The 1956 United States Senate elections were elections for the United States Senate that coincided with the re-election of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The 32 seats of Class 3 were contested in regular elections, and three special elections were held to fill vacancies. Although Democrats gained two seats in regular elections, the Republicans gained two seats in special elections, leaving the party balance of the chamber unchanged.

Thomas Joseph Dodd was an American attorney and diplomat who served as a United States Senator and Representative from Connecticut. He is the father of U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd and U.S. Ambassador Thomas J. Dodd Jr.