Ranking Member's Press
KENNEDY ASSURES THE SECURITY OF THE FEDERAL GRANT AND LOAN PROGRAMS
WASHINGTON, DC- Melissa Wagoner, spokeswoman for Senator Edward M. Kennedy (DMA), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, released the following statement by the Senator today on a letter he sent to Massachusetts students and families suggesting options for federal funding that may be available to students in light of the recent announcement from the Massachusetts Education Financing Authority that it would not be making any private student loans for the upcomi… Continue Reading
07.29.08
KENNEDY APPLAUDS APPROVAL OF HIGHER EDUCATION CONFERENCE REPORT
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions today praised the action of Senate and House conferees in approving a Conference Report to reconcile legislation passed in the Senate and the House of Representatives to reauthorize the Higher Education Act of 1965. Approval of the conference agreement, entitled the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, now clears the way for final passage of the bill later this week… Continue Reading
07.01.08
Spokesperson for Senator Kennedy on Implemenation of Title III of the No Child Left Behind Act
WASHINGTON, DC- Melissa Wagoner, spokeswoman for Senator Edward M. Kennedy, today released the following statement on the US Department of Education's evaluation of Title III programs under the No Child Left Behind Act that was reported to Congress last week. "Senator Kennedy is pleased to know that thanks to hard work and tireless dedication, teachers and parents are helping more English language learners than ever to reach high standards in the nation's public schools. But he feels more needs… Continue Reading
05.07.08
Kennedy on President's Signing of the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act
WASHINGTON, DC-Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following statement regarding President Bush signing the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act into law. "I applaud the President for signing this important legislation into law. A college education is more important than ever - important to individual opportunity and important to our nation's economic health. Yet, as problems in the mortgage market have ripple… Continue Reading
04.30.08
KENNEDY INTRODUCES NATIONAL GUARD AND RESERVE MENTAL HEALTH LEGISLATION
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy introduced the National Guard and Reserve Mental Health Access Act, which will provide greater access to mental health services for the National Guard and Reservists. The legislation calls for the implementation of the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program, which will provide counseling, education, and family services to returning Guard and reservists, establishes a pilot project to examine new applications of technology in tele-mental healt… Continue Reading
04.24.08
KENNEDY, ENZI, SNOWE CELEBRATE PASSAGE OF GENETIC INFORMATION NONDISCRIMINATION ACT
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Senators Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Mike Enzi, Ranking Member of the HELP Committee, Olympia Snowe and released the following statements following the passage of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA). This legislation will prohibit genetic discrimination by health insurers and employers. The house is expected to take up identical language in the very near future. Chairman Kennedy said, "… Continue Reading
04.22.08
Senators Murray and Kennedy Call for GAO Investigation into Underreporting of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses As stories of underreporting spread, OSHA's efforts to audit injury and illness records have declined
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Chairman of the Senate HELP Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety and U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy (D-WA), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee asked the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate whether the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is effectively working to ensure that employers are accurately reporting injuries and illnesses in the workpla… Continue Reading
04.21.08
KENNEDY ON TAINTED HEPARIN SUPPLY
KENNEDY ON TAINTED HEPARIN SUPPLY WASHINGTON, DC- Senator Edward M .Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, today released the following statement in response to the FDA's announcement on the contaminated Heparin supply. Senator Kennedy will hold a health committee hearing on Thursday on this issue. "When a serious health threat is discovered, there is no excuse for delay. Congress and the Administration must work with the FDA to keep Americans safe … Continue Reading
04.16.08
KENNEDY ON LENDERS LIMITING STUDENT LOAN AVAILABILITY
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following statement in response to the announcements by Citibank and Chase to not provide student loans to community colleges or proprietary schools. "The Citibank and Chase announcements highlight the need for Congress to take action to ensure that a student's access to college loans is not driven by the quarterly earnings of banks. The Direct Loan program prov… Continue Reading
04.11.08
KENNEDY CELEBRATES PASSAGE OF TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY LEGISLATION
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following statement in celebration of last night's Senate passage of the Traumatic Brain Injury Act Reauthorization. The bill was passed in the House of Representatives earlier this week, and will now be sent to the President for his signature. "Today, we're a giant step closer to giving our nation's military, veterans, children, and other citizens with traumatic brai… Continue Reading
04.03.08
KENNEDY TO HONOR CHILDREN AND DISCUSS VITAL IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES KENNEDY TO BE NAMED 2008 OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD WINNER BY COUNCIL FOR EXCEPTIONAL CHILDREN
BOSTON, MA- On Friday, April 4th at 6:00 PM, Senator Edward M. Kennedy will discuss the importance of federal investment in education for students, parents and advocates at the annual Council for Exceptional Children's Yes I Can! Awards at the Sheraton Boston Hotel. Kennedy will receive the Outstanding Public Service Award for his longstanding dedication to improving educational opportunities and outcomes for exceptional children. The Council for Exceptional Children will also honor stud… Continue Reading
04.03.08
KENNEDY CALLS FOR OSHA RESPONSE TO TEXAS CITY REFINERY DISASTER Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board’s finding have been ignored
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy sent the following letter to the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, Ed Foulke, calling attention to the three years that have passed since the disaster at the Texas City Refinery, and the full year that has passed since the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board's recommendations, with inadequate action from OSHA. Senator Kennedy said, "It has been a whole year since the Chemical Safety and Hazard Inve… Continue Reading
03.18.08
KENNEDY ON FDA IDENTIFICATION OF HEPARIN CONTAMINANT
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following statement in response to the FDA's announcement that they have identified the contaminant in the blood thinner heparin, a chemical compound called oversulfated chondroitin sulfate. Senator Kennedy will be sending letters to the FDA and industry later today. "It is unacceptable that Americans have died and been seriously injured by what appears to be de… Continue Reading
03.18.08
KENNEDY ON NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND POLICY ANNOUNCEMENT
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following statement in response to Secretary Spelling's announcement on No Child Left Behind this morning. "I'm glad that Secretary Spellings recognizes the need to adjust the No Child Left Behind Act. I wish President Bush was serious about funding it. The Act's accountability and focus on every child has been instrumental in turning our national attention toward… Continue Reading
03.18.08
IN LIGHT OF HEPARIN CONTAMINATION, KENNEDY URGES FDA, INDUSTRY TO INVESTIGATE FOREIGN-SOURCED DRUG INGREDIENTS
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, sent the following letters to the FDA and four industry groups urging an investigation into the sourcing of ingredients used in drugs. The text of the letters are below.… Continue Reading
03.17.08
KENNEDY HOLDS U.S. SENATE FIELD HEARING IN BOSTON ON COLLEGE ACCESS AND THE IMPACT OF THE CREDIT CRUNCH ON STUDENT LOAN AVAILABILITY "ENSURING ACCESS TO COLLEGE IN A TURBULENT ECONOMY" AT NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
BOSTON, MA- Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the U.S. Senate's Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, today chaired a Senate field hearing on the challenges of college affordability in today's economy at Northeastern University. In the wake of the turbulence in the credit markets, access to student loan financing is under increased strain while the cost of higher education continues to skyrocket. Senator Kennedy said, "We need to be certain we're doing everything we can… Continue Reading
03.13.08
KENNEDY ON PASSAGE OF NIH AND LIHEAP FUNDING AMENDMENT
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 of budget amendment #4023, which will provide an additional $2.1 billion in funding to NIH and $1 billion for LIHEAP. "This vote is a victory in two key areas. It's a victory for public health, and it's also a victory for protecting our most vulnerable citizens from the high cost of energy. It provides an additional… Continue Reading
03.13.08
KENNEDY ON INCREASE IN INDIAN HEALTH SERVICES FUNDING
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy released the following statement in response to budget amendment #4198, which will increase the amount allocated to Indian Health Services by $1 billion. "I strongly support the additional $1 billion provided under this amendment for the Indian Health Services. The funds will be used to meet the urgent needs of Native Americans for medical and preventive health services in hospitals and clinics. These native peoples have long suffered poor… Continue Reading
03.12.08
KENNEDY ON THE UNITED AUTO WORKERS STRIKE AT AMERICAN AXLE
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued the following statement on the breakdown in negotiations between the United Auto Workers and American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings Inc.: "I urge American Axle to work to reach a contract with the UAW. The men and women of the auto industry have made huge contributions to the American economy, and they deserve a contract that honors their hard work. American Axle sh… Continue Reading
03.12.08
KENNEDY APPLAUDS LIHEAP FUNDING INCREASE
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following statement in response to the Senate passage of $5.1 billion in LIHEAP funding, which increases the formula allotment for Massachusetts to $154 million. This funding level will provide an average benefit of $490 to over 300,000 households in the Commonwealth. "I'm thrilled that the Senate voted to fully fund LIHEAP, which provides essential heating assi… Continue Reading
