Ranking Member's Press
KENNEDY ON FOOD SAFETY AGREEMENT WITH CHINA
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following statement in response to the food safety agreement reached with China. "I commend Secretary Leavitt for this achievement. These agreements are worthwhile initiatives with Chinese authorities to assure the safety and quality of food, drugs, and medical devices imported from China, and to investigate problems with Chinese products. They don't change the … Continue Reading
11.20.07
STATEMENT OF SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY ON WORLD AIDS DAY
Washington, D.C.- Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following statement today in recognition of World AIDS Day. "AIDS is the worst epidemic of our time. 33 million people- men, women and children on every continent- are infected with HIV worldwide, and the disease causes 2 million deaths every year. Experts predict that in the next quarter century, AIDS will become the third leading cause of death worldwide, after hea… Continue Reading
11.19.07
STATEMENT OF SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY ON 9.5% LOANS
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, made the following statement in response to the audit report released by the US Department of Education on student loans. "I'm very troubled by the Inspector General's finding that AES/PHEAA received at least $35 million in improper 9.5 percent subsidy payments, and may have received millions more. The Administration should move aggressively to recoup these funds, and AES/PH… Continue Reading
11.15.07
KENNEDY, MURRAY ON OSHA’S SAFETY EQUIPMENT RULE
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Senators Edward M. Kennedy and Patty Murray released the following statements in response to the long awaited action of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which published its final rule requiring employers to pay for workers' safety equipment. A court had imposed a November 30th deadline for the agency to issue the rule. Senator Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, said, "Year after year, OSHA has been AWOL on th… Continue Reading
11.14.07
KENNEDY ON HEAD START AND THE IMPROVING HEAD START FOR SCHOOL READINESS ACT
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy made the following remarks on the floor of the United States Senate as it considered the Head Start Reauthorization Conference Report and the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act. The Senate is expected to vote on the measure this afternoon. The Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act increases eligibility and focuses on our neediest children, as well as improving local programs and establishing new goals for the teaching wo… Continue Reading
11.14.07
STATEMENT OF SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY ON HOUSE PASSAGE OF THE HEAD START CONFERENCE REPORT
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 by the United States House of Representatives of the Head Start Conference Report. "Today's vote by the House of Representatives will give the nation's low-income children a better Head Start on the American Dream. This Conference Report improves access to Head Start, strengthens the Head Start workforce, builds … Continue Reading
11.13.07
KENNEDY ON BUSH VETO OF LABOR HHS BILL
(As Prepared for Delivery) Last week, Congress took bold action on behalf of American families by sending an appropriations bill to the President that has important new investments in the every day needs and hopes and dreams of the American people. It's the bill that funds our investments in education, in health care and in American jobs. These are not optional investments. They're not just nice little programs that can be funded one year and cast aside the next. These investments a… Continue Reading
11.13.07
KENNEDY ON BUSH VETO OF LABOR HHS BILL
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following statement in response to President Bush's veto of the Labor HHS bill. "With today's veto, the President has shown once again how out of touch and out of step he is with the values of America's families. Cancer research, investments in our schools, job training, protecting workers, and many other urgent priorities have all fallen victim to a President who squa… Continue Reading
11.08.07
STATEMENT OF SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY ON HOUSE PASSAGE OF ENDA
(As Prepared for Delivery) Last night the House passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act with a strong bipartisan vote. The House bill prohibits employers from discriminating against workers on the job because of their sexual orientation. It protects Americans from being fired, denied a job or promotion, or otherwise intentionally discriminated against because of their sexual orientation. Although the bill is narrower than many of us had hoped, the House action is still a main step in the l… Continue Reading
11.08.07
KENNEDY ON HEADSTART REAUTHORIZATION Conferees Meet to discuss reauthorization bill (As Prepared for Delivery)
Conferees Meet to discuss reauthorization bill (As Prepared for Delivery) I thank Chairman Miller for scheduling today's meeting of conferees on the Head Start reauthorization. I'm grateful to Senator Enzi and all the Members of our Senate Committee for the bipartisan effort we've made over the past two Congresses to strengthen and improve the current program. I'm pleased that we've finally reached a point in both Chambers of Congress, where we can provide a better lifeline of support for the n… Continue Reading
11.07.07
STATEMENT OF SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY ON LABOR HHS
(As Prepared for Delivery) Mr. President, more than any other appropriations bill that we will consider this year, this bill is about the strength and well-being of America's families. It gives our children a chance for a better education. It keeps workers safe and makes sure they are paid a proper and legal wage to support their families. It invests in improved health care to keep our families healthy and strong. This is what Americans want us to invest in - better education, better jobs and … Continue Reading
11.07.07
KENNEDY ON HOUSE PASSAGE OF ENDA
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy released the following statement in response to the passage by the United States House of Representatives of the Employment Non- Discrimination Act. "Although the House bill is narrower than we had hoped, the House's approval of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act is a major step in the journey toward equality toward full civil rights for the entire gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community. The House has clearly recognized the basic in… Continue Reading
11.07.07
SENATOR KENNEDY HOLDS HEARING ON VETERANS’ EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS Addresses guarantees of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act
WASHINGTON, DC- At 10:30am tomorrow, Thursday, November 8th, 2007, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, will hold a hearing on protecting the employment rights of veterans. The hearing will address reemployment problems service members face when they return from their tour of duty, including rights guaranteed by the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). The hearing will also present important data collected by t… Continue Reading
11.06.07
KENNEDY RESPONDS TO SECRETARY LEAVITT ON CHIP
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health,Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following statement in responseto President Bush's and Secretary Leavitt's criticism of the Children's Health InsuranceProgram. The CHIP legislation is fiscally responsible and does not add to the budgetdeficit, paying for the cost of children's health coverage through an increased tax ontobacco. Study after study has shown that increasing the cost of cigarettes reducess… Continue Reading
11.06.07
SENATOR KENNEDY HOLDS HEARING ON VETERANS’ EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS Addresses guarantees of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act
WASHINGTON, DC- At 10:00am on Thursday, November 8th, 2007, Senator EdwardM. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, willhold a hearing on protecting the employment rights of veterans. The hearing will addressreemployment problems service members face when they return from their tour of duty,including rights guaranteed by the Uniformed Services Employment and ReemploymentRights Act (USERRA). The hearing will also present important data, previouslywithheld from t… Continue Reading
11.06.07
WAXMAN, KENNEDY, ALLEN INTRODUCE BILL TO BOOST FDA’S OVERSIGHT OF OVER-THE-COUNTER DRUGS
WASHINGTON, DC - Today Rep. Henry A. Waxman, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, and Rep. Tom Allen introduced legislation to increase the ability of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure the safety and effectiveness of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. The Non-Prescription Drug Modernization Act comes in the wake of a recent FDA advisory panel recommendation that FDA should ban OTC cough and cold medications for children under the age of six. Under current law, if FDA wants to follow its committee'… Continue Reading
11.01.07
KENNEDY CALLS ON PRESIDENT BUSH TO GET CHILDREN THE HEALTH CARE THEY NEED
(As Prepared for Delivery) It's a privilege to join my colleagues to support children's health. I commend toothe former Assistant Surgeon General, Dr. Woodie Kessel for his courage in speaking outfor children. He has worked tirelessly for children's health in Republican andDemocratic Administrations alike - and he recognizes that a strong, bipartisan CHIP billis the most important step we can take to improve the health of America's children. We're here today to say there's no higher priority i… Continue Reading
09.28.07
KENNEDY URGES PRESIDENT NOT TO VETO CHIP
WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy released the following statement urging President Bush not to veto the Children's Health Insurance Program. "The President and every Member of Congress enjoy guaranteed health care coverage.We owe the children of America no less. If the President vetoes the CHIP bill,overwhelmingly approved by the Congress, then our duty is clear. We will be backtomorrow, and the next day, and for however long it takes to see this bipartisan billbecome law. The P… Continue Reading
09.28.07
KENNEDY ON PASSAGE OF BILL TO EASE STUDENT LOAN PROCEDURES FOR SERVICE MEMBERS
WASHINGTON, DC-Senator Edward M. Kennedy today commended the Senate'spassage by voice vote last night of legislation permanently extending the provisions ofthe Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students Act, originally enacted in 2003. The Act authorizes the Secretary of Education to waive or modify any statutory orregulatory provisions on federal student aid for service members and others during a waror other national emergency. "The Act recognizes the many problems the service member… Continue Reading
09.27.07
KENNEDY CELEBRATES PASSAGE OF CHILDREN’S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM
Insurance Program Reauthorization Act. The $35 billion agreement will bring healthcoverage to approximately ten million children in need - preserving coverage for all 6.6million children currently covered by CHIP and providing coverage to an additional 4million uninsured children. The agreement provides $100 million in grants for newoutreach activities to states, local governments, schools, community-based organizations,safety-net providers and others to enroll millions more low-income, uninsure… Continue Reading
