Education and Labor Committee Combined Feed

CBO Affirms H.R. 3962 Will Control Costs, Lower Premiums

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:15:00 -0800

Washington, D.C. Today the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released estimates confirming that H.R. 3962 the Democratic health reform bill will succeed in controlling costs that will be reflected in individual and family premiums. CBO found that by 2016, premiums will be $5,300 for an individual and $15,000 for a family of four in the Exchange. This is well below the $24,000 family premium expected if Congress fails to act and premiums grow as projected under current law.
This underscores that this legislation will control health care costs and lower health care premiums for families and individuals relative to today, said Chairman Henry A. Waxman, Chairman Charles B. Rangel, and Chairman George Miller. The Affordable Health Care for America Act will make health insurance and health care accessible for millions of low-income and middle-class families who currently lack affordable coverage.

A Kaiser/HRET survey found that in 2009, premiums for employer-sponsored coverage are $4,824 for individuals and $13,375 for family policies. Current employer insurance is comparable to the coverage individuals and families will be able to expect in the Exchange with the bills insurance reforms and consumer protections in place. One recent projection estimated that health insurance premiums in 2016 will be over $8,000 for individuals and over $24,000 for families if health reform is not enacted.

CBO additionally recognizes that the House affordability credits and insurance reforms offer more help to more people than the Senate Finance Committee proposal. These provisions work in tandem to make it more attractive and likely for all people, including older Americans and those with pre-existing conditions, to get insurance instead of remaining uninsured when compared to the Senate Finance Committee proposal. The House legislation insures seven million more individuals, reaching 96 percent of all Americans.

Chairman Miller Statement on the Recovery Act Saving and Creating Education Jobs

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:00:04 -0800

WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, released the following statement after the Department of Education issued a report showing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act investments in education helped save or create 325,000 jobs.

It is clear the historic investments in education are already starting to pay off education budget cuts are being delayed, jobs are being created, and children arent losing a year of learning as the economy recovers. In my home state of California, where a budget crisis has meant major cuts across the board, these funds have helped save or create 80,000 education-related jobs. There remains an enormous amount of work ahead, but this report shows were on the right track to helping in the short term, while building a highly skilled, competitive workforce for generations to come.

To read more about the Recovery Act, click here.

To view the report, click here.

Record Fine against BP for On-Going Negligence Raises Serious Concerns, Chairs Miller and Woolsey Say

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:12:17 -0700

WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, and Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), chair of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee, today released a statement on the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administrations announcement of a record $87 million proposed fine against BP Products North America for its failure to correct serious health and safety standards at the companys Texas City, Texas refinery the location of a 2005 explosion that killed 15 and injured 180 and has killed four more since.

The announcement by federal OSHA today is evidence that OSHA is taking the agencys enforcement responsibilities seriously. These citations are deeply disturbing given earlier commitments to improve conditions after the 2005 tragedy that caused massive death and injury at the Texas City, Texas refinery. I commend OSHA for taking actions to prevent another devastating explosion.

I applaud OSHA for taking strong action before other workers could be injured or killed, said Woolsey. This sends a clear message to other employers that they cannot ignore the health and safety of their workers.

In March 2005, 15 workers were killed and 180 others were injured in an explosion at BP's Texas City, TX facility. The U.S. Chemical Safety Board released an investigative report in 2007 blaming BP for cost-cutting that led to malfunctioning equipment and overworked and undertrained employees, and OSHA for failing in its investigative responsibilities. On Thursday, March 22, 2007, the Education and Labor Committee heard testimony examining what went wrong at BP and OSHA with the goal of preventing future disasters.

For more information, click here.

Chairman Miller: Recovery Act Reporting Shows Us the Jobs

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:00:00 -0700

WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee and a key architect of Recovery Act investments intended to help save teaching jobs, today issued the following statement after the White House released reports showing the Recovery Act is on track to creating and saving 3.5 million jobs by next fall.

Todays report answers every critic out there asking where are the jobs? While this data only gives a partial picture of the hundreds of thousands of jobs that have been directly created or saved, it does show Recovery dollars are getting workers back on the job and our economy growing again. Although we still have a long way to go, which includes additional measures to spur job growth and provide displaced workers with benefits, education and job training, todays report and yesterdays GDP numbers are proof that we are moving in the right direction.

The data released today accounts for only 18 percent of Recovery Act funds, and only reflects direct jobs created by those investments. It does not account for indirect jobs created by these funds, or jobs that could be created in the near future by these investments.

Chairman Miller Statement on 3rd Quarter Rise in GDP

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:52:15 -0700

WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee released the following statement today after the announcement that GDP rose 3.5 percent in the third quarter of 2009.

"Today's news is another important indicator that the Recovery Act is beginning to repair our economy and get our nation back on its feet. While it will take time for all these investments to kick in, we know that the Recovery Act has already helped to stave off hundreds of thousands of pink slips being planned.

While saving and creating jobs must be a central concern, we also must ensure that Americans still looking for work have the temporary support they need to get by and that displaced workers have access to the education and training they need to succeed in the jobs of the future. We won't rest until the millions who lost their jobs during this economic crisis have an opportunity to work and are ready to help shape a new era of economic growth and innovation.

Historic Bill to Provide Quality, Affordable Health Care for All Americans Heading to House Floor

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:15:00 -0700

WASHINGTON, D.C. For the first time in U.S. history, all Americans would have access to quality, affordable health care under updated health insurance reform legislation unveiled by House Democrats today. The House is expected to debate and vote on the legislation next week.

The Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962), which blends and updates the three versions of previous bills passed by the House committees of jurisdiction in July, embodies President Obamas key goals for health reform. It will slow the growth in out-of-control costs, introduce competition into the health care marketplace to keep coverage affordable and insurers honest, protect peoples choices of doctors and health plans, and assure all Americans access to quality, stable, affordable health care.

The legislation will ensure that 96 percent of Americans will be covered by a quality, affordable health plan. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the cost of expanding coverage at $894 billion, consistent with the $900 billion coverage mark laid out by President Obama. And the legislation will be paid for. CBO estimates the bill reduces the deficit by at least $30 billion over 10 years.

After the House Committees of jurisdiction debated and reported versions of the legislation in July, members of Congress have solicited unprecedented levels of input from the American people. Since then, the committees, House leadership, and the entire caucus have worked to revise the legislation to reflect the priorities that Members heard from their constituents.

For over 70 years, generations have fought to bring the promise of quality, affordable health care to every American. Today is a groundbreaking moment in this historic effort, said U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the Chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee. The Affordable Health Care for America Act reflects the hard work and input of many members of Congress and the American people and lives up to the principles that President Obama has laid out. We are closer than ever to guaranteeing every American access to quality, affordable health insurance and giving middle-class families and businesses relief from crushing costs, while reducing our deficit.

For too long, health care has been a privilege, not a right in America, said U.S. Rep. Charles B. Rangel (D-NY), the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. This bill ensures that every American has access to high-quality, affordable care that meets their needs, while also working to slow the staggering growth of health care costs. We have worked long and hard to develop this consensus legislation that incorporates feedback from our constituents to deliver reform that will and protect and strengthen coverage for those who have it and help cover those who are currently uninsured.

This is a bill that strengthens the legislation we started with in the House, said U.S. Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-CA), the Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. It reflects the views that Members heard from constituents in thousands of meetings this summer and fall. It accommodates diverse views and suggestions from Members from all parts of the House. It incorporates the priorities and principles the President requested of the Congress. We listened, learned, and made improvements, and are now poised to act on a bill that will at long last make affordable, quality health care for all a reality.

We have the worlds best doctors and nurses, but because millions of our people have no access to the care they provide, weve become the unhealthiest industrialized nation on the globe. That is about to change because of H.R. 3962, said U.S Rep. John D. Dingell (D-MI), the Chairman Emeritus of the Energy and Commerce Committee and lead sponsor of H.R. 3962. Not only will the legislation cover 96 percent of our citizens, but it will reduce the deficit and help our businesses get equal footing with international competitors. The bill offers the chance to dramatically improve the quality of life in our nation. For more than 70 years, great leaders like FDR, Truman, Clinton, Ted Kennedy and my dear old dad have fought for a bill like this. We are too close to fail them now.

This is a historic moment. We are one step closer to fulfilling the promise of President Obama by bringing change to Washington, said U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews (D-NJ), the Chairman of the Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions Subcommittee. The Affordable Health Care for America Act will create a better health care system that will create jobs, promote wellness, and reduce health care costs for all Americans. We will continue the fight on behalf of those suffering from ever increasing health care costs and inadequate health insurance coverage. I am honored to have participated in the creation of this important bill.

This is history in the making for health care in America, said U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) the Chairman of Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health. Once these reforms are enacted, every American will be able to take comfort in the knowledge they will have access to affordable health care and that insurance coverage won't be denied or taken away. Good health is a basic need shared by all Americans, this will make quality health care a basic right for everyone.

As we've worked to reduce the overall cost of this bill, I am most proud that we've done so without shifting greater costs to middle and lower income families, said U.S. Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA), the Chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health. A strong public health insurance option is a key component to holding down those costs by injecting real competition and accountability into the health care marketplace. While achieving savings from Medicare, we have also re-invested in the program to eliminate the prescription drug donut hole and strengthen the programs financial footing. This bill is a real win for American people of all ages, America's businesses of all sizes, and the budgets of our nation and our families.
The legislation will ensure affordability for workers and middle-class families, security for seniors with a stronger, more solvent Medicare program, and a healthy fiscal future.

Members also introduced at the same time critically important companion legislation, the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act (H.R. 3961). That bill will permanently reform Medicares physician payment system and place it on a more sustainable footing for physicians and beneficiaries in the future.

The key components of the Affordable health Care for America Act include:

Increasing choice and competition. The bill will protect and improve consumers choices.

If people like their current plans, they will be able to keep them.
For individuals who arent currently covered by their employer, and some small businesses, the proposal will establish a new Health Insurance Exchange where consumers can comparison shop from a menu of affordable, quality health care options that will include private plans, health co-ops, and a new public health insurance option. The public health insurance option will play on a level playing field with private insurers, spurring additional competition.
This Exchange will create competition based on quality and price that leads to better coverage and care. Patients and doctors will have control over decisions about their health care, instead of insurance companies.

Giving Americans peace of mind. The legislation will ensure that Americans have portable, secure health care coverage so that they wont lose care if their employer drops their plan or they lose their job.

Every American who receives coverage through the Exchange will have a plan that includes standardized, comprehensive and quality health care benefits.
It will end increases in premiums or denials of care based on pre-existing conditions, race, or gender, and strictly limit age rating.
The proposal will also eliminate co-pays for preventive care, and cap out-of-pocket expensesto protects every American from bankruptcy.

Improving quality of care for every American. The legislation will ensure that Americans of all ages, from young children to retirees have access to greater quality of care by focusing on prevention, wellness, and strengthening programs that work.

Guarantees that every child in America will have health care coverage that includes dental, hearing and vision benefits.
Provides better preventive and wellness care. Every health care plan offered through the exchange and by employers after a grace period will cover preventive care at no cost to the patient.
Increases the health care workforce to ensure that more doctors and nurses are available to provide quality care as more Americans get coverage.
Strengthens Medicare and Medicaid and closes the Medicare Part D donut hole so that seniors and low-income Americans receive better quality of care and see lower prescription drug costs and out-of-pocket expenses.

Ensuring shared responsibility. The bill will ensure that individuals, employers, and the federal government share responsibility for a quality and affordable health care system.

Employers can continue offering coverage to workers, and those who choose not offer coverage contribute a fee of eight percent of payroll.
All individuals will generally be required to get coverage, either through their employer or the exchange, or pay a penalty of 2.5 percent of income, subject to a hardship exemption.
The federal government will provide affordability credits, available on a sliding scale for low- and middle-income individuals and families to make premiums affordable and reduce cost-sharing.

Protecting consumers and reducing waste, fraud, and abuse. The legislation will put the interests of consumers first, protect them from problems in getting and keeping health care coverage, and reduce waste, fraud, and abuse.

Provides transparency in plans in the Health Exchange so that consumers have the clear, complete information, in plain English, needed to select the plan that best meets their needs.
Establishes consumer advocacy offices as part of the Exchange in order to protect consumers, answer questions, and assist with any problems related to their plans.
Simplifies paperwork and other administrative burdens. Patients, doctors, nurses, insurance companies, providers, and employers will all encounter a streamlined, less confusing, more consumer friendly system.
Increases funding of efforts to reduce waste, fraud and abuse; creates enhanced oversight of Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Reducing the deficit and ensuring the solvency of Medicare and Medicaid. The legislation will be entirely paid for it will not add a dime to the deficit. It will also put Medicare and Medicaid on the path to a more fiscally sound future, so seniors and low-income Americans can continue to receive the quality health care benefits for years to come.

Pays for the entire cost of the legislation though a combination of savings achieved by making Medicare and Medicaid more efficient without cutting seniors benefits in any way and revenue generated from placing a surcharge the top 0.3 percent of all households in the U.S.(married couples with adjusted gross income of over $1,000,000) and other tax measures.
The Congressional Budget estimates the bill will reduce the deficit by at least $100 billion over ten years.
Estimates also show the bill will slow the rate of growth of the Medicare program from 6.6 percent annually to 5.3 percent annually.

To view a copy of the Affordable Health Care for American Act, H.R. 3926, click here.

To view a copy of the Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act, H.R. 3961, click here.

To view a bill summary, detailed fact sheets and more information on what the health insurance reform will mean for American, click here.

Greater Oversight of State Worker Health and Safety Programs Needed, Witnesses tell House Labor Panel

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:50:58 -0700

WASHINGTON, D.C. Stronger federal oversight of state-run health and safety programs is needed to ensure that states provide workers with basic on-the-job protections, witnesses told the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee. Serious questions were raised after a federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration review of Nevada OSHA found significant gaps in the agencys protections.

Basic oversight of state plans is not only important in Nevada, but it is vital to the 57 million American workers whose health and safety protections are enforced by a state plan, said Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the committee. While some states are running innovative programs, it is clear that additional reviews of state plans are warranted.

Under the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act, a state can operate their own workplace health and safety program as long as they meet basic federal minimum standards. Twenty-seven states and territories operate such programs and are partially funded by the federal government.

Workers need to know that OSHA will enforce the laws that will keep them safe on the job, said Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV). Unfortunately the federal report clearly illustrates that Nevada OSHA let our workers down. I thank Chairman Miller for shining a light on this dismal record of workplace safety so that we can bring about meaningful reforms that will protect workers, remove undue political influence from the process, and restore confidence in Nevada OSHA.

A federal review of Nevadas OSHA program found that the state failed to cite employers for clear hazards, didn't properly train inspectors on construction hazards, didn't follow up to ensure that dangerous conditions were fixed, failed to include worker representatives in inspections, and even failed to notify families of deceased workers of investigations or give them the chance to speak to investigators. Last year only 29 percent of Nevadas citations were classified as serious compared to 44 percent for other state plans and 77 percent for federal OSHA.

The review of Nevada OSHA was prompted after a 12 construction deaths on the Las Vegas Strip over an 18-month period during the citys latest construction boom and a Pulitzer Prize-winning series by the Las Vegas Sun.

State plan standards and enforcement must be at least as effective as Federal OSHA in providing safe and healthful employment to workers in the state, said Jordan Barab, Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health. Federal OSHA identified a number of serious concerns about the Nevada plan.

Barab also said the agency plans to increase oversight of all state programs after the federal OSHA review of the Nevada program.

For example, federal OSHA found that Nevada OSHA weakened penalties against a major hotel firm after two workers died and one was seriously injured at the Orleans Hotel and Casino, even though there was a history of similar problems. The investigator of the tragedy filed a complaint with federal OSHA regarding the lesser penalties and alleged that the lowered penalties were the result of OSHA protecting the contractor from bad publicity and a wrongful death lawsuit by the workers families. He later resigned.

The federal OSHA review of the Nevada state plan agency confirms that NV OSHA utterly failed not only my sonbut also all workers in the state of Nevada, said Debi Koehler-Fergen, the mother of Travis Koehler who died in the Orleans tragedy. [NV OSHA] is allowing powerful companies to use their political connections to influence such things as the outcome of investigations.

Nevada OSHA also testified and pledged to improve their program.

Barab also announced that federal OSHA will undertake additional reviews of state-based health and safety programs similar to the one they agency completed on Nevada. Franklin Mirer, a professor of environmental and occupational health sciences at the City University of New York testified that additional reviews are warranted because states that operate their own health and safety plan often have lower rates of citations than federal OSHA.

The OSHA report, and the press reports, depict failures of the enforcement process in the Nevada state plan, said Mirer. Compared to OSHA, state plans in general issue fewer citations classified as higher gravity, including serious, willful, failure to abate and repeated. Federal OSHA can take this opportunity to improve its oversight of state plans.

Miller said that he is planning additional oversight activities into this issue.

For more information on the 2008 hearing, click here.

To read the OSHA review of the Nevada health and safety program, click here.

Miller: New Report Shows Too Many States Weakening Education Standards

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:07:01 -0700

WASHINGTON, D.C. Many states have lowered the bar on what their students are expected to learn -- meaning that fewer children are being held to expectations that will adequately prepare them for a competitive economy, according to a new report released today.

The study, conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics, placed all state academic standards for proficiency in reading and math scores on a common scale to compare results across states and compare with/to proficiency standards set by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Among other things, the report found that most states are below or only meet basic standards set by NAEP. As a result, the rigor of a childs education can depend entirely on the state where they live.

The quality of a childs education should not be determined by their zip code. It is unacceptable that many states have chosen to lower the bar rather than strive for excellence. This means that many students arent even expected to rise to meet rigorous standards they are allowed to linger in a system that doesnt challenge them to do better and doesnt help them develop the complex skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the jobs of the future, said U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee. If we are serious about rebuilding our economy and restoring our competitiveness, then its time for states to adopt a common core of internationally-benchmarked standards that can prepare all children in this country to achieve and succeed in this global economy.

To read the full report, Mapping State Proficiency Standards Onto National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) Scales: 2005-2007, click here.

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Chairmen Rahall and Miller Deliver for Indian Country in House Health Insurance Reform Bill

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:00:00 -0700

Washington, D.C. House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) and House Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller (D-CA) today announced that they successfully secured provisions in the House version of the health insurance reform package that would provide for reauthorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA) a long-sought priority for the two Chairmen.

The job of reforming the Nations health care system and providing access to quality care for all Americans will not be complete until such care is extended to those living in Indian Country. In the 17 years that have lapsed since the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA) was last reauthorized, the dire needs of health recipients throughout native communities that rely on these services have suffered. That is why it is more important now, than ever, that we work to fulfill our federal responsibility and see that the needs of our First Americans are attended to through national health insurance reform legislation, said Chairman Rahall.

We have a special responsibility to reauthorize the Indian Health Care Improvement Act after more than a decade of delay. Today's news is a critical step for Indian Country and the best chance for passage of this legislation. Improving the quality and availability of care to American Indians and Alaska Natives is an important piece of our effort to ensure access to affordable, quality health care for every American, said Chairman Miller, one of three Chairmen writing the health insurance reform bill.

Words cannot express my gratitude to Chairman Rahall and Chairman Miller, who have been with us from the beginning as we worked together to address long-standing deficiencies in the delivery of Indian health care. We are elated that our long journey to reauthorize the Indian Health Care Improvement Act is one giant step closer to being realized, through the inclusion of this critical legislation in the House health insurance reform bill. This critical effort to modernize our health care delivery system will go a long way in improving the health status of those living in Native American and Alaska Native communities, said Rachel Joseph, Co-Chair of the National Tribal Steering Committee for the Reauthorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act.

First enacted in 1976, IHCIA is the primary source of medical care for 1.9 million American Indians and Alaska Natives, many of whom live in isolated, sparsely populated, and underserved areas of the country. Yet, the program was allowed to expire in 2001 and has not been reauthorized in 17 years, keeping the programs far out of pace with the dire needs of health service recipients throughout the native communities that rely on these services.

In June 2009, Rahall and Miller co-sponsored bipartisan legislation, H.R. 2708, to reauthorize the Act. Later that month, Rahall, who has long made IHCIA reauthorization a priority, led a House Natural Resources Committee hearing on the critical and needed legislation.

Chairman Miller Applauds Unanimous Senate Approval of Joe Main as Federal Mine Safety Chief

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:36:06 -0700

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, applauded yesterdays unanimous U.S. Senate confirmation of Joe Main as the next Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health. I congratulate Joe Mains unanimous Senate confirmation as the next head of the Mine Safety and Health Administration. Main will be a tireless advocate for the health and safety of Americas miners and bring a needed jumpstart to an agency that suffered from years of neglect. I look forward to working with him to ensure that our nations miners return home to their loved ones safely at the end of each shift.

House Committee Announces Hearing on Federal Review of Nevada Health and Safety Program

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:13:17 -0700

WASHINGTON, D.C. In light of a new government report released today highlighting dangerous gaps in health and safety protections for workers in Nevada, U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, today announced that the committee will hold a hearing on Thursday, October 29 to examine the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administrations critical review of Nevadas workplace health and safety program.

This report confirms that there are serious problems with Nevada OSHA that need to be addressed immediately, said Miller. Workers in Nevada deserve to know that basic health and safety protections are enforced by the agency tasked to protect them.

Under the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act, a state can operate their own workplace health and safety program as long as they meet basic federal minimum standards. Twenty-two states and territories operate such programs and are partially funded by the federal government.

OSHA reviewed Nevadas state program between January 1, 2008 and June 1, 2009. This is OSHAs most significant review of a state program since 1991when OSHA initiated steps to take over the North Carolinas health and safety program after a poultry plant fire killed 25 people. The review found among other things that over the period:

No willful or repeat citations were made and were even discouraged. Willful violations carry significantly higher penalties;
In nearly half of all fatality cases, family members of the fallen workers were not contacted or given the opportunity to speak with investigators;
Clear cases of repeat violations were not cited. For example, OSHA issued serious violations in the Orleans Casino case rather than willful or repeat violations even though the owner and operator of this hotel had same violations other facilities in Nevada;
Even when Nevada OSHA cited a workplace for a health and safety violation, they could not demonstrate that those workplaces were abated correctly; and
Nevada OSHA investigators were not properly trained on construction hazards.

For more information on the 2008 hearing, click here.

To read the OSHA review of the Nevada health and safety program, click here.

Miller and Woolsey Applaud OSHA Action to Protect Workers from Dust Explosions at Industrial Work Sites

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:03:03 -0700

WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Reps. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, and Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), chair of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee, today applauded the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administrations issuance of an advance notice of rulemaking to prevent combustible dust explosions like the one that occurred at the Imperial Sugar refinery in February 2008 that killed 14 workers and injured dozens.

OSHAs announcement is a giant step forward to protect American workers from these types of horrific but preventable tragedies, said Miller. Todays action is a breath of fresh air after years of foot-dragging by the previous administration despite the overwhelming evidence that workers needed comprehensive protections against combustible dust explosions.

We are delighted that OSHA is moving forward with a standard for combustible dust, said Woolsey. This recognition of the dangers of combustible dust is long overdue and will go a long way to protect American workers from these explosions.

A new report released by OSHA today also found that despite the heightened attention and two U.S. Chemical Safety Board reports on combustible dust hazards, a significant number of workplaces do not have sufficient protections to prevent a combustible dust explosion.

OSHA said that the majority of facilities inspected under its National Emphasis Program for combustible dust have similar engineering failures that caused the Imperial Sugars refinery explosion at Port Wentworth, Ga. In fact, in several facilities, OSHA found the accumulation of combustible dust material ankle deep and covering an entire room.

In February, Miller, Woolsey and Rep. John Barrow (D-GA) reintroduced legislation to prevent these types of workplace explosions. The Worker Protection Against Combustible Dust Explosions and Fires Act, H.R. 849, would require the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration to issue rules regulating combustible industrial dusts, like sugar dust, that can build up to hazardous levels and explode. The U.S. House of Representatives passed similar legislation in April 2008 by a bipartisan vote of 247 to 165.

For more information on the bill, click here.

To read OSHAs report on combustible dust hazards, click here.

New Report Highlights Need to Expand Families Access to Reliable Federal College Aid

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:15:00 -0700

WASHINGTON, D.C. Students and families are increasingly relying on Pell Grant scholarships and other forms of federal student aid to help pay for college, a new report released today by the College Board shows. While college tuition prices continued to increase at rates consistent with years past, students had greater access to reliable low-cost federal loans and grant aid. The report also shows that private student loan borrowing decreased by 50 percent from one year earlier, in part due to the freezing of the credit markets.

Although paying for college remains far too expensive a burden for families, especially in this economy, this report shows that our work to help make college more affordable is paying off, said U.S. Rep. George Miller, the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee. The financial roller coaster of the last year revealed deep weaknesses in the private financing of student loans. The good news is, thanks to swift action by Congress to safeguard federal student loans, families still had access to college aid during the worst moments of this economic monsoon.

This report also shows that, for the second year in a row, more students are relying on the Pell Grant scholarship than ever before. If were serious about reversing the trends that have made too many students a part of generation debt, we have to continue to restore the purchasing power of the Pell Grant. The House recently passed legislation that would make a landmark $40 billion investment to boost the Pell Grant over the next 10 years, to stabilize access to low-cost federal student loans, to strengthen Perkins loans, and do much more to make college more accessible at no cost to taxpayers. This report confirms that these types of investments, coupled with our ongoing efforts to reduce students dependence on costlier private loans, are needed to provide relief to families in a difficult economy.
According to the report, the College Boards annual review of trends in college pricing and student aid, the number of students receiving Pell Grants in 2008-09 rose to 6.1 million, up from 5.4 million the year before.

The report also shows that federal student loan borrowing options remained readily available for students throughout the economic downturn. While private student loans comprised 25 percent of all student loan borrowing in 2007-08, it decreased to just 13 percent of all borrowing in 2008-09. More students borrowed unsubsidized federal student loans, which carry lower interest rates and more favorable terms and conditions than private loans.

Miller is the author of the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, legislation the House passed in September that will invest $87 billion in college aid and President Obamas other education priorities at no new cost to taxpayers. The bill pays for itself by making long-overdue reforms to the student loan programs that will guarantee families access to reliable, low-cost federal loans in any economy. The Senate is expected to consider similar legislation soon. For more information, click here.

In the last Congress, Miller also authored several laws that made college more affordable, strengthened consumer protections for borrowers of both federal and private student loans, and protected federal student loans from turmoil in the financial markets. For more information on those laws, click here.

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Miller Statement on Administration Estimates on Education Jobs

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:00:00 -0700

WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee and a chief architect of the education investments included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, issued the following statement after the White House released preliminary estimates yesterday showing that recovery funding has already created or saved at least 250,000 education jobs across the country.

While this was just the first step in our greater efforts to spur job growth and get our economy on the road to recovery, this early data shows exciting signs that our education investments are working to save and create jobs and ensure that the quality of education our students receive isnt compromised in this economy. Whether its 30 teaching jobs saved in Macon, Georgia, 60 layoffs prevented in Akron, Ohio, or 1,100 jobs saved in Las Vegas, it is clear President Obamas recovery plan is helping our economy avert disaster and keeping educators in our schools when our children need them the most.

To view the preliminary estimates released yesterday, click here.

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Democratic Lawmakers Respond to Institute of Medicine Recommendations for School Meal Programs

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:42:52 -0700

WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chair of the House Education and Labor Committee, and U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), chair of the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities today issued the following statement after the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies (IOM) released its recommendations to revise the standards and requirements for the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. The IOM recommends increasing the variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, setting a minimum and maximum level of calories, eliminating foods with trans fats and offering only fat-free and low-fat milk.

This report shows us the first steps we need to take to raise the overall quality of the foods in schools for the millions of families who rely on the federal child nutrition programs as a nutritional safety net for their kids. It is clear the meals children eat at school play an important role in improving overall child nutrition and promoting healthy eating habits," said Miller. "These recommendations will help guide future conversations about how to ensure states, schools and food service directors have the resources and support they need to provide the healthy, nutritious and affordable meals our students need to thrive in school and in life.

"The IOM's report points out that today there are more overweight children in our nation than undernourished children," said McCarthy. "While there is no silver bullet to solving the obesity crisis, the recommendations in this report - such as maximum calorie levels and nutritious diet- will go a long way to support our fight against childhood obesity."

To learn more about the recent investments in child nutrition to improve access to healthy and nutritious school meals, click here.

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Introduction of H1N1 Flu Emergency Sick-Leave Bill Garners Great Interest

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:30:00 -0800

Earlier today, Chairman Miller and Rep. Lynn Woolsey, chair of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee, announced emergency temporary legislation today that will guarantee five paid sick days for a worker sent home or directed to stay home by their employer for a contagious illness, such as the H1N1 flu virus.

The Wall Street Journal reports, "House Education and Labor Committee Chairman George Miller said his bill would ensure that workers wouldn't miss out on wages if they contract the illness. The employer would be required to pay for the sick leave, and there would be no cost to the taxpayer, Mr. Miller said.

The bill wouldn't oblige employers to pay for workers' time off. It would tell them that, if they intend to send employees who are ill home, they must then pay for them to have up to five days' leave.

Mr. Miller said his panel would hold a hearing on the legislation the week of Nov. 16. If the bill is successfully enacted by Congress, it would take effect 15 days after being signed into law, and expire in two years."

Explaining why this bill is needed, Contra Costa Times quotes Chairman Miller, "Sick workers advised to stay home by their employers shouldnt have to choose between their livelihood, and their co-workers or customers health. This will not only protect employees, but it will save employers money by ensuring that sick employees dont spread infection to co-workers and customers, and will relieve the financial burden on our health system swamped by those suffering from H1N1.

And the next steps according to Reuters are, "Miller said the committee would hold a hearing the week of November 16 and he would press to have a full vote as soon as possible.

Miller said at least 50 million American workers are not paid for time taken off sick, 'many in lower-wage jobs that have direct contact with the public such as the food-service and hospitality industry, schools and health care fields.'"

For more background on who does and doesn't get sick leave, see this post on the New York Times' Economix blog.

News of the Day: Massachusetts provides evidence that health-care reform lowers insurance premiums

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:30:00 -0800

Ezra Klein at the Washington Post passes along a new academic paper by MIT health economist Jon Gruber. Mr. Gruber has looked at the health care proposals being considered by Congress and has found that the reforms will lower insurance premiums.

One of those states is Massachusetts, which passed health-care reform similar to the one contemplated at the federal level in mid-2006. The major aspects of this reform took place in 2007, notably the introduction of large subsidies for low-income populations, a merged nongroup and small group insurance market, and a mandate on individuals to purchase health insurance. And the results have been an enormous reduction in the cost of nongroup insurance in the state: The average individual premium in the state fell from $8,537 at the end of 2006 to $5,143 in mid-2009, a 40 percent reduction, while the rest of the nation was seeing a 14 percent increase.

You can read the rest of Mr. Gruber's paper here.(MS Word document)

News of the Day: Mandates, Affordability and Immediate Benefits

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:30:00 -0800

The New York Times ran an editorial on Saturday discussing individual mandates and affordability. It covers the key areas of:

Why is a mandate necessary? [Those without coverage drive up costs for those with coverage]
Will premiums go up or down? [They would go down]
Will there be help? [Yes]
What's affordable? [The House bill provides affordability tax credits for families of 4 up to $88,000]
Has it been tried? [Yes, successfully]
Which version is more affordable? [The House bill]

See the editorial for a complete explanation of how this would work and how it would improve access to quality, stable, affordable health care.

In another column today, E.J. Dionne correctly points out that, while the mandates and subsidies don't start until 2013, there are 14 benefits that start immediately.

That's why the most important document House Democrats released when they unveiled their bill last week was a list of 14 benefits that would be created immediately.

These include insurance reforms to ban lifetime limits on coverage and an end to "rescissions," under which insurers abruptly nullify patients' policies after they file claims. One of the most popular reforms in the bill -- barring insurers from denying coverage to those with pre-existing conditions -- wouldn't take effect until later. So the House bill creates an interim high-risk pool to help those who need coverage in the meantime.

There are also particular benefits for Medicare recipients, including an immediate reduction in drug costs, and a very popular provision that would allow parents to keep their children on the family health plan through age 26.

Especially important are new investments in community health centers and in efforts to increase the number of primary care doctors. As millions more people get access to decent care, the system will have to provide more doctors, nurses and facilities to treat them.

"People will be excited about 2013," said Rep. George Miller, chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, which shares jurisdiction on the health-care bill. "But there are enough benefits between now and then to keep them engaged and to keep them favorably disposed."

Learn more about the Affordable Health Care for America Act [H.R. 3962] and how reform will slow the growth in out-of-control costs, introduce competition into the health care marketplace to keep coverage affordable and insurers honest, protect peoples choices of doctors and health plans, and assure all Americans access to quality, stable, affordable health care.

Affordable health care for everyone

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:30:00 -0700

This morning, Rep. George Miller published an op-ed in the Vacaville Reporter about the need for affordable health care for everyone. Below it is excerpted in its entirety.

Readers of this paper will know that, for much of this year, Congress and President Obama have grappled with one of the most important and complicated issues affecting our nation's economy and our community: health insurance reform.

I am proud to announce that on Thursday we introduced revised legislation that addresses many concerns raised about reform and brings us closer than ever to delivering on the long-held promise of quality and affordable health care for each of us.

I am a principal co-author of the bill.

Since three House committees passed a bill this summer, we have worked hard to incorporate changes and improvements suggested by people from across the political spectrum. Our revised bill directly addresses the needs of American families. It will:

Not increase the deficit.

Curb out-of-control costs that are bankrupting families and employers.

Strengthen Medicare for seniors, in part by closing the prescription drug "donut hole" and by making the program sustainable for years to come.

Protect people against discriminatory insurance company practices. We eliminate so-called "pre-existing" condition denials, stop insurance companies from dropping coverage if you get sick, and establish yearly caps on what you will pay out-of-pocket.

Keep premiums affordable and insurance companies honest by ensuring competition in the health care marketplace through inclusion of a public consumer option. People in California will be able to choose from multiple private options, such as Blue Shield, Kaiser Permanente and others, or choose a public plan that offers the best quality at the best price -- just as they do on Expedia.

Offer affordability credits to ensure that low-income and middle-class families can pay for coverage, and ensure that small businesses can actually help cover their employees.

One of the biggest concerns I heard throughout this process was about the bill's cost. Let me be clear: Our reforms are fully paid for and will not increase the federal deficit. In fact, our revised bill will reduce the deficit by at least $30 billion over the next 10 years.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates the cost of our reforms at $894 billion. More than half of this cost will be offset through a combination of savings generated by making Medicare and Medi-Cal more efficient and implementing new technology, but we do not cut services for seniors or low-income individuals. We improve care for people served by these critical programs.

The rest of the bill's costs are paid for by a surcharge on the wealthiest 0.3 percent of U.S. households-- married couples earning over $1 million dollars and individuals earning more than half a million dollars annually.

For the past 70 years, Americans have battled hard for the right to quality, affordable health care. While we still have hard work ahead, next week the House will vote on our truly historic legislation and get us closer than ever to achieving what generations of Americans have been fighting for.

News of the Day: The House Health Reform Bill

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:45:00 -0700

Today's New York Times editorial, The House Health Reform Bill, is strongly in favor of the Affordable Health Care for America Act because, among other things, it would:

require insurers to allow young people through age 26 to remain on their parents policies. It would provide immediate help to people who have been uninsured for several months or denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions. It would speed elimination of a gap in drug coverage for Medicare beneficiaries (the so-called doughnut hole) and would give the government power to negotiate drug prices on behalf of Medicare beneficiaries, a promising way to reduce costs.

The bill would take a long stride toward universal coverage while remaining fiscally responsible.

We strongly encourage you to read the entire editorial and to learn more about the Affordable Health Care for America Act.

Affordable Health Care for America Act

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:30:00 -0700

For the first time in U.S. history, all Americans would have access to quality, affordable health care under updated health insurance reform legislation unveiled by House Democrats.

The Affordable Health Care for America Act [H.R. 3962], which blends and updates the three versions of previous bills passed by the House committees of jurisdiction in July, embodies President Obamas key goals for health reform. It will slow the growth in out-of-control costs, introduce competition into the health care marketplace to keep coverage affordable and insurers honest, protect peoples choices of doctors and health plans, and assure all Americans access to quality, stable, affordable health care.

The key components of the Affordable health Care for America Act include:

Increasing choice and competition. The bill will protect and improve consumers choices.

If people like their current plans, they will be able to keep them.
For individuals who arent currently covered by their employer, and some small businesses, the proposal will establish a new Health Insurance Exchange where consumers can comparison shop from a menu of affordable, quality health care options that will include private plans, health co-ops, and a new public health insurance option. The public health insurance option will play on a level playing field with private insurers, spurring additional competition.
This Exchange will create competition based on quality and price that leads to better coverage and care. Patients and doctors will have control over decisions about their health care, instead of insurance companies.

Every American who receives coverage through the Exchange will have a plan that includes standardized, comprehensive and quality health care benefits.
It will end increases in premiums or denials of care based on pre-existing conditions, race, or gender, and strictly limit age rating.
The proposal will also eliminate co-pays for preventive care, and cap out-of-pocket expensesto protects every American from bankruptcy.

Guarantees that every child in America will have health care coverage that includes dental, hearing and vision benefits.
Provides better preventive and wellness care. Every health care plan offered through the exchange and by employers after a grace period will cover preventive care at no cost to the patient.
Increases the health care workforce to ensure that more doctors and nurses are available to provide quality care as more Americans get coverage.
Strengthens Medicare and Medicaid and closes the Medicare Part D donut hole so that seniors and low-income Americans receive better quality of care and see lower prescription drug costs and out-of-pocket expenses.

Ensuring shared responsibility. The bill will ensure that individuals, employers, and the federal government share responsibility for a quality and affordable health care system.

Employers can continue offering coverage to workers, and those who choose not to offer coverage contribute a fee of eight percent of payroll.
All individuals will generally be required to get coverage, either through their employer or the exchange, or pay a penalty of 2.5 percent of income, subject to a hardship exemption.
The federal government will provide affordability credits, available on a sliding scale for low- and middle-income individuals and families to make premiums affordable and reduce cost-sharing.

Provides transparency in plans in the Health Exchange so that consumers have the clear, complete information, in plain English, needed to select the plan that best meets their needs.
Establishes consumer advocacy offices as part of the Exchange in order to protect consumers, answer questions, and assist with any problems related to their plans.
Simplifies paperwork and other administrative burdens. Patients, doctors, nurses, insurance companies, providers, and employers will all encounter a streamlined, less confusing, more consumer friendly system.
Increases funding of efforts to reduce waste, fraud and abuse; creates enhanced oversight of Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Pays for the entire cost of the legislation though a combination of savings achieved by making Medicare and Medicaid more efficient without cutting seniors benefits in any way and revenue generated from placing a surcharge the top 0.3 percent of all households in the U.S.(married couples with adjusted gross income of over $1,000,000) and other tax measures.
The Congressional Budget estimates the bill will reduce the deficit by at least $100 billion over ten years.
Estimates also show the bill will slow the rate of growth of the Medicare program from 6.6 percent annually to 5.3 percent annually.

Additional Information:
Complete Bill Text »
Manager's Amendment »
Top Line Changes »
Top 10 Changes to the Health Insurance Reform Bill »
Side by Side Chart of H.R. 3200 and the Affordable Health Care For America Act »
4-Page Bill Summary »
10-Page Bill Summary »
Section by Section »
What Others Are Saying: Support For Affordable Health Care For America Act »

What Health Insurance Reform Means for You »
Top 10 Ways Health Insurance Reform Works for You »
Top 14 Provisions That Take Effect Immediately »
Immediate Investments on the Road to Reform »
Implementation Timeline »
Myth Vs. Fact »
The Cost of Inaction »
Health Care by the Numbers »
Impacts of Health Insurance Reform by Individual Congressional Districts »

Key Provisions:

Public Health Insurance Option »
The Health Insurance Marketplace »
Shared Responsibility »
Guaranteed Benefits »
Making Coverage Affordable »
Consumer Protections and Insurance Market Reforms »
Employers and Health Reform »
Strengthening the Nations Health Workforce »
Lowering Health Care Costs »
Prevention and Wellness »
Delivery System Reforms »
Preventing Waste, Fraud and Abuse »
Strengthening Medicare »
Improving Medicare Part D Drug Program »
Maintaining and Improving Medicaid »
Medicare Advantage »
Summary of Revenue Provisions »
Joint Committee on Taxation: Estimated Revenue Effects »
Health Care Surcharge and Households »
Health Care Surcharge and Small Businesses »

Women Have the Most to Gain »
Meeting Women's Health Care Needs »
Small Businesses »
A Guide for Seniors »
Young Americans »
Rural Communities »
Health Care Disparities »
Indian Health »
Personal Stories - Problems That Would Be Solved By Health Insurance Reform »

Please note we are updating this page as the documents become available. We appreciate your patience.

News of the Day: Early reports: Job gains signal stimulus impact

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:30:00 -0700

According to a preliminary review by the USA Today, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has created or saved more than 388,000 jobs so far this year.That number is only for jobs created directly by the stimulus package and doesn't include jobs created indirectly by workers spending their new earnings.

While jobs were created across all sectors of the economy, the USA Today highlights some jobs created in the education sector.

The states' reports suggest the biggest impact has been at schools. Twenty-three states that have reported school job numbers said more than 156,000 jobs had been created or saved.

Carol Bingham, director of fiscal policy for the California Department of Education, estimated the stimulus saved about 20,000 teaching positions. But she and others warn that precisely counting saved jobs has proved almost impossible. "It was intended to be a count. The way it was done, I think it's going to end up being an estimate," she said.

Indiana officials reported that the stimulus had created or saved about 13,000 school jobs. Asked whether he had any idea how many layoffs the plan had prevented, state Education Department spokesman Cam Savage replied: "I really don't."

Learn more about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and read Chairman Miller's statement about the Administration's estimates on education jobs.

News of the Day: Whats at stake in House hearing on OSHA

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:30:00 -0700

The Las Vegas Sun lays out what is at stake in tomorrow's hearing about OSHA findings and recommendations for Nevadas Workplace Health and Safety Enforcement Program. They say:

Why did the state agency charged with keeping workers safe on the job fail so badly and are those failures symptomatic of a national problem?...At stake could be Nevadas control over the workplace-safety program. Nevada is one of 22 states operating such a program, which is supposed to protect private and public employees. The federal government shoulders the responsibility in all other states.

The Education and Labor Committee first examined construction safety problems in a 2008 hearing, including a string of deaths during the recent building boom on the Las Vegas strip. The hearing found that even when Nevada issued fines to employers for operating an unsafe workplace, those sanctions were often later reduced or even eliminated.

For more information on the 2008 hearing, click here.

To read the OSHA review of the Nevada health and safety program, click here. For a shorter explanation of the report's findings, see our blog post.

Visit our hearing page for a complete list of witnesses.

Hearing on OSHAs findings and recommendations for Nevadas Workplace Health and Safety Enforcement Program

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:45:00 -0700

In light of a new government report highlighting dangerous gaps in health and safety protections for workers in Nevada, U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, announced that the committee will hold a hearing on Thursday, October 29 to examine the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administrations critical review of Nevadas workplace health and safety program.

This report confirms that there are serious problems with Nevada OSHA that need to be addressed immediately, said Miller. Workers in Nevada deserve to know that basic health and safety protections are enforced by the agency tasked to protect them.

Under the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act, a state can operate their own workplace health and safety program as long as they meet basic federal minimum standards. Twenty-two states and territories operate such programs and are partially funded by the federal government.

OSHA reviewed Nevadas state program between January 1, 2008 and June 1, 2009. This is OSHAs most significant review of a state program since 1991when OSHA initiated steps to take over the North Carolinas health and safety program after a poultry plant fire killed 25 people. The review found among other things that over the period:

No willful or repeat citations were made and were even discouraged. Willful violations carry significantly higher penalties;
In nearly half of all fatality cases, family members of the fallen workers were not contacted or given the opportunity to speak with investigators;
Clear cases of repeat violations were not cited. For example, OSHA issued serious violations in the Orleans Casino case rather than willful or repeat violations even though the owner and operator of this hotel had same violations other facilities in Nevada;
Even when Nevada OSHA cited a workplace for a health and safety violation, they could not demonstrate that those workplaces were abated correctly; and
Nevada OSHA investigators were not properly trained on construction hazards.

The Education and Labor Committee first examined construction safety problems in a 2008 hearing, including a string of deaths during the recent building boom on the Las Vegas strip. The hearing found that even when Nevada issued fines to employers for operating an unsafe workplace, those sanctions were often later reduced or even eliminated.

For more information on the 2008 hearing, click here.

To read the OSHA review of the Nevada health and safety program, click here.

Visit our hearing page for a complete list of witnesses.

News of the Day: Feds appraisal of Nevada OSHA practices damning

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 08:45:00 -0700

In the wake of the report by OSHA highlighting dangerous gaps in health and safety protections for workers in Nevada, the Las Vegas Sun has the background on this serious oversight.

The Las Vegas Sun said:

The probe examined Nevada OSHAs oversight of 25 workplace fatalities, some of which occurred during the Las Vegas Strip construction boom and found an agency with staff ill-equipped to investigate accidents and administrators unwilling to impose hefty penalties on companies.

The report is the most significant review of a state program conducted by the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration in nearly two decades. Labor officials said the findings have prompted a nationwide review of state-administered workplace-safety plans and increased federal oversight.

The Labor Department said its investigation was triggered in part by the Suns Pulitzer Prize-winning series that examined the Strip construction deaths and exposed the failures of government, management and labor unions to protect workers.

The report documents troubles large and small within Nevada OSHAs offices in Reno and Henderson from state lawyers and managers who discouraged harsh citations for company violations to staff communiqués via Post-it notes. In half the fatality cases, families of the workers were not told of investigations, as required.

This report will be the center of a hearing on Thursday, October 29th by the House Education and Labor Committee to examine the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administrations critical review of Nevadas workplace health and safety program.

News of the Day: Public college costs rising faster than private

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:00:00 -0700

Today's Washington Post highlights a new study by the College Board on college pricing and student aid. It notes that:

Colleges and universities have not slashed sticker prices in response to the economic downturn. On the contrary, tuition and fees rose 6.5 percent at public four-year colleges compared with the 2008-2009 school year and 4.4 percent at private, nonprofit, four-year institutions. Those were steeper rates of increase than in prior years, after adjusting for inflation. Over the past decade, annual increases have averaged 4.9 percent at public colleges and 2.6 percent at private colleges.

It is clear that students and families are increasingly relying on Pell Grant scholarships and other forms of federal student aid to help pay for college. While college tuition prices continued to increase at rates consistent with years past, students had greater access to reliable low-cost federal loans and grant aid. The report also shows that private student loan borrowing decreased by 50 percent from one year earlier, in part due to the freezing of the credit markets.

As Chairman Miller said, Although paying for college remains far too expensive a burden for families, especially in this economy, this report shows that our work to help make college more affordable is paying off.

The House recently passed legislation that would make a landmark $40 billion investment to boost the Pell Grant over the next 10 years, to stabilize access to low-cost federal student loans, to strengthen Perkins loans, and do much more to make college more accessible at no cost to taxpayers. This report confirms that these types of investments, coupled with our ongoing efforts to reduce students dependence on costlier private loans, are needed to provide relief to families in a difficult economy.

News of the Day: Age bias should be bipartisan concern

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:30:00 -0700

Jack Gross never meant to be the face of civil rights legislation, but that was before he was demoted simply because of his age.

[Mr. Gross] left [Farm Bureau] for a while before coming back and working his way up to claims administration vice president. He was getting regular raises and great job reviews. He was highly valued.

Then one day in 2003, Gross said he and just about every other 50-or-older supervisor or higher-level worker in the claims department - and nobody younger than 50 - was demoted. It was a kick in the gut.

"For years, I couldn't have been more loyal," he said. "I was always proud to say I worked for the Farm Bureau."

He had no idea he'd become the invisible man. "I went from having a great job to, literally, not doing much of anything."

This year, he's been doing mostly clerical work, "taking numbers from one report and posting them onto another."

Mr. Gross sued his employer for age discrimination and won $47,000 in damages. The award was appealed and the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that Mr. Gross had to show that age had to be the deciding factor, rather than a motivating factor. That is much is harder to prove.

In today's New York Times editorial, Preventing Age Discrimination, the editorial board highlights the efforts by Senator Harkin and Rep. Miller to overturn this ruling by the Supreme Court and to clarify that all workers regardless of age, race, sex, national origin or religion shall not be discriminated against.

Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa and Representative George Miller of California, the Democratic chairmen of two powerful committees, recently introduced bills to reverse the courts age ruling. They would make the standard for proving age discrimination equivalent to the standard for proving discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion and national origin.

When older workers lose their jobs, according to the advocacy group AARP, it takes them longer than other workers to get new ones. Age-discrimination complaints have been rising. In 2008, the number of age cases filed with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission was up 29 percent from the year earlier.

Congress made clear four decades ago that it wants to protect older workers from discrimination, but the Supreme Court has tried to interfere with that effort. It is up to Congress to put the teeth back into the law.

Watch Mr. Gross and Chairman Miller at the press conference accompanying the introduction of the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act.

Learn more about the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act.

News of the Day: Chairman Miller interview on CNBC this morning

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 08:00:00 -0700

The House Committee on Education and Labor hosted CNBC's Squawk Box in the hearing room this morning. Here is the interview with Rep. George Miller about health care reform and the economy.

Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act Press Conference

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:30:00 -0700

Today, three Chairmen U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), Chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, introduced landmark legislation that restores vital civil rights protections for older workers in the face of the Supreme Courts decision in Gross v. FBL Financial.

In Gross, the Supreme Court rewrote civil rights laws, overturning well-established precedent and making it harder for workers facing age discrimination to enforce their rights. The Court ruled that it is no longer enough for a victim of discrimination to prove that age was a motivating factor in an adverse employment decision. An employee must now prove that it was the decisive factor. The Courts holding specifically means that victims of age discrimination face a higher burden than those alleging race, sex, national origin or religious discrimination. And, the opinion has already had reverberations in a wide range of civil rights cases beyond age discrimination.

The same conservative Supreme Court justices responsible for the backward ruling against Lilly Ledbetter have now thrown another legal barrier in front of hard-working older Americans, said Rep. Miller. Workplace discrimination based on age is just as wrong as discrimination based on any other irrelevant factor -- and it should be treated as such in the court of law. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act will ensure that all workers are treated fairly and not subject to decisions based on an employers prejudice, especially in this difficult economy.

Read more about H.R. 3721 - Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act

Temporary Extensions of the Child Nutrition Programs

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:00:00 -0700

Today, the House is expected to vote on the Agriculture Appropriations Conference Report which includes temporary extensions of expiring provisions of the laws governing the child nutrition programs resulting in a cost savings of $150 million. These savings will be reinvested to meet critical child nutrition needs across the country to ensure more children have year-round access to healthy and nutritious meals at school, in child care settings, and during the summer months.

Ensuring More Children Have Access to Healthy and Nutritious Meals

ENSURING IMPROVED ACCESS AND QUALITY OF MEALS FOR ALL CHILDREN

Children should not have to go hungry and they should have access to nutritious foods that will help them thrive physically and academically. In this difficult economic climate, the federal child nutrition programs have an increasingly important role to play in providing children with healthy meals while at school, childcare, or during the summer months. Over 32 million children each year are served by these programs. For many children, these meals may be the only healthy foods they receive during the day.

Research shows that children who are hungry have a harder time paying attention and learning in the classroom. Low-income children are also at greater risk of going hungry or becoming overweight, during the summer months. Providing children with access to healthier, nutritious foods at school, child care, summer programs, or other educational settings is vital to our efforts to help all children learn, succeed and grow.

To ensure that children can continue to benefit from these programs and services, Congress will temporarily extend expiring provisions of the Child Nutrition Act until a more comprehensive reauthorization of the law occurs next year. This one-year temporary extension will generate a savings of $150 million, which will be reinvested to meet critical child nutrition needs across the country. These new investments will address President Obamas and Congress priorities to end hunger and improve child nutrition, increase access to quality school meals, and build program capacity.
Specifically, these new investments in child nutrition will:
Expand and Improve Access to Healthy and Nutritious Meals During The Summer
Pilot projects to improve access to the Summer Food Service Program - $85 million

Ensures fewer children go hungry over the summer by exploring alternative methods of delivering nutrition benefits to better meet the needs of low-income children and families in rural and urban settings that may not have access to meals provided through the Summer Food Service Program.
Improves nutrition of low-income children during the summer months to promote healthy growth and development, so they can return to school ready to learn.

Eliminate Barriers to the School Lunch Program to Ensure More Eligible Children Are Receiving Benefits
Funding to Improve Direct Certification Systems - $25 million

Increases the number of eligible children enrolled in the school lunch programs by improving direct certification systems through enhanced use of technology to streamline automatic enrollment of eligible children. Direct certification systems are a critical tool to ensure eligible children have access to the school meal programs and to improve program integrity. However, significant financial and technical barriers must still be overcome to automatically enroll more eligible children.

Help States to Purchase Necessary Equipment to Store, Prepare and Serve Healthy Foods
National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grants - $25 million

Improves the nutritional quality of school meals by providing grants to states to purchase foodservice equipment that will improve quality, efficiency, and food safety in the National School Lunch Program.
Builds on investments included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to provide equipment assistance grants to improve schools foodservice infrastructure.

Improve Quality of Meals, Nutrition Standards and Promote Healthy Lifestyles in Childcare Settings
Child Care Nutrition, Health and Outreach Grants - $8 million

Ensures more children in child care settings have access to nutritious and age-appropriate foods by providing grants to encourage states to develop state level policies, training and policy initiatives, and educational materials to improve nutrition and promote health in child care settings.
Requires that states allocate at least half of the award to child care institutions to improve nutrition, physical activity, and health of children in their centers and homes.

Reward states that encourage low-income moms to breastfeed
WIC Breastfeeding Promotion Bonus Awards - $5 million

Encourages recipient states to use funds to increase awareness though promotion campaigns, to produce materials to help encourage more mothers to breastfeed. Studies show breastfeeding provides significant benefits for infant health including increased immunity and lower risk for obesity.
Increases the number of mothers in the WIC program who are fully or partially breastfeeding their infants by incentivizing states with one-time breastfeeding performance bonus awards.

Nevadas Workplace Health and Safety Enforcement Program: OSHAs Findings and Recommendations

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:00:00 -0700

Full Committee Hearing

2175 Rayburn H.O.B

The U.S. House Education and Labor Committee held a hearing on Thursday, October 29 to examine the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administrations critical review of Nevadas workplace health and safety program. OSHA reviewed Nevadas health and safety program between January 2008 and June 2009 and found a number of deficiencies with the plan. A spate of accidents drew national attention during the citys building boom that killed 12 construction workers on the Las Vegas strip over an 18-month period between 2006 and 2008.

To read the OSHA review of the Nevada health and safety program, click here.

To learn more, visit this blog post.

Archived Webcast »

Chairperson George Miller (CA) Opening Statement »

Witnesses:

U.S. Sen. Harry Reid »

Nevada
Jordan Barab »

Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor

Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Debi Koehler-Fergen »

Mother of worker killed at the Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas
Don Jayne »

Administrator
Nevada Division of Industrial Relations

Department of Business and Industry
Franklin Mirer »

Professor of environmental and occupational health

Hunter College of the City

University of New York

Ensuring Student Eligibility Requirements for Federal Aid

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 08:00:00 -0700

Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness Subcommittee Hearing

2175 Rayburn H.O.B.

On Wednesday, October 14, the House Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning and Competiveness will hold a hearing to examine how non-profit and for-profit colleges and universities administer and enforce student eligibility requirements for federal financial aid programs.

Archived Webcast »

Chairperson Rubén Hinojosa (TX) Opening Statement »

Witnesses:

George A. Scott »

Director of Education, Workforce, and Income Security

Government Accountability Office

Washington, DC
Robert Shireman »

Deputy Undersecretary

U.S. Department of Education

Washington, DC
Mary Mitchelson »

Acting Inspector General

U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General

Washington, DC
Harris N. Miller »

President and CEO

Career College Association

Washington, DC

Examining Innovative Practices to Improve Child Nutrition

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 08:00:00 -0700

Healthy Families and Communities Subcommittee Hearing

2175 Rayburn H.O.B

On Thursday, October 8, the House Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities held a hearing to examine innovative strategies to ensure children have access to healthy, nutritious and safe school meals.

Archived Webcast »

Chairperson Carolyn McCarthy (NY) Opening Statement »

Witnesses:

Matt Sharp »

Senior Advocate

California Food Policy Advocates

Los Angeles, CA
Mary Lagnado »

Assistant Superintendent for Business and Management Systems

Westbury Union Free School District

Westbury, NY
Richard De Burgh »

President

DJ Co-Ops

Valencia, CA
Deborah Yargar-Reed »

Physical Education Teacher

Biglerville Elementary School

Biglerville, PA
Tony Geraci »

Director

Food and Nutrition Services
Baltimore City Public Schools

Baltimore, MD
Alice Sheehan »

8th grader

City Neighbors Public Charter School

Baltimore, MD

Ensuring Economic Opportunities for Young Americans

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 08:00:00 -0700

Full Committee Hearing

2175 Rayburn H.O.B

On Thursday, October 1, the House Education and Labor held a hearing to examine the impact on declining rate of youth employment and strategies to ensure that there are economic opportunities available for young Americans.

While the recession has disproportionately impacted young adults, the employment rate among 16 to 24 year-olds has steadily declined by nearly 20 percent over the past decade to its lowest level since World War II. The consequences of reduced work opportunities among young Americans results in fewer long-term employment prospects, less earnings and a decrease in productivity.

Archived Webcast »

Chairperson George Miller (CA) Opening Statement »

Witnesses:

Jane Oates »

Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Administration

U.S. Department of Labor
Algernon Austin »

Director of the race, ethnicity, and the economy program

Economic Policy Institute
Matthew Segal »

Founder & Co-Chair

80 Million Strong
Dorothy Stoneman »

President and founder

YouthBuild USA
D. Mark Wilson »

Principal

Applied Economic Strategies, LLC

Teacher Equity: Effective Teachers for All Children

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:00:00 -0700

Full Committee Hearing

2175 Rayburn H.O.B

On Wednesday, September 30, the House Education and Labor Committee held a hearing to examine the progress states and schools districts have made toward ensuring that every child is taught by an effective teacher. Current law requires states to make sure teacher talent is distributed fairly in school districts, so that all children including poor and minority children have access to outstanding teachers. Several of the witnesses are former teachers.

The Obama administration has already taken steps toward improving teacher equity. In order to be eligible for funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, states are required to take steps to place effective teachers in the classrooms that need them most.

Archived Webcast »

Chairperson George Miller (CA) Opening Statement »

Witnesses:

U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah (D - PA) »
U.S. Rep. Tom Price (R - GA) »
Layla Avila »

Vice President
Teaching Fellows Program

The New Teacher Project

Brooklyn, NY
Latanya Daniels »

Assistant Principal

Edison High School

Minneapolis, MN
Rick Hess »

Resident Scholar and Director of Education Policy

American Enterprise Institute

Washington, DC
Linda Murray, Ph.D. »

Acting Executive Director

Education Trust-West

Oakland, CA
Dennis Van Roekel »

President

National Education Association

Washington, DC
Marguerite Roza, Ph.D. »

Research Associate Professor

College of Education, University of Washington

Seattle, WA

H.R. 3017, Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2009

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:00:00 -0700

Full Committee Hearing

2175 Rayburn H.O.B

On Wednesday, September 23, 2009, U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, chaired the first full committee hearing in the House of Representatives on legislation to prohibit employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (H.R. 3017), introduced by Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), would prohibit employment discrimination, preferential treatment, and retaliation on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity by employers with 15 or more employees. Currently, it is legal to discriminate in the workplace based on sexual orientation in 29 states and in 38 states based on gender identity.

Archived Webcast »

Chairperson George Miller (CA) Opening Statement »

Witnesses:

U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) »
U.S. Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) »
Hon. Stuart J. Ishimaru »

Acting Chairman

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
William Eskridge »

John A. Garver Professor of Jurisprudence

Yale Law School
Vandy Beth Glenn »

fired from her Georgia state legislative job when she told her supervisor she was transitioning from male to female
Camille Olson »

Partner

Seyfarth Shaw LLP
Craig Parshall »

Senior Vice President and General Counsel

National Religious Broadcasters Association
Rabbi David Saperstein »

Director

The Religious Action Center
Brad Sears »

Executive Director

Williams Institute
UCLA School of Law

High School/College Dual Enrollment Programs

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 11:00:00 -0700

Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education Subcommittee Hearing

Northbank Center Ballroom, University of Michigan, 432 North Saginaw Street

Chairperson Dale Kildee (MI) Opening Statement »

Witnesses:

Thomas Svitkovich, Ed.D »

Superintendent

Genesee Intermediate School District

Flint, Michigan
Dr. Vahid Lotfi, Ph.D »

Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor

Academic Affairs at the University of Michigan

Flint, Michigan
Dr. M. Richard Shaink Ph.D »

President

Mott Community College

Flint, MI
John Brooks »

Student

Mott Community College

Flint, MI
Stephen Skorcz, MPH »

President and CEO

Greater Flint Health Coalition

Flint, MI
Dr. Michael Webb Ph.D »

Associate Vice President

Early College Initiative at Jobs for the Future

Boston, MA

Due to the nature of a field hearing, there will be no video, archived webcast or photos of the event.

Strengthening School Safety through Prevention of Bullying

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 08:00:00 -0700

Healthy Families and Communities Subcommittee and Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education Hearing

2175 Rayburn H.O.B

WASHINGTON, D.C. On Wednesday, July 8, the House Subcommittees on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education and Healthy Families and Communities will hold a joint hearing to examine strategies for improving school safety, including ways to prevent violence, bullying and harassment. Recent studies show students are more likely to succeed academically and graduate when learning environments are free from harassment and violence.

Archived Webcast »

Chairperson Carolyn McCarthy (NY) Opening Statement »

Chairperson Dale Kildee (MI) Opening Statement »

Witnesses:

Jackie Andrews »

Student and School Safety Advocate

Haddon Heights, NJ
Josie Andrews »

Student and School Safety Advocate

Haddon Heights, NJ
Rona Kaufmann »

Principal

William Penn Senior High School

York, PA
Dr. Scott Poland »

Professor and Coordinator
Suicide and Violence Prevention Office

NOVA Southeastern University

Fort Lauderdale, FL
Steve Riach »

Founder and Board Chairman

Heart of a Champion Foundation

Dallas, TX
Cassady Tetsworth »

Vice Chair
National Youth Advisory Board

Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE)

Greensboro, NC
Kenneth S. Trump, M.P.A. »

President

National School Safety and Security Services

Cleveland, OH
Sirdeaner Walker »

Mother of Bullied Child

Springfield, MA

The Tri-Committee Draft Proposal for Health Care Reform

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:00:00 -0700

Full Committee Hearing

2175 Rayburn H.O.B.

The House Education and Labor Committee will hold a hearing on Tuesday, June 23 on the forthcoming draft proposal for health care reform developed by the House Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Education and Labor Committees. The draft proposal is designed to achieve President Obamas goals of controlling health care costs, preserving health care choices, and ensuring quality, affordable health care for all Americans.

Archived Webcast »

Chairperson George Miller (CA) Opening Statement »

Witnesses:

Panel I
Dr. Christina Romer »

Chair

Council of Economic Advisers

Washington, DC
Panel II
Ron Pollack »

Founding Executive Director

FamiliesUSA

Washington, DC
Gerald Shea »

Assistant to the President

AFL-CIO

Washington, DC
Paul J. Speranza, Jr. »

Sr. Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Wegmans Food Markets, Inc.

Rochester, NY
Dr. Jacob Hacker »

Professor and Co-Director of the Berkeley Center on Health, Economic, and Family Security

University of California Berkeley

Berkeley, CA
Michael J. Stapley »

President and Chief Executive Officer

Deseret Mutual

Salt Lake City, UT
John Arensmeyer »

Chief Executive Officer

Small Business Majority

Sausalito, CA
Fran Visco »

President

National Breast Cancer Coalition

Washington, DC
Panel III
Karen Pollitz »

Research Professor and Project Director of the Health Policy Institute

Georgetown University

Washington, DC
Celia Wcislo »

Assistant Division Director

SEIU

Boston, MA
James A. Klein »

President

American Benefits Council

Washington, DC
William Vaughan »

Senior Health Policy Analyst

Consumers Union

Washington, DC
Robert E. Moffit, Ph.D. »

Director

Center for Health Policy Studies, The Heritage Foundation

Washington, DC
ReShonda Young »

Small Business Owner

Alpha Express, Inc. on behalf of the Main Street Alliance

Waterloo, IA
Dr. Fitzhugh Mullan »

Murdock Head Professor of Medicine and Health Policy

George Washington University

Washington, DC

Items submitted for the record:
Dr. Christina Romer's PowerPoint Slides
Small Business Majority state survey

The Future of Learning: How Technology is Transforming Public Schools

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:00:00 -0700

Full Committee Hearing

2175 Rayburn H.O.B

The House Education and Labor Committee held a hearing on Tuesday, June 16 to examine how technology and innovative education tools are transforming and improving education in America.

Archived Webcast »

Chairperson George Miller (CA) Opening Statement »

Witnesses:

Jennifer Bergland »

Chief Technology Officer

Bryan Independent School District

Bryan, Texas
Aneesh Chopra »

Chief Technology Officer

White House Office for Science and Technology
Dr. Wayne Hartschuh »

Executive Director

Delaware Center for Educational Technology

Dover, Delaware
Scott Kinney »

Vice President

Discovery Education

Silver Spring, Maryland
John McAuliffe »

General Manager

Educate Online Learning, LLC

Baltimore, Maryland
Abel Real »

Student

East Carolina University

Greenville, North Carolina
Lisa Short »

Science Teacher
Gaithersburg Middle School

Montgomery County Public Schools, MD

Gaithersburg, Maryland

H.R. 2339, the Family Income to Respond to Significant Transitions Act, and H.R. 2460, the Healthy Families Act

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 08:00:00 -0700

Workforce Protections Subcommittee Hearing

2175 Rayburn H.O.B

The House Workforce Protections Subcommittee will hold a hearing on Thursday, June 11 to examine proposals for expanding workers access to paid family and sick leave. While more than 80 percent of Americans support having paid sick days, the U.S. is the only country among the 22 nations ranked high in economic and human development that doesnt guarantee paid sick leave to workers.

The FIRST Act, H.R. 2339, provides grants to the states to implement and improve their paid family leave programs. Healthy Families Act, H.R. 2460, mandates that businesses with 15 or more employees provide up to 7 days of paid sick days to their employees.

Archived Webcast »

Chairperson Lynn Woolsey (CA) Opening Statement »

Witnesses:

U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) »
U.S. Representative Alan Grayson (D-FL) »
Rajiv Bhatia »

Director

Occupational and Environmental Health Department of Public Health

San Francisco, CA
China Miner Gorman »

Chief Operating Officer

Society for Human Resource Managers

Alexandria, VA
Deborah Frett »

CEO

BPW Foundation

Washington, DC
Hon. Victoria A. Lipnic, Esq. »

U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Debra Ness »

President

National Partnership for Women

Washington, DC
Sandra Poole »

Deputy Director

California Employment Development Department Disability Insurance Branch

Examining the Single Payer Health Care Option

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 08:30:00 -0700

Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee Hearing

2175 Rayburn H.O.B

Archived Webcast »

Chairperson Robert Andrews (NJ) Opening Statement »

Witnesses:

U.S. Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) »
Marcia Angell, M.D »

Senior Lecturer in Social Medicine

Harvard Medical School

Boston, Massachusetts
David Gratzer »

Senior Fellow

Manhattan Institute
Geri Jenkins, R.N. »

Co-President

California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee

San Diego, CA
Walter Tsou, M.D., M.P.H. »

National Board Advisor

Physicians for a National Health Program

Philadelphia, PA

Building on What Works at Charter Schools

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 08:00:00 -0700

Full Committee Hearing

2175 Rayburn H.O.B

The House Education and Labor Committee will hold a hearing on Thursday, June 4 to examine how supporting outstanding charter schools can help build an innovative, world-class American school system that educates all students to high levels.

President Obama has repeatedly called on states to lift restrictions that limit the growth of successful charter schools and encourage rigorous accountability of them.

Archived Webcast »

Chairperson George Miller (CA) Opening Statement »

Witnesses:

Steve Barr »

Founder and Chairman of the Board

Green Dot Public Schools

Los Angeles, CA
David Dunn »

Director

Texas Charter School Association

Austin, TX
Jim Goenner »

Board Chair

National Association of Charter School Authorizers and lead authorizer at Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, MI
John King »

Managing Director

Excellence Preparatory Network
Uncommon Schools

New York, NY
Barbara OBrien »

Lt. Governor

Colorado
Jim Shelton »

Assistant Deputy Secretary
Office of Innovation and Improvement

Department of Education

New Innovations and Best Practices under the Workforce Investment Act

Fri, 29 May 2009 08:00:00 -0700

Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness Subcommittee Hearing

Nevada State College
Liberal Arts and Sciences Building
Room #120
1021 East Paradise Hills Drive

On Friday, May 29, the House Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness held a hearing to examine best practices for improving job training.This is the fifth hearing the committee is holding as it works toward reauthorizing the Workforce Investment Act, which provides job training, education programs, vocational rehabilitation and other services to Americans.

Chairperson Rubén Hinojosa (TX) Opening Statement »

Witnesses:

Mr. Brian Patchett »

President and Ceo

Easter Seals Of Southern Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada
Mr. Chris Brooks »

Director of Renewable Energy

Bombard Electric

Las Vegas, Nevada
Ms. Chanda Cook »

Director of Community Initiatives

Nevada Public Education Foundation

Las Vegas, Nevada
Ms. Rebecca Metty-Burns »

Interim Director

Workforce and Economic Division
College Of Southern Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Note: The hearing will be at 10:00am local time.

Official Transcript (PDF) 150kb

Increasing Student Aid through Loan Reform

Thu, 21 May 2009 08:00:00 -0700

Full Committee Hearing

2175 Rayburn H.O.B

On Thursday, May 21, the House Education and Labor Committee will hold a hearing to examine proposals that will make historic increases in college aid by enacting reforms that will make the nations federal student loan programs more reliable, effective and efficient for students, families and taxpayers.

One of the proposals the committee will examine is President Obamas FY 2010 budget proposal, which would increase the Pell Grant scholarship and other forms of student aid by almost $100 billion over ten years and at no cost to taxpayers. The Presidents plan would be paid for by ending the subsidies the federal government currently pays to lenders in the federally-guaranteed student loan programs and re-directing those savings back into additional aid for low- and middle-income students

Archived Webcast »

Chairperson George Miller (CA) Opening Statement »

Witnesses:

Christopher Chapman »

President and Chief Executive Officer

Access Group

Wilmington, Delaware
René Drouin »

President and CEO

New Hampshire Higher Education Assistance Foundation

Concord, New Hampshire
Anna M. Griswold »

Assistant Vice President for Undergraduate Education and
Executive Director for Student Aid

Pennsylvania State University
Dr. Charles Reed »

Chancellor

the California State University
John F. Remondi »

Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer

Sallie Mae
Robert Shireman »

Deputy Under Secretary

U.S. Department of Education
Dr. Richard Vedder »

Professor of Economics

Ohio University

Athens, Ohio

H.R. 3221 - The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 09:00:00 -0700

Full Committee Markup

2175 Rayburn H.O.B

Bill is the single largest investment in higher education in history

On Tuesday, July 21st, the House Education and Labor Committee will consider legislation that will make college dramatically more affordable by investing billions of dollars in additional student aid, at no cost to taxpayers. The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009 will generate almost $100 billion in savings over the next ten years that will be used to boost Pell Grant scholarships, keep interest rates on federal loans affordable, safeguard federal student loan access for families, and enact President Obamas key education priorities. The legislation, which was introduced earlier today, pays for itself by making the federal student loan programs more reliable, effective and cost-efficient for students, families and taxpayers.

For more information on the legislation, click here.

H.R. 3221 - The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009 was reported favorably to the House with an amendment in the nature of a substitute, and that the Committee authorize the Chairman to transmit the bill, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute, to the Committee on Budget in compliance with Section 310 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 as the first part of this committees recommendations, pursuant to the reconciliation instruction in S. Con. Res. 13 by a vote of 30 to 17.

Chairperson George Miller (CA) Opening Statement »

Amendments:

Amendment #1 to H.R. 3221 by Mr. Miller (CA)
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #2 to H.R. 3221 by Mr. Guthrie (KY)
Defeated 16 to 30 Roll Call #1
Amendment #3 to H.R. 3221 by Ms. Woolsey (CA)
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #4 to H.R. 3221 by Mr. Price (GA)
Defeated 18 to 29 Roll Call #2
Amendment #5 to H.R. 3221 by Mrs. Davis (CA)
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #6 to H.R. 3221 by Mr. McKeon (CA)
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #7 to H.R. 3221 by Mr. Hinojosa (TX)
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #8 to H.R. 3221 by Mr. Souder (IN)
Defeated 20 to 27 Roll Call #3
Amendment #9 to H.R. 3221 by Mr. Tierney (MA)
Withdrawn
Amendment #10 to H.R. 3221 by Mr. Platts (PA)
Rescinded by Unanimous Consent
Amendment #11 to H.R. 3221 by Mr. Kucinich (OH) / Mr. Hare (IL)
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #12 to H.R. 3221 by Mr. Ehlers (MI)
Withdrawn
Amendment #13 to H.R. 3221 by Mr. Ehlers (MI)
Withdrawn
Amendment #14 to H.R. 3221 by Mr. Loebsack (IA) / Ms. Fudge (OH)
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #15 to H.R. 3221 by Ms. Hirono (HI)
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #16 to H.R. 3221 by Mr. Hare (IL)
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #17 to H.R. 3221 by Mr. Castle (DE)
Withdrawn
Amendment #18 to H.R. 3221 by Mr. Courtney (CT)
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #19 to H.R. 3221 by Mr. Polis (CO)
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #20 to H.R. 3221 by Mr. Polis (CO) / Mr. Tonko (NY)
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #21 to H.R. 3221 by Mr. Polis (CO) / Ms. Hirono (HI)
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #22 to H.R. 3221 by Mr. Tonko (NY)
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #23 to H.R. 3221 by Mr. Tonko (NY)
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #24 to H.R. 3221 by Mr. Andrews (NJ)
Passed 42 to 5 Roll Call #4
Amendment #25 to H.R. 3221 by Mr. Pierluisi (PR) / Mr. Sablan (NMI)
Passed by voice vote

H.R. 3200 - Americas Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:00:00 -0700

Full Committee Markup

2175 Rayburn H.O.B

The Americas Affordable Health Choices Act (H.R. 3200), developed jointly by the Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Education and Labor Committees, is designed to achieve President Obamas goals of strengthening employer-provided care, while fixing what is broken. The bill would ensure that 97 percent of Americans will be covered by a health care plan that is both affordable and offers quality, standard benefits by 2019.

The markup was expected to last two days.

Wednesday was only for opening statements only.

Thursday began at 10:00 a.m. in room 2175 Rayburn House Office Building will be for consideration of amendments.

After working through the night, the committee reconvened at 9:15 Friday morning for a series of roll call votes.

H.R. 3200 - Americas Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 was reported favorably to the House with an amendment in the nature of a substitute, and that the Committee authorize the Chairman to transmit the bill, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute, to the Committee on Budget in compliance with Section 310 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 as the first part of this committees recommendations, pursuant to the reconciliation instruction in S. Con. Res. 13 by a vote of 26 to 22.

Chairperson George Miller (CA) Opening Statement »

Amendments:

Amendment #1 to H.R. 3200 by Mr. Miller (CA)
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #2 to H.R. 3200 by Mr. Courtney (CT)
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #3 to H.R. 3200 by Mr. Kline (MN)
Defeated 19 to 29 Roll Call #1
Amendment #4 to H.R. 3200 by Ms. Titus (NV)
Passed 29 to 19 Roll Call #2
Amendment #5 to H.R. 3200 by Mr. Scott (VA)
Passed 32 to 17 Roll Call #3
Amendment #6 to H.R. 3200 by Mr. Thompson (PA)
Defeated 19 to 29 Roll Call #4
Amendment #7 to H.R. 3200 by Mr. Roe (TN)
Defeated 19 to 29 Roll Call #5
Amendment #8 to H.R. 3200 by Mrs. Davis (CA)
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #9 to H.R. 3200 by Mr. Guthrie (KY)
Defeated 19 to 28 Roll Call #6
Amendment #10 to H.R. 3200 by Mrs. Davis (CA)
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #11 to H.R. 3200 by Mrs. Biggert (IL)/Mr. Price (GA)
Defeated 18 to 29 Roll Call #7
Amendment #12 to H.R. 3200 by Ms. Fudge (OH)/Ms. Titus (NV)
Passed 28 to 18 Roll Call #8
Amendment #13 to H.R. 3200 by Mr. Wilson (SC)
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #14 to H.R. 3200 by Mr. Hare (IL)
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #15 to H.R. 3200 by Mr. Kline (MN)
Defeated 18 to 28 Roll Call #9
Amendment #16 to H.R. 3200 by Ms. Hirono (HI)
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #17 to H.R. 3200 by Mr. Hoekstra (MI)
Defeated by voice vote
Amendment #18 to H.R. 3200 by Mr. Kucinich (OH)
Passed 27 to 19, 1 Member Passing Roll Call #10
Amendment #19 to H.R. 3200 by Mr. Hunter (CA)
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #20 to H.R. 3200 by Mr. Kucinich (OH)
Withdrawn
Amendment #21 to H.R. 3200 by Mr. McClintock (CA)
Defeated 19 to 28 Roll Call #11
Amendment #22 (EN BLOC) to H.R. 3200 by Mr. Holt (NJ)
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #23 to H.R. 3200 by Mrs. Biggert (IL)
Withdrawn
Amendment #24 to H.R. 3200 by Mr. Polis (CO)
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #25 to H.R. 3200 by Mrs. McMorris Rodgers (WA)
Ruled not germane
Amendment #26 to H.R. 3200 by Mr. Sablan (NMI)/Mr. Pierluisi (PR)/Ms. Clarke (NY)
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #27 to H.R. 3200 by Mr. Kline (MN)
Defeated 19 to 28 Roll Call #12
Amendment #28 to H.R. 3200 by Mr. Sestak (PA)
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #29 to H.R. 3200 by Mr. Price (GA)
Defeated 19 to 28 Roll Call #13
Amendment #30 to H.R. 3200 by Mr. Wu (OR) / Mr. Altmire (PA)
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #31 to H.R. 3200 by Mr. Souder (IN)
Defeated 19 to 29 Roll Call #14
Amendment #32 to H.R. 3200 by Mr. Souder (IN)
Defeated 19 to 29 Roll Call #15
Amendment #33 to H.R. 3200 by Mrs. Biggert (IL)
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #34 to H.R. 3200 by Mr. Price (GA)
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #35 to H.R. 3200 by Mr. Hoekstra (MI)
Withdrawn
Amendment #36 to H.R. 3200 by Mr. Petri (WI)
Accepted (amended by Unanimous Consent)
Amendment #37 to H.R. 3200 by Mr. McKeon (CA)
Defeated 21 to 27 Roll Call #16
Amendment #38 to H.R. 3200 by Mr. Castle (DE)
Withdrawn
Amendment #39 to H.R. 3200 by Mr. Wilson (SC)
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #40 to H.R. 3200 by Mr. Price (GA)
Defeated 19 to 29 Roll Call #17
Amendment #41 to H.R. 3200 by Mr. Price (GA)
Defeated 19 to 29 Roll Call #18
Amendment #42 to H.R. 3200 by Mrs. McMorris Rodgers (WA)
Defeated by voice vote

H.R. 2989 - 401(k) Fair Disclosure and Pension Security Act of 2009

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 08:30:00 -0700

Full Committee Markup

2175 Rayburn H.O.B

401(k) Fair Disclosure and Pension Security Act of 2009 was ordered reported, as amended, to the House by a vote of 29 to 17

Chairperson George Miller (CA) Opening Statement »

Amendments:

Amendment #1 to H.R. 2989 by Mr. Miller (CA)
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #2 to H.R. 2989 by Mr. Kline (MN)
Defeated 18 to 26 Roll Call #1
Amendment #3 to H.R. 2989 by Mr. Holt (NJ) and Mr. Wu (OR)
Defeated 21 to 25 Roll Call #2
Amendment #4 to H.R. 2989 by Mr. McKeon (CA)
Defeated 18 to 28 Roll Call #3
Amendment #5 to H.R. 2989 by Mr. Guthrie (KY)
Withdrawn
Amendment #6 to H.R. 2989 by Mr. Guthrie (KY)
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #7 to H.R. 2989 by Mr. Price (GA)
Defeated 18 to 27 Roll Call #4
Amendment #8 to H.R. 2989 by Mr. Kline (MN)
Defeated 18 to 28 Roll Call #5
Amendment #9 to H.R. 2989 by Mr. Kline (MN)
Defeated 18 to 28 Roll Call #6

H.R. 1988 - The Conflicted Investment Advice Prohibition Act of 2009

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 08:30:00 -0700

Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee Markup

The Conflicted Investment Advice Prohibition Act of 2009 was ordered reported, as amended, to the Full Committee by a vote of 13 to 8

Chairperson Robert Andrews (NJ) Opening Statement »

Amendments:

Amendment #1 to H.R. 1988 by Mr. Andrews (NJ)
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #2 to H.R. 1988 by Mrs. McCarthy (NY)
Passed by voice vote

H.R. 1984 - The 401(k) Fair Disclosure for Retirement Security Act of 2009

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 08:30:00 -0700

Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee Markup

2175 Rayburn H.O.B

The 401(k) Fair Disclosure for Retirement Security Act of 2009 was ordered reported, as amended, to the Full Committee by a vote of 13 to 8

Chairperson Robert Andrews (NJ) Opening Statement »

Amendments:

Amendment #1 to H.R. 1984 by Mr. Andrews (NJ)
Passed by voice vote

H.R. 2187 - 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act

Wed, 06 May 2009 08:00:00 -0700

Full Committee Markup

2175 Rayburn H.O.B

21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act was ordered reported, as amended, to the House by a vote of 31 to 14

Chairperson George Miller (CA) Opening Statement »

Amendments:

Amendment #1 to H.R. 2187 by Mr. Miller (CA)
Included in Motion to Favorably Report the Bill to the House, as Amended
Amendment #2 to H.R. 2187 by Mr. Castle (DE)
Defeated 15 to 28 Roll Call #1

Amendment #3 to H.R. 2187 by Mr. Polis (CO)
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #4 to H.R. 2187 by Mr. Kline (MN)
Defeated 15 to 28 Roll Call #2

Amendment #5 to H.R. 2187 by Mr. Sestak (PA)
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #6 to H.R. 2187 by Mr. McKeon (CA)
Passed by voice vote

H.R. 1388 - Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education (GIVE) Act

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 08:00:00 -0700

Full Committee Markup

2175 Rayburn H.O.B.

Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education (GIVE) Act was ordered reported, as amended, to the House by a vote of 34 to 3

Chairperson George Miller (CA) Opening Statement »

Amendments:

Amendment #1 to H.R. 1388 by Mr. Miller (CA)
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #2 to H.R. 1388 by Mr. Tonko (NY) and Mr. Miller (CA)
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #3 to H.R. 1388 by Mr. Ehlers (MI)
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #4 to H.R. 1388 by Mr. Loebsack (IA)
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #5 to H.R. 1388 by Mr. Polis (CO)
Passed by voice vote

Education and Labor Committee Oversight Plan, 111th Congress

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 07:15:00 -0800

Full Committee Markup

Education and Labor Committee Oversight Plan, 111th Congress was ordered reported to the House by unanimous consent

Oversight Plan as Adopted, 111th Congress

Chairperson George Miller (CA) Opening Statement »

H.R. 911 - Stop Child Abuse in Residential Programs for Teens Act of 2009

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 07:15:00 -0800

Full Committee Markup

2175 Rayburn H.O.B

Stop Child Abuse in Residential Programs for Teens Act of 2009 was ordered reported to the House by a vote of 32 to 10

Chairperson George Miller (CA) Opening Statement »

Amendments:

Amendment #1 to H.R. 911 by Mr. Bishop (UT)
Failed by voice vote
Amendment #2 to H.R. 911 by Mr. Hoekstra (MI)
Failed 16 to 25 Roll Call #1
Amendment #3 to H.R. 911 by Mr. Price (GA)
Failed 17 to 25 Roll Call #2

H.R. 1338 - "Paycheck Fairness Act"

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:00:00 -0700

Full Committee Markup

"Paycheck Fairness Act" was ordered reported, as amended, to the House by a vote of 26 to 17

Chairperson George Miller (CA) Opening Statement »

Amendments:

Amendment #1 to H.R. 1338 by Mr. Miller (CA) »
Passed by voice vote

H.R. 3289 - "Providing Resources Early for Kids Act of 2007"

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 09:15:00 -0700

Full Committee Markup

"Providing Resources Early for Kids Act of 2007" was ordered reported, as amended, to the House by a vote of 31 to 11

Chairperson George Miller (CA) Opening Statement »

Amendments:

Amendment #1 to H.R. 3289 by Mr. Miller (CA) »
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #3 (en bloc) to H.R. 3289 by Mr. Hare (IL) »
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #5 to H.R. 3289 by Mrs. Davis (CA) »
Passed 26 to 17 Roll Call No. 3 »
Amendment #7 (en block) to H.R. 3289 by Mr. Kucinich (OH) »
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #8 to H.R. 3289 by Mr. Kucinich (OH) and Ms. Woolsey (CA) »
Passed by voice vote

Amendment #8a to H.R. 3289 by Mr. Hare (IL) »
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #10 to H.R. 3289 by Mr. Hinojosa (TX) »
Passed by voice vote

H.R. 3036 - "No Child Left Inside Act of 2007"

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Full Committee Markup

"No Child Left Inside Act of 2007" was ordered reported, as amended, to the House by a vote of 37 to 8

Chairperson George Miller (CA) Opening Statement »

Amendments:

Amendment #1 to H.R. 3036 by Mr. Miller (CA) »
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #2 to H.R. 3036 by Mr. Castle (DE) »
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #3 to H.R. 3036 by Mr. Sarbanes (MD) »
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #4 (en bloc) to H.R. 3036 by Mr. Ehlers (MI) »
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #5 to H.R. 3036 by Mr. Holt (NJ) and Mr. Souder (IN) »
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #7 to H.R. 3036 by Mr. Bishop (NY) »
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #8 to H.R. 3036 by Mr. Souder (IN) »
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #9 to H.R. 3036 by Ms. Clarke (NY) »
Passed 27 to 18 Roll Call No. 2 »
Amendment #10 to H.R. 3036 by Mr. Price (GA) »
Passed by voice vote

H.R. 2343 - "Education Begins At Home Act"

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Full Committee Markup

"Education Begins At Home Act" was ordered reported, as amended, to the House by voice vote

Chairperson George Miller (CA) Opening Statement »

Amendments:

Amendment #1 to H.R. 2343 by Mr. Miller (CA) »
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #3 to H.R. 2343 by Mr. Hinojosa (TX) »
Passed by voice vote

H.R. 3195 - "ADA Restoration Act of 2007"

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 08:00:00 -0700

Full Committee Markup

"ADA Restoration Act of 2007" was ordered reported, as amended, to the House by a vote of 43 to 1

Chairperson George Miller (CA) Opening Statement »

Amendments:

Amendment #1 to H.R. 3195 by Mr. Miller (CA) »
Passed by voice vote

H.R. 5876 - "Stop Child Abuse in Residential Programs for Teens Act of 2008"

Wed, 14 May 2008 08:15:00 -0700

Full Committee Markup

"Stop Child Abuse in Residential Programs for Teens Act of 2008" was ordered reported, as amended, to the House by a vote of 27 to 16

Chairperson George Miller (CA) Opening Statement »

Amendments:

Amendment #1 to H.R. 5876 by Mr. Miller (CA) »
Passed by voice vote
Amendment #5 to H.R. 5876 by Mr. Bishop (UT) »
Passed by voice vote

EdLabor Update: Committee Passes Healthcare Reform Bill

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 11:56:00 -0700

Edlabor Insider: Landmark Investments in College Affordability

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:47:00 -0700

EdLabor Insider: Health Care Reform Bill Introduced

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:50:00 -0700

EdLabor Insider: Health Care Reform Discussion Draft Unveiled

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:00:00 -0700

EdLabor Insider: New Student Loan Benefits Coming on July 1

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 08:23:00 -0700

EdLabor Insider: Exposing Hidden 401(k) Fees

Fri, 08 May 2009 08:00:00 -0700

EdLabor Insider: Final Passage of National Service Bill

Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:51:00 -0700

EdLabor Insider: Wage Theft Improperly Investigated Under the Bush Labor Department

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 12:41:00 -0700

EdLabor Update: Take Chairman Miller's Quiz of the Week!

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 10:44:00 -0700

EdLabor Insider: National Service Bill Passes House

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 09:44:00 -0700

EdLabor Insider: Employee Free Choice Act Introduced Today

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 13:50:00 -0700

EdLabor Insider: Chairman Miller Applauds Confirmation of Labor Secretary Solis

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 08:09:00 -0800

EdLabor Insider: Usher, Time's Richard Stengel Testify About National Service

Fri, 27 Feb 2009 12:12:00 -0800

EdLabor Insider: House Passes Economic Recovery Plan

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 13:29:00 -0800

EdLabor Insider: Fair Pay Bills Pass House

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 12:26:00 -0800

EdLabor Insider: Preserving Jobs and Retirement

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 08:00:00 -0700

EdLabor Insider: Continuing to Help the Middle Class

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:18:00 -0700

EdLabor Insider: Hearing on Unemployment & Job Creation

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 08:37:00 -0700

EdLabor Insider: Financial Crisis Deepening Retirement Insecurity

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:08:00 -0700

EdLabor Insider: Protecting Americans with Disabilities from Discrimination

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 09:00:00 -0700

EdLabor Insider: Safeguarding Access to Federal Student Loans

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 12:05:00 -0700

EdLabor Insider: Higher Education Opportunity Act Becomes Law

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 10:21:00 -0700

EdLabor Insider: Paycheck Fairness Passes House

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:49:00 -0700

Rep. George Miller: Strengthening America's Middle Class

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 14:45:00 -0700

EdLabor Insider: Paycheck Fairness - Closing the Gender Wage Gap

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 09:40:00 -0700

EdLabor Insider: Fighting the Child Obesity Epidemic

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 11:36:00 -0700

EdLabor Insider: Environmental Education for Schoolchildren

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:48:00 -0700

EdLabor Insider: Investigating Underreporting of On-the-Job Injuries

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:35:00 -0700

EdLabor Insider: Protecting Missing & Exploited Children

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:15:00 -0700

EdLabor Insider: Genetic Information Bill Signed Into Law

Fri, 23 May 2008 11:13:00 -0700

EdLabor Insider: Student Loans Bill Signed Into Law

Fri, 16 May 2008 08:30:00 -0700

EdLabor Insider: Investigating Crandall Canyon Mine Tragedy

Fri, 09 May 2008 13:31:00 -0700

EdLabor Insider: Banning Genetic Discrimination

Fri, 02 May 2008 10:02:00 -0700

EdLabor Insider: Stopping Child Abuse in Teen Residential Programs

Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:29:00 -0700

EdLabor Insider: Exposing Hidden 401(k) Fees

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:49:00 -0700

EdLabor Insider: Ensure Access to Federal College Loans

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 12:00:00 -0700

EdLabor Insider: Protecting Workers from Combustible Dust Explosions

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 11:39:00 -0700

EdLabor Insider: Tainted Beef in U.S. Schools

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 12:48:00 -0800

EdLabor Insider: Returning Reserve Troops Being Denied Old Jobs

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 12:26:00 -0800

EdLabor Insider

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 12:43:00 -0800

A Year of Landmark Education & Labor Successes

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 08:56:00 -0800

EdLabor Insider: ENDA, Mine Safety, and more

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 11:32:00 -0800

Democratic Lawmakers Release Final Legislation to Make Single Largest Investment in College Aid Since GI Bill

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 15:10:00 -0700

EdLabor Insider: Accomplishments, NCLB, 401(k)s, and More

Thu, 09 Aug 2007 13:51:00 -0700

EdLabor Insider: Minimum Wage Increase, Collective Bargaining Rights, and More

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 12:59:00 -0700

EdLabor Insider 07.16.07

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 15:06:00 -0700

EdLabor Insider: College Aid Increase, Gulf Coast Aid, Title IX, and More

Thu, 28 Jun 2007 09:27:00 -0700

EdLabor Insider: Workplace Discrimination, Popcorn Lung, Minimum Wage and More

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 13:18:00 -0700

EdLabor Insider: Protecting Workers, Investigating Student Loan Scandal, and More

Tue, 29 May 2007 09:00:00 -0700

EdLabor Insider: Top 10 Education and Labor Legislative Victories

Fri, 25 May 2007 11:25:00 -0700

EdLabor Insider: Mine Shelters, Leave for Military Families, and More

Fri, 18 May 2007 13:37:00 -0700

EdLabor Insider: Head Start, College Loans, NCLB and more

Mon, 07 May 2007 13:12:00 -0700

EdLabor Insider: Worker Safety Edition

Thu, 26 Apr 2007 14:52:00 -0700

Education and Labor Committee Combined Feed

CBO Affirms H.R. 3962 Will Control Costs, Lower Premiums

Chairman Miller Statement on the Recovery Act Saving and Creating Education Jobs

Record Fine against BP for On-Going Negligence Raises Serious Concerns, Chairs Miller and Woolsey Say

Chairman Miller: Recovery Act Reporting Shows Us the Jobs

Chairman Miller Statement on 3rd Quarter Rise in GDP

Historic Bill to Provide Quality, Affordable Health Care for All Americans Heading to House Floor

Greater Oversight of State Worker Health and Safety Programs Needed, Witnesses tell House Labor Panel

Miller: New Report Shows Too Many States Weakening Education Standards

Chairmen Rahall and Miller Deliver for Indian Country in House Health Insurance Reform Bill

Chairman Miller Applauds Unanimous Senate Approval of Joe Main as Federal Mine Safety Chief

House Committee Announces Hearing on Federal Review of Nevada Health and Safety Program

Miller and Woolsey Applaud OSHA Action to Protect Workers from Dust Explosions at Industrial Work Sites

New Report Highlights Need to Expand Families Access to Reliable Federal College Aid

Miller Statement on Administration Estimates on Education Jobs

Democratic Lawmakers Respond to Institute of Medicine Recommendations for School Meal Programs

Introduction of H1N1 Flu Emergency Sick-Leave Bill Garners Great Interest

News of the Day: Massachusetts provides evidence that health-care reform lowers insurance premiums

News of the Day: Mandates, Affordability and Immediate Benefits

Affordable health care for everyone

News of the Day: The House Health Reform Bill

Affordable Health Care for America Act

News of the Day: Early reports: Job gains signal stimulus impact

News of the Day: Whats at stake in House hearing on OSHA

Hearing on OSHAs findings and recommendations for Nevadas Workplace Health and Safety Enforcement Program

News of the Day: Feds appraisal of Nevada OSHA practices damning

News of the Day: Public college costs rising faster than private

News of the Day: Age bias should be bipartisan concern

News of the Day: Chairman Miller interview on CNBC this morning

Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act Press Conference

Temporary Extensions of the Child Nutrition Programs

Nevadas Workplace Health and Safety Enforcement Program: OSHAs Findings and Recommendations

Ensuring Student Eligibility Requirements for Federal Aid

Examining Innovative Practices to Improve Child Nutrition

Ensuring Economic Opportunities for Young Americans

Teacher Equity: Effective Teachers for All Children

H.R. 3017, Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2009

High School/College Dual Enrollment Programs

Strengthening School Safety through Prevention of Bullying

The Tri-Committee Draft Proposal for Health Care Reform

The Future of Learning: How Technology is Transforming Public Schools

H.R. 2339, the Family Income to Respond to Significant Transitions Act, and H.R. 2460, the Healthy Families Act

Examining the Single Payer Health Care Option

Building on What Works at Charter Schools

New Innovations and Best Practices under the Workforce Investment Act

Increasing Student Aid through Loan Reform

H.R. 3221 - The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009

H.R. 3200 - Americas Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009

H.R. 2989 - 401(k) Fair Disclosure and Pension Security Act of 2009

H.R. 1988 - The Conflicted Investment Advice Prohibition Act of 2009

H.R. 1984 - The 401(k) Fair Disclosure for Retirement Security Act of 2009

H.R. 2187 - 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act

H.R. 1388 - Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education (GIVE) Act

Education and Labor Committee Oversight Plan, 111th Congress

H.R. 911 - Stop Child Abuse in Residential Programs for Teens Act of 2009

H.R. 1338 - "Paycheck Fairness Act"

H.R. 3289 - "Providing Resources Early for Kids Act of 2007"

H.R. 3036 - "No Child Left Inside Act of 2007"

H.R. 2343 - "Education Begins At Home Act"

H.R. 3195 - "ADA Restoration Act of 2007"

H.R. 5876 - "Stop Child Abuse in Residential Programs for Teens Act of 2008"

EdLabor Update: Committee Passes Healthcare Reform Bill

Edlabor Insider: Landmark Investments in College Affordability

EdLabor Insider: Health Care Reform Bill Introduced

EdLabor Insider: Health Care Reform Discussion Draft Unveiled

EdLabor Insider: New Student Loan Benefits Coming on July 1

EdLabor Insider: Exposing Hidden 401(k) Fees

EdLabor Insider: Final Passage of National Service Bill

EdLabor Insider: Wage Theft Improperly Investigated Under the Bush Labor Department

EdLabor Update: Take Chairman Miller's Quiz of the Week!

EdLabor Insider: National Service Bill Passes House

EdLabor Insider: Employee Free Choice Act Introduced Today

EdLabor Insider: Chairman Miller Applauds Confirmation of Labor Secretary Solis

EdLabor Insider: Usher, Time's Richard Stengel Testify About National Service

EdLabor Insider: House Passes Economic Recovery Plan

EdLabor Insider: Fair Pay Bills Pass House

EdLabor Insider: Preserving Jobs and Retirement

EdLabor Insider: Continuing to Help the Middle Class

EdLabor Insider: Hearing on Unemployment & Job Creation

EdLabor Insider: Financial Crisis Deepening Retirement Insecurity

New Report Highlights Need to Expand Families Access to Reliable Federal College Aid

News of the Day: Whats at stake in House hearing on OSHA

Hearing on OSHAs findings and recommendations for Nevadas Workplace Health and Safety Enforcement Program

News of the Day: Feds appraisal of Nevada OSHA practices damning

Nevadas Workplace Health and Safety Enforcement Program: OSHAs Findings and Recommendations

H.R. 3200 - Americas Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009