Financial Crisis Deepening Retirement Insecurity

Witnesses told the Committee in an October 7 hearing that American workers have lost as much as $2 trillion in retirement savings over the last year – highlighting the devastating toll that the nation’s financial crisis is taking on their retirement plans. “Unlike Wall Street executives, American families don’t have a golden parachute to fall back on,” said Chairman George Miller. More »
 

Mental Health Treatment Measure Signed Into Law

A measure to ensure better access to treatment for people suffering from mental illnesses was signed into law as part of the financial rescue plan passed by the House on October 3. The legislation, previously passed as the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (H.R. 6983), requires group health insurance plans that cover mental and addiction health benefits to put those benefits on equal footing with physical ailments. More »
 

ADA Amendments Act Signed Into Law

The ADA Amendments Act was signed into law on September 25, after the House gave final approval on September 17. This measure will stop discrimination against individuals with disabilities by restoring the original intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act, overturning erroneous Supreme Court decisions that have eroded protections for people with disabilities. More »
 

House Approves No Child Left Inside Act

The House passed the No Child Left Inside Act of 2008 on September 18, by a 293-109 vote. The measure, which was passed by the Committee on June 18, would improve environmental education for schoolchildren both inside and outside of the classroom.
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House Votes to Extend the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act

The House voted, 368-4, on September 15 to extend the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act through July 1, 2010. The Act was signed into law on May 7, 2008, providing new protections in addition to those in current law to ensure that families can continue to access the loans they need to pay for college.
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Higher Education Opportunity Act Signed Into Law

The Higher Education Opportunity Act (H.R. 4137) was signed into law on August 14, 2008. Passed by the House on July 31, 2008 by a vote of 380-49, this law overhauls our nation's higher education laws, advancing key reforms that address the soaring price of college and remove other obstacles that make it harder for qualified students to go to college. More »
 

House Passes Paycheck Fairness Act

The House passed the Paycheck Fairness Act on July 31, by a vote of 247-178. The measure would help end the discriminatory practice of paying men and women unequally for performing the same job. The bill, which was introduced by Rep. Rosa DeLauro, will strengthen the Equal Pay Act and close the loopholes that have allowed employers to avoid responsibility for discriminatory pay. More »
 

Bill Introduced to Stop DOL's 'Secret Rule'

Chairman George Miller and other House Democrats introduced the “Prohibiting the Department of Labor’s Secret Rule Act” on July 30 to prevent the Department of Labor from finalizing a last minute rule that could dramatically weaken future workplace health and safety regulations and slow their enactment. The measure specifically forbids the Department of Labor from issuing, administering or enforcing any rule, regulation, or requirement derived from the proposal submitted to the Office of Management and Budget on July 7. More »
 

MSHA Report Confirms Committee's Conclusion That Murray Energy Recklessly Endangered Miners' Lives

Chairman Miller: "Today, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) fined the operator of Utah's Crandall Canyon Mine $1.85 million for the disaster that was the site of the worst coal mining tragedy of 2007... MSHA's accident investigation report affirms the conclusions reached by our own investigation: Murray Energy should not have proposed the flawed retreat mining plan and MSHA should not have approved the plan." More »
 

Stronger Math and Science Education Key to Boosting U.S. Competitiveness

Improving the teaching and learning of mathematics and science in U.S. schools is vital to maintaining America’s global leadership, witnesses told the Committee in a July 22 hearing. The panel of experts, which included business leaders, a teacher, and the first American woman to travel in space, recommended expanding partnerships between the business and education communities that focus on bolstering STEM education, and increasing training and support programs for teachers. The witnesses also urged lawmakers to fully fund the America COMPETES Act. More »