Byrne Joins House Education and the Workforce Committee

Washington, DC – April 8, 2014 – Today, Representative Bradley Byrne (AL-1) announced he was selected to join the House Education and the Workforce Committee. This committee has primary jurisdiction over federal education policy, ensuring that the next generation is equipped with the necessary skills to enter the workforce. The Education and the Workforce Committee also has jurisdiction in setting labor policy, including workforce regulations and oversight of the Department of Labor.

Representative Byrne has been involved at various levels of education policy in the state of Alabama, first serving on the State Board of Education from 1995-2003. He was elected to the Alabama state Senate representing the 32nd District in the fall of 2002, serving on the Education and Education Budget Committees from 2003-2007. In 2007, Representative Byrne was selected by Governor Bob Riley to serve as Chancellor of the Alabama Community College System, where he served from 2007-2009.

Byrne said: “I am excited to be selected for the House Education and the Workforce Committee under the leadership of Chairman John Kline. As a former member of the State Board of Education and Chancellor of the Alabama Community College System, I have seen firsthand how good education policy supports our students’ progress, and how the federal government’s intrusions can hamper their success.

“As Southwest Alabama continues to enjoy rapid growth, it is critical that we train the next generation to enter the workforce with the necessary skills to lead our community into the future. I look forward to working with Chairman Kline to ensure that we are imparting greater control to the parents and teachers who see the real-time impacts of these policies on our nation’s most precious resource, our children.”

House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman John Kline (MN-2) said: “I am excited to welcome Rep. Byrne to the House Education and the Workforce Committee. His experience, knowledge, and leadership will be invaluable as the committee continues its work to reauthorize the Higher Education Act, strengthen early childhood programs, and protect the rights of workers and employers."