Press Releases
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
January 21, 2014
Sen. Warren Begins New Push to Reduce Student Loan Burden
BROCKTON, MA - During a roundtable with faculty and students at Massasoit Community College in Brockton today, United States Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) announced her intention to introduce legislation to help reduce the growing student loan burden that is burying graduates in debt and acting as a drag on our economic growth. Warren discussed the importance of allowing student loan borrowers to refinance their old, high-interest rate loans at the lower rates that are being offered to … Continue Reading
January 16, 2014
Warren and Markey Praise Massachusetts Priorities in Budget Appropriations Package
Washington, DC - Massachusetts Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward J. Markey today commended passage of the FY 2014 Omnibus Appropriations bill, including several provisions that will help the Massachusetts economy, environment and its vital fishing community. "Today's agreement came at a critical time for Massachusetts, and I'm very grateful to Chairwoman Mikulski for her work fighting for appropriations that reflect our values," Senator Warren said. "I'm glad we were able to pass an … Continue Reading
January 14, 2014
Mass. Congressional Delegation, Governor Applaud Fishing Disaster Relief
Washington, DC - United States Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, and Representatives John Tierney (MA-6), Stephen Lynch (MA-8), Niki Tsongas (MA-3), Bill Keating (MA-9) and Joe Kennedy III (MA-4) today applauded the announcement that $75 million has been appropriated for national fishing disasters. The Massachusetts congressional delegation for months has been urging the Administration and the Appropriations Committees' … Continue Reading
January 14, 2014
Massachusetts Delegation Announces $8 Million Federal Grant to Massachusetts for Marathon Bombing Victims
Washington, DC - The Massachusetts Delegation today announced that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded Massachusetts an Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program for Crime Victim grant for $8,355,648 to cover expenses as a result of the Boston Marathon bombing on April 15, 2013. Following the tragedy, the delegation pledged full support from the federal government and encouraged the Administration to assist in Massachusetts' recovery. "After the terrorist attack at last year's … Continue Reading
January 08, 2014
Senators Warren, Coburn Introduce Truth in Settlements Act to Make Federal Agency Settlements More Transparent
Bill Text Fact Sheet Washington, DC - United States Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Tom Coburn (R-OK) today introduced bipartisan legislation to increase transparency around 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 the … Continue Reading
January 07, 2014
Sen. Warren Praises New CFPB Mortgage Rules that Make Families, Economy Safer
Video of Senator Warren's Remarks Available Here Text of Senator Warren's Remarks Available Here WASHINGTON, DC - In remarks delivered on the floor of the Senate this afternoon, United States Senator Elizabeth Warren applauded the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) new mortgage rules, which will go into effect on Friday, January 10. Under the new rules, a lender must determine that a borrower has the ability to repay a mortgage before issuing the loan. The rules will also prohibit … Continue Reading