Chair's Press
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS QUESTION FDA PROPOSAL DESIGNED TO CREATE LIABILITY SHIELD FOR DRUG AND DEVICE COMPANIES
WASHINGTON, DC-Today Representatives Henry A. Waxman, John D. Dingell, Frank Pallone, Jr., Rosa L. DeLauro, and Edward Markey, and Senators Edward M. Kennedy, Patrick J. Leahy, and Christopher J. Dodd, questioned the basis for a new Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposal that was apparently designed to shield pharmaceutical and device companies from liability for injuries sustained by American consumers as a result of unsafe products. "We are concerned that the intent of this propos… Continue Reading
01.18.08
KENNEDY CELEBRATES AMTRAK AGREEMENT
We are here to celebrate a landmark in labor-management relations. The settlement that's been achieved is an extraordinary achievement that will benefit all the members of the Amtrak community-the employees, the company, the passengers, and the entire country. Compromise is never easy, but I commend both sides for their commitment and fortitude in seeing these negotiations through to an agreement. After eight long years without a pay raise, Amtrak's employees have finally won a contract … Continue Reading
01.17.08
KENNEDY CALLS FOR ACTION ON PATIENT SAFETY LEGISLATION
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office asking that it investigate why this landmark patient safety legislation, passed by Congress nearly three years ago, has not been fully implemented. Senator Kennedy said, "American patients deserve the safest and most effective health care possible. It is disgraceful that -- almost three years after Congress enacted biparti… Continue Reading
01.17.08
SENATOR KENNEDY TO HOLD HEARING ON EQUAL RIGHTS
WASHINGTON, DC- At 10:00am on Thursday, January 24, 2008, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, will hold a hearing on ensuring workers' rights to equal pay. The hearing will focus on the decision by the Supreme Court in the case Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, which undermines the basic protection against pay discrimination for workers set forth in the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, an… Continue Reading
01.16.08
KENNEDY RESPONSE TO ECONOMIC DOWNTURN
(As Prepared for Delivery) When the economy is wrong, nothing else is right for working families. Hardworking families are losing their jobs, their homes, their health care and their hope. More and more families across America wish they could look to the future, but they're just trying to get through today. We're here to say, "We hear you. We're here to work for you." Under the leadership of Senator Reid and Speaker Pelosi, we're ready to sit down with our Republican colleagues and th… Continue Reading
01.16.08
KENNEDY FIGHTS FOR WORKING AMERICANS Kennedy questions experts on economic downturn United States Joint Economic Committee Hearing
(As Prepared for Delivery) I commend Senator Schumer for holding this important hearing today about a deepening concern that is on so many Americans' minds - the troubled state of the nation's economy. And I join in welcoming our distinguished witnesses. Larry Summers is one of the nation's pre-eminent economists, and so is Larry Mischel, whom I've worked with for many years. I also welcome William Beach from the Heritage Foundation, and look forward to his testimony as well. American… Continue Reading
01.15.08
KENNEDY TO HOLD SENATE FIELD HEARING ON FUEL ASSISTANCE IN BOSTON U.S. SENATE’S HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR AND PENSIONS COMMITTEE HEARS WITNESS TESTIMONY AT ACTION FOR BOSTON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ON HOME HEATING CRISIS
BOSTON, MA- On Thursday, January 17th at 11:30 AM, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the U.S. Senate's Health, Education, Labor and Pension's (HELP) Committee, will hold a field hearing in Boston at the Action for Boston Community Development Inc. (ABCD). This HELP Committee Hearing will be the first of a series of hearings on economic security to be held this year. Senator Kennedy will hear witness testimony from fuel assistance providers and residents and will discuss the extent of… Continue Reading
01.15.08
KENNEDY ON HOUSE MINE SAFETY LEGISLATION
KENNEDY ON HOUSE MINE SAFETY LEGISLATION WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following statement in anticipation of the House of Representatives taking up the Supplemental Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act this week. Senator Kennedy said, "I commend the House for taking up this legislation. I urge its quick passage and I intend to see that the Senate acts as soon as possible. We ne… Continue Reading
01.15.08
KENNEDY TO HOLD SENATE FIELD HEARING ON FUEL ASSISTANCE IN BOSTON U.S. SENATE’S HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR AND PENSIONS COMMITTEE HEARS WITNESS TESTIMONY AT ACTION FOR BOSTON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ON HOME HEATING CRISIS
BOSTON, MA- On Thursday, January 17th at 11:30 AM, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the U.S. Senate's Health, Education, Labor and Pension's (HELP) Committee, will hold a field hearing in Boston at the Action for Boston Community Development Inc. (ABCD). This HELP Committee Hearing will be the first of a series of hearings on economic security to be held this year. Senator Kennedy will hear witness testimony from fuel assistance providers and residents and will discuss the extent of… Continue Reading
01.10.08
SENATOR KENNEDY IN RESPONSE TO SEC. SPELLINGS ON NCLB Chairman Kennedy responds to Sec. of Education’s remarks today on NCLB Reauthorization
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following statement in response to Secretary Spellings' remarks made this afternoon at the National Press Club on reauthorizing No Child Left Behind. Senator Kennedy said, "I agree with Secretary Spellings that we must work together to strengthen what is working in public school reform and fix what is not. We are committed to progress so every child can get ahea… Continue Reading
01.08.08
KENNEDY ON NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ANNIVERSARY Chairman Kennedy holds roundtable discussion on law’s future and effectiveness
Chairman Kennedy holds roundtable discussion on law's future and effectiveness Cambridge, MA- Today, on the sixth anniversary of the No Child Left Behind Act, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the United States Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee, held a roundtable discussion at Harvard's Institute of Politics. The discussion, which included stakeholders from the local and state level, teachers, superintendents, policy makers and academics, was part of an ongoing … Continue Reading
01.07.08
KENNEDY, MENINO TO CELEBRATE SUCCESS OF EXPANDED SCHOOL DAY THROUGH PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN STATE AND MASSACHUSETTS 2020, CLARENCE R. EDWARDS MIDDLE SCHOOL IN CHARLESTOWN SETS AN EXAMPLE FOR NATION
BOSTON, MA- On Wednesday, January 9th at 11:30 AM, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the U.S. Senate's Health, Education, Labor and Pension's (HELP) Committee, will join Mayor Thomas M. Menino, administrators, teachers, parents and students in celebrating the success of expanded school day programs in Massachusetts at the Clarence R. Edwards Middle School in Charlestown. The Edwards Middle School implemented the state's Expanded Learning Time Initiative in 2006 and has achieved signifi… Continue Reading
01.07.08
KENNEDY RESPONDS TO BUSH ON NCLB ON THE EVE OF ANNIVERSARY
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following statement in response to President Bush's remarks on the No Child Left Behind Act made today at the Greeley Elementary School in Chicago, Illinois. Tomorrow is the sixth anniversary of the enactment of the law. "There are few responsibilities more important for Congress than to strengthen, support, and modernize our public schools to give every child i… Continue Reading
01.04.08
KENNEDY ON RISE IN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
unemployment rate, from 4.7% in November to 5.0% in December. Nearly 500,000 more Americans became unemployed, the largest increase in a single month since 2001. Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, put out the following statement: "This sharp increase in the unemployment rate comes as no surprise to America's working families who have been struggling to make ends meet in the Bush economy. More and more Americans are losing th… Continue Reading
01.04.08
KENNEDY ON STICKLER APPOINTMENT TO MINE SAFETY POST
Washington, D.C. - The Bush Administration today appointed Richard Stickler to be Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health. Mr. Stickler's recess appointment expired on December 31, 2007. Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued the following statement: "The White House has again gone behind the Senate's back to install Mr. Stickler as head of the agency that is supposed to protect our nation's miners. After a… Continue Reading
12.17.07
KENNEDY, KERRY ANNOUNCE $82 MILLION IN HEATING AID FOR MASSACHUSETTS FAMILIES
WASHINGTON, DC - Senators Edward M. Kennedy and John F. Kerry today announced that Massachusetts low-income households will receive $82 million in fuel aid as part of the Omnibus Appropriations bill currently before Congress. The amount is enough to assist 95,000 families throughout the Commonwealth who are feeling the economic effects of increased oil prices. Senator Kennedy said, "These funds will help families most in need in Massachusetts, so they won't have to choose between heating t… Continue Reading
12.14.07
KENNEDY ON FAIR COMPETITION AMENDMENT PASSAGE
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following statement on the passage of the Fair Competition Amendment in the Defense Authorization bill. "The dedicated civilian employees of the Department of Defense are the backbone of our commitment to keep our troops safe and protect our nation. Unfortunately, these hardworking Americans - many of whom are veterans - have been under sustained attack by the B… Continue Reading
12.14.07
KENNEDY ON PASSAGE OF ENERGY WORKERS’ OMBUDSMAN AMENDMENT
WASHINGTON, DC- The DoD Authorization Conference Report includes a provision to continue the operation of the ombudsman's office in the Department of Labor, which assists sick energy workers seeking compensation under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act. Senator Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, said: "The Act's important goal is to provide fair compensation for employees in the nation's nuclear weapons program who su… Continue Reading
12.14.07
KENNEDY ON CREATION OF NEW JOINT PATHOLOGY CENTER
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy released the following statement on the passage of legislation to create a new Joint Pathology Center as part of the Defense Authorization bill. The Joint Pathology Center will carry on the functions of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, which specializes in pathology consultation, education, and research. "The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology is a national treasure. The consultation and education services it has provided have imp… Continue Reading
12.13.07
Bush NLRB Rulings Have Eroded Workers Rights, Witnesses Tell Joint Senate- House Subcommittee
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Bush National Labor Relations Board has waged an unprecedented war against long-established workers' rights, witnesses told the House Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions, and the Senate Employment and Workplace Safety Subcommittee today. Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA), chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, said, "The National Labor Relations Board is supposed to protect the voice of American workers, but the Board is… Continue Reading
