Rick Scott

Our concern was it didn't appear to be consistent with the statutory requirements that they have complete inspections without serious violations.

We sent you several oversight letters about the situation where Affinity Mine had been put on a pattern of violation sanctions.

If I could just elaborate slightly, you do not really need to wait 10 years to determine when a miner has been in the mines 5 years and he has PMF that you might want to wait another 10 years, because that miner is going to be gone.

President Roberts, you are aware of the reporting by Howard Berkes of National Public Radio about the epidemic of progressive massive fibrosis that really brings us here today.

State disinvestment in higher education has forced students and families to shoulder more of the cost of college.

Because of the rising cost of college and weakening power of Pell Grants, too many low-income students either cannot afford to enroll in postsecondary education or cannot afford to complete their programs.

Our higher education system must give every student the opportunity to be on the right side of this trend.

Congress has a responsibility to explore innovative strategies that provide more students the support they need to complete college and reach their full potential.

Students of color also suffer disproportionately lower graduation rates.

I urge you to make flood mitigation a priority.

Today's legislative hearing will examine barriers keeping Americans out of the workforce and also identify legislative solutions to expand opportunity.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA--which is responsible for protecting Americans' right to safe working conditions--is also in desperate need of a funding increase.

The President's budget proposal, which slashes the Department of Labor's funding by 10 percent, or $1.2 billion, reflects the Administration's lack of support for hardworking people who are struggling to get ahead.

Unfortunately, the proposed Fiscal Year 2020 budget for the Department of Labor cuts programs and policies that are designed to serve this mission.

This budget proposal also seeks to expand untested work force training programs at the expense of proven, high-quality apprenticeships.

Thank you, Chairman DeFazio, Ranking Member Graves and members of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for providing me this opportunity to discuss some of the priorities I believe should be reflected in any transportation and…

The federal government contributed to racial segregation and inequality, so the federal government must be part of the solution.

Public education is not a private commodity, it is a public good.

They deserve to know why the Department is not acting in the best interest of faithfully executing the law...

Despite the rising cost of college and increasing burden of student debt, the budget seeks to slash over $200 billion over 10 years from student loan assistance.

Unfortunately, under the President's Fiscal Year budget, it would be nearly impossible to meet that challenge.

All of these students deserve an equitable, high-quality public education. That's their right, and it's the responsibility of the Department of Education as well as Congress in partnering with States and localities, to make it a reality.

Our education must be an engine of economic mobility for all students, not an instrument for preserving the elite status of wealthy families.

If we only tinker around the edges and do not make comprehensive steps to addressing access and affordability, we will fail to serve the students, parents, and communities we were elected to serve.

This hearing is now called to order. This morning, we are here to discuss how chronic underfunding of public education is affecting students, parents, teachers, and communities.