Chair's Press
KENNEDY, SMITH, ROCKEFELLER AND SNOWE FIGHT TO PROTECT OUR NATION’S CHILDREN Work to prevent drastic restrictions Children’s Health Insurance Program
WASHINGTON, D.C-Senators Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA), Gordon H. Smith (R-OR), JayRockefeller (D-WV), and Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME) released the following statements on thelegislation introduced today that will prevent states from having to drastically restricting thenumber of children who can access care. The bill specifically prohibits the implementation of rules put in place by the Centers forMedicare and Medicaid Services that would essentially prohibit states from providing qualityhealth coverag… Continue Reading
09.07.07
KENNEDY, REID, MILLER ON COLLEGE AFFORDABILITY
WASHINGTON, D.C- Today, at 12:45pm, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Majority Leader HarryReid, and Representative George Miller will hold a press conference to celebrate the passageof the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, which will provide the largest increase instudent aid since the GI Bill. WHAT: Press Conference on the College Cost Reduction and Access Act WHEN: 12:45pm today, Friday, September 7, 2007 WHO: Senator Edward M. KennedyMajority Leader Harry ReidRepresentative George Miller W… Continue Reading
09.07.07
KENNEDY CELEBRATES PASSAGE OF COLLEGE AFFORDABILITY AND ACCESS ACT
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy gave the following remarks followingthe passage by the United States Senate of the College Affordability and Access Act of 2007, whichincludes the largest increase of student aid since the GI Bill. (As Prepared for Delivery) From our earliest days as a nation, education has been the engine of the American dream.Today, we'll help millions of students achieve that dream with the legislation before us, whichprovides $20 billion in new college aid -… Continue Reading
09.07.07
STATEMENT OF SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY ON THE PASSAGE OF THE COLLEGE COST REDUCTION AND ACCESS ACT
(As Prepared for Delivery) Nelson Mandela once said that education is the most powerful weapon which you can use tochange the world. As Americans, we have understood the truth of this statement throughout our history. Fromthe beginning of our Republic, we have looked to the future and invested in future generationsof Americans. We knew that a good education for our citizens would improve lives and in ourown way change the world. We knew that when we passed the GI bill. And we were right.We kn… Continue Reading
09.07.07
STATEMENT OF SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY ON JOB REPORT
WASHINGTON, DC- Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Senate Health, Education,Labor and Pensions Committee, issued the following statement on today's report from theBureau of Labor Statistics, which showed that employers cut 4,000 jobs in August-the firstdrop in the number of jobs since 2003: "These job losses demonstrate that our economy is headed in the wrong direction. The overalleconomic growth that has been taking place in recent years can no longer hide the fact thatlarge numbers of… Continue Reading
09.06.07
STATEMENT OF SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY ON THE NOMINATION OF CHARLES MILLARD TO BE DIRECTOR OF THE PBGC
(As Prepared for Delivery) Today we are considering the nomination of Charles Millard to be Director of thePension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. Let me start by thanking Senator Mikulski for agreeingto help Chair this important hearing. She had a vital role in the passage of the PensionProtection Act last year, and has shown impressive leadership as Chair of our Retirement andAging Subcommittee. I'd also like to thank Senator Enzi for his continuing leadership and partnership on theseissues, a… Continue Reading
09.04.07
CHAIRMAN KENNEDY RELEASES SECOND REPORT ON LENDER ETHICS Report details abuses within lending system
WASHINGTON, D.C.-Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the United StatesSenate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released a report on thestudent loan system entitled "Second Report on Marketing Practices in the Federal FamilyEducation Loan Program." The report discusses the findings of Chairman Kennedy'sinvestigation of inappropriate marketing practices in the student loan industry. Chairman Kennedy said, "The findings of the report underscore the urgent need for r… Continue Reading
08.30.07
KENNEDY CALLS FOR MORE INFORMATION ON POLITICAL APPOINTEES IN THE OFFICE OF THE SURGEON GENERAL AND HHS
WASHINGTON, D.C- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Senate Health,Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, sent the following letter to Secretary MichaelLeavitt requesting information on the interactions of political appointees at the Department ofHealth and Human Services and the Office of the Surgeon General, specifically during tenureof Dr. Richard Carmona. The letter is below.… Continue Reading
08.29.07
KENNEDY: KATRINA SHOWED HOW LONG A JOURNEY WE STILL HAVE TO MAKE TO LIVE UP TO AMERICA’S PROMISE MORE OF OUR NATION’S CHILDREN NEED A HEALTHY START IN LIFE — NOT FEWER
Washington, DC: Today, on the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Senator Edward M.Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and the author ofthe Children's Health Insurance Program, urged the President to support Congress's efforts tocover more children. Yesterday the Census Report revealed that number of uninsured hasskyrocketed from 44.8 million in 2005 to 47 million in 2006. Over 600,000 more children arenow uninsured than were in 2005, with an increase fr… Continue Reading
08.16.07
KENNEDY SUPPORTS PRESIDENT’S CANCER PANEL RECOMMENDATIONS
WASHINGTON, DC- Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Senate Health, Education,Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following statement today, strongly supportingthe recommendations by the President's Cancer Panel for effective national action to reducethe danger of tobacco. "The recommendations eloquently reaffirm what is widely recognized throughout the publichealth community; that giving the Food and Drug Administration the power to regulatetobacco products is the most important s… Continue Reading
08.10.07
KENNEDY ON MINE TRAGEDIES
08.10.07
KENNEDY ON MINE TRAGEDIES
WASHINGTON. DC- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the SenateHealth, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following statement onthe mine collapses in Utah and Indiana. "The thoughts and prayers of all Americans are with our country's mining communitiestoday. These are terrible tragedies, not only for the workers and their families, but for allof the brave men and women who go to work each day in America's mines. Our focus atthis difficult time is on the continuing re… Continue Reading
08.09.07
KENNEDY REQUESTS INFORMATION ON POSSIBLE PATIENTS’ RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education,Labor and Pensions Committee, sent the following letter to Secretary Michael Leavitt of theDepartment of Health and Human Services, requesting information pertaining to possibleviolations of the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act of 1996 reported to theCenters for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Below is the text of the letter.August 9, 2007Secretary Michael LeavittDepartment of Health and Hum… Continue Reading
08.03.07
KENNEDY: TODAY’S JOB NUMBERS DEMONSTRATE THE NEED FOR MODERNIZING OUR UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM
Washington, DC- Today Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Senate Health,Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, put out the following statement regarding today'sjobs numbers that reflect a notable increase in long-term unemployment. More than 1.3million Americans who are currently looking for work have been seeking a job for 26 weeks ormore - an increase of nearly 200,000 since last month. Kennedy is the sponsor of legislationthat will modernize the unemployment insurance system, S. 1871… Continue Reading
08.03.07
REMARKS OF SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY ON THE AMERICA COMPETES ACT
WASHINGTON, DC- Late last night, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the SenateHealth, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following statement on thepassage by the United States Senate of the America COMPETES Act, which invests ineducation, especially in math, science, engineering, and technology, creates a President'sCouncil to encourage innovation, and doubles the support for research at the Department ofEnergy and the National Science Foundation for the next seven years. … Continue Reading
08.03.07
KENNEDY, REID, PELOSI, DINGELL REAFFIRM COMMITMENT TO REAUTHORIZING PUBLIC HEALTH LEGISLATION
WASHINGTON, DC- This morning, Senator Edward Kennedy, Majority Leader Harry Reid,Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Congressman John Dingell, sent the following letter to Andrew C.von Eschenbach, Commissioner of Food and Drugs, affirming their commitment to reaching aconference report to reauthorize the drug and device user fee programs, the BestPharmaceuticals for Children Act, and the Pediatric Research Equity Act, and provide importantnew authorities to improve post-market drug safety, establish a clin… Continue Reading
08.02.07
REMARKS OF SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY JOINS FAITH LEADERS IN SUPPORT OF THE CHILDREN’S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM (As Prepared for Delivery)
Psalms teach us that true leaders should "defend the afflicted among the people and save thechildren of the needy." (Psalm 72:4)What says more about our character as a nation than how we care for the children of thiscountry?What says more about our morality than the way we ensure that each and every child canmake the most of their God-given talents?And what says more about our priorities than a Congress that puts resources towards aprogram for kids that saves lives and gives a healthy start to o… Continue Reading
08.02.07
KENNEDY, DOMENICI ANNOUNCE MENTAL HEALTH PARITY BREAKTHROUGH
WASHINGTON, D.C.--Tonight, Senators Edward M. Kennedy and Pete Domenici announced abreakthrough in Mental Health Parity negotiations. The new agreement will protect all statelaws and provide equity in mental health treatment to 113 million Americans. Senator Kennedy said, "Tonight a major agreement was reached with the mental healthcommunity, business leaders, the insurance industry and Senate leaders to ensure that thosewith mental health needs can receive fair and equitable health insurance. … Continue Reading
08.02.07
KENNEDY CELEBRATES PASSAGE OF CHILDREN’S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Senate Health,Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following statement in response to thepassage of the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007. "There is no truer test of our moral values as a nation than the way we safeguard the healthof our children. Tonight's resounding vote to renew and strengthen the Children's HealthInsurance Program puts children first and makes the promise of bett… Continue Reading
08.01.07
KENNEDY CELEBRATES HELP COMMITTEE PASSAGE OF FDA TOBACCO REGULATIONS Committee Reports Bill with a vote of 13-8
WASHINGTON, DC‹ Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Senate Health,Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following statement in response to thepassage by the HELP Committee of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. "Today, we put children back on the national agenda. The bipartisan legislation will savemillions of lives and save others from a lifetime of addiction and certain death. The tobaccoindustry has been allowed to mislead consumers, to… Continue Reading
