News Coverage
American Banker: Warren wades into CRA overhaul with revamp plan of her own
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., on Tuesday threw a new twist into efforts to reform the Community Reinvestment Act.Just as the federal bank regulators try to modernize their CRA policy through reforms authorized under the current law, Warren released a bill that would apply CRA requirements to a broader array of institutions — including credit unions — and make penalties tougher for any violations."Obligations under the Community Reinvestment Act ... to provide credit to lower-income and … Continue Reading
September 25, 2018
The Atlantic: Elizabeth Warren’s Ambitious Fix for America’s Housing Crisis
Ten years ago, the subprime-mortgage crisis stripped millions of Americans of their homes. Many haven’t gotten those homes back and now face skyrocketing rents. Ask an economist, or any recent graduate trying to afford rent, and they’ll tell you: America is still in a housing crisis. On Tuesday, Senator Elizabeth Warren introduced a bill tackling the issue head on, trying to lower the cost of homes in neighborhoods with greater economic opportunity.The legislation, titled the American Housing … Continue Reading
September 21, 2018
Government Executive: Democratic Senator Questions Mulvaney’s Hatch Act Compliance
The acting director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has made waves this summer with his warnings that Republicans face a tough mid-term election climate. Now Mick Mulvaney, the former Tea Party-aligned House member whose main job is White House budget director, has been hit with questions from Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., on whether he has complied with the Hatch Act. The law bans federal officials from engaging in partisan political activity on the job. In a Sept. 19 letter … Continue Reading
September 21, 2018
7News: Lawmakers speak out about the Merrimack Valley gas disaster
Lawmakers are speaking out about the Merrimack Valley gas disaster and what they feel needs to be done moving forward. U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren says she is frustrated with Columbia Gas after she and Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera met with people impacted by the gas explosions on Friday.Warren also met with senior officials Thursday night and said she feels they did not answer her questions about what went wrong last Thursday.Read the full story on the WHDH website … Continue Reading
September 21, 2018
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
