The TedKennedy.com JournalKENNEDY ON NO CHILD LEFT BEHINDMon Oct 8, 01:29 PM
WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following statement in response to remarks made by President Bush on reauthorizing No Child Left Behind. President Bush met with Civil Rights leaders today to talk about the bill’s reauthorization. –Jill McCarthy | Permalink Boston Herald: A Victory for Students by Wayne WoodliefWed Sep 26, 07:56 AM
The bill Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) championed, and President Bush is scheduled to sign today, provides the biggest boost in college student loan aid since the GI Bill that followed World War II. That’s a victory in itself. It increases Pell Grants by $1,000, raising individual grants to over $5,000. It caps monthly payments on loans from private and public sources at 15 percent. Try to soak students with sky-high rates – as some lenders did – and you’re now breaking the law. Finally, if you’re a firefighter, police officer, teacher, public health worker, member of the military or in several other public service positions, your loans will be forgiven after 10 years. –Jill McCarthy | Permalink Editorial: Legislation that benefits AmericansSun Sep 23, 11:56 AM
It’s easy to think of Congress as little more than a debating society, where partisan games, ideological rigidity and special interests conspire to keep anything from getting accomplished. Examples abound of Congress’s inability to address problems that put a squeeze on America’s middle class families. That’s why it’s worth recognizing progress on two bills that will bring concrete relief American families. –Jill McCarthy | Permalink GLOBE EDITORIAL - Financial aid 101Thu Jun 21, 02:22 PM
RECENT NEWS from the student loan industry has all the makings of a gritty –Jill McCarthy | Permalink STATEMENT OF SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY ON HOUSE PASSAGE OF THE IMPROVING HEAD START ACTWed May 2, 09:14 AM
WASHINGTON, D.C—Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, released the following statement in response to the House of Representatives passage of the Improving Head Start Act. –Jill McCarthy | Permalink KENNEDY CALLS ATTENTION TO SUSPECT MARKETING PRACTICES BY STUDENT LOAN COMPANIESWed Apr 18, 03:13 PM
–Jill McCarthy | Permalink KENNEDY ON NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND REAUTHORIZATIONSun Mar 25, 10:15 AM
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, the following opinion editorial by Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) appeared in the Washington Post. Kennedy, chief author of the No Child Left Behind Act, is holding a series of hearings and roundtables in the HELP committee, and in Massachusetts, throughout the spring to discuss the reauthorization of the law and to hear from parents, teachers, administrators and other stakeholders. –Jill McCarthy | Permalink KENNEDY STATEMENT ON EDUCATION BUDGET PRIORITIESWed Mar 21, 09:48 AM
Remarks focus on rebuttal to comments made by Senator Gregg I’d like to take a few minutes to respond to some of the points made by the Senior Senator from New Hampshire made yesterday regarding the track record of the Administration and Republican Congress on education funding.–Jill McCarthy | Permalink STATEMENT BY SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY ON THE NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS RESULTSWed Feb 21, 05:14 PM
Washington, D.C. – Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy released the following statement on the results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP): “The NAEP results released today demonstrate the urgent need for a greater focus on improving our nation’s middle and high schools. We need individualized help for students, the creation of smaller learning communities, opportunities for students to pursue college level work as soon as possible, and alternative school models for students at risk of dropping out. We also need to ensure that standards at the high school level are aligned with expectations of colleges and employers. To keep America competitive in today’s economy, we must provide the rigorous curriculum and resources needed to ensure students graduate ready to succeed.” –Jill McCarthy | Permalink Grant access to higher educationWed Feb 14, 04:48 PM
WHEN CONGRESS passed the Higher Education Act in 1965 , lawmakers were guided by the principle that no qualified student should have to for go college because of the cost. Shamefully, Congress has lost sight of this fundamental point. –Jill McCarthy | Permalink KENNEDY, DODD HAIL COMMITTEE PASSAGE OF HEAD START REAUTHORIZATIONWed Feb 14, 09:01 AM
Bill expands Early Head Start; includes key reforms to promote school readiness WASHINGTON, DC-Today, in the United States Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Chairman Edward M. Kennedy and Senator Chris Dodd, Chairman of the Children’s Subcommittee, hailed the passage of the Head Start for School Readiness Act to strengthen and improve the federal Head Start preschool program. Kennedy and Dodd have been working on the legislation since 2003. –Jill McCarthy | Permalink Chairman Kennedy Carries the BallTue Feb 13, 02:00 PM
As Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) seeks to finish up the Democrats’ initial, and much ballyhooed, legislative priorities over the next few weeks, Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Chairman Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) is plowing full-speed ahead with the broader Democratic playbook on health and education issues. –Jill McCarthy | Permalink Chairman Kennedy Carries the BallTue Feb 13, 02:00 PM
As Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) seeks to finish up the Democrats’ initial, and much ballyhooed, legislative priorities over the next few weeks, Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Chairman Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) is plowing full-speed ahead with the broader Democratic playbook on health and education issues. –Jill McCarthy | Permalink KENNEDY INTRODUCES THE HEAD START FOR SCHOOL READINESS ACT OF 2007Mon Feb 12, 09:04 AM
For over forty years, Head Start has given disadvantaged children the assistance they need to arrive at school ready to learn. Its comprehensive services guarantee balanced meals for children, and a well-defined curriculum to see that children develop early skills in reading, writing, and math, and positive social skills as well. It provides visits to doctors and dentists, and outreach to parents to encourage them to participate actively in their child’s early development. –Jill McCarthy | Permalink SENATOR KENNEDY ON INCREASE TO PELL GRANTSWed Jan 31, 02:35 PM
WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy issued the following statement in response to the Bush Administration announcement of an increase to Pell grants. –Jill McCarthy | Permalink STATEMENT BY SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY ON INCREASE TO MAXIMUM PELL GRANTMon Jan 29, 05:19 PM
Washington, D.C.—On Monday night, the House Appropriations Committee filed the FY2007 Joint Funding Resolution. The resolution includes a $260 increase to the maximum Pell Grant -from $4,050 to $4,310. The maximum Pell Grant has been stagnant at $4,050 for five years, and this increase is the first step in the push to raise the maximum Pell Grant to $5,100. –Jill McCarthy | Permalink STATEMENT BY SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY IN RESPONSE TO SECRETARY SPELLINGS’ NCLB PRIORITIESTue Jan 23, 01:19 PM
Washington, D.C. – Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy released the following statement: “Much work needs to be done on the No Child Left Behind Act, and I look forward to working with the Secretary and my colleagues in the new Congress to improve and strengthen the law. –Jill McCarthy | Permalink STATEMENT OF SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY ON THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION’S DECISION ON NELNET AND 9.5Thu Jan 18, 03:36 PM
“The Administration should have settled for nothing less than the full recovery of Nelnet’s ill-gotten proceeds from these loans. The Inspector General’s audit made it crystal clear that Nelnet’s claim of a 9.5% subsidy rate was absolutely indefensible. The Department of Education’s settlement is a loss for students and taxpayers, who are the victims of Nelnet’s greed. –Tom Lopach | Permalink STATEMENT OF SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY ON THE HOUSE VOTE TO CUT STUDENT LOAN INTEREST RATESTue Jan 16, 05:04 PM
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, issued the following statement on the House’s passage of the interest rate reduction bill. –Tom Lopach | Permalink STATEMENT BY SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY AT CAMPAIGN FOR COLLEGE AFFORDABILITY DAY OF ACTIONWed Jan 10, 01:29 PM
I commend the Campaign for College Affordability for organizing this national day of action. Like you, millions of students across America are struggling to pay for college. That is why today, students at campuses across the country are joining together in an urgent appeal to Congress to act now to end the crisis in rising college costs. –Tom Lopach | Permalink STATEMENT OF SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY ON SALLIE MAE'S LETTER TO COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID PROFESSIONALSWed Dec 13, 08:53 AM
“It’s hardly surprising that Sallie Mae would take a proposal intended to protect students and spin it as an attack on college financial aid professionals. In reality, financial aid administrators and students are the ones being attacked by money lenders aggressively marketing private loans that may not offer the lowest interest rates for students. –Tom Lopach | Permalink STATEMENT OF SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY ON SALLIE MAE'S LETTER TO COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID PROFESSIONALSWed Dec 13, 08:53 AM
“It’s hardly surprising that Sallie Mae would take a proposal intended to protect students and spin it as an attack on college financial aid professionals. In reality, financial aid administrators and students are the ones being attacked by money lenders aggressively marketing private loans that may not offer the lowest interest rates for students. –Tom Lopach | Permalink Kennedy, Colleagues Fight for School SafetyMon Oct 9, 05:07 PM
Today, Senators Kennedy, Biden, Salazar, Schumer, Kohl, Clinton, Lincoln, Dodd, and Obama sent the following letter to President Bush urging him to fund two programs critical to the safety of our nation’s schoolchildren. Please click here to read the text of the letter –Tristan Takos | Permalink Kennedy Response to Bush's No Child Left Behind SpeechWed Oct 4, 11:22 AM
Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy released the following statement on President Bush’s No Child Left Behind remarks: “Our nation’s future depends on many things, but certainly one of the most important aspects of the strength of our democracy is the excellence of our public schools. The No Child Left Behind Act charted a sound course for the future of American education, to improve our schools, to set high standards and focus on student outcomes, and to close the achievement gap so that all students have the benefit of a quality education. But sadly, President Bush has yet to learn his lesson on leaving no child behind. This Administration and the Republican Congress have turned the No Child Left Behind Act into a political slogan rather than the solemn oath it was intended to be to our nation’s students, parents, and teachers. The President calls for private school vouchers while America’s schools continue to wait for the funding needed to carry out the reforms under the law. Republican budgets have fallen short by over $55 billion since the No Child Left Behind Act was enacted, leaving 3.7 million children behind this year alone. Schools need better solutions to respond to the challenges identified by the No Child Left Behind Act. We need full funding for the Act.” –Tristan Takos | Permalink Kennedy Praises Passage of Legislation Continuing Student Aid ProgramsFri Sep 29, 07:22 AM
Senator Edward M. Kennedy applauded last night’s passage of legislation keeping existing federal student aid programs operational. He urged Congress to take up more comprehensive legislation that would expand student aid and reform the student loan programs. In the extension bill passed today, Senator Kennedy helped negotiate language that would: (1) provide loan forgiveness to spouses of 9/11 victims; (2) make it easier for applicants to qualify for the Hispanic Serving Institutions program; and (3) ensure that lenders do not exploit a loophole in a recently passed law that requires that proceeds from student loans originated by schools go to need-based aid. “I am pleased that we were able to pass legislation to continue the Higher Education Act programs, ensuring that more than 10 million students will continue to receive the federal grants and loans needed for their education,” said Senator Kennedy. “We need to move quickly to complete action on more comprehensive legislation that does more than continuing the status quo. Families are pinching their pennies to send their children to college and 170,000 students each year do not attend college at all because of cost. We need to re-open the doors to the American Dream by providing additional student aid and making college more affordable.” –Tristan Takos | Permalink Kennedy on Abuse and Mismanagement of Student Loan ProgramsThu Sep 28, 07:19 PM
Today, the Inspector General of the Department of Education released two reports detailing abuse and mismanagement of in the federal student loan programs. The first report outlines the results of an investigation requested by Senator Edward M. Kennedy related to abuses in the student loan programs by the Nelnet Corporation. The Inspector General found that Nelnet was claiming an indefensible 9.5% subsidy rate on a large volume of loans, in violation of the Higher Education Act and guidance provided by the Department of Education. The IG estimates that Nelnet received $278 million in improper payments through June 2005, and could be paid $882 million in additional overpayments if the billings are not corrected. The second report is an audit of Financial Partners—a division of the Federal Student Aid office at the U.S. Department of Education – that is responsible for monitoring the activities of the 3,400 lenders, 35 guaranty agencies, 72 third-party loan servicers, secondary markets, and other entities involved in the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program. The audit finds that Financial Partners had a “weak control environment” for monitoring and oversight of the FFEL program; failed to report significant instances of non-compliance in its reviews of lenders, guarantors, and servicers; and did not have an effective communications process for dealing with problems. “Today the Inspector General released not one, but two reports that call the operation of the loan programs into serious question,” said Senator Kennedy. “The first report, concerning Nelnet, uncovers egregious and repeated abuses in the student loan programs. Nelnet should be required to pay back the ill-gotten proceeds from these loans, and that money should be used to benefit students. We should invest scarce education dollars in students instead of bigger profits for banks. At a time when students and families are pinching pennies to afford college, it’s deeply troubling that the Department of Education let hundreds of millions of dollars go to waste. ” Senator Kennedy has proposed legislation to provide sorely-needed reform to the dysfunctional student loan system and make it work better for students. The Student Aid Reward (STAR) Act would generate $13 billion in new Pell Grants over the next 10 years – at no cost to the taxpayer – by promoting competition between the FFEL program and the less expensive Direct Loan program. Senator Kennedy has also offered a plan to expand the income-contingent repayment program for student loans, so no borrowers have to put more than 15 percent of their monthly income toward loan payments and provide loan forgiveness after ten years to those in public service professions such as teaching, public health, and law enforcement. –Tristan Takos | Permalink Kennedy Praises Report on Parental Involvement and the No Child Left Behind ActTue Sep 26, 03:42 PM
Senator Edward M. Kennedy today commended the Appleseed Foundation on its new report on the status of parental involvement in schools. The report is the first comprehensive analysis of parental participation under the No Child Left Behind Act. “Parents make all the difference in their children’s lives, and they’re indispensable to children’s success in school.” said Senator Kennedy. “They contribute to school culture, hold schools accountable, and make important decisions about teaching and learning.” The No Child Left Behind Act includes key reforms to provide information to parents and increase their involvement in their children’s schools, such as mandatory parent involvement programs in Title I, evaluations of tutors, and report cards on school performance and teacher credentials. As a sponsor of the No Child Left Behind Act, Kennedy helped craft the law’s parent involvement provisions and establish the Parent Information Resource Centers program. Since the law’s passage, Kennedy has advocated additional funding for parent involvement and urged improvements in the support and information available to parents, especially those of children with disabilities or limited English proficiency. The No Child Left Behind Act entrusts important educational decisions to parents, such as the choice of free tutors for their children. –Tristan Takos | Permalink Kennedy on Spellings' Higher Education RemarksMon Sep 25, 11:17 AM
Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy released the following statement on Secretary Spellings’ remarks on the report of the Commission on the Future of Higher Education: “I applaud Secretary Spellings’ call to address the skyrocketing cost of college. Step one of her plan should be to convince the President to immediately increase the Pell Grant to $5100, as he has promised to do repeatedly. I’m disappointed, though, that neither the Secretary nor the Commission put forward ideas to reform the most troubling aspect of higher education today – our dysfunctional student loan system. That system squanders billions each year to provide corporate welfare to big lenders, rather than serving the best interests of our students. No conversation about the future of higher education can move forward effectively without addressing this urgent problem. It’s time to throw the money-changers out of the temple of higher education.” –Tristan Takos | Permalink Kennedy Releases GAO Report on Tutoring Under No Child Left BehindThu Aug 3, 12:49 PM
Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy addressed the need for greater quality, better oversight, and closer coordination with schools in providing tutoring options mandated by the No Child Left Behind Act. “Students urgently need these services, and we can’t tolerate fly-by-night tutoring that falls short of the meaningful help they need to succeed,” said Kennedy. “Today’s report indicates that the quality controls for supplemental educational services are largely inadequate and lacking. We must uphold our promise in the law of ensuring the best outcomes for students.” The No Child Left Behind Act includes provisions to ensure the quality of supplemental educational services, including established criteria for the selection of tutoring providers and requirements that such providers have a successful track record and can closely align tutoring and support services to school curriculum. The law calls for states to closely monitor the quality and effectiveness of supplemental educational services, and to terminate any provider that fails to help students make meaningful gains after 2 years. “We need a new commitment in the No Child Left Behind Act to make schools more active partners in these essential tutoring services, to reinforce learning that’s happening during the school day,” Kennedy said. “We also must ensure that students with the greatest needs have access to these essential services, and that should be a central priority as we reauthorize the No Child Left Behind Act next year.” Click here to read a summary of the report –Tristan Takos | Permalink Kennedy Calls on Secretary Spellings to Enforce New Restrictions on Student Loan ProgramMon Jul 31, 12:44 PM
Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy sent the below letter to Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings to enforce newly-enacted restrictions on the student loan program to protect students and parents against unscrupulous bank tactics. In February, Congress enacted a moratorium on a program which allowed schools to act as lenders to their students. The moratorium was enacted as a result of several lenders using the program to provide inappropriate kickbacks to schools in order to entice them to use their services. In addition to prohibiting new schools from entering the program, the law put new restrictions on the schools already in the program, designed to ensure that no one loan program has an unfair competitive advantage which could result in fewer options for students, and to ensure that students benefit directly from any proceeds from the program by requiring that schools use those proceeds for need-based student aid. Since enactment of the law, some financial institutions have advised schools that they can evade the new restrictions through use of a financial arrangement known as an “eligible lender trustee.” In a letter sent today, Senator Kennedy urged Secretary Spellings to enforce the new law and preserve the integrity of the student aid programs by ensuring that no schools or lenders attempt to use loopholes to circumvent the restrictions on the program. Senator Kennedy noted in the letter that the Department of Education has in the past issued a policy that use of such arrangements to evade the law would not be tolerated. –Tristan Takos | Permalink Kennedy Urges Greater Attention and Support for Limited English Proficient StudentsTue Jul 25, 05:51 PM
Today’s report by the Government Accountability Office highlights the flawed implementation of the provisions in the No Child Left Behind Act to assist students with limited proficiency in English. Over half of the states studied were unable to make reliable assessments of such students. Many states have not yet taken the steps needed to produce dependable test results for their students, despite the law’s requirement that their educational progress be measured in a reliable manner. The report also found serious challenges in closing the achievement gap for these students in at least two-thirds of the states surveyed. Senator Kennedy has introduced legislation to encourage better implementation of the Act’s current testing requirements. He proposes $50 million in state grants to assist in the development and improvement of alternate or native language tests for such students, in order to measure their progress in reading and math. The bill also provides for improvement in state testing polices, so that assessments will be adequate for these students. “It’s clear from today’s report that the states need and deserve additional resources to enable these students to obtain the educational benefits of major school reforms,” said Senator Kennedy. “I’m committed to addressing these issues in the coming reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act.” The Act is scheduled for reauthorization in 2007. –Tristan Takos | Permalink Passage of Perkins Career and Technical Education Act ReauthorizationTue Jul 25, 05:49 PM
Tonight, the Senate passed by unanimous consent the Conference Report for the Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, rejecting President Bush’s call to eliminate the program. The Act ensures that Perkins remains strong for the next generation of American students and workers, and recognizes the evolution of the program and its focus on preparing students for the jobs of the future. Senator Kennedy, the ranking member on the United States Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, has advocated for career and vocational education programs for forty years, beginning with the 1968 Vocational Education Amendments Act. In his Fiscal Year 2004 and 2005 budgets, President Bush proposed twenty-five percent cuts to the Perkins Act, and for the last two years he has proposed the complete elimination of the program. Senator Kennedy has led successful bipartisan efforts to restore funding for the program. Senator Kennedy proposed amendments to the budget bills for both fiscal years 2006 and 2007 that would have restored Perkins funding to the previous year’s levels (about $1.3 billion). Across the nation, more than 15 million secondary students, postsecondary students and adults participate in Perkins programs. In Massachusetts alone, 60,000 secondary school students participate in Perkins programs and over 45,000 people are enrolled in college-level programs. This past year, 96% of graduating students in career and technical education programs in Massachusetts passed the state assessment, the MCAS, to earn their competency determination. Already, 90% of the Class of 2007 have done so. Nine months after their high school graduation, over 95% of career and technical students in Massachusetts are still in college or are still employed. Click here to read Senator Kennedy’s full statement –Tristan Takos | Permalink Kennedy Calls for Full Federal Commitment to America's Public SchoolsThu Jul 20, 01:43 PM
“We must solve the festering crisis in teacher recruitment and retention, and improve opportunities for the nation’s teachers,” said Senator Kennedy. “The quality of our classrooms depends on the ability of our teachers. We need a new national effort to improve professional development, so that teachers can support one another by sharing the best practices and improving their knowledge and skills.” The American Federation of Teachers, founded in 1916, is dedicated to improving the professional, economic and social aspiration of children, teachers and educational institutions. Senator Kennedy was recognized for his leadership in education with an honorary membership in the union, joining a select group of elected officials that have been bestowed such an honor, including former Majority Leader Tom Daschle and former President Bill Clinton. Click here to read Senator Kennedy’s full remarks –Tristan Takos | Permalink Kennedy: Perkins Career and Technical Education Necessary for Americans to Remain CompetitiveWed Jul 19, 03:43 PM
Today, the conferees for the Perkins Career and Technical Education reauthorization bill met and approved a Conference Report that will ensure that Perkins remains strong for the next generation of American students and workers, rejecting the President’s call to eliminate the program. Senator Kennedy, the ranking member on the United States Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, has advocated for career and vocational education programs for forty years, beginning with the 1968 Vocational Education Amendments Act. The program was renamed the Perkins Career and Vocational Education Act in 1984. The Conference Report renames the program the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act, recognizing the evolution of the program at the local level and its focus on preparing students for the jobs of the future. President Bush proposed a twenty-five percent cut in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 and he proposed complete elimination in fiscal years 2006 and 2007. Senator Kennedy has led successful bipartisan efforts to maintain and increase funding for the program. Senator Kennedy proposed amendments to both fiscal years 2006 and 2007 that would have restored Perkins funding to the previous year’s levels (about $1.3 billion). Click here to read Senator Kennedy’s remarks –Tristan Takos | Permalink Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Protect Health Benefits for School Children with DisabilitiesTue Jul 18, 06:55 PM
U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and U.S. Reps. John Dingell (D-MI), Ed Whitfield (R-KY), and George Miller (D-CA) today introduced legislation to ensure that school children with disabilities will continue to receive the health services they need to stay in school. In its budget for the 2007 fiscal year, the Bush Administration sought to stop reimbursing school districts for an estimated $3.6 billion in Medicaid spending over the next five years. That spending covers the cost of medical and health-related services that many of the nation’s 7 million school children with disabilities need in order to attend school. The bill would require the Bush Administration to reimburse school districts for these costs. “Education is the heart of a child’s growth and development. For children with special needs, health care is an essential part of their school day,” said Kennedy. “With all of the challenges they face, why should they be deprived of the support they need to learn and thrive in school?” The threatened funding serves a variety of purposes, such as providing medical equipment for buses to meet specific children’s needs, providing transportation for children from school to their medical appointments, and covering the administrative costs of identifying children who need special medical and learning services. The Administration’s move to stop reimbursing school districts for the Medicaid services follows numerous instances in which it has already arbitrarily denied reimbursement to school for the costs of these services and in which it has failed to give clear guidance to schools about how to apply for the funds. In addition to ensuring that children with disabilities continue to receive the services they need to stay in school, the bill also improves accountability to ensure that funds are distributed and used properly. For example, the bill calls for the creation of uniform rules for schools to follow when they submit a Medicaid claim, and it establishes guidelines for ensuring that schools are held accountable for filing accurate claims. Click here to read a summary of the bill –Tristan Takos | Permalink Kennedy Calls on Higher Education Commission to Increase Student AidTue Jul 11, 12:13 PM
Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy sent a letter to Charles Miller, Chairman of the Secretary of Education’s Commission on the Future of Higher Education. In the letter, Senator Kennedy discusses the obstacles faced by American students seeking to attend college due to increasing student loan debt and inadequate student aid. Kennedy, author of numerous proposals addressing college affordability, called on the Commission to embrace proposals that will reform the student loan program and ensure that no student is blocked from the opportunity to attend college because of financial barriers. His proposals also ensure that no college graduate is confronted with unmanageable debt. Kennedy released the letter and his report on college affordability in the United States, entitled “The College Cost Crunch” at the Center for American Progress’ 2006 Campus Progress National Student Conference. Senator Kennedy said, “Families across the country are pinching pennies so they can afford to send their children to college. They are willing to sacrifice a lot for a college education, but we know it’s getting harder and harder as costs go up, and student debt goes up too. The federal government needs to do more to help families. The American Dream is at risk if we fail to make college more affordable. Graduates should not have to choose between paying off their college loans and buying a home or having a family.” Click through to read more about the Student Debt Relief Act and the Student Aid Reward Act –Tristan Takos | Permalink GAO Finds Bush Administration Believed Payments to Columnist ProperSun Jul 9, 05:29 PM
Today the Government Accountability Office (GAO) revealed that the Bush Administration believes that the payments it made to columnist Armstrong Williams to promote the President’s education agenda were proper. In a letter released today, the GAO strongly disagreed with the Administration, reiterating its view that the contract with Armstrong Williams was an illegal use of taxpayer dollars, and that the Administration should take steps to recover the funds. The Department of Education had contested the September 30, 2005 decision by insisting that the use of covert propaganda in violations of the Antideficiency Act, which is designed to recover misspent taxpayer funds. The GAO’s legal decision was the result of an inquiry by United States Senators Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) and Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ). Senator Kennedy said, “The GAO has said loud and clear that the Administration acted improperly when it used taxpayer dollars to fund Republican propaganda about the No Child Left Behind education bill. It’s amazing that the Administration said it had to cut funding for school reform because of tight budgets, but somehow found money in the education budget to pay for propaganda. Rather than spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on producing Republican propaganda, the Administration should return those funds and live up to the promises it made to America’s students and teachers.” –Tristan Takos | Permalink Kennedy on Teacher Quality ReportWed Jul 5, 01:20 PM
Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy released the following statement on the Citizen’s Commission on Civil Rights’ report on teacher quality. The report, released today, focuses on the need to ensure equitable access to highly qualified teachers for low-income and minority students: “Research shows that good teachers are the single most important factor in the success of students in school. One of our top priorities in school reform today must be to improve the recruitment, preparation, and retention of good teachers, and to equalize the playing field so that the neediest students have access to the best teachers, too. We made progress in the No Child Left Behind Act, with its recognition that all students deserve first-rate teachers, but the Citizen’s Commission report confirms that we have a lot of work to do to fulfill the commitment we made to our children’s future.” –Tristan Takos | Permalink Democrats Release Report on "The College Cost Crunch"Tue Jun 27, 11:08 AM
On the eve of one of the largest interest rate hikes on outstanding student loans, Democrats urged students to consolidate and unveiled a report on the state of student debt and the increasing cost of attending college in the United States. The report provides a state-by-state analysis of the rising cost of college, the erosion of the Pell grant, the average student loan debt incurred by college graduates and the percent of family income needed to pay for college after financial aid. The Democrats also discussed their initiatives to combat the student debt crisis and increase support for students, not banks. Senator Kennedy said, “Families across the country are pinching pennies so they can afford to send their children to college. They are willing to sacrifice a lot for a college education, but this report shows that it is getting harder and harder as costs go up, and student debt goes up too. The federal government needs to do more to help families. The American Dream is at risk if we fail to make college more affordable. Graduates should not have to choose between paying off their college loans and buying a home or having a family.” Click here to read a summary of Senator Kennedy’s bill, the Student Debt Relief Act –Tristan Takos | Permalink Kennedy-Collins Math and Science Bill Passes the SenateWed Jun 21, 07:40 PM
Today the Senate passed Senator Kennedy¹s Defense Department SMART Scholars and Basic Research Amendment as part of DOD Authorization bill. Senator Kennedy issued the following statement and below is a summary of the measure. “This measure will help ensure that American innovation grows and that we continue to attract and retain the best and the brightest men and women to these critical fields in math and science. I thank my colleagues for working to strengthen America¹s global competitiveness and count on their continued commitment to these essential programs.” Click here to read a summary of the measure –Tristan Takos | Permalink Kennedy Urges Increase in Student Aid for All Needy StudentsWed Jun 21, 04:50 PM
Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy released the following statement on the Department of Education’s announcement that $790 million in higher education grants will be available July 1. The grants will go exclusively towards the American Competitiveness Grant program and the National SMART Grant program, which focuses on math, science, and foreign language studies. “Families all across America are pinching pennies in order to send their children to college. Hundreds of thousands are foregoing college because they cannot afford it. Given the challenges we face in the global economy, we should support students studying math and science, but we need to do more so all Americans can afford a college education. A bipartisan proposal to do just that was passed in the Senate last year, but the Republican leadership rejected it, cutting $12 billion from the student loans programs in order to give tax giveaways for the wealthy. Our nation’s students need our help.” Senator Kennedy fought diligently to keep higher education funding for our neediest college students in last year’s reconciliation legislation. Because of the Republican leadership, student loan programs were cut in the Reconciliation bill by 12 billion dollars, and $6 billion in new need-based aid for all Pell Grant recipients was stripped from the bill. The Administration’s Academic Competitiveness Grant and SMART Grant programs created in the bill fail to prioritize the neediest students and impose hurdles to getting federal aid. According to the latest estimates by the Congressional Budget Office, less than 10% of Pell Grant recipients will receive these grants this year. –Tristan Takos | Permalink Kennedy Praises Averted Student Loan Interest Rate HikesWed Jun 14, 02:48 PM
The U.S. Senate today passed the Emergency Supplemental, which included initiatives put forth by Senator Kennedy to expand loan consolidation options for borrowers and did not include a hike in student loan interest rates being pushed by lenders. Below is a statement by Senator Kennedy praising the Appropriations Committee and the Senate: “On the issue of education, we know that countless families across America are struggling to put their children through college. The last thing they need is an increase in interest rates on student loans. I commend the Appropriations Committee for expanding loan consolidation options and resisting efforts by lenders to increase the burden of college debt. Last February, Congress perpetrated the biggest raid on college aid in the history of the program, cutting $12 billion from student loan programs to help pay for tax giveaways to the wealthy. We need to do more to help struggling families afford college, and the Committee’s action on this bill is a step in the right direction.” –Tristan Takos | Permalink Kennedy, Lugar Welcome Students from Around the World to Foster Cultural AwarenessTue Jun 13, 05:12 PM
Today, Senators Edward M. Kennedy and Richard G. Lugar welcomed 250 students from around the world to promote cultural awareness and understanding. Senators Kennedy and Lugar founded the Cultural Bridges program in October of 2002 after the September 11th terrorist attacks. The program provides scholarships for secondary school students from countries with significant Muslim populations. Students live with host families, engage in activities to learn about American society, and to help educate Americans about other countries and cultures. “We believe that the people of the Islamic world and the people of the United States can do more to understand each other and work together so that all our peoples can live in peace,” Senator Kennedy said, “The challenge we share – you and your families at home, the Americans you’ve lived and studied with, our citizens and your citizens – is to understand each others’ ideals and aspirations, and avoid the negative stereotypes.”
The goals of the Cultural Bridges program include expanding communication between people in the United States and participating countries to promote mutual understanding and respect. The program also works to promote international security and peace by educating participants about other cultures to develop a better informed citizenry able to deal more effectively with international issues. Read Senator Kennedy’s Remarks at the Cultural Bridges Reception Read the Cultural Bridges Fact Sheet Read MetroWest Daily News Article –Tristan Takos | Permalink Kennedy, Colleagues Work to Keep America Competitive in Global EconomyMon Jun 12, 03:20 PM
Today, Senators Edward M. Kennedy, Hillary Clinton, and John Kerry introduced the New National Defense Education Act to keep America competitive in our rapidly shrinking global economy. The New NDEA will ensure education standards are internationally competitive, strengthen math and science teaching and education, expand college access and encourage the study of math, science, and critical need foreign languages, and improve job training for those currently in the workforce. “Our country is home to the greatest universities in the world, and our education system has produced the world’s leading teachers, scientists, writers, musicians, and inventors. We cannot let these achievements stall,” Senator Kennedy said, “We have to put first things first, and give children, parents, schools, communities and states the support they need to re-fuel the amazing engine of education and keep our country great in the years ahead.” Read Senator Kennedy’s Remarks on the New National Defense Education Act –Tristan Takos | Permalink Kennedy Continues to Raise Awareness Against Student Loan Interest HikesThu Jun 8, 05:27 PM
Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy released the following statement commending the Appropriations Committee for resisting lobbying efforts by banks and lenders to raise interest rates on student loans through the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill and for incorporating his proposal to expand loan consolidation options for borrowers. “Families across America are pinching pennies to put their children through college and the last thing they need is an increase in the interest rates on student loans. I commend the Appropriations Committee members for giving families a break by resisting efforts by lenders to increase the burden of college debt on working families and for expanding loan consolidation options. In February, the Republican Congress perpetrated the biggest raid on student aid in the history of the program, stripping $12 billion from the student loan programs to pay for tax giveaways for the wealthy. We must do more to help struggling families afford college – the Committee’s actions are a step in the right direction.” –Tristan Takos | Permalink Kennedy Works To Stop the Squeeze on College StudentsMon Jun 5, 01:10 PM
Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy wrote a letter to Appropriations Chairman Senator Thad Cochran and Ranking Member Senator Robert C. Byrd urging the Senators to make college more affordable for families by rejecting efforts to increase interest rates on student loans in the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act. “As millions of middle class families struggle with college costs, Congress should stand with students and reject calls from the banks to raise interest rates on student loans. With higher gas prices, higher health costs, and higher college tuition, it’s time to give average families a break for a change.” Kennedy urged Senators Cochran and Byrd to review last week’s editorial in the Washington Post that highlights the inappropriate and unseemly lobbying efforts to increase interest rates and urged them to reject such proposals in the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill. –Crystal Patterson | Permalink College Education Is a Lifeline To the American DreamTue May 16, 09:19 AM
Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Rep. George Miller (D-CA), joined by Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Congressman Dale Kildee (D-MI) have asked U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings to help college loan borrowers save millions of dollars in interest costs by providing them with as much flexibility as possible in consolidating their loans. The lawmakers made the request in response to a policy change announced by the Education Department on March 17 that it would no longer provide borrowers with the same flexibility that it has in the past – a move that could cost them millions of dollars in additional interest costs. On July 1, 2006, the variable interest rate on outstanding loans is expected to jump by two percentage points – one of the largest increases in history. Kennedy and Miller said that, in light of this fact, it is urgent that students and parents have maximum flexibility in consolidating their college loans. Consolidation allows borrowers to combine their outstanding loans at a low fixed interest rate. Senator Kennedy said, “In today’s rapidly shrinking world, a college education is a lifeline to the American dream. We must do more to reduce interest rates and expand benefits to make college affordable for struggling students and families. Millions of borrowers have reduced the cost of their student loans through consolidation. Now, on the eve of one of the largest interest rate hikes in the history of the program, the consolidation benefit is more important than ever.” Kennedy To Students:Consolidate Your Student Loans NowWed May 10, 01:34 PM
Senator Edward M. Kennedy urged college students nation-wide to consolidate their student loans before interest rates jump almost 2 percentage points on July 1st. This increase will be one of the largest single-year increases in the 40-year history of the federal student loan programs. Because changes in law that will limit loan consolidation options for student borrowers will also become effective on July 1, Senator Kennedy urges students to consolidate to take advantage of current law and interest rates. “As the costs of college continue to skyrocket, more and more students are graduating deep in debt. Congress must do more to reduce interest rates and expand benefits for students and families in order to make college more affordable for all Americans. In the meantime, I urge students to lock in today’s lower rates by consolidating their student loans before July 1st.” Currently, over nine million people are borrowing Stafford loans, and 73% of graduates from private 4-year colleges and 62% of graduates from public 4-year colleges have student loan debt. Loan consolidation enables students to pay off their current loans, which may have different and variable rates, with the proceeds of a single, new loan at a fixed interest rate instead of multiple payments. Consolidated loans also allow students to lock in today’s lower interest rates for the duration of the loan.Below is a letter Senator Kennedy released to students nationwide: –Crystal Patterson | Permalink Competing in Math and ScienceTue Apr 25, 03:44 PM
Kennedy Fights for Students Shortchanged in the Bush BudgetMon Mar 13, 12:12 PM
Senator Edward M. Kennedy, joined by Senators Susan Collins and Robert Menendez, introduced an amendment to the Budget Resolution that seeks to increase spending on education programs that are slashed in the Bush Administration’s budget proposal. Kennedy’s amendment, which he succeeded in passing in the Senate last year but was stripped in conference, would secure funding for the Pell grant increasing it from $4,050 to $4,500 as well as securing resources to restore Bush eliminations of TRIO, GEAR UP, LEAP, and Perkins loans. The amendment would provide a further increase for funding for all student aid programs, including SEOG, work-study, and graduate education. Senator Kennedy said, “Today, more than ever, meeting the new and dynamic challenges of our own time demands that we rely heavily on education as a major strategy to advance America in the years ahead. With this budget, we have a choice. We can invest in the education programs that will help nourish the talents of every individual in the country and equip them to compete in the 21st century. Or we can pay lip-service to the need to keep America competitive, while allowing this budget to slash the very programs that will get us there.” To combat the pressures of a global economy, Kennedy’s amendment also seeks to restore funding for job training and for the Perkins Vocational Education program, which is eliminated under President Bush’s proposed budget. The amendment will increase discretionary spending by $6.3 billion for education, paid for by closing $6.3 billion in corporate tax loopholes and tax shelters already voted to be closed by the United States Senate but not enacted into law. Last month, Kennedy introduce his plan to to reinvest in America’s competitiveness and turn around the damaging impact of the global economy. He believes that we cannot advance forward by continuing down the same path of the last five years that put special interests over America’s interests by cutting back on investments in education, invention, and innovation, as the Administration has done. Senator Kennedy on the Student Aid and Job Training Amendment The Kennedy-Collins-Menendez Amendment Bush’s Education Budget Jeopardizes the Future of Massachusetts Students –Crystal Patterson | Permalink America Deserves a Better Budget for Education and Health CareMon Mar 6, 11:27 AM
Senator Kennedy spoke about the need to invest in America’s future by making sure every family in America has the opportunity to send their children to college and that students—not banks—are given the financial assistance they need to complete higher education. Kennedy also spoke about his bill, with Senator Debbie Stabenow, to fix the Medicare prescription drug plan that has created chaos and confusion with America’s seniors and the disabled.
Senator Kennedy said, “The gap between the President’s words and deeds has grown by leaps and bounds each year as he fails to live up to his promises, instead leaving ordinary Americans behind. Budgets are moral documents, and sadly this one show’s an agenda that puts special interests above the interests of America’s families. It shortchanges our opportunities, it shortchanges our future, and it shortchanges our global competitiveness.” President Bush: Broken Promises on Education Leave Americans Under-prepared for the Global Challenge • Our ability to compete depends on improving math and science education, yet President Bush’s last two budgets cut funds to train math and science teachers at the National Science Foundation. • Our ability to compete depends on leaving no child behind, yet President Bush has underfundedthe Act by $40 billion. • Our ability to compete depends on providing every student the opportunity to go to college. In his campaigns, President Bush pledged to increase the maximum Pell grant to $5,100, but for the last 4 years it’s been frozen at $4,050. • Our ability to compete depends on helping students use technology in the classroom, yet last year President Bush called for the elimination of the federal Educational Technology program. • Our ability to compete depends on providing workers with job training to enhance their skills in the global market, yet Bush has consistently called for cuts to Workforce Investment programs and Adult Education. Workers need a system that supports and guides workers into new jobs, not “flexible” accounts. • Our ability to compete depends on investments in research and development to ensure innovations, but last year the NIH, NSF, DOE, USDA, and NASA all saw Senator Kennedy Speaks Out on the Shortfalls for Education and Health Care in the Buh Budget The Bush Budget Jeopardizes America’s Future The Bush Budget Jeopardizes the Future of Massachusetts Students The Bush Budget and Its Impact on Higher EducationMon Feb 20, 09:44 AM
Today Senator Edward M. Kennedy, joined by Congressman Stephen F. Lynch and Brockton Mayor James E. Harrington, held a discussion with students and professors at Massasoit Community College on President Bush’s proposed budget and its impact on students and institutions of higher education. Senator Kennedy also addressed his plan to strengthen America’s competitiveness and get this country on the right track by investing in education, invention, and innovation. Less than a week after touting his State of the Union commitment to improving education to meet the challenge of global competition, President Bush’s Fiscal Year 2007 budget proposed the largest cut to federal education funding in the 26-year history of the Education Department. Stagnant funding of Pell grants, the elimination of Perkins Career and Technical Education grants, cuts to Youth Opportunity grants along with cuts to job training programs, not only hurt the Massachusetts economy, but hinder opportunity for thousands of students across the Commonwealth. The Bush Education Cuts Jeopardize America’s Future Massachusetts Fact Sheet on the Bush Education Budget Senator Kennedy’s full remarks after the jump. Kennedy Applauds No Child Left Behind CommissionMon Feb 13, 09:22 AM
–Crystal Patterson | Permalink Kennedy on No Child Left Behind, Four Years LaterSun Jan 8, 11:40 AM
“We recognized when the law was passed that resources would be critical to carry the bold plan to leave no child behind to every school in America, and Congress promised significant increases in funding each year to get the job done. Unfortunately, President Bush still doesn’t realize that No Child Left Behind was a promise, not a political slogan. Over the past four years, the White House and this Republican Congress have shortchanged funding for the law to the tune of $40 billion. The Republican budget bill that passed just before the holidays actually cuts funding for the law by $1 billion. That means more than 3 million disadvantaged children will be left behind in our public schools and over 1.6 million children will be left out of after-school programs at a time when districts are being asked to take on the challenges of meeting new standards in science, implementing new annual tests, and turning around the performance of thousands of low-achieving schools. This Administration still hasn’t learned the important lesson that we cannot reform America’s schools on a tin cup budget. It’s time for President Bush to provide the resources needed to make No Child Left Behind a genuine reality, rather than a broken promise.” A Lift for Schools Taking in Students Displaced by KatrinaThu Nov 3, 02:23 PM
“After years of bitter, often partisan clashes on broadening federal assistance to private and parochial schools, the Senate approved by a unanimous voice vote on Thursday a $1.66 billion aid package for public and private schools across the country that have taken in students displaced by Hurricane Katrina.” Relief for Schools Impacted by Hurricane KatrinaWed Oct 19, 01:57 PM “So many schools in the region and around the country have graciously opened their doors to children without the assistance they deserve. We need a response to Katrina that is as generous as the American people are. This bill puts aside politics and ideological battles to get the necessary aid to these schools and to these children without further delay,” Senator Kennedy said. “My wife is from Southern Louisiana so we feel a special appreciation for the way that so many schools are ministering to those who lost so much.” Senator Kennedy on the Higher Education Amendments Act of 2005Wed Sep 7, 01:08 PM
“From our earliest days as a nation, education has been the engine of the American dream, and we can’t let it stall now. Our goal is to give all students and their parents the support they need to benefit from the best education possible, and keep our country strong in the years ahead.” Strengthening Our SchoolsMon Sep 5, 08:53 AM
The New York Times has an op-ed today that highlights the importance of strengthening our schools. “The United States needs to develop a coherent policy that makes schools better everywhere. That means strengthening teaching and curriculum in poor communities, and it also means improving education for the best American students, who look like geniuses in math and science until they are stacked up against better-prepared foreign youngsters. Unless this country acts, our economy will wind up occupying the same low-performing spot on the global charts that our schools occupy now.” –Crystal Patterson | Permalink Closing a Loophole To Help StudentsMon Aug 22, 02:15 PM
Senator Kennedy’s op-ed in the Cape Cod Times -something to think about as thousands of students head to college: “As college students return to campuses across the commonwealth, department stores are holding special sales on everything from sweatshirts to furniture. But you won’t see back-to-school sales on student loans. Instead of using available dollars to help families pay for college, Uncle Sam is wasting billions of dollars every year in subsidies to banks instead of students.” –Crystal Patterson | Permalink WaPo on the "9.5 Loophole" Student Loan AbuseSun Jul 17, 11:13 AM
The Washington Post weighs in on the student loan “9.5 loophole” today: –Crystal Patterson | Permalink Student Loan Abuse Coverage on CNNWed Jul 13, 08:51 AM
CNN’s “Lou Dobbs Tonight” did a segment on the student loan abuses by Nelnet and other companies taking advantage of a loophole in existing law at the expense of college students. The transcript of the segment follows. –Crystal Patterson | Permalink Senator Kennedy Leads the Fight on College Loans; Private Lenders Feeling the HeatTue Jun 28, 11:30 AM
The abuses of the student loan industry are getting more attention in Washington and on Wall Street as the efforts of Senator Kennedy and other legislators following his lead gain momentum. –Crystal Patterson | Permalink The STAR Act - Billions of dollars for students, not for banksTue May 3, 09:19 AM
“If the federal government would cut back on the subsidy-hungry middlemen and just hand out more money, directly, for colleges to lend, it could come up with substantially more for debt-burdened students.” –Crystal Patterson | Permalink |
 
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Senator Edward M. Kennedy today addressed the American Federation of Teachers Annual Convention at the Boston Convention Center and received an honorary membership into the organization. With the landmark No Child Left Behind legislation currently under-funded by $56 billion, our teachers are working harder than ever in trying to ensure the best education possible for our children. Senator Kennedy discussed the critical challenges that we face in moving our children into the 21st Century global economy. This week, Senator Kennedy re-introduced legislation in the U.S. Senate that would provide $100 million to create “Teacher Centers” to promote the best practices in education. 
This year, Ala Al-Ebi came from Yemen to live and study in Northborough, Massachusetts. Al-Ebi completed his senior year at Algonquin Regional High School and participated in multiple extracurricular activities including the video production club and ping-pong club. 
Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy joined Olympic Gold Medalist Apolo Ohno and 100 middle school students to demonstrate the importance of math and science education and discuss his plan for keeping America Competitive through math and science education. At the event, Apolo Ohno helped launch the Hippest Homework Happening program to give students an opportunity to do their math homework with sports legends such as Mia Hamm, Lisa Leslie, and Dave Mirra. Thousands of students will go to 
Senator Kennedy’s American Competitiveness plan will move the country forward and restore America’s advantage in the workforce, education, health care and research. Kennedy’s initiatives, such as making college and graduate school tuition free for low or moderate-income individuals who study science, math, engineering, technology, or a critical-need language, are a part of his plan to get the country back on track. His plan also doubles funding for National Science Foundation education programs, and invests in math, science, engineering and technology textbooks and laboratories for high-need schools.
Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy joined Senators Boxer, Harkin and Stabenow and Congressmen Chris Van Hollen and Xavier Becerra, and hundreds of students and workers to rally against the Bush Administration’s budget that slashes vital programs and initiatives Americans depend on. 
Today, Senator Democrats will offer a resolution to the budget that calls for an increase in America’s investment into education and reverses the backslide in education funding seen under the Bush Administration.
“I welcome today’s launch of the Commission on No Child Left Behind, and I commend the Aspen Institute for its focus on this important issue. When the Act became law at the beginning of 2002, it symbolized a strong new national commitment to improving public education and to giving all students what they need to succeed in school. Congress must reauthorize the law next year, and it will clearly benefit from the Commission’s careful examination of the implementation and its suggestions for improvement. I look forward to the Commission’s proposals and to working closely with students, teachers, parents, and educational leaders to see that Congress and the Administration live up to the promise of the Act.” Paid for and authorized by Kennedy for Senate
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