United States House Committee on Education and the Workforce

United States House Committee on Education and the Workforce
Committee	United States House Committee on Education and the Workforce
Chamber	house
Congress	118th
Formed	March 21, 1867
Chairperson	Virginia Foxx
Rankingmember	Bobby Scott
Seats	50
Policyarea	Education, labor, workforce, health, pensions
Counterpart	United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
Website	https://edworkforce.house.gov/

United States House Committee on Education and the Workforce is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives. Established in the aftermath of the American Civil War, it oversees federal policy on education, labor, and workforce issues. Its legislative and investigative purview encompasses everything from K–12 education and higher education to union activities, workplace safety, pensions, and healthcare benefits.

History

The committee was originally created as the Committee on Education and Labor on March 21, 1867, during the 40th United States Congress, a period dominated by Reconstruction and debates over freedmen's schools. Its early work included oversight of the nascent Department of Education. In 1883, it split into separate Education and Labor committees, but they were reunited in 1947 under the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946. The panel was renamed to its current title in 1995 by the new Republican majority under Speaker Newt Gingrich, and again briefly reverted to Education and Labor from 2007 to 2011 under Democratic control.

Jurisdiction and responsibilities

The committee's jurisdiction is derived from the House Rules and encompasses all federal programs addressing education and labor. This includes legislation and oversight of K-12 education policy, the Higher Education Act of 1965, the Every Student Succeeds Act, and the Head Start program. On labor matters, it oversees the National Labor Relations Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. It also exercises authority over agencies like the Department of Education, the Department of Labor, the National Labor Relations Board, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

Members, 118th Congress

As of the 118th United States Congress, the committee comprises 50 members, with a Republican majority led by Chair Virginia Foxx of North Carolina. The Democratic minority is led by Ranking Member Bobby Scott of Virginia. Notable Republican members include Tim Walberg of Michigan, Glenn Thompson of Pennsylvania, and Bob Good of Virginia. Prominent Democratic members include Suzanne Bonamici of Oregon, Mark DeSaulnier of California, and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota.

Subcommittees

The committee's work is organized through five subcommittees, each with specific policy focuses. The Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education handles K–12 education and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development oversees colleges, student aid, and apprenticeships. The Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions deals with benefits, unions, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The Subcommittee on Workforce Protections addresses wages, Workers' compensation, and migrant labor. The Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, a temporary panel, investigates the federal response to COVID-19.

Chairmen

Historically, the committee has been led by influential figures from both major parties. Notable Republican chairmen include John M. Ashbrook of Ohio, who served in the 1970s, and John Boehner of Ohio, who later became Speaker of the House. Prominent Democratic chairmen include Carl D. Perkins of Kentucky, namesake of the Perkins Loan program, and George Miller of California, a key architect of the No Child Left Behind Act. The current chair, Virginia Foxx, has served in that role since 2023 and previously from 2017 to 2019.

Historical membership rosters

Past rosters reflect the committee's central role in major legislative battles. During the Great Depression, members like Mary Teresa Norton of New Jersey worked on New Deal labor laws. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 were advanced by members including Adam Clayton Powell Jr. of New York. The contentious debates over the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 featured active participation from members across the ideological spectrum, including Dick Armey of Texas and Pat Williams of Montana.

Category:United States House of Representatives committees Category:Education in the United States Category:Labour in the United States