Dear Mr. Dodaro: The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently reported the federal government spent more than $3 billion on more than 200 federally funded science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education programs across 13 federal agencies in fiscal year 2011. While it is important to have a prepared and appropriately targeted STEM workforce to enhance U.S. competitivenes... Read more »
Dear Mr. Dodaro: The federal government has maintained a long-standing role in conducting and promoting education research. In 2002, Congress enacted the Education Sciences Reform Act (ESRA), which established the Institute of Education Science (IES), the primary federal education research organization within the Department of Education. IES, headed by a presidentially appointed director, provide... Read more »
Dear Secretary Sebelius: The recent Special Investigative Counsel report on The Pennsylvania State University scandal has raised serious concerns among members of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce about the adequacy of federal child abuse prevention laws. As you know, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, also known as CAPTA, is the foremost federal law governing child ab... Read more »
Dear Secretary Duncan, In light of the recent ruling on measures of gainful employment issued by the US District Court for the District of Columbia, we write to extend an offer of cooperation. In our opinion, we see this judgment as an opportunity for the Department and Congress to work together on ways to best provide information to students, their families and our workforce about postsecondary ... Read more »
Dear Administrator Sunstein: The Committee on Education and the Workforce is focused on supporting the nation's workforce and advancing policies that will help strengthen our economy. As part of this effort, the committee has conducted robust oversight to ensure federal agencies are held accountable for regulations that undermine innovation, job creation, and American competitiveness. The Regulat... Read more »
Dear Secretary Solis: As Chairman of the committee of primary jurisdicition over the U.S. Department of Labor, I respectfully request information concerning the modification of policies concerning the dissemination of economic data to the news media and the public. On April 10, 2012, DOL issued a statement outlining new policies and procedures concerning "press lock-ups" and the transmission of e... Read more »
Dear Assistant Secretary Main: I respectfully request information and documents relating to the Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration’s (MSHA) injury and illness rates for MSHA personnel. The safety and health of MSHA personnel, as well as all workers, is of the utmost importance. Unfortunately, MSHA’s injury and illness rate is alarmingly high, raising serious concerns about... Read more »
I respectfully request information and documents relating to the Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration’s (MSHA) efforts to stop advanced notice of a mine inspection. Under the Mine Act, “any person who gives advance notice of any inspection to be conducted under [the Mine Safety Act] shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000 or by imprisonment for ... Read more »
Dear Inspector General Berry: I respectfully ask you to commence an investigation to determine whether Acting General Counsel Lafe Solomon or his staff made any prohibited ex parte communications regarding the Boeing case, 19-CA-32431. Any such allegation must be investigated to ensure parties’ rights are protected. As you know, 29 CFR 102.126 prohibits an interested person outside this agency fr... Read more »
Dear Mr. Dodaro: On July 1, 2010, the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program was eliminated and replaced by 100 percent direct lending. Since 1965, the FFEL program leveraged hundreds of billions of dollars in private sector capital to help Americans pay for college. However, with the elimination of FFEL, the government now originates and oversees every single new federal higher education l... Read more »
