|
|
| |
| Foxx Report |
|
|
There is an urgent need to address the challenges facing working families and small businesses under Obamacare, and that’s exactly what House Republicans are doing. On Wednesday I held a hearing of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce that examined the failures and consequences of the 2010 law and discussed patient-centered solutions toward better, more affordable health care.
During the hearing, small businesses gave first-hand accounts of how Obamacare has increased costs, limited choices and made it harder to provide health care coverage for employees. As Congress moves forward with a responsible approach to repealing and replacing Obamacare, committee members will continue to explore positive reforms that will protect and empower small businesses so they can provide their employees with patient-centered, affordable health care.
Providing Relief from Overregulation
This week the House continued its work providing relief from overregulation by considering a series of resolutions in response to the plethora of rules put in force by the Obama administration during its final year in office. Under the Congressional Review Act, Congress may pass a resolution of disapproval to prevent, with the full force of the law, a federal agency from implementing a rule or issuing a substantially similar rule without congressional authorization.
On Thursday the House passed a resolution of disapproval I introduced to block implementation of the Obama administration’s flawed, redundant and burdensome “blacklisting” rule, which requires employers bidding on federal contracts to disclose violations and alleged violations of 14 different federal labor laws and similar state labor laws. This rule has always been a solution in search of a problem. The best way to ensure fair pay and safe workplaces is to enforce the existing suspension and debarment system. This rule would make that system simply unworkable, which would hurt workers, taxpayers, small businesses and our Armed Forces. I encourage the new administration to use the tools it already has to protect workers and hold contractors accountable.
The House also passed a resolution of disapproval to block the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement’s stream buffer zone regulation, which threatens one-third of the nation’s coal mining workforce. The rulemaking process lacked transparency of scientific records and studies and sought to enforce regulations beyond its jurisdiction.
Congress has a responsibility to put a stop to misguided rules, and this week’s votes are an important step.
Reining in the Federal Role in Education
For years, the Obama administration’s approach to education prevented state and local leaders from delivering the excellent education all children deserve. Even after Congress passed the Every Student Succeeds Act with overwhelming bipartisan support, the administration insisted on using rules and regulations to unilaterally push its failed education agenda.
This week I co-sponsored resolutions of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act to block implementation of two flawed Obama administration regulations. Both rules from the former administration expand the federal role in education and diminish the ability of state and local leaders to make decisions affecting their students and schools.
These congressional resolutions send a signal that those days are over. I commend Representatives Rokita and Guthrie for pushing back on the flawed policies of the past and moving us closer to a more positive, more responsible federal role in education.
Expanding the Do Not Call Registry to Include Political Robocalls
This week I introduced legislation to stop the intrusion of political robocalls in homes across America. H.R. 740, the Robo Calls Off Phones Act or Robo COP Act, expands the types of unsolicited calls restricted by the national Do Not Call Registry to include political robocalls, giving the American people the opportunity to opt out of the bothersome campaign season interruption.
Every campaign season, like clockwork, families are bombarded by an endless stream of political robocalls. Removing the exemption for political robocalls is a matter of fairness that will help bring some peace and quiet to homes throughout campaign season.
What’s Coming Up
Next week the House will continue with its work in halting the implementation of overbearing Obama administration rules that infringe upon our nation’s states, localities and individuals. The House will continue its use of the Congressional Review Act to stop the implementation of a rule that would put unnecessary requirements on higher education programs and stifle teacher training.
Sincerely,
|
|
|
|
NOTE: Please DO NOT respond to this email as this inbox is unattended. To contact my office please click here
|
|
|
