Rep. John Kline (R-MN), the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee’s senior Republican member, issued the following statement today following the committee’s vote on a partisan proposal that pairs mining reforms with controversial changes to the Occupational Safety and Health Act – proposals overwhelmingly opposed by job-creators because of their potential to drive up litigation costs, add workp... Read more »
I thank the gentleman for yielding and allowing me to describe what I believe is a far better approach to addressing the tragic explosion at the Upper Big Branch mine and improve the safety of all our nation’s coal miners. Although we all wish it were possible, we cannot go back in time and prevent the Upper Big Branch tragedy. We cannot bring back the 29 miners lost that day, nor the 23 other min... Read more »
The explosion at Massey Energy’s Upper Big Branch coal mine claimed the lives of 29 workers and forever changed the lives of their families and communities. While progress has been made over the last several decades to improve mine safety, tragedies like the one at the Upper Big Branch mine remind us more work remains. Republicans firmly believe Congress must take responsible action to further mit... Read more »
On April 5, 2010, a massive underground explosion at Massey Energy’s Upper Big Branch mine in Montcoal, West Virginia tragically took the lives of 29 miners. Immediately, Congress recognized changes were needed to protect underground coal miners – toughening and modernizing mine safety laws, and holding federal regulators and inspectors accountable for enforcing those laws. Democrats Put Speed Ahe... Read more »
I would like to begin by thanking our distinguished panel for appearing today. We appreciate that they have taken time out of their busy schedules to share their experiences and expertise with us. This is a critical issue. Some pension plans are experiencing funding shortfalls after the economic downturn, and plan sponsors are trying to find greater returns to meet obligations. However, I am somew... Read more »
The head of President Obama’s “fiscal responsibility” commission recently made headlines for stating the obvious: the nation’s $13 trillion (and counting) in debt is a “cancer” on our country. Erskine Bowles, commission co-chair and former White House Chief of Staff for President Clinton, called for solutions to our debt crisis that address spending, saying, “I just want to see the vast majority c... Read more »
Rep. John Kline (R-MN), the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee’s senior Republican member, issued the following statement today regarding the committee’s vote on legislation to reauthorize federal child nutrition programs: “Republicans support wise investments to combat childhood hunger and improve the health and nutrition of disadvantaged children and families. With the school lunch program... Read more »
I do not believe that as a nation, we should choose between renewing our vital support of child nutrition and our desperate need to get our fiscal house in order. If there is one thing we have learned over the last year, it is that the American people are tired of government growth and spending that leaves a mountain of debt on our children’s doorsteps. The Republican substitute ensures we meet th... Read more »
Healthy breakfasts, school lunches, dietary education, and nutritional assistance are all worthy investments in our effort to combat child hunger and improve the health and wellness of low-income families. Congress has a responsibility to extend these programs this year, before critical services are delayed or even denied to millions of needy children and families. To that end, Republicans are rea... Read more »
Rep. John Kline (R-MN), the top Republican on the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee, today expressed strong support for mine safety reforms that will identify and clamp down on unsafe mines and mine operators, modernize safety standards, and ensure federal oversight authorities are enforcing the laws designed to protect miners operating in dangerous conditions underground. With numerous inv... Read more »
