Today we will discuss a number of legislative proposals that would bring greater transparency and accountability to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. We are here because every member of the committee recognizes the EEOC is a vitally important agency. It has a responsibility to protect the right of all workers to a fair shot at employment opportunities and a workplace free of discriminat... Read more »
A free and democratic society requires government transparency and accountability. We all want the federal government to serve the best interests of every American – those directly affected by federal programs and those whose tax dollars fund federal programs. To get there, we need to know what’s working and what isn’t. And we need to know the steps an agency should take to turn things around. The... Read more »
Independent oversight is a central tool to ensure the federal government spends taxpayer dollars wisely and administers programs and policies in the most efficient and effective way. When you consider the challenges facing our schools and workplaces, as well as the tsunami of red ink confronting taxpayers, the need for responsible administration of the federal government has never been more import... Read more »
Each day more than eight million Americans go to work at our nation’s 757,000 franchise businesses. The franchise model has encouraged entrepreneurship, the growth of small businesses, and job creation. Countless men and women invest their tears, sweat, and savings to realize the dream of owning their own business, and the franchise model has helped turn those dreams into a reality. For most franc... Read more »
Before joining Congress, I spent more than 30 years practicing medicine. As a doctor I experienced firsthand a health care system that is the envy of the world, one that has helped improve the lives of countless men, women, and children. But I also learned our health care system isn’t perfect. In many ways health care is too costly, too bureaucratic, and far too many families lack access to the ca... Read more »
Congress needs to hear directly from those who have been forced to make difficult decisions as a result of the law’s employer mandate, which requires employers to provide expensive government-approved health insurance or face steep fines if they don’t. Put simply, the Federal government should not be taxing schools and small businesses to pay for the President’s health care law. It just isn’t righ... Read more »
For more than 75 years, the Fair Labor Standards Act has provided America’s workforce with crucial federal wage and hour protections. Every day the vast majority of employers do their part to ensure workers enjoy these vital protections. Unfortunately, that is becoming an increasingly difficult challenge. The current rules and regulations surrounding the law are exceptionally complex and outdated.... 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 »
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 »
