Members of the House Education and the Workforce Committee called for bipartisanship to achieve common goals during the committee’s first meeting of the new Congress. Will it happen?

Americans are looking for “less bickering and more results,” said Rep. John Kline (R-MN), committee chairman, during the committee’s Jan. 21 organizational meeting to adopt its rules and oversight plan for the next two years.

In his opening comments, ranking member Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA) likewise advocated bipartisanship, calling it the “key” to legislative success.

Although many politicians are quick to say they want to work together, the rhetoric over the last few years hasn’t always led to results. When was the last time an important piece of safety legislation was adopted into law?

But with Republicans in the majority of both the House and Senate, as opposed to two split chambers, perhaps more compromise will occur. Legislation passed by a GOP-led Congress that ignores Democrats’ concerns may well lead to a veto by President Barack Obama. Both sides will have to work together if they want anything to get through.

What do you think? Will we see more bipartisanship as it concerns occupational safety during the 114th Congress, or will it be more of the same “bickering” we’ve seen the last two terms? Let me know in the comments below.

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