Chairman's Press
HISTORIC RYAN WHITE BILL PASSES -- A LIFE LINE FOR A MILLION AMERICANS LIVING WITH HIV AND AIDS STATEMENT BY SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY ON PASSAGE OF THE RYAN WHITE CARE ACT OF 2006 (AS PREPARED FOR DELIVERY)
Today marks an important milestone in our ongoing national struggle with HIV and AIDS. Twenty- five years ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued its first warning about the disease we now know as AIDS. Today, we approve the third extension of the Ryan White CARE Act, the comprehensive legislation first enacted in 1990, for the prevention and treatment of HIV and AIDS. In those early days, the nation failed on all levels to recognize the danger posed by this disease. Its vict… Continue Reading
12.01.06
STATEMENT BY SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY ON LONGEST MINIMUM WAGE STAGNATION IN HISTORY
Washington, D.C. - Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy released the following statement: "Saturday marks the longest period in history that minimum wage workers have gone without a raise. For nearly a decade, the prices of everyday necessities like gas, food, and prescription drugs have skyrocketed, while the paychecks of minimum wage workers haven't increased a cent. Year after year, the Republican Congress has blocked all attempts to raise the minimum wage, while voting a pay raise for themselve… Continue Reading
11.16.06
KENNEDY ANNOUNCES HELP COMMITTEE PRIORITIES FOR 110TH CONGRESS KENNEDY COMMITTED TO MOVING AMERICA FORWARD THROUGH HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND PENSIONS COMMITTEE AGENDA (AS PREPARED FOR DELIVERY)
The message from this election is clear. There's little doubt that the American people want a change of course in Iraq. But they also want a government that stands with them and their families as they look to the future - jobs that reward their hard work, health care that is good and affordable, and education that continues to open the door to the American dream for all of our citizens. That was the agenda of the voters in this election and it will be the agenda of our Health, Education, Labor … Continue Reading
11.16.06
STATEMENT BY SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY ON DRUG SAFETY (AS PREPARED FOR DELIVERY)
Millions of Americans rely on the drugs that the FDA reviews to protect them from sickness. But now, the FDA itself urgently needs treatment. For too long, the agency has been without a confirmed leader. Science has too often had to take a back seat at the very agency which should be setting the standard for objectivity and integrity. There is also growing evidence that the dedicated professionals at the FDA have been pressured to trim their scientific views to the prevailing political winds. … Continue Reading
11.15.06
KENNEDY, SCHUMER, HARKIN, CLINTON JOIN LEADERS AND ACTIVISTS TO CELEBRATE STATE MINIMUM WAGE WINS AND FIGHT FOR FEDERAL INCREASE MOVING AMERICA FORWARD BEGINS WITH A HIGHER MINIMUM WAGE
Washington, DC: On Thursday, November 16 at 2:00 pm, Senators Kennedy, Schumer, Harkin and Clinton will join leaders and activists from the six states that passed minimum wage initiatives to affirm their commitment to raising the federal minimum wage. Last week, the citizens of Arizona, Colorado, Montana, Missouri, Nevada and Ohio voted overwhelmingly in support of raising the minimum wage. The leaders and activists that helped make that happen will join the senators to convey the strong desire… Continue Reading
11.02.06
KENNEDY CELEBRATES PRESENTATION OF PRESTIGIOUS HEALTH AND SAFETY AWARD TO LYNN GE AVIATION PLANT JOINS CONGRESSMAN TIERNEY, MAYOR CLANCY IN HONORING THE PLANT’S ACCOMPLISHMENT
BOSTON, MA -Today Senator Edward M. Kennedy joined U.S. Congressman John Tierney and Lynn Mayor Chip Clancy at the Lynn's GE - Aviation's plant in celebration of the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) award of the Voluntary Protection Program Star. Senator Kennedy discussed the critical importance of workplace safety for all working men and women in the Commonwealth and commended the conscientious efforts of the plant to have a workplace that maintains an enviro… Continue Reading
10.23.06
SENATORS KENNEDY AND EDWARDS JOIN STATE ORGANIZERS TO URGE PASSAGE OF MINIMUM WAGE BALLOT INITIATIVES REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS BLOCK PASSAGE, STATES ARE TAKING THE LEAD TO GIVE MILLIONS THE RAISE THEY DESERVE
Washington, DC: Today Senator Edward Kennedy and former Senator John Edwards joined the organizers from five of the six states that have minimum wage initiatives on the ballot this year on a conference call: Arizona, Colorado, Missouri, Nevada and Ohio. The minimum wage measures are expected to pass in all of the states and extensive get-out-the-vote efforts are underway. Senators Kennedy and Edwards discussed how the state efforts demonstrate the need for prompt federal action to raise the mini… Continue Reading
10.23.06
KENNEDY, COLLEAGUES URGE SECRETARY CHAO TO STRENGTHEN MINE SAFETY PENALTY REGULATIONS
Washington, D.C. -- In a bipartisan letter today to Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, Senators Edward M. Kennedy, Arlen Specter, Patty Murray, Robert Byrd, and Jay Rockefeller criticized the current draft regulations on mine safety proposed by the Mine Safety and Health Administration as too weak to protect the nation's miners, and urged MSHA to strengthen these rules. The issue acquired new urgency after the explosion today at a coal mine in Eastern Pennsylvania. Kennedy said: "The tragic explos… Continue Reading
10.20.06
SENATORS KENNEDY AND EDWARDS JOIN STATE ORGANIZERS TO DISCUSS MINIMUM WAGE BALLOT INITIATIVES ON CONFERENCE CALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY, STATES ARE TAKING THE LEAD TO GIVE MILLIONS THE RAISE THEY DESERVE
Washington, DC: On Monday, October 23 at noon, Senator Edward Kennedy and former Senator John Edwards will host a press conference call with the organizers from the six states that have minimum wage initiatives on the ballot this year: Arizona, Colorado, Montana, Missouri, Nevada and Ohio. The minimum wage measures are expected to pass in all six states and extensive get-out-the-vote efforts are underway. Senators Kennedy and Edwards will discuss how the state efforts demonstrate the need for p… Continue Reading
10.19.06
STATEMENT OF SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY ON THE RECESS APPOINTMENT OF RICHARD M. STICKLER
Washington, D.C. - Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy released the following statement on the recess appointment of Richard M. Stickler: "This action by President Bush is an affront to the men and women who risk their lives every day in our nation's mines. After so many lost their lives this year, our miners and their families deserve better than a mine safety director with a track record of looking the other way. The Administration knows that Mr. Stickler could not pass the Senate because of his… Continue Reading
10.16.06
KENNEDY DISCUSSES THE COLLEGE COST CRUNCH AT THE EDUCATION RESOURCE INSTITUTE IN BROCKTON ANNOUNCES $3.5 MILLION FEDERAL TRIO GRANT FOR NEW COLLEGE ACCESS CENTER
BOSTON, MA- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy discussed the college cost crunch on Massachusetts students and opened The Education Resources Institute's (TERI) new college access center in Brockton. As ranking member on the United States Senate's Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Senator Kennedy has been a lifelong advocate for increasing educational opportunities for all students. "As families come face to face with the rapidly evolving global economy, they have seen the value of… Continue Reading
10.11.06
5 NOBEL PRIZE WINNING ECONOMISTS CALL FOR MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE KENNEDY: THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT EVERYONE EXCEPT THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP UNDERSTANDS -- IT IS TIME TO GIVE HARD WORKING AMERICANS A RAISE
Washington, D.C. -- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy issued the following statement in response the news that 650 economists, including 5 Nobel winners of the Nobel prize for economics, are urging lawmakers to raise the minimum wage. Senator Kennedy's bill, which the Republican leadership has blocked, would the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour in three steps; currently the minimum wage is $5.15. Also below is the AP story on the news from the economists. "These esteemed economists understand what … Continue Reading
10.06.06
SENATOR KENNEDY ON THE REAUTHORIZATION OF THE CHILDREN’S HOSPITALS GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION BILL
Senator Edward M. Kennedy today praised members of the House of Representatives for its recent vote to reauthorize vital funding for pediatric graduate medical education programs. The Children's Hospitals Graduate Medical Education Program funds training for physicians in the nation's 60 independent children's teaching hospitals. Congress approved reauthorization of the federal program through 2011, with an annual funding cap of $330 million. The Senate had approved the bill unanimously, and t… Continue Reading
10.03.06
NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD DECISION STRIPS RIGHT TO ORGANIZE AND UNION PROTECTIONS FOR MILLIONS STATEMENT BY SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY ON KENTUCKY RIVER DECISION
Washington, D.C. -- A National Labor Relations Board decision today significantly expands the number of employees classified as "supervisors" under the National Labor Relations Act. In practical terms, the decision means that millions of working men and women across the country will no longer have the right to join a union or qualify for other protections under the Act, and will therefore be much more vulnerable to discrimination or unfair loss of their jobs. Senator Edward M. Kennedy issued th… Continue Reading
10.02.06
KENNEDY CONGRATULATES UMASS WORCESTER’S CRAIG MELLO ON NOBEL PRIZE
WORCESTER, MA-Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy congratulated the University of Massachusetts Worcester's Craig Mello who has been awarded the Nobel Prize in medicine. Mello is being honored for his work in turning off the effect of certain genes. Senator Kennedy's remarks at the press conference held today in Worcester are below."What a great day this is for Craig Mello. I join all of you in congratulating him for this extraordinary honor, and for his pioneering research on the role of RNA in h… Continue Reading
09.29.06
STATEMENT OF SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY ON TODAY’S REPORTS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION’S OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL New Report Requested by Senator Kennedy Unveils Repeated Abuses in 9.5% Loans; Second Report Details Mismanagement in Federal Student Aid Office
Washington, D.C. - Today, the Inspector General of the Department of Education released two reports detailing abuse and mismanagement of in the federal student loan programs. The first report outlines the results of an investigation requested by Senator Edward M. Kennedy related to abuses in the student loan programs by the Nelnet Corporation. The Inspector General found that Nelnet was claiming an indefensible 9.5% subsidy rate on a large volume of loans, in violation of the Higher Education Ac… Continue Reading
09.29.06
SENATE WILL AGAIN SEND MSHA NOMINATION BACK TO WHITE HOUSE SENATORS SAY MINE SAFETY TOO IMPORTANT FOR POLITICAL GAMES
WASHINGTON, D.C--The U.S. Senate on Saturday will return the nomination of Richard Stickler to head the federal mine safety agency to the White House for the second time. "Last month, the Senate took a stand for mine safety by sending back to the White House an unacceptable nomination to lead MSHA, and we are as resolute in our stand today. We're again sending a message to the Administration that America's miners deserve better, and we hope that this time it will listen," Byrd said. "The fact … Continue Reading
09.28.06
KENNEDY ON REPORT THAT SHOWS 9 MILLION CHILDREN LACK HEALTH INSURANCE Uninsured children more likely not to have received care than insured children
Washington, DC-Today, the Campaign for Children's Health Care released a report that finds that there are 9 million uninsured children in the United States, 88% of which are from working families. Senator Kennedy said, "It's simply unacceptable that so many children remain uninsured today. But instead of expanding coverage, hundreds of thousands of children who are insured through the Children's Health Insurance Program today face losing their health insurance because the Republican Administrat… Continue Reading
09.28.06
STATEMENT BY SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY ON HOUSE PASSAGE OF OLDER AMERICANS ACT OF 2006
Washington, D.C. - Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy released the following statement on the House passage of the Older Americans Act: "I commend the House for passing these amendments to the Older Americans Act to strengthen the vital services and programs for our senior citizens, and I urge the Senate to pass it before Congress adjourns this week for the election. The bill combines the key provisions of the bills passed earlier by the House and Senate. It maintains the Community Service Emplo… Continue Reading
09.27.06
KENNEDY, MENENDEZ CALL FOR HONEST ACCOUNTING OF MEDICARE DONUT HOLE Legislation introduced today will monitor the number of seniors falling into the hole and its effect on their health
WASHINGTON, D.C.--Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy and Senator Robert Menendez introduced the Honest Medicare Act of 2006 to monitor the Medicare Part D donut hole and its effect on senior citizens.Under the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug benefit, also known as Part D, was designed with a coverage gap in the middle. This gap is known as the "donut hole." After their total prescription drug costs have reached $2,250, beneficiaries must bear the full cost of tho… Continue Reading
