Ranking Member's Press

Washington, DC- Today, Senator Kennedy and Congressmen Hoyer and Miller stood before the Capitol Christmas tree to discuss the true meaning of Christmas: hope, generosity, and goodwill toward others. In this spirit, the lawmakers called upon Congress to raise the national minimum wage so that the millions of working families struggling to survive...

As Congress meets for a final session before we adjourn for the holidays, we should be focused on the true meaning of Christmas and the special thoughts that Americans of many faiths have at this time of year regarding their families, their friends and neighbors, and the rest of humanity. Christmas is a season of great hope – a time of...

The President should try speaking with seniors in communities across America rather than a handpicked group – to get a real idea of the myriad of problems they’re facing in light of the massive overhaul of the prescription drug program. I’ve heard from countless seniors in Massachusetts that the system is simply not working. One...

Washington, D.C.- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy spoke on the floor of the United States Senate on the wrong priorities in the Republican plan to cut billions from critical programs while securing tax cuts for the wealthiest. Kennedy, ranking member on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, outlined the many programs in...

BRAINTREE, MASSACHUSETTS- Senator Edward M. Kennedy discussed the importance of early education to a child’s health and development at the New England Head Start Association’s regional conference at the Sheraton Hotel. Kennedy delivered the keynote address marking the 40th Anniversary of the Head Start program and discussed his...

Today's results demonstrate that in many cities across the nation, the hard work of students, teachers, and school leaders is beginning to pay off. Such progress is hopeful, but it's clear that our work is far from over. Student achievement is still static in reading, and we have a long way to go to eliminate achievement gaps. In today's...

BOSTON, MA--- Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy discussed the challenges of poverty at Wheaton College upon receiving the “Otis Social Justice Award,” which is awarded to individuals who enhance the understanding of peace, human rights and economic opportunity. Kennedy shared his views of how the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina shined a...

I applaud Secretary Spellings' continued efforts to work with states, schools and teachers to find effective approaches to carry out the No Child Left Behind Act. Much can be learned from measuring student growth. When done the right way, these models can move school reform forward by reviewing progress made by individual students from year to year...

"The defeat of this irresponsible attack on families sends a strong message that America deserves better. The Bush Administration and the Republican leadership are so out of touch with the priorities of American families that even the normally lockstep House of Representatives soundly rejected their proposal to undermine critical national...

Tonight, America1s seniors and low-income residents were told that they1re being left out in the cold this winter. While Americans are facing some of the highest energy costs in decades and oil companies are raking in record profits, a measure to increase funding for energy assistance for theneediest was defeated on the Senate floor for the fourth...

Washington, DC – Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy offered an amendment to the Tax Reconciliation bill that declares cutting child poverty in half is an attainable goal to achieve within this decade. The amendment will enact a one percent surtax to be paid by our wealthiest citizens in order to take care of the needs of our most vulnerable...

Tonight, America1s seniors and low-income residents were told that they1re being left out in the cold this winter. While Americans are facing some of the highest energy costs in decades and oil companies are raking in record profits, a measure to increase funding for energy assistance for theneediest was defeated on the Senate floor for the fourth...

Tonight, America1s seniors and low-income residents were told that they1re being left out in the cold this winter. While Americans are facing some of the highest energy costs in decades and oil companies are raking in record profits, a measure to increase funding for energy assistance for theneediest was defeated on the Senate floor for the fourth...

Tonight, America1s seniors and low-income residents were told that they1re being left out in the cold this winter. While Americans are facing some of the highest energy costs in decades and oil companies are raking in record profits, a measure to increase funding for energy assistance for theneediest was defeated on the Senate floor for the fourth...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Edward M. Kennedy, Tom Harkin and Dick Durbin held a press conference to discuss the Labor HHS Appropriations conference report. Republican conferees stripped funding for avian flu preparedness, and the final proposal also lacks adequate resources for key education, health care, and job training...

Tonight, America1s seniors and low-income residents were told that they1re being left out in the cold this winter. While Americans are facing some of the highest energy costs in decades and oil companies are raking in record profits, a measure to increase funding for energy assistance for theneediest was defeated on the Senate floor for the fourth...

Washington, D.C.—Today, Senate Democrats led by Senators Edward M. Kennedy and Jack Reed offered an amendment to the Tax Reconciliation bill to provide 2.92 billion dollars in federal assistance to low-income and elderly residents for energy assistance. The funding would be paid for by using windfall profits from oil companies seeing record...

Washington, D.C. Today, marking a dramatic step forward in healthcare, Senator Edward M. Kennedy’s bill, the Wired for Health Care Quality Act of 2005 passed the United States Senate by unanimous consent. The bill will improve the care that patients receive, as we know that care declines in quality when physicians do not have access to timely...

Tonight, America1s seniors and low-income residents were told that they1re being left out in the cold this winter. While Americans are facing some of the highest energy costs in decades and oil companies are raking in record profits, a measure to increase funding for energy assistance for theneediest was defeated on the Senate floor for the fourth...

Washington, DC: Today the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission approved proposed changes to the form that employers use to track the race and ethnicity of their employees. Senator Kennedy sent the following letter to EEOC Chair Cari Dominguez yesterday urging her not to make these changes prior to the vote. There is a thirty day review period...