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 »
In his Fiscal Year 2013 budget, President Obama requests $932 billion for the Department of Health and Human Services, one of the largest allocations for any federal agency. Nearly $70 billion of this request is dedicated to various social services programs, including Head Start and Community Services Block Grants. While they support families nationwide, such programs are also vulnerable to waste ... Read more »
Roughly one out of every five workers is currently employed by a federal contractor, providing services ranging from construction and IT management to the acquisition of office supplies. Drawing from the experience and expertise of the private-sector workforce helps ensure federal projects are carried out more efficiently and at the most competitive price for taxpayers. Like all employers, federal... Read more »
Today, we will examine H.R. 4297, the Workforce Investment Improvement Act of 2012. The legislation will provide a more dynamic, effective, and accountable workforce development system. I would like to thank our witnesses for being with us. I also want to extend my appreciation to Representatives Virginia Foxx, Buck McKeon, and Joe Heck for their continued leadership on this important issue. The c... Read more »
Welcome back, Secretary Duncan, to the Education and the Workforce Committee. We realize your time is valuable and we appreciate the opportunity to speak with you today about the president’s budget proposal. When we met this time last year, we discussed the importance of using taxpayer dollars wisely, particularly in these times of economic instability. We identified areas of education spending th... Read more »
On April 5, 2010, the people of Montcoal, West Virginia suffered a tragic loss. Around three o’clock in the afternoon, workers completing their shift at the Upper Big Branch mine felt a strong blast of wind hit their backs. It was a chilling warning that a violent explosion was tearing through the mine, one that would kill 29 miners and severely injure two more. As a nation, we continue to mourn t... Read more »
