A new editorial by the Wall Street Journal lauds House and Senate Republicans for moving to block a new rule that will make it harder for low- and middle-income families to save for retirement. Read more about Rep. Phil Roe’s (R-TN) resolution to protect access to affordable retirement advice. A relentless grievance on the right is that House and Senate Republicans do zilch to rein in the Obama ad... Read more »
As a country, we have long worked to ensure all individuals have an equal opportunity to achieve success. A quality education is one of the best paths to a brighter future, but students cannot learn and succeed in class if they are hungry or lack proper nutrition. That’s why ensuring all kids have access to nutritious meals has long been a national priority, and why I am leading an effort in Cong... Read more »
Minnesota Republican Rep. John Kline and former California Rep. George Miller, a Democrat, knew there’d be blowback as architects of a controversial 2014 reform allowing failing pension funds to cut accrued benefits. To their credit, the duo plowed forward with the legislation anyway, recognizing that some hardened problems have no good or easy solutions, and that in such situations, strong leade... Read more »
"In sum, the Obama Administration is flouting a law that President Obama signed in a way that jeopardizes worker pensions while dumping the problem on taxpayers." Congress passed legislation in 2014 to help insolvent multi-employer pension plans save themselves. But now the Obama Administration and Teamsters are enabling a giant taxpayer bailout that Congress sought to prevent. This month Treasur... Read more »
The Department of Labor will soon unveil new changes to federal overtime rules, and people across the country are raising concerns. Leaders at non-profit organizations are among those sounding the alarm on a rule that will raise costs, make it harder for workers to advance, and limit their ability to provide important services in their communities. In fact, at a field hearing in Lansing, Michigan,... Read more »
The Gut-Wrenching Truth About Pensions By Thomas C. Nyhan, executive director and general counsel of the Central States Pension Fund The Star Tribune’s recent article about the Central States Pension Fund’s need to reduce pension benefits to save the fund (“New law threatens to slash pensions,” Dec. 14) curiously leaves out one very important detail about the causes for our severe underfunding. T... Read more »
Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-TN): Restoring Local Control to K-12 Education Since I was sworn in to Congress in 2009, I've proudly served on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. A former mayor, I am keenly aware of the importance of our educators and school administrators. They shape the future of our communities, and their work greatly affects the economy, which is why I've made it a po... Read more »
Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC): Replace No Child Left Behind to Improve Education, Empower Parents As a child, my family’s home didn’t have electricity or running water. My parents, while dedicated and hardworking, were poor with little formal education. Fortunately, I was pushed by the right people – teachers and administrators who wouldn’t let me settle for less than my best. In the mountains of Nor... Read more »
After nearly a year of legislative work, Congress is poised to replace No Child Left Behind and improve K-12 education. Both the House and Senate passed separate proposals to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act this summer, and now a bicameral conference committee has put forward a final proposal that will reduce the federal role in education, restore local control, and empower... Read more »
Conservative reformers have had major successes, notably on welfare in 1996. But when a reform doesn’t turn out as hoped, they need to adapt. A case in point is No Child Left Behind, which the GOP Congress is now preparing to leave behind. This week the House plans to debate the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), which lapsed in 2007 and needs revision. A bipartisan compromise has eme... Read more »
