I believe it is the Department of Labor that touches the lives of ordinary working Americans the most on a day-to-day basis.

It has been a pleasure to see this critical agency revitalized under the Obama administration after years of neglect.

I still think the District should have its proper representation in the U.S. House as a full voting member of the House, and we should have two Senators from the District of Columbia.

In Tennessee, Governor Haslam has proposed this week that community college be free, which would make our State the only one to do that, I believe.

I think it is fair to say there is probably no committee in the Senate where the ideological differences are as split as they are on this committee.

Every Governor I know is focused on it. That is where most of the action is.

The issues that are facing the Department are front and center in our national dialog right now.

I'm a proud cosponsor of your Strong Start for America's Students Act.

Equally as important as investments in pre-K and programs like Head Start are the commitments we make to high-quality childcare.

Secretary Vilsack has been very robust on his cost-savings measures which he has reported as $1.2 billion in tax dollars saved by the department.

The early intervention and two-generational approach has transformed the lives of children and their families across my State.

I can say factually that my colleague, Senator Alexander, has a great deal of knowledge and passion on these issues.

But we can't do it alone.

Here's another grand promise: $75 billion over 10 years to expand preschool for 4-year-olds that live below 200 percent of the Federal poverty definition.

We'll again convene to discuss early learning with a focus on strengthening the Strong Start for America's Children Act.

I look forward to a good, robust discussion today on that topic.

I have a field hearing in Des Moines to explore how early learning programs have benefited people in Iowa.

I'm afraid that describes the president's proposal for preschool for all.