Huge Win in the Fight to Preserve Local Control of Education Standards

Senator Pat Roberts’ bill to stop the federal government from interfering with state and local education decisions on academic standards, like Common Core, took a huge step forward in the Senate.

Roberts’ language was included in a bill to reauthorize elementary and secondary education programs. The bill was approved by the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee with a strong bipartisan vote of 22-0. The bill now goes to the full Senate for debate.

This is important because the bill will prohibit the Administration from finding additional ways to promote a state’s adoption of Common Core.

Roberts’ provision strictly forbids the federal government from intervening in a state’s education standards, curricula, and assessments through the use of incentives, mandates, grants, waivers or any other form of manipulation. A state will now be free from federal interference in how to decide whether or not to use Common Core or any other type of academic standard.

The bill language mirrors legislation Senator Roberts introduced earlier this year called the Learning Opportunities Created At the Local (LOCAL) Level Act. Text of that bill can be found here.

The LOCAL Level Act has the support of Heritage Action for America, the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), the Eagle Forum, FreedomWorks, and the Family Research Council. 

 

Protecting Quality Home Health Care

Senator Roberts wants to stop the Obama Administration’s effort to undermine the quality and affordability of in-home companion and domestic care for seniors and disabled individuals.

At issue is a Department of Labor proposed rule that would require overtime, burdensome record keeping for domestic in-home workers.

A lower court rejected the rule, saying it would “seize unprecedented authority.” The Obama Administration appealed the lower court ruling so Senator Roberts and U.S. Representative Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) offered an Amicus Brief for Members of the U.S. Congress ahead of oral arguments that will be heard May 7 in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The brief can be found here.

In offering the brief, Roberts said, “This rule is not practical and I oppose attempts to impose burdensome and costly labor requirements in the home where standards must remain flexible due to the individual nature of care for those in need of companion care,” Roberts said. “This is regulatory overreach gone haywire.”

 

School Lunch and Breakfast “Meet and Eats”

As Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Senator Roberts is visiting Kansas schools to experience and examine school lunch and breakfast programs set to be reauthorized this year. He appreciates hearing from the students themselves what they think about their school nutrition programs.

Roberts is concerned with one-size-fits all requirements that may not be attainable in smaller, rural schools.

Roberts joined students at Pauline Central Primary School and Washburn Rural Alternative High School; Lebo Elementary, Junior & Senior High schools; and Fowler Junior & Senior High School for lunch. He joined Dodge City Middle School students for breakfast. 

 

Identity Theft Resources

Aware of the many complaints -- especially in tax season -- of scams trying to secure Kansans’ personal information, Senator Roberts’ website features a new link highlighting resources to help consumers better protect themselves.

Please take a look at the helpful tips and resources compiled by the Federal Trade Commission. Visit our identity theft page here.

 

Iran

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee and President Obama recently reached a new agreement on Congressional oversight with regards to Iran’s nuclear program. This came as a result of Senate Republicans strong rejection to President Obama’s efforts to bypass the Senate on such a major and far-reaching deal.

Secretary Kerry has until June 30^th to deliver a final deal. Following the agreement, Senator Roberts said, “Strong, bipartisan and international sanctions are exactly what brought Iran to the table. But in the 17 months since negotiations began, the United States has only capitulated to Iran’s demands.

“A nuclear deal with Iran can only be a good deal if Iran’s ability to produce a weapon is completely dismantled. I don’t believe the President shares my point of view.

“I am pleased that Chairman Corker was able to get the President to renege on his veto threat. But I do not trust this President to work in the best interest of the people of Kansas or the United States. That is why it is imperative we have the ability to approve any agreement with Iran, and maintain Congressional authority to implement sanctions if – and when – Iran fails to meet the requirements of the deal. The Iran Nuclear Review Act gives Congress a voice in these negotiations, even if the president would like us to remain silent.”
 

Fox News with Neil Cavuto

Neil Cavuto interviewed Senator Roberts about the Iran deal…and other “news” from the week. Watch here:

 

Western Kansas Visits

Leaders in Western Kansas recently stopped by to discuss some of the region’s most pressing issues as part of their annual Washington visit. Hot topics from the group included immigration, regulation and transportation issues. Cities represented included Dodge City, Garden City, Great Bend, Hays and Liberal.

Garden City, KS

Liberal, KS

 

Stay Informed on Senate Agriculture Committee Actions

To keep up with our work in the Senate Agriculture Committee on behalf of farmers and ranchers, please follow us on Twitter and Facebook at:

 

 

Check Senator Roberts’ Website, YouTube and Facebook Sites for Updates

You can visit my YouTube channel for more information on what’s happening in Washington, D.C., and Kansas by visiting www.youtube.com/user/SenPatRoberts. It's a great place to find speeches and debates on the Senate floor, press conferences, interviews and Senate hearings. You can also stay updated on all these happenings on my Facebook and Twitter sites.