Republican leaders on the House Education and the Workforce Committee today sent a letter to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requesting information regarding the failure of federal agencies to publish their April 2013 regulatory agendas. The members are requesting documents and communications related to the regulatory proposals of the Departments of Agriculture, Education, Labor, and Hea... Read more »
House Committee on Education and the Workforce Chairman John Kline (R-MN) sent a letter urging the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services to focus on increasing funding for Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) instead of supporting new and unproven programs. IDEA Part B is designed to help fund efforts b... Read more »
The U.S. House of Representatives today approved the Smarter Solutions for Students Act (H.R. 1911), legislation that will prevent subsidized Stafford loans from doubling on July 1st. Introduced by Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman John Kline (R-MN) and Higher Education and Workforce Training Subcommittee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC), H.R. 1911 reflects President Obama’s request fo... Read more »
The House is currently considering the Smarter Solutions for Students Act (H.R. 1911), legislation that will move all federal student loans (except Perkins Loans) to a market-based rate. Moments ago, House Education and Workforce Committee Chairman John Kline (R-MN) urged his colleagues to support this responsible proposal: We have an opportunity today to get politicians out of the business of set... Read more »
The U.S. House of Representatives recently approved the Improving Postsecondary Education Data for Students Act (H.R. 1949). Sponsored by Rep. Luke Messer (R-IN), the legislation will help strengthen higher education transparency and ensure students and families have access to the data they need to choose the right college. During debate on the House floor, Rep. Messer highlighted the need to impr... Read more »
Bipartisan compromise is tough to find in Washington right now — but when there is opportunity for agreement, we owe it to the American people to take action. In the coming weeks, millions of student-loan borrowers could see their interest rates double from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent. We’re in this predicament because politicians put themselves in charge of setting interest rates, guaranteeing un... Read more »
We’re here today to address a crisis of Washington’s own making. Several years ago, Congress decided politicians – not the free market – were better equipped to set student loan interest rates. Politicians set a fixed rate of 6.8 percent for all loans, and then decided to advance legislation based on a campaign promise that would temporarily phase this rate for subsidized Stafford loans down to 3.... Read more »
Once again Washington is working to prevent subsidized Stafford Loan interest rates from doubling. The House is expected to vote tomorrow on the Smarter Solutions for Student Act, legislation that provides a permanent solution on behalf of students and taxpayers. Just yesterday Education Secretary Arne Duncan assured Congress that the Obama administration wants a long-term solution. However, a new... Read more »
House Committee on Education and the Workforce Chairman John Kline (R-MN) today released the following statement after the Obama administration threatened to veto H.R. 1911, the Smarter Solutions for Students Act: I’m disappointed the administration has threatened to veto the Smarter Solutions for Students Act. The legislation is based on the president’s own proposal, and provides a solid basis fo... Read more »
Republicans and Democrats share the same goal: We want to ensure the American people work in an environment free of discrimination. Whether or not an individual succeeds in a workplace should be determined by merit and hard work, not the unlawful prejudice of their boss. For most employers, a person’s skills and drive to succeed are what matter most. However, bad actors will put personal bigotries... Read more »