The House Committee on Education and the Workforce will hold hearings this week to examine the Department of Education’s “supplement, not supplant” regulatory proposal and a discussion draft to modernize multiemployer pensions. Both hearings will take place in room 2175 of the Rayburn House Office Building.
On Wednesday, September 21 at 10:00 a.m., the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education, chaired by Rep. Todd Rokita (R-IN), will hold a hearing entitled, “Supplanting the Law and Local Education Authority Through Regulatory Fiat.” The Department of Education has released a proposed rule changing the longstanding requirement that federal funds supplement—not supplant—state and local funds. Concerns have been raised that the department’s unprecedented regulatory proposal does not adhere to the letter and intent of the law and will have significant consequences for students and schools. This hearing will provide members an opportunity to hear state and local education leaders and other experts share their views on the department’s regulatory proposal.
On Thursday, September 22 at 9:30 a.m., the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions, chaired by Rep. Phil Roe (R-TN), will hold a hearing to discuss a draft proposal to modernize multiemployer pensions. Released by Chairman John Kline (R-MN), the proposal is part of the committee’s ongoing effort to strengthen the multiemployer pension system and would provide workers a new option to save for retirement. The discussion draft reflects input from employers, labor leaders, and retiree advocates. The goal of the hearing is to receive further feedback on the proposal, as well as to discuss possible reforms to improve the long-term fiscal health of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
