Ted Kennedy

April 2, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy released the following statement in response to the announcement that the Irish Prime Minister, Bertie Ahern, will resign on May 6, 2008.

“Bertie Ahern has been a steady and effective leader of the Irish people. He has been a good friend of America and a good friend personally.

Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern banner: Photo by Johnny Hailstones (CC)

His skillful leadership in the search for peace in Northern Ireland was indispensable in finally achieving a successful resolution of that long-standing conflict.    » read more »

April 1, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy released the following statement on the Foreclosure Prevention Act.

“A record number of Americans are now facing mortgage payment delinquencies and possible foreclosures. Losing their home can be the ultimate insult, and that became a very real possibility for millions of families affected by the current housing crisis.

Foreclosure bus tours in San Diego, California: Photo by Cory Doctorow (CC)

Over the next two years, 36,000 homes in Massachusetts are expected to go into foreclosure, and with 2 million are expected to be foreclosed nationally. The outlook is bleak.    » read more »

March 19, 2008 -- 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.    » read more »

March 18, 2008 -- 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.    » read more »

March 17, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy released the following statement on the fifth anniversary of the beginning of the war in Iraq.

This week marks the 5th anniversary of the beginning of the Iraq war.

The human toll of this war continues to be devastating. Nearly 4,000 American troops have died, including 82 from Massachusetts. An additional 30,000 have been wounded.

Tens of thousands of Iraqis have been killed or injured, and millions more have been forced to flee their homes.    » read more »

03/14/2008 -- BOSTON – Senators John Kerry and Edward Kennedy, along with Congressman Michael Capuano today announced that the Massachusetts Institute of Technology will receive up to $1.5 million for its work developing high performance, low-cost solar energy technology.

The funding from the Department of Energy (DOE) will help M.I.T., along with 10 other universities nationwide, study ways in which make solar energy cost competitive with conventional forms of energy by 2015.    » read more »

March 14, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy released the following statement today in response to President Bush's remarks on the economy this morning.    » read more »

March 14, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy sent the following letter to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, requesting a report on all detainee interrogation videotapes, transcripts, and related documents that have been created or destroyed by the Department.

Senator Kennedy has previously made similar requests to the Attorney General and to the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. His letter also asks Secretary Gates to take appropriate steps to guarantee the preservation of all interrogation tapes in the Department’s effective control.    » read more »

(As Entered into the Record)

March 14, 2008 -- It’s a privilege to join my colleagues in supporting the “Firearms Information Use Act” to repeal the Tiahrt Amendment and lift the veil of secrecy that currently surrounds the flow of guns in our country. The Act will give law enforcement agencies the support they need to do their job, while protecting information about undercover officers, confidential informants, ongoing investigations, and lawful firearms purchasers. It’s a basic open-government measure that is critical for the public safety of communities across America.    » read more »

March 13, 2008 -- 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.    » read more »

March 12, 2008 -- 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 should get back to the table immediately and bargain in good faith.”    » read more »

March 11, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy released the following statement in reaction to the resignation of Admiral William Fallon, Commander of the U.S. Central Command.

“It’s distressing that Admiral Fallon feels he had to step down. President Bush’s oft-repeated claim that he follows the advice of his commanders on the ground rings hollow if our commanders don’t feel free to disagree with the President. The last thing America needs is an echo chamber of top advisors, especially on all-important questions of war and peace.”    » read more »

United States Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Subcommittee Hearing

March 5, 2008 -- (As Prepared for Delivery)

I commend Chairman Dodd for holding this hearing. It’s an incredibly important issue for millions of Americans struggling to keep warm and pay their bills this winter.

With energy prices rising across the board, countless families can’t afford to pay for heat, particularly when the economy is getting weaker every day.    » read more »

Supports online rally to raise awareness

February 29, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy issued the following statement on the launch of the online rally for paid sick days at EverybodyGetsSick.org.    » read more »

United States Armed Services Committee Hearing

February 28, 2008 -- (As Prepared for Delivery) -- MRAP Vehicle Issue: According to recent press reports, an internal Marine Corps study found that the General in command of our Marine forces in western Iraq sent an urgent request three years ago this month for over a thousand Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles, called MRAPs. But his urgent request was apparently lost in the bureaucracy and never made it to the senior levels of the Marine Corps.    » read more »