Mike Enzi

I have been a strong supporter of our Nation's traditional defined benefit system as it is one of the three legs, including 401(k) plans and Social Security, of our Nation's retirement system.

I want to commend Senator Casey for helping to open the discussion by introducing a bill that would provide a path forward for some of our most troubled multiemployer plans.

We need to ensure that the union workers, union retirees, and their families have a pension system they can trust and believe in.

I've been a strong supporter of our Nation's traditional defined benefit system, as it is one of the three legs, including 401(k) plans and Social Security, of our Nation's retirement system.

This amendment creates a new and stable funding source for the Governmental Accounting Standards Board. The GASB serves an important function to provide pronouncements on accounting and financial reporting for State and local governments…

The well-being of our children is important. Healthy, active children are more productive, and they're more engaged in learning and other activities.

We want to hear from them today and have them assist us as we fix No Child Left Behind, so that kids graduate from high school, better prepared for college.

Special thanks go to Senator Tom Harkin and Senator Mike Enzi for their dedicated efforts to help children achieve the potential that is theirs through an active and healthy life.

I thank you for convening today's hearing on this issue supporting student health, physical education and well-being as a part of this series of hearings on the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

The committee met, pursuant to notice, at 2:28 p.m. in Room SD-430, Dirksen Senate Office Building.

I rise to speak about Specter amendment No. 3776... Senator Specter's amendment would create what is called a ``private right to action,'' meaning trial lawyers are going to have a field day with this.

The bill incorrectly asserts that the decision by the Supreme Court of the United States in Gross v. FBL Financial Services eliminated protection for many individuals.

The bill is overly broad, vague and ambiguous and may open up a Pandora's Box of litigation.

This is because the bill would deprive discrimination victims of any meaningful remedy in these same-action cases.

I do not believe the bill would advance the public interest.

Although I sometimes hold different views than those of the current Administration, I believe the president was correct earlier this week when he noted that the overblown rhetoric of the public debate closes the door to compromise and…

The answer is lawyers, not victims of discrimination, not unions and not employers.

Every day in the United States, 7,000 students drop out of school.

We need to strengthen programs that provide relevance, context and rigor for students in both middle and high school.

The success of our Nation's middle and high schools is vital in preparing our students for the 21st century economy.

We simply cannot afford to lose those students.

It is also tremendous what the United States does, as opposed to a number of other countries which start kicking kids out of school regardless of special needs at a very early age.

I appreciate that. I am not real familiar with that because I am from a very rural area.

I have to tell you, all of that really bothers me.

I want to start by applauding the work of the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers in the development of the Common Core standards.