High Country Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC) is celebrating a bipartisan victory for American workers after the House passed her bill, the A Stronger Workforce for America Act. The legislation aims to upgrade the skills of American workers and strengthen pathways to economic opportunity.In a statement, Foxx emphasized the importance of investing in the American workforce, stating, “This is the American workforce that smelted the steel that built the engine that propelled man to the moon... This is the American workforce that has repeatedly dropped its tools and...

ICYMI: Courts AGAIN Stop Biden’s Extreme Executive Overreach on Student Loans

WASHINGTON – Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) addressed the House Floor, highlighting the recent ruling by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that blocked the Department of Education’s borrower defense rule. Foxx emphasized the significance of this decision, stating, "I rise today to report to the House that Article III courts have once again protected the American people from extreme executive overreach."Foxx expressed optimism regarding the future of the borrower-defense scheme, noting, "This key decision gives strong reason to...

Chair Owens Delivers Opening Remarks at Hearing Examining FAFSA Failures

Washington - Today, Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee Chairman Burgess Owens (R-UT) addressed the ongoing issues surrounding the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) during a hearing in Washington. The hearing, titled "FAFSA Fail: Examining the Impacts on Students, Families, and Schools," aimed to shed light on the challenges faced by students, families, and institutions due to FAFSA failures.Chairman Burgess Owens began by highlighting the significance of FAFSA in providing financial assistance to individuals pursuing higher education....

Foxx: NLRB’s Joint Employer Rule Is Being Fast-Tracked to The Morgue

WASHINGTON – Today, Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) expressed strong opposition to Biden's joint-employer rule, citing Senate passage of a Congressional Review Act resolution to halt the mandate. Foxx stated, "Given today’s vote in the Senate, and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas having struck down the NLRB’s Joint Employer Rule, Biden’s anti-business agenda is folding like a cheap tent. The anti-freedom, anti-growth joint-employer rule runs counter to the entrepreneurial spirit of the nation, and it...

TIME CHANGE: Kiley to Hold Hearing on Connecting Independent Contractors to Portable Benefits

WASHINGTON — Tomorrow, at 9:00 a.m., the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, chaired by Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-CA), will hold a hearing titled: “Unlocking Opportunity: Allowing Independent Contractors to Access Benefits.”"The dynamics of America’s workforce are rapidly changing, and it’s critical that we keep up by developing innovative policies that support this evolving framework," said Chairman Kiley. "Access to benefits should never be out of reach for workers, regardless of how they choose to participate in the economy. This hearing will give us important insight...

1 gas station in cities throughout Avery County had the cheapest premium gas in week ending Apr. 6

The only price of premium gas in cities throughout Avery County was found at a single gas station in the week ending Apr. 6, according to GasBuddy.com.

1 gas station in cities throughout Wilkes County had the cheapest diesel in week ending Apr. 6

The only price of diesel in cities throughout Wilkes County was found at a single gas station in the week ending Apr. 6, according to GasBuddy.com.

Owens, Wilson to Hold Hearing on Ramifications of ED’s FAFSA Failure — Tomorrow at 10:15 AM

The Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development will hold a hearing tomorrow at 10:15 a.m. titled: “FAFSA Fail: Examining the Impact on Students, Families, and Schools.” Chairman Burgess Owens (R-UT) expressed concerns about the Education Department's FAFSA rollout, stating, “The Education Department’s FAFSA rollout has been defined by poor communication, negligence, and incompetence that has wreaked havoc on the entire university system." He highlighted how FAFSA delays have negatively affected millions of students, leaving them uncertain about their...

Foxx on Strengthening Tools to Protect Missing and Exploited Children

WASHINGTON – Today, Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) delivered a speech on the House Floor in support of legislation aimed at enhancing the protection of missing and exploited children in the United States.Foxx expressed her support for the Missing Children’s Assistance Reauthorization Act, emphasizing its significance in providing assistance to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). She highlighted the pivotal role of NCMEC as the national clearinghouse and resource center dedicated to safeguarding missing and...

Chair Good to Hold Hearing on ERISA’s 50th Anniversary

WASHINGTON – The Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions, chaired by Rep. Bob Good (R-VA), has announced a hearing to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). The hearing, scheduled for Tuesday, April 16, at 10:15 a.m., will focus on the theme: “ERISA’s 50th Anniversary: the Path to Higher Quality, Lower Cost Health Care.”Chairman Good emphasized the importance of employer-sponsored insurance under ERISA, stating, "Employer-sponsored insurance—governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)—is...

Chair Foxx Advocates for A Stronger Workforce for America Act

WASHINGTON – Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) delivered a passionate speech on the House Floor today in support of H.R. 6655, A Stronger Workforce for America Act. The bipartisan legislation aims to enhance the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to facilitate skills development and empower more Americans to pursue successful careers.Expressing gratitude to Ranking Member Bobby Scott for their bipartisan collaboration, Chairwoman Foxx highlighted the importance of unity in advancing initiatives for the American workforce. She...

Where could drivers find the cheapest gas in cities within Avery County in week ending Apr. 6?

The lowest price of regular gas in cities throughout Avery County was found at two gas stations in the week ending Apr. 6, according to GasBuddy.com.

House Passes Bipartisan Legislation to Support Missing and Exploited Children

The House of Representatives has passed a bipartisan legislation aimed at supporting missing and exploited children. The legislation, known as the Missing Children’s Assistance Reauthorization Act of 2023, was authored by Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee Chairman Aaron Bean and Congressman Joe Courtney. The bill makes critical updates to help the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children better respond to crimes affecting children, support youth who are missing, and prevent child sexual exploitation and victimization.Chairman...

Foxx to PBGC: The Committee’s Investigation Will Continue

Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) has expressed dissatisfaction with the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) for its handling of a recent investigation. Foxx highlighted the recovery of $127 million in taxpayer money from the Central States Pension Fund (Central States) as a result of the Committee's oversight, stating, "Thanks to the diligence and oversight of the Committee in holding PBGC accountable, 127 million in precious taxpayer dollars has been clawed back. This is a textbook example of the importance of congressional...

Support Grows for the Stronger Workforce for America Act to Enhance Workforce Development

On April 9, 2024, the House is set to vote on H.R. 6655, the Stronger Workforce for America Act, which aims to address the critical issue of skill shortages in the workforce. The bipartisan legislation has garnered support from various organizations and individuals who recognize its potential to reshape the workforce development landscape in the United States.Linda McMahon from the Center for the American Worker at the America First Policy Institute highlighted the importance of the Stronger Workforce for America Act, emphasizing its role in empowering employers and local...

House Passes Transformative Bill to Update Federal Workforce Development Programs

The House has passed H.R. 6655, A Stronger Workforce for America Act, a bipartisan legislation introduced by Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx and Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott. The bill aims to make critical improvements to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to enhance skills development, strengthen the relationship between employers and the workforce system, and pave the way for more Americans to secure successful careers.Chairwoman Virginia Foxx emphasized the importance of the bill, stating, "A skilled workforce...

Cheapest regular gas in cities across Watauga County in week ending Apr. 6

The only price of regular gas in cities throughout Watauga County was found at a single gas station in the week ending Apr. 6, according to GasBuddy.com.

Where were the cheapest places to fill up on regular gas in cities in Mitchell County in week ending Apr. 6?

The lowest price of regular gas in cities throughout Mitchell County was found at three gas stations in the week ending Apr. 6, according to GasBuddy.com.

Foxx on NAIA’s Vote to Protect Women’s Sports

In response to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics’ (NAIA) vote to protect women’s sports, Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) strongly criticized the Biden administration's stance on allowing biological males to compete in women's sports. Foxx stated, "Allowing biological males to compete in women’s sports is a travesty—one that the Biden administration is enabling with its radical interpretation of Title IX."Foxx highlighted the impact of this policy, noting that it results in women being denied equal opportunity,...

Foxx Debunks Local 2325’s Claims that Committee Subpoena is Unwarranted