Press Releases
KENNEDY: INSURANCE COMPANY MERGERS COULD PUT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AT RISK
Washington, DC - With mergers involving four major health insurance providers pending federal approval, Congressman Joe Kennedy III this week urged the U.S. Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission to carefully review the impact of these consolidations on access to mental health and substance abuse treatment before issuing a decision. Kennedy’s letter to the federal agencies comes in response to proposed mergers announced this summer between Anthem and Cigna, as well as Aetna … Continue Reading
October 29, 2015
KENNEDY CONTINUES ‘TOUR 34’ IN DIGHTON, BERKLEY, FREETOWN
Newton, MA - Congressman Joe Kennedy III today announced that he will continue his second ‘Tour 34’ by holding constituent office hours in Dighton, Berkley and Freetown this Saturday, October 31st. Originally launched during his first year in office, Tour 34 reflects Congressman Kennedy's commitment to bring office hours to all 34 cities and towns in the 4th Congressional District by the end of his second term. “Throughout our second term, ‘Tour 34’ has allowed us to continue hearing the … Continue Reading
October 23, 2015
KENNEDY JOINS E&C DEMOCRATS TO PUSH FOR COMPREHENSIVE MENTAL HEALTH REFORM
Washington, DC - Congressman Joe Kennedy III today joined Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D- CA) and fellow Energy & Commerce Committee Democrats in pushing for comprehensive mental health reform. In a letter sent to Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Kennedy and his colleagues urged bipartisan compromise on the issue and outlined a series of substantive concerns with the mental health legislation currently under review by the committee - the Helping … Continue Reading
October 21, 2015
KENNEDY STATEMENT ON OPIOID EPIDEMIC
Washington, DC - Congressman Joe Kennedy III released the following statement today in response to new initiatives announced by the Obama Administration to tackle opioid abuse, as well as new data released by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health showing the continued depth of the state’s opioid epidemic. “In just the first six months of this year, over six hundred Massachusetts families lost loved ones who couldn’t shake the grasp of opioid addiction. Whether expanding access to … Continue Reading
October 15, 2015
KENNEDY STATEMENT ON TERRORIST ATTACKS IN ISRAEL
Newton, MA - Congressman Joe Kennedy III today released the following statement in response to terrorist attacks on civilians in Israel. "Indiscriminate violence that targets civilians and paralyzes communities is the very definition of terror. As attacks on innocent Israelis continue in Jerusalem and other cities, the international community must act to end the incitement of further violence. At this critical crossroads, I hope the Palestinian Authority will choose peace and urge young … Continue Reading
October 15, 2015
KENNEDY BRINGS ‘TOUR 34’ TO FRANKLIN, MILFORD AND WELLESLEY
Newton, MA - Congressman Joe Kennedy III today announced that he will continue his second ‘Tour 34’ by holding constituent office hours in Franklin, Milford and Wellesley this Saturday, October 17. Originally launched during his first year in office, Tour 34 reflects Congressman Kennedy's commitment to bring office hours to all 34 cities and towns in the 4th Congressional District by the end of his second term. “Throughout our second term, ‘Tour 34’ will allow us to continue to hear the … Continue Reading
October 06, 2015
KENNEDY TESTIFIES IN SUPPORT OF MASSACHUSETTS TRANSGENDER EQUALITY BILL
Newton, MA - Congressman Joe Kennedy III today testified before the Massachusetts Joint Committee on the Judiciary in support of HB 1577/SB 735, which would extend non-discrimination protections to transgender individuals in public spaces. Participating on a panel focused on the parents and families of transgender children, Kennedy urged state lawmakers to support the legislation. “Since its birth, this Commonwealth has held itself up as a gold standard for equality and tolerance,” said … Continue Reading
September 24, 2015
KENNEDY STATEMENT ON POPE FRANCIS ADDRESS TO CONGRESS
Washington, DC - Congressman Joe Kennedy III today released the following statement in reaction to Pope Francis’s address to Congress. “Bringing forth a message of understanding, compassion and reconciliation, today our Holy Father continued his mission to bridge divides and unite people of all backgrounds and beliefs. While his words were moving and inspirational, it has always been Pope Francis’s deeds that have spoken loudest. With a deep seated faith in our capacity to help others, he … Continue Reading
September 18, 2015
KENNEDY STATEMENT ON PLANNED PARENTHOOD VOTE
Washington, DC - Congressman Joe Kennedy III released the following statement after voting against efforts to undermine women’s health and defund Planned Parenthood in the House of Representatives today. “Today’s vote was about one thing: the ability of American women and their families to access basic health care. Every day, across our country, thousands of women, men, and children show up at Planned Parenthood’s doors for cancer screenings, diagnostic tests, family planning and other … Continue Reading
September 08, 2015
KENNEDY-WHITFIELD BILL TO BATTLE RX DRUG ABUSE PASSES HOUSE
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representatives Joe Kennedy III (D-MA-04) and Ed Whitfield (R-KY-01) ushered their bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting Reauthorization Act, or NASPER Act, through the U.S. House of Representatives this evening. The NASPER program provides states grant funding to foster the use of prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) to fight the growing prescription drug abuse epidemic gripping Massachusetts, … Continue Reading
September 01, 2015
WARREN, MARKEY, KEATING, KENNEDY ANNOUNCE $400K IN FEDERAL SUBSTANCE ABUSE GRANTS FOR FALL RIVER
Washington, DC - Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Edward J. Markey, Congressman Bill Keating (MA-9) and Congressman Joe Kennedy III (MA-4) today announced that Steppingstone Incorporated, a substance abuse treatment center in Fall River, will receive $400,000 in federal grants. The funding will support Project Reentering Offenders Achieving Recovery (ROAR), a collaborative effort between Steppingstone Inc. and the Bristol County Sheriff’s Office to provide treatment and training for male … Continue Reading
August 31, 2015
KENNEDY STATEMENT ON IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL
Newton, MA - Congressman Joe Kennedy III today released the following statement on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) negotiated by the P5+1 and currently under Congressional Review according to the Iran Nuclear Review Act of 2015. “For the better part of a century, Republican and Democratic administrations alike have sought to end the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Despite these efforts, Iran continued to make progress on an illicit nuclear program, until a punishing regime … Continue Reading
August 20, 2015
KENNEDY JOINS CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO AFRICA
Newton, MA - Congressman Joe Kennedy III today announced that he will participate in a bipartisan Congressional delegation to Africa next week. Led by Senator Chris Coons (D-DE), Kennedy and eight other Senators and Members of Congress will spend a week traveling to Ethiopia, Rwanda, Gabon and Cape Verde. Over the week of August 24, Kennedy and the Congressional delegation will meet with various heads of state and other government officials. They will also visit education and … Continue Reading
August 06, 2015
KENNEDY STATEMENT ON VOTING RIGHTS ACT
Newton, MA - Congressman Joe Kennedy III today released the following statement honoring the 50th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. “Fifty years ago, the Voting Rights Act was signed into law, cementing the right to vote as a bedrock principle of American democracy and guaranteeing that participation in our government could no longer be limited by the color of your skin. Unfortunately, with a ruling that ignored the sacrifice and suffering of generations of civil rights activists, the … Continue Reading
July 31, 2015
KENNEDY OPIATE ABUSE BILL PASSES FULL COMMITTEE
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Joe Kennedy III today announced that his bipartisan prescription drug monitoring bill passed the full House Energy & Commerce Committee with overwhelming support. Introduced with Republican Congressman Ed Whitfield (KY-1), this legislation would reauthorize the National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting Reauthorization Act (NASPER). NASPER provides states with grant funding to foster the use of prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) and … Continue Reading
July 23, 2015
KENNEDY STATEMENT ON EQUALITY ACT
Washington, DC - Congressman Joe Kennedy III released the following statement today following the introduction of the Equality Act. This bill, introduced by Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI) and co-sponsored by Kennedy, would extend the anti-discrimination protections of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to LGBT Americans. “From public opinion to the Supreme Court, recent gains have accelerated this country’s ongoing civil rights march. But real justice will be served when the LGBT community is … Continue Reading
July 23, 2015
KENNEDY-WHITFIELD LEGISLATION TO COMBAT RX DRUG ABUSE ADVANCES THROUGH SUBCOMMITTEE
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representatives Joe Kennedy III (D-MA-04) and Ed Whitfield (R-KY-01) today ushered their bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting Reauthorization Act, or NASPER Act, through the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee. The NASPER program provides states grant funding to foster the use of prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) to fight the growing prescription drug abuse epidemic gripping Massachusetts, … Continue Reading
July 14, 2015
KENNEDY STATEMENT ON IRAN DEAL
Washington, DC - Congressman Joe Kennedy III today released the following statement after the Obama Administration announced a nuclear agreement between the P5+1 nations and Iran. "Today's agreement is an historic step in American foreign policy. I commend President Obama, Secretary Kerry, Secretary Moniz and the entire team of U.S. negotiators for their persistence and patience in getting us to this point. In the weeks ahead I will be carefully reviewing the details of this deal before … Continue Reading
July 08, 2015
KENNEDY INTRODUCES ENERGY BILL TO PROTECT NEW ENGLAND RATEPAYERS
Washington, DC - As New England continues to face the highest energy prices in the United States, Congressman Joe Kennedy III introduced bipartisan legislation today to keep federal energy regulators accountable to ratepayers across the region and the country. By providing a technical fix to the Federal Power Act, the Fair Ratepayer Accountability, Transparency, and Efficiency Standards (Fair RATES) Act will increase transparency in the regulatory process and ensure consumers can legally … Continue Reading
June 26, 2015
KENNEDY STATEMENT ON OBERGEFELL v. HODGES DECISION
Washington, DC - Congressman Joe Kennedy III today released the following statement regarding the Supreme Court’s decision to affirm marriage equality. “Tomorrow hundreds of thousands of American families will finally wake up in a country where their love counts, without question or qualification. “To the fearless advocates, leaders, and allies that shouldered this battle for decades, long before today's ruling was even a pipe dream -- your faith in this country's better angels … Continue Reading