May 20, 2008

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, Key Figure in Higher-Education Legislation, Has a Brain Tumor

Washington — Sen. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, who suffered a seizure over the weekend, has received a diagnosis of a malignant brain tumor, the Associated Press reported this afternoon.

It is unclear when Senator Kennedy, a Democrat and major figure in higher-education policy making, will return to Congress and what effect his absence will have on efforts to reauthorize, or renew, the Higher Education Act, the main law governing federal student aid. As chairman of the Senate education committee, Mr. Kennedy is a key player in that process.

Lawmakers had hoped to complete work on a compromise measure before they leave town for the Memorial Day recess, at the end of this week. But with several issues still unresolved, and at least one senator threatening to put a hold on the bill, hopes of reaching that target had dimmed even before Mr. Kennedy was hospitalized over the weekend. This morning, the Senate passed a bill to extend the Higher Education Act for 30 days beyond the late-May expiration date. The House of Representatives is expected to pass the bill soon.

The senator’s grim diagnosis introduces yet more uncertainty into the reauthorization process. According to the AP, malignant gliomas — the type of tumor Senator Kennedy has — are typically treated with combinations of radiation and chemotherapy. Average survival rates range from less than a year to about five years, depending upon the aggressiveness of the cancer.

If the senator is unable to return to Congress for an extended period of time, several scenarios are possible. Lawmakers could delay further action on the bill until he returns, potentially putting off reauthorization for another year. Aides could press on with behind-the-scenes negotiations, with Mr. Kennedy casting a proxy vote when Congress convenes a formal conference committee. Sen. Christopher J. Dodd of Connecticut, the second most senior Democrat on the education committee, could manage the conference and floor debate in Senator Kennedy’s absence.

Which of those scenarios, if any, plays out will depend on Mr. Kennedy’s preferences, lobbyists and aides said today.

“I think it is reasonable to expect that Chairman Kennedy’s desire to either move or delay the conference agreement will be respected,” said Matt Owens, associate vice president for federal relations at the Association of American Universities.

While at least some delay is likely, lobbyists were optimistic that the reauthorization bill, which is five years overdue, would finally pass the Congress this year.

“This guy is so resilient and focused — he would come back for two weeks and say, ‘Let’s do something in between treatments,’” said Sarah A. Flanagan, vice president for government relations at the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. —Kelly Field

Comments

1. Note to Chronicle Blogger: It’s a bit crass to consider the political implications of the Higher Education Act on the same day that poor Ted found out he has a time bomb in his brain.

   — Bro    May 20, 04:19 PM    #

2. Perhaps it is crass, but you can bet your booty that every opponent of Kennedy’s is considering those implications.

   — Al    May 20, 04:36 PM    #

3. I hate to say it, but I agree with AL…I had visions of lots of folks high-fiving each other in glee over his misery. I wish him an easy road…lord knows he has never really had that….

   — rbuck    May 20, 04:47 PM    #

4. I agree with Bro—-this is thoughtlessness and cruelty, guised in the milieu of “journalistic objectivity.’ Shame on this blogger as a PERSON and as a HUMAN BEING. This site is dropping in its usefulness to thoughtful academics.

   — History Professor    May 20, 04:59 PM    #

5. Failure to consider the implications of the presence or absence of ANY member of a governing body is foolish. The article is realistic, and is neither thoughtless nor cruel. The blogger is merely alert and dealing with a real issue.

   — Al    May 20, 05:03 PM    #

6. Al hit it on the head. Yes, it’s bad news for the Senator but this is far from thoughtless or cruel. Kennedy is a VERY public figure and this is relevant news. His influence is felt far and wide.

   — Steve    May 20, 05:24 PM    #

7. It is sad that people do not take into consideration the illness that Ted Kennedy has just found out about. It is true what Al said – his opponents are seeing this as a feather in their cap. How sad.

   — Denise    May 20, 05:36 PM    #

8. …sad but the society we all have created. And worst, we allow it to continue. My prayers for this long time warrior.

   — RL    May 20, 05:45 PM    #

9. I could not agree less with Al onthis issue, but respect his/her opinion nevertheless.

   — History Professor    May 20, 06:10 PM    #

10. For those of us who think of Sen. Kennedy as “Teddy,” the news was a round-house punch. However, I admit to thinking pretty quickly after the immediacy of the sadness receded that he is a key figure in the workings of the legislative process. I would hate to see the vultures circling prematurely. Teddy is a fighter, and the blog article will not hurt his feelings, or mine.

    — Peggy DeStefano    May 20, 07:13 PM    #

11. I disagree with Sen. Kennedy on almost everything — other than love of country. But I have always admired his passion and the countless contributions of his family. This last lion of four enormously talented brothers has been one of the most-influential senators in American history.

    From comments I’ve heard and read all day from his friends, political opponents (one conservative said, “We are not enemies — we are opponents — and everyone here cares deeply about this man”), and colleagues of Sen. Kennedy, I think he would be unhappy to see this discussion thread. He wouldn’t object to people at a Chronicle of Higher Education blog talking about the Higher Education Act while he’s seriously ill; rather, he would be unhappy that no one here has posted a comment on the substance of a bill for which he has labored mightily.

    And there’s much to debate. For example (from my conservative perspective): Does the Higher Education Act really need to add 55 new college programs to existing legislation, or is this inflation in advance of a critical election geared primarily to maintaining Sen. Obama’s support among the young and the educated? What specifically will these new programs achieve, if they’re successful, and why are they better and more cost-effective than various alternatives? Here’s a really critical point: Should states be punished for cutting their higher-ed budgets, as one proposal would require, or do most of us still believe in the general right of a state to determine how to spend its own money, not to mention the particular right to retain local control over education? (See Kelly Field’s May 15 story for more details.)

    I infer from his colleagues’ statements today that these are the kinds of serious matters that a still-idealistic old pro like Sen. Kennedy would want to see discussed in Washington, in the statehouses, and within the academic community, among other places. Let’s play our important role as we hope for Sen. Kennedy’s recovery.

    — S. Britchky    May 20, 10:35 PM    #

12. As likely as it is that I’m going to be on the opposite side of much of the debate from S. Britchky, I do think I have to agree on this point. Why should we assume that someone who has dedicated their life to making government work would be particularly happy with making it come to a grinding halt because one man has a serious illness. Yes we should respect him, and yes we should honor his contribution to our country, but we should neither write his obituary or stand in the way of the work he holds dear.

    On the issues: If states didn’t want federal regulation on their programs, then they should not have agreed to take the funding. These regulations are the terms of an agreement between two sovereign entities (the federal government and the state government). The state signals its agreement to the terms by accepting funding from the feds. If they don’t like the terms, it’s the Federal Government’s money and they can keep it and use it on something else (like repaying the debt maybe). Whether all of these terms are good policy will remain to be seen once the conference version of the bill becomes available. Right now, any debate on the merits is speculative.

    — JS    May 21, 01:34 AM    #

13. We all pray that Senator Kennedy does not suffer as we imagine Mary Jean Kopechne did.

    — Dexter Alexander    May 21, 07:42 AM    #

14. Comments like Dexter Alexander has made here are totally unacceptable at a time like this. Show some class, Dexter. Please apologize for your comments , Dexter, take a deep breath , and then say a few prayers for Sen. Kennedy and his family, and all other cancer patients who are fighting for their lives.

    — Jerry    May 21, 10:16 AM    #

15. To Dexter: I guess you are too perfect to forgive Sen. Kennedy for something that happened nearly 40 years ago (even though the God I serve has done so), and I guess it doesn’t matter that he has spent the last 40 years in exemplary service of this country (never mind whether one completely agrees with everything he has done or stood for) and has helped millions of people. The rest of us will remember what he and his remarkable family have done for, and meant to this nation, and will pray that he and his family can, yet again, summon the extraordinary strength and courage to face this latest, monumental challenge.

    — Peg    May 21, 10:59 AM    #

16. Oh, quit feeling sorry for this guy. From Hitler to Capone to Diem to Giancana and Chappiquidick the Kennedy gang has had its hands drenched in blood and larceny.

    — marcii    May 21, 01:59 PM    #

17. My prayers are with Sen. Kennedy and his family during this heart wrenching time as well.

    Peg: “. . . too perfect to forgive. . .” I dream, like King, that one day, ALL will have access to this forgiveness as the Kennedys have. Dexter and marcii does remind us of those with access to millions do not pay the same price for debts incurred or felonies performed. Too many people who have done far less than Chappiquidick are still marginalized in society, still have far less access to quality EDUCATION that Sen. Kennedy fights for, due to the ever approaching caste system in America. Dexter and marcii, while their statements are not tasteful or sympathetic at a time like this, their statements should be voiced.

    — WOW    May 21, 03:03 PM    #

18. We wish you, Senator Kennedy, stand firm, fight, and win this battle. We all want to see you recover and continue enjoy this marvelous gift that called life. We are all with you. You shall get over it.

    Kennedy and his whole family have done everything from being tied with the mafia, booze running, screwing every woman then could and even causing the death of at least 1 women. His brother began the involvement of America in Vietnam and he wants millions of Mexicans to break our laws and reward them with our jobs and our country.

    His father was Nazi (that supported the annihilation of the Jews during ww2 and supported it by active acts). We expect you, Senator Kennedy, to please forgiveness and pardon for your father.

    We expect you, Senator Kennedy, to please forgiveness and pardon for your involvement in the drowning of Mary Jo Kopechne.

    — Nicolas De Cabo    May 21, 08:58 PM    #

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