News Coverage
Eagle-Tribune: Sen. Warren says she, Markey are putting pressure on gas companies to restore service
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren said Friday that the Columbia Gas Co. "owes an explanation to everyone" about why its over-pressurized lines caused numerous explosions and fires in the area last week. Warren, who visited the Beacon Courts housing project in South Lawrence, said she and her Bay State colleague, U.S. Sen. Edward Markey, are putting pressure on the federal government to find out "exactly what the problem is" and to make sure there is no risk of a similar incident happening.They are … Continue Reading
September 19, 2018
Sputnik: Over 130 US Lawmakers Urge Trump to Admit Hurricane Maria Death Toll, Apologize
More than 130 US lawmakers are calling on President Donald Trump to acknowledge the official death toll from Hurricane Maria and apologize for his recent comments about the fatalities, a letter to Trump said. "We write to denounce your recent statements about the fatalities in Puerto Rico from Hurricanes Irma and Maria and their aftermath. These comments were grossly inaccurate, callous, embarrassing and beneath the dignity of the Office of the President of the United States. We call on you … Continue Reading
September 19, 2018
Indianz: Bipartisan bill includes Indian Country in suicide prevention efforts
A simple change in federal law will help tribes address suicide in their communities, according to a bipartisan group of lawmakers. States already receive federal funds to develop and implement prevention programs. The Native American Suicide Prevention Act will ensure that Indian Country is included in those efforts, lawmakers said as the Senate version of the bill was introduced on Tuesday."Any conversation on suicide prevention must begin at the grassroots, and tribal communities must be … Continue Reading
September 19, 2018
The Hill: Warren suggests Mulvaney broke law by speaking to GOP donors
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) on Wednesday said that White House budget director Mick Mulvaney might have broken the federal Hatch Act by meeting with Republican donors and campaign officials earlier this month. "Your appearance at this private event with Republican donors and campaign officials raises questions about your compliance with the Hatch Act and other federal laws, your judgment, and your management of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Consumer Financial … Continue Reading
September 19, 2018
American Banker: CFPB chief's meeting with GOP donors may be illegal, Warren says
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., has raised ethical questions about a recent private meeting where acting Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Mick Mulvaney reportedly discussed the midterm elections with Republican donors and party officials. Warren said Mulvaney's appearance at the closed-door event in New York City on Sept. 8 could violate the Hatch Act, which prohibits executive-branch officials — with some exceptions — from engaging in certain forms of political activity.At the … Continue Reading
September 19, 2018
Politico: Warren slams Mulvaney for donor meeting
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) suggested Wednesday that Mick Mulvaney, acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, may have violated federal law by speaking to a group of donors, in the latest of a series of stinging letters to the Trump administration official. Warren questioned whether Mulvaney, who is also White House budget director, violated the Hatch Act in appearing at a “closed-door event in New York City” this month with Republican Party officials and contributors, … Continue Reading
September 18, 2018
USA Today: Senators: Natural gas pressure was 12 times normal level before Massachusetts explosions
The pressure in the natural gas pipelines under three Massachusetts communities spiked to 12 times their normal level last week, just before the explosions and fires that destroyed dozens of homes and killed an 18-year-old man, according to Sens. Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren.The Massachusetts Democrats were briefed on the explosions in and around Lawrence by the National Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating.Markey and Warren are demanding answers from Columbia Gas and its … Continue Reading
September 18, 2018
The Hill: Warren joins Sanders in support of striking McDonald's workers
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) on Tuesday voiced her support for McDonald's workers who are on strike to protest the fast food chain's response to sexual harassment in the workplace. "I stand with @McDonalds workers who are striking today to protest sexual harassment on the job, and retaliation for reporting it," Warren tweeted."Low-wage workers are especially vulnerable to workplace discrimination and sexual harassment," she added. "It’s wrong, and it has to stop."Read the full article on … Continue Reading
September 18, 2018
TIME: Elizabeth Warren's New Argument: Corruption Drives Inequality
President Donald Trump pledged to “drain the swamp” in Washington, D.C., but his Administration has been beset by ethics scandals both big and small. Now, one of his potential opponents in 2020 has put together a detailed legislative proposal to tackle a wide range of issues involving lobbying and self-dealing in Washington, some of which seem aimed directly at Trump’s indiscretions.Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s Anti-Corruption and Public Integrity Act would institute a lifetime ban on lobbying for … Continue Reading
September 17, 2018
Market Watch: Elizabeth Warren leads push by Democrats to force public companies make climate-risk disclosures
Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts is spearheading an effort by Democratic senators to bring a bill that would require public companies to disclose more information about their exposure to climate-related risks.The bill, called the Climate Risk Disclosure Act, would direct the SEC, in consultation with climate experts at other federal agencies, to issue rules within one year that require every public company to disclose:• Direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions• All fossil-fuel related … Continue Reading
September 17, 2018
WBUR: Warren Bill Would Require Companies To Disclose More About Their Climate Risks
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren on Monday proposed legislation that would require public companies to disclose more information about their exposure to climate-related risks. Warren's bill would direct the Securities and Exchange Commission to issue rules to require each company to detail its greenhouse gas emissions; its total amount of "fossil fuel-related assets;" how its valuation would be affected by certain climate change forecasts; and its risk management strategies related to climate … Continue Reading
September 17, 2018
Pensions&Investments: Climate risk disclosure bill introduced in Senate
Legislation aimed at helping investors assess climate-related risks was introduced Monday by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and seven Democratic senators. If passed, it would require the Securities and Exchange Commission to issue within one year rules requiring every public company to disclose direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions, the total amount of fossil-fuel related assets that it owns or manages, how valuation would be affected and risk management strategies. Disclosure … Continue Reading
September 17, 2018
The Hill: Warren says vote should be delayed, asks what Kavanaugh is hiding
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) joined Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats in demanding that Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearing be delayed until they can fully review the sexual misconduct allegations against him .Christine Blasey Ford over the weekend went public with her accusation that Kavanaugh pinned her to a bed and attempted to remove her clothes her at a party in the early 1980s, roiling the confirmation process. "Christine Blasey Ford is brave, deserves to … Continue Reading
September 17, 2018
Bloomberg: Warren Sees New Conflict in NLRB Bid to Unravel Obama-Era Worker Rules
Democratic U.S. senators led by Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts urged a Trump administration labor board appointee to recuse himself from a case that could end up being a big victory for corporations trying to make it harder for workers to unionize. The case before the National Labor Relations Board deals with the right of companies to restrict workers’ online organizing efforts. In a letter sent to NLRB Chairman John Ring, a Trump appointee, Senators Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, Cory … Continue Reading
September 15, 2018
The Boston Globe: Mass. lawmakers rip Columbia Gas for ‘woefully inadequate response’ to Merrimack Valley fires, explosions
The state’s two US senators and the congressmen representing the Merrimack Valley communities rocked by gas fires and explosions Thursday have sent a letter to Columbia Gas criticizing its “woefully inadequate response” to the disaster that forced thousands of residents from their homes. US Senators Edward J. Markey and Elizabeth Warren and Representatives Niki Tsongas of Lowell and Seth Moulton of Salem addressed the sharply worded letter Friday to Steve Bryant, president of Columbia Gas of … Continue Reading
September 14, 2018
MassLive: Sen. Elizabeth Warren: 'The spotlight's on Columbia' after 1 killed, thousands displaced in Lawrence, North Andover, Andover fires and explosions
U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey on Friday morning called for answers and transparency from Columbia Gas after explosions and fires on Thursday killed one man and injured 25 others. Warren said while the immediate problem is residents being moved out of their homes in Lawrence, North Andover, and Andover, officials need to look at the long term."The spotlight is on Columbia," Warren said to reporters Friday morning. "I want to make sure that spotlight stays on them when the … Continue Reading
September 14, 2018
MassLive: Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey seek congressional hearing on Merrimack Valley gas explosions
U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, D-Massachusetts, called on Congressional leaders Friday to immediately convene a hearing on gas explosions and fires that damaged homes and injured residents of Lawrence, Andover and North Andover on Thursday. The senators, who met with first responders and local officials during a visit to the command center in Lawrence Friday, asked the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee to look into how the incident occurred and what must be … Continue Reading
September 14, 2018
Business Insider: Elizabeth Warren calls out Amazon for using a 'special information advantage' for 'anti-competitive' practices
Sen. Elizabeth Warren laid out her criticisms of Amazon - and why she thinks it should be scrutinized more closely. Speaking with The New York Times' Andrew Ross Sorkin on Thursday, Warren centered her criticism on the fact that Amazon is both a marketplace - essentially, a platform for other sellers - and a direct retailer itself.The problem, Warren says, is that Amazon gets the data from all of these sales and doesn't necessarily share it. With that information, Amazon can then create its … Continue Reading
September 14, 2018
The Hill: Warren wants companies to disclose more about climate change impacts
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) wants to require corporations to disclose to the public and investors about how much they are contributing to climate change and what risks it causes their businesses.Warren, seen as a likely presidential candidate in 2020, has largely built her political career on pushing progressive policies on corporate accountability, like her role launching the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.She proposed the Climate Risk Disclosure Act Friday to raise public awareness … Continue Reading
September 13, 2018
Roll Call: Senators Cheer Trump Order on Election Meddling, but Want More Action
Senators are pleased to see the Trump administration doing something about election interference, but they don’t think Wednesday’s executive order will be enough.Some of the concern comes from the fact that even if federal agencies report evidence of Russian evidence to interfere in the 2018 midterms, President Donald Trump could still waive the imposition of sanctions.Perhaps not coincidentally, the Senate Banking Committee was holding a hearing Wednesday afternoon with outside witnesses to … Continue Reading