House Committee on Education and Labor
U.S. House of Representatives

Republicans
Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon
Ranking Member

Fiscally responsible reforms for students, workers and retirees.

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Education Issues

American Competitiveness

Congressional Republicans understand that foreign competition – particularly in the fields of math and science – often places the United States at a competitive disadvantage against global counterparts.  In light of the rapidly-changing global climate, in the 109th Congress, Republicans established new grant aid for college students studying math, science, and foreign languages in college and expanded loan relief for high-demand math and science teachers.  Similarly, Congress established an Academic Competitiveness Council to identify, evaluate, and recommend ways to integrate more than 200 federal math and science programs.  From there, Congress and the Bush Administration will determine how to better coordinate these programs across the federal government.

To further enhance American competitiveness, Congress also passed – in the 109th Congress – the bipartisan Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act to help states and local communities prepare youth and adults for the future by building their academic and technical skills.  The Perkins program is one of the largest federal investments in U.S. high schools and helps states better utilize federal funds for secondary and postsecondary vocational education programs; increases accountability and emphasizes student achievement; and strengthens opportunities for coordination between secondary and postsecondary career and technical education.  In the 110th Congress, Republicans will continue to focus even more efforts on improving math, science, career, and technical training to ensure our nation remains globally competitive into the 21st Century and beyond.

Press Releases

McKeon Lauds Education Reform Leaders, Repeats Calls for Teacher Quality & Parental Empowerment in Education (July 17, 2008)

McMorris Rodgers Introduces Measure to Enhance American Competitiveness (July 31, 2007)

McKeon Statement on NCLB Reauthorization (July 30, 2007)

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Member Views

McKeon Commentary for Forbes.com - Education Solutions (January 23, 2008)

Fact Sheets

Reauthorizing the No Child Left Behind Act: Top Ten House Republican Priorities (June 25, 2007)

Dear Colleagues

Support Veterans in National Service: VOTE YES on the McKeon Amendment to H.R. 2857 (March 6, 2008)

Committee Statements

McKeon Statement: Hearing on, “Mayor and Superintendent Partnerships in Education: Closing the Achievement Gap” (July 17, 2008)