Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA), one of the nation's most influential lawmakers and a longtime supporter of higher education legislation, has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Treatment, which usually entails combinations of radiation and chemotherapy, will be determined following more testing. "Kennedy remains in good spirits and full of energy," Bloomberg reports.

"Senator Kennedy is a stalwart advocate for higher education access," said NASFAA President Dr. Phil Day. "His contributions to our nation are too numerous to be counted and we we're hopeful he will continue to lend his voice to many more worthy causes in the near future."

What effect Kennedy's absence will have on HEA reauthorization is currently unknown, but it seems to have stalled negotiations in the short-term. He is one of the key authors of HEA reauthorization currently being negotiated between the House and Senate and his unexpected absence could stall finalization on that bill, Congressional Quarterly reports. But even with some delay, The Chronicle of Higher Education reports that lobbyists remain optimistic that the reauthorization bill, which is five years overdue, would finally pass Congress this year. Kennedy currently serves as the chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

By Justin Draeger
NASFAA Associate Director of Communications

Posted 05/21/08 to www.NASFAA.org. Redistribution to non-NASFAA institutions is prohibited. Please submit Web Site questions or comments to Web@NASFAA.org.