One injury, one illness, or one death on the job is one too many. We Republicans do not defend and do not support bad employers who put their workers at risk. And I offer my sincere condolences to those families who lost a loved one this way. But instead of focusing on punishment, as we do with today’s hearing, we should also look at strategies that prevent accidents in the first place. Current he... Read more »
In what many view as a signal of its continued commitment to the unpopular card check plan, the Obama administration has announced that a high-profile advocate of the controversial measure will serve as a senior adviser to U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis. The Associated Press reported on this development late last week: “President Barack Obama has appointed a key union activist as senior advis... Read more »
The Obama administration took the reins of power amid lofty promises of transparency and accountability. But as the President and his team prepare to mark their 100th day in office, workers around the country are in for a rude awakening. It seems the pledge of transparency doesn’t apply to rank-and-file workers. In fact, one of the first orders of business for the Obama Labor Department turns out ... Read more »
With inside-the-beltway politicians and special interests plotting to take away workers’ right to a secret ballot, state and local leaders are fighting back. Indeed, in states across the country, grassroots movements are sprouting up to oppose or attempt to preempt the so-called Employee Free Choice Act, a bill more widely known as card check for its provision to replace federally-supervised secre... Read more »
Although the card check legislation has been widely panned by editorial writers, small business owners, and opinion leaders from across the political spectrum, this chilly reception has not stopped the bill’s advocates from carrying on their campaign to do away with the secret ballot in workplace organizing elections. So reported Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call today in a piece that highlights th... Read more »
Good morning, and welcome to our distinguished panel of witnesses. We look forward to hearing your perspectives and gaining the benefit of your expertise on issues of great national importance. This morning’s hearing is the second hearing on health care reform this year, and will try to address a very broad range of issues confronting our nation’s health care system. While I am hopeful that meanin... Read more »
The so-called Employee Free Choice Act – a misnomer if ever there was one – is widely known for its imposition of card check organizing, a process that eliminates the secret ballot for workers deciding whether to form a union. And it’s no wonder. This attack on worker privacy has drawn the ire of Americans from all across the political spectrum. However, a somewhat lesser known provision has grown... Read more »
Responding to growing concerns among American families about losses in their retirement, college, and personal savings, Republicans today unveiled the Savings Recovery Act, a bill that will help families protect what they have and begin to rebuild what they have lost. Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-CA), the top Republican on the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee, introduced the legislation... Read more »
We’re here this morning to discuss Chairman Miller’s legislation to change the way 401(k) retirement savings plans operate. Much of the focus has been on the bill’s requirements for increased reporting and disclosure, so let me start there, and let me be perfectly clear: Republicans support sensible disclosure to make 401(k)s more transparent and understandable to workers. We’re approaching this i... Read more »
Good morning, and welcome to our distinguished panel of witnesses. Some of you are making a return appearance before the Committee, and we appreciate your efforts to continue to provide us with your expertise on issues of such national importance. Others are joining us for the first time, and we look forward to your new perspectives. We return today to a debate we started in the last Congress, spe... Read more »