Ranking Member's Press

BRENTWOOD, Tennessee, December 15, 2017 – United States Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), in Middle Tennessee today, said Congress and President Trump are set to deliver Christmas presents to Tennessee families next week by reducing taxes and health care premiums.  “This Christmas season is a good time for Congress...

NASHVILLE, December 15 — Senate labor committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today released the following statement on the decision by the National Labor Relations Board to overturn its Obama administration-era “joint employer” standard: “The Obama NLRB’s decision changing the joint employer standard was the...

WASHINGTON, December 14 — Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Wash.) today sent a letter to every governor and state insurance commissioner in the nation asking for their specific recommendations on how the federal government can be the most effective partner for states in the battle...

“Sean is one person out of nearly 10 million in the United States with a serious mental health condition. Without treatment, his story could have had a very different outcome… Over the past few years, this Committee has worked in a bipartisan way to update parts of the federal mental health system for the first time in over a...

WASHINGTON, December 13, 2017 — The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee today approved and sent to the Senate floor seven nominees for the Department of Education and Department of Labor. For the Education Department, Brigadier General Mitchell Zais is nominated to serve as Deputy Secretary, James Blew...

“The system is extremely complex and there are many factors that could have caused Joseph, who wrote the constituent letter I mentioned, to be charged $150 for his prescription – for example, what type of insurance plan did his family have? Is it a prescription drug where there is only one manufacturer? Is it a new drug with no...

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 2017 – Senate health committee chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn) urged Congress to deliver “a very good Christmas present” by passing his bipartisan legislation to lower health insurance premiums by 18 percent -- that's according to Avalere, which is one of the leading health consulting...

“[A] law is not worth the paper it’s printed on if it is not implemented properly. I intend to ensure Cures is… implemented properly... Today we are hearing from Dr. Collins and Dr. Gottlieb on the provisions related to biomedical research. We are fortunate to have two talented leaders who know their agencies, are widely...

WASHINGTON, December 5, 2017 — The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee today held a hearing for two Department of Education nominees, Ken Marcus to serve as Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights and Johnny Collett to serve as Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, and two Department of...

WASHINGTON, December 4 — Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today announced he has named three new majority staff policy directors.   Grace Stuntz will serve as Health Policy Director, Bob Moran will serve as Education Policy Director, and Andy Banducci will serve as Labor and...

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 30, 2017 --  Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today said that “we must ensure the federal government is the best possible partner for states on the front lines of the opioid crisis ravaging our country.”  Today’s hearing – the second in a series of hearings...

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 29, 2017 — U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today chaired a hearing for Alex Azar, President Trump’s nominee to serve as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), where he urged Azar, if confirmed, to work to lower Tennesseans’ health insurance...

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 29, 2017 – At a confirmation hearing today for Alex Azar, President Trump’s nominee to serve as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said that Azar’s “broad experience is a principal...

WASHINGTON, November 28, 2017 — Senate education Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today said that, “after four years of discussions over how to simplify the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or the FAFSA, it is time to come to a result to make it easier for students to apply for federal financial aid.”   ...

American Hospital Association: “We welcome the nomination of Alex Azar to be Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. We are confident that his extensive background in business, health care and medicine distinguishes him as a uniquely qualified candidate for the vacancy. The expertise garnered from his career in the...

WASHINGTON, Nov. 16, 2017 – Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr (R-N.C.) made the following statements after the Senate today sent to the president legislation that would speed safe drugs and devices for use in battlefield emergencies:   Alexander said:...

WASHINGTON, Nov. 16, 2017 – Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today made the following statement about new Food and Drug Administration guidance on regenerative medicine:     “I am glad Commissioner Gottlieb is implementing the 21st Century Cures Act in such a way that Americans can access the...

WASHINGTON, November 16 — Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after meeting this morning with Alex Azar—President Trump’s nominee for United States Secretary of Health and Human Services: “I was glad to host Alex Azar in my office this morning and was impressed with his...

WASHINGTON, November 15, 2017 — Today, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee held a confirmation hearing on four of the President’s nominees for positions at the Department of Education and the Department of Labor.  For the Education Department, Brigadier General Mitchel Zais is nominated to serve as...

WASHINGTON, November 15, 2017 — At a Senate health committee hearing today with Surgeon General Jerome Adams, Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said that Dr. Adams’ focus on wellness could have a real impact on the lives of millions of Americans.          “Dr. Adams said at his confirmation...