From welfare and health care to early childhood development and support services for older Americans, the policies your department oversees affect the lives of millions of Americans. Conversations like this one are vitally important as we work to ensure the department is acting in the best interests of taxpayers and those in need. As we examine what programs and policies are working, and which one... Read more »
Replacing No Child Left Behind was a significant achievement that was desperately needed and long overdue. The law represented the largest expansion of federal control over K-12 schools, and it was based on the flawed premise that Washington knows best what students need in the classroom. The federal government imposed rigid rules and punitive actions on states and schools in areas vital to a chil... Read more »
I want to extend a warm welcome to Acting Secretary of Education John King, who is with us to discuss the policies and priorities of the Department of Education. Dr. King has been at the helm of the department since January and was recently nominated by the president to serve as the next secretary of education. Congratulations on your nomination, Dr. King. We understand this is the beginning of a ... Read more »
After years of flawed policies and federal intrusions into the nation’s classrooms, Congress passed the Every Student Succeeds Act based on the principle that responsibility of K-12 education must be returned to state and local leaders. The new law repeals onerous federal requirements and ensures important decisions affecting education – like standards, accountability, and school improvement – are... Read more »
This committee’s work to improve K-12 education has always been guided by the belief that every child – regardless of where they come from or how much money their parents make – should receive an excellent education. Unfortunately, some schools are failing to provide students that opportunity. Too many of our nation’s students are entering high school without the critical skills they need to compl... Read more »
Retirement security has always been a priority that stretches across party lines. We all want every American to retire with the dignity and financial security they deserve. It’s why Congress passed the Employee Retirement Income Security Act with near unanimous support. It’s why John Boehner and Ted Kennedy worked together on the Pension Protection Act, and why George Miller and I worked together ... Read more »
For hardworking men and women, retirement should be something to look forward to. Unfortunately, for many individuals, a comfortable, secure retirement seems unattainable. That’s why it’s important that we, as policymakers, are doing what we can to help Americans build a secure retirement. Part of that effort is ensuring they have the tools they need to plan for the future. For years, that’s been ... Read more »
As policymakers, we should be doing everything we can to ensure hardworking men and women have the tools they need to build a financially secure retirement. That’s a goal I have taken very seriously as a member of this committee, and it’s a goal that was very important to me as a small business owner. Having owned and operated community pharmacies for nearly thirty years, I was very proud to provi... Read more »
The end of the year is an important time to reflect on what has been accomplished and what work remains to be done. As members of the Education and the Workforce Committee, this is especially important as we consider the significant challenges many workers continue to face. Recent months have shown signs of economic improvement and signs of continued concern. Roughly eight million Americans are st... Read more »
I rise today to express my strong support for the Every Student Succeeds Act. As my role as Subcommittee Chairman of Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education, I’ve personally visited dozens of schools and talked to parents, teachers, students, and local education leaders. No Child Left Behind’s high-stakes testing, which requires every child to be caught up to grade level in one year i... Read more »
