Press Releases
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
May 23, 2013
Higher Education Institutions, Organizations Endorse Sen. Elizabeth Warren's Bank on Students Act
WASHINGTON, DC - Since introducing the Bank on Students Loan Fairness Act to prevent student loan interest rates from doubling on July 1st, Senator Warren has received an outpouring of support from students and their families, colleges and universities, and independent groups. Through letters of support, official endorsements and petitions, organizations and institutions of higher education have stepped forward to join Senator Warren and Congressman John Tierney, who introduced a corresponding … Continue Reading
May 21, 2013
Senators Warren, Cowan Urge Department of Energy to Continue Investment in MIT Fusion Energy Research Project
WASHINGTON, DC - This week, United States Senators Elizabeth Warren and William "Mo" Cowan sent a letter to Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz to make the case for continued funding from the domestic fusion energy research program for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Alcator C-Mod tokamak project, which is set to shut down due to budget uncertainty. "The facility is the centerpiece of the MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center, which conducts leading research in fusion energy and is a … Continue Reading
May 21, 2013
Senators Warren, Cowan Urge Support for WIN-T Army Modernization Programs
WASHINGTON, DC - On Monday, May 20, 2013, United States Senators Elizabeth Warren and William "Mo" Cowan sent letters to Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel and Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh urging support for the Army Network Modernization programs, including the Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T) and the Handheld, Manpack, Small Form Fit (HMS) Radio System. The WIN-T and HMS programs improve the Army's communications systems, enabling our soldiers to more effectively … Continue Reading
May 20, 2013
Senator Warren, Congressman Tierney Participate in Student Loan Reform Roundtable
BOSTON, MA - United States Senator Elizabeth Warren and Congressman John Tierney today visited the American Student Assistance (ASA), and joined students, professors, college administrators and higher education policy-makers for a roundtable discussion on student loan reform. Senator Warren and Congressman Tierney addressed the Bank on Students Loan Fairness Act, the bill they introduced in the Senate and House that would stop student loan interest rates from doubling and allow students to … Continue Reading
May 16, 2013
$248,000 in FEMA Grants to Assist First Responders in Orleans, Sudbury and Winthrop
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senators Elizabeth Warren and William "Mo" Cowan and Congressmen Ed Markey and Bill Keating announced today that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded grants totaling $248,000 to help meet firefighting and emergency response needs in the cities of Orleans, Sudbury and Winthrop. "These grants will help ensure that firefighters have the resources and equipment they need to be ready in times of emergency and to protect our families, cities, and towns," said … Continue Reading
May 16, 2013
Statement by Senator Warren on Senate Confirmation of Ernest Moniz as Secretary of Energy
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Senator Warren released the following statement on the Senate's vote to confirm Dr. Ernest Moniz as Secretary of Energy: "I am very pleased that the Senate has voted to confirm Dr. Ernest Moniz as our next Secretary of Energy. A Fall River native and graduate of Durfee High School, Dr. Moniz attended Boston College and has served at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as a nuclear physicist and professor for nearly four decades. He has devoted his life to … Continue Reading
May 16, 2013
Sen. Warren Joins Secretary Lew's Opposition to Derivatives Bills
WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) announced her opposition to several derivatives bills that passed through the House Financial Services Committee last week. Warren's concerns echo a May 6 letter sent by Treasury Secretary Lew to the House Financial Services Committee opposing the amendments on behalf of the Obama Administration. Senator Warren released the following statement: "Following the financial crash of 2008, Wall Street loaded up on lobbyists and poured … Continue Reading
May 16, 2013
Statement from Sen. Warren in Recognition of National Police Week
WASHINGTON, DC - On Wednesday, May 15th, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren submitted a statement for the Congressional Record in recognition of National Police Week. Sen. Warren's statement pays tribute to Sean Collier of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Police Department, who was killed in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks at the Boston Marathon last month. It also honors the sacrifices of the brave law enforcement officers from Massachusetts who died in the line of duty and whose … Continue Reading
May 15, 2013
Senator Warren Denounces Republican Obstructionism of Gina McCarthy Nomination for EPA Administrator
WASHINGTON, DC - Senator Elizabeth Warren delivered remarks on the floor of the Senate today calling for a vote to confirm Massachusetts native Gina McCarthy as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and denouncing Senate Republicans' obstructionism. Last week, Senate Republicans took the highly unusual step of boycotting the Environment and Public Works Committee markup - a procedural stunt to stall McCarthy's nomination. In Senator Warren's remarks, she called on Republicans … Continue Reading
May 14, 2013
Senator Warren to Federal Reserve, DOJ, SEC: Have You Researched Costs to the Public of Settlement without Admission of Guilt?
WASHINGTON, DC - Following up on an exchange with Comptroller Thomas J. Curry, United States Senator Elizabeth Warren today sent a letter to Chairman of the Federal Reserve Ben Bernanke, Attorney General Eric Holder, and Chairman of the Securities & Exchange Commission Mary Jo White to request the disclosure of any research and analysis done on the costs to the public of settling an enforcement action without requiring an admission of guilt. Following a February 14, 2013 Banking Committee … Continue Reading
May 13, 2013
MA To Receive Over $1.8 Million for Airport Safety Improvements
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Senators Elizabeth Warren and William "Mo" Cowan, along with Congressman Bill Keating, announced today that airports in Barnstable, Nantucket, and Provincetown will receive over $1.8 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration that will be used to make critical safety improvements. I'm glad the FAA has awarded these grants to airports on the Cape and Nantucket. The funding will help provide critical safety upgrades … Continue Reading
