Dear Secretary Duncan: Given the significant investment of taxpayer resources in postsecondary education, the federal government has an obligation to monitor higher education institutions that participate in federal student aid programs. While we share the goal of promoting accountability and integrity among these institutions, we are deeply concerned about several provisions included in the late... Read more »
Dear Attorney General Holder: In recent months, some federal student loan servicers have been scrutinized by the departments of Justice (DOJ) and Defense (DOD), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) for allegedly violating the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). As you know, under the SCRA the interest rate on federal and priva... Read more »
Dear Chairmen Rogers and Kingston and Ranking Members Lowey and DeLauro: As you develop the fiscal year 2015 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, we urge you to include in the base bill a bipartisan provision that prohibits the Department of Education from promulgating the final gainful employment regulation. The troublesome regulation currently under development... Read more »
House Education and the Workforce Chairman John Kline (R-MN) and Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Chairman Phil Roe (R-TN) sent a letter to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) asking the board to extend the public comment period for the controversial ambush election proposal. Citing uncertainty confronting workers, employers, and unions, the leaders asked the board to ... Read more »
Dear Secretary Duncan: In recent press interviews, you and your staff have confirmed the development of a "50-state strategy" on teacher equity. Specifically, Assistant Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education Deb Delisle said states will be required to update their 'highly qualified teacher' plans, noting the department's Office of Civil Rights plans to use its enforcement authority to en... Read more »
Dear Mr. President: On January 16, 2014 the White House convened a summit with more than 100 college and university leaders and 40 non-profit organizations to discuss opportunities to expand access to higher education for low-income students. We share the goal of strengthening federal policy to ensure all students, regardless of income, have the opportunity to access and complete a postsecondary ... Read more »
Dear Secretary Duncan and Attorney General Holder: In January the departments of Education and Justice issued joint guidance on school discipline to help prevent discrimination and slow down the "school-to-prison pipeline." The recommendations encourage schools to establish procedures to distinguish between disciplinary infractions appropriately handled by school officials and threats to school s... Read more »
Dear Mr. Secretary, We are pleased that President Obama has signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2014, P.L. 113-76. This legislation provides USDA with funding for vital programs and also provides directives that clearly state congressional intent in the implementation of various programs. We want to call your immediate attention to the congressional directive that ... Read more »
Dear Assistant Secretary Michaels: We are increasingly concerned about the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) reliance on guidance documents, letters of interpretation, and other non-regulatory actions to dramatically change OSHA policy. A glaring example is the June 28, 2011 enforcement guidance to regional administrators regarding family farming operations. The agency should... Read more »
Dear Secretary Duncan: On November 20, 2013, the Department of Education published a Federal Register notice announcing the formation of a new negotiated rulemaking panel to examine six issues related to higher education. As the deadline approaches for announcing the list of negotiators, we urge you to ensure the panel is fair and representative of all stakeholders who may be directly affected by... Read more »
