Across the country, millions of college students are getting ready to start the school year. They will soon say goodbye to family and friends and pursue their dream of a postsecondary education. Unfortunately, many Americans are struggling to turn that dream into reality. The higher education system we know today is too costly, too bureaucratic, and outdated. Some are having a hard time fitting th... Read more »
Each year an estimated 300,000 innocent children fall victim to sex trafficking right here in the United States. The victims can be homeless or runaway youth; others are simply taken from their parents in the blink of an eye. The victims’ families are our neighbors, friends, and loved ones. As a father of two and grandfather of four, for me it is impossible to fathom the pain and suffering they mu... Read more »
We are pleased to hear today from Mr. John Ryan, the president and chief executive officer of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children or NCMEC. Mr. Ryan will give us an update on NCMEC’s important work and how a number of legislative changes enacted last year are enhancing the efforts of this organization. At a ceremony opening the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children,... Read more »
Today the committee will consider a number of legislative proposals as part of its continued effort to reauthorize the Higher Education Act. A report released last month confirms once again the value of receiving a postsecondary education. Researchers at the New York Federal Reserve asked whether the benefits of college still outweigh the costs and their answer was a resounding “yes.” The research... Read more »
Men and women across the country are struggling to make ends meet. Many have lost a job and others are working more for less. Learning a new skill or trade can open the door to that next opportunity a worker desperately needs, yet too often flawed policies stand in the way. Quite frankly our nation’s job training system is broken. We have too many ineffective programs, too much bureaucracy, and ve... Read more »
We are dealing with an issue today that is both critically important and exceptionally complex. Why is it so important? As we fight for all Americans looking to build better lives for themselves and their families, we know that a quality education is at the root of that better life. With very few exceptions, a worker will not succeed in the workforce if they failed as a student in the classroom. A... Read more »
Four years ago, the Obama administration promised the start of “recovery summer.” The American people were told at the time the nation was about to enter a period of strong growth and job creation. We know four years later that simply wasn’t the case. Instead of a robust recovery, the nation continued to struggle with a jobs crisis that is hurting working families to this day. It has taken five ye... Read more »
Today’s hearing is part of our continued oversight of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Last year we convened a hearing to broadly examine the commission’s regulatory and enforcement agenda. Members raised concerns with a number of EEOC policies that many believe are not in the best interest of workers and employers. For example, under President Obama’s watch, EEOC has made it more diff... Read more »
College sports have become a favored pastime for millions of Americans. Whether filling out a tournament bracket, tailgating on a Saturday afternoon, or simply cheering on an alma mater, for many fans, college sports is a way to spend time with loved ones and stay connected with old friends. Where fans are known for their loyalty, student athletes are renowned for their passion and talent and look... Read more »
More than a decade ago, Congress approved the Education Sciences Reform Act, legislation that established the Institute of Education Sciences to gather information on education progress, conduct research on education practices in schools, and evaluate the effectiveness of federal education programs and initiatives. Like many of my colleagues, I believe the federal government’s role in education ne... Read more »
