Bryan Steil: “I thank my colleague for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I came to Washington to fight for workers. I also came to Congress to…”

“I thank my colleague for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I came to Washington to fight for workers. I also came to Congress to make tough choices, not easy ones. That is why we are here today: to stand up for workers throughout Wisconsin and across the country. Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose the previous question so that my resolution, H. Con. Res. 54, can be voted on. My resolution, H. Con. Res. 54, will reestablish the congressional joint select committee to address the multiemployer pension crisis, bringing together a nonpartisan group to take this problem head on. Pension plans for nearly half a million Americans are in jeopardy. Roughly, 130 union-managed pension funds, covering over 1.3 million workers, are severely underfunded. This accounts for more than 23,000 workers from the Central States' plan in Wisconsin alone. In just 5\1/ 2\ years, their pension fund may become insolvent. Unfortunately, the actions of a few have resulted in uncertainty for many. We all know that Central States and other pension plans are in crisis. These underfunded plans pose a threat to workers, to retirees, and to our economy. We need to address this now. I have offered H. Con. Res. 54 as a real solution to this problem. This is a good-faith effort to protect pensions. This is an opportunity to make real change in Americans' lives. This is a path for Democrats and Republicans to protect pension benefits for thousands of Americans.…”