Let me begin by welcoming our witness panel and our guests today. Thank you for taking the time away from your important work to testify and help Congress better understand these workforce issues. I am especially grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with the Members of the Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee to hold this joint hearing on developing our nation’s cyber wo... Read more »
The Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, chaired by Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY), and the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection of the Committee on Homeland Security, chaired by Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-TX), today held a joint hearing on “Public-Private Solutions to Educating a Cyber Workforce”.
At the opening of the hearing, Chairman Guthrie discussed the critical nature of strengthening public-private cybersecurity partnerships and educating today’s professionals in order to fill the existing cybersecurity skills gap.
“Organizations in the public and private sectors are actively seeking skilled professionals to fill the numerous jobs available in the growing cybersecurity field, and are coming up short in the number of Americans able to fill these essential positions that ensure our American cyber-infrastructure is safe,” Chairman Guthrie said.
“This skills gap is not unique to the cybersecurity sector,” the chairman continued. “Many other industries such as manufacturing and transportation are facing a shortage of skilled workers to fill good-paying jobs. However, when dealing with cybersecurity, the stakes are even higher because we are dealing with national security.”
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On October 24 at 2 p.m., the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development and the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies will hold a joint hearing on "Public-Private Solutions to Educating a Cyber Workforce". The hearing will take place in room 210 of the House Capitol Visitor's Center.
The joint subcommittee hearing will examine best practices for cybersecurity workforce development to narrow the gap of qualified cybersecurity professionals.
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For more information and to view a live webcast, click here. Read more »
After years of slow wage growth, how can we turn things around for America’s workers? The answer isn’t more mandates and big-government policies. That’s what we got during eight years of the Obama administration, and the results weren’t good for anybody. Read more »
5 Reasons Small Businesses Need Association Health Plans
This week, Chairwoman Foxx joined President Trump at the White House as he signed an executive order to allow small businesses to join together through association health plans (AHPs). House Republicans have been fighting for this type of free-market reform for years. In fact, the Committee on Education and the Workforce advanced and the House passed legislation earlier this year to expand access to affordable health care for small business employees through AHPs.
The President’s action is certainly a victory for small businesses and their employees, and here’s why:
1. 56,800,000. That’s the number of workers employed by a small business, representing nearly half of the private-sector workforce. And it’s the number of people who stand to benefit from association health plans.
2. Small businesses need more options. Obamacare has hit small businesses especially hard, leaving them with fewer choices. As one small business owner explained to Congress:
“As a small business owner, I recall the days before the ACA when we would receive a 2-inch notebook that contained multiple quotes from different health insurance companies. Now, our options are listed on a single legal sized sheet of paper.”
3. Small businesses face soaring health care costs. According to the National Federation of Independent Business, the cost of health care was the top concern to small businesses in 2016.
Because of rising costs, many small businesses have been forced to stop providing coverage to their employees. In fact, since 2008, the share of small businesses with fewer than 10 employees offering health coverage has declined by 36 percent.
4. Jobs are at stake. Because of soaring costs under Obamacare, small businesses have lost 300,000 jobs and $19 billion in lost wages. At least 10,000 small businesses have closed their doors, according to the American Action Forum.
5. It’s about fairness. Due to their size and economies of scale, large businesses and labor organizations are able to negotiate for high-quality health care at a more affordable cost for their employees. Small businesses don’t have the same bargaining power.
Relief is on the way. AHPs will make a real difference in the lives of millions of small business employees by leveling the playing field, expanding affordable health care options, and promoting a more competitive health insurance marketplace. Learn more here. Read more »
Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) issued the following joint statement after President Trump signed an executive order to help expand affordable health care options for small businesses and their employees. Read more »
The bipartisan Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which passed in 2014, made important reforms to our nation's workforce development system . These reforms make the workforce development system more responsive to the needs of both employers and job seekers. Read more »
The San Diego Union-Tribune: How Congress can help your favorite local restaurants
By Chris Duggan
San Diego is transforming into more than America’s Finest City. It’s becoming a culinary hot spot. Previously known for its fish tacos and oceanside cuisine, creative chefs from across the United States and even Mexico are filling the city with everything from exotic flavors to good old American barbecue. Foodies from all over are packing into our local eateries to check out the hype. Read more »
Obama's fiduciary rule is already hurting small savers. Here's how to roll it back
By Chairwoman Foxx (R-NC) and Rep. Phil Roe (R-TN)
Saving for retirement is a difficult challenge for Americans across the country. By one estimate, there are nearly 40 million working families who haven't saved a dime for retirement. It's clear the last thing Washington should do is create new barriers to the financial security Americans need when they retire. Read more »
Since the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) adopted its extreme joint employer scheme two years ago, local businesses across the country have been calling on Congress to act. As Chairwoman Foxx recently said, “their concerns haven’t gone unanswered. Clearing up the confusion and uncertainty surrounding the joint employer issue has long been a priority for this committee.” That’s why, today, the committee will mark up the Save Local Business Act (H.R. 3441), bringing us one step closer to delivering the joint employer clarity these hardworking men and women desperately need:
• “[The Save Local Business Act] is just one example of how policy changes that reduce regulation and unnecessary red tape can spark optimism within the small business community.” — Matthew Lewis, Sport Clips, Raleigh, NC
• “When you’ve worked your way up from the bottom like I have, you don’t like to see anyone knock you back down. It's time we clear up the confusion of joint employer for local business owners and all of those depending on us, and I am confident that the Save Local Business Act does just that.” — Tamra Kennedy, Taco John’s, Roseville, MN Read more »
