John Kline: “We've got to empower parents.”

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank the witnesses for being with us today. Excellent testimony, as we're trying to solve the problem that some of us have been dealing with for a long time.

We owe it to them to set aside our political differences and come to the table to find a bipartisan solution that secures their future.

Part of the way we need to approach these solutions is to adopt reforms that address the structural flaws within the plans.

No one voted for me in less than 35 days, and I would afford employees the same opportunity to be able to make an informed decision with regard to choosing their union representation.