Ranking Member's Press
KENNEDY ON NEW DOL REGULATIONS ON FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following statement in response to Department of Labor's new regulations on the Family and Medical Leave Act. "The Act is a vital protection that has enabled more than 60 million Americans to take time off to address a serious illness without fear of losing their job. Yet the Department's new regulations will make it more difficult for workers to use this leave w… Continue Reading
02.07.08
KENNEDY, COLLEAGUES ON MA WORKERS RECEIVING TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE
WASHINGTON, DC- The U.S. Department of Labor recently announced that nearly 600 Massachusetts workers are entitled to federal Trade Adjustment Assistance benefits, which include extended unemployment insurance, job training, and health insurance. The assistance will benefit 478 workers at Alcatel-Lucent in North Andover, 79 workers at RAD Electronics Inc. in North Reading, 24 workers at Hyde Tools Inc. in Southbridge, and 15 workers at Leach & Garner Co. in North Attleboro. Senator E… Continue Reading
02.07.08
KENNEDY APPLAUDS PASSAGE OF HOUSE HEA BILL
02.06.08
KENNEDY ON H-2A REGULATION CHANGES
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy released the following statement in response to the changes to the H-2A visa regulations announced by the Department of Labor and Department of Homeland Security. "I'm concerned about the Administration's approach to these regulations. Increased penalties for employers who break the law make sense, but it's wrong to slash wages for hard working farmworkers and undermine labor standards for Americans as well. We need a solution that will en… Continue Reading
02.05.08
KENNEDY ON 9.5% STUDENT LOAN SCANDAL
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, the U.S. Department of Education informed Congress that seven Federal Family Education Program lenders will be allowed to resume billing for "9.5% loans," the category of student loans under which lenders are eligible to receive an inflated 9.5% rate of return. The decision follows the completion of audits which identified that the seven lenders hold $650 million in student loans that are eligible for the 9.5 percent subsidy. Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the… Continue Reading
02.04.08
KENNEDY ON CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST ESTIMATES OF THE FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN PROGRAMS
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, released new data from the Congressional Budget Office reaffirming that the Federal Direct Loan Program costs less to taxpayers than the Federal Family Education Loan Program, the program that subsidizes banks to make federal student loans. According to CBO's analysis, the FFEL program currently costs taxpayers $14.55 more per $100 loaned than the Direct Loan progra… Continue Reading
01.24.08
KENNEDY, LEWIS INTRODUCE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 2008
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy and Congressman John Lewis, along with more than a dozen Senate colleagues, introduced the Civil Rights Act of 2008, which will strengthen accountability when civil rights and workers' rights are violated. Recent court decisions have weakened America's civil rights laws in ways that Congress never intended. This legislation will ensure accountability for violations of our civil rights and fair labor laws and give individuals the right to c… Continue Reading
01.24.08
KENNEDY ON ENSURING EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Hearing
(As Prepared for Delivery) Equal pay for equal work is a fundamental civil right in our society. All workers should have the right to fair pay regardless of their race, gender, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or disability. Unfortunately, reality has too often failed to live up to this ideal. Prejudice and discrimination too often deny some employees the fair pay they deserve for the work they do. Civil rights is still the nation's unfinished business. Over the years, … Continue Reading
01.23.08
KENNEDY ON HOUSE CHIP VOTE
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following statement in response to the United States House of Representatives failing to override President Bush's veto of the Children's Health Insurance Program. "American families want real solutions to the problems they face. There is no priority more urgent than providing affordable health care for children. Our CHIP legislation has been approved by strong … Continue Reading
01.23.08
KENNEDY ON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following statement in response to the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association's introduction of the "Pathway to Covering America: Ensuring Quality, Value, and Access," a plan to secure health insurance for all Americans. "I commend the Association for making a serious contribution to the debate on health care reform. The American people are demanding change. It is u… Continue Reading
01.23.08
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS QUESTION FDA PROPOSAL DESIGNED TO CREATE LIABILITY SHIELD FOR DRUG AND DEVICE COMPANIES
WASHINGTON, DC-Today Representatives Henry A. Waxman, John D. Dingell, Frank Pallone, Jr., Rosa L. DeLauro, and Edward Markey, and Senators Edward M. Kennedy, Patrick J. Leahy, and Christopher J. Dodd, questioned the basis for a new Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposal that was apparently designed to shield pharmaceutical and device companies from liability for injuries sustained by American consumers as a result of unsafe products. "We are concerned that the intent of this propos… Continue Reading
01.18.08
KENNEDY CELEBRATES AMTRAK AGREEMENT
We are here to celebrate a landmark in labor-management relations. The settlement that's been achieved is an extraordinary achievement that will benefit all the members of the Amtrak community-the employees, the company, the passengers, and the entire country. Compromise is never easy, but I commend both sides for their commitment and fortitude in seeing these negotiations through to an agreement. After eight long years without a pay raise, Amtrak's employees have finally won a contract … Continue Reading
01.17.08
KENNEDY CALLS FOR ACTION ON PATIENT SAFETY LEGISLATION
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office asking that it investigate why this landmark patient safety legislation, passed by Congress nearly three years ago, has not been fully implemented. Senator Kennedy said, "American patients deserve the safest and most effective health care possible. It is disgraceful that -- almost three years after Congress enacted biparti… Continue Reading
01.17.08
SENATOR KENNEDY TO HOLD HEARING ON EQUAL RIGHTS
WASHINGTON, DC- At 10:00am on Thursday, January 24, 2008, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, will hold a hearing on ensuring workers' rights to equal pay. The hearing will focus on the decision by the Supreme Court in the case Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, which undermines the basic protection against pay discrimination for workers set forth in the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, an… Continue Reading
01.16.08
KENNEDY RESPONSE TO ECONOMIC DOWNTURN
(As Prepared for Delivery) When the economy is wrong, nothing else is right for working families. Hardworking families are losing their jobs, their homes, their health care and their hope. More and more families across America wish they could look to the future, but they're just trying to get through today. We're here to say, "We hear you. We're here to work for you." Under the leadership of Senator Reid and Speaker Pelosi, we're ready to sit down with our Republican colleagues and th… Continue Reading
01.16.08
KENNEDY FIGHTS FOR WORKING AMERICANS Kennedy questions experts on economic downturn United States Joint Economic Committee Hearing
(As Prepared for Delivery) I commend Senator Schumer for holding this important hearing today about a deepening concern that is on so many Americans' minds - the troubled state of the nation's economy. And I join in welcoming our distinguished witnesses. Larry Summers is one of the nation's pre-eminent economists, and so is Larry Mischel, whom I've worked with for many years. I also welcome William Beach from the Heritage Foundation, and look forward to his testimony as well. American… Continue Reading
01.15.08
KENNEDY TO HOLD SENATE FIELD HEARING ON FUEL ASSISTANCE IN BOSTON U.S. SENATE’S HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR AND PENSIONS COMMITTEE HEARS WITNESS TESTIMONY AT ACTION FOR BOSTON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ON HOME HEATING CRISIS
BOSTON, MA- On Thursday, January 17th at 11:30 AM, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the U.S. Senate's Health, Education, Labor and Pension's (HELP) Committee, will hold a field hearing in Boston at the Action for Boston Community Development Inc. (ABCD). This HELP Committee Hearing will be the first of a series of hearings on economic security to be held this year. Senator Kennedy will hear witness testimony from fuel assistance providers and residents and will discuss the extent of… Continue Reading
01.15.08
KENNEDY ON HOUSE MINE SAFETY LEGISLATION
KENNEDY ON HOUSE MINE SAFETY LEGISLATION WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following statement in anticipation of the House of Representatives taking up the Supplemental Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act this week. Senator Kennedy said, "I commend the House for taking up this legislation. I urge its quick passage and I intend to see that the Senate acts as soon as possible. We ne… Continue Reading
01.15.08
KENNEDY TO HOLD SENATE FIELD HEARING ON FUEL ASSISTANCE IN BOSTON U.S. SENATE’S HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR AND PENSIONS COMMITTEE HEARS WITNESS TESTIMONY AT ACTION FOR BOSTON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ON HOME HEATING CRISIS
BOSTON, MA- On Thursday, January 17th at 11:30 AM, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the U.S. Senate's Health, Education, Labor and Pension's (HELP) Committee, will hold a field hearing in Boston at the Action for Boston Community Development Inc. (ABCD). This HELP Committee Hearing will be the first of a series of hearings on economic security to be held this year. Senator Kennedy will hear witness testimony from fuel assistance providers and residents and will discuss the extent of… Continue Reading
01.10.08
SENATOR KENNEDY IN RESPONSE TO SEC. SPELLINGS ON NCLB Chairman Kennedy responds to Sec. of Education’s remarks today on NCLB Reauthorization
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following statement in response to Secretary Spellings' remarks made this afternoon at the National Press Club on reauthorizing No Child Left Behind. Senator Kennedy said, "I agree with Secretary Spellings that we must work together to strengthen what is working in public school reform and fix what is not. We are committed to progress so every child can get ahea… Continue Reading
