Democrats walked out on U.S. Rep. John Kline's Education and the Workforce Committee Wednesday morning to protest a GOP bill that would consolidate federal job-training programs. The Minnesota Republican, who chairs the committee, accused the Democrats of putting politics ahead of business: "Democrats abdicated their responsibility and demonstrated their unwillingness to engage in the legislative process," he said. "Rather than present their ideas, Democrats offered a rote defense of the status quo and political theatrics." Ranking Democrat George Miller of California argued that the GOP jobs and training bill would indiscriminately cut program funding. Democrats also raised procedural objections. The bill would consolidate 35 programs into a Workforce Investment Fund, with money distributed to states through block grants.
