{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=9825f228-cc33-4ef6-b11e-1a82d1d1831a", "FISCHER, SENATE REPUBLICANS QUESTION DEPT. OF EDUCATION'S ROLE IN OBAMACARE IMPLEMENTATION", "2013-07-16", "2013", "2013-07", "Republican", "House", "NE", "Deb Fischer", "F000463", "www.fischer.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013\u00a0U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) today joined several of her Republican Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to question the Department of Education\u2019s involvement in implementing ObamaCare.\r\nIn the letter, Fischer and her colleagues write: \u201cWhile we understand that the effects of the President\u2019s health care law will be felt by parents, teachers, and their families, we are unfamiliar with how the Department of Education\u2019s involvement in implementation will further the mission of educating our nation\u2019s students.\u201d\r\nThe Department of Education is one of the many agencies outside of the Departments of Health and Human Services and Treasury that, according to recent news reports, intends to engage in efforts outside its missions to promote ObamaCare.\r\nJoining Fischer in sending the letter were Senators Mike Johanns (R-Neb.), Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.) Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), and Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.).\r\nThe senators\u2019 letter is below.\u00a0Click here to see the PDF version.\r\n__\r\nJuly 16, 2013\r\nThe Honorable Arne Duncan   Secretary   U.S. Department of Education   400 Maryland Avenue, Southwest   Washington, D.C.\u00a020202\r\nDear Secretary Duncan:\r\nWe write to express concern with a recent announcement you made regarding the relationship between the U.S. Department of Education and the implementation of the President\u2019s health care law.\u00a0 During a recent interview with Lois Romano of POLITICO, you stated that the Department of Education will be assisting with the dissemination of information.\u00a0 Additionally, you indicated that there is a team at the Department of Education currently helping with implementation.\u00a0\r\nWhile we understand that the effects of the President\u2019s health care law will be felt by parents, teachers, and their families, we are unfamiliar with how the Department of Education\u2019s involvement in implementation will further the mission of educating our nation\u2019s students.\u00a0 To better understand the statutory authority, cost, and scope of the activities the Department of Education has taken, please provide a detailed response to the following questions:\r\n \r\nHow much is the Department of Education spending this fiscal year to further the implementation of the President\u2019s health care law, and how much does the Department of Education anticipate spending in each fiscal year from 2014 to 2017?\u00a0 What specific appropriation accounts and programs are being used?\r\nIf the Department of Education is receiving these funds through the Department of Health and Human Services, what instructions were included with this funding and how many Department of Education employees will be dedicated to this effort?\r\nHow are the actions by the Department of Education different from those taken by the Department of Health and Human Services?\u00a0 Have you coordinated with the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure your efforts are not duplicative?\r\nWhat authority does the Department of Education have to disseminate information and assist with the implementation of the President\u2019s health care law?\r\nHow do the Department of Education\u2019s activities further the education of our nation\u2019s students?\r\nWhat specific actions are you asking schools to take without additional federal resources?\u00a0 How does that not constitute an unfunded mandate?\r\n \r\nIn addition to these questions, we request that you please provide a detailed plan of your current and future involvement with the implementation of the President\u2019s health care law by July 30, 2013.\r\nSincerely,\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=9825f228-cc33-4ef6-b11e-1a82d1d1831a"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9783031418919563, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}