The chairmen of the U.S. Senate and House education committees today called on a federal agency with authority over consumer financial products to immediately halt its “unprecedented” investigation into a college accreditor. Senate chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and House chairman John Kline (R-MN) sent a letter to Richard Cordray, director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, following r... Read more »
Dear Director Cordray: We write to request you immediately rescind the issuance of a civil investigative demand to the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) and halt any other planned investigatory actions regarding accreditors or the accreditation of institutions of higher education. This action is an unprecedented overreach by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ... Read more »
Earlier this week, House Speaker John Boehner signed the National Defense Authorization Act, legislation that provides critical resources to help ensure a strong national defense. Despite bipartisan support for the plan, the administration has promised an unprecedented veto that would put America’s troops and national security in jeopardy. Why? According to a White House spokesperson, the presiden... Read more »
The Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, chaired by Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI), held a hearing to review mine safety policies with stakeholders representing industry and labor, as well as safety experts. The latest in a series of hearings focused on worker health and safety, the hearing examined current enforcement policies, as well ways to further improve safety in the mining industry. “As we all ... Read more »
Right now, the House is considering the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Reauthorization Act. Introduced by Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), the bill (H.R. 10) will ensure the popular and successful D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program continues to serve students from needy families residing in the District of Columbia. Just moments ago, House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman Joh... Read more »
I rise today in strong support of H.R. 10, the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Reauthorization Act, a bill to continue the popular and successful D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program. The D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program is based on a simple notion: that every child deserves an excellent education – regardless of a family’s background, income, or zip code. The program provides scholar... Read more »
Each day men and women across the country work hard to earn a living and provide for their families. They deserve the security and peace of mind that come from knowing their workplaces are safe and effective policies are in place to protect them. That’s true whether an individual works at a desk, behind a counter, or in a mine. Two weeks ago, we discussed the important role the Occupational Safety... Read more »
Dear Secretary Duncan: The Department of Education (department) has indicated the formation of an interagency task force (task force) for oversight of proprietary institutions of higher education. Additionally, the department has indicated this task force met in May and would seek public input from stakeholders. However, no further information is available regarding the participants or the activit... Read more »
Members of Congress still have a lot to say about a Department of Labor proposal that will make it harder for low- and middle-class families to save for retirement. While policymakers have already spoken out on the regulatory proposal, it’s clear that concerns persist – even among those in the president’s own party. In fact, as the Wall Street Journal notes, “bipartisan opposition is mounting beca... Read more »
Less than two months into the school year, Clay County, Tennessee, students and teachers are back at home – not for “Fall Break” – for the foreseeable future. That’s right. All three of the district’s schools are closed, forcing more than 1,000 students to lose valuable learning time. What contributed to the district’s decision? In large part, ObamaCare. As Clay County Director of Schools explaine... Read more »
