Chairman's Press
Enzi: Innovation Fosters Success in Fight Against Rare and Neglected Pediatric Diseases
Washington, D.C. - At today's U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing, "Treating Rare and Neglected Pediatric Diseases: Promoting the Development of New Treatments and Cures," Ranking Member, Senator Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) emphasized the need to increase research and development of rare and neglected diseases, and called on Congress to ensure federal policies foster innovative treatments for rare pediatric diseases. "Congress created the framework for successful … Continue Reading
07.20.10
Enzi: Unemployment Insurance Can Be Extended Without Breaking the Bank
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, made the following statement in response to majority's decision to force a vote on an unemployment extension bill that will further swell the nation's $1 trillion debt: "I support extending unemployment insurance but unlike the majority's leadership, I support paying for it. Both parties can agree to extend unemployment benefits: the difficulty arises … Continue Reading
07.07.10
Enzi: Public Deserves Full Examination of Berwick and Gotbaum Appointments
Washington, D.C - U.S. Senator Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, made the following statement on President Obama's decision to bypass Senate procedure to appoint Donald Berwick as Director of the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and Joshua Gotbaum as Director of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PGBC): "The President skipped the Congressional approval process and snuck Dr. Berwick into this critical … Continue Reading
07.02.10
Enzi: Collective Bargaining Mandate Burdens States, Localities In Time Of Crisis
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, today voiced strong opposition to an amendment added last night by House Democrats to the emergency supplemental appropriations bill, which would give the federal government new powers to override local decisions and allow collective bargaining by public safety personnel. "This amendment would hit local municipalities during a time of budgetary crisis for no r… Continue Reading
06.30.10
Long-Term Budget Outlook? It’s Not Good
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) pointed to the Long-Term Budget Report released today by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) as confirmation of the public sentiment that the new healthcare bill signed into law earlier this year will increase the deficit. "The number one thing Americans were concerned about during the health care debate was reducing costs," said Enzi. "Today's report confirms what the pub… Continue Reading
06.30.10
Enzi: Record Number Waiting For Life-Saving AIDS Treatment
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) has sent a second request to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius voicing his concern regarding the record 1,800 individuals waiting to receive life-saving treatment through the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) administered under the Ryan White program. Sens. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), fellow Committee members, joined Enzi in writing Se… Continue Reading
06.29.10
Enzi Salutes 9/11 Heroes, Calls For Grant Program Oversight
Washington, D.C. - At today's U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing, "Examining the Continuing Needs of Workers and Communities Affected by 9/11," Ranking Member Senator Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) saluted 9/11 heroes and called for oversight of a National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) medical monitoring and treatment program for the victims of the attacks. "The firefighters, police and emergency personnel who bravely worked to rescue survivors … Continue Reading
06.29.10
Enzi and Isakson Seek Bipartisan Approach to Mine Safety
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) voiced their disappointment regarding partisan workplace safety reform legislation concepts announced by House and Senate Democrats today. Enzi, Ranking Member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Isakson, co-author of the MINER Act and the Committee's Employment and Workplace Subcommittee Ranking Member, released the following statement: "We are disappointed that the Democrats have c… Continue Reading
06.25.10
Enzi Appoints Kyle Hicks as HELP Committee Republican Labor Policy Director
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee today made the following comments upon appointing Kyle Hicks as his Labor Policy Director. "Kyle Hicks has been a valued member of my staff on the HELP Committee for nearly six years," said Enzi. "As my labor counsel, Kyle has skillfully advised me on matters related to employment law and workplace and employment issues within the Committee's jurisdiction. I … Continue Reading
06.24.10
Enzi: For-Profit Education Essential Part of Developing Strong Workforce
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, today urged Congress and the Administration to use a scalpel rather than a machete in their efforts to excise bad actors from for-profit education, warning that for-profit institutions provide the only practical means for many working adults to develop the skills and knowledge they need to obtain better jobs. "Unfortunately, as in other industries, there are b… Continue Reading
06.22.10
If You Like What You Have You Can’t Keep It, Enzi Warns
Washington, D.C. - New health insurance rules unveiled this week violate President Obama's promise to allow Americans who like their health plans to keep them, U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, Ranking Member of the Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions Committee, said today on the Senate floor. "Last week, the Administration published a 121-page interim final rule that will increase the costs businesses pay for health insurance. If employers do almost anything on their own to help slow the growth i… Continue Reading
06.22.10
Enzi: High-Risk Patients Must Be Top Priority
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, led Senate Republicans today in sending a letter to Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius requesting a response regarding the Administration's missed deadline for establishing the new high risk pool program. The letter also requested a response to recent Congressional Budget Office (CBO) analysis stating that high risk pool provisions in the new … Continue Reading
06.22.10
Enzi: Still More to Accomplish on 11th Anniversary of the Olmstead Decision
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, made the following statement today in recognition of the 11th anniversary of the Supreme Court's 1999 Olmstead decision which improved access to community-based care for individuals with disabilities. "The landmark Olmstead decision helped reshape years of policy in which more costly institutional care was the norm," said Enzi. "When speaking with seniors and … Continue Reading
06.22.10
STATEMENT OF RANKING MEMBER MICHAEL B. ENZI at HELP Committee Hearing - “The ADA and Olmstead Enforcement: Ensuring Community Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities”
Good afternoon and thank you Chairman Harkin, for your leadership on this important issue and for holding this hearing. I would also like to thank our witnesses for taking time out of your schedules to be with us. It's a pleasure to welcome all of you to our hearing. Today's hearing is quite important as it recognizes an important event that took place eleven years ago today. On June 22, 1999 the Supreme Court ruled in the Olmstead decision which requires that states must provide individua… Continue Reading
06.22.10
Enzi Commends Senate Confirmation of Brian Hayes to National Labor Relations Board
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee today commended the Senate for the confirmation of Brian Hayes to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). "Brian Hayes will bring a valuable combination of private sector and prior NLRB experience to this new position," said Enzi. "Additionally, Brian has been a trusted member of my staff in the Senate as my Labor Policy Director and he will be missed here … Continue Reading
05.27.10
Enzi: Piecemeal Pension Overhaul Simply a “House of Cards” for Retirees
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, voiced his strong opposition to a piecemeal approach to a pension overhaul at a hearing today. "Today's hearing on our nation's multiemployer pension system is very timely. Many of our workers, retirees and their families have faced significant uncertainty with their financial matters over the last few years," Enzi said. "Workers should not be burdened with w… Continue Reading
05.06.10
Enzi Addresses Business Leaders On Improving Lives of Working Families
Washington, D.C. - At the annual meeting of business leaders for working families, U.S. Senator Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, outlined specific steps that can be taken to grow quality new jobs in America. "The decisions we make here in Washington will impact speed and sustainability of economic growth," said Enzi. "We must ensure an economic and regulatory environment that allows new and small businesses to grow. Addit… Continue Reading
04.28.10
Enzi: ESEA Standards and Assessments Should Follow States’ Lead
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, made the following statement today at the sixth in a series of hearings on the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). Today's hearing focused on standards and assessments. "The work being done by the states on standards has spearheaded significant discussion about the next generation of state systems of assessment," said Enzi. "In… Continue Reading
04.27.10
Enzi: Mine Safety Policies Must Get Results
Washington, D.C. - At a hearing today, in the wake of this month's mining disaster in West Virginia, U.S. Senator Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, urged lawmakers and regulators to focus on creative policies that will help employers promote safer workplaces before accidents can happen. "As a Senator from a state whose primary industry is energy production, my heart goes out to the families and communities that lost those ha… Continue Reading
04.27.10
Enzi Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Preserve VPP Workplace Safety Program
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, announced today that he has introduced bipartisan legislation to protect a key voluntary workplace safety program cut out of the Administration's budget proposal. The bill, co-sponsored by Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA), will preserve the Department of Labor's Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP), a cooperative program between private industry and the DOL's Occupationa… Continue Reading
