Oversight Plans of the House
Committee on Education and the Workforce

105^th Congress

Adopted February 13, 1997

1) House Rule X 2(d)(1).

The 104^th Congress adopted a new Rule that provides for each standing committee of the House to formally adopt oversight plans at the beginning of each year. Specifically, the Rule states in part:

"Rule C, clause 2(d)(1). Not later than February 15 of the first session of a Congress, each standing committee of the House shall, in a meeting that is open to the public and with a quorum present, adopt its oversight plans for that Congress. Such plans shall be submitted simultaneously to the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight and the Committee on House Oversight."

2) Jurisdiction of the Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Rule X of the Rules of the House vests in the Committee on Education and the Workforce (Committee) with jurisdiction over the majority of issues dealing with students, education, workers, and workplace policy.

1) Child Labor.
2) Columbia Institution for the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind; Howard University; Freedman’s Hospital.
3) Convict labor and the entry of goods made by convicts into interstate commerce.
4) Food programs for children in schools.
5) Labor standards and statistics.
6) Measures relating to education or labor generally.
7) Mediation and arbitration of labor disputes.
8) Regulation or prevention if importation of foreign laborers under contract.
9) United States Employees’ Compensation Commission.
10) Vocational rehabilitation.
11) Wages and hours of labor.
12) Welfare of miners.
13) Work incentive program.

In addition to its legislative jurisdiction under the proceeding provisions of this paragraph (and its general oversight function under clause 22 (b)(1)), the committee shall have the special oversight function provided for in clause 3 (c) with respect to domestic educational programs and institutions, and programs of student assistance, which are within the jurisdiction of other committees.

Accordingly, the Committee is responsible for overseeing approximately 24,000 employees and more than $65 billion in annual spending. More importantly, it is charged with evaluating whether federal education programs are contributing favorably to our children’s education, whether we are creating a process of life-long learning, and whether we are developing workplace policies that encourage the most productive and competitive workplaces in the world.

3) General Oversight Responsibilities.

According to House Rule X 2(a):

In order to assist the House in – (1) its analysis, appraisal, and evaluation of (A) the application, administration, execution and effectiveness of the laws enacted by the Congress, or (B) conditions and circumstances which may indicate the necessity or desirability of enacting new or additional legislation, and (2) its formulation, consideration and enactment of such modifications of or changes in those laws and of such additional legislation, as may be necessary or appropriate, the various standing committees shall have oversight responsibility as provided in paragraph (b).

(b)(1). Each standing committee (other than the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Budget) shall review and study, on a continuing basis, the application, administration, execution and effectiveness of those laws, or parts of laws, the jurisdiction of that committee and the operation of the federal agencies and entities having responsibilities in or for the administration and execution thereof, in order to determine whether such laws and the programs thereunder are being implemented and carried out in accordance with the intent of the congress and whether such programs should be continued, curtailed, or eliminated.

4) Exercise of Oversight Responsibilities.

The Committee takes seriously its responsibility to conduct oversight and investigations. The Committee is therefore committed to ensuring that government agencies, departments and programs within in its jurisdiction:

• Focus on an appropriate federal mission;
• Work in an effective and efficient manner; and,
• Consistently follow Congressional intent in their respective activities and operations.

Accordingly and keeping with the Rules of the House and the principles of oversight and investigations, the Committee has identified four major projects for the 105^th Congress. These projects are:

• Education at a Crossroads: What Works and What’s Wasted;
• The Federal Direct Lending Program (student loans);
• The Corporation for National Service; and,
• The American Worker and the Department of Labor.

Education at a Crossroads: What Works and What’s Wasted

During the 104^th Congress, the Committee initiated a comprehensive examination of federal education programs funded by taxpayer dollars. For the 105^th Congress, the Committee plans to continue this comprehensive examination focusing on, among other things, academic achievement and other factors that increase or decrease the likelihood of success in learning.

The Federal Direct Lending Program

One of the chief tenants of the Committee is ensuring that federal education programs focus on an appropriate federal mission. Accordingly, the Committee will examine the Federal Direct Student Loan Program (FDSLP). Under this program, the federal government accepted responsibility to act as a bank for millions of students throughout the United States. The Committee must ensure that the Department of Education is effectively and efficiently managing the FDSLP.

The Corporation for National Service

During the 105^th Congress, the Committee will continue examining the Corporation for National Service and its premier program, AmeriCorps (Corporation). The Committee will focus its efforts on ensuring that the Corporation will hold to its promise to "run like a big venture capitol outfit, not like a bureaucracy." Additionally, the Committee will continue focusing on the Corporation’s ability to:

• produce auditable books and records;
• reduce per member costs; and,
• utilize taxpayer funds consistent with Congressional intent.

The American Worker and the Department of Labor

During the 105^th Congress, the Committee intends to initiate a systematic and comprehensive review of the Department of Labor (DOL), its programs and activities. Among other things, the Committee hopes to review the DOL’s activities in response to the Government Performance and Review Act (GPRA). GPRA seeks to change the focus of federal management and accountability from a preoccupation with input, to measured results and outcomes of federal programs.

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