Chair's Press

(As Prepared for Delivery) There are some debates in Washington that you need to be an expert to understand. And there are others that are as plain as the headlines in the morning paper. Here’s the headline from the Washington Post from November 11th: “Chinese Government Admits Toys Contained 'Date Rape' Chemical.” November 29th...

(As Prepared for Delivery) I thank Speaker Pelosi and commend her for leadership and for having this ceremony. I am proud that this Congress has made education a priority. Education is central to our economy and central to our nation’s future. In the 21st century, students don’t compete only with their peers in the neighboring county...

(As Prepared for Delivery) The most basic duty of any government is to protect the safety of the people it serves. A recent report to the FDA Science Advisory Board raises troubling questions about this Administration’s ability to meet this basic responsibility, with regard to food safety and many other area where American families count on...

WASHINGTON, D.C— Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 4th, at 2:00pm, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, will be joined by Medicare and retiree advocates to support strengthening Medicare through reducing overpayments to private plans. 48,000 signatures collected from seniors across the country...

(As Prepared for Delivery) In an address in Virginia the day before Thanksgiving, President Bush described America as “a nation of great prosperity” with a “strong and growing economy” where it is possible for “people of all backgrounds to rise in society and realize their dreams.” As we return from Thanksgiving...

WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following statement in response to the report presented by the Food and Drug Administration’s Science Board. “The Bush Administration needs to take this report as a wake-up call that our citizens...

WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following statement in response to the food safety agreement reached with China. "I commend Secretary Leavitt for this achievement. These agreements are worthwhile initiatives with Chinese authorities to assure the...

Washington, D.C.— Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following statement today in recognition of World AIDS Day. “AIDS is the worst epidemic of our time. 33 million people- men, women and children on every continent- are infected with HIV worldwide, and the disease...

WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, made the following statement in response to the audit report released by the US Department of Education on student loans. “I’m very troubled by the Inspector General’s finding that AES/PHEAA received at...

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, 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) 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 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...

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 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...

(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,...