Mike Enzi

None of the consulting work involved OSHA standards discussed at the hearing on April 19, 2012.

Where unions have been involved, the discussions are really full and complete. Where they're not, OSHA gets a one-sided set of demands.

That's why the OSH Act prohibits the penalization of employees for reporting safety violations and making complaints.

I do believe that we can attribute the progress in improving workplace safety both to employees and employers.

In my view, OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program... is an effective tool in terms of improving the workplace safety conditions and reducing injuries.

Do you think that employer incentive programs can contribute to a safe workplace? Is this memo an appropriate use of OSHA's authority?

The stakeholders have described the recent OSHA final rule on hazard communication standards as a missed opportunity, do you agree?

It's not necessarily a bad thing when a priority shifts. We want the government to be able to respond to new developments and concerns of the people.

Despite the rule being invalidated by Congress a short time after it was finalized, this example shows that the agency can use the necessary resources available on a priority standard.

I think that's a normal result on a lot of regulation.

I'm a little curious as to what that means.

Considering that this regulation was advertised as reducing regulatory burden and saving money, it's even more disappointing.

With all of this support, this should have been an easy win.

Several years ago, Senator Murray and I introduced legislation intended to aid this rulemaking process by involving stakeholders through a commission.

So that prescription Part D actually drove down the cost of medication, and now we are ending up in a situation where part of that will be in trouble because of what has happened to Medicare, with $500 billion being stolen. I see we are…

Good morning Chairman Harkin, Ranking Member Enzi, and other members of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.

You're absolutely right, and you mentioned that in your testimony along with good communication skills.

For decades, the Federal programs have been targeted on high poverty students and the schools that serve them.

I appreciated your comments about math being the main determinant. I'm a firm believer in that.

What knowledge and skills gaps are your members currently experiencing? Or are they able to find the talent that they need?

I think that does show some of the hunger and thirst in other countries, and when I visit other countries, they're always commenting about how they hope their students can come to the United States to attend college.

Our children do deserve to receive the best education our country can provide for them.

I think the answer to the question, Senator Enzi, is going to vary around the country.

Our education system needs a dramatic change if our country is to attain economic success.

Lifetime earnings for individuals with a bachelor's degree are, on average, almost twice as high as high school graduates.