Press Releases
Clark, Warren, Markey thank Obama administration for Watertown first responders funding
Washington, D.C. -- Congresswoman Katherine Clark joined Senators Warren and Markey in thanking the Obama administration for its support of first responders in Watertown. The town was awarded $652,000 from FEMA's Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) grant allotment. "In the wake of last year's tragedy in Boston, Watertown's emergency response efforts played a critical role in bringing the suspects to justice," said Congresswoman Katherine Clark. "I'm grateful for the … Continue Reading
February 21, 2014
Mass. Delegation Applauds NOAA Announcement to Heed Calls to Cover Groundfishery Observer, At-Sea Costs
Washington, DC - The Massachusetts Congressional Delegation applauded an announcement made by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) today that the agency will continue to cover groundfish observer and at-sea monitoring costs required by the New England Fishery Management Council (NEFM). Members of the delegation urged NOAA to cover the groundfish industry's portion of these costs as Massachusetts' fishermen and small businesses struggle to recover from a federal fishing … Continue Reading
February 12, 2014
Sen. Warren Joins Colleagues to Address College Affordability
Video; Full Text Washington, DC - In a floor speech this morning, United States Senator Elizabeth Warren joined Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) on the floor of the Senate to address college affordability. Senator Warren spoke about her plan to introduce legislation that would allow student borrowers to refinance their old, high-interest rate loans at the lower rates that are being offered to new student loan borrowers this year under the new … Continue Reading
February 12, 2014
Warren and Cummings Call on Fed to Require Board of Governors to Approve Major Enforcement Actions
Washington, DC (Feb. 12, 2014)- Senator Elizabeth Warren, Member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, and Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, sent a letter yesterday to Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen requesting that she revise the rules governing how and when the Board of Governors may delegate critical supervisory and enforcement responsibilities to Board staff. "We respectfully request that the Fed … Continue Reading
February 10, 2014
Sens. Warren & Durbin Join Local Workers & Business Owners in Boston to Call for Minimum Wage Increase
BOSTON, MA - At a roundtable discussion in Boston today, United States Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) joined local workers and business owners in calling for a minimum wage increase. Boloco founder John Pepper hosted the roundtable discussion at one of the restaurant's Boston locations, and Massachusetts AFL-CIO President Steven Tolman also attended the event. "Raising the minimum wage is the first step to rebuild and strengthen America's … Continue Reading
February 06, 2014
Sen. Warren Presses Regulators on Enforcement Actions' Effectiveness to Deter Wrongdoing
Video of Sen. Warren's Q&A Available Here WASHINGTON, DC - At a Senate Banking Committee hearing today, United States Senator Elizabeth Warren asked federal financial regulators about their enforcement strategies, and whether the current enforcement system is effective at deterring future wrongdoing. Sen. Warren highlighted recent government settlements with JPMorgan, noting that the company gave CEO Jamie Dimon a 75 percent raise following the settlements. "The question I'm asking is … Continue Reading
February 06, 2014
Senator Warren Urges Greater Professional Diversity on Federal Bench
Washington, DC - United States Senator Elizabeth Warren delivered remarks today on "Broadening the Bench: Judicial Nominations and Professional Diversity" at an event hosted by the Alliance for Justice (AFJ). The senator advocated for greater professional diversity of the federal bench and discussed the importance of preventing a corporate capture of the federal courts. Senator Warren noted a report from the AFJ that shows 71% of President Obama's judicial nominees have represented primarily … Continue Reading
February 04, 2014
Warren, Rubio Propose Stronger Financial Protections For Veterans, Introduce Legislation to Crack Down on Scams Targeting VA's Aid and Attendance Benefit
Washington, DC - United States Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) today introduced bipartisan legislation that would help protect older veterans from financial scams. The bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to work with other federal agencies and states to crack down on scam artists who are diverting federal funds intended to support low-income older veterans. The proposal was previously introduced by Senators Warren and Rubio as an amendment to the National … Continue Reading
February 04, 2014
Senator Warren, Democratic Senators Advocate for Unemployment Insurance Extension on Senate Floor
Video of Senator Warren's Remarks Available Here Washington, DC - As part of a colloquy on the floor of the Senate led by Senator Cory Booker's (D-NJ) maiden speech on Monday evening, United States Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) called on Congress to pass an extension of unemployment insurance. She advocated for the 60,000 people in Massachusetts and 1.6 million Americans across the country who lost their unemployment insurance benefits when Republicans filibustered multiple attempts to pass … Continue Reading
January 31, 2014
Democratic Senators Highlight Obscene Government Profits Off Student Loan Program
Washington, DC - United States Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Barbara Boxer (D-CA) Jack Reed (D-RI), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Mark Begich (D-AK), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) responded to a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report released earlier today, which estimates that federal student loans originated between 2007 and 2012 will bring in $66 billion in revenue. The report follows projections released last spring … Continue Reading
January 31, 2014
Senate Passes National Insurance Licensing Act, Includes Amendment Introduced by Senator Warren
WASHINGTON, DC - The Senate has passed legislation that will streamline the licensing of registered insurance agents and brokers across state lines by establishing the National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers. The provision, passed as part of the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act on Thursday, includes language from an amendment introduced by Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and adopted as part of Senate Banking Committee legislation last year. The amendment was the … Continue Reading
January 30, 2014
Markey, Warren Praise Release of $18 Million in Additional Heating Assistance Funding for Mass.
Washington, DC - Massachusetts Senators Edward J. Markey and Elizabeth Warren today praised the release of more than $18 million in additional heating assistance funding for Massachusetts this winter. The release today of an additional $18.3 million by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) brings Massachusetts' total heating assistance funding to roughly $140 million this year. Senators Markey and Warren wrote to HHS … Continue Reading
January 30, 2014
Warren and Markey Praise Passage of Bipartisan Flood Insurance Reform Legislation
Washington, DC - Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey praised today's passage in the Senate of the "Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act," bipartisan legislation that will protect millions of homeowners from facing flood insurance premium rate hikes and require the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to complete an affordability study and propose real solutions to address affordability issues before any flood insurance premiums can be raised in the future. As flood … Continue Reading
January 28, 2014
Statement by Senator Warren on President Obama's State of the Union Address
Washington, DC - United States Senator Elizabeth Warren today released the following statement in reaction to President Obama's State of the Union address: "President Obama laid out an encouraging plan for how we can move our country forward. The President showed he is ready to take action now to help level the playing field for hard-working families. Raising the minimum wage for federal contract workers and expanding access to early childhood education are important steps, and I applaud the … Continue Reading
January 28, 2014
Senators Warren, Markey Praise Presidential Executive Action to Raise Minimum Wage for Federal Contract Workers
WASHINGTON, DC - United States Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey today praised President Barack Obama's announcement that he will issue an executive order to raise the hourly minimum wage for federal contract workers to $10.10. The Senators also urged Congress to pass legislation to raise the minimum wage for hourly and tipped workers. Senators Warren and Markey are co-sponsors of the Minimum Wage Fairness Act (S.1737) introduced by Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA). "Hardworking men and … Continue Reading
January 27, 2014
Senator Warren Announces 11 Year Old Activist Zev Dickstein as State of the Union Guest
Boston, MA - United States Senator Elizabeth Warren today announced that Zev Dickstein will accompany her to President Obama's State of the Union address on January 28, 2014. At age nine, Dickstein started volunteering on political campaigns, and has remained active in his community, most recently serving as the campaign manager for a local school committee race. "I am very pleased to have Zev joining me for the State of the Union," Senator Warren said. "He understands the importance of public … Continue Reading
January 24, 2014
Warren, Markey, & Keating Applaud $1 Million Grant to Preserve Cape Wetlands
WASHINGTON, DC - United States Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey, and Congressman Bill Keating today announced that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has awarded a $1 million grant to Harwich and Chatham to support the conservation of coastal wetlands. Another $1.9 million in funding will be provided by partner agencies. "Protecting Massachusetts' wetlands is good for the environment and good for our local communities," said Senator Warren. "Wetlands help improve water quality, … Continue Reading
January 24, 2014
Warren, Markey, Neal Announce $225K Fire Grant to Dalton
WASHINGTON, DC - United States Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey, and Congressman Richard E. Neal today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded the Dalton Fire Department a $225,642 grant through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program. "Our firefighters are out on the front lines protecting our communities," Senator Elizabeth Warren said. "This SAFER grant recognizes the critical work firefighters do day in and … Continue Reading
January 23, 2014
Markey, Warren Press Obama Admin. to Release LIHEAP Funds ASAP
WASHINGTON, DC - With millions of families facing harsh weather and economic conditions and nearly $490 million still remaining this year for the nation's low-income heating assistance program following recent passage of the omnibus spending bill, Massachusetts Democratic Senators Edward J. Markey and Elizabeth Warren today called on the Obama administration to immediately distribute those energy assistance benefits to Massachusetts residents. In a letter sent to Health and Human Services … Continue Reading
January 23, 2014
Senator Warren Highlights "Priorities for the Future" During Massachusetts Tour
BOSTON, MA -- On Tuesday and Wednesday, Senator Elizabeth Warren visited cities and towns from Boston to Springfield, as part of her "Priorities for the Future" Massachusetts tour. During events with constituents across the state, Senator Warren discussed her agenda for the year ahead and the importance of making investments that help us build a strong middle class. On Tuesday, Senator Warren attended an event at Charlestown High School to increase awareness of College Goal Sunday, which will … Continue Reading
