodd Jr. (brother) Helena Foulkes (niece)
Education	Providence College (BA) University of Louisville (JD)
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	1969–1975
Unit	United States Army Reserve

Christopher John Dodd (born May 27, 1944) is an American politician and lawyer. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Dodd served as a United States senator for Connecticut from 1981 to 2011. He is the longest-serving senator in Connecticut's history. Before that, he was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1975 to 1981.

Dodd grew up in Connecticut and went to Providence College. His father, Thomas J. Dodd, was also a U.S. Senator. Chris Dodd volunteered with the Peace Corps for two years. He also served in the United States Army Reserve while studying law.

After law school, Dodd returned to Connecticut. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1974. He then won a seat in the United States Senate in 1980. From 1995 to 1997, he was the main leader of the Democratic National Committee. He also led the Senate Banking Committee from 2007 until he retired. In 2006, Dodd ran for President of the United States but later stopped his campaign.

In 2010, Dodd announced he would not run for re-election. Richard Blumenthal took his place. After leaving the Senate, Dodd worked as a leader for the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) from 2011 to 2017. He now works as a lawyer and advises President Joe Biden.

Early Life and Education

Dodd was born in Willimantic, Connecticut. His parents were Grace Mary Dodd and U.S. Senator Thomas J. Dodd. His family has Irish roots. He is one of six children. His older brother, Thomas J. Dodd Jr., was a U.S. ambassador.

Dodd went to Georgetown Preparatory School. He earned a degree in English from Providence College in 1966. From 1966 to 1968, he volunteered with the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic. There, he learned to speak Spanish very well. He later earned his law degree from the University of Louisville in 1972. He also served in the United States Army Reserve until 1975.

Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives (1975–1981)

Dodd was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1974. He represented Connecticut's 2nd congressional district. He was reelected twice and served from 1975 to 1981. During his time in the House, he worked on important committees.

Serving in the U.S. Senate (1981–2011)

Senate Elections

Dodd was first elected to the United States Senate in 1980. He was reelected four more times in 1986, 1992, 1998, and 2004. He is the first senator from Connecticut to serve five terms in a row.

In 2010, Dodd decided not to run for re-election. Polls showed he would have a tough time winning. Many voters wanted a new senator.

Key Work in the Senate

When Republicans gained control of Congress in 1994, Dodd became part of the minority party. He tried to become the leader of his party in the Senate but lost by one vote.

From 1995 to 1997, Dodd was the main spokesperson for the Democratic National Committee. This is the main organization for the Democratic Party.

Dodd also worked a lot on issues for children and families. He started the first Senate group focused on children's issues. He also wrote the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA). This law lets employees take unpaid time off for family or medical reasons. For example, they can take time off for illness, a sick family member, or when a child is born or adopted. Millions of people have used this law. He also worked to make sure people could get paid leave for these reasons. In 1990, the National Head Start association named him "Senator of the Decade" for his work.

Dodd thought about running for President in 2004 but decided not to. He supported his friend, Senator Joe Lieberman. He was also considered as a possible running mate for John Kerry.

Committee Roles

During his time in the Senate, Dodd served on several important committees:

• Committee on Foreign Relations: This committee deals with how the U.S. interacts with other countries.
• Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs (Chairman): He led this committee, which handles laws about banks, housing, and cities.
• Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: This committee works on laws about health, education, jobs, and retirement.
• Committee on Rules and Administration: This committee oversees the rules and daily operations of the Senate.

2008 Presidential Campaign

On January 11, 2007, Dodd announced he would run for President of the United States. He made a formal announcement in Hartford, Connecticut.

Dodd's campaign received a lot of funding from the financial industry. This industry is regulated by the committees Dodd led in the Senate.

Dodd shared a plane with his friend and fellow Senator Joe Biden during the campaign. They did this to save money.

Dodd's support in polls was low. He believed that more voters would support him once they knew he was against the Iraq War. However, his support did not grow much.

Dodd stopped his campaign on January 3, 2008, after the Iowa caucuses. He finished in seventh place. He later supported Barack Obama for president.

After the Senate

Dodd with President Joe Biden in 2021

Motion Picture Association of America

In February 2011, Dodd became the chairman and chief representative for the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). This group represents major movie studios.

In 2012, Dodd spoke out against websites that protested anti-piracy laws. He said it was "irresponsible" for them to "skew the facts" to get users to support their business interests. He also suggested that politicians who did not support these laws might lose campaign donations.

Dodd left the MPAA in September 2017. Charles Rivkin took his place.

Law Career and Advising President Biden

After leaving the MPAA, Dodd joined the law firm Arnold & Porter in Washington, D.C.

During the 2020 presidential election, Dodd was an advisor to his friend Joe Biden. He was also part of the team that helped Biden choose his running mate.

In 2021, Dodd joined the advisory company Teneo as a senior advisor.

Political Views

Dodd giving a speech at Naval Submarine Base New London, July 1985.

Dodd supported changing the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to include paid leave. He also supported a tax on carbon emissions to help fight global warming.

In 2009, Dodd wrote the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure Act of 2009. President Barack Obama signed this law. It made important changes to protect credit card users. For example, it requires companies to give 45 days' notice before raising interest rates. It also stops companies from suddenly raising rates on existing balances for no good reason. The law also requires companies to send bills 25 days before they are due. It also made it harder for people under 21 to get a credit card without showing income or having a co-signer.

On June 22, 2009, Dodd announced his support for same-sex marriage. He had previously opposed it, but said his views had changed over time. Same-sex marriage became legal in Connecticut in 2008.

Personal Life

Dodd married Susan Mooney in 1970, and they divorced in 1982.

In 1999, Dodd married Jackie Marie Clegg. She was an aide to a Republican senator. They have two daughters, Grace (born 2001) and Christina (born 2005).

Dodd was raised Catholic and attends Mass. He has said his Catholic faith taught him to help others and protect those who are vulnerable. He also said his faith led him to join the Peace Corps. His daughters were baptized Catholic and also blessed in the Mormon tradition of their mother's family.

In 1993, he made a small appearance as himself in the movie Dave.

In July 2009, Dodd announced he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. He had successful surgery in August 2009.

He is the godfather of actress Christy Carlson Romano.

Awards and Honors

• In 2008, Dodd received a Human Rights Award from the Washington Office on Latin America.
• In 2014, he received the Freedom of Speech Award from The Media Institute.
• In 2016, he received the Brass Ring Award for his work helping children.
• In 2025, Dodd received the Presidential Citizens Medal. This is the second highest award for civilians in the U.S.

See also

• Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act

Images for kids

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  Dodd speaking on the campaign trail in January 2007.