Studies have repeatedly shown teacher quality to be one of the most influential factors on student academic achievement. As a father of three young children, I’ve seen firsthand how positively kids respond when inspired and motivated by an exceptional teacher – they work harder, enjoy learning, and seem more fulfilled after a challenging day in the classroom. Today we are here to discuss teachers ... Read more »
In recent months, the issue of rising college costs has shifted to the forefront of our national discourse – and rightly so, as millions of young people struggle to manage school debt and find job opportunities in the lagging economy. Annual tuition and fees at public universities have increased 72 percent since 2001, and the cost of private institutions and two-year degree programs have similarly... Read more »
On June 28, the U.S. Supreme Court dealt a devastating blow to the American people. In a sharply divided opinion, the court upheld the president’s decision to tax individuals who don’t purchase government-approved health insurance. If Washington can dictate that private citizens must buy health insurance and impose higher taxes when they fail to do so, it is difficult to conceive of any limit on f... Read more »
Today we will discuss what has become an important model for workplace safety enforcement. Approximately 1,500 inspectors from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) work each day to enforce our nation’s health and safety standards. In an economy as vast and dynamic as ours, it is a difficult job. The goods and services that are the driving force behind the American economy come ... Read more »
Pursuant to House Rule 11, we are here today to consider the third quarter committee activities report. This report outlines the House Education and the Workforce Committee’s progress in meeting key priorities. Since the 112th Congress convened, this committee has held 67 hearings and logged well over 100 hours analyzing a range of policies and programs to determine whether they are serving the be... Read more »
In a recent editorial entitled the “Union Pension Bomb,” the Wall Street Journal described the “big trouble” facing multiemployer pension plans. The editorial noted a study by analysts at Credit Suisse, which found multiemployer pensions are collectively underfunded by approximately $369 billion, and only a small fraction of these plans are considered stable and healthy. It is important to note th... Read more »
Thank you, Chairman Kline. Before I describe the changes included in the substitute amendment, I would like to thank you and your staff for all the hard work invested in the legislation we are considering today. I would also like to thank Representatives Buck McKeon and Joe Heck – my partners in this important endeavor – for their valuable contributions to the Workforce Investment Improvement Act ... Read more »
Today we will consider H.R. 4297, the Workforce Investment Improvement Act of 2012. The legislation makes long overdue changes to the Workforce Investment Act, which expired nearly a decade ago. I want to thank my colleagues for their work on this issue, including the sponsors of the legislation, Representatives Virginia Foxx, Buck McKeon, and Joe Heck. In January, President Obama stood before the... Read more »
With 160 million Americans acquiring health insurance through an employer-sponsored plan, job creators clearly play a critical role in the nation’s health care system. As a result, employers know all too well the difficult challenge of expanding access to affordable health care. To help control the cost of offering insurance, employers have traditionally maintained a great deal of flexibility over... Read more »
As a father, I know my children don’t stop learning just because the school day has ended. We have a responsibility as parents to continue to challenge our kids outside the classroom. Parents who make a concerted effort to promote reading, help with homework, and discuss school with their children can inspire a better overall education experience. We know increased parental engagement leads to hig... Read more »
