Member Day

Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities

2025-11-21

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Source: Congress.gov

Summary

The House Committee on Education and Workforce convened a member hearing to gather insights from various members of Congress regarding their priorities for education and workforce programs. The session focused on legislative proposals and community-specific challenges, emphasizing the committee's role in shaping policies that address the needs of constituents nationwide.

Combating Anti-Semitism in Educational Institutions

Representative Randy Fine shared his personal experiences with anti-Semitism and highlighted Florida's successful legislation that defines anti-Semitism and requires it to be treated with the same seriousness as racism in K-20 education. He proposed the HR 6186 bill to implement this approach nationally, aiming to solve the problem rather than just highlight it.

Preserving the Department of Education and Congressional Authority

Representatives Jahana Hayes and Suzanne Bonamici expressed strong opposition to the Trump administration's alleged efforts to dismantle the Department of Education through interagency agreements, calling these actions illegal and unconstitutional. They demanded immediate committee hearings to investigate the impact of these changes on students, particularly those from rural, low-income backgrounds, and those with disabilities, as well as military schools. [ 00:28:19 ]

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Addressing School Shootings and Safety

Representative Jahana Hayes reiterated her request for a hearing on school shootings, emphasizing the urgency due to rising incidents and her representation of Newtown Sandy Hook. She advocated for comprehensive interventions including mental health support, community engagement, gun safety measures, and educational programs, citing successful state-level initiatives in Connecticut.

Fostering the American Dream through Family-Centered Policies

Representative Maxine Dexter shared her personal journey, crediting government investments and public education for her ability to achieve the American Dream, and highlighted the increasing difficulty for current generations to do the same. She introduced several legislative proposals aimed at supporting working families, including acts to establish multi-generational housing, address senior and college student homelessness, and protect workers and students from environmental hazards. Concerns were also raised regarding the impact of proposed legislation on the accessibility of medical education, particularly for economically disadvantaged students. [ 00:56:13-00:56:22 ]

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Clarifying the Joint Employer Standard for Franchise Businesses

Representative Kevin Hern stressed the economic significance of franchising and the instability created by unclear joint employer standards, which have shifted multiple times since 2015. He proposed the American Franchise Act to establish a clear, permanent standard, defining a franchisor as a joint employer only if they exercise "substantial direct and immediate control" over employment terms.

Improving Specific Educational Institutions and Workforce Programs

Representative Tracey Mann highlighted the mismanagement of Haskell Indian Nations University by federal agencies and introduced the Haskell Indian Nations University Improvement Act to grant it a federal charter and tribal governance. He also introduced the SHARE Act to streamline healthcare provider licensure across states, aiming to alleviate workforce shortages in the healthcare system. Additionally, Representative Dave Taylor discussed challenges in rural America and advocated for the Workforce Flexibility Act to provide greater autonomy for local organizations in workforce training programs. [ 00:48:45-00:49:03 ]

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Summary of the Tone of the Meeting

The meeting generally maintained a formal and respectful tone among members, despite addressing contentious issues. [ 00:20:30 ]

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 There was a strong underlying sense of urgency and advocacy, particularly concerning the perceived threats to the Department of Education, the need for action on school safety, and the importance of supporting working families. Members passionately presented their legislative ideas and concerns from their districts, highlighting a commitment to improving education and workforce opportunities. While areas of bipartisan cooperation were mentioned, there were clear policy disagreements, especially regarding federal oversight and the direction of educational policy.

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Transcript

Mic check one, two.  Testing one, two.  Mic check one, two.  Testing one, two.  Mic check.  This is a test.
T
The Honorable Kevin Hern
Okay.
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The Honorable Dave Taylor
All right!
The House will be in order.  The chair lays before the House a communication from the Speaker.
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The Honorable Kevin Hern
The Speaker's Room, Washington, D.C., November 21st, 2025.
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The Honorable Dave Taylor
I hereby appoint the Honorable Dan Newhouse to act as Speaker pro tempore on this day.
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The Honorable Maxine Dexter
Signed, Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The prayer will be offered by Chaplain Kibben.  Would you pray with me?   Holy Lord, we too want to be holy.  As the gospel song goes, we want to be set apart for you, a vessel tried and true.  But as we come before your throne, we soon realize that our efforts often fall short.  Our lives, our attitudes, and our behaviors are far from what anyone would deem holy.   For you have counseled us that holiness does not just mean perseverance in prayer or attempts to be tolerant with one another.  Rather, you have commanded us to live in peace with one another.  Without the continual strife or constant drama we perpetuate with those whom we perceive to be our enemies.
I think maybe that was something we should hear.  I can't hear anything else now, though.  The committee will please come to order.   A quorum is present.  The committee meets today pursuant to notice.  Without objection, the chair may recess the committee at any point.  Thank you all for being here for this year's member hearing.  Today is about listening.  Today is about listening.  Say that again.   Member Day gives our colleagues who aren't on this committee a chance to share what's happening back home, the stories, the ideas, and challenges shaping their communities.  These real-world perspectives help guide our work as we shape policies that actually meet people where they're at.   Every district is different, and no one knows its needs better than the member who represents it.  That's why your input matters.  It keeps this committee grounded in what's really happening across the country.  I maintain my belief that the Committee on Education and Workforce is the hardest working committee in Congress.  If you had the opportunity to look at our schedule of hearings this week, you would agree with us.   So far this year, we've passed 29 bills and resolutions, held dozens of hearings, led more than 50 oversight letters, and played a pivotal role in the reconciliation process that saved Americans trillions of dollars.  In fact, the Working Families Tax Cuts tackled the rising costs of higher education and student debt by increasing accountability for colleges and universities and making education more affordable.
The bill also strengthens our nation's workforce by increasing access to high quality job training courses, programs that prepare students for well-paying careers without forcing them into a baccalaureate degree.  If America is going to lead in the 21st century, it needs to ensure students have practical skills aligned with high demand jobs.   In addition, we have pushed back against the radical indoctrination happening in schools, protected women's sports, deterred foreign influence that allowed our enemies to infiltrate our universities, and combated the disturbing rise of anti-Semitism on our college campuses.   On the workforce side, the committee has advanced legislation to improve the lives of American workers, reduce burdens on small businesses, address critical workforce shortages, and stimulate economic growth.  The committee remains dedicated to advancing pro-growth economic policies that will unleash the ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit of the American workforce.   To sum up, from early learning to lifelong careers, our work touches the lives of Americans at every stage of life.  And that's exactly why the ideas shared today are so important.  I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts and working together to provide student, workers, and job creators with the opportunity to reach their full potential.   And with that, I yield to my friend, the ranking member from Virginia, Mr. Scott.

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