Chair's Press

WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Senators Edward M. Kennedy and Patty Murray released the following statements in response to the long awaited action of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which published its final rule requiring employers to pay for workers’ safety equipment. A court had imposed a November 30th deadline for the...

WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy made the following remarks on the floor of the United States Senate as it considered the Head Start Reauthorization Conference Report and the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act. The Senate is expected to vote on the measure this afternoon. The Improving Head Start for School...

(As Prepared for Delivery) Today, the Committee will take action on several health priorities, and I thank Senator Enzi and Members of the Committee on both sides of the aisle for working with great diligence and commitment to resolving differences on the legislation before us. Members and their staffs have worked through a large number of...

WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following statement in response to the passage by the United States House of Representatives of the Head Start Conference Report. “Today’s vote by the House of Representatives will give the...

(As Prepared for Delivery) Last week, Congress took bold action on behalf of American families by sending an appropriations bill to the President that has important new investments in the every day needs and hopes and dreams of the American people. It’s the bill that funds our investments in education, in health care and in American...

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 veto of the Labor HHS bill. "With today's veto, the President has shown once again how out of touch and out of step he is with the values of America's...

(As Prepared for Delivery) Last night the House passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act with a strong bipartisan vote. The House bill prohibits employers from discriminating against workers on the job because of their sexual orientation. It protects Americans from being fired, denied a job or promotion, or otherwise intentionally discriminated...

Conferees Meet to discuss reauthorization bill (As Prepared for Delivery) I thank Chairman Miller for scheduling today’s meeting of conferees on the Head Start reauthorization. I’m grateful to Senator Enzi and all the Members of our Senate Committee for the bipartisan effort we’ve made over the past two Congresses to strengthen...

(As Prepared for Delivery) Mr. President, more than any other appropriations bill that we will consider this year, this bill is about the strength and well-being of America’s families. It gives our children a chance for a better education. It keeps workers safe and makes sure they are paid a proper and legal wage to support their families. It...

WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy released the following statement in response to the passage by the United States House of Representatives of the Employment Non- Discrimination Act. “Although the House bill is narrower than we had hoped, the House’s approval of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act is a major step...

WASHINGTON, DC— At 10:30am tomorrow, Thursday, November 8th, 2007, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, will hold a hearing on protecting the employment rights of veterans. The hearing will address reemployment problems service members face when they return from their tour of duty,...

WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health,Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following statement in responseto President Bush’s and Secretary Leavitt’s criticism of the Children’s Health InsuranceProgram. The CHIP legislation is fiscally responsible and does not add to the...

WASHINGTON, DC— At 10:00am on Thursday, November 8th, 2007, Senator EdwardM. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, willhold a hearing on protecting the employment rights of veterans. The hearing will addressreemployment problems service members face when they return from their tour of duty,including rights...

WASHINGTON, DC — Today Rep. Henry A. Waxman, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, and Rep. Tom Allen introduced legislation to increase the ability of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure the safety and effectiveness of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. The Non-Prescription Drug Modernization Act comes in the wake of a recent FDA advisory panel...

(As Prepared for Delivery) It’s a privilege to join my colleagues to support children’s health. I commend toothe former Assistant Surgeon General, Dr. Woodie Kessel for his courage in speaking outfor children. He has worked tirelessly for children’s health in Republican andDemocratic Administrations alike – and he recognizes...

WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy released the following statement urging President Bush not to veto the Children’s Health Insurance Program. “The President and every Member of Congress enjoy guaranteed health care coverage.We owe the children of America no less. If the President vetoes the CHIP bill,overwhelmingly...

WASHINGTON, DC—Senator Edward M. Kennedy today commended the Senate’spassage by voice vote last night of legislation permanently extending the provisions ofthe Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students Act, originally enacted in 2003. The Act authorizes the Secretary of Education to waive or modify any statutory orregulatory...

Insurance Program Reauthorization Act. The $35 billion agreement will bring healthcoverage to approximately ten million children in need – preserving coverage for all 6.6million children currently covered by CHIP and providing coverage to an additional 4million uninsured children. The agreement provides $100 million in grants for newoutreach...

(Transcribed from the Senate floor, As Delivered) Mr. Hatch: I have to say that the original CHIP bill, that virtually everybodyclaims is an excellent piece of legislation that has helped millions of poor children,children from poor families, meant to help the working poor children, the only childrenleft out of the process, wouldn't have come to...

WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy made the followingremarks on the signing into law of the College Cost Reduction Act and the FDAAmendments Act. Senator Kennedy is the lead Senate sponsor of both measures.The College Cost Reduction Act will provide the largest increase in student aid since theGI Bill– helping millions of...