Senate Democrats may have leaned too heavily on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) when funding recent legislation. Initially, they made a $6.7 billion cut to an add-on to the program, a supplement created by the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Then, when the state More…
A coal miner working at Massey’s Upper Big Branch mine when it exploded last month, killing 29 colleagues, described the operation this week as “a ticking time bomb,” where the management valued production over safety and workers didn’t protest for fear of being fired.
“The ventilation system they had didn’t More…
Members of the House Education and Labor Committee are holding a satellite hearing this morning in Beckley, W.Va., to examine the Upper Big Branch mine explosion, which killed 29 Massey miners and almost killed a 30th not far from Beckley.
What’s striking is how closely today’s testimony from More…
The witnesses have yet to be named, but the House Education and Labor Committee, headed by Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), announced this afternoon that panel leaders will soon be traveling to Beckley, W.Va., for a May 24 hearing on mine safety — a reaction to the blast that More…
With today’s headlines screaming (perfectly legitimately) about last night’s health reform votes, it’s easy to forget that House lawmakers also passed the most sweeping reforms to hit the nation’s student lending system in decades.
The health care reconciliation bill, while predominately made up of health-focused reforms, More…
In July, single-payer health care advocates won a prominent victory when the House Education and Labor Committee approved legislation empowering states to adopt Medicare-style health care systems. The 25 panel supporters were a rare mash of liberal Democrats who support the policy and conservative Republicans with More…
Federally sponsored single-payer health care might be off the table as Congress debates its health reform strategy this summer, but if some House lawmakers get their way, there would be nothing to prevent states from offering that model.
The House Education & Labor Committee voted today in favor More…
As the economy continues to flop, congressional Democrats are pushing harder to move a second economic stimulus bill before the end of the year.
Taxpayers will remember that the first round of stimulus efforts came in the form of direct-to-the-door rebate checks — $600 for individuals and $1,200 for married More…
rss