Chair's Press

“The single most important step the United States could take in 2020 to further improve a growing economy is certainty in our trade agreements. This agreement, as well as the trade agreement with China the president is expected to sign today, both contribute to that certainty.” – Senator Lamar Alexander WASHINGTON, January 15,...

WASHINGTON, January 13, 2020 — Senate Labor Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today released the following statement on the U.S. Department of Labor’s final rule on the joint employer standard: “The new joint employer rule will help restore to franchise owners—those who are hurt the most by the current...

NASHVILLE, January 7, 2020 — Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today welcomed U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, after she was sworn into the Senate replacing former Senator Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.): “I welcome Senator Kelly Loeffler to the Senate and look forward to...

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 6, 2020 – U.S. Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today released the following statement on the appointment of Brad Smith to serve as the director for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ innovation center:   “Brad has exactly the right experience to lead...

KNOXVILLE, January 2, 2020 — Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after the Trump Administration announced a plan to ban flavored e-cigarette pods with the exception of tobacco and mint flavors: “This flavor ban coming a month after Congress raised the legal age to purchase...

WASHINGTON, D.C., December 19, 2019 – U.S. Senate education committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today said that President Trump and Congress have delivered a Christmas present for millions of students and families after President Trump signed bipartisan legislation into law that included an amendment by Alexander and Senator...

WASHINGTON, December 18, 2019 — United States Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate health committee, today released the following statement on the Texas v. Azar court case: “Congress eliminated the individual mandate penalty, and the court has finished the job by ruling the individual mandate itself...

WASHINGTON, December 16, 2019 — Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today said Congress will vote this week on several important provisions of the Lower Health Care Costs Act of 2019. “The government funding legislation that Congress will consider this week takes several important steps to address...

WASHINGTON, December 16, 2019 — Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today said he intends to do everything he can to keep surprise medical billing at the top of Congress’ to-do list in 2020 until it’s done. “Protecting patients from surprise billing is something almost everyone wants fixed. One...

“Dr. Hahn can now get to work approving new life-saving drugs and devices, regulating tobacco and e-cigarettes, addressing the opioid crisis, ensuring pain patients can receive the medications they need and protecting our nation’s food supply.” – Senator Lamar Alexander WASHINGTON, December 12, 2019 — Senate...

“This is a very diverse committee that is known for reaching agreement on issues that are consequential to the American people. I am glad that we have continued that record this year. So far the Committee has passed 13 bills, three of which have become law – I anticipate there will be more before the year is over. We approved 46...

WASHINGTON, December 10, 2019 — The U.S. House of Representatives today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senate Education Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Wash.) that simplifies the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form that...

WASHINGTON, D.C., December 10, 2019 – Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said the Senate today passed “the most important new law affecting the safety, innovation, and affordability of over-the-counter drugs since the 1970’s.”  “In 2015, as the Senate health committee was working on...

WASHINGTON, December 10, 2019 — U.S. Senate Education Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) made the following statement on the fourth anniversary of the Every Student Succeeds Act becoming law: “Four years ago, President Obama signed the Every Student Succeeds Act, calling it a ‘Christmas Miracle.’ Today,...

WASHINGTON, December 10, 2019 — The United States Senate today passed bipartisan legislation that included an amendment from Senate Education Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Wash.) that permanently reauthorizes $255 million in annual funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities...

WASHINGTON, December 8, 2019 — Senate Health Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.) along with Ranking Member Greg Walden (R-Ore.) today announced they have reached a bipartisan, bicameral agreement on legislation to lower what Americans pay out of pocket for...

WASHINGTON, December 5, 2019 — The United States Senate today passed a bipartisan amendment to the House-passed FUTURE Act sponsored by Senate Education Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Doug Jones (D-Ala.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.)...

WASHINGTON, December 5, 2019 — Senate education committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today said “the Senate has taken a big first step in simplifying the FAFSA for 20 million families, including 8 million minority students,” after the Senate passed bipartisan legislation that makes permanent $255 million in annual...

WASHINGTON, December 3, 2019 — Senate Education Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Doug Jones (D-Ala.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) today released a bipartisan amendment to the House-passed FUTURE Act to make permanent $255 million in...

WASHINGTON, December 3, 2019 — The Senate health committee today approved the nomination of Dr. Stephen Hahn to serve as commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by a bipartisan vote of 18-5. “Dr. Hahn has extensive medical and research experience and is a proven leader in large health systems—all around,...