“If we set our compass true, we will reach our destination—not merely victory for our Party, but renewal for our nation.”

Senator Edward M. Kennedy

The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate actively inspires all Americans to keep our democracy and civic life vibrant, educates the public about the unique role of the Senate in our government, and promotes civil discourse to drive bipartisan solutions for our nation’s challenges.

Watch “The Senate Project” Live: Senators Coons and Rubio debate China, environmental policy, and the state of the U.S. Senate.

September 18th at 6:30 PM EST

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Latest Events

Statement on the passing of Senator Dianne Feinstein

Read our statement on the passing of Senator Feinstein.

Oct 5: American Politics in Crisis? Charting a New Path

Presentation of brand-new national survey results from the Pew Research Center that chronicle Americans’ deep-seated frustration with the political system.

Click here for more information

Watch: The Senate Project with Sens. Coons (D-DE) and Rubio (R-FL)

The fourth installment of The Senate Project debate series occurred on Monday, September 18 and featured Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Marco Rubio (R-FL).

Click here to watch the debate

Senate Immersion Module Relaunched

Institute Welcomes Forty Ambassadors

The Kennedy Institute welcomed more than 30 foreign ambassadors – who represent countries across 5 continents – to Boston as part of the Experience America event. Led by the U.S. Department of State, Experience America connects foreign ambassadors with academic, business, and cultural leaders in hopes of strengthening relationships to promote economic investment, commerce, and dialogue.

The Edward M. Kennedy Award for Inspired Leadership

The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate presented Anthony S. Fauci, MD and Bill Russell (posthumously) with the Edward M. Kennedy Award for Inspired Leadership on December 13th, 2022.

The Senate Project continues: Jeanne Shaheen and Joni Ernst

The third installment of The Senate Project series, featuring Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) was hosted inside the Edward M. Kennedy Institute’s one-of-a-kind full-scale replica of the Senate chambers. In a conversation moderated by FOX News Channel’s Bret Baier and streamed live on FOX Nation, the two Senators discussed a wide range of foreign policy topics, including the war in Ukraine, the Middle East and Iran sanctions, and the fentanyl crisis. Ernst and Shaheen both sit on the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

Kennedy Institute hosts inaugural Hyannis Port Summit

A bipartisan group of 10 former United States senators – five Democrats and five Republicans – gathered at the historic Kennedy Family home in Hyannis Port, Mass. for three days of conversation about how the nation’s current political climate is negatively impacting today’s Senate. They also discussed ways to expand bipartisan cooperation on legislative solutions to major issues facing the country.

Virtual Event – Higher Education Pathways to Immigration: Why it Matters

Senator Kennedy brought people together to pass the most consequential immigration reform law in modern history, the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, and we were thrilled to continue that work by bringing people together alongside the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, the Immigration Initiative at Harvard University, and UMass Boston for dialogue and discussion around the role higher education can play in further expanding opportunities for immigrants across the world.