As the federal government moves forward to implement President Obama's Affordable Care Act, the Department of Health and Human Services is slated to spend millions of dollars promoting the unpopular legislation. In the face of this publicity blitz, it is worth remembering that the law was originally sold largely on four grounds—all of which have become increasingly implausible. Lower health-care ... Read more »
It’s no secret Big Labor strongly supported the president’s government takeover of health care. Back in 2010, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka said unions would do "everything we can" to gin up congressional support for the president’s health care law. Nearly three years after ObamaCare became law, union leaders seem to be second-guessing their fervent support for the government takeover of health... Read more »
By Rep. Todd Rokita One of the great Indiana success stories of the past decade is what we’ve accomplished in the area of education reform. I am always proud to tell the story of our state’s success in Washington, D.C., and now, as I begin my service as chairman of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education, Indiana is poised to play a major role in shapin... Read more »
State and local school choice initiatives continue to boost academic achievement and strengthen the nation’s education system. In honor of National School Choice Week (January 27 – February 2), the House Education and the Workforce Committee compiled the following facts on a variety of innovative programs and policies that are expanding choice and options in education: FACT #1: Demand and support ... Read more »
Gallup: Health costs are No. 1 concern for small businesses Small businesses say healthcare costs are the No. 1 factor hurting their operating environment, according to a new Gallup poll. Fifty-four percent of small businesses said healthcare costs are hurting the business environment "a lot" — making the it the No. 1 impediment identified by business owners. Taxes on small businesses came in jus... Read more »
We have to get past this whole situation where we manufacture crises because of politics. That actually leads to less certainty, more conflict, and we can't all focus on coming together to grow. – President Barack Obama, 12/10/12 If the president followed his own advice, there would be less confusion over Michigan’s effort to strengthen workers rights. Leaders in the Wolverine State have approved... Read more »
One hallmark of the Obama Presidency is its habit of running roughshod over Congressional prerogatives. A test of that arrogation of power comes Wednesday when the Administration has to defend its imperial treatment of recess appointments in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. We have long supported such appointments as long as they are made when Congress is genuinely in recess. Yet in January Mr.... Read more »
Late last week, the Obama administration’s Department on Health and Human Services (HHS) quietly informed a Wisconsin newspaper that it would not announce the results of the Head Start re-competition process this year. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Grants were expected to be awarded in November or December, but Kenneth Wolfe, a spokesman for the Administration for Children and Famil... Read more »
Each year, the federal government spends more than seven billion dollars on Head Start, a program designed to help low-income children prepare for success in school and in life. In an effort to ensure the program is working for families and taxpayers, congressional leaders in the House and Senate have attempted for months to obtain information on Head Start's effectiveness and implementation. How... Read more »
Reports continue to reveal new school lunch requirements are leaving students hungry, increasing food waste, and running up costs for schools nationwide. According to a school food services director from Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, "Participation is down, and the feedback we are getting is that [students are] not getting enough to eat. I like the regulations, but the one-size-fits-all doesn’t real... Read more »
