News List

House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman John Kline (R-MN) issued the following statement on the Senate’s upcoming vote on student loan interest rate proposals: Last month the House approved legislation that prevents student loan interest rates from doubling on July 1st and heeds the president’s call for a long-term, market-based solution. The Senate has a chance to do the right thing ... Read more »

Since the early days of his administration, President Obama has enjoyed a reputation as a higher education reformer. Just over four years ago he told a joint session of Congress that the country would regain its place as the most educated nation in the world, and his student loan reform bill phased out the role of private lenders in the federal aid system. Two years ago he famously warned college... Read more »

Dear Assistant Secretary Michaels: We strongly support and share the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) commitment to reducing occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. Accordingly, any proposed regulations issued by OSHA ultimately must contribute to the goal of safer and healthier workplaces. To that end, we request information regarding OSHA’s work to create a new f... Read more »

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today answered questions regarding the solicitation of private funds to implement the president’s health care law. The Washington Post recently reported Secretary Sebelius asked health industry officials to make donations to help implement the health care law. The New York Times later identified the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and H&R ... Read more »

Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee Chairman Todd Rokita (R-IN) today joined House Republican leaders at a press conference to discuss the Smarter Solutions for Students Act (H.R. 1911), legislation that will prevent student loan interest rates from doubling on July 1st. In his remarks, Rep. Rokita explains how H.R. 1911 will help provide students and taxpayers with m... Read more »

Though the economic recovery began four year ago, countless Americans continue to face serious challenges. Roughly 12 million are searching for work. Families have recouped less than half of their household wealth lost during the recession. The economy continues to move along at an anemic pace. And the national debt will soon reach a historic $17 trillion. Congress has a responsibility to examine ... Read more »

By Rep. John Kline (R-MN) Last summer, debate about student loans reached a fever pitch thanks to a scheduled increase in the interest rate for subsidized Stafford loans made to undergraduate students. The president began touring college campuses, calling on Congress to prevent the increase that his own party set in motion in 2007. As I said at the time, no one wanted to see interest rates double... Read more »

On Tuesday, June 4 at 10:00 a.m., the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce, chaired by Rep. John Kline (R-MN), will hold a hearing entitled, "Reviewing the President’s Fiscal Year 2014 Budget Proposal for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services." The hearing will take place in room 2175 of the Rayburn House Office Building. In his Fiscal Year 2014 budget proposal, President... Read more »

House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman John Kline (R-MN) issued the following statement in response to President Obama’s student loan event at the White House: It’s time for the president to stop politicizing the student loan issue. The president and House Republicans agree on the need for a long-term, market-based plan that will take politicians out of the business of arbitrarily se... Read more »

President Obama's 2014 budget calls on Congress to prevent a doubling of interest rates on student loans and make the rates "more market-based." Last week House Republicans and four Democrats voted to prevent the rates from doubling and make the rates more market-based. Naturally, Mr. Obama is sitting down with the leaders of both parties in a good-faith effort to iron out their remaining differe... Read more »