Press Releases

This week, the Committee on Education and the Workforce, chaired by Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), will mark up H.R. 1180, the Working Families Flexibility Act of 2017. The committee will also hold a hearing to examine ways to strengthen accountability in higher education by improving the accreditation system. Both the markup and hearing will take place in room 2175 of the Rayburn House Office Building.

On Wednesday, April 26 at 10:30 a.m., the committee will mark up the Working Families Flexibility Act of 2017. Introduced by Rep. Martha Roby (R-AL), the legislation would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act to allow private-sector employers to offer employees a choice between cash wages and accruing paid time off for overtime hours worked. This commonsense proposal would provide private-sector workers the same flexibility that has helped public-sector workers better balance the demands of work, family, and personal obligations.

On Thursday, April 27 at 10:00 a.m., the full committee will convene a hearing to discuss ways to strengthen accountability in higher education by improving the accreditation system. Accreditation is a non-governmental, peer review process created by colleges and universities to review and improve the academic quality of postsecondary institutions and programs. Concerns exist that the current accreditation system is no longer focused on ensuring a quality learning experience. Other concerns have been raised that the current system can stifle innovation and is too costly and burdensome. This hearing provides members an opportunity to discuss reforms that will help ensure the accreditation system serves the best interest of students, families, and taxpayers.

To learn more, visit republicans-edlabor.house.gov.

 

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