Chair's Press
Senator Harkin's Remarks on the Retirement Crisis at the Center for American Progress Action Fund
*As Prepared for Delivery* "It is a special pleasure to be able to talk about a subject near and dear to my heart - retirement security. I have been focused on this issue for many years. And I know from my constituents that the dream of a secure retirement is growing fainter and fainter. Whether it's a young family struggling to pay off student loan debt, save for their kids' education and put something aside for their own retirement, or a 65-year old nurse finally eligible to stop working, … Continue Reading
02.07.13
Senators Harkin, Burr, Enzi, Casey, and Alexander Introduce Bill to Better Prepare Nation for the Threat of Pandemics or Bioterror Attacks
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, along with Senators Burr, Enzi, Casey, and Alexander introduced the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act of 2013, a bipartisan effort to ensure that our nation is prepared to respond to a wide range of medical and public health emergencies, whether naturally occurring or the result of a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear attack. As … Continue Reading
02.07.13
Harkin Statement at the HELP Committee Hearing, "No Child Left Behind: Early Lessons from State Flexibility Waivers"
*As Prepared for Delivery* "I welcome everyone to our first education hearing of the new Congress. Today's hearing will focus on No Child Left Behind flexibility waivers to the states. "Nearly half a century ago, the United States Congress passed the landmark Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. "At that time, one-fifth of American families had an annual income too small to support their basic needs. Poverty was a major issue of national concern, and lack of education contribute… Continue Reading
02.05.13
On 20th Anniversary of Enactment, Sen. Harkin Salutes the Family and Medical Leave Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) released the following statement today on the 20th anniversary of the enactment of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), a law that provides Americans with 12 weeks of job-protected leave to recover from a serious illness or care for a new child or seriously ill family member. A recent update to the FMLA provides 26 weeks of family leave to families of servicemembers and recent veterans injured in the line of duty. Harkin, who delivered a speec… Continue Reading
02.05.13
In Case You Missed It: In Politico Op-Ed, HELP Committee Chairman Tom Harkin Announces Plans to Reintroduce the Healthy Families Act to Provide Sick Leave to American Workers
WASHINGTON, D.C.-In case you missed it, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) today announced in an op-ed for Politico that he plans to reintroduce the Healthy Families Act to provide paid sick days to American workers. Harkin's announcement comes on the 20th anniversary of the enactment of the Family and Medical Leave Act, which provides most American workers with up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to recover from a serious illness or to care for … Continue Reading
02.01.13
Harkin Applauds HHS Contraception Draft Rule
WASHINGTON-Today, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee - and author of the prevention title of the Affordable Care Act - released the following statement on the Administration's proposed rule on contraceptive cost sharing for religious organizations: "I am pleased to see the Administration moving forward on efforts to help women get the preventive care they need and deserve, with no out-of-pocket costs. The prevention measures I push… Continue Reading
01.31.13
Harkin Statement at HELP Committee Hearing, "Pension Savings: Are Workers Saving Enough for Retirement?"
*As Prepared for Delivery* "I want to welcome everyone to the latest in our ongoing series of hearings focusing on retirement security. Today, we are going to take a closer look at the question: How much do families need to save for retirement? "I guess I'm about to find out what life in retirement is like, but I already know from my constituents that the dream of a secure retirement is growing fainter. Whether it is a young family struggling to pay off student loan debt, save for their kid's… Continue Reading
01.29.13
On Fourth Anniversary of Lilly Ledbetter Act, Harkin Introduces the Fair Pay Act to Ensure Equal Pay for Equal Work
Women Make Only 77 Cents for Every Dollar Earned by a Man WASHINGTON, D.C.-Today, on the fourth anniversary of enactment of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) introduced the Fair Pay Act, which would build upon the important work of that legislation and help ensure equal pay for equal work. Harkin's legislation would require employers to provide equal pay for jobs that are comparable in skill, effort, responsibility and working conditions, and would give workers the … Continue Reading
01.25.13
Harkin Statement on Circuit Court Ruling on NLRB Appointments
WASHINGTON--Today, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following statement on the ruling of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit that strikes down President Obama's recess appointments to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB): "Today's Circuit Court decision is not only a radical departure from precedent, it ignores the fact that President Obama had no choice but to act. Throughout his pre… Continue Reading
01.22.13
Harkin Bill Outlines Critical Public Health and Prevention Initiatives
Legislation Includes Provisions to Fight Chronic Disease, Encourage Healthier Communities, Schools and Workplaces, and Improve Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities WASHINGTON, D.C. - Legislation introduced today by Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, outlines critical public health and prevention initiatives to fight chronic disease, encourage healthier schools, communities and workplaces, and improve physical ac… Continue Reading
01.16.13
Harkin: White House Proposal Balances Rights; Need for Safety
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today issued the following statement after the White House announced recommendations from Vice President Joe Biden's gun task force. "Like all Americans, I was deeply saddened by the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. What added to our grief as a nation was that it also came on the heels of mass gun shootings in Colorado, Arizona, Wisconsin, and the senseless acts of violence that occur every day in cities throughout o… Continue Reading
01.09.13
Harkin Statement on Resignation of Labor Secretary Solis
WASHINGTON--Today, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) released the following statement in response to Labor Secretary Hilda Solis' resignation: "Secretary Solis has been an exemplary public servant and a fierce champion for workers' rights. She served as a strong voice at the Department of Labor during a particularly challenging time for our nation's economy and for our middle class. I am grateful for her service to our country, and wish her all the best in the next step in her career." ###… Continue Reading
12.19.12
Statement of Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) on His Decision to Remain Chairman of the HELP Committee
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today issued the following statement: "Earlier today, I informed Majority Leader Reid of my intention to remain Chairman of the Senate's Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. I made this decision based on where my passion lies. This is my work, it is who I am, and these are the issues that define me. "I believe strongly that the erosion of the middle class, and growing income inequality, are among our most pressing issues as a countr… Continue Reading
11.19.12
HELP Committee Seeks Answers from States on Compounding Pharmacies
WASHINGTON-Today, Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA), Ranking Member Mike Enzi (R-WY) and members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee sent letters to all fifty state boards of pharmacy, the entities responsible for maintaining registries of pharmacies operating within their state. The HELP Committee is investigating the New England Compounding Center (NECC) for its production of tainted drugs that caused the recent outbreak of fungal meningitis, which has resulted in 33 deaths … Continue Reading
11.15.12
Statement of Senator Harkin (D-IA) at the HELP Committee Hearing: “Pharmacy Compounding: Implications of the 2012 Meningitis Outbreak”
"We are meeting here today to better understand what caused one of the worst public health crises this country has experienced in recent years: the meningitis outbreak that has claimed the lives of 32 Americans and sickened at least 461 people. "While those affected grapple with side effects and complications related to treatment, thousands more are waiting to see if they become ill. This outbreak has been traced back to pharmaceuticals produced at the New England Compounding Comp… Continue Reading
10.25.12
HELP Committee Members Issue Document Request in Meningitis Investigation
WASHINGTON-Today, Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA), Ranking Member Mike Enzi (R-WY) and members of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions issued letters requesting documents to aid in the committee's investigation into the recent fungal meningitis outbreak, which has sickened more than 300 Americans. The Committee sent letters to the New England Compounding Center, the Massachusetts Board of Pharmacy, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration seeking records that will help the C… Continue Reading
10.24.12
Draft Proposal to Improve Drug Distribution Security
Policy Options Draft for Stakeholder Discussion This discussion draft reflects an ongoing effort to develop consensus policy on drug distribution security. This draft contains brackets and a menu of policy options for some issues around which developing consensus is most challenging. Chairman Harkin and Ranking Member Enzi of the HELP Committee, Chairman Upton and Ranking Member Waxman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, as well as the offices of Senators Bennet, Burr, Alexander, Whitehouse, … Continue Reading
09.20.12
Harkin Statement at HELP Committee Roundtable: “Pension Modernization for a 21st Century Workforce”
*As Prepared for Delivery* "I want to welcome everyone to the extraordinary roundtable we are holding today. We have brought together a number of very experienced and thoughtful participants to talk about an issue that is critically important for the middle class -rebuilding the pension system. "Defined benefit pension plans are one of the simplest, most cost-effective ways for middle class Americans to earn a dependable source of retirement income. And they are incredibly effective at keep… Continue Reading
07.30.12
Harkin: Report Reveals Troubling Realities of For-Profit Schools
WASHINGTON-Today, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, unveiled a report on the findings of the Committee's two-year investigation of the for-profit higher education industry. The report outlines widespread problems throughout the sector, as evidenced by the thousands of pages of never-before-released internal documents that education companies submitted to the Committee at Harkin's request. "In this report, you will find over… Continue Reading
07.27.12
Harkin Unveils Plan to Solve the Retirement Crisis
WASHINGTON-Today, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, released a new report examining the retirement crisis in America and laying out a bold proposal to rebuild the private pension system. The report comes after a series of HELP Committee hearings on retirement security that Harkin has convened over the last two years. "After a lifetime of hard work, people deserve the opportunity to live out their golden years with dignity an… Continue Reading
