Chair's Press

I commend the Maryland legislature for increasing the state’s minimum wage. Maryland is one of many states and communities across the country to recognize that no one who works for a living should have to live in poverty. These states are acting because year after year, Congress has failed to act, and more and more hard-working Americans are...

I commend Maryland for its leadership in the battle for decent health care for workers and their families. Business and government both have important roles in making sure that decent care is available and affordable for all. Maryland is the first state to hold big business responsible for its fair share, and I’m hopeful that Maryland’s...

I’m concerned by President Bush’s decision to bypass the Senate and give a recess appointment to Peter Kirsanow as a member of the National Labor Relations Board. I had made it clear that I was willing to work with the White House and Republicans to confirm a comprehensive package to fill all of the three existing vacancies on the...

Washington, D.C. Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, ranking member of the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions sent the below letter to Chairman Mike Enzi requesting a hearing to investigate the tragedy that took place this week in Tallmansville, West Virginia in the Sago Mine where twelve lives were lost. The...

Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander is floating a new education idea in Washington that is worth serious consideration. His plan would provide $500 Pell Grants to underprivileged kids. The money could be used for anything from in-school extracurricular activity expenses to private school tuition. Inside most of today's public and private classrooms, all...