Press Releases
Senators Warren and Markey Introduce Amendment Urging DOD to Expedite Purchase of American-Made Athletic Shoes
Text of the amendment is available here WASHINGTON, D.C. - United States Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that asks the Department of Defense (DOD) to accelerate efforts to provide American-made athletic shoes to Armed Forces recruits. A statute known as the Berry Amendment requires DOD to spend appropriated funds only on products made in the U.S. that pass the military's … Continue Reading
June 04, 2015
Leading Democratic Lawmakers Raise Concerns over Banks’ Efforts to Secure DOL Waivers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In the wake of five megabanks pleading guilty to felony charges, a number of prominent Democratic lawmakers are calling on the Department of Labor (DOL) to carefully consider whether to waive sanctions that would be automatically imposed on these institutions stemming from their guilty pleas. The lawmakers today called on DOL to hold a public hearing on any waivers requested by the banks, to promote transparency in DOL's decision-making. The request was made in a letter to … Continue Reading
June 02, 2015
Senator Warren Letter to SEC Chair White Details Concerns with Lax Agency Enforcement, Slow Rulemaking
Read a PDF copy of the letter here WASHINGTON, DC- In a 13-page letter sent to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Mary Jo White today, United States Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) raised serious concerns about the agency's regulatory and enforcement record during the past two years. The Senator explained that Chair White's leadership of the Commission for the past two years has been "extremely disappointing," with the agency failing to "consistently and aggressively enforce … Continue Reading
May 29, 2015
Sens. Warren, Markey, Rep. Neal Announce $728K Grant to Springfield Fire Department
WASHINGTON, DC -- United States Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey and Congressman Richard Neal announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded the Springfield Fire Department a $728,878 grant through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. The funding will be used for the acquisition of firefighter breathing apparatus and to support officer training. "Every day, our firefighters are out on the front lines keeping our families and … Continue Reading
May 29, 2015
Sens. Warren, Markey, Rep. Neal Announce $728K Grant to Springfield Fire Department
WASHINGTON, DC -- United States Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey and Congressman Richard Neal announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded the Springfield Fire Department a $728,878 grant through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program. The funding will be used for the acquisition of firefighter breathing apparatus and to support officer training. "Every day, our firefighters are out on the front lines keeping our families and … Continue Reading
May 21, 2015
Senators Question Dept. of Education About Long-Delayed Investigation into Navient's Violations of Servicemembers' Rights
Text of the letter here WASHINGTON, DC - United States Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) today sent a letter to the Department of Education (ED) seeking information about its long-delayed investigation into charges of systematic violations of servicemembers' rights by federal student loan servicers, including Navient. In the letter, the Senators note … Continue Reading
May 19, 2015
Senators Introduce Amendment to Prevent the Use of Fast Track to Gut Financial Reforms
Text of the amendment is available here. WASHINGTON, DC - United States Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) have introduced an amendment that would prevent the use of Fast Track authority to pass a trade deal that weakens financial regulations. "This President supports financial reform - but he cannot stop the next President from caving to the big banks in a future trade deal," said Senator Warren. "With European … Continue Reading
May 19, 2015
Senators Warren, Manchin Introduce Trade Transparency Act to Require Release of Trade Deal Text Before Congress Grants Fast Track Authority
Text of the legislation available here. WASHINGTON, DC - Today, United States Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va) introduced the Trade Transparency Act, a bill that would require the President to release the scrubbed bracketed text of any trade agreement at least 60 days before Congress grants fast track authority to grease the skids for approval of that agreement. "The Trade Transparency Act would ensure that the public, experts, and the press can engage in meaningful … Continue Reading
May 19, 2015
Senators Warren, Crapo Introduce Bipartisan Bill Calling for Energy Efficiency Study
Washington, DC - Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) have introduced a bipartisan bill directing the U.S. Department of Energy to quantify the cost savings from operational energy efficiency technologies in an effort to increase public and private use of these technologies, without creating any new programs or increasing government spending. "Energy efficiency technologies help protect the environment, save companies' and taxpayer money and create new jobs," said Senator … Continue Reading
May 18, 2015
Senators Warren, Heitkamp and Colleagues Introduce Amendment to Stop Allowing Companies to Challenge U.S. Laws Outside U.S. Courts
Text of the amendment is available here WASHINGTON, DC - United States Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) today joined 13 of their colleagues to introduce an amendment that would prevent "Fast Track" authority from being used to pass trade deals that include Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS). ISDS allows foreign companies to challenge U.S. laws and potentially pick up huge payouts from taxpayers without ever stepping foot in a U.S. court. The amendment is … Continue Reading
May 18, 2015
Senator Warren Releases Report Highlighting Decades of Broken Promises and Failures to Enforce Labor Standards in Trade Agreements
***Read a copy of the report here*** WASHINGTON, DC - United States Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) today released a report highlighting more than two decades of failed enforcement by the United States of labor and environmental standards included in past free trade agreements (FTAs), including the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), and agreements with Peru, Colombia, and Panama. The report follows recent statements by President … Continue Reading
May 13, 2015
Warren, Vitter Introduce Bailout Prevention Act
Bill text available here Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and David Vitter (R-La.), members of the Senate Banking Committee, today introduced the Bailout Prevention Act, legislation to halt megabank bailouts during a financial crisis by responsibly limiting the Federal Reserve's lending authority. It would also close a loophole that creates risk-taking exemptions for megabanks Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. "It's no secret that Too Big to Fail is still around. If … Continue Reading
May 11, 2015
Cummings and Warren Host ‘Middle Class Prosperity Project’ Forum in Baltimore on Predatory Financial Services
Baltimore, Maryland - Today, following the recent unrest in Baltimore and the death of Freddie Gray, Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and Senator Elizabeth Warren convened the fifth in a series of congressional forums as part of their Middle Class Prosperity Project to examine the lack of economic access and opportunity in many communities, including Baltimore. The forum, which took place in Baltimore, was also attended by … Continue Reading
May 07, 2015
Vitter, Warren Introduce Fed Accountability Act
Fact sheet on the bill available here Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators David Vitter (R-La.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), members of the Senate Banking Committee, today introduced the Fed Accountability Act, legislation to improve the Federal Reserve's decision-making process by increasing independence of individual Governors and bringing transparency to votes on enforcement actions over $1 million. The two Senators are also working on legislation to further halt megabank bailouts during a … Continue Reading
May 05, 2015
Senator Warren Delivers Floor Speech on GOP Budget's Damaging Impact on Massachusetts Families
Would Gut Critical Programs for Kids, Seniors, and Families While Giving Big Tax Cuts to the Wealthiest Americans Video of Senator Warren's speech available hereText of Senator Warren's speech available here Washington, DC - This afternoon, United States Senator Elizabeth Warren delivered a floor speech highlighting the FY16 Republican budget's damaging impact on Massachusetts families. The Senate is voting on the Republican budget this evening. Senator Warren explained in her remarks that … Continue Reading
April 28, 2015
Senators Warren, Lankford Introduce Truth in Settlements Act to Make Federal Agency Settlements More Transparent
Bill Text Fact Sheet WASHINGTON, DC - United States Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and James Lankford (R-Okla.) today introduced bipartisan legislation to increase transparency around major settlements reached by federal enforcement agencies. When federal agencies close investigations and settle cases, they often tout the dollar amount obtained from the offender, but in many cases that amount is misleading because of tax deductions and other "credits" built into the settlement that reduce … Continue Reading
April 28, 2015
Senator Warren Launches Investigation of Rewards and Incentives Offered to Annuities Dealers Advising Retirees
Questionable practices highlight the need for a strong conflict-of-interest rule for retirement advisors WASHINGTON, DC - In letters sent to 15 of the country's largest annuity providers today, United States Senator Elizabeth Warren raised concerns about the rewards and incentives these companies offer to brokers and dealers who sell annuities to families and small investors. The letter explains that "annuity providers offer a vast range of perks - from cruises to international travel to … Continue Reading
April 27, 2015
Sen. Warren and Rep. Cummings Join Colleagues in Asking ED, Federal Student Loan Servicers About Efforts to Assist Struggling Borrowers
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and United States Congressman Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, led a bicameral letter asking the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and four federal student loan servicers about their efforts to advise struggling student borrowers about relief options available to them under federal law. The letter also was signed by Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Jack Reed … Continue Reading
April 16, 2015
Senator Warren Highlights Republican Budget's Damaging Impact on Massachusetts Families
New Analysis Shows Budget's Effect on the Commonwealth WASHINGTON, DC - United States Senator Elizabeth Warren today released a new analysis highlighting the damaging impact in Massachusetts of the Republicans' 2016 federal budget, which would eliminate important benefits for middle-class families while giving billions of dollars in new tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans. The budget process moved forward this week with the formation of a conference committee to work out differences between … Continue Reading
April 15, 2015
Senator Warren Lays Out Next Steps for Financial Reform
Text of Full Remarks Fact Sheet on Reform Proposals Washington, DC - United States Senator Elizabeth Warren today delivered remarks at the Levy Economics Institute of Bard College's 24th Annual Hyman P. Minsky Conference on the unfinished business of financial reform and regulation of financial markets. "Rules are not the enemy of markets," said Senator Warren. "Rules are a necessary ingredient for healthy markets, for markets that create competition and innovation. And rolling back the … Continue Reading
