The House Education and the Workforce has officially announced that Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) will assume the role of chair in the 115th Congress, following the retirement of current chair Rep. John Kline (R-MN). Rep. Foxx has served on the Committee for a number of years, including the last six as chair of its Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training.
Prior to coming to Congress, Rep. Foxx served as an educator, school board member and was involved in North Carolina’s higher education system, including through work at community colleges. Upon the announcement of her new position, Rep. Foxx said:
“My colleagues have entrusted me with a significant responsibility, and I look forward to building on the foundation established by leaders such as John Kline and John Boehner and continuing their legacy of honest, dogged work confronting the challenges facing America’s schools and workplaces. The committee will continue to work towards fostering the best opportunities for students to learn, workers to succeed and employers to grow.”
In interviews prior to her official selection, Rep. Foxx outlined several priorities she would pursue as chair of the Committee. Chief among them was rolling back federal regulations on policies under the Committee’s jurisdiction. She has also expressed interest in reauthorization of the Higher Education Act and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. In the past, she has also suggested that Perkins reauthorization should be a priority if not completed this year. “And certainly if it doesn't get passed this fall, it would be high on the agenda for whomever the next chairman is,” she said in an interview in late August.
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