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The Higher Education Opportunity Act Is Coming
July 31, 2008
High tuition prices and other obstacles are putting a college degree further out of reach for America's students. In addition to rising tuition, students and their families face an overly complex federal student aid application process and a student loan industry mired in conflicts of interest and corrupt lending practices. Today, the House passed the final conference report on the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HR 4137), which makes college more affordable and accessible. This legislation is the first reauthorization of the Higher Education Act in 10 years and encourages colleges to rein in tuition increases, restores integrity and accountability to student loan programs, simplifies the federal student aid application process, and expands college access and support for low-income and minority students.
Press Release
Pelosi: Tonight, Congress Sent a Message to Women Across the Country: 'Your Work is Valued'
July 31, 2008
Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement tonight after the House passed the Paycheck Fairness Act by a vote of 247 to 178.
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Press Release
Pelosi: 'Court Ruling a Great Victory for the American People, the Rule of Law and Balance of Power'
July 31, 2008
"As public officials, we take an oath of office to uphold the Constitution seriously and today's landmark ruling by the U.S. District Court is a great victory for the American people, the rule of law and balance of power. We must restore our nation's fundamental system of checks and balances, and today's ruling begins to restore that balance."
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Press Release
Pelosi: Higher Education Bill is Bipartisan Investment in College Affordability and in America's Middle Class
July 31, 2008
"By making college more affordable for all and more accessible for minority students, the first new higher education authorizing legislation in a decade will help strengthen our nation and America's middle class, and spur a new age of innovation and ingenuity in our country."
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Blog Post
Chairman Miller Cites Contempt Case to Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
July 31, 2008
From the Education and Labor Committee:

Bush Administration Snubs Another Congressional Committee Subpoena

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation declines production of long overdue report of agency's management and governance practices

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, today demanded that Charles E.F. Millard, director of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, immediately comply with a subpoena served July 16 by turning over documents regarding a report into the agency's management and governance practices. The U.S. District Court today reaffirmed that the executive branch must comply with congressional subpoenas.

Blog Post
Court Ruling a Great Victory for the American People, the Rule of Law and Balance of Power
July 31, 2008
As public officials, we take an oath of office to uphold the Constitution seriously and today's landmark ruling by the U.S. District Court is a great victory for the American people, the rule of law and balance of power. We must restore our nation's fundamental system of checks and balances, and today's ruling begins to restore that balance.

As I told the House of Representatives in February when we passed the resolution authorizing this court case, congressional oversight is an institutional obligation to ensure against abuse of power. And when there are credible allegations that law enforcement has been politicized, the need for congressional oversight is at its greatest.

Blog Post
Judge Bates Rules On Miers/Bolton Case
July 31, 2008
US judge: White House aides can be subpoenaed

Matt Apuzzo, Associated Press - July 31, 2008

President Bush's top advisers are not immune from congressional subpoenas, a federal judge ruled Thursday in an unprecedented dispute between the two political branches.

The House Judiciary Committee wants to question the president's chief of staff, Josh Bolten, and former legal counsel Harriet Miers, about the firing of nine U.S. attorneys. But President Bush says they are immune from such subpoenas. They say Congress can't force them to testify or turn over documents.

Blog Post
Oversight Hearing on Sexual Assault in the Military
July 31, 2008
The Oversight Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs is currently holding a hearing, "Sexual Assault in the Military." Panel one will be Reps. Louise Slaughter (NY-28) and Jane Harman (CA-36); panel two will be Ingrid Torres, MSW, CSW and Mary Lauterbach, Mother of Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach; panel three will include representatives of the Defense Department, the Army, and the GAO.

Watch the hearing live >>

Subcommittee Chairman John Tierney gives opening remarks:

Blog Post
House Passes Final Legislation Protecting Kids from Toxic Toys
July 30, 2008
The House has just passed the final agreement on the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, H.R. 4040, by a vote of 424-1. This landmark, bipartisan legislation takes several key steps to make children and all Americans safer, including essentially eliminating lead from toys and children's products; prohibiting the use of dangerous phthalates in children's toys and child care products; and providing the Consumer Product Safety Commission with significantly greater resources and personnel. This critical legislation is supported by the nation's consumer groups, including the Consumer Federation of America and Consumers Union.
Blog Post
Chairman Edwards Responds to White House Veto Threat on Vets Approps
July 30, 2008
From Chairman Chet Edwards of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies:

Chairman Chet Edwards Response to White House Veto Threat of the 2009 Veterans Appropriations Bill

(Washington, D.C.) -- U.S Representative Chet Edwards (D-Waco), Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, released the following statement in response to the veto threat issued by the White House on the Fiscal Year 2009 bill scheduled for a House vote this week.

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