House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman John Kline (R-MN) and Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee Chairman Todd Rokita (R-IN) today introduced legislation to reform the nation’s K-12 education system. Based on proposals advanced through the committee in the 112th Congress, the Student Success Act (H.R. 5) will restore local control, support more effective... Read more »
THE PROBLEM: The Elementary and Secondary Education Act, currently known as No Child Left Behind, has been due for reauthorization since 2007. Despite its best intentions, there is widespread agreement that the current law is no longer effectively serving students. No Child Left Behind’s ‘Adequate Yearly Progress’ (AYP) metric proves one-size-fits-all federal accountability mandates hamper innova... Read more »
Dear Secretary Lew, Secretary Sebelius, and Acting-Secretary Harris: We write to seek clarification of the Obama administration’s regulatory and enforcement efforts related to stop loss insurance. Specifically, we are concerned the administration may be considering regulating stop loss insurance. Such regulations could limit an employer’s ability to self-insure, making this important option both ... Read more »
Today the Obama administration released a Statement of Administration Policy endorsing a Senate proposal to kick the can down the road on student loan interest rates. The approach now supported by the president would ensure millions of borrowers will face another interest rate cliff in two short years – exacerbating the confusion and uncertainty facing families and students. This is a sharp detour... Read more »
During Tuesday’s Education and the Workforce Committee hearing, Republican committee members took Americans’ questions about the implementation of the president’s health care law straight to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee Chairman Phil Roe (R-TN) recently solicited questions from North Carolina employers about how t... Read more »
House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman John Kline (R-MN) issued the following statement on the Senate’s upcoming vote on student loan interest rate proposals: Last month the House approved legislation that prevents student loan interest rates from doubling on July 1st and heeds the president’s call for a long-term, market-based solution. The Senate has a chance to do the right thing ... Read more »
Since the early days of his administration, President Obama has enjoyed a reputation as a higher education reformer. Just over four years ago he told a joint session of Congress that the country would regain its place as the most educated nation in the world, and his student loan reform bill phased out the role of private lenders in the federal aid system. Two years ago he famously warned college... Read more »
Dear Assistant Secretary Michaels: We strongly support and share the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) commitment to reducing occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. Accordingly, any proposed regulations issued by OSHA ultimately must contribute to the goal of safer and healthier workplaces. To that end, we request information regarding OSHA’s work to create a new f... Read more »
Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today answered questions regarding the solicitation of private funds to implement the president’s health care law. The Washington Post recently reported Secretary Sebelius asked health industry officials to make donations to help implement the health care law. The New York Times later identified the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and H&R ... Read more »
Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee Chairman Todd Rokita (R-IN) today joined House Republican leaders at a press conference to discuss the Smarter Solutions for Students Act (H.R. 1911), legislation that will prevent student loan interest rates from doubling on July 1st. In his remarks, Rep. Rokita explains how H.R. 1911 will help provide students and taxpayers with m... Read more »
