Committee Statements

Thank you Chairman Miller. I know that adoption of the oversight plan is considered a rather mundane task, but there are a few issues in particular that I’d like to discuss before we adopt the plan.

The purpose of an oversight plan is to help guide our work over the next two years.

Historically, the oversight plan has been mutually agreed upon by the majority and the minority. And this year, I appreciate the fact that the majority again extended the courtesy of sharing their proposal in advance and listening to some of the suggestions we offered.

I think the plan itself is acceptable, and I will not object to its adoption.

However, I’d like to state for the record that I would prefer to see stronger language in a few specific areas.

For instance, the oversight plan says we will monitor how economic recovery dollars are spent. But with Congress on the verge of saddling our grandchildren and great-grandchildren with a trillion or more in debt, I think we should pay special attention to how those dollars—$100 billion or more of which will be spent on education—are spent. This spending spree, which may more than double the Education Department’s budget, poses unique challenges that demand vigorous oversight. To be effective, the “stimulus” spending must reach states and schools quickly. At the same time, the Department must not allow this haste to make waste. We must guard against waste, fraud, and abuse as the Department attempts to quickly spend this flood of money.

The plan also makes passing reference to oversight of labor unions and whether they are effectively and ethically serving their rank-and-file. I appreciate the majority’s recognition of this very real concern. However, I’m afraid in the past we have not focused enough on the turmoil in certain labor organizations and its impact on millions of workers all around this country.

For instance, in California tens of thousands of health care workers have faced one controversy after another. First, a top labor official was accused and forced to step aside over allegations that he had misappropriated tens of thousands of dollars for personal use and benefit.
 
Also in California, one of the largest locals in the country faced what has been described as a hostile takeover, deposing its leadership. We know from media accounts that workers are deeply divided over these issues, with some members feeling like they are no longer appropriately or effectively being represented.

Then there’s the very public feud underway with UNITE-HERE.

According to The New York Times, “The hostilities have grown so serious that violent confrontations erupted last month when one faction ousted the union’s top official in Michigan.”

If territorial infighting and violent power struggles are preventing workers from getting the representation they deserve, I believe we need to take a closer look.

I hope we use this oversight plan as a jumping off point, and that it does not in any way inhibit our ability to exercise due diligence on behalf of America’s students, workers, and families. Thank you, I yield back.

 

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