Ranking Member's Press

WASHINGTON, December 10, 2019 — The United States Senate today passed bipartisan legislation that included an amendment from Senate Education Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Wash.) that permanently reauthorizes $255 million in annual funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities...

WASHINGTON, December 8, 2019 — Senate Health Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.) along with Ranking Member Greg Walden (R-Ore.) today announced they have reached a bipartisan, bicameral agreement on legislation to lower what Americans pay out of pocket for...

WASHINGTON, December 5, 2019 — The United States Senate today passed a bipartisan amendment to the House-passed FUTURE Act sponsored by Senate Education Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Doug Jones (D-Ala.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.)...

WASHINGTON, December 5, 2019 — Senate education committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today said “the Senate has taken a big first step in simplifying the FAFSA for 20 million families, including 8 million minority students,” after the Senate passed bipartisan legislation that makes permanent $255 million in annual...

WASHINGTON, December 3, 2019 — Senate Education Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Doug Jones (D-Ala.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) today released a bipartisan amendment to the House-passed FUTURE Act to make permanent $255 million in...

WASHINGTON, December 3, 2019 — The Senate health committee today approved the nomination of Dr. Stephen Hahn to serve as commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by a bipartisan vote of 18-5. “Dr. Hahn has extensive medical and research experience and is a proven leader in large health systems—all around,...

“This is a critical time for FDA, and there is a lot that FDA needs to do – approve lifesaving drugs, regulate tobacco and e-cigarettes, complete the ongoing lung injury investigation and continue addressing the opioid crisis. …Dr. Hahn is well prepared and a strong choice to lead the FDA.” – Senator Lamar...

WASHINGTON, November 20, 2019 — Senate education committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said “now is the time to pass permanent funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other Minority Serving Institutions.” Alexander made his remarks on the Senate floor after Senate Democrats blocked...

U.S. Senate education committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today released the following statement regarding funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions: “Two weeks ago, Senate Democrats blocked my bipartisan package of higher education proposals that included $255 million in permanent...

“I often suggest that Americans look at Washington, D.C., as if it were a split-screen television and today is a good example. On one side, you have the House of Representatives beginning public impeachment hearings. But on the other side, you have a bipartisan group of senators investigating a mysterious illness tied to the use of...

WASHINGTON, November 6, 2019 — Higher education organizations across the country have announced their support for bipartisan legislation introduced by Senators Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Doug Jones (D-Ala.) to simplify the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) that nearly 20...

WASHINGTON, November 6, 2019 – Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today released the following statement after meeting with Dr. Stephen Hahn—President Trump’s nominee to lead the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): “I had an excellent meeting with Dr. Hahn and believe he is...

WASHINGTON, November 5, 2019 — Senate Democrats today blocked legislation offered by Senate education committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) that would permanently fund Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other Minority Serving Institutions. “The right way to help Historically Black Colleges and Universities is...

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., November 1, 2019 – U.S. Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today made the following statement on the selection of Dr. Stephen Hahn to lead the Food and Drug Administration (FDA):  “Having the right person lead the FDA is critical to virtually every American. The FDA is responsible...

“I often suggest Tennesseans look at Washington D.C. like a split screen television. On one side, you have the controversies of the day – Democrat impeachment and the president’s daily tweets. But on the other side, you’ll often see senators working together to achieve results for the American people. That has been the case...

WASHINGTON, October 30, 2019 — Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today said “to celebrate Halloween, Senate Democrats have come up with a scary fairytale without an ounce of truth.” Alexander made his remarks today on the Senate floor before Democrats tried unsuccessfully to block the Trump...

WASHINGTON, October 22, 2019 — U.S. Senators Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Doug Jones (D-Ala.) today introduced legislation to simplify the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) that nearly 20 million families fill out every year to apply for federal student aid.  “The 108-question FAFSA is one of the biggest...

WASHINGTON, September 26, 2019 — Senate education committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today introduced a long-term solution to fund Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other Minority Serving Institutions as part of a legislative package of eight bipartisan higher education proposals drafted by 35 Senators — 20...

WASHINGTON, September 25, 2019 — Senate labor committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today said that the Senate should confirm Eugene Scalia to serve as Secretary of Labor. “I have received 32 letters in support of Mr. Scalia’s nomination from small business owners, employers, workers, and...

WASHINGTON, September 24, 2019 — The Senate labor committee today approved the nomination of Eugene Scalia to serve as United States Secretary of Labor. “Mr. Scalia is well qualified to lead the Labor Department,” Senate labor committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said during the committee meeting...