Press Releases
National Science Foundation Awards Nearly $2 Million to Massachusetts Research Institutions
WASHINGTON, DC - United States Senator Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Representative and Senator-Elect Edward Markey, and U.S. Representatives James McGovern and William Keating today announced the National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded $1.97 million to Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and Tufts University for research projects in science and engineering. "These awards from the National Science Foundation are a testament to the great research work underway … Continue Reading
July 08, 2013
Senator Warren's Floor Speech on Student Loans
Senator Elizabeth Warren delivered the following speech on the floor of the United States Senate on Monday, July 8, 2013. Video of Senator Warren's remarks is available here, and the text of her remarks is below: Mr. President, the interest rate on new direct student loans doubled on July 1. Because Congress failed to act, our lowest income students are now paying twice as much in interest on these loans. And while students are paying more, the federal government is boosting its own profits - … Continue Reading
June 27, 2013
Statement from Senator Warren on President Obama's Climate Plan
Senator Elizabeth Warren released the following statement on President Obama's climate plan: "The President's Plan to Cut Carbon Pollution offers smart ideas to address the looming climate crisis that threatens our health, environment and economy. We may be on the cusp of a climate crisis, but we are also on the cusp of innovations in clean energy and energy efficiency, and the President has outlined a plan for action to promote their development. It is astounding that we do not have federal … Continue Reading
June 26, 2013
Whitehouse and Warren Fighting to Protect Consumers from Abusive Lending
Washington, DC - U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) today introduced the Empowering States' Rights to Protect Consumers Act, a bill that would protect consumers by restoring the ability of states to set limits on credit card and other consumer loan interest rates. Whitehouse has introduced similar legislation in past Congresses. "It's time to stop Wall Street banks and their credit card subsidiaries from taking advantage of struggling families in Rhode Island … Continue Reading
June 25, 2013
Sen. Warren Asks Sallie Mae to Clarify Statements on Federal Home Loan Bank Financing
WASHINGTON, DC -United States Senator Elizabeth Warren today sent a letter to Sallie Mae, asking the company to clarify statements it has made regarding the use of credit from the Federal Home Loan Bank to support its private student loan business. Senator Warren's letter was sent in advance of today's Senate Banking Committee Hearing on regulation of the private student loan industry. In a letter sent yesterday to Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Acting Director Ed DeMarco, Senator … Continue Reading
June 24, 2013
Sen. Warren Requests Information from FHFA on Federal Home Loan Bank Financing of Institutions Providing High-Interest Private Student Loans
WASHINGTON, DC - In a letter sent today to Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Acting Director Ed DeMarco, Senator Elizabeth Warren requested information about the role of the Federal Home Loan Banks in providing financing to institutions that offer high-interest private loans to students. The FHFA's Federal Home Loan Bank System was established to fund local and community banks that offer home mortgages. Over the past few years, however, Sallie Mae has been borrowing from a Federal Home … Continue Reading
June 24, 2013
Senator Warren, Congressman Tierney Take Lead on Reauthorizing Funds for Essex National Heritage Area
Washington, DC - Today, Senator Elizabeth Warren and Congressman John Tierney announced legislation to extend the federal government's commitment to the Essex National Heritage Area. "Essex National Heritage Area is a treasure of the Commonwealth and an important part of the local economy in Essex county," said Senator Warren. "I am glad to introduce legislation to reauthorize Essex as a national heritage area to preserve its resources and landmarks so that Massachusetts communities and … Continue Reading
June 21, 2013
Sen. Warren Applauds Health Care Rebates for MA Families
WASHINGTON, DC - United States Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) today applauded Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius's announcement that 173,454 Massachusetts families will benefit from a total of $34,250,845 in Affordable Care Act rebates this summer - an average of $457 per family. "These rebates are a great example of how the Affordable Care Act is showing real results for families across Massachusetts," said Senator Warren. "Families deserve access to high quality and … Continue Reading
June 19, 2013
Sen. Warren's Floor Speech in Opposition to Michael Froman's Nomination for U.S. Trade Representative
WASHINGTON, DC - United States Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) delivered a floor speech today opposing the nomination of Michael Froman for United States Trade Representative. Last week, Senator Warren sent a letter calling on Froman to pledge transparency in trade negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Video of Senator Warren's speech is available here. The full text of her remarks as prepared for delivery is below: Thank you Mr. President. I rise today to talk about trade … Continue Reading
June 13, 2013
Sen. Warren Calls on U.S. Trade Representative Nominee Michael Froman to Pledge Transparency in Trade Negotiations
WASHINGTON, DC -United States Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) today, in a letter to United States Trade Representative (USTR) nominee Michael Froman, called on his support for increased transparency in trade negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Sen. Warren expressed concerns about the Administration's record of transparency specifically during the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations. "If members of the public do not have reasonable access to the terms of the agreements … Continue Reading
June 12, 2013
Senator Warren's Amendment on College Costs Added to the Strengthening America's Schools Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Senator Elizabeth Warren's proposed amendment to the Strengthening America's Schools Act of 2013 was adopted by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee. The amendment would require the Department of Education to establish a pilot program to explore the impact of increased information on college costs and financial aid on students' likelihood to apply to college, to enroll, to apply for financial aid and to receive financial aid. A recent study … Continue Reading
June 12, 2013
Sen. Warren Signs Letter Calling for Independent Investigation into NSA Programs
Sen. Elizabeth Warren joined 12 Senate colleagues on June 12, 2013 in sending a letter to the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board. The letter calls for an investigation into recently disclosed NSA programs to determine whether they are conducted within the statutory authority granted by Congress and to ensure that American citizens' civil liberties and privacy are protected. The text of the letter is available … Continue Reading
June 11, 2013
Sen. Warren Applauds Passage of Rural Broadband Amendment to Senate Farm Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - United States Senator Elizabeth Warren today applauded the passage of an amendment to the Senate's Farm Bill that would establish a pilot program to fund broadband projects in rural areas. Sen. Warren, who voted in favor of the amendment sponsored by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), highlighted the importance of broadband investments to rural areas in Western Massachusetts. "I'm pleased the Senate passed this amendment to support broadband programs critical to rural areas," said … Continue Reading
June 07, 2013
Sen. Warren Calls for Action to Prevent Student Loan Interest Rates from Doubling
WASHINGTON DC - In a speech delivered Thursday on the floor of the United States Senate, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) called on Congress to take action immediately to prevent interest rates on federally subsidized Stafford Loans from doubling on July 1st. Yesterday, Republicans blocked legislation sponsored by Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) to maintain interest rates at 3.4 percent for two years, despite a majority of Senators voting in favor of the bill. Video of … Continue Reading
June 06, 2013
Sen. Warren's First Banking Committee Amendment Adopted
WASHINGTON, DC - The Senate Banking Committee today adopted an amendment introduced by United States Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) to strengthen a bill on national insurance licensing. Senator Warren worked closely with Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) to secure passage of the compromise language. "I'm pleased the Banking Committee agreed to this amendment to improve the national insurance licensing bill," said Senator Warren. "I am grateful to Senator Tester for working with me as well as various … Continue Reading
June 05, 2013
Senator Elizabeth Warren Urges NYSE, NASDAQ to Propose Rules Requiring "One Share, One Vote" Structures
WASHINGTON, DC - United States Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) today sent a letter to New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) Vice President John Carey and NASDAQ Executive Vice President & General Counsel Edward Knight, urging their organizations to consider proposing rules requiring "one share, one vote" corporate structures for listed companies. Sen. Warren asks NYSE and NASDAQ to declare companies ineligible for an initial listing if they have unequal voting rights, and to prohibit already … Continue Reading
June 05, 2013
Video Release: Sen. Warren Stresses Importance of Structuring Iran Sanctions to Encourage Negotiation
WASHINGTON, DC - At a Senate Banking Committee hearing Tuesday, United States Senator Elizabeth Warren asked State Department Undersecretary for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman if U.S. sanctions against Iran are structured so they can be reversed, thereby encouraging the Iranian government to come to a negotiated settlement. "The goal is to keep Iran from developing nuclear weapons, and I support strong sanctions, because I think they're necessary to make this strategy work. But if the … Continue Reading
June 03, 2013
Statement from Senator Elizabeth Warren on the Passing of Senator Frank Lautenberg
WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren released the following statement on the passing of Senator Frank Lautenberg today: "I'm deeply saddened to learn of Sen. Lautenberg's passing and my thoughts and prayers are with his family. As a World War II veteran and U.S. Senator, he devoted his life to serving our country. Sen. Lautenberg was a leader on many issues important to American families, from gun violence prevention to stronger regulation on tobacco use. We will miss his fighting … Continue Reading
May 24, 2013
Senator Elizabeth Warren Co-Sponsors Older Americans Act Reauthorization Bill
WASHINGTON, DC - United States Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) today announced that she will be an original co-sponsor of the Older Americans Act reauthorization bill for 2013. The Older Americans Act, which was first signed into law in 1965, supports important services for seniors such as meals, senior centers, caregiver support, and job training. The Act expired in 2011. "I'm proud to co-sponsor the Older Americans Act (OAA), which will help ensure seniors in Massachusetts and across the … Continue Reading
May 23, 2013
Sen. Warren Applauds Unanimous Approval of Pharmaceutical Compounding Bill by HELP Committee
WASHINGTON, DC - United States Senator Elizabeth Warren today praised the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee's unanimous approval on Wednesday of legislation that would strengthen regulation of pharmaceutical compounding. Sen. Warren is a cosponsor of the bill. Massachusetts was home to New England Compounding Center, the compounding pharmacy responsible for a fungal meningitis outbreak that killed 53 people and made 733 ill. The outbreak resulted in part from … Continue Reading
